Social support. Among elderly in two community programs

Factors related to dysphagia-specific quality of life in aged patients with neurologic disorders: A cross-sectional study

This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze dysphagia-specific quality of life and its influencing factors in aged patients with neurologic disorders, and is reported according to the STROBE checklist for observational research. The study included 120 outpatients, aged ≥65 years, diagnosed with neurologic diseases at a general hospital Neurology Department in Seoul, Korea. Data collected during a one-month (March and April 2021) questionnaire survey were statistically analyzed using SPSS. Factors related to dysphagia-specific quality of life were gender, education level, neurological diagnosis, type of diet, subjective swallowing disturbance, and affectionate support-a subscale of social support. The combined explanatory power of these factors was 42.1%. It is essential to note that the factors related to the emotional, functional, and physical domains-the subscales of dysphagia-specific quality of life-are different. Therefore, each factor should be considered when planning nursing interventions to improve dysphagia-specific quality of life.

Social support factors and health among a senior center population in southern Ontario, Canada

Past research on senior centers has mainly focused on utilization, frequency, duration of attendance, participation or various activities and services. This study strives to go beyond previous research by examining social support factors and their relationship to mental and physical health across a senior center population in southern Ontario, Canada. Data were collected at two large senior centers in the Kitchener, Waterloo area. We used a self-administered survey among a sample of older participants (n=186). One-way ANOVA with post-hoc Duncan's multiple range tests, t-tests, and linear regression analyses were used to examine the influence of social support (friendship, caregiving and advice) on mental and physical health. The results indicated that caregiving is significantly related to physical health, how respondents feel in general, and happiness with personal life. Advice from others is significantly related to perceptions of having a life full of interesting things. Additionally, respondents who are volunteers perceive better health and social support than non-volunteers, those who eat at the center perceive better health and caregiving support, and those that started a new activity perceived better health and social support from friendships. Implications for social work practice, policy and future research are discussed.

Older women's response to residential relocation: description of transition styles

Older women relocating to institutional facilities are at risk for negative outcomes such as poorer health, decreased self-esteem, increased sense of social isolation and loneliness, loss of social support, and depression. However, little is known about relocation to congregate living facilities (CLF), the relocation transition process, or factors that contribute to outcomes. The perspectives of 31 women on their relocation experiences to CLF were elicited using a naturalistic approach. The Schumacher & Meleis nursing model of transitions was used to focus the study. Three distinct relocation transition styles emerged: Full Integration (45%), Partial Integration (42%), and Minimal Integration (13%). By understanding the characteristics and risk factors of relocation, unhealthy outcomes can be minimized and healthy outcomes promoted.

A review of research on religious and spiritual variables in two primary gerontological nursing journals: 1991 to 1997

All articles published between 1991 and 1997 in the Journal of Gerontological Nursing and Geriatric Nursing were classified as qualitative research, quantitative research, or non-research. Of the 784 articles reviewed, 5.1% mentioned religion or spirituality. Research articles (7.7%) were more likely than non-research articles (2.8%) to address religion and spirituality. No statistical difference was found between the percentage of qualitative (10.7%) and quantitative (6.8%) studies addressing religious and spiritual factors. The percentage of quantitative studies including religious and spiritual variables was found to be higher than that found by systematic reviews of the research literature in various health professions.

Living with osteoarthritis: insiders' views

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the day-to-day experiences of older people with symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) and to discover if people in different socioeconomic strata differ in the ways in which they manage OA. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 20 respondents. The following four themes emerged from the data: refusing to give up, pragmatism toward treatment strategies, staying in charge, and tangible caring. Respondents more advantaged in socioeconomic status differed from less advantaged respondents in problems reported, treatments preferred, and causes of OA identified. Understanding the different ways people experience and live with OA and the importance of tailoring interventions to individual circumstances is essential to effective nursing management.