Pathologic gambling.

Pathologic gambling is recognized and clearly defined by the American Psychiatric Association. However, many Americans suffer from an addiction to gambling that is undiagnosed and, therefore, untreated. Pathologic gambling, like any other addiction, can be devastating. Because of the personality characteristic of the pathologic gambler, detecting and diagnosing the problem is difficult. In many cases, the symptoms of gambling addiction, although distinct, are not recognized until a devastating event occurs. The older adult in particular is at great risk for addiction to gambling. Health care providers must be aware of the warning signs and symptoms of addiction to gambling and be ready to provide information that will assist their clients in addressing it. Unfortunately, few programs exist in this country to treat the many people suffering from this addiction. With the current movement to legalize gambling and the increasing popularity of lotteries in many states, the problem of pathologic gambling is sure to escalate.

Admission health status differences of black and white indigent nursing home residents.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the health status of newly admitted lower socioeconomic status (SES) southern black (n = 81) and white (n = 53) nursing home residents. DESIGN: The study data were part of a larger prospective study on the health of newly admitted nursing home residents. SETTING: A 575-bed, government-funded nursing home providing care for indigent residents in a large southern city. PARTICIPANTS: Newly admitted black and white nursing home residents aged 60 and older. MEASUREMENTS: Mental status was measured using the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire, activities of daily living by Scaled Outcome Criteria, and medical status by medical diagnoses and medications. MAIN RESULTS: Blacks entering the nursing home were more cognitively and functionally impaired and had 3.7 years less education than white residents, but average age was not significantly different for black and white residents. CONCLUSIONS: Many common health status measures showed no significant black-white differences for institutionalized older adults when region and SES were constants. However, mental status, self-care activities, and marital status were significantly different. These findings indicate a possible impact of lifelong poverty or low educational attainment on the increased disability of indigent black older adults. Black residents in our study had less spousal support to remain in the community.