| 1. |
- Borglin, Gunilla, et al.
(author)
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Older people in Sweden with various degrees of present quality of life : their health, social support, everyday activities and sense of coherence.
- 2006
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In: Health & Social Care in the Community. - : Blackwell Publishing. - 0966-0410 .- 1365-2524. ; 14:2, s. 136-146
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Public health policies in most European countries are concerned with how to keep older people living independently with a qualitatively good life in the community as long as possible. However, knowledge about what may characterise those seemingly 'healthy' older people is sparse. The aim of the study was to investigate the characteristics of a sample of people (75+) reporting various degrees of Quality of Life (QoL) with respect to QoL in different areas, as well as self-rated health, health problems, social support, everyday activities and sense of coherence. A postal questionnaire was sent out in spring 2001 to a randomly selected population-based sample (n= 600) in the southern parts of Sweden. A two-step cluster analysis was performed (n= 385, mean age 84.6, SD = 5.7) with 'present QoL' as clustering attribute. Three groups were disclosed, classified as high, intermediate and low present QoL, of which 33.8% could be regarded being at risk of low QoL. Those with low present QoL (18.4%) were the oldest and most vulnerable, a majority were women with 'poor or bad' self-rated health, high frequencies of health problems, low total QoL, low social support and sense of coherence and less physically active. Those with high present QoL (47.8%) reported more 'excellent or good' self-rated health, physical activity, satisfactory social support and higher sense of coherence and total QoL than the other two groups. Those with intermediate present QoL (33.8%) had more of 'poor or bad' self-rated health, more health problems were less physically active, had lower total QoL and sense of coherence, and less social support than those with high present QoL. The sample seemed to reflect the ageing process in that the respondents were at different stages of ageing. However, the fact that the level of social support, sense of coherence and self-rated health followed the same curve as QoL may indicate that some are more vulnerable to low present QoL given the same health and these should be targeted in preventive programmes since they report low QoL.
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| 2. |
- Jakobsson, Ulf, et al.
(author)
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Exploring determinants for quality of life among older people in pain and in need of help for daily living
- 2007
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In: Journal of Clinical Nursing. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0962-1067 .- 1365-2702. ; 16:3a, s. 95-104
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims and objectives. The aim of the study was to investigate the quality of life and related factors among older people who are in pain and in need of help to manage daily living. Background. To intervene against the low quality of life in nursing care knowledge about factors affecting it is needed and this is especially important for vulnerable people such as those who suffer from pain and who are in need of help to manage daily living. Methods. Five hundred and twenty-six people, aged 75–102 years participated in this study. Results. Those in pain reported a significantly higher degree of all complaints and lower quality of life in all measures compared with those not in pain. Overall quality of life was associated with mobility problems, sleeping problems and depressed mood, while health-related quality of life was associated with living in special accommodations, walking problems, mobility problems and fatigue. Conclusions. Those in need of help to manage daily living and in pain seem to be at higher risk of lowered quality of life than those not in pain and the lower quality of life among those in pain is probably caused by the complex of complaints rather than pain per se. Relevance to clinical practice. Daily nursing care should identify and treat the complex of complaints related to pain as well as pain itself, to improve everyday life and quality of life for older people in pain.
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| 3. |
- Karlsson, Staffan, et al.
(author)
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Functional ability and health complaints among older people with a combination of public and informal care vs. public care only
- 2008
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences. - Chichester : Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Inc.. - 0283-9318 .- 1471-6712. ; 22:1, s. 136-148
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of the study was to investigate functional ability and health complaints of people, 65+, living in special accommodation (equivalent to nursing home) and their counterparts who live at home and receive municipal care or a combination of municipal and informal care. Persons (n = 1958) receiving municipal care were assessed in terms of functional ability, health complaints, and level of informal and municipal care and services. The results showed that more home care, services and help with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) were provided to those receiving only municipal care at home, while more home care and services associated with Personal Activities of Daily Living (PADL) as well as nursing care were provided to those receiving informal care in addition to formal care. Cohabitation was a predictor of a combination of municipal and informal care in the home (OR: 5.935), while assistance with IADL provided by municipal home care and services predicted municipal care only (OR: 0.344). Care in special accommodation was predicted by advanced age (OR: 1.051), dependency in IADL (OR: 19.883) and PADL (OR: 2.695), and impaired cognitive ability (OR: 3.849) with receiving municipal care only as a reference. Living alone (OR: 0.106), dependency in IADL (OR: 11.348) and PADL (OR: 2.506), impaired cognitive ability (OR: 3.448), impaired vision or blindness (OR: 1.812) and the absence of slowly healing wounds (OR: 0.407) were predictors of special accommodation with a combination of informal and municipal care at home as a reference. The distribution of municipal care divided older people into three distinct groups. The most frail and elderly people who had no cohabitants received care in special accommodation, determined by their level of physical and cognitive dependency. The frailest individuals living at home were cohabiting and received a combination of municipal and informal care, while those who were less dependent mainly had help with IADL from municipal care only. The results indicate that there is a shift from the substitution to the complementary model and highlights that attention to the family carers is needed.
