Housing for people with aids

Abstract

People with AIDS are homeless for a variety of reasons, including financial devastation, rejection based on fear of contagion or fear of the dying process, and homeless-ness prior to a diagnosis of AIDS. The author developed and directed the Shanti AIDS Residence Program in San Francisco, the first program to provide housing for people with AIDS. This model is appropriate for single, independent people able to live cooperatively with others. It provides shared living situations for three to six people per apartment, and office staff physically maintain the houses and assure that the needs for community-based home care and other services are met. Other models are proposed for people who are physically or cognitively dependent (and require physical care or supervision in addition to housing), who are socially unable to live cooperatively with others in an unstrucured living environment (e.g., active substance users or the emotionally disturbed), or who have families (e.g., mothers with dependent children or gay men who live with their lovers).     

Housing for people with AIDS.

People with AIDS are homeless for a variety of reasons, including financial devastation, rejection based on fear of contagion or fear of the dying process, and homelessness prior to a diagnosis of AIDS. The author developed and directed the Shanti AIDS Residence Program in San Francisco, the first program to provide housing for people with AIDS. This model is appropriate for single, independent people able to live cooperatively with others. It provides shared living situations for three to six people per apartment, and office staff physically maintain the houses and assure that the needs for community-based home care and other services are met. Other models are proposed for people who are physically or cognitively dependent (and require physical care or supervision in addition to housing), who are socially unable to live cooperatively with others in an unstructured living environment (e.g., active substance users or the emotionally disturbed), or who have families (e.g., mothers with dependent children or gay men who live with their lovers).     

PDAs as cognitive aids for people with multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive impairment is a common symptom for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study evaluated the effects of an occupational therapy training protocol using personal digital assistants (PDAs) as assistive technology for people with cognitive impairment related to MS. METHODS: Twenty participants were trained to use PDAs by an occupational therapist. Assessments of functional performance were taken at the start of an 8-week pretreatment period, at the beginning and end of training, and 8 weeks after the conclusion of training. RESULTS: Participants demonstrated the ability to learn how to use basic PDA functions and retain learning for at least 8 weeks. Functional performance increased significantly with PDA use, and this gain was maintained at 8-week follow-up. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence of an association between an intervention providing training in the use of a PDA and improvements in the everyday function of people with cognitive impairment related to MS.     

Occupational therapists' views about the use of robotic aids for people with disabilities

The use of robotic aids for persons with disabilities has potential benefits both in terms of cost cutting and improved health care. This article reviews robotic aids currently in use and reports the results of a survey of 51 occupational therapists at four hospitals offering rehabilitation services for patients with spinal cord injuries: Therapists were generally positive about the use of robotic aids and expressed interest in learning more about this technology.     

Interface modalities of technical aids used by people with disability

The objective of this paper was to present some initial thoughts and concepts on the subject of the interface "mechanisms" used between individuals with disability and their technical aids. These interface modalities are considered to be of primary importance in matching adaptive aids to the needs of these individuals. With this in mind, a number of basic premises concerning technical aids, user needs, and user environments are discussed. In addition, an initial framework is presented that describes a series of different levels of interface types. It is hoped that this framework will promote a greater insight into the inherent complexity of interface modalities and thereby stimulate further study.     

Housing, social support and people with schizophrenia: a grounded theory study

The aim of this study was to develop a substantive grounded theory describing the relationship among housing, social support, and the mental health of people with schizophrenia. To achieve this aim, data were collected from people with schizophrenia living in boarding houses and living in their own home. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 people with schizophrenia to explore their experiences and views regarding the impact of their housing on their mental health. Findings indicate a strong desire among all participants to live in their own home. When they do they feel they belong, they feel safe and most importantly they have greater opportunities to make and maintain supportive social relationships.     

Satisfaction with Housing and Housing Support for People with Psychiatric Disabilities

The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of satisfaction with housing and housing support for people with psychiatric disabilities in Sweden. A total of 370 residents, in supported housing and in ordinary housing with housing support, completed a new questionnaire and reported a high degree of overall satisfaction, but many of them wanted to move somewhere else. Differences were found between the two different types of housing concerning satisfaction with housing support, social life and available choices. Security and privacy, as well as other's influence on the choice of residential area and dwelling proved to be important predictors for satisfaction.     

The influence of web-based decision aids on informal caregivers of people with dementia: A systematic mixed-methods review

Caring for people with dementia is considered one of the most stressful and difficult forms of care. Informal caregivers constantly face high physical and emotional burdens. Therefore, it is essential to provide them with effective and practical support. Web-based decision aids can provide convenient and effective decision support for informal caregivers. The aim of this study was to assess and synthesize the influence of web-based decision aids on informal caregivers of people with dementia. Searches of electronic databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, Web of Science Core Collection, Embase, PsycINFO, CNKI, Open Grey and Baidu Wenku) and reference lists of relevant studies were conducted in July 2022. Qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods studies published in Chinese and English on the use of web-based decision aids by informal caregivers of people with dementia were included. The studies were selected by screening titles, abstracts and full texts, and the quality of each study was assessed by two researchers independently. Fourteen studies were published between 2010 and 2022, including five qualitative studies, four quantitative studies and five mixed-methods studies. Web-based decision aids have a positive influence on informal caregivers of people with dementia by providing decision support, satisfying needs, promoting psychological health, improving communication ability and reducing caregiver burden. Informal caregivers of people with dementia are receptive to web-based decision aids and expect their functionality to be optimized further. Web-based decision aids offer potential benefits to informal caregivers by providing effective decision-making support and improving their psychological health and ability to communicate.     

Teaching aids for patients diagnosed with choroidal melanoma.

Patients who are diagnosed with choroidal melanoma are frequently devastated and overwhelmed. Simple and creative teaching aids including photographs, visual fields, eye models with clay tumors, actual prostheses, business cards, post-operative teaching sheets, and an example of a support book are discussed as methods to assist in patient teaching.     

Residents' View of Quality in Ordinary Housing with Housing Support for People with Psychiatric Disabilities

The aim of the present study was to investigate the quality of housing support provided in housing services for people with psychiatric disabilities living in ordinary housing with housing support from the residents' perspective, by using the QPC-H instrument. A sample of 174 residents in ordinary housing, receiving housing support from 22 housing support services in nine Swedish municipalities, participated in this study. The results show that the quality of psychiatric care in housing services was mainly rated highly as measured with the QPC-H instrument. The dimensions Encounter and Secluded Environment were the aspects that were rated as the two with the highest quality of housing service. The dimensions Participation and Secure Environment were rated as those with the lowest quality. There were more residents who totally disagreed with the statements in the dimensions Participation and Housing Specific than in the other dimensions. The perceived lower quality in Encounter, Participation, Support and the Housing Specific dimensions was associated with a low frequency of psychiatric outpatient clinic contacts. A conclusion is that the support staff could be more observant regarding the residents' need for support and also talk more with them about what could be done to assist them. It also seems important that the support staff discuss with the residents regarding how they can help them to feel more secure in their accommodation.     

The efficacy of hypnosis in the treatment of pruritus in people with hiv/aids: A time-series analysis

Pruritus, or generalized itch, is a source of serious discomfort and distress in a significant minority of people living with AIDS. Anecdotal reports suggest hypnosis might be a useful treatment, leading to reductions in distress and improvements in the condition. But empirical examination of the question is notably lacking. This time-series study reports results of a 6-session self-hypnosis treatment (relaxation, deepening, imagery, and home practice) for 3 HIV-positive men suffering from pruritus, related to disease progression and/or HIV medications. Posttreatment, all 3 patients reported significant reductions in daily itch severity and extent of sleep disturbance due to itch. One patient also evidenced significantly less itch distress. Another also experienced significantly less time bothered by itch. For the 2 patients on which 4-month follow-up data were available, treatment benefit across variables was stable or further improved.     

Housing conditions of elderly people in a city: The Albertina Project

Objective — To study housing conditions of elderly people in Uppsala, Sweden. Design — The Albertina Project is an epidemiological study. A postal questionnaire was sent to a random sample.

Subjects — The general population 75 years or older in the community of Uppsala, 1985.

Main Outcome measures — Information on marital status, housing conditions, housing standard, problems with the apartment/house, desires for modifications to the apartment, wishes to stay or to move related to the possibility to prevent institutionalization because of bad housing standard.

Results — About half of those who participated in the study were single (never married, divorced or widowed). 85 % lived in their own homes, 10 % in so-called service apartments, and only 5 % in institutions. More than 90 % had a good housing standard. 45 % reported some form of housing problem, but only 14 % wanted modifications to their dwelling, and only 8 % wanted to move from their present dwelling, in most cases due to problems with stairs or need for more help.

Conclusion — Most people lived in their own home and wanted to stay there. The housing standard appeared to be satisfactory in the majority of cases but minor modifications might unnecessary (prevent) moves to institutions.     

Incontinence aids for home use

Specific knowledge of the relative merits and costs of equipment and techniques will enable individualized incontinence management for greater patient comfort.