bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CAREGIVERS OF FRAIL RURAL OLDER ADULTS: Effects of an Advanced Practice Nursing Intervention
Authors: Dellasega Cheryl , Zerbe Tina M 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT
Informal caregivers are responsible for providing the majority of post-discharge care for many frail older adults in rural settings. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether an advanced practice nurse (APN) intervention would promote more positive physical and emotional outcomes in caregivers of rural older adults who are frail and were recently discharged from urban-based hospitals. Thirty-two caregivers of frail rural elderly individuals were randomly assigned to treatment (APN intervention) and control groups (no APN intervention). Assessments of caregiver outcomes were collected via telephone interviews at 48-hour, 2-week, and 4-week intervals after hospital discharge of the frail rural older adults. Outcomes were operationalized as caregiver physical health and well being, and stress and burden. The former was measured using the Health and Daily Living form (HDL) and the latter by the Thoughts and Feelings and Time and Energy subscales of the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI). Additional information on caregiver problems and APN visit time was collected by the APN using the Omaha Classification System. Caregivers in the treatment group experienced significantly more positive physical and emotional health outcomes. The caregivers who received the APN intervention had higher self-rated emotional health scores, fewer emotional symptoms at Week 4, fewer depressive symptoms at Week 2 and 4, and lower Thoughts and Feelings stress scores at 48 hours than the control group. Findings support the importance of addressing the needs of caregivers post-discharge and the ability of APNs to improve post-discharge outcomes for home health care recipients and their caregivers.
DOCUMENTATION OF Delirium in Elderly Patients with Hip Fracture
Authors: Milisen Koen , Foreman Marquis D , Wouters Bert , Driesen Ronny , Godderis Jan , Abraham Ivo L , Broos Paul L O 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT
This study determined the accuracy of diagnosis and documentation of delirium in the medical and nursing records of 55 elderly patients with hip fracture (mean age = 78.4, SD = 8.4). These records were reviewed retrospectively on a patient's discharge for diagnosis of delirium, and for description of clinical indicators or symptoms of delirium. Additionally, all patients were monitored by one of the research members on days 1, 3, 5, 8, and 12 postoperatively for signs of delirium, as measured by the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). Clinicians were blinded to the purpose of the study. According to the CAM criteria, the incidence of delirium was 14.5% on postoperative Day 1; 9.1% on postoperative Day 3; 10.9% on postoperative Day 5; 7.7% on postoperative Day 8; and 5.6% on postoperative Day 12. For those same days, no formal diagnosis of delirium or a description of clinical indicators was found in the medical records. In the nursing records, a false-positive documentation of 8.5%, 4%, 4.1%, 4.2%, and 5.9%, respectively was noted. False-negative documentation was found in 87.5%, 80%, 66.7%, 75%, and 50% of the cases on the respective days. Documentation of essential symptoms-namely onset and course of the syndrome-and disturbances in consciousness, attention, and cognition, were seldom or never found in the nursing records. However, behaviors of the hyperactive variant of delirium and which are known to interfere with nursing care were documented more often (e.g., 13.4% restless, 10.3% fidget with materials, 7.2% annoying behavior). Both medical and nursing records showed poor documentation and underdiagnosis of delirium. However, a correct diagnosis and early recognition of delirium may enhance the management of this syndrome.
Resident and Family Perspectives: THE FIRST YEAR IN A LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY
Authors: Iwasiw Carroll , Goldenberg Dolly , Bol Nancy , MacMaster Elsie 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this longitudinal study was to explore perspectives, needs, and expectations of residents (N = 6) and family members (N = 3) of the resident's first year in a long-term care facility. The narrative method and a semi-structured interview guide were used to obtain participants' views at 2 and 6 weeks, and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after admission. During data analysis, six themes emerged, which suggest implications for gerontological nursing education and practice. The authors conclude that by listening to residents and family members, nurses can use this information to improve life for residents and dignify them as individuals.
Health and Safety Risk at a Skilled Nursing Facility: Nursing Assistants' Perceptions
Authors: Sofie Jennifer , Belza Basia , Young Heather 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT
Little is known about the perceptions nursing assistants certified (NAC) have related to their occupational health and safety risks and how these perceptions influence the safety precautions taken. The purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions of the occupational health and safety risks perceived by NAC, along with determining the protective mechanisms they used to prevent injury and illness. Ten NAC employed by a skilled nursing facility were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Numerous hazards and protective mechanisms were identified and these were categorized as environmental, physical, or cognitive in nature. Based on the NAC perceptions of their occupational hazards, there were a number of areas in which they were ignorant to concepts the administration believed to be readily available. While the facility has a number of health promotion and safety programs already in place, these alone seem inadequate to meet the perceived needs of the NAC. Strategies are needed in three specific areas to address the knowledge deficits and enhance the overall effectiveness of improving the health and safety of the NAC-communication, fostering teamwork, and educational and training opportunities.
