bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ACCEPTABILITY AND EFFICACY OF ANTI‐ARTHRITIC DRUGS IN OLD AGE
Authors: Warne R.W. , Prinsley D.M. , Bryant L. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTThe aim of the study was to study the acceptability and effectiveness of two commonly used nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (Naproxen and Sulindac) specifically in an elderly population with symptomatic osteo‐arthritis of the hip and/or knee.39 patients aged 70 years and over with degenerative arthritis of hip or knee were randomly allocated to Sulindac or Naproxen treatment groups for a treatment period of twelve weeks.There were no pretrial differences between the two randomly allocated groups. Both Naproxen and Sulindac produced improvement in patient symptoms and there was no difference in the efficacy or acceptability of the two drugs. Both drugs were well tolerated in the study population. Side effects from Naproxen tended to occur later during the trial resulting in withdrawal of three patients after a period of six weeks. Side effects from Sulindac resulted in early withdrawal of two patients only. Patients in the Naproxen group had a minor but significant (p= <.01) increase in the platelet count during the trial period while patients in the Sulindac group had significant (p □ <.001) elevation in serum alkaline phosphatase. No patient developed hepatotoxicity. The appropriateness of a primary health care setting for evaluating the efficiency and acceptability of drugs meant to alleviate symptoms in an elderly population functioning in the community is stressed.
AGEING, CAREGIVING, AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS: AN OVERVIEW
Authors: Schultz C.L. , Schultz N.C. , Ward E.F. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTThe implications of ageing and associated caregiving for Australian family life are examined within the framework of a discussion about available support systems and the utilisation. A brief overview of the literature demonstrates how support systems, resource usage, and caregiving interact with one another. It is argued that educational group programmes represent a viable form of support, which warrants close attention. Issues raised include caregiver coping resources and strategies, prediction levels and effects of resource usage, the role of individual and cultural differences, and the impact of caregiving responsibilities on levels on anxiety, depression, and general health.
THE PSYCHOGERIATRIC RATING SCALE: A PRACTICAL TOOL FOR ASSESSMENT, MONITORING AND PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT.
Authors: Fleming R. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTThe development of the 50 item Psychogeriatric Rating Scale is described. Data is provided which show exceptionally high inter‐rater reliability between trained raters, ranging between 0.9 and 0.98 for the seven sub‐scales of Physical, Self Help, Confusion, Behaviour, Social, Psychiatric Observations and Nursing Dependency.Internal consistency of the scales is good, ranging from 0.68 to 0.93.Validity was assessed by comparing the Confusion scale with the Mini‐Mental Status Questionnaire (correlation = 0.84) and the Nursing Dependency scale with the Farr Dependency Scale (correlation = 0.74).All of the sub‐scales were foundto beableto discriminate between self care, hostel and nursing home groups in a large retirement village.
STAFF PERCEPTIONS OF CARING FOR ITALIAN GREEK AND CHINESE NURSING HOME RESIDENTS
Authors: Westbrook M.T. , Legge V. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTDespite the fact that Australia is a multicultural society there has been little research into health practitioners' experiences of providing care for patients from various ethnic backgrounds. A survey of Sydney nursing homes obtained staff ratings of the tensions involved in 14 aspects of caring for the ethnic groups with whom they had most experience. These were Italians, Greeks and Chinese. Patterns of tension associated with their care differed significantly and can be related to differences in group characteristics (time in Australia, English speaking skills) and to the degree of similarity of group illness behaviours to Anglo‐Australian norms. The implications of the findings for the education of health practitioners are discussed.
ELDER ABUSE: THE RESPONSE AND ROLE OF THE POLICE
Authors: Gately B.C. , Whalley W.F. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTIn Australia, the continuing user rights debate concerning care and protection of older people has concentrated on care of elderly people in the context of the provision of institutional residential care facilities. There has been little discussion of elder abuse in other contexts, particularly the domestic context, or of the role of the police force. This paper discusses the establishment and operation of The Aged Services Unit within the NSW Police Service. It comments on the role of the police force in detecting and preventing elder abuse and on this aspect of police force in detecting and preventing elder abuse and on this aspect of police deployment as a developing aspect of community‐based policing. By recording these NSW initiatives, and speculating on future developments, this paper endeavoures to stimulate discussion on particular aspects of elder abuse and a consideration of the role that the police may or should adopt in relation to the protection of the physical, financial, emotional and personal rights of the elderly.
THE CARE OF PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA IS THERE A NEED FOR A SPECIAL HOSTEL?
