The journal of nursing research : JNR
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The objective of this study was to understand the following: (1) the specific care needs of geriatric hip fracture patients; (2) the level of care difficulty during the transition period following discharge; and (3) the correlation amongst demographics, the physical function status of the elderly, and care needs. Purposive sampling was used, and a total of 71 hip fracture cases and their caregivers were selected. A survey was carried out to collect data just before discharge and one week following discharge. ⋯ Caring tasks that were identified as more difficult for the primary caregivers includes providing stair climbing assistance, emotional problems management assistance, walking training assistance, rehabilitation assistance, and emergency disease management assistance. The care needs of the elderly in this study and level of execution difficulty for caregivers was found to be negatively related to the physical function status of the elderly. The study results suggest that providing patient-related home care knowledge to primary caregivers prior to discharge from the hospital and enhancement of the social support system are both needed.
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The aim of this study was to determine predictive variables of terminal restlessness that were selected from the Minimum Data Set (MDS) among nursing home residents. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used to retrospectively review decedents' Minimum Data Set records. Four independent variables from the MDS (distressed mood, problem conditions, pain, and medications) were examined as to whether they were predictive variables of terminal restlessness by utilizing path analysis statistical method. ⋯ These findings provide important and valuable clinical implications. A careful evaluation of pain is necessary, especially as many elders are not able to communicate well during the terminal phase of their lives. How to access residents' moods and provide appropriate and immediate interventions, comfort, and even just being there for them are imperative for nursing home care providers.