J Psychosoc Nurs Men
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J Psychosoc Nurs Men · Apr 1997
ReviewCatastrophic consequences secondary to psychotropic drugs, Part 1.
The use of psychotropic drugs has dramatically changed the lives of many; yet as often occurs with technological advances, negative outcomes can be encountered. Potentially fatal reactions to neuroleptic drugs and serotonin-enhancing agents (e.g., antidepressants) have been presented in Part 1, with the intent of alerting and informing psychiatric nurses. Part 2 will complete this series on catastrophic consequences of psychotropic drugs with a discussion of agranulocytosis and lithium toxicity.
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J Psychosoc Nurs Men · Aug 1996
Case ReportsNot gone and not forgotten: a spouse's experience of late-stage Alzheimer's disease.
1. Late-stage caregiving is different from earlier stages, is difficult, and requires an empathic response from staff. 2. ⋯ Current educational programs and family support groups should be assessed for attention to late-stage caregiver issues. Further research is needed on helping families prepare for and cope with late stage caregiving.
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1. Chronic sorrow is defined as a pervasive sadness that is permanent, periodic, and progressive in nature. 2. Milestones or events which caused the sorrow to recur were major themes in this study. 3. The participants identified what was helpful and not helpful in coping with these feelings, gave practical advice for similar individuals, and offered suggestions for nurses and other caregivers.
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Aging inmates form a distinct cultural subgroup. The antecedents for their unique patterns and needs come from the life cycle of aging within the confines of a total institution. The inmate who ages in place will lack the common social markers experienced by his age cohorts in the outside world. ⋯ His sense of autonomy is threatened by loss of self-selective behaviors, personal possessions, and privacy. Needs of the aging prison population will challenge traditional prison resources, including correctional nursing staff and mental health and counseling services. Substantive assistance for the inmate who has aged in prison must be accompanied by an awareness of the cumulative effects of living and aging within the unique sociocultural environment of the total institution.