Examined resident characteristics most conducive to sociability and the common bonds underlying nursing home friendships. Suggests that lucidity and sight explain a significant proportion of the "loner" status of some residents, while placement on the same unit and contemporaneous age proved to be the most common bonds underlying…

Summarizes validation of a standardized measure of the perceived stressfulness of becoming a nursing home resident derived through adaptation of the Holmes and Rahe scaling procedure for research on stressful life events. Preliminary findings suggest the measure is well adapted for comparing perceptions in specific groups within American society.…

Examined anticipation of stresses in 223 patients recently admitted to nursing homes, who completed the stresses in Institutional Care Scale (SIC). Factor analysis revealed five factors significantly related to psychological and physical variables. Suggests using SIC for admission screening in nursing homes. Appendix contains the SIC. (NRB)

Examining the social context within which illness, hospitalization, and convalescence or adaptation occur permits recognition of the alternatives for creative intervention, and provides a framework for understanding the intrinsically disruptive nature of discharge from an acute care setting as well as the dangers and possibilities for change.…

Evaluates the effectiveness of a peer counseling training program in a nursing home in Victoria, B.C. The goal was to expand the number of helpers available and involve more residents in their self-care. The results indicated that the training model used is an effective method of teaching helping skills. (Author/JAC)

Reports data on admissions, discharges, and changes in health status of eight admission cohorts to nursing homes in a jurisdiction with universally-insured nursing home and home care services. The findings are compared to U.S. studies and disclose differences which may reflect differences in payment mechanisms and admission policies. (Author/JAC)

Discusses gerontological research, including research based on present trends in Swedish society. Data on the Swedish population and legislation are also presented. (Author)

Surveyed 35 nursing home staff members and found that nurses generally are not knowledgeable about psychiatric symptoms and do not seek out psychiatric intervention for their patients. Suggests that the organizational character of health care delivery in nursing homes makes adequate nursing response to mental illnesses impossible. (JAC)

Describes an age-integrated program serving residents in long-term care facilities in New York State. Describes the program's inception, the nature of recruitment efforts, and the content of the training program. A number of illustrations of volunteer ombudsmen interventions are presented for the purpose of providing an overview of services.…

Offers descriptions of reading programs created for the elderly in community centers and retirement and nursing homes. (HOD)

Analyzes the relative merits of nonprofit nursing homes. Reviews research on ownership status, and points out problems with past research. Suggests future research should study the relationship between nursing home ownership and quality and cost of care. (JAC)

Three-day inservice training programs are being conducted by the Michigan Division of Services for the Blind to assist nursing home personnel in working with visually impaired residents. (CL)

Reviews the literature on short-term educational programs on death and dying and aging to offer practitioners some guidance for efficiently structuring programs to bring about desired changes. From 15 selected studies, the length and type of treatment and the nature of the target group involved are reviewed. (Author/JAC)

Studied the relationship between selected nursing home facility policies and family relationships. Data secured from residents and their families revealed that there can be positive consequences for family relations. Care policies viewing family members as clients have the greatest impact on family relations. (Author/RC)

States the general assumptions and principles underlying standards for terminal care for those who have initiated or are planning programs for the terminally ill. These are urgently needed in view of the rapid development of the hospice movement. Patient-oriented, family-oriented, and staff-oriented standards are also enumerated. (BEF)