Care for the spiritual dimension provided by caregivers in a nursing home

ABSTRACT Objectives: to understand care for the spiritual dimension provided by caregivers in a Nursing Home. Methods: this is a qualitative research, carried out in a geriatric center of a philanthropic hospital in the city of Salvador, Bahia. Eighteen formal caregivers participated, through a semi-structured interview, between January and February 2019. The data were analyzed in the light of Jean Watson’s Theory of Transpersonal Caring. Results: formal caregivers discuss the spiritual dimension based on older adults’ religious beliefs, encourage religious practices and exercise spiritual care according to older adults’ physical, emotional and spiritual demands. Final Considerations: formal caregivers understand that older adults’ religious or spiritual experiences should be included in their work routine. Care for the spiritual dimension occurs by stimulating faith in God, encouraging religious practices and embracing their beliefs in the face of physical, emotional and spiritual demands.

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How do formal caregivers experience the sexuality of older adults? Beliefs and attitudes towards older adults’ sexuality

Psychology Community & Health ◽

10.5964/pch.v6i1.216 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 77-92 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ana Monteiro ◽

Sofia von Humboldt ◽

Isabel Leal

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Content Analysis ◽

Nursing Home ◽

Complete Data ◽

Intervention Programs ◽

Sexual Expression ◽

Formal Caregivers ◽

Interview Guide ◽

Sexual Wellbeing ◽

Beliefs And Attitudes

Aim The way caregivers experience the sexuality of older adults has implications to their identity and sexual manifestations. There are few studies that focus on the meaning of caring of older adults, taking into account their sexuality. This study aims to explore the experiences of formal caregivers (FC) towards sexuality among older adults, and to obtain a description of their experiences. Method Complete data were available from six caregivers working in a nursing home. We used a sociodemographic questionnaire and topic interview guide. The data was subjected to content analysis. Results The most prevalent response of the interviewed participants for ‘beliefs about the interest in sexuality’ was ‘health limitations despite the desire’, for ‘observed behaviours related to sexual expression’ was ‘masturbation’, and for ‘reactions/behaviours due to the demonstration of sexual expression was ‘using humour”. Conclusion Future educational and intervention programs in the institution should take into account our findings to improve their efficacy on discussing these issues and to ultimately promote sexual wellbeing.

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Deficits in Selective Attention Alter Gait in Frail Older Adults

GeroPsych ◽

10.1024/1662-9647/a000137 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 29-36 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Véronique Cornu ◽

Jean-Paul Steinmetz ◽

Carine Federspiel

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Nursing Home ◽

Selective Attention ◽

Dual Task ◽

Nursing Home Residents ◽

Gait Rehabilitation ◽

Rehabilitation Programs ◽

Gait Parameters ◽

Growing Body ◽

Task Conditions

Abstract. A growing body of research demonstrates an association between gait disorders, falls, and attentional capacities in older adults. The present work empirically analyzes differences in gait parameters in frail institutionalized older adults as a function of selective attention. Gait analysis under single- and dual-task conditions as well as selective attention measures were collected from a total of 33 nursing-home residents. We found that differences in selective attention performances were related to the investigated gait parameters. Poorer selective attention performances were associated with higher stride-to-stride variabilities and a slowing of gait speed under dual-task conditions. The present findings suggest a contribution of selective attention to a safe gait. Implications for gait rehabilitation programs are discussed.

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Inefficient Encoding as an Explanation for Age-Related Deficits in Recollection-Based Processing

Journal of Psychophysiology ◽

10.1027/0269-8803/a000122 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 28 (3) ◽

pp. 148-161 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

David Friedman ◽

Ray Johnson

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Young Adults ◽

Cognitive Processes ◽

Brain Activity ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Brain Regions ◽

