Stigmatization and Receptivity to Mental Health Services Among Recently Bereaved Adults

Severe grief symptoms, treatment receptivity, attitudes about grief, and stigmatization concerns were assessed in a community-based sample of 135 widowed participants in the Yale Bereavement Study. There was a statistically significant association between the severity of grief symptoms and reported negative reactions from friends and family members. However, more than 90% of the respondents with complicated grief, a severe grief disorder, reported that they would be relieved to know that having such a diagnosis was indicative of a recognizable psychiatric condition, and 100% reported that they would be interested in receiving treatment for their severe grief symptoms.     

Functional Health Status of Older Women

By the year 2000 in the United States, there will be 32 million adults age 65 or over, representing 12% of the population, with the majority being women. Older women are experiencing greater longevity but worse overall health than men. The assessment of functional health status in older women is often neglected yet is the major contributor to independent living. Functional health status includes the dimensions of physical health, independent health, and psychosocial health. Studies of two different groups of non-institutionalized older women who reside in the same Southwestern state are discussed in relation to national study samples and implications for nurse practitioners.     

Arthritis in Older Persons

Arthritis in all its forms is common among older persons. Osteoarthritis is as much a part of aging as gray hair and may be accompanied by mild or severe symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis is much more common after the age of 60 years than has been suspected. Gout, bursitis, the shoulder-hand syndrome, and psychogenic rheumatism are other causes of arthritic symptoms in older persons. These disorders, as well as rheumatoid arthritis, may be superimposed on the musculoskeletal changes accompanying the aging process.     

The implementation of a self-administration of medication programmes within Older Persons Mental Health

This paper aims to report on the literature related to self-medication programmes that contributed to the development of an Older Persons Mental Health (OPMH) specific pathway for a self-administration of medication (SAM) programme. The traditional methods used within mental health inpatient environments to administer medication are paternalistic and resonant of the medical approach to care. There is a need to investigate innovative methods in the management of depression in older adults that reflect an individualized, innovative approach to redress the power imbalance for patients. Electronic databases were searched using the search strategy of Hek et al. to identify key themes in the implementation of self-administration programmes. Seven themes emerged from the literature review: the structure of SAM, assessments and risks associated with SAM, patient education, SAM and medication adherence, the patients' perspective, advantages and barriers to SAM, and professional issues. These findings were then used as the foundation for a project to develop an OPMH specific pathway for the implementation of SAM. There is a distinct lack of implementation of SAM programmes across the UK, especially within mental health services. Older Persons Mental Health is ready for the implementation of change in medicines management for older adults. Self-administration of medication can ensure all the principles of NHS plan relating to individualized person-centred care are achieved. Nurses have the opportunity to actively contribute to this process, facilitating and empowering those in their care to be experts within their journey and take control of their illness.     

Self-Regulation of Driving by Older Persons

SUMMARY

Physiological and neurological changes associated with aging can have a significant impact on driving ability. This study explored adaptation strategies used by older drivers to maintain independence in driving. Data was collected through a survey administered to 30 older drivers living in northern Florida. Subjects reported using self-regulation strategies including avoidance of specific driving situations, altering the time-of-day in which they drove, not driving in certain weather conditions, avoiding major highways and interstates, reducing their speed of driving, and reducing the amount of time they spent driving. This study supports previous research on elder driving and provides further evidence that many older drivers alter their driving habits and patterns so that they can continue to drive safely.     

Determinants of Health-Promoting Lifestyles in Older Persons

The purpose of this study was to determine the degree to which selected components derived from Fender's Health Promotion Model (1982) explained engaging in health promotion practices in a sample of 477 persons 65 years and older. One directional hypothesis was tested using canonical correlation analysis. Three significant canonical variates were demonstrated, explaining 88.7 percent of variance. Older healthy persons with high self-esteem and internal locus of control reported practicing five of the six health promotion strategies. Men with higher income and self-esteem but poorer health less often exercised or ate well. Older married subjects with higher incomes who were internally controlled were more likely to engage in exercise, health responsibility and stress management but not in interpersonal support. Findings provide direct multivariate support for the additive nature of the relationships posited in the Health Promotion Model.     

