Search

This study examined the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of nursing home residents (>/= 65 years) using the Short-Form-36 Health Survey subscales and how these subscale scores are related to residents' sociodemographic and medical conditions. Residents 95--102 years old reported higher HRQOL than younger respondents. Those with more education reported higher HRQOL. Residents who reported hobbies or special interests had a higher HRQOL score on vitality and mental health variables. Finally, respondents with no comorbid illness scored highest on all HRQOL dimensions, and this was statistically significant for physical functioning and bodily pain. In conclusion, respondents generally reported highly limited physical functioning and slightly limited social functioning. To improve the situation of residents, more attention should be paid to the environment of nursing homes and residents' hobbies and special interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM: To advance the understanding of health-related quality of life among older nursing home residents by assessing their health-related quality of life and comparing this with norms from the general population. METHODS: The study used a two-group cross-sectional comparative design. The samples comprised 227 nursing home residents aged 65-102 years with at least six months' residence and a representative population sample of 1137 Norwegian citizens aged 65-102 years. All nursing home residents had a Clinical Dementia Rating Scale score > or =0.5 and were capable of conversing. The respondents provided demographic information and were surveyed using the SF-36 Health Survey. We used univariate and multivariate linear models to identify possible differences in health-related quality of life between the nursing home residents and the general population, controlled for age, sex, marital status and education. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, group, sex, marital status and education, the nursing home residents scored significantly higher on bodily pain and on physical and emotional role limitation and significantly lower on the other SF-36 subscales, except social functioning, with the largest differences for physical functioning (mean nursing home 23.2 and mean general population 62.9). The general population scores on all subscales generally increased with increasing education but not among the nursing home residents. CONCLUSIONS: The mean SF-36 scale scores differed markedly between the nursing home residents and the general population, with the nursing home residents generally scoring lower. The association with background variables known to be related to health-related quality of life differed between the groups. Healthcare professionals should increase attention to health-related quality of life among nursing home residents, periodically assess health-related quality of life and consider interventions that may improve health-related quality of life in older institutionalised populations. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study highlights the role of nurses and other health professionals in ensuring that nursing home residents have opportunities to improve their health-related quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the influence of activities of daily living (ADL) and frequency of social contacts on the loneliness and social relationships in a sample of very elderly individuals. Associations between functional ability, social contacts, and emotional loneliness and social loneliness were also assessed. The sample was composed of 221 participants, age 80 to 105 years, residing in the greater Bergen area in Norway. Results demonstrated that dependence on the environment in ADL is related to low levels of emotional loneliness, whereas only dependence in activities of toileting and transferring corresponded with low levels of social loneliness. High frequency of social contacts with family, friends, or neighbors was negatively related to both emotional and social loneliness. Results show that frequency of such contacts appeared to buffer the effect of continence on emotional loneliness and the effect of toileting and transferring on social loneliness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Sense of coherence (SOC) is a strong determinant of positive health and successful coping. For older people living in the community or staying in a hospital, SOC has been shown to be associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Studies focusing on this aspect among nursing home (NH) residents have been limited. This study investigated the relationship between SOC and HRQOL among older people living in NHs in Bergen, Norway. Methods Based on the salutogenic theoretical framework, we used a descriptive correlation design using personal interviews. We collected data from 227 mentally intact NH residents for 14 months in 2004–2005. The residents' HRQOL and coping ability were measured using the SF-36 Health Survey and the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-13), respectively. We analyzed possible relationships between the SOC-13 variables and SF-36 subdimensions, controlling for age, sex, marital status, education and comorbidity, and investigated interactions between the SOC and demographic variables by using multiple regression. Results SOC scores were significantly correlated with all SF-36 subscales: the strongest with mental health (r = 0.61) and the weakest with bodily pain (r = 0.28). These did not change substantially after adjusting for the associations with demographic variables and comorbidity. SOC-13 did not interact significantly with the other covariates. Conclusion These findings suggest that more coping resources improve HRQOL. This may indicate the importance of strengthening the residents' SOC to improve the perceived HRQOL. Such knowledge may help the international community in developing nursing regimens to improve HRQOL for older people living in NHs.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Few studies have examined the association between social support and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among nursing home residents and whether the sense of coherence (SOC) modifies the effect of social support on health-related quality of life. The main aims of this study were to determine the relationship between social support and HRQOL and to investigate whether the SOC modifies the effect of social support on HRQOL. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational design. SETTINGS: All 30 nursing homes in Bergen in western Norway. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred and twenty-seven mentally intact long-term nursing home residents 65 years and older. METHODS: Data were obtained through face-to-face interviews using the SF-36 Health Survey, Social Provisions Scale and Sense of Coherence Scale. Possible relationships between the Social Provisions Scale and the eight SF-36 subdimensions were analysed using multiple linear regression while controlling for age, sex, marital status, education and comorbid illness. Interactions between the Sense of Coherence Scale and Social Provisions Scale were investigated. RESULTS: Attachment affected the mental health subdimension (p=0.001), opportunity for nurturance affected social functioning (p=0.003) and reassurance of worth affected vitality (p=0.001) after adjustment for demographic variables and comorbid illness. After the analysis included the sense of coherence, nurturance still significantly affected social functioning and reassurance of worth still significantly affected vitality. No interaction with sense of coherence was found, and sense of coherence significantly affected all SF-36 subdimensions. CONCLUSIONS: The opportunity to provide nurturance for others appears to be important for social functioning, and sense of competence and sense of self-esteem appear to be important for vitality. Further, the residents' relationships with significant others comprise an important component of mental health. Finally, independent of the level of sense of coherence, social support is an important resource for better health-related quality of life. Clinical nurses should recognize that social support is associated with health-related quality of life and pay attention to the importance of social support for the residents in daily practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/objectives: To gain insight into how and why patients' perceptions of nurses' knowledge about cancer and its treatments relate to quality nursing care., Design: Qualitative study inspired by Giorgi's approach to phenomenology., Setting: An oncology ward in a regional hospital in Norway., Sample: 20 patients (10 women and 10 men). Most received life-prolonging and symptom-relieving treatment, whereas 4 had the possibility of being cured., Methods: In-depth interviews were tape recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. The text was read as a whole, condensed into units of meaning, and clustered into themes of importance. Finally, the consistency between identified themes and the general structure of the interviews was checked., Findings: Patients regarded knowledge about cancer and its treatment as basic in nursing and took for granted that nurses had this competency. Three themes were identified that explained why the knowledge was important: (a) it makes patients feel safe and secure and alleviates suffering by providing useful information, (b) it prevents and alleviates suffering and insecurity during chemotherapy, and (c) it alleviates suffering by relieving side effects caused by the treatment and symptoms caused by the disease., Conclusions: Patients appreciated meeting nurses who had experience and could combine clinical and biologic knowledge and nursing skills with a human touch. In addition, nurses alleviated patients' bodily and existential suffering and made them feel safe and secure., Implications for Nursing: Experienced, effective nurses with knowledge about cancer and its treatments are needed in oncology wards to provide optimal care to patients.

