Nihon Ronen Igakkai zasshi. Japanese journal of geriatrics
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Nihon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi · May 2007
[The effect of care of terminally ill patients' families on care of families attending patients' deathbeds in a general ward].
Care of families attending patients' deathbeds is important, leading to care of the bereaved. However, we have no knowledge of a causal relationship between factors of care of terminally ill patients' families and care of families attending patients' deathbeds. The aim of this survey was to find out which factors of care nurses provide to terminally ill patients' families affect care of families attending patients' deathbeds in a general ward where many terminally ill elderly patients spend their time. ⋯ Care of terminally ill patients' families in a general ward consists of four factors: mediating communication between families and patients, providing information, promoting cooperation and understanding among families, and alleviating restrictions. It was revealed that the more nurses promote cooperation and understanding among families, the more they can mediate communication between families and patients and provide care to families attending patients' deathbeds. It suggests that nurses are able to have a positive effect on the grief process of the bereaved by intervening between patients and families.
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Obesity is one of the most important causes of life-style related diseases, and recently its pathophysiology is emphasized as metabolic syndrome. Preventing obesity by good dietary habit is a key to achieve healthy longevity. However, a lean body is not always good for health. ⋯ Malnutrition is a critical factor of diseases and death in the elderly. Problems in nutritional status, and dietary intake, and methods of nutritional assessment in the elderly are discussed. Ideal body size for health and longevity, the relationship of body fat distribution and intra-abdominal fat accumulation health, and the effects of rapid weight change are also discussed to clarify the association of dietary habit and nutrition with longevity.