[Effect of family education program on depression, anxiety and stress of family caregivers of elderly individuals with dementia]

Due to rising elderly population and the subsequent increase in chronic disorders such as dementia, the expected number of family caregivers and health care complications, especially psychological effects such as anxiety, depression, etc are on the rise. Therefore, present study aimed to investigate the effect of family education program on depression, anxiety and stress in family caregivers of elderly individuals with dementia. This study was a clinical trial investigating the effect of a family education program on 50 family caregivers in referral centers for elderly with dementia located in Isfahan. Convenience sampling and random assignment were used in our study. Data collection tools were mini mental status examination [MMSE] and DASS [42 items]. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16 and chi-square, independent t-test, and analysis of variance with repeated measures. Demographic characteristics did not show any statistically significant different. Compared with control group, mean score for depression, anxiety and stress of experimental group in caregivers decreased significantly [P<0.01]. Implementation of this program could improve psychological status of family-caregivers of elderly individual with dementia, it is suggested that some programs be standardized and developed after evaluation of different research designs

[Prediction of likelihood of ground falling in hospitalized old patients in Isfahan; by using Morse fall scale]

High incidence of ground falling in hospitalized old patients is an important cause for concern in every treatment system. A very common fall assessment tool is Morse Falls Scale. This study was designed to determine the probability of falling in hospitalized old patients in Isfahan, 2009. This was a cross-sectional descriptive analytic study. Sample size included 400 subjects who were selected by Quata sampling method. We used a questionnaire consisted of two parts, the first part comprised demographic characteristics, number of drugs, diagnosis, name of the hospital and ward, and the second part included Morse Fall Scale. The questionnaire was completed for every subject by trained interrogators. Data was analyzed by means of Chi-square test. This study showed that risk of ground falling had a relation with mean age, history of falling within the last three months, kind of ambulatory aids, having IV/Heparin Lock, estate of walking, mental status, drug consumption of 3 or more drugs, suffering from cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases. In general, risk of ground falling threats 50% of hospitalized old patients. Ground falling is an important threat for hospitalized old patients and is an important problem for care health services. Nurses can recognize patients at risk of falling. Fulfillment of preventive programs can decrease rate of ground falling in hospitalized old patients