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Quality of life in nursing homes: involving elders in policy making for their own care and life satisfaction
- Authors:
- McKINLEY Kathryn, ADLER Geri
- Journal article citation:
- Social Policy Journal, 4(3/4), 2005, pp.37-51.
- Publisher:
- Haworth Press
- Place of publication:
- Binghamton, New York
In this American study the authors researched elders' perceptions of quality of life in nursing homes using focus groups. Analysis revealed four major themes important to residents: generativity, spiritual well-being, homelike environment, and privacy. Themes were used to analyze the disparity between the American Nursing Home Reform Act's goal of dual emphasis on quality of care and quality of life outcomes, and the dominance of quality of care in the treatment of frail elders living in nursing homes. The authors argue that policies and procedures must be developed that promote decisional control in everyday matters of an older person's life. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Driving habits and patterns in older men with glaucoma
- Authors:
- ADLER Geri, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Health Care, 40(3), 2005, pp.75-87.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Glaucoma, an eye disorder that gradually decreases peripheral vision, affects millions of older adults. Consequences of glaucoma can mean changes in the ability to perform familiar tasks, including driving an automobile. We surveyed older drivers with glaucoma and a control comparison group in order to learn more about their driving habits and expectations about driving cessation. Findings indicate that compared to the control group, drivers with glaucoma are significantly more likely to change their driving habits with regard to driving at night (p = 0.003), on freeways (p = 0.05), and in unfamiliar areas (p = 0.01). Drivers with glaucoma were also significantly more likely to report family concern about their driving (p = 0.01). However, the drivers with glaucoma did not anticipate that their disease would force them to discontinue driving. Social workers play a pivotal role in coordinating the complex care needs of visually impaired elders. When driving skills are affected, social workers must address transportation, housing as well as quality of life concerns.