Developing criteria for elderly nursing homes: the case of Lebanon

Correlates associated with mental health and nutritional status in Lebanese older adults: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To assess correlates of mental and nutritional health among elderly in Lebanon, inside nursing homes compared to their private homes.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted between June and August 2016 on 500 elderly.

RESULTS

Higher somatic (Beta = 0.259) and cognitive anxiety (Beta = 0.508), increased age (Beta = 0.174) were significantly associated with higher depression, whereas having a secondary (Beta = -4.006) and a university (Beta = -6.829) levels of education compared to illiteracy, living home (Beta = -2.557) compared to living in a nursing home and male gender (Beta = -1.280) were significantly associated with lower depression. Increased BMI (Beta = 0.056), a married (Beta = 0.687) and a widowed (Beta = 1.022) status compared to a single status were associated with a better nutritional status, whereas an increased somatic anxiety (Beta = -0.061), secondary (Beta = -0.79) and university (Beta = -1.196) educational levels compared to illiteracy were significantly associated with a worse nutritional status. Increased cognitive (Beta = 1.160) and affective (Beta = 0.788) anxiety and age (Beta = 0.191) were associated with higher stress, whereas a primary (Beta = -6.991), secondary (Beta = -11.812) and university (Beta = -13.927) educational levels, male gender (Beta = -2.015) were significantly associated with lower stress compared to females. A significantly higher mean depression score was found in patients living in nursing homes compared to those living at home (13.74 vs. 11.18). No difference was found between the two groups concerning the nutritional status and stress score.

CONCLUSION

Living in nursing homes was associated with more malnutrition and depression. An increased awareness of the personnel working in nursing homes and family members of these older adults can help improve their psychological status.

Nursing home quality of life in the Lebanon

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore perceptions, perspectives and meaning of quality of life for a sample of older residents, care staff and family caregivers in two nursing homes in Lebanon.

Design/methodology/approach

A classic grounded theory study was conducted between 2010 and 2011 in two nursing homes in Beirut. The semi-structured interviews were undertaken with a theoretical sample of 20 residents, 8 family caregivers and 11 staff. The constant comparative method was used to analyze the data.

Findings

Three distinct but interrelated properties of quality of life emerged from this process: “maintaining self,” “maintaining identity” and “maintaining continuity”. The dynamics that exist within and between each of these properties provide an indicator about shared and distinct meanings and the implications for care practice.

Research limitations/implications

The study was conducted in one city in Lebanon; accordingly, the transferability of findings may be challenging.

Practical implications

Implications for nursing and nursing policy – improving Lebanese national standards and regulations applicable to nursing home residents may help to enhance residents’ care needs and quality of life.

Social implications

There was limited guidance aimed at helping older residents to voice and increase their choice and control.

Originality/value

This paper provides new insights into the process of outlining the properties attached to the phenomenon of quality of life in nursing homes in Lebanon. It will be of interest to those in nursing home care as well as to policy makers.

A case study exploring FM components for elderly in care and attention homes using post occupancy evaluation

Purpose

– The paper aims to investigate the key components of facilities management (FM) in care and attention (C & A) homes from the end users’ perspective based on a post-occupancy evaluation method. Hong Kong is a rapidly ageing society. Elderly population may reach 24.3 per cent in the next 20 years, causing an increase in the demand for care services. Therefore, it is necessary to provide sufficient and satisfactory residential C & A homes with appropriate facilities for our elderly.

Design/methodology/approach

– To collect subjective data from end users, a questionnaire survey was conducted in 119 respondents consisting of both elderly residents and staff of the C & A homes. To further understand the actual situations, site measurements were also used to collect the objective data from the representative homes.

Findings

– The results indicate that three aspects of key FM components, namely, architect, building services and supporting, all have significant relationships with the overall satisfaction. The site measurements further revealed the actual environment of the seven C & A homes, especially the contrasts between homes with highest scores (Homes E and F) and lowest scores (B and D).

Practical implications

– To provide a clear picture to the government and construction professionals, a number of practical recommendations were proposed, such as sufficient space with single or couple bedrooms, sufficient corridor width for two people in wheelchairs and white or pink as the colour scheme in architectural aspect; sufficient lighting, central air conditioning system and adequate quantities of natural fresh air in the building service aspect; and frequently updated menus, door lock and CCTV system for supporting facilities.

Originality/value

– This paper applied site measurement on the representative homes to cross-check the quantitative results. The findings of this study can assist architects and facilities managers in C & A homes to improve FM services during the design and operational stages for improving the satisfaction levels of elderly residents.

Nutritional and health status among nursing home residents in Lebanon: comparison across gender in a national cross sectional study

Background

This study described the differences between elderly men and women living in Lebanese long-term care nursing homes on socio-economic, health and nutritional status.

Methods

This study used a cross-sectional design. Field researchers obtained data from 221 residents; 148 (67%) women and 73 (33%) men, living in 36 nursing homes. Data on health conditions; nutritional, psychological, and functional status; socio-demographic characteristics, as well as social relations were collected. The analysis used both chi-square and t-test tests.

Results

The majority of elderly had low socio-economic and poor health status. In comparison to men, women were significantly less educated, had lower occupational status, had no partner, relied financially on their children and relatives, and enjoyed better social relations and health behaviours. Furthermore, the prevalence of both; malnutrition, and at risk of malnutrition, were at 3.2% and 27.6% respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between women and men on Mini Nutritional Assessment, Activities of Daily Living, Geriatric Depression Scale, Body Mass Index, and chronic diseases. While women reported “good” health status compared to men, they continued to have higher prevalence of diseases and chronic pain.

Conclusions

This study explored the socio-demographic, health, and nutritional status of elderly residing in Lebanese nursing homes and compared these characteristics across gender. The results indicated the need of health support and institutional interventions for elderly women residents.