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| 4. |
- Lethin, Connie, et al.
(author)
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Family caregivers experiences of formal care when caring for persons with dementia through the process of the disease
- 2016
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0283-9318 .- 1471-6712. ; 30:3, s. 526-534
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Family caregivers' experiences of formal care when caring for persons with dementia through the process of the disease is sparsely investigated.AIMS: To investigate family caregivers' experiences of formal care when caring for a person with dementia, through the stages of the disease.DESIGN: A qualitative approach with focus group interviews.METHODS: Four focus group interviews were conducted in October 2011 with 23 spouses and adult children of persons with dementia and analysed with content analysis.RESULTS: The participants' experiences of formal care when caring for a person with dementia were captured in the theme 'Family caregiving requires collaboration with formal care to get support adjusted to needs specific to the stages of dementia'. This can be broken down into the categories 'The dementia diagnosis - entry into formal care as a novice family caregiver', 'Needing expanded collaboration with formal care to continue care at home' and 'Being dependent on a nursing home and trying to maintain involvement'.CONCLUSION: Family caregiving requires collaboration with formal care to get support adjusted to the individual's needs, specific to the stages of dementia. Caregivers experience a transition process with three main turning points: the dementia diagnosis; when they realise increased need for formal care to continue caring at home; and when the person with dementia is moved into a nursing home. The interviewed caregivers experience formal care reactive to their needs and this often promoted unhealthy transitions. Formal care needs to be proactive and deliver available care and support early on in the dementia trajectory. Interventions should focus on facilitating a healthy transition for family caregivers through the trajectory of the dementia disease to ensure their well-being.
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| 5. |
- Prendergast, Virginia, et al.
(author)
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Effects of a standard versus comprehensive oral care protocol among intubated neuroscience ICU patients : results of a randomized controlled trial
- 2012
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In: Journal of Neuroscience Nursing. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 0888-0395 .- 1945-2810. ; 44:3, s. 134-146
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The purpose of the study was to compare changes in oral health during intubation until 48 hours after extubation in neuroscience intensive care unit (ICU) patients enrolled in a standard or a comprehensive oral care protocol. The effects of manual toothbrushing (standard group, n = 31) were compared with those of tongue scraping, electric toothbrushing, and moisturizing (comprehensive group, n = 25) in intubated patients in a neuroscience ICU in a 2-year randomized clinical trial. Oral health was evaluated based on the Oral Assessment Guide (OAG) on enrollment, the day of extubation, and 48 hours after extubation. There were no significant differences in the frequency of the oral care protocol. Protocol compliance exceeded 91% in both groups. The total OAG score and all eight categories significantly deteriorated (Friedman test, p < .001, Bonferroni corrected) in the standard oral care group and did not return to baseline after extubation. Large effect sizes were present at all three points in this group. The total OAG score deteriorated during intubation within the comprehensive protocol group (Friedman test, p < .004) but returned to baseline status after extubation. In four categories, the ratings on tongue, mucous membranes, gingiva, and teeth did not deteriorate significantly over time. Published oral care protocols are substandard in promoting and maintaining oral health in intubated patients. A comprehensive oral care protocol, using a tongue scraper, an electrical toothbrush, and pharmacological moisturizers, was more effective for oral hygiene throughout intubation and after extubation than manual toothbrushing alone.
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| 6. |
- Stenzelius, Karin, et al.
