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- Falk, Hanna, 1977, et al.
(författare)
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A psychometric evaluation of a Swedish version of the Quality of Life in Late-Stage Dementia (QUALID) scale.
- 2007
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Ingår i: International psychogeriatrics / IPA. - 1041-6102 .- 1741-203X. ; 19:6, s. 1040-50
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the validity, reliability and responsiveness of a Swedish translation of the Quality of Life in Late-Stage Dementia (QUALID) Scale. METHOD: A total of 169 elderly residents at 19 dementia special care units in eight long-term care facilities in the Gothenburg city region participated in the study. Assessments were made by 107 proxy informants. RESULTS: Results showed satisfactory levels of internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficients 0.74), acceptable inter-rater reliability between informants (0.69), and high test-retest reliability (0.86). As hypothesized, QUALID scores were also associated with those from other quality-of-life (QoL) indices (criterion validity), as well as with use of psychoactive drugs, and with tests of cognitive impairment (clinical validity). The responsiveness of the questionnaire was also acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: As important clinical decisions may derive from perceived QoL effects, it is vital that the QoL data be reliable, valid and sensitive to change. Our evaluations of the psychometric properties of the Swedish QUALID indicate that it satisfactorily meets the need for an instrument to assess QoL in late-stage dementia in Sweden, in a wide range of settings and applications.
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| 2. |
- Falk, Hanna, 1977, et al.
(författare)
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Natural activity – An intervention study of the interplay between cage-birds and elderly patients in a Swedish hospital setting
- 2008
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Ingår i: International journal of older people nursing. - : Wiley. - 1748-3735 .- 1748-3743. ; 3:1, s. 22-28
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim. The aim of this study was to describe the interaction between cage-birds and older people as it arises in spontaneous situations in a Swedish hospital ward setting. Background. Older people are at risk of being affected by mental fatigue because of various age-related reductions and disease. Mental fatigue manifests itself through a reduced ability to concentrate. The method of alleviating mental fatigue with the use of stimulating natural settings or animal-assisted activities is so far unexplored in Sweden and subsequently it is important to study the method in a Swedish context to implement it as a recognized nursing intervention in the care of older people. Design. The study had an explorative observational design, and was conducted at a geriatric ward with a consecutive selection of participants. Method. The observations were analysed using a constant comparative method influenced by Grounded Theory. 'Attention restorative theory' was used as the theoretical framework to guide the study. Result. Our findings indicate that animal-assisted therapy has a positive effect on involuntary attention and mental restoration, as well as on enhanced social behaviour among older people. Relevance to clinical practice. The result strengthens the assumption that animal companionship should be considered a beneficial nursing intervention for older people to prevent mental fatigue.
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| 3. |
- Falk, Hanna, 1977, et al.
(författare)
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The effects of refurbishment on residents’ quality of life and wellbeing in two Swedish nursing homes
- 2009
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Ingår i: Health & Place. - : Elsevier BV. - 1353-8292. ; 15:3, s. 717-724
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study was conducted to follow a refurbishment aimed at enhancing the supportiveness of the physical environment in two Swedish nursing homes. Significant differences between intervention and equivalent reference groups were found for quality of life (p= 0.007) and wellbeing (p= 0.02, p= 0.01) indicating a deterioration for the intervention group. These results suggest that nursing home residents are more frail and sensitive to change than has been assumed. This needs to be considered when facilities accommodating the elderly need refurbishment. It also indicates that interior design features alone have little importance for the care climate in nursing homes. Key words; Supportive physical environment, nursing home, elderly, quality of life, wellbeing
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