The objective of the present study is to clarify the efficacy of nursing intervention for supporting self-determination in elderly nursing home residents with moderate to severe dementia. Subjects were 20 elderly nursing home residents with moderate to severe dementia (intervention group: n=10, and control group: n=10), and nursing intervention was administered for two consecutive weeks to support self-determination for "meals," "snacks," "dressing," "toileting" and "recreation." The results showed that although no significant improvements were seen in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores, significant improvements in Mental Function Impairment Scale (MENFIS) scores, tendency toward improvements in "motivation function" (subscale) scores, and significant improvements in Psychological Assessment Scale by Facial Expression for Demented People (PAFED) scores for "exercise" were seen. The clarity of intent expression when asked to make a choice was assessed using an originally developed ordinal scale in the settings of "eating snacks" and "dressing." The results showed no clear improvements before and after two weeks of intervention, but since scores improved in some subjects, the possibility of improvements could not be ruled out. The above findings suggest that a nursing intervention for supporting self-determination motivates elderly nursing home residents with moderate to severe dementia to be active and improves their willingness to carry out activities of daily living.

View full abstract

The effectiveness of an intergenerational day program in an urban community for older adults and school age children was evaluated by using mixed methods in a longitudinal study. Quantitative measure were the elder's quality of life (QOL) and depression examined using statistical composed design. Qualitative ethnographic methods were used to describe the intergenerational interactions among the elderly, children and volunteer's support over the course of the program during the first twelve months of program implementation. The subjects were intergenerational day program (IDP) participant elderly group (n=12, mean age 74.4), a children's group (n=4, mean age 8.5), community volunteers (n=10, mean age 69.2), student volunteers (n=4, mean age 22.5), and an elderly comparison group (n=10, mean age 70.8). Analysis of variance with repeated measures suggested there was a significant main effect between both elders groups in the overall QOL. Their depression scores of IDP group were significantly decreased between first involvements and after twelve month in the more depressive elderly group. The intergenerational interactions between children and elders were described in twelve categories like 'Elders make a place for the children and welcome them to the session,' and seventy sub-categories observed in different months. Our intergenerational health promotion nursing program represents a meaningful place based on communication, the mutual beneficial exchange and solidarity between both generations, and it prevents elder's isolation and provision of positive effects in mental health.

View full abstract

[in Japanese]

View full abstract

[in Japanese]

View full abstract

[in Japanese]

View full abstract

[in Japanese]

View full abstract

[in Japanese]

View full abstract