(author)
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Bowel function among people 75+ reporting faecal incontinence in relation to help seeking, dependency and quality of life
- 2007
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In: Journal of Clinical Nursing. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0962-1067 .- 1365-2702. ; 16:3, s. 458-468
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim was to compare faecal incontinence and related bowel symptoms among men and women and being dependent or not (aged >or=75 years) and furthermore to identify which bowel symptoms predicted help seeking, dependency and low quality of life (QoL). BACKGROUND: Faecal incontinence (FI) in old age is a common condition and influences daily life to a great extent, although few actually seek medical help. METHODS: A total of 248 people with reported difficulties controlling faeces answered a postal questionnaire or were interviewed with questions about FI-related bowel symptoms. A factor analysis resulted in four areas of bowel symptoms and was used in logistic regression with help seeking, dependency and low QoL as dependent variables. RESULTS: Of all the subjects, 56.4% had leakage, 54.7% did not reach the toilet in time, 55.6% had incomplete emptying, 27.9% had hard stool, 36.8% bother from moisture from the anus, 32.2% could not withstand urgency for five minutes and 17% had red skin or wounds in the genital region. Women and those dependent were most affected. Totally 40.8% had sought help and 30.1% used protective aids. Leakage, discomfort, consistency and contractibility symptoms were the categories of bowel symptoms related to FI. Discomfort predicted help seeking (OR 3.0), dependency (OR 1.5) and physical QoL (OR 1.7). Leakage predicted help seeking (OR 1.9) but not dependency and QoL. CONCLUSIONS: Overall bowel function was disturbed among those with FI and unmet needs seem problematic especially for women and those needing help in Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Encouragement to seek and get medical help and to use protective aids may improve the very low quality of life in this group. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Older people with FI should be asked about, assessed for and examined for overall bowel function to get adequate treatment and be encouraged to use protection.
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| 7. |
- Bondesson, Susanne M., et al.
(author)
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Hospital utilization and costs for spinal cord stimulation compared with enhanced external counterpulsation for refractory angina pectoris
- 2013
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In: Journal of Evaluation In Clinical Practice. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 1356-1294 .- 1365-2753. ; 19:1, s. 139-147
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Rationale, aims and objectives The aim of this study was to compare acute hospital utilization and costs for patients with refractory angina pectoris undergoing spinal cord stimulation (SCS) versus enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP). Method Seventy-three persons were included in this register study. The acute hospital utilization and costs for SCS and EECP were followed over a period from 12 months before treatment to 24 months after treatment using Patient Administrative Support in Skåne for publicly organized care. Results SCS was significantly more expensive than EECP (P < 0.001). Both SCS and EECP entailed fewer days of hospitalization for coronary artery disease in the 12-month follow-up compared with the 12 months preceding treatment. Patients treated with EECP showed an association between reduced hospital admissions and an improved Canadian Cardiovascular Society classification class compared with 1 year before treatment. A significant reduction in cost was seen in both the SCS group (P = 0.018 and P = 0.001, respectively) and the EECP group (P = 0.002 and P = 0.045, respectively) during 12 and 24 months of follow-up compared with before treatment. There were no significant differences between the groups for hospitalization days or admissions, including costs, at the different follow-ups. Conclusions Cost-effective treatment modalities such as SCS and EECP are valuable additions to medical and revascularization therapy in patients with refractory angina pectoris. Pre-existing conditions and the patient's preferences should be taken in consideration when clinicians choose between treatments for this group of patients.
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| 8. |
- Karlsson, Staffan, et al.