Conceptualizing Psychological Well-Being in Cognitively-Impaired Older Persons

This article addresses a neglected area within nursing knowledge development: appropriate conceptual frameworks for guiding care of institutionalized, cognitively-impaired elders. Following a review of possible conceptual frameworks, psychological well-being, as defined by Lawton (1983), is proposed as an appropriate framework for guiding knowledge development and care of this elderly population. Two aspects of psychological well-being, positive and negative affect, may be appropriate indicators of the concept in cognitively-impaired elders. Instruments for measurement of psychological well being are also discussed. The implications of using psychological well-being as a conceptual basis for both research and nursing care are presented.     

Psychosocial Rehabilitation of Elderly Persons Bereaved by Suicide: A Co-operative Inquiry Study Protocol

Suicide is a major public health problem and there is a paucity of knowledge about the particular needs of people bereaved by suicide late in life. This study protocol describes a co-operative inquiry designed to collaboratively explore the needs for psychosocial support for this group and to use ‘action circles’ to develop and test psychosocial interventions. Further, it explores how the co-operative partnership influences the overall research processes. Data will be subjected to thematic analysis and discourse analysis. The protocol was approved in December 2016 and the study will take place between April 2017 and March 2020.     

The Experience of Chinese Bereaved Persons: A Preliminary Study of Meaning Making and Continuing Bonds

ABSTRACT

This study explores the bereavement process of Chinese persons in Hong Kong, with the focus on how they make meaning of the death as well as how they maintain a bond with the deceased. A review of video- and audiotapes of 52 bereaved persons in bereavement counseling pointed to how these concepts are reflected in key themes that appeared throughout these interviews. The way this bereaved population found meaning in the death was reflected in how they understood the cause of death, their observations at the death moment, their understanding of the life of the deceased after the death, the life of the bereaved after the death, and the burial and mourning rituals that were followed. The continuing bond the bereaved felt with the deceased was experienced by the bereaved as either initiated by the deceased, for example by the deceased appearing in dreams or initiated by the bereaved themselves in their talking with the deceased. These 2 aspects of the bereavement process seem to be similar to those found in other societies, but the ways in which they were manifested were unique to the Chinese culture. Based on these findings, the authors conclude with implications for intervention with this bereaved population.     

从发表文献看社区老年人健康状况及健康需求

对2000～2004年发表的有关社区老年人健康状况及健康需求的文献进行分析,探讨我国城镇社区老年人健康状况和健康需求调查研究中存在的问题,归纳社区老年人健康状况和健康需求,为进一步开展社区调查研究和老年卫生保健工作提供参考.     

从发表文献看社区老年人健康状况及健康需求

对2000-2004年发表的有关社区老年人健康状况及健康需求的文献进行分析，探讨我国城镇社区老年人健康状况和健康需求调查研究中存在的问题，归纳社区老年人健康状况和健康需求，为进一步开展社区调查研究和老年卫生保健工作提供参考。     

Health Needs of Homeless Persons

This study assessed the multidimensional health needs of the homeless population of Richmond, Virginia, using the Neuman systems model as the conceptual framework. A combination of indicator, key informant, and survey approaches was implemented. Specific health problems existed in the economic, social, mental, and physical health variables. Many of the homeless persons reported being single, having family problems, and being unemployed. Of particular interest were findings of a high prevalence of mental disorders, substance abuse, and infectious/parasitic diseases among the homeless. Implications of study results led to suggested program components for the nurse-run health clinic targeting the homeless of Richmond, as well as for continuing nursing evaluation to document the effectiveness of this clinic.     

