Nurs Stand. 2011 Nov 9-15; 26(10): 35-9
Blackhall A, Hawkes D, Hingley D, Wood S

This article presents a communication framework, devised by the authors, that could be used by healthcare professionals who come into contact with people who have dementia. The framework is based on four key concepts: validation, emotion, reassure and activity (VERA). It describes a stage-by-stage process of communication that guides nurses towards providing compassionate and caring responses. The framework was developed in response to students who said they find it useful to have structured guidance on how to interact with people who have dementia. The VERA framework offers a means of interpreting communication and responding appropriately.

Rev Saude Publica. 2012 Feb; 46(1): 147-153
Del Duca GF, Silva SG, Thumé E, Santos IS, Hallal PC

OBJECTIVE: To identify predictive indicators of institutionalization of the elderly. METHODS: A case-control study was carried out with 991 elderly individuals in the city of Pelotas, (Southern Brazil), from 2007 to 2008. The cases of institutionalized elderly adults (n = 393) were detected using a census of all long-stay institutions for the elderly in the city. The population controls (n = 598) were randomly selected using a comprehensive health survey. Pearson’s chi-square test and linear trends were used to compare groups in the crude analysis; and the binary logistic regression model of the adjusted analysis, with the effects expressed as odds ratios. RESULTS: Institutionalization was more frequent in females (OR = 1.96, 95%CI 1.31, 2.95). Elderly with advanced age (OR = 3.23 and OR = 9.56 for age groups 70-79 and > 80 years, respectively), those who lived without a partner (single, divorced or widowed), and those who had no formal schooling or had a functional disability preventing them from performing basic activities for daily living were more likely to be institutionalized. An inverse trend between the incidence of elderly institutionalization and the level of physical activity was observed, where somewhat active and inactive subjects were more likely to be institutionalized (OR = 1.71 and OR = 4.73, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Of the factors examined, age > 80 years, living without a partner and being physically inactive were the indicators most strongly associated with institutionalization. The encouragement of informal care through cultural and educational activities focused on the role of the family in caring for the elderly can prevent the institutionalization of these individuals.

CertifiedCare Offers Tips as Relief for Caregivers to Make the Time With Family Members More Enjoyable During the HolidaysCleveland, Ohio (PRWEB) December 08, 2011 Overwhelmed and stressed-out caregivers may view the holidays as a drain of precious energy rather than a joyous occasion. The love, peace and goodwill are replaced with stress, frustration and anger. Everything from the preparation …

Last week, the Obama administration dropped one of the signature provisions of its health-care plan. The CLASS Act (Community Living Assistance Services) was intended to provide affordable insurance for long-term care to individuals who, because of infirmity or age, could no longer care for themselves. But the reality that not…

Queens University of Charlotte and The Ivey®, the adult day care center in Charlotte’s Southpark area, are partnering to provide the “Caring for the Elderly” series to provide valuable information and training for those in the community who are supporting aging loved ones.

Ohio has gotten the green light from federal authorities to allow the elderly and disabled more chances to get medical care in their homes rather than nursing homes.

Scand J Caring Sci. 2011 Sep 23;
Buchwald D, Delmar C, Schantz-Laursen B

Scand J Caring Sci; 2011 How children handle life when their mother or father is seriously ill and dying Aims and objectives:? The aim of this study was to describe and understand how children handle their life when a mother or father is dying. Methodological design and justification:? The research design was phenomenological hermeneutic. The phenomenological approach enabled us to capture the concrete everyday life of the children as it is understood and experienced by the children themselves. The hermeneutical approach offered the possibility of reaching an understanding of the children’s experiences. Research Methods: Seven children aged 11-17?years participated in the study. Data were collected using qualitative interviews and video diaries. Ethical considerations:? The researcher complied with ethical guidelines that apply to all researchers and followed ethical guidelines for nursing research in the Nordic Countries (Northern Nurses Federation). The children’s names were changed, and the data were treated confidentially. Findings:? Analysis produced an overarching theme of death’s waiting room, with following sub-themes: Relating to death, when death becomes even more clearly manifest and handling life in death’s waiting room. Study limitations:? This study focuses on a limited explored area; children’s lived life with a dying parent. The study limits itself to focusing on children’s life world; by choosing this focus, we have not included the relational aspects that are essential aspects of children’s lives. One might focus on these aspects in a second study to shed further light on the children’s lives. Conclusion:? When children live in a family with a dying mother or father, they find that their home is transformed from a safe base into death’s waiting room. The children use a variety of ways to handle the confrontation with death. Avoiding talking to the children will not protect them from their thoughts about death.

September 14, 2011 –

A CALLINGTON care centre has apologised for its failings after a report found residents were deprived of food and medical treatment.

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Finding and paying for satisfactory long-term care for older people, especially those with dementia or physical limitations is a serious retirement planning problem and one that is almost certainly going to get worse before it gets better.

IT is heartwarming when you hear about children who take good care of their elderly parents.