Semantic Retrieval ◽

Age Related ◽

The Face ◽

Episodic Memories

A cardinal feature of aging is a decline in episodic memory (EM). Nevertheless, there is evidence that some older adults may be able to “compensate” for failures in recollection-based processing by recruiting brain regions and cognitive processes not normally recruited by the young. We review the evidence suggesting that age-related declines in EM performance and recollection-related brain activity (left-parietal EM effect; LPEM) are due to altered processing at encoding. We describe results from our laboratory on differences in encoding- and retrieval-related activity between young and older adults. We then show that, relative to the young, in older adults brain activity at encoding is reduced over a brain region believed to be crucial for successful semantic elaboration in a 400–1,400-ms interval (left inferior prefrontal cortex, LIPFC; Johnson, Nessler, & Friedman, 2013 ; Nessler, Friedman, Johnson, & Bersick, 2007 ; Nessler, Johnson, Bersick, & Friedman, 2006 ). This reduced brain activity is associated with diminished subsequent recognition-memory performance and the LPEM at retrieval. We provide evidence for this premise by demonstrating that disrupting encoding-related processes during this 400–1,400-ms interval in young adults affords causal support for the hypothesis that the reduction over LIPFC during encoding produces the hallmarks of an age-related EM deficit: normal semantic retrieval at encoding, reduced subsequent episodic recognition accuracy, free recall, and the LPEM. Finally, we show that the reduced LPEM in young adults is associated with “additional” brain activity over similar brain areas as those activated when older adults show deficient retrieval. Hence, rather than supporting the compensation hypothesis, these data are more consistent with the scaffolding hypothesis, in which the recruitment of additional cognitive processes is an adaptive response across the life span in the face of momentary increases in task demand due to poorly-encoded episodic memories.

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Analysis of Self-Concept in Older Adults in Different Contexts

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759.20.4.262 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 262-274 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Manuel de Gracia Blanco ◽

Josep Garre Olmo ◽

María Marcó Arbonès ◽

Pilar Monreal Bosch

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Nursing Home ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

External Validity ◽

Aging Process ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Self Concept ◽

Self Perceptions ◽

Discriminatory Capacity

Summary: Self-concept is a construct consisting of a group of specific self-perceptions that are hierarchically organized. Age-associated changes of self-concept are related to the individual's perception of the changes occurring throughout the aging process. The authors examined external validity and internal consistency of an instrument that has been developed to assess self-concept in older adults and examined self-concept's characteristics in two different contexts. Results confirm the multidimensionality of the scale and show a satisfactory external validity, indicating good discriminatory capacity. Findings support the hypothesis that older people who live in a nursing home have a poor self-esteem, self-concept, and psychological well-being and have a greater presence of depressive symptoms than people who live in their own home.

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Support and Goal Outcomes during COVID-19

10.31234/osf.io/3ywkc ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Laura Marika Vowels ◽

Katherine Carnelley

Keyword(s):

Catalyst Support ◽

Daily Diary ◽

Goal Pursuit ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Partner Support ◽

Mixed Methods Study ◽

Instrumental Support ◽

The Face ◽

Quantitative Results ◽

Sources Of Support

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people have been stuck indoors with their partners for months. Having a supportive partner is likely to be especially important during this time where access to outside sources of support is limited. Individuals have to continue to work on goals and tasks while dealing with demands caused by the pandemic. The present mixed-methods study aimed to investigate how partner support is associated with goal outcomes during COVID-19. The quantitative participants (n = 200) completed a daily diary for a week and weekly longitudinal reports for a month and 48 participants attended a semi-structured interview. The quantitative results showed that higher relational catalyst support was associated with better goal outcomes; qualitative analyses revealed partners use direct and indirect forms of emotional and instrumental support toward goal pursuit. Across both forms of data, participants’ resilience in the face of the pandemic was evident.

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Uitbraak COVID-19 in de verpleeghuiszorg

Tijdschrift voor Gerontologie en Geriatrie ◽

10.36613/tgg.1875-6832/2020.03.01 ◽

2020 ◽

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Nursing Home ◽

Nursing Homes ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Informal Caregivers ◽

