Quality of care in unlicensed homes for the aged in the eastern townships of Quebec.
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BACKGROUND: The recent proliferation of unlicensed homes for the aged in Quebec, coupled with the increased needs of the population they serve, has raised concerns about the quality of case these homes provide. The authors compared the quality of care in unlicensed homes with that in licensed long-term care facilities in a region of Quebec. METHODS: The study involved 301 impaired people aged 65 and over in 88 residential care facilities (52 unlicensed, 36 licensed) in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. Study participants were chosen according to a 2-stage sampling scheme: stratified sampling of the primary units (facilities) and random sampling of the secondary units (residents). Quality of care was measured using the QUALCARE scale, a multidimensional instrument that uses a 5-point scale to assess 6 dimensions of care: environmental, physical, medical management, psychosocial, human rights and financial. A mean score of more than 2 was considered indicative of inadequate care. RESULTS: Overall, the quality of care was similar in the unlicensed and licensed facilities (mean global score 1.61 [standard error of the mean (SEM) 0.06] and 1.47 [SEM 0.09] respectively). Examination of dimension-specific quality-of-care scores revealed that the unlicensed homes performed worse than the licensed facilities in 2 areas of care: physical care (mean score 1.80 [SEM 0.08] v. 1.51 [SEM 0.09] respectively, p = 0.017) and medical management (1.37 [SEM 0.06] v. 1.14 [SEM 0.05], p = 0.004). The dimension-specific scores also revealed that both types of homes lacked appropriate attention to the psychosocial aspect of care. Overall, 25% of the facilities provided inadequate care to at least one resident. This situation was especially prevalent among homes with fewer than 40 residents, where up to 20% of the residents received inadequate care. INTERPRETATION: Most of the unlicensed homes for the aged that were studied delivered care of relatively good quality. However, some clearly provided inadequate care. (+info)
Prescribing psychotropic medication for elderly patients: some physicians' perspectives.
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BACKGROUND: The inappropriate use of psychotropic medication is widespread and has potential consequences for the autonomy of elderly people. This study explored physicians' perceptions and attitudes and the decision-making process associated with prescribing psychotropic medications for elderly patients. METHODS: In this qualitative study conducted between February and April 1996, 9 of 12 physicians who offered consultation services for elderly people in private apartment buildings in a suburban region of Montreal were interviewed. The transcripts of the interviews were analysed quantitatively using an iterative process. The authors assessed the physicians' perceptions of the elderly patient population, the decision-making process leading to the prescription of psychotropic medication and the nature of follow-up. RESULTS: All of the physicians interviewed perceived the aging process as a negative experience and stated that the long-term use of psychotropic medication is justified by the distress of their aging patients and the few negative side effects that are noticed. Most said that, when they re-prescribe, they see their role as a "gatekeeper" to monitor and control the type and quantity of medication prescribed. Most physicians felt that the solutions to the inappropriate prescribing of psychotropic medication were beyond the scope of the individual physician. INTERPRETATION: Physicians interviewed in this study had a patient-centered perspective. From a public health viewpoint this calls for an innovative approach to involve physicians in a multidisciplinary intervention strategy to examine the inappropriate use of psychotropic medication among elderly patients. (+info)
Influenza A among community-dwelling elderly persons in Leicestershire during winter 1993-4; cigarette smoking as a risk factor and the efficacy of influenza vaccination.
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In a prospective study of community-dwelling people 60-90 years of age, we examined the coverage of influenza vaccine during 1992-3 and 1993-4, the efficacy of vaccination in reducing serologically-confirmed clinical episodes of influenza A during 1993, and the effect of cigarette smoking. During 1992 and 1993, influenza vaccine was given to 106/215 (49%) and 120/204 (59%) people with risk conditions, and 84/225 (37%) and 103/235 (44%) without risk conditions. Influenza vaccination and general practitioner consultations during 1992 were independent predictors of vaccination in 1993, but current smoking was a negative predictor. Of 209 unimmunized people, 8/35 (23%) smokers had clinical influenza as compared with 11/174 (6%) non-smokers (OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.6 to 11.9). Of 371 non-smokers, 1/197 (0.5%) vaccinees had influenza as compared with 11/174 (6%) non-vaccinees (OR 0.075, 95% CI 0.587 to 0.009). No cases of influenza occurred among 21 current smokers who were vaccinated. (+info)
Memory improvement in assisted living elders.