Family Caregiver Assessment: ESSENTIAL FOR EFFECTIVE HOME HEALTH CARE
Authors: Bradley Patricia J 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT
Home health care nurses do not routinely assess the health of family caregivers despite their essential contribution to the client's care. In this study, home care nurses collected data on 51 older family caregivers from their caseloads to assess their health. The average age of the caregivers was 75.1 years (SD = 6.09). Most (66.7%) were women and were the home health client's spouse (82.4%). These individuals had been caregivers for up to 20 years, and reported spending an average of 13.3 hours per day in this role (SD = 9.15). Approximately half (n = 25) of the caregivers reported poor or fair health, with 33.3% (17) reporting a decline in their health over the previous 6 months.
Unmet health needs included the need for blood pressure monitoring, mammograms, PAP smears, and prostate examinations. Referrals to other health care providers or community agencies were required by 78.4% of the caregivers, 78.4% required health teaching, and 23.5% required home health services themselves. Those requiring home health care were more likely to be on more medications and classify their health as fair or poor. These findings confirm those of a pilot study conducted on 51 other family caregivers.
Nurses serving the geriatric population need to conduct systematic family caregiver assessments to identify caregiver health needs that could impair their caregiving ability. In particular, for home health care to be effective, nurses must conduct caregiver assessments.
Determinants of Satisfaction and Turnover among Nursing Assistants: THE RESULTS OF A STATEWIDE SURVEY
Authors: Parsons Sharon K , Simmons William Paul , Penn Katherine , Furlough Melanie 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT
This research is an examination of job satisfaction and turnover among nursing assistants employed in nursing homes. Using a statewide sample with 550 nursing assistants responding, the results indicated that 60% were satisfied with their jobs and 30% planned to quit. The nursing assistants participating in this study identified the relationship with the resident as the most important work issue, and their major reason for staying in the job. They were most dissatisfied wrth pay, benefits, and recognition and appreciation. Although the respondents were dissatisfied with benefits and salary, these work issues could not explain overall satisfaction or turnover. The multivariate analysis confirmed that professional growth and involvement in work-related decisions, supervision, and management keeping employees informed were significantly related to both turnover and overall satisfaction.
Health Screening Practices IN RURAL LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES
Authors: Bassett Susan D , Smyer Tish 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT
This report summarizes the descriptive data collected and analyzed as part of a larger study examining an educational intervention related to health screening practices in long-term care (LTC) facilities in a rural Midwestern state. The health screening practices examined were prostate-specific antigen testing, manual prostate examination, breast self-examination, clinical breast examination, and mammography. A review of the literature reveals health-screening practices are not being adequately provided to older adults. This includes older adults living in the community and those residing in LTC facilities. The director of nurses (DONs) in 41 LTC facilities were sent a questionnaire to ascertain the DONs' knowledge of American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines for health screening practices, as well as written policies for, and implementation of, the screening practices in the LTC facility. The response rate was 73% (30 of 41). The major finding of this study was that health-screening practices according to ACS were not being implemented in LTC facilities in the rural state under study. This is congruent with current literature regarding health-screening practices in LTC facilities in more urban areas. These findings are not generalizable beyond the state studied, however, implications for nursing relate to increasing continuing education for nurses in LTC facilities about ACS guidelines.
COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE: USE IN AN OLDER POPULATION
Authors: Williamson Adam T , Fletcher Paula C , Dawson Kimberley A 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT
The aging North American population validates increased research of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by older adults. The purpose of this study was to examine older adults' attitudes and motivations toward CAM use in an attempt to explain its limited usage. Senior citizens (66 to 100 years) were qualitatively surveyed and interviewed to analyze trends in CAM use. Forty-two participants older than 65 completed a questionnaire and 10 of those same individuals participated in an interview session. Motivations for CAM use, prevalence of CAM use, knowledge of CAM, and physician attitudes were investigated. The results of the survey and interviews showed older adults' most prevalent motivations for using CAM were pain relief (54.8%), improved quality of life (45.2%), and maintenance of health and fitness (40.5%). Knowledge of CAM was extremely low across the entire sample, but a significant difference in knowledge level existed among CAM users and nonusers. The CAM therapies most commonly used by older adults were chiropractic (61.9%), herbal medicine (54.8%), massage therapy (35.7%), and acupuncture (33.3%). This sample of senior citizens perceived CAM treatments to be extremely beneficial. Increased education about CAM is needed for older adults and health professionals. Practitioners of CAM should try to understand older adults' motivations for using CAM therapies and be involved in educating older adults about CAM.
