Resources
Palliative care and dementia
A study examined how well Chochinov’s dignity model, developed from the views of people with advanced cancer, could be applied to people living in care homes. While similarities were found there were also important differences. People in care homes did not show the ‘death anxiety’ expressed by cancer patients; residents rarely mentioned dying and, when they did, it was often joked about. Unlike cancer patients, they did not have ‘aftermath concerns’: that is, problems death might cause to those left behind. Loss, on the other hand, was a major concern of the residents interviewed for this study. Some were distressed by the major and often multiple losses they had experienced. In addition to loss of function and independence, most had outlived their partners and many of their friends. Some had outlived their children. All had lost their homes and most of their personal possessions. The researchers concluded that care home residents would benefit from therapy designed to boost a sense of dignity and reduce psychological distress. Hall S, Longhurst S, Higginson I (2009) Living and dying with dignity: a qualitative study of the views of older people in nursing homes. Age and Ageing. 38, 4, 411-416.
Investigating the palliative care needs of patients with advanced dementia and their families was the focus of this study. The combination of behavioural and physical needs, and the lack of familiarity with care of the dying, meant that many needs remained unmet by staff who had insufficient access to, or knowledge of, available resources. The most common and severe symptoms were weight loss, anorexia, weakness and fatigue. Pain was common but was not difficult to control. Families benefited from help from a palliative care nurse to discuss issues such as planning for a crisis, including whether transfer to hospital would be in the patient’s best interest. They also needed reassurance that deterioration was not caused by poor care. Scott S, Pace V (2009) The first 50 patients: a brief report on the initial findings from the Palliative Care in Dementia Project. Dementia. 8, 3, 435-441.
Alamy
Cancer patient concerns
Single-layer compression Compression therapy relies on external pressure applied to the lower limb to improve venous return. A four-layer system is normally used but there are concerns relating to its efficiency, also its bulk can reduce mobility and choice of footwear and clothing. The single-layer system uses layers of fabric connected with filament yarns forming a three-dimensional structure similar to a corrugated box. It is able to sustain graduated compression and a good thermodynamic environment while being quicker to use and easier to apply correctly. Lee G, Rajendran S, Anand S (2009) New single-layer compression bandage system for chronic venous ulcers. British Journal of Nursing. 18, 15 Suppl, S4-S18.
Risk factors for falls
Many people living in care homes find loss, in its various forms, difficult to come to terms with
NURSING OLDER PEOPLE
Half of people over 80 will fall once a year and, having experienced a fall, they are more likely to fall again. Risk factors for falls include: living alone, sedentary lifestyle,
Science Photo Library
Journal scan
Risk factors for falls include living alone
polypharmacy, impaired cognition, visual impairment, nutritional deficiency and alcohol use. This qualitative study found that people who had fallen adopted a variety of lifestyle changes, such as ‘taking life more slowly’, to prevent a future fall. Some restricted their outdoor activity despite the fact that most falls occurred in the home. Non-injurious falls tended not to be referred to falls services despite the effect on the older person’s quality of life. Those living in rural areas were the least likely to be included in care and prevention programmes. Roe B, Howell F, Riniotis K et al (2009) Older people and falls: health status, quality of life, lifestyle, care networks, prevention and views on service use following a recent fall. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 18, 16, 2261-2272. Journal scan is compiled by Ruth Sander, a senior lecturer at the University of Portsmouth October 2009 | Volume 21 | Number 8 15
Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Oct 20, 2016. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. Copyright © 2016 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
Palliative care and dementia
A study examined how well Chochinov’s dignity model, developed from the views of people with advanced cancer, could be applied to people living in care homes. While similarities were found there were also important differences. People in care homes did not show the ‘death anxiety’ expressed by cancer patients; residents rarely mentioned dying and, when they did, it was often joked about. Unlike cancer patients, they did not have ‘aftermath concerns’: that is, problems death might cause to those left behind. Loss, on the other hand, was a major concern of the residents interviewed for this study. Some were distressed by the major and often multiple losses they had experienced. In addition to loss of function and independence, most had outlived their partners and many of their friends. Some had outlived their children. All had lost their homes and most of their personal possessions. The researchers concluded that care home residents would benefit from therapy designed to boost a sense of dignity and reduce psychological distress. Hall S, Longhurst S, Higginson I (2009) Living and dying with dignity: a qualitative study of the views of older people in nursing homes. Age and Ageing. 38, 4, 411-416.
Investigating the palliative care needs of patients with advanced dementia and their families was the focus of this study. The combination of behavioural and physical needs, and the lack of familiarity with care of the dying, meant that many needs remained unmet by staff who had insufficient access to, or knowledge of, available resources. The most common and severe symptoms were weight loss, anorexia, weakness and fatigue. Pain was common but was not difficult to control. Families benefited from help from a palliative care nurse to discuss issues such as planning for a crisis, including whether transfer to hospital would be in the patient’s best interest. They also needed reassurance that deterioration was not caused by poor care. Scott S, Pace V (2009) The first 50 patients: a brief report on the initial findings from the Palliative Care in Dementia Project. Dementia. 8, 3, 435-441.
Alamy
Cancer patient concerns
Single-layer compression Compression therapy relies on external pressure applied to the lower limb to improve venous return. A four-layer system is normally used but there are concerns relating to its efficiency, also its bulk can reduce mobility and choice of footwear and clothing. The single-layer system uses layers of fabric connected with filament yarns forming a three-dimensional structure similar to a corrugated box. It is able to sustain graduated compression and a good thermodynamic environment while being quicker to use and easier to apply correctly. Lee G, Rajendran S, Anand S (2009) New single-layer compression bandage system for chronic venous ulcers. British Journal of Nursing. 18, 15 Suppl, S4-S18.
Risk factors for falls
Many people living in care homes find loss, in its various forms, difficult to come to terms with
NURSING OLDER PEOPLE
Half of people over 80 will fall once a year and, having experienced a fall, they are more likely to fall again. Risk factors for falls include: living alone, sedentary lifestyle,
Science Photo Library
Journal scan
Risk factors for falls include living alone
polypharmacy, impaired cognition, visual impairment, nutritional deficiency and alcohol use. This qualitative study found that people who had fallen adopted a variety of lifestyle changes, such as ‘taking life more slowly’, to prevent a future fall. Some restricted their outdoor activity despite the fact that most falls occurred in the home. Non-injurious falls tended not to be referred to falls services despite the effect on the older person’s quality of life. Those living in rural areas were the least likely to be included in care and prevention programmes. Roe B, Howell F, Riniotis K et al (2009) Older people and falls: health status, quality of life, lifestyle, care networks, prevention and views on service use following a recent fall. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 18, 16, 2261-2272. Journal scan is compiled by Ruth Sander, a senior lecturer at the University of Portsmouth October 2009 | Volume 21 | Number 8 15
Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Oct 20, 2016. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. Copyright © 2016 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
