Thesis (doctoral)--Freie Universität Berlin, 1980.

This study examined the effects of a group treatment of Self-Instructional Training (S.I.T.) with an institutionalized aged (65 or over) population. The purpose of the S.I.T. program was to increase the positive content of speech elicited in a structured social interaction. S.I.T., as developed for this study, followed Meichenbaum's three phase model. First was the educational phase, where the rationale and introduction were presented. Second was the rehearsal phase where therapeutic techniques were developed and modeled. Third was the application phase where newly acquired skills were practiced. Four groups (total N = 51) were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the no-treatment control group at each of two residential care facilities. The S.I.T. program emphasized substitution of negative self-statements with positive self-statements aimed at developing a more successful repertoire of social interaction skills. Results were analyzed by comparing tabulated positive minus negative self-statements elicited during tape recorded standard interviews. Statistical analysis showed significantly more positive response sets for the experimental subjects on four of the ten hypotheses that reflected the ten standard interview questions. The analysis of the combined responses from the entire interview showed significant differences favorinq a positive response pattern for the experimental subjects. These findings were interpreted to demonstrate the effectiveness of S.I.T. for increasing positive speech content in an institutionalized aged population. A case was made for increased use of S.I.T. programs as a therapeutic means of ameliorating a range of problems faced by the aged. / Graduation date: 1983

Thesis (Ph.D, History) -- Queen's University, 2008-08-28 10:23:28.279 / A transformation took place in Upper Canada/Ontario and Nova Scotia during the nineteenth century in institutional care for Canadas indigent aged population, and key provincial initiatives towards the end of the century led to the formation of state funded homes for the aged. The shift from frontier to agricultural and early industrial economies brought a host of social problems. Voluntary organizations were established to provide assistance to needy individuals without family. As demand increased, private charity and local governments looked to the state to provide assistance. Government representatives were determined to be fiscally responsible and state regulated institutions offered a form of social control and cost efficiency. Those in need received assistance in state subsidized institutions such as the Halifax Poors Asylum or Torontos House of Industryeventually some residents began to be termed aged. The process of categorizing all inmates within some state funded institutions as either worker or non-worker led to the eventual segregation of older inmates from those who could contribute towards the cost of their care. As workers were transferred to newly built or renovated sections of an institution, aged inmates remained behind in the older sections. Further, as hospitals and asylums were identified as specialized institutions for those who could be cured and returned to the working community, older patients with nowhere else to go were transferred to houses of industry in Ontario or poor farms in Nova Scotia. By the end of the century, this group was identified as unique and as a result in both provinces, homes for the indigent aged emerged by default rather than design. A comparison of the development of institutional care for the poor aged in Nova Scotia and Upper Canada/Ontario reveals that institutions for the aged developed quite differently in each of the two provinces. The fundamental difference between the two provinces such as when they were settled and by whom, and the very nature of these colonies, serve as the bases for a comparison of the two regions and affords a better understanding of how regional differences shaped the development of institutional care for the indigent aged. / Ph.D

This thesis is comprised of a literature review on the topic of social participation in the elderly, and a study examining the association between primary transportation mode used and social participation in community-dwelling seniors. A review of the literature showed that social participation in the elderly is associated with survival, health-related quality of life, functional ability, emotional well-being, and cognitive skills, and is also influenced by personal and environmental factors. The study indicated that primary mode of transportation used by seniors living in the community is associated with social participation; those driving, walking or using public transport had overall greater social participation than passengers and those using adapted transport/taxi. These findings are of interest to rehabilitation professionals and researchers working in gerontology, as well as to policy makers, since facilitating the use of readily available transportation modes is primordial to maintaining social participation of seniors living in the community.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1990. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [304]-321).

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves i-x).

Thesis (M. Hous. M.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 107-108).

No description available.

The nutrient intake of forty-five participants in the Title IIIc Elderly Nutrition Program in rural Oregon was assessed through 7-day dietary records. The 1980 Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) were used to assess adequacy of intake. There were no statistically significant differences between the 7- day nutrient intakes of those who received home-delivered meals and those who ate at meal-sites one to four times a week. Age and sex of the subjects did not influence their nutrient intakes. The participants' overall seven-day dietary intakes of energy, calcium and vitamin B-6 were significantly (each p<0.05) below the RDA. Thiamin intake by the females was also significantly (p<0.05) below the RDA. Fat, as a percentage of energy intake, was significantly (p<0.05) greater than 30%. For some participants the Program Meals contributed over 50% of the total carbohydrate, calcium, vitamin A and vitamin C intake for the sevenday period. It can be concluded that the provision of more Program Meals would increase the nutrient intake of the elderly who participate in the program. / Graduation date: 1986

Background: Hip fractures are among the most common causes of disability and hospitalisation in the elderly. Currently there are no studies available in South Africa that determine the factors that influence the early post-operative functional outcome in elderly patients with a hip fracture.Aim: To establish the factors influencing the early post-operative functional outcome in elderly patients with a hip fracture. Methodology: A prospective pre-test post-test observational study design was used. Consecutive sampling was used to recruit participants (n=72). Assessments were conducted pre-operatively, at discharge and six weeks post discharge at two public health care hospitals in Johannesburg, South Africa. Pre-operatively the pre-fracture functional mobility of the participants was determined using the New Mobility Score (NMS), the presence of pre-existing co-morbidities was assessed using the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics (CIRS-G) and the cognitive function was assessed using the Six-Item Cognitive Impairment Test (6CIT). At discharge and at six weeks post discharge the participants post-operative functional level was assessed using the Elderly Mobility Scale (EMS) and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). A multiple regression analysis was used to determine associations. The study was set at p = 0.05 level of significance and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Participants were generally independent with pre-fracture mobility at baseline and presented with approximately three pre-existing co-morbidities. The presence of cognitive impairments in the participants decreased during the duration of the study, while the post-operative functional level in this population improved. Pre-fracture functional level was strongly related to and also the strongest predictor of post-operative functional outcome. The presence of co-morbidities and impaired cognitive function were also indirectly related. Conclusion: Pre-fracture functional mobility was found to be the strongest determinant of post-operative functional outcome, