scholarly journals How Do Regulated Nurse Professionals in Alberta Assess Geriatric Depression in Residential Care Facilities?

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 468-484
Author(s):  
Anna Azulai ◽  
Christine A. Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Residential Care ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Geriatric Depression ◽  
Residential Care Facilities ◽  
Assessment Protocol ◽  
Care Facilities

ABSTRACTAlthough geriatric depression is a prevalent, serious, and under-recognized mental health condition in residential care facilities, there is a dearth of related research in Canada. This exploratory mixed methods study examines the perspectives and practices of regulated nurse professionals on assessment of geriatric depression in residential care facilities in Alberta. Findings from the quantitative surveys (n = 635) and qualitative interviews (n = 14) suggest that geriatric depression is not systematically assessed in these care settings due to multiple challenges, including confusing assessment protocol, inconsistent use and contested clinical utility of current assessment methods in facilities, limited availability of mental health professionals in facilities, and the varied views of regulated nurse professionals on who is responsible for depression assessment in facilities. Implications and future research directions are discussed.

scholarly journals Influences of Prejudice and Stereotyping in the Direct Care Workforce

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 980-980
Author(s):  
Jennifer May
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Residential Care ◽  
Home Health ◽  
Direct Care ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Residential Care Facilities ◽  
Home Health Services ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Direct Care Workforce ◽  
And Gender

Abstract Direct Care Workers (DCW; nursing assistants, personal care aides, home health aides) have the most one on one care with sexual and gender minority (SGM) older adults who reside in residential care facilities or use home health services. DCWs make up a vast majority of the healthcare workforce, holding almost five million jobs in 2019, with approximately 70% of the positions held being in residential care facilities. In a qualitative design study, 11 DCWs were interviewed using an open-ended, semi-structured format to describe their perceptions of care provided to SGM older adults in residential care facilities and the home health setting. These results were part of a larger qualitative study which found there were cues of stereotyping and prejudice in DCW narratives toward SGM older adults. The category DCWs’ care and social system referred to characteristics of the DCWs’ work environment and the perspectives, attitudes, and reported care toward SGM older adults and diverse populations. It was determined that there are synergies among SGM older adults’ care and DCW along with DCW workforce issues (short staffed, low wages, lack of health benefits) that may prevent the DCW from being accepting of implicit bias training or culture change within these facilities/agencies. Implications for practice, policy, and future research are discussed.

A randomized trial of early psychiatric intervention in residential care: impact on health outcomes

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 475-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ria Kotynia-English ◽  
Helen McGowan ◽  
Osvaldo P. Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Residential Care ◽  
Physical Restraint ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Behavioral Disturbances ◽  
Residential Care Facilities ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Psychiatric Intervention

Background: The prevalence of psychological and behavioral disturbances among older adults living in residential care facilities is high, and it has been shown previously that people with such symptoms have poorer health outcomes. This study was designed to assess the efficacy of an early psychiatric intervention on the 12-month health outcomes of older adults admitted to residential care facilities in Perth, Western Australia. We hypothesized that subjects in the intervention group would have better mental and physical health outcomes than controls.Methods: The study was designed as a randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial. All subjects aged 65 years or over admitted to one of the 22/26 participating residential care facilities of the Inner City area of Perth were approached to join the study and were allocated randomly to the intervention or usual care group. Demographic and clinical information (including medications and use of physical restraint) was gathered systematically from all participants at baseline, and at 6 and 12 months. At each assessment, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for older adults (HoNOS 65+), the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) were administered. Subjects in the intervention group who screened positive at the baseline assessment for psychiatric morbidity were reviewed within a 2-week period by the Inner City Mental Health Service of Older Adults (ICMHSOA). If clinically appropriate, mental health services were introduced without the involvement of the research team.Results: One hundred and six subjects and their next of kin consented to participate in the study (53 in each group). Mental health screening and early referral to a psychogeriatric service did not significantly change the average number of medical contacts, self-rated health, use of psychotropic or PRN medication, use of physical restraint, 12-month mortality, or mental health outcomes, as measured by the GDS-15, HoNOS 65+ and NPI (p>0.05 for all relevant outcomes).Conclusion: Systematic mental health screening of older adults admitted to residential care facilities and early clinical intervention does not change 12-month health outcomes. More effective interventions to improve the health outcomes of older adults with psychological and behavioral disturbances admitted to residential care facilities are needed.

An Examination of the Health Profile, Service Use and Care Needs of Older Adults in Residential Care Facilities

2004 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Aminzadeh ◽  
W.B. Dalziel ◽  
F. J. Molnar ◽  
J. Alie
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Residential Care ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health Profile ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Residential Care Facilities ◽  
Care Facilities

ABSTRACTPrivate, unregulated residential care facilities have become an increasingly important component of the continuum of housing and care for frail older adults in Canada. To date, this growing segment of the older population has received very little research attention. This study involved an in-depth examination of the functional/health profile, patterns of service use, and medical/care needs of a representative sample of 178 older adults in residential care facilities in the City of Ottawa. The results indicate great diversity in resident and facility profiles in this setting and confirm earlier impressions that special care units in the residential care sector have become increasingly close to being unlicensedpseudo-nursing homes. Despite the heavy burden of care, the evidence suggests that the care needs of the majority of residents are adequately met in the residential care environment. The results can inform future research, case finding, educational, and policy planning initiatives in this setting.

scholarly journals Substance use and misuse of older adults living in residential care facilities: a scoping review from a person-centred care approach

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Lisette de Graaf ◽  
Meriam Janssen ◽  
Tineke Roelofs ◽  
Katrien Luijkx
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Residential Care ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Residential Care Facilities ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Care Approach ◽  
Partnership Approach

Abstract Person-centred care (PCC) in residential care facilities (RCFs) is valuable but creates challenges for care professionals balancing involvement and a partnership approach for residents while considering the health and safety outcomes of all residents. This review evaluates what is known about the substance use and misuse of residents living in RCFs and what is important to study in future research to enhance PCC, especially in cases in which residents wish to choose unhealthy behaviours. A scoping review was conducted and exclusion criteria were set. The included papers were assessed on methodological quality using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool and the results were qualitatively analysed. The included papers consisted of studies regarding alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs. The results showed that care professionals are involved in facilitating and regulating alcohol and tobacco. The focus of the included papers is on alcohol and tobacco. Five of the 16 papers assessed the residents’ perspective. This review highlights the importance of incorporating the perspectives of residents, care professionals and the organisation to enhance PCC and enable residents to make shared and well-informed decisions in dialogue with care professionals. Future research should also assess the distinction between substance use and misuse, and how this affects implementing PCC in RCFs.

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