Nonverbal communication of caregivers in Slovenian nursing homes.

This study aimed at determining the characteristics of nonverbal communication (NVC) of caregivers in Slovene nursing homes. The cross-sectional study was performed on 267 randomly selected caregivers from 27 randomly selected nursing homes. Facial expressions/head movements, hand gestures/trunk movements, and modes of speaking/paralinguistic signals were observed. The caregivers manifested altogether 11,324 NVC expressions. Those definitely reflecting positive attitude prevailed and accounted for 59.3% of all expressions, whereas those definitely reflecting negative attitude were very rare and accounted for 9.1% of all expressions, at a ratio of 6.5:1 (p<0.001). Differences were statistically highly significant between genders (men manifested negative attitude expressions significantly more frequently, 11.8%) and professions (social helpers manifested positive attitude expressions significantly less frequently, 56.4%; other professionals manifested negative attitude expressions significantly less frequently, 5.4%) (p<0.001). The results were similar within groups of NVC expressions. Although our study showed that caregivers in Slovene nursing homes use positive attitude expressions much more frequently than negative there is a reason for concern due to a general decline in positive values and beliefs in Slovene society. Promoting positive attitude NVC among new generations of caregivers in nursing homes need to become one of the most important contents of their life-long learning and training.

Non-verbal communication of the residents living in homes for the older people in Slovenia.

Aging of the population is a growing problem in all developed societies. The older people need more health and social services, and their life quality in there is getting more and more important. The study aimed at determining the characteristics of non-verbal communication of the older people living in old people's homes (OPH). The sample consisted of 267 residents of the OPH, aged 65-96 years, and 267 caregivers from randomly selected twenty-seven OPH. Three types of non-verbal communication were observed and analysed using univariate and multivariate statistical methods. In face expressions and head movements about 75% older people looked at the eyes of their caregivers, and about 60% were looking around, while laughing or pressing the lips together was rarely noticed. The differences between genders were not statistically significant while statistically significant differences among different age groups was observed in dropping the eyes (p = 0.004) and smiling (0.008). In hand gestures and trunk movements, majority of older people most often moved forwards and clenched fingers, while most rarely they stroked and caressed their caregivers. The differences between genders were statistically significant in leaning on the table (p = 0.001), and changing the position on the chair (0.013). Statistically significant differences among age groups were registered in leaning forwards (p = 0.006) and pointing to the others (p = 0.036). In different modes of speaking and paralinguistic signs almost 75% older people spoke normally, about 70% kept silent, while they rarely quarrelled. The differences between genders were not statistically significant while statistically significant differences among age groups was observed in persuasive speaking (p = 0.007). The present study showed that older people in OPH in Slovenia communicated significantly less frequently with hand gestures and trunk movements than with face expressions and head movements or different modes of speaking and paralinguistic signs. The caregivers should be aware of this and pay a lot of attention to these two groups of non-verbal expressions. Their importance should be constantly emphasized during the educational process of all kinds of health-care professionals as well.

Improvement of early functional atherosclerotic changes in males with hypercholesterolemia after vitamin E supplementation.

Vitamin E as an antioxidant vitamin reduces the susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol to oxidation and may have antiatherosclerotic effects. We tested the hypothesis that six months of 400 mg vitamin E supplementation favourably affects early functional changes in atherosclerotic process in subjects with hypercholesterolemia. The diameter of the brachial artery at rest, after reactive hyperemia (representing endothelium -dependent vasodilatation) and after sublingual glyceryl -trinitrate (representing endothelium - independent vasodilatation), were determined by ultrasonographic method (B mode) before and after the intervention period. After the intervention period the brachial endothelium - dependent vasodilatation increased significantly in the vitamin E group while it did not change in the placebo group. In conclusion, six months of oral vitamin E supplementation results in improvement of the endothelium - dependent vasodilatation in men with hypercholesterolemia.