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Part of the Cognitive Behavioral Model of Everyday Memory (CBMEM), an eight session cognitive enhancement program, entitled "Memories, Memories, Can We Improve Ours?" was tested with older adults living in an assisted living facility in the midwest. The aims of this quasi-experimental study were: to improve everyday memory, memory self-efficacy, and meta-memory. A total of 19 older adults (14 female, 5 male) with an average age of 83 years participated. For the pretest there were 16 individuals in the experimental group. The experimental group was post-tested one week after completing the intervention. At posttest memory self-efficacy scores significantly increased in the experimental group (M1 = 52.13, M2 = 68.50, where M1 represents pretest and M2 represents posttest). Total memory performance scores were not significantly different at posttest; however the prospective memory items of asking for an appointment (M1 = .56, M2 = 1.25), asking for a belonging (M1 = .62, M2 = .88), and delivering a message (M1 = 1.00, M2 = 1.19) significantly improved. (+info)
The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and quality of diabetic care in residential and nursing homes. A postal survey.
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OBJECTIVE: to investigate the prevalence of known diabetes mellitus in care homes and the patterns of diabetes care in these institutions. DESIGN: a postal questionnaire sent to all 98 care homes in Sheffield. RESULTS: 70 care homes (71%) returned the questionnaire, indicating that 233 (8.8%) of 2648 residents were known to have diabetes. Of these, 76 (33%) were treated with diet alone, 105 (45%) with diet plus oral medication and 52 (22%) with insulin. Only seven registered nurses (2%) in the homes had certified diabetes training. Forty-two homes (60%) did not carry out a structured, diabetes-related assessment of residents on entry and only 29 (42%) had regular review of diabetic residents by a general practitioner or practice nurse. Most homes (89%) were visited by an optician, 56 (80%) also had a regular chiropody service, although 32 (46%) of these charged their residents for this service. CONCLUSIONS: the known prevalence of diabetes is similar to that reported previously. This study highlights the need for structured care with defined standards for care-home residents with diabetes. (+info)
Outcome trajectories for assisted living and nursing facility residents in Oregon.
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OBJECTIVE: To compare assisted living residents and nursing home residents on outcome trajectories for three outcomes: ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), psychological well-being, and pain and discomfort. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING: A representative sample of one-third of the census from 38 participating assisted living facilities (N = 605) and two-fifths of the census from 31 participating nursing facilities (N = 610). STUDY DESIGN: A longitudinal design using hierarchical linear models to examine how setting (being in an assisted living setting or in a nursing home) affected growth trajectories for each outcome studied when adjusting for other resident characteristics. DATA COLLECTION: Residents or their proxies were interviewed and chart reviews done at baseline, six months, and one year. All baseline data were collected between August 1995 and May 1996. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We found differences in case mix between assisted living and nursing facility residents but no differences in outcome trajectories for ADLs, psychological well-being, and pain and discomfort. For ADLs and pain and discomfort on average, residents in both settings experienced change over the study period. For psychological well-being, residents experienced no change on average. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of difference in growth trajectories for ADLs, pain and discomfort, and psychological well-being between the two settings was noteworthy. (+info)
Measuring job satisfaction in residential aged care.
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BACKGROUND: Staff satisfaction has received increasing recognition as an important factor influencing service quality and in particular the quality of residents' lives in residential aged care facilities, where staff typically have a long-term and close relationship with residents. Consequently, a valid and reliable instrument is required to assess staff satisfaction in this particular context. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to assess the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Measure of Job Satisfaction (MJS) instrument when used in residential aged care facilities. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect the required information, and a stratified random sampling method was utilized to select facilities. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to assess the factor structure of staff satisfaction via the MJS. SETTING: Both high and low care residential aged care facilities in Western Australia. STUDY PARTICIPANTS: Nine hundred and eighty-three staff (including the Director of Nursing, manager, registered nurses, enrolled nurses, nursing assistants, and therapists) in 70 residential aged care facilities. RESULTS: An acceptable five-factor (22-item) measurement model was derived. The Cronbach's alpha reliability levels range from 0.86 to 0.95. Convergent and discriminant validity are also satisfactory. CONCLUSION: This investigation has confirmed that a modified MJS is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing staff satisfaction in residential aged care settings. (+info)
Urinary health in eldercare environments: an update from the NAFC.
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The National Association For Continence elected to cancel its 2001 conference scheduled for October 2001 in Washington, DC in light of national events. Executive Director Nancy Muller has provided Ostomy/Wound Management with a synopsis of key issues, important considerations, and the syllabus. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve as a forum for this worthy organization. (+info)