(author)
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Professional's and older person's assessments of functional ability, health complaints and received care and service : a descriptive study
- 2010
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In: International Journal of Nursing Studies. - : Elsevier. - 0020-7489 .- 1873-491X. ; 47:10, s. 1217-1227
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the level of agreement between the needs assessment made by professional on the one hand, and the older person's views on the other. A further aim was to explore if the estimations made by the professional were systematically lower or higher compared to the views of the older person.PARTICIPANTS: The study included 152 individuals, 65+, who received public care and services in southern Sweden. The concept public care and services include home help, home nursing care, rehabilitation and special accommodation.METHODS: Standardised needs assessments were performed by home help officers, registered nurses and one physiotherapist. Subsequently to the needs assessment, the older person's view was collected in a personal interview. Standardised assessment form was used covering items about demographic data, functional ability, health complaints, adaptation in housing, public and informal care. The concept informal care includes care from spouse and children. Cohen's Kappa was used for analysis of level of agreement and Chi-square tests for differences in estimation.RESULTS: Level of agreement for dependency in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and personal activities of daily living (PADL) varied between good (kappa=0.78) and moderate (kappa=0.43). Poor agreement was found for occurrence of dizziness (kappa(w)=0.17) and fair agreement for impaired hearing (kappa(w)=0.27), urinary incontinence (kappa(w)=0.38), pain (kappa(w)=0.21), anxiety (kappa(w)=0.37) and depressed mood (kappa(w)=0.37). Older persons reported more health complaints than in the professional's assessments, significantly lower estimation was found for incontinence and vision. Level of agreement for provided public care at home (home help and home nursing care) was poor, for informal care it varied between very good and moderate.CONCLUSIONS: Needs assessments appeared to focus on older persons ADL, cognition and informal care, while health complaints and social needs were less in focus. A more comprehensive view including preventive and palliative approach may improve quality of life for older persons receiving care and service.
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| 9. |
- Andersson, Magdalena, et al.
(author)
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Old people receiving municipal care, their experiences of what constitutes a good life in the last phase of life : a qualitative study
- 2008
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In: International Journal of Nursing Studies. - : Elsevier. - 0020-7489 .- 1873-491X. ; 45:6, s. 818-828
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundOld people's life situation when receiving municipal help and care in their last period of life is sparsely investigated from their own perspective.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of aspects that bring about a good life in the last phase of life among people (75+ years) receiving municipal care.ParticipantsOlder people living in a municipality in Southern Sweden being 75 years or older, receiving help and/or care from the municipality, and having a life-threatening disease and/or receiving palliative care were asked to participate. In all 17 people, 10 women and 7 men, aged 78–100 years were included.MethodsQualitative interviews, with the emphasis on their present life situation especially what brought about a good life, were performed. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis.ResultsThe experience was interpreted to be Turning inwards to come to peace with the past, the present and approaching death while being trapped by health complaints. Six categories embraced the experience of aspects that constitute a good life in the last phase of life: Maintaining dignity, Enjoying small things, Feelings of “being at home”, Being in the hands of others, trying to adjust, Still being important for other people and Completing life while facing death.ConclusionThis study confirm theories suggesting that the last phase of life in old age meant focusing inwards, reflecting on the entire life as a way of completing it as well as enjoying small things and also viewing oneself in the perspective of contributing to the future. It also indicated that this phase of life meant being trapped by health complaints and functional limitations. The struggle to maintaining dignity as opposed to being in the hands of others implies that the concept of palliative care may be useful as a framework for providing nursing care to very old people, especially at the end of life.
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| 10. |
- Berg, Agneta, 1950-, et al.
(author)
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Nurses' reflections about dementia care, the patients, the care and themselves in their daily caregiving
- 1998
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In: International Journal of Nursing Studies. - : Elsevier. - 0020-7489 .- 1873-491X. ; 35:5, s. 271-282
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this study the aim was, through interviews, to disclose 13 nurses personal knowledge about the patients, themselves, and care provision, using a phenomenological-hermeneutic analysing method. Caring for people with severe dementia meant an intertwined life world emanating from making and doing together and the delicate interpretative work that the care provision required. The intertwined life world consisted of the interaction between the nurses and the patients separate lives, their common life and the environment, culminating in mutual dependency. Making together signifies the relationship being based on the nurses knowledge and skills as nurses i.e. the task they had to perform. Doing together signifies the relationship being based on the oneness of the nurses and the patients with severe dementia as ordinary human beings. The delicate interpretation process required, to adapt care to the individual patient, was based on knowledge about the patients personality, life history and disease progression in combination with the nurses interpretation of the current situation. The nurses searched for meaning and that, in turn, meant that the patients inner world was determined by the nurses and thus the patient was seen as being in their hands. It seems important to further understand the human aspects of both the nurse and the patient and to examine this dynamic, ongoing, vulnerable interpretation process, critically, in order to achieve high quality nursing care for the patients with severe dementia, and an experience of well-being in nurses everyday working lives.
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