scholarly journals Use of Potentially Harmful Medications and Health-Related Quality of Life among People with Dementia Living in Residential Aged Care Facilities

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 361-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascalle R. Bosboom ◽  
Helman Alfonso ◽  
Osvaldo P. Almeida ◽  
Christopher Beer
Keyword(s):  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities

Enhancing palliative care in rural Australia: the residential aged care setting

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Mitchell ◽  
Caroline Nicholson ◽  
Keith McDonald ◽  
Anne Bucetti
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Advance Care

The delivery of palliative care in residential aged care communities is challenging, even more so in rural areas due to workforce ageing and shortages. The objectives of the present study were to: (i) assess the needs of, and quality of palliative care delivered to residents of 16 residential aged care facilities in rural southern Australia; and (ii) identify the needs of care staff to facilitate the delivery of quality palliative care. A cross-sectional survey of all residents, assessing the degree of functional limitation, stage of palliative care, and the presence of several quality indicators was conducted. Separate focus groups of care staff and relatives of residents sought information on the quality of care delivered, perceived strengths and weaknesses of the care delivered, and education and training needs. Quality palliative care in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) is hampered by workforce shortages, with low ratios of registered nurses, limited access to general practitioners after hours, and some communication difficulties. Some staff reported low confidence in technical and psychosocial aspects of care, especially for relatives. Relatives described mostly appropriate care, while acknowledging workload constraints. Most residents whose condition was unstable, deteriorating or terminal received advance care planning, though family expectations and unwillingness to discuss end-of-life care did tend to delay planning. Unstable residents with a reasonable prognosis were more likely to be transferred to hospital than terminally ill residents. Palliative care in participating RACFs appears to be adequate. Provision of targeted education for health care providers and implementation of protocols for advance care planning and end-of life care pathways will enhance this care.

Views of Greenery and Psychological Well-Being in Residential Aged Care Facilities: Longitudinal Associations

2021 ◽  
pp. 193758672110597
Author(s):  
Takemi Sugiyama ◽  
Alison Carver ◽  
Masaaki Sugiyama ◽  
Alanna Lorenzon ◽  
Tanya E. Davison
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Objectively Measured

Objectives: This study examined associations of objectively measured views of greenery in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) with changes in multiple psychological well-being measures among residents who were newly admitted to RACFs. Methods: Data were collected from 52 residents (mean age: 84, 73% women) of 13 RACFs, located in Melbourne, Australia. The outcomes were changes in depression, stress, anxiety, and quality of life (QoL) between baseline and 8-week follow-up. The exposure measures were the amount and presence of greenery visible from participant’s bedroom and common areas (lounge, dining). Greenery was categorized as being either within or beyond the RACF perimeter. Results: Regression analyses found that greenery visible from participant’s bedroom was not associated with any outcomes. The amount of greenery visible from common areas within the RACF perimeter was adversely related to stress, unexpectedly: Each additional 1 m2 of greenery was associated with a greater increase in stress ( b = 0.05; 95% CI [0.07, 0.94]). However, greenery visible from common areas beyond the perimeter contributed favorably to stress and QoL. The presence of such greenery was associated with a lower increase in stress ( b = −3.99; 95% CI [−7.75, −0.23]; reference: no greenery), and a 1 m2 increment was associated with a greater increase in QoL ( b = 0.07; 95% CI [0.02, 0.11]). Conclusion: Views of greenery outside of the RACF from lounge and dining areas may be protective against residents’ stress increase and improve their QoL. Locating residents in areas with such outdoor views may prevent their psychological condition from worsening.

Thickened fluids for people with dementia in residential aged care facilities

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. e7-e7
Author(s):  
M. Prior ◽  
S. Sacre ◽  
J. Wilson ◽  
R. Fleming ◽  
J. Abbey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities
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