A conceptual framework and rationale for the periodic interviewing of nursing home residents and their families were developed, a methodology for developing necessary surveys was devised, and ways in which survey data could be used were identified. Client satisfaction surveys were conducted in three long-term care facilities in St. Paul,…

People in the counseling profession make some profound assumptions about the freedom that all people have (or seem to have). From the moment that each counselor began counselor training, the notion that people are able to generally choose and make decisions for themselves has been associated with the dominant process models of the profession. As a…

Cross sectional data indicate that about four percent of elderly persons reside in nursing homes. Yet many studies, some using death certificates, show actual risk of institutionalization is upwards of 25 percent. This paper presents a death registration study that examined all deaths in North Carolina and analyzed rural and urban differences. The…

This study was conducted to investigate the sources of meaningful events across the lifespan. Both a quantitative approach and a qualitative approach were used to examine whether or not different measures reflected different domains of meaning and purpose. Subjects were 215 men and women, were classified in five developmental groupings: young…

This paper is concerned with the spoken communication of chronically ill and aging residents of long-term care institutions. Spoken communication is a vital component of social interaction and psychological well-being underlying such concepts as isolation, integration, and adjustment; it is a fertile area for investigation and analysis. (Author)

Poor care and neglect of the elderly in our society is a shameful reflection of an unbalanced system of values. (JD)

Using modified versions of games and sports, satisfying recreational programs can be organized in convalescent homes. (MM)

Describes the Nursing Home Community Council Project which was developed to improve the quality of resident life through organized community involvement. Reports issues in organizing nursing homes, the group-to-group approach, and providing advocacy in the context of service. (Author/ABB)

Describes program in which nursing home staff (N=20) who were not involved in one-to-one caregiving each befriended one nursing home resident. Found satisfactions included feeling appreciated by resident, seeing their positive impact, having a new social tie, and learning about aging. Found residents benefited from expanded social network,…

Evaluated Connecticut's Medicaid Home and Community-Based Care program which allowed elderly persons to remain in community with home and community-based services instead of entering nursing homes. Results did not reveal if the program was cost effective. Recommends rigorous preadmission screening of nursing home applicants to increase likelihood…

Examined social and spatial integration among residents of a life care facility who varied in mobility status. Able residents reported more personal discomfort with wheelchair users than with residents who used canes or walkers. These reports were reflected in their spatial separation from, and low levels of interaction with, the less mobile…

Presents goals, types of groups, and unique issues and considerations related to group counseling with nursing home residents. (Author)

Discusses problems and needs of the Black elderly in terms of social security, medicare and social services, and nursing homes. Also discusses the need for qualified Black personnel in programs designed for the Black elderly, and offers suggestions for legislation and funding. (CMG)

Describes the volunteer advocacy program developed by the East Tennessee Advocacy Assistance Program to assist the ombudsman/director in resolving problems of residents in long-term care facilities. Effective volunteer participation requires intensive training, well-defined policies and procedures, coordination with aging network and long-term…

J. Jackson's Characteristics of the Treatment Environment was administered to 130 staff members of eight nursing homes in one county to assess the quality of care given retarded persons. (Author)