Reminiscence Therapy for Older Women with Depression: Effects of Nursing Intervention Classification in Assisted-Living Long-Term Care
Authors: Jones Ellen Davis 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a 3-week, six-sessjon Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) reminiscence intervention on the level of depression among elderly women residing in one assisted-living long-term care facility using a pre-test-posttest, quasi-experimental design. A convenience sample of 30 women (M = 81 .7 years) participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups, an experimental group that received the NIC reminiscence intervention and a comparison group that received the customary reminiscence intervention used within the assisted living long-term care facility. Depression was measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale (Brink et al., 1982). Pre-test geriatric depression scores revealed the initial levels of depression were similar for participants in both the experimental and control groups. Post-test geriatric depression scores indicated those participating in the NIC reminiscence group had significantly lower depression scores compared to those participating in the facility's customary reminiscence group. The findings of this study suggest that a nurse-initiated intervention, NIC reminiscence therapy, was an effective treatment in reducing symptoms of depression among elderly women.
Effects of a Physical Activity Program: The Study of Selected Physical Abilities Among Elderly Women
Authors: Ourania Matsouka , Yvoni Harahousou , Christos Kabitis , Ionannis Trigonis 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the effects of a 12-week exercise program on the physical abilities of 55 sedentary women ages 60 to 75. The variables tested were dynamic balances, muscular endurance, sit and reach flexibility, and muscular coordination. Participants were grouped into three exercise groups (n = 45) and one control group (n = 10). Exercise was performed for 1 hour, once, twice, and three times a week for the three experimental groups. Participants were pre- and post-tested for the selected variables. Significant differences (p < .05) were found between exercise and non -exercise groups. The main effects of the training program were significant for all four variables examined, indicating that even those who participated in an exercise group once a week had a significantly higher levels of physical abilities than the control group. The improvement of the experimental groups was proportional to the frequency of the training program applied.
Alcohol Use in a Continuing Care Retirement Community
Authors: Resnick Barbara 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to explore alcohol use among older adults living in a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) and to consider differences in overall health, number of chronic illnesses, falls, age, and exercise behavior between those who drink moderately versus those who do not. A one-time faceto-face interview was conducted with a total of 316 residents living in an urban CCRC in the northeast. The participants were 86.6 6 6.3 years of age, and the majority were women (79%), unmarried (75%), White (9%), and middle to upper socioeconomic status (100%). The majority of these individuals (63%) drank moderately, consuming at least one drink daily. No difference was found between men's and women's drinking behaviors (?2 = .47, ? > .05). Adults who drank moderately were older (F= 8.7, ? < .05), more likely to exercise regularly (?2 = 27, ? < .05), and were more likely to have had a fall (F= 3.7, ? < .05). No statistically significant difference was found between the groups related to perceptions of overall health, number of chronic illnesses, number of medications, overall or number of medications that interact with alcohol, or cognitive status. Although not statistically significant, a greater percentage of individuals who drink moderately had fractures (12%) when compared to the percentage of individuals who do not drink at least moderately (7%). Recognizing both benefits and risks to alcohol use in older adults suggests that an individual approach to educating these individuals about their use of alcohol should be conducted.
Understanding Nutritional Health in Older Adults: A Pilot Study
Authors: Callen Bonnie 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT
A pilot study of adults ages 65 and older admitted to an acute care setting was conducted to compare nutritional risk as measured by hospital dieticians with two Nutrition Screening Initiative tools, the DETERMINE Your Nutritional Health Checklist and the Level I Screen, and to elicit from patients their own perceptions of nutritional health. Ten community-living older adults were interviewed. Although all 10 were at nutritional risk as measured by both hospital assessment and nutritional risk screening tools, none of these patients believed themselves to be at risk. One conclusion of this pilot is that interventions and education need to be tailored to the perceptions of targeted individuals.