Authors: Lefroy R.B. , Hobbs M.S.T. , Parsons R. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTOne hundred and ninety two people with an altered mental state, who had been referred to several geriatric services, were studied with regard to their need for future care. The services were asked to include consideration of the special hostel, even though this facility was not freely available.Immediate admission to a special hostel was regarded as desirable for 47 percent and a further thirteen percent fitted this category.The study supports the concept of making this facility available as an alternative to nursing home or standard hostel when institutional care becomes necessary for people with dementia.
A COMPARISON OF RESIDENTS IN A SPECIAL HOSTEL WITH THOSE AT HOME AND IN OTHER INSTITUTIONS
Authors: Lefroy R. , Hobbs M.S.T. , Parsons R. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTSixty percent of 192 people with an altered mental state were considered to be suitable for admission to a special hostel. One in four of the subgroup had severe cognitive impairment and were incontinent. Two in five were likely to wander away. About half showed evidence of agitation.A comparison was made between the behavioral characteristics of this group, those in nursing institutions and those being cared for at home. Comparison was also made between people living alone, with their spouse and with other relatives.People with advanced behavioral changes can be cared for in a special hostel.
PREVENTING FALLS AT HOME IN OLD AGE: A BROAD APPROACH
Authors: Walker C. , Boldy D. , Spickett J. , Stevenson M. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTThis paper addresses the problem of falls in the home by older people within a health promotion framework. It brings together current knowledge of risk factors and elements of injury control theory to formulate some broad strategies for falls prevention. These strategies have the potential to significantly reduce this costly and distressing problem and can be implemented in a variety of ways by individuals working in diverse roles with older people.
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE: IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE‐ A CASE STUDY
Authors: Binkley A. L. 
Published: December 2008

Recreation Professionals Building a Caregiving PartnershipTo try to stem the tide of increasing age is an impossible task. It seems that in working with the very aged one is always losing ground to the incoming waves of chronic illness. But the task of a recreation worker is not to try to hold back the water but merely to place barriers of sand in front of it to keep the breakers from crashing in and diminishing the life experience of the people they work with. Less metaphorically, that is to say those who provide activity programmes for the infirm aged need to provide a range of activity programmes which will help stimulate the quality of a patient's present life situation by encouraging independence and assisting with the adjustment to increased physical decline. Daniel Ferguson (1978, p.10, 11)
Training and Education in Industry: The Role of Government from an Industry Perspective
Authors: Pittman B. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTEducation and training in gerontology have entered a new era in which a new coalition between government, industry and tertiary education is possible. Major changes on the industrial front have created an expanded focus upon education and training for aged care. New and creative possibilities have been opened up: there is a better opportunity than ever before for a co‐operative alliance between government, industry and tertiary education bodies provided these parties are able to accept and meet the challenges presented.
SOCIAL CHANGE AND ITS INCORPORATION INTO TERTIARY COURSES
Authors: Green D. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTThe impacts of longevity and societal ageing and their relationship to morbidity are significant areas of social change. However this paper does not address such weighty issues, but would ask the reader to accept the general trends well outlined elsewhere. The matters identified here focus on the contemporary dilemmas of professional practice, deriving from such changes as ageing‐in‐place, the decline of resources and the relevance of individual consumer rights in service delivery.
DIRECTIONS AND PRIORITIES IN TERTIARY GERONTOLOGICAL EDUCATION
Authors: Jones D. , Minichiello V. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTThe increasing demand for education and training programmes for a skilled aged care workforce signals the need for establishing a comprehensive gerontological education data base for future planning. The rationale and aims of a national data collection project are described. The authors have identified issues in gerontological education which will form the basis for questions included in the survey. Implications for future directions and priorities in education programmes in tertiary institutions will be discussed.
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE WHICH INFORMS EDUCATION
Authors: Garratt S. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTThis paper discusses the current practice issues that inform education and promote the need for constant revision and change within gerontological programmes. Current issues that are emerging from the practice area can be identified under the broad headings of service provision, management, emerging technology, ethical decision‐making, community involvement and collaborative practice. Each of these issues has generated needs that require a response from education. An examination of the practice issues and possible educational responses is offered.
A SURVEY OF PERSONAL EMERGENCY ALARMS FOR THE FRAIL ELDERLY
Authors: Farquhar D.L. , Fonda D. , Danek C.L. , Ryan A.M. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTElderly individuals living alone in the community are at risk of falls or medical emergencies. Portable emergency alarm systems are now available for this group. This study reports on 125 persons consecutively assessed as requiring such an alarm and follows them up by telephone interview over a 19 month period. Information obtained from these people was corroborated by their carers. The study group was in general very elderly, required major family and/or community support and had multiple medical problems.At follow up, 38% had given up their alarms. Of those still receiving an alarm, only 38% had used it in the last year ‐ but nearly half of these required hospitalisation. Satisfaction with the alarms was high in both subjects and their carers with over 80% feeling that continued alarm usage was required. When alarms were activated, carers responded to the emergency.It should be possible with proper screening and review to keep to a minimum the financial costs of issuing alarms while at the same time providing a major resource for the ‘at risk’ elderly.
