[Autonomy, privacy and the implementation of the principle of "informed consent" with regard to nursing intervention from the view point of the aged]. / Autonomie, Privatheit und die Umsetzung des Prinzips der "informierten Zustimmung" im Zusammenhang mit pflegerischen Interventionen aus der Perspektive des älteren Menschen.

The aim of this study was to describe patient autonomy, privacy and the implementation of the principle of informed consent in the care of elderly patients in facilities experienced by themselves. This study is part of the BIOMED 2 project "Patients' autonomy and privacy in nursing interventions" supported by the European Commission. Interview data (n = 95) were collected among elderly people in German facilities for geriatrics and in nursing homes. The results showed there was a lack of opportunity by the elderly people to make self-determined decisions. The principle of "informed consent" was hardly realised. The participants felt their privacy was not respected in multi-bedded rooms and in situations of dressing and eliminating. One can proceed on the assumption that the lack of information, the need of help and the fixed organizing structures of the facilities are the reasons why elderly people play a rather passive role as patients. It might be possible to improve the autonomy of elderly people if the nurses as an advocate supported them to make self-determined decisions. The implementation of the principle of informed consent with regard to nursing interventions would promote both autonomy and respect of privacy. Furthermore, one can assume that the autonomy and quality of life of elderly people could be promoted if the organizing structures of the facilities were more flexible.

[The care dependency scale, an assessment instrument]. / Die Pflegeabhängigkeitsskala, eine methodologische Studie.

The Care Dependency Scale, an instrument for the assessment of patients'care dependency, has been translated into German. The scale was tested on (inter-) rater reliability and criterion and construct validity in a hospital population on geriatric, surgical and paediatric wards. As the results of this study were very satisfying, positive recommendations regarding the suitability of the scale for use in the German nursing care situation could be made. However further psychometric testing of the scale is important, for instance in other populations. A final conclusion is that the scale may be used in care settings in German-speaking countries.

[Social factors in gerontology]. / Soziale Faktoren in der Gerontologie.

As an inter-branch research and working field of modern medicine, gerontology has to satisfy health-political requirements to a growing extent. Related to the specific subject of the investigation of aging and its biosocial character, this requires a view of human aging and being old that exceeds the limits of the medico-naturalscintific conceptions. Any analysis of phenomena of aging in later periods of life has to deal with the individual and his/her social environment-two interacting and dynamically changing parts of a global system. Associated therewith is the previously insufficiently solved problem of the clear determination of the "social", of the "social factors". Following already existing approaches, a possible systematization of the conglomerate of social factors is introduced and consequences concerning research and practice are pointed out.

[Research and practice requirements in gerontology--results of a pilot study]. / Forschungs- und Praxisbedürfnisse in der Gerontologie--Ergebnisse einer Pilotstudie.

This report includes empirical findings of a questionnaire-based pilot study. A group of physicians in geriatric practice has been asked with respect to research requirements in social gerontology. The findings presents evidence for need for increase in scientific founded knowledge in specific spheres of perception. According to the recommendations of the explored subjects such themes as housing/relocation to old-age institutions, family, preparation for old age, activating/rehabilitation and so on should be taken up in research work. Our purpose is to stimulate both the discussion between different branches of knowledge on further development of gerontological investigation and the adequate realization of proportion of research to practice in GDR.

[The health status of elderly citizens--results of a survey of applicants of a retirement or nursing home]. / Zur gesundheitlichen Situation von älteren Bürgern--Ergebnisse einer Erhebung an Antragstellern auf Aufnahme in ein Feierabend- oder Pflegeheim.

This report includes empirical findings of a questionnaire based survey in which several aspects of health status of older proposer for relocation to old-age institutions (N = 1281) in district of Schwerin were examined. In addition this contribution represents a perspective of social gerontological discussion on concepts of health and illness. Some implications of this perspective for further research and practice are described in short statements at the end of the contribution.

[Methodologic developmental principles of standardized surveys within the scope of social gerontologic studies]. / Methodologische Gestaltungsprinzipien standardisierter Befragungen im Rahmen sozialgerontologischer Erhebungen.

The conception and evaluation of standardized oral or written questioning as quantifying instruments of research orientate by the basic premises of Marxist-Leninist theory of recognition and general scientific logic. In the present contribution the socio-gerontological research process is outlined in extracts. By referring to the intrinsic connection between some of its essential components--problem, formation of hypotheses, obtaining indicators/measurement, preliminary examination, evaluation-as well as to typical errors and (fictitious) examples of practical research, this contribution contrasts the natural, apparently uncomplicated course of structured questioning with its qualitative methodological fundamentals and demands.

[Possibilities of standardized methodology for evaluating the society- and function-related characterization of the individual health status of senior citizens]. / Möglichkeiten von standardisierten Beurteilungsinstrumenten für eine gesellschafts- bzw. funktionsbezogene Charakterisierung des individuellen Gesundheitszustandes der Bürger im höheren Lebensalter.

The present paper is a revised form of the report given at the Xth Congress of the Society for Gerontology of the GDR. Starting from an understanding of health expanded by the (objective) relation person-to-society, a general, introducing representation is given on the kind and tasks of the function-related evaluation methodology, on methodological problems connected therewith, and on essential fields of applications and their bounds.