Rapid Review ◽

Daily Routine ◽

Term Care ◽

Care Facilities

Long-term care for older adults is highly affect by the COVID-19 outbreak. The objective of this rapid review is to understand what we can learn from previous crises or disasters worldwide to optimize the care for older adults in long term care facilities during the outbreak of COVID-19. We searched five electronic databases to identify potentially relevant articles. In total, 23 articles were included in this study. Based on the articles, it appeared that nursing homes benefit from preparing for the situation as best as they can. For instance, by having proper protocols and clear division of tasks and collaboration within the organization. In addition, it is helpful for nursing homes to collaborate closely with other healthcare organizations, general practitioners, informal caregivers and local authorities. It is recommended that nursing homes pay attention to capacity and employability of staff and that they support or relieve staff where possible. With regard to care for the older adults, it is important that staff tries to find a new daily routine in the care for residents as soon as possible. Some practical tips were found on how to communicate with people who have dementia. Furthermore, behavior of people with dementia may change during a crisis. We found tips for staff how to respond and act upon behavior change. After the COVID-19 outbreak, aftercare for staff, residents, and informal caregivers is essential to timely detect psychosocial problems. The consideration between, on the one hand, acute safety and risk reduction (e.g. by closing residential care facilities and isolating residents), and on the other hand, the psychosocial consequences for residents and staff, were discussed in case of other disasters. Furthermore, the search of how to provide good (palliative) care and to maintain quality of life for older adults who suffer from COVID-19 is also of concern to nursing home organizations. In the included articles, the perspective of older adults, informal caregivers and staff is often lacking. Especially the experiences of older adults, informal caregivers, and nursing home staff with the care for older adults in the current situation, are important in formulating lessons about how to act before, during and after the coronacrisis. This may further enhance person-centered care, even in times of crisis. Therefore, we recommend to study these experiences in future research.

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Dropout from an internet-delivered CBT Intervention for Adults with Depression and Anxiety: A Qualitative Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.26221 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Kate Lawler ◽

Caroline Earley ◽

Ladislav Timulak ◽

Angel Enrique ◽

Derek Richards

Keyword(s):

Online Communication ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Routine Care ◽

Drop Out ◽

Group Differences ◽

Dropping Out ◽

Completion Rates ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Lower Treatment ◽

Perceived Change

BACKGROUND Treatment dropout continues to be reported from iCBT interventions and lower completion rates are generally associated with lower treatment effect sizes. However, evidence is emerging to suggest that completion of a pre-defined number of modules is not always necessary for clinical benefit nor considerate of the needs of each individual patient. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to carry out a qualitative analysis of patients’ experiences of an iCBT intervention in a routine care setting in order to achieve a deeper insight into the phenomenon of dropout. METHODS Fifteen purposively sampled participants (8 female) from a larger parent RCT were interviewed via telephone using a semi-structured interview schedule that was developed from the existing literature and research on dropout in iCBT. Data was analysed using the descriptive-interpretive approach. RESULTS The experience of treatment leading to dropout can be understood in terms of ten domains: Relationship to Technology, Motivation to Start, Background Knowledge and Attitudes towards iCBT, Perceived Change in Motivation, Usage of the Programme, Changes due to the Intervention, Engagement with Content, Experience Interacting with the Supporter, Experience of Online Communication and Termination of the Supported Period. CONCLUSIONS Patients who drop out of treatment can be distinguished in terms of their change in motivation: those who felt ready to leave treatment early and those who had negative reasons for dropping out. These two groups of participants have different treatment experiences, revealing potential attributes and non-attributes of dropout. The reported between group differences should be examined further to consider those attributes that are strongly descriptive of the experience and regarded with less importance those that have become loosely affiliated.

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Vulnerable Older Adults in Disasters: Effects of Hurricane Irma on Nursing Homes and Assisted Living

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2607 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 733-734

Author(s):

Lindsay Peterson ◽

David Dosa ◽

Patricia D’Antonio

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Assisted Living ◽

Gulf Coast ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Morbidity And Mortality ◽