THE EFFECTS OF CAREGIVING FOR THE DEMENTED ELDERLY
Authors: Flicker L. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTThe number of demented elderly within the Australian population is increasing rapidly. The financial and societal aspects of their care represent a major public health problem. The subjective effects of caregiving, that is burden, have been well described but the physical and mental health effects of caregiving have not been adequately determined except for selected populations. Interventions to improve the well‐being of caregivers have not been comprehensively evaluated. Future research should focus on establishing the efficacy of interventions in either unselected populations or in individuals who have a clearly described selection process.
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF ELDERLY AUSTRALIANS CATEGORISED BY CARDIOVASCULAR STATUS
Authors: Mitchell R.A. , Imperial E.S. , Kelleher P.W. , Brunker P. , Cross J. , Cue R. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTThis study examines the participation in active and passive recreational activities among elderly Australians classified by cardiovascular status. The findings suggest that when an elderly person has a treated cardiovascular condition his/her participation in such activities does not differ from those who have no cardiovascular condition. It is also suggested, independent of cardiovascular status, that males belong to more clubs than females.
TELELINK AND THE VISUALLY‐IMPAIRED ELDERLY: A GROUP DYNAMIC ANALYSIS
Authors: Thomas T. , Urbano J. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTTelelink is a special telephone group support program designed to bring small groups of elderly people with visual impairment together each week for stimulation, social interaction or therapy. This study aims to investigate factors which contribute to the effectiveness of Telelink. Group dynamic analyses were obtained by direct ‘observation’ (listening in) of the group meetings. The analyses revealed extensive use of humour and exchange of coping strategies, with little evidence of conflict or domination among group members. The paper concludes with a discussion of the value of group telephone support programs for the elderly, the limitations of their use, and the possible application of Yalom's Group Model for future research.
NON‐STEROIDAL ANTI‐INFLAMMATORY DRUG (NSAID) USAGE AND HYPERTENSION IN THE ELDERLY
Authors: Johnson A.G. , Imperial E.S. , Kelleher P. , Burnett B. , Holmes M. , Glodoveza M. , Mitchell R. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTAims: To determine the prevalence of usage of NSAIDs and whether these drugs contribute to the high prevalence of hypertension in this age group. Method: Data obtained from participants in a cardiac screening program for the non‐institutionalised elderly were submitted to a cross‐sectional analysis. Results: 529 elderly ambulatory subjects were screened. Twenty eight percent of all participants (females > males) were consuming NSAIDs. A significantly higher prevalence of usage of NSAIDs was found in hypertensive females (60–64 years) and in hypertensive males (65–69 years) compared to those with a normal cardiovascular state in the same sex and age groups. Conclusions: NSAID usage may be excessive in the elderly and an association between NSAID usage and hypertension in some elderly patients is postulated although further studies are required to adequately evaluate this potential interaction.
INNOVATIVE SERVICE DELIVERY MODELS: LESSONS LEARNED IN PROVIDING CARE FOR OLDER PEOPLE AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Authors: Barnett K. , Schultz R. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTAn evaluation is reported of six projects funded under the HACC (Home and Community Care) Program from Commonwealth Unmatched Monies. Each project provided an innovative service delivery model and two of the key purposes of the evaluation were to determine whether or not these models had been effective in meeting individual needs and to determine the factors most critical to supporting people at home. The evaluation found that the projects had been effective from both a service and a cost perspective and identified as the key factors a sense of security based on a belief in one's ability to manage care in the home setting, access to available services, flexibility in the provision of services and supports, effective case management and the presence of a caregiver. An analysis of costs was also undertaken and the projects were found to be cost‐effective and considerably less expensive than equivalent care in a residential setting.
RESOLUTION THROUGH CONFRONTATION: WORKING WITH THE PERPETRATORS OF ELDER ABUSE
Authors: Kingsley B. , Johnson S. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTThis paper outlines an intervention program for confronting the abuser. It was developed by the authors and is currently practised by them. The program format includes sessions about fact‐finding to confront abuse, contracting and setting the ground rules, skills and strategies to prevent re‐occurrence, confronting abusive behaviours, confronting feelings regarding abuse, confronting emotional reality, closure of the program and evaluation of outcomes. While a number of interventions directed at victims are readily available, this program for abusers will be a useful addition to the battery of interventions available to practitioners.
