effect of applying two nursing strategies to elderly with risk for foot problem

Foot problems among elderly affect their dependence and quality of life. Foot care and health education to the elderly could contribute to decrease this problem. Thus, the aims of this study were to assess the feet condition of institutionalized elderly [n=130] to apply a nursing foot care program to a group of elderly identified with risks for foot problems [n=45] and a health education program to another matched group in order to practice self foot care and to compare the effectiveness of the two methods in reducing the foot problems. The study was carried out in two residential homes in Alexandria. An interview questionnaire sheet and foot screening form were used to collect the necessary data. The results revealed that foot problems are prevalent among elderly and a significant improvement in the elderly scores of risk for foot problems for all categories was found among those subjected to nursing care program, while slight improvement but with no significant difference was found among elderly who practiced self foot care. The study reflected that the need of assistance to the elderly who need help to perform foot care and health education alone is inadequate and preferably should be joined with provision care

relation between cognitive status of institutionalized elderly and verbal communication with their care providers

Elderly with cognitive deterioration have problems in communication with others and their care provides may have doubts about the value of communication with them. Thus, the aim of this study was assess the cognitive status of the institutionalized elderly [n = 35] and the frequency of verbal communication between them and their care providers. The study was conducted in two geriatric homes in Tanta. An interview questionnaire sheet and the mini mental state examination were used to collect the necessary data. Non-participant observation was utilized to obtain the frequency of verbal communication between the elderly and their care providers. The study revealed that 34% of the elderly had moderate cognitive impairment and 20.8% were severely impaired. Elderly had little verbal communication directed to them, where 83.8% and 63.8% of the moderately and severely impaired, respectively, had an average of two lines or less of verbal communication during the observation time. The study reflects the need for training of care providers to deal with cognitively impaired elderly