Term Care ◽

The Face ◽

Qualitative Methodologies ◽

Hurricane Irma

Abstract Preparedness of residents in long-term care (LTC) in the face of hurricane emergencies is a contested and largely unanswered question. Our prior work involving the U.S. Gulf Coast hurricanes of 2005-08 showed that exposure to various storms on nursing home (NH) residents resulted in significantly more deaths than reported by health care officials. This work also highlighted that evacuation of NH residents, compared to sheltering in place, was independently associated with morbidity and mortality. Hurricane Irma struck Florida on Sept. 10, 2017, prompting the evacuation of thousands of NH and assisted living community (ALC) residents. This symposium will discuss the effects of Hurricane Irma on vulnerable older adults residing in NHs and ALCs using mixed quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The first presentation will discuss morbidity and mortality of NH residents exposed to Hurricane Irma and will stratify by long stay/short stay status and hospice enrollment. The second presentation will discuss improvements and continued barriers to NH preparedness based on interviews with 30 administrators following Hurricane Irma. Using a novel methodology to identify residents of ALCs using secondary data sources, the third presentation will document AL resident morbidity and mortality risk following Hurricane Irma. The final presentation will highlight results of interviews with 70 stakeholders from small and large ALCs concerning the hurricane experiences of residents, including those with dementia. This symposium offers a multi-faceted view of a disaster’s effects on LTC residents across Florida, including novel data from the NH environment and lesser-examined ALCs.

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Clinical Use of Surface Electromyography to Track Acute Upper Extremity Muscle Recovery after Stroke: A Descriptive Case Study of a Single Patient

Applied System Innovation ◽

10.3390/asi4020032 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 32

Author(s):

Heather A. Feldner ◽

Christina Papazian ◽

Keshia M. Peters ◽

Claire J. Creutzfeldt ◽

Katherine M. Steele

Keyword(s):

Muscle Activity ◽

Surface Electromyography ◽

Inpatient Rehabilitation ◽

Stroke Survivor ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Routine Care ◽

Stroke Recovery ◽

Descriptive Case Study ◽

Sensing Technology

Arm recovery varies greatly among stroke survivors. Wearable surface electromyography (sEMG) sensors have been used to track recovery in research; however, sEMG is rarely used within acute and subacute clinical settings. The purpose of this case study was to describe the use of wireless sEMG sensors to examine changes in muscle activity during acute and subacute phases of stroke recovery, and understand the participant’s perceptions of sEMG monitoring. Beginning three days post-stroke, one stroke survivor wore five wireless sEMG sensors on his involved arm for three to four hours, every one to three days. Muscle activity was tracked during routine care in the acute setting through discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Three- and eight-month follow-up sessions were completed in the community. Activity logs were completed each session, and a semi-structured interview occurred at the final session. The longitudinal monitoring of muscle and movement recovery in the clinic and community was feasible using sEMG sensors. The participant and medical team felt monitoring was unobtrusive, interesting, and motivating for recovery, but desired greater in-session feedback to inform rehabilitation. While barriers in equipment and signal quality still exist, capitalizing on wearable sensing technology in the clinic holds promise for enabling personalized stroke recovery.

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Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the 11-Item de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale in Iranian Older Adults

Evaluation & the Health Professions ◽

10.1177/01632787211015713 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 016327872110157

Author(s):

Reza Hosseinabadi ◽

Mahshid Foroughan ◽

Gholamreza Ghaedamini Harouni ◽

Mohammad-Sajjad Lotfi ◽

Yadollah Pournia

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Factor Analysis ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Content Validity ◽

Concurrent Validity ◽

Persian Version ◽

Loneliness Scale ◽

Two Factors ◽

Back Translation ◽

The Face

Loneliness is usually a chronic condition which may lead to physical and psychological undesirable consequences, and requires measurement and intervention. This study was conducted with the aim of preparing a Persian version of the 11-item de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale and evaluating its psychometric properties among the Iranian older adults. After applying the translation-back translation method, the prepared script was subjected to the face and content validity evaluations and a Persian version of the scale was prepared. Factor analysis, concurrent validity, internal consistency, and test-retest methods were used to validate the scale. The Persian version of the 11-item de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale showed acceptable content validity. The negative and significant correlations between the loneliness scores and the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale indicated that the questionnaire had acceptable concurrent validity. The results of confirmatory factor analysis confirmed two factors for the scale. Also, the results of the intra-class correlation coefficient and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient demonstrated that the scale had acceptable reliability. The Persian version of the 11-item de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale is an appropriate tool for measuring loneliness in the Iranian older adults.

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