ABSTRACT
Meaningful conversation with individuals in the later stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been considered difficult if not impossible. Limiting communication to simple concrete subjects and closed-ended questions is frequently recommended. Thirty-five 30 minute conversations with individuals with advanced AD (mean Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] = 10) were transcribed and the interactions examined. No significant differences in length or relevance of response by type of question was found indicating that subjects were able to respond to open-ended questions. Use of broad opening statements or questions, establishing commonalities, speaking as equals, and sharing of self-facilitated expression of feeling; recognizing themes with salience for the individual helped to maintain the discussion.
Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease/nursing , Alzheimer Disease/psychology , Communication , Interviews as Topic/methods , Nurse-Patient Relations , Affect , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Emotions , Female , Humans , Male , Mental Status Schedule , Nursing Methodology ResearchABSTRACT
TOPIC: The overwhelming obstacles adolescents face to successful achievement of the maternal role. PURPOSE: To describe an innovative, community-based program to support high risk adolescents during the early postpartum period. SOURCE: A review of the literature related to programs designed to promote maternal-role attainment and prevent child abuse/neglect. CONCLUSION: Interviews with participants indicate a positive response to the intervention but regression to maladaptive behavior in some following termination.
Subject(s)
Child Abuse/prevention & control , Community Health Nursing/organization & administration , Mothers , Postnatal Care/organization & administration , Pregnancy in Adolescence/psychology , Adolescent , Female , Humans , Mothers/education , Mothers/psychology , Pregnancy , Program EvaluationABSTRACT
Demographic changes have created the need for psychiatric nurses to examine knowledge and practice in the area of geropsychiatry. Older adults present unique challenges. The interaction of biological and psychosocial problems are most evident in the oldest old and necessitate a holistic approach. This report addresses psychosocial causes and treatment of "Failure to Thrive" (FTT) in the elderly. FTT is a label commonly used to describe a complex of nonspecific symptoms that often leads to increased disability and premature death. Psychiatric nurses are challenged to take a leadership role in case finding, as well as assessment and intervention.
Subject(s)
Aged/psychology , Aging/psychology , Cerebrovascular Disorders/psychology , Anger , Depression/psychology , Geriatric Assessment , Geriatric Nursing , Humans , Male , PsychotherapyABSTRACT
This pilot study measured the effects of a community health nursing parent-baby (ad)venture program for first time mothers who were at risk for child abuse or neglect and depression. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design was used. Fifteen high-risk mothers in the program were compared with 15 similar mothers who received home visits from the community health nursing staff. Measures of depression, health behaviors, self-esteem, state anxiety, and maternal-infant adaptation were measured in both groups when the mothers were 4 and 16 weeks postpartum. After controlling for pretest differences, the findings showed that program mothers reported significantly higher levels of self-esteem at the three-month period than those receiving home visits (P < 0.013). In addition, over time these mothers had significantly decreased levels of depression (P < 0.009) and significantly improved their health habits (P < 0.003). Those who received home visits showed no significant changes over time.
Subject(s)
Child Abuse/prevention & control , Community Health Nursing , Mother-Child Relations , Program Evaluation , Adolescent , Adult , Depression , Female , Health Behavior , Humans , Maternal Health Services , Object Attachment , Pilot Projects , Risk Factors , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Abuse and neglect of older adults is largely an invisible problem. Those who are vulnerable are often hidden from the public eye. Troubled families characteristically maintain an isolated existence and, therefore, the mistreatment of elders can occur without the knowledge of neighbors or interested community members. Factors that operate to keep the problem hidden include society's emphasis on family privacy, the victim's unwillingness or inability to report the problem, stereotypes about the aged, and denial (Quinn, 1986). Although the problem of abuse and neglect of elders is not as prevalent as child maltreatment, it is a significant societal problem in need of increased public awareness. This article will focus on the treatment of elder neglect within the context of the family.
Subject(s)
Elder Abuse/rehabilitation , Frail Elderly/psychology , Hospitalization , Patient Care Team , Activities of Daily Living/psychology , Aged , Caregivers/psychology , Elder Abuse/psychology , Family/psychology , Female , Home Nursing/psychology , Humans , Male , Sick Role , Social EnvironmentABSTRACT
The authors discuss the challenges faced by educators regarding which communication skills are needed and how to teach those skills. They describe communication as a progressive concept in an undergraduate baccalaureate curriculum. The description includes class content, teaching strategies, and clinical application of communication theory and communication skills.
