Two studies of pacing in the nursing home
Article Abstract:
Pacing and wandering by residents is a significant management problem in nursing homes. Four basic types of pacers have been identified: akathisiacs, who pace as a side effect of neuroleptic medication; exit seekers, who are looking for a way to leave; self-stimulators; and modelers, who follow or copy other pacers. There has been relatively little research on pacers, however. In the first of two studies presented here, pacing habits of 311 women and 91 men residing in a nursing home were studied with regard to sociodemographics, mental status, and medical conditions. Data analysis revealed that 39 percent of the residents paced, 76 percent of whom did so daily. Pacers received fewer medications than nonpacers, and had fewer medical problems and better appetites. However, pacers had more cognitive impairment. According to statistical analysis, pacing was predicted by severe cognitive impairment, a good appetite, a tendency to fall, and a previous life-threatening experience. In the second study described, the amount of time spent pacing was observed as well as the context in which it occurred. Six residents were selected for observation based on their frequent pacing and severe cognitive impairment. They were aged 62, 73, 82, 85, and 93 years, and all but the youngest were female. Over three months, frequency of pacing was recorded and details about the social and physical environment were recorded as well. Pacing occurred, on average, 55 percent of the time, and was less frequent during mealtimes than at other times of the day. Pacing more often occurred when residents were at least three feet from others, occurred most often in the corridor, and occurred more under conditions of light as opposed to dark and quiet as opposed to noise. In summary, it appears that pacing most often occurs in nursing home residents who are in good physical health, and for this reason perhaps pacing should be encouraged rather than restricted. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1991
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The role of time orientation in life satisfaction across the life span
Article Abstract:
Human functioning is dependent, in may ways, on the ability to orient oneself to time. There are three basic time zones, namely past, present, and future. The degree to which one lives in one of these zones is said to be his or her 'time orientation' or 'time perspective.' The role that time orientation plays in the subjective well-being or life satisfaction is not well understood. It has been found that there are age-related differences in time orientation. For instance, the elderly tend to be past-oriented and less future-oriented. In the present study, data from five surveys were combined. Data included self-reported life satisfaction in the past, present, and future, as well as measures of such variables as gender, education, and depressive mood. Although they did not tend to 'live' in the past more, older people did seem to attach more satisfaction than younger people to their own pasts than they attached to the present or future. Over the lifespan, the past surpassed the present in importance at about age 51, and at age 66, the past surpassed the future on satisfaction measures. It is suggested that past-orientation may help the elderly cope with present, or anticipated future hardships. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1991
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Pain and depression in the nursing home: corroborating results
Article Abstract:
The relationship between depressed affect and pain were assessed in 408 nursing home residents together with cognitive impairment, activities of daily living, quality of social networks and number of medically diagnosed illnesses. Depressed residents were more likely to complain of pain regardless of cognitive impairment. Moreover, analyses showed that pain, more medical illnesses and poor social network quality are more predictive of pain. The results were consistent with previous studies.
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1993
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