Design of Hand-Held Remotes for Older Persons with Impairments

The University at Buffalo Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Aging (RERC) developed two prototype television remote control devices (remotes), designed to address the needs of older persons with some visual and/or fine motor impairment. The prototype remotes have large buttons, large numbers and characters on the buttons, and high color contrast between the buttons and background. One remote has 15 buttons, and one has 6 buttons. The purpose of this study was to test these prototype remotes against two commercially available remotes for user speed, accuracy, and satisfaction. One of the commercially available remotes has small buttons and small print but more features than the prototype remotes; this device came with the television used in the study. The second commercially available remote has somewhat larger buttons, but still smaller than the ones on the RERC prototypes. Thirty elders with impairments participated in testing the remotes in a simulated living room setting. The order in which the remote devices were presented to the subjects was randomly determined. Results indicated a significant difference among remotes in number of errors made; subjects made the fewest number of errors on the 15-button prototype remote. There was no significant difference among remotes in speed. There were significant differences in user satisfaction: users preferred the 15-button prototype device. Subjects were asked if they would rather have more features and small buttons on their remote, or fewer features and larger buttons; almost three-fourths of the sample desired fewer features and larger buttons.     

癌症晚期患者丧亲者哀伤反应的质性研究

目的研究癌症晚期患者丧亲者的哀伤反应。方法 2014年6-8月,采用目的性抽样法选取在深圳市人民医院宁养院的15例晚期癌症患者的亲属为研究对象,对其进行深度访谈,采用Colaizzi的7步分析法进行分析、整理并提炼主题。结果癌症晚期患者丧亲个体的哀伤反应主要表现在身体、心理、社会和灵性方面。结论癌症晚期患者丧亲者经历艰难的心理历程,丧子、丧偶和丧亲的哀伤反应存在差异,护理人员应了解丧亲者的需求,帮助丧亲者建立积极的应对方式。     

Older Women and Mental Health

The 1980s may well be remembered as the decade of the older woman. Older women, especially those aged 75 and older, are the fastest growing portion of the U.S. population. According to the 1980 census, 11.3 percent of the population are 65 or older and, within this group, there are half again as many women as there are men. Furthermore, over 40 percent of women aged 65 and older are living alone (U.S. Department of Commerce, 1978). The median yearly income for women 65 and older, as of 1980, was $4,226. More than 2.7 million older women live below the poverty line, with older women living alone overrepresented among this group (USDC, 1981). This large, growing and economically disadvantaged population is currently emerging from the invisibility it had been accorded in past decades.     

Self-Assessed Health of Hispanic Elderly Persons

The relationships between self-assessed health and physical and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) scores were examined for 152 noninstitutionalized Hispanic elderly persons in the community. Self-assessed health was not related to either physical or instrumental activities, but was related to education. There were significant differences between men and women when the three measures were analyzed. Cultural explanations are offered for the findings of this study and the implications of these findings for community health nursing are discussed.     

Active Shoulder Range of Motion in Persons Aged 60 Years and Older

The purpose of this study was to present active shoulder range of motion (ROM) measurements obtained from healthy personsaged 60 years and older. One hundred two volunteers participated this study. The right shoulder of these subjects was examined for active shoulder flexion, abduction, internal and external rotation. Measurements were recorded from a full round plastic goniometer. Results showed that the mean active shoulder ROM was significantly different (p < .0001) than the known American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' standard for this age group. From the sixth through ninth decade ROM decreased linearly, statistically significant for abduction and external rotation by some decades. Additionally, women had statistically significant greater ROM than men for flexion, abduction and internal rotation. From a clinical perspective it is apparent that individuals sixty years of age and older have less active shoulder ROM than the known standard. These findings should prove useful to clinicians when evaluating and rehabilitating patients with shoulder dysfunctions.     

Weight Status of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities

Background The aim was to study the weight and weight status of the study group in 2002 and 2007, and to study the differences in weight and weight status between 2002 and 2007 and the risk groups for (becoming) overweight/obese. Materials and Methods The Body Mass Index (BMI) of 336 clients of a Dutch service provider for persons with intellectual disabilities was calculated in 2002 and 2007. Results The mean increase in BMI between 2002 and 2007 was 0.8 (2.2 kg). In 2002, 36% of the study group was overweight/obese; this was higher in 2007: 45%. The expected relationship between increase in BMI and the change in living circumstances could not be confirmed. Conclusions Further research into health‐control programmes, weight status, food‐intake and physical exercise is recommended.