Background: This article deals with one of the themes from interviews in a larger qualitative study about cancer patients' perceptions of good caring. It is widely recognized today that patient centred care is important. Patients' values and perceptions must be acknowledged in order to make care evidence based and to meet the demands of quality improvement processes., Aim: The aim was to get insight in patients with cancers' perceptions of the importance of being respected as partners and share control of decisions about interventions and management of their health problems and the reasons behind their wishes., Method: Giorgio's scientific approach to phenomenology was used. Twenty cancer inpatients with various cancer diagnoses at different stages and with different prognoses were interviewed. The sampling was purposive., Ethical Issues: Permission to carry out the research was given by a Regional Committee of Research Ethics in Western Norway and the data collection followed the guidelines of the Data Inspectorate of Norway., Main Findings: The units of meaning identified could be clustered into three themes with significance for patient centred care from patients' perspectives: (1) empowerment (being respected, listened to, given honest information, being valued); (2) shared decision making about the treatment of the disease (discussing the treatment, but letting the doctor decide in the end); and (3) partnership in nursing care., Conclusion: Health care professionals can practise patient centred care by treating patients with respect, giving honest information, making them feel valued as persons and by inviting them to take part in all decisions about their daily life and care. However, cancer patients' desire to make decisions about their treatments must not be taken for granted. Doctors must find out the extent to which each patient wants to participate and then give the necessary information.

