Subject(s)
Arthritis/epidemiology , Pain/epidemiology , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Health Surveys , Homes for the Aged , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , SingaporeSubject(s)
Carrier State/genetics , Hepatitis B/genetics , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Hepatitis B/epidemiology , Hepatitis B e Antigens/immunology , Humans , Infant , Life Style , Male , Risk Factors , Singapore , Space-Time ClusteringABSTRACT
As part of an intensive survey of institutionalized elderly in 5 non-government homes for the aged in Singapore, mental health assessment of the residents was carried out systematically. Among 359 respondents, 30.1% often felt sad or cried often. Sleep disturbances affected 47.7% of the total respondents. Females were more prone to both depression and insomnia even after controlling for age difference; about 50% of the females aged 60-74 years and 70% of the females aged 75 years and above had frequently experienced these problems. A review of the literature on mental health and suicidal behaviour among the elderly is also presented.
Subject(s)
Aged/psychology , Homes for the Aged , Mental Health , Nursing Homes , Depression/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Singapore , Sleep Wake Disorders/psychologyABSTRACT
Questionnaires concerning their own death were given to groups of general practitioners, final year medical students, 2nd year medical students, post-basic nurses, nurses working with the home nursing foundation and religious nursing sisters. The results of the questionnaire indicate that the majority wish to die at home with their families present, and would like spiritual advice. The majority of the respondents believe in a life after death. Although a minority fear death, most feared a prolonged dying process, troubling others and a painful death. Most want to be told if they are terminally ill, want to help prepare their families for matters after their death and wish to discuss their death with their relatives. For those who are actively involved in the care of the dying in Singapore, the questionnaire was extended to include their opinions on their own experience in the care of the dying. The majority were not satisfied with the level of care given. Further support for the professional carers in the form of multidisciplinary seminars, and the formation of a hospice movement was deemed necessary by the majority. The greatest indication of problems in satisfying the needs of the dying patient and the family is in the desire to legislate euthanasia by 23% of doctors and 38% of nurses.
Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Attitude to Death , Nurses/psychology , Physicians/psychology , Students, Medical/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , SingaporeABSTRACT
135 new onset stroke patients admitted over a nine-month period to a medical unit in Singapore were studied with emphasis on their rehabilitation and community care after discharge. Follow-up visits were made to 79 survivors at third month after onset. 16.7% of the patients made apparently complete recoveries, 20.3% remained slightly disabled, 21.5% moderately disabled, and the remaining 41.8% severely disabled. Sixty-five patients were staying in private households at third month follow-up. The main care-givers were usually female relatives. These informal carers assisted a large proportion of patients in various activities of living: 62.0% in dressing, 54.4% in walking and toileting, 30.4% in feeding, and 22.8% in turning in bed. The study establishes the need to develop and strengthen supportive services to enable disabled stroke patients to be cared for in their own homes. These include the home nursing service, elderly day care service, home help service, and meals-on-wheel service.
