A review of staff attitudes toward the aged in nursing homes suggests the presence of a negative feedback situation between staff and patients that promotes negative attitudes toward aging by both parties. Suggestions for improvement in the nursing home environment are given. (Author)

Examined whether newly admitted nursing home patients' anticipated stresses of institutional care would relate to their experiences of stress one and three months later, and whether patients' experiences of stress would correspond to independent judgments of the quality of the nursing homes. Patients experienced the kinds of stresses they…

Previous research has shown that only nursing home "short stayers" will return to the community. Analyzed data to predict factors important both to discharge and tenure. Independent variables included age, sex, past residence, prognosis, and family ties. Results point to prognosis as a key predictor both of discharge and of tenure.…

Describes off-site multi-faceted (community contact, group and individual treatment, and creative art) day treatment program for over 300 mentally impaired nursing home residents from 22 separate skilled or intermediate nursing facilities. Provides case illustrations. (Author/ABL)

Describes sub-acute diagnostic and treatment nursing home program for difficult to manage older adults with medical and psychiatric illness. Notes that assessment and discharge can be completed within seven months, and that among sample population studied, almost equal percentages were discharged to state institutions, remained in the study home,…

Used a behavioral intervention of goal-setting with feedback and contingent reinforcement to increase stationary bike riding in eight male nursing home residents with multiple major medical and psychiatric disorders. A consistent increase in riding resulted among all participants. Findings support the effectivenes of behavioral strategies in…

The development of specific educational objectives for and the experiences resulting from an externship in which a student studied with an independent consultant in nursing home pharmacy practice are described. (MSE)

A comparison of value preferences of various respondent groups involved in long term nursing home care revealed that although societal values varied by resident status, there were large areas of agreement. Family members of nursing home members, however, most often differed from other groups. (Author/ABB)

Assesses the empirical relationship of the psychosocial variables of empathy, attitudes, and ideological orientation toward treatment (custodial versus therapeutic). Data analysis indicates that a low level of empathy, negative attitudes toward the elderly, and a custodial orientation toward treatment were significantly positively correlated.…

Employed Nominal Group and Delphi techniques of group decision-making to identify and determine relative intensity of stressors of nursing home administrators in Texas. Revealed that most stressful conditions involved relations with persons and agencies outside the nursing home: state agencies, legislators, general public, and relatives of…

Examines the assumed negative effects of nursing personnel turnover rates and nursing home and aggregate resident characteristics on resident discharge and death rates. Although the effects of nursing home and aggregate resident characteristics were expected, the unanticipated influence of nursing personnel turnover rates suggest that turnover…

Presents an activity program in which nursing home residents utilized their life experiences to teach an oral history class to third-grade students. The program resulted in improved self-esteem among the nursing home residents and heightened community understanding and involvement. (Author/JAC)

Studied an intra-institutional relocation of a long-term care facility by documenting changes in the environment and in residents' and staff members' use of space and patterns of behavior. Behavioral changes were conceptualized as attempts to adapt to the larger design and altered layout of the new facility. (JAC)

Describes the Family Support Group model which reinforces the ongoing importance of families and helps individual family members learn to maintain a key role in linking institutionalized relatives to their past lives. Helps family members learn what they can do to expedite adjustment and advocate effectively for their relative's care. (LLL)

Studied the use of computer games with a group of 50 frail elderly nursing home residents. Four computer games were especially modified for this population. Moderate mental and physical impairments did not hamper the residents, who indicated the games were fun, challenging, and improved self-esteem. (JAC)