PROTECTION OF THE ELDERLY: SOME LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES
Authors: Collingridge M. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTIn this paper the author argues that policy makers are overlooking important questions about the legal bases for intervention in cases of elder abuse. Further, they are side‐stepping more fundamental ethical questions about general societal and individual obligations concerning care of the vulnerable, the limits of intervention and the balance between autonomy and protection. The author concludes that it is doubtful if we have either adequate laws to protect the vulnerable, nor adequate safeguards against unwarranted or uninvited intervention.
CLAIM MAKING ABOUT ELDER ABUSE IN AUSTRALIA
Authors: Dunn P.F. , Sadler P.M. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTThe abuse of older people, commonly known as elder abuse, has recently been claimed to be a significant social problem in Australia. This paper examines the activity of claim making about elder abuse from an historical and sociological perspective. A framework for understanding the processes by which phenomena become social problems is presented. The effect of the social environment on a twenty‐year history of Australian claims about elder abuse is analysed. Like many other social problems, elder abuse has been defined in individualistic terms and proposals for person‐centred interventions predominate. The authors advocate that Australia employ a comprehensive approach, attending to both individual and structural factors. We support the arguments that a person‐centred approach is limited and put forward some suggestions for future policy and practice.
The Continued Success Of Conservative Management For Established Urinary Incontinence In Older People
Authors: Fonda D. , Woodward M. , D'Astoli M. , Chin W.F. 
Published: December 2008

Seventy‐eight community residing patients (63% women) aged 60 years or older attending an outpatient continence clinic were randomised to receive immediate conservative (non‐surgical, non‐pharmacological) management or to a control group in which treatment was deferred for two months. All patients were followed up for 12 months. Outcome was assessed by three day bladder charts (objectively) and by patient questionnaires (subjectively). The average age was 74.8 yean and mean duration of incontinence was 7.3 years with 60% not having had any previous treatment. After four months of active treatment incontinence was cured or improved subjectively in 88% of patients and objectively in 58% of patients. This was sustained through to the 12 month follow‐up. Severity of incontinence was significantly reduced on a range of variables.Conservative management of elderly community‐based patients can be very effective, taking up to four months to see peak benefit which can be sustained over a 12 month period with little additional input. The improvement seen in the control group perhaps reflects the importance of support and destigmatisation of this condition.
Preventive Programs for Older People: How Effective are They?
Authors: Harris M. , Byles J. , Higginbotham N. , Nair B.R. 
Published: December 2008

The purpose of the study is to critically review the empirical evidence for the effectiveness of preventive health programs for older people living in the community. A literature review of randomised controlled trials, involving subjects aged predominantly over 65 years, published in the English language, was conducted. The data base MEDLINE produced the majority of references. The search yielded 20 randomised controlled trials. A potential for cost savings and improved health outcomes has been demonstrated. However, given the heterogeneity of studies and methodological weaknesses, the overall benefit is unclear. It is recommended a randomised controlled trial be conducted to test the effectiveness of comprehensive preventive programs for the Australian elderly.Margaret Harris is a Senior Research Assistant and Julie Byles and Nick Higginbotham are Senior Lecturers in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Newcastle, New South Wales. Balakrishnan R. Nair is Director of Geriatric Medicine at the Hunter Area Health Department, New South Wales.
The Older Worker ‐ Value for Money?
Authors: Seedsman T. 
Published: December 2008

The race towards downsizing, high performance and the pursuit of excellence has led to workplace policies and practices that tend to discourage the older worker from staying on the job.It is recognised that failing health or decreasing attachment to achievement may result in the decision by an older worker to retire from mainstream employment. It must be appreciated, however, that retirement is often perceived as a better alternative to working in an overly authoritative, routinised, robotic and unstimulating environment.On the other hand, it is well known that better health and the opportunity to engage in stimulating and creative work will prevent many age related deficits in ability and productivity.
Will the Hostel Survive?
Authors: Lefroy R.B. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARYSpecialisation has been a consistent trend since the custodial institution was abandoned in favour of nursing homes and hostels. Recent proposals, however, no longer support the hostel as a separate entity; nor is there support for the special feature of segregation necessary for the care of people with dementia. The process of specialisation is thereby being reversed.Townsend supported his proposal by arguing that “we belong to a society that has the means and a greater inclination to act more tolerantly towards victims of adversity?”[4]. Can we make a similar claim 30 years later?
Screening for Depression by the Nursing Staff in an Acute Psychogeriatric Unit
Authors: Akoo Shiraz , Shah Ajit 
Published: December 2008

Objective: The early identification of depression in the elderly.Method: The performance of the Depressive Signs Scale (DSS), completed by the nursing staff, in detecting depression among acutely ill psychogeriatric inpatients was prospectively examined.Results: A cut‐off score of 4/5 gave the best sensitivity and specificity in detecting depression.Conclusion: The performance of this scale should be evaluated in other settings such as geriatric wards and nursing homes.