The Nature of Long-Term Care Nursing Work
Authors: Leppa Carol J 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT
Data from a pilot study on the nature of nursing work in long-term care (LTC) facilities are compared with data on nursing work in intensive care units (ICUs). The comparison suggests that the LTC nursing work environment is a complex, demanding, and interesting one that is different from, not less than, nursing work in acute care environments. The data also suggests that nursing educators and researchers should reconsider LTC nursing work environments. Long-term care nursing offers an ideal, relatively controlled environment for research on what nursing work is and how nursing interventions affect patient outcomes. Long-term care nurses, whose daily work has always involved working with a variety of professional and unlicensed staff members, can serve as models for delegation and interpersonal skills. Finally, the LTC setting offers the ideal environment for clinical sites in connection with the proposed curriculum changes in end-of-life care for patients and their families.
Promoting EXERCISE BEHAVIOR in Older Adults: USING A COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION
Authors: Schneider Joanne Kraenzle , Mercer Gina Touch , Herning Margaret , Smith Catherine A , Prysak Davis 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT
Health benefits associated with exercise are only obtained when exercise is maintained. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effects of a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention on exercise behavior and physical outcomes in older adults. All participants were taught progressive flexibility, strength, and endurance exercises. The control group received no additional treatment. The experimental group was taught to recognize negative thoughts related to exercise and to counter these thoughts with more positive ones. Subsequent exercise behavior and physical outcomes were measured in all participants. Cognitive behavioral therapy was moderately to largely effective in improving the majority of physical outcomes assessed. In addition, CBT was moderately effective in improving several components of selfreported exercise behavior and mildly effective in improving exercise behavior overall. Results suggest that nurses can train older adults to identify and modify thoughts that interfere with or reduce their exercise behavior and thus improve physical functioning.
Contemplating, Caring, Coping, Conversing
Authors: Edwards Helen , Chapman Helen 
Published: May 2014

A Model for Promoting Mental Wellness in Later Life
ABSTRACT
This article is based on the premise that mental wellness for older adults can be promoted through communication and presents a model drawing on the constructs of contemplating, caring, coping, and conversing. The importance of interpersonal communication processes in the care of older adults and some barriers to communication and mental wellness are briefly reviewed. This article challenges nurses to develop awareness of their own caregiving styles and communication processes, and to assist others (e.g., family caregivers, care receivers) to communicate and interact more effectively to advance mental wellness for older adults.
Perceived Health Promotion Practice by Older Women: Use of Herbal Products
Authors: Yoon Saunjoo Lee , Horne Claydell H 
Published: May 2014

The use of herbal products has soared during the past decade in the United States. Because women use dietary supplements more frequently than men, identifying the determinants of herbal-product use among older women can be important in formulating a care plan for this population.
ABSTRACT
Women age 65 and older appear to use herbal products as well as multiple prescribed and non-prescribed drugs as part of their health-promoting practice. The purpose of this study was to identify changes in herbal-product use in a sample of older women during an 18-month period and to explore differences in locus of control and perceived health competence between herbal-product users and non-users. A longitudinal and descriptive study design was used. Instruments used to guide the two sets of structured interviews included the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC), the Perceived Health Competence Scale (PHCS), and a questionnaire about herbal-product use. The prevalence of herbal-product usage and the number of products used remained consistent between the initial and follow-up interviews, with 43% of the participants using an average of 2.6 herbal products Neither MHLC nor PHCS scores differed between herbal-product users and non-users. Mean scores of women in the study indicated higher internal than external locus of control.
Caring for Family Members With Alzheimer's Disease: Perspectives From Chinese American Caregivers
Authors: Zhan Lin 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of Chinese American caregivers who provide care for family members with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Individual interviews were conducted with four family caregivers. Results revealed ethnocultural and structural barriers that Chinese family caregivers experienced, including stigmatization of AD in the Chinese community, a lack of knowledge about AD, a lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate AD services, negative interactions with health-care providers, and difficulty with English. This study provides cultural knowledge and insights for nurses who care for AD clients and their families. Overcoming barriers and working with Chinese American families and their community are needed to improve access and. dementia services for Chinese American patients and their families.
Fictive Kin: Friends as Family Supporting Older Adults as They Age
Authors: Jordan-Marsh Maryalice , Harden J Taylor 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT
Assessing social support or social capital is receiving renewed attention in health care. A search of the nursing literature revealed limited attention to a potential resource in the care of older adults-fictive kin. Transdisciplinary searches indicated that "fictive kin" or "chosen kin" are increasingly important as family size shrinks and older adults live longer lives. Fictive kin are common across cultural groups and some have designated special names for these quasi-family members. The purpose of this article is to advance the concept of fictive kin as a resource for older adults and to provide strategies to promote engagement of fictive kin in health care planning by nurses.