AN ANALYSIS OF THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT IN NONPROFIT, PROPRIETARY, AND PUBLIC-SPONSORED NURSING HOMES.
Contributors: University of Maryland, College Park.
Published: 1988
Number of pages: 200
Subjects: Recreation.; Health Sciences, Health Care Management.
Description: This study was an investigation of non-profit, proprietary, and public nursing home activities programs and their social components, i.e., general atmosphere, environment, staff interaction and residents. Naturalistic inquiry procedures employed in this study utilized a theoretical perspective of paradigm research. Therefore, methodology was descriptive in nature and utilized the participant/observer continuum. Triangulation was applied in collection of data from three sources, i.e., on-site participant observation of nursing homes, review of related literature, and open-ended interviews with administrative staff. The population was comprised of three nursing homes from three sponsorships: one non-profit, one proprietary, and one public located within a 50 mile radius from the District of Columbia.

The objectives of this study were to: (1) describe social components, activities programs, and residents in three nursing homes; (2) determine the levels of communication, cooperation, and coordination which existed among staff, residents and activities programs; (3) examine existing standards and guidelines for nursing home activities program. Data confirmed issues reflected in the review of literature but other categories also evolved. The eight substantial categories which evolved from this study were as follows: (1) nursing home residents and the effects of relocation, (2) relationship between type of sponsorship and quality of life in nursing homes, (3) effects of locus of control and life-satisfaction, (4) objectives of the activities program, (5) content of nursing home activities programs, (6) cognitively impaired residents, (7) activities program leadership, (8) relationships of social components.

Findings indicated that there were certain necessary requirements for successful participation in activities programs in nursing home settings. It was evident that coordination, communication, and cooperation efforts among nursing home staff and activities programs were somewhat lacking. However, nursing home administrators recognized that a positive working relationship among the entire staff was a necessary ingredient for providing the best home for residents. Nursing Home activities program standards were recommended and encouraged in nursing homes in this study. However, based upon the investigator's observations, recommendations and additions to current activities program standards were suggested. Given the nature of the study, generalization beyond the nursing homes included in the study was not possible.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 50-07, Section: A, page: 2242.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND COLLEGE PARK, 1988.

School code: 0117.