Australasian journal on ageing
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To document the views of family caregivers of persons with dementia about quality of life for their relative during the late and terminal stages of the disease, as part of an exploratory study of best quality care and support. ⋯ Quality of life needs to be understood from multiple perspectives. Caregivers' views are a central part of this understanding and should be used to inform future research and service development.
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This article presents the development and initial testing of a comprehensive pain chart for the assessment, management and documentation of pain in older people in subacute and residential aged care. The pain chart was developed from existing assessment scales and pain indicators, and is targeting needs of older people in residential care and geriatric hospital settings with high prevalence of cognitive impairments. ⋯ The chart consists of one evaluative and one documentation dimension, and was evaluated by a group of clinicians in geriatric hospital care (n = 15) and residential aged care (n = 6). The chart was found to be content valid, informative and easy to use, facilitating clinical assessments and monitoring, and assisting visual readings of patients' temporal pain trends.