Background: Sense of coherence (SOC) is a strong determinant of positive health and successful coping. For older people living in the community or staying in a hospital, SOC has been shown to be associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Studies focusing on this aspect among nursing home (NH) residents have been limited. This study investigated the relationship between SOC and HRQOL among older people living in NHs in Bergen, Norway., Methods: Based on the salutogenic theoretical framework, we used a descriptive correlation design using personal interviews. We collected data from 227 mentally intact NH residents for 14 months in 2004-2005. The residents' HRQOL and coping ability were measured using the SF-36 Health Survey and the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-13), respectively. We analyzed possible relationships between the SOC-13 variables and SF-36 subdimensions, controlling for age, sex, marital status, education and comorbidity, and investigated interactions between the SOC and demographic variables by using multiple regression., Results: SOC scores were significantly correlated with all SF-36 subscales: the strongest with mental health (r = 0.61) and the weakest with bodily pain (r = 0.28). These did not change substantially after adjusting for the associations with demographic variables and comorbidity. SOC-13 did not interact significantly with the other covariates., Conclusion: These findings suggest that more coping resources improve HRQOL. This may indicate the importance of strengthening the residents' SOC to improve the perceived HRQOL. Such knowledge may help the international community in developing nursing regimens to improve HRQOL for older people living in NHs.

Background: A study comparing diphtheria immunity in Norwegian and Russian schoolchildren indicated low immunity against diphtheria in Norwegian children before the booster dose given at age 11 years. The pertussis epidemic in Norway 1997-98 demonstrated decreasing vaccine immunity from age 5-6 years. The possibility of improving immunity against both diseases by a booster dose during early school age is therefore under consideration., Material and Methods: Immune response and adverse events were studied after a combined vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (acellular) and poliomyelitis (DTPa-IPV) given at seven years of age, and a combined vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (acellular) (DTPa) at 11 years of age, in two parallel trials including 124 and 83 participants respectively., Results: The trials confirmed that the diphtheria immunity is lower than it ideally should be in more than 40% of children before the booster dose at age 11. Pertussis immunity is difficult to assess because there is no clear relationship between antibody levels and protection. All study participants responded well to all vaccine components. The 11-year-old children reported higher occurrence of adverse events than the 7-year-olds. All adverse events were brief and none were serious., Interpretation: The results indicate that a booster dose of DTPa-IPV in early school age would give better protection against diphtheria and pertussis in Norwegian schoolchildren, without unacceptable side effects.

Two groups of individuals, eighty years of age or older, were compared with respect to the experience of loneliness and the influence of social relationships. One group was living in nursing homes. The other group was living alone in their own homes in the community. There were no significant differences in experienced loneliness between residence with close contacts with members of family and friends compared to residents without such contacts in either of the two groups, with one exception: institutional residents with existing contacts with former neighbors reported significantly lower levels of loneliness compared to institutional residents without such contacts. Frequency of contacts with family and neighbors did not influence significantly the degree of loneliness for residents in institutions. For residents in the community there were significant differences in experienced loneliness between those who had frequent contacts with family members and neighbors and those with infrequent contacts. Institutional residents, like residents in the community who desired more frequent contacts with family members and friends, reported higher levels of loneliness, compared to those who reported sufficient contacts.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the actual function of the personal activities of daily living in old people living in nursing homes and in the community. Another purpose was to evaluate and document the nursing load. The assessments were made over a four-week period. Two groups of individuals, aged 80 years or older, were compared with respect to ability to perform activities of daily living. The first group comprised old people who had been resident in nursing homes for at least six months, while those in the other group lived alone in the community and received some kind of assistance from the home service providers. The subjects in the latter group were less disabled than those residing in nursing homes. Age group comparisons among nursing-home residents showed no significant differences in the capacity of residents to function in activities of daily living, nor in the case of those living in the community. The nursing staff in the nursing-home setting had a heavier work-load than those working in the community concerning performance of personal activities of daily living. Caring for old people in institutions as well as in the community creates substantial challenges for the care personnel.

This paper analyses the concept of ageing and old age from various perspectives. From a historical perspective, people in Antiquity and the Middle Ages explained the ages of man in different schematic terms, related to the physical causes for the processes of human growth and decline, or related to daily, annual or historical time. From a cross-cultural perspective, the predominant view has been that older adults in developing societies were better situated socially and psychologically than their counterparts in developed societies. The process of ageing can be seen from separate biological, psychological and social perspectives. Regarding the individual aged person, these mutually interactive processes, must be considered together, along with the cultural conditions and historical times in which they occur. Increased awareness of the positive contributions to modern society made by the aged as upholders of cultural heritage and traditions may help to counteract the derogatory of references to the elderly as 'the rising tide', associating this group of the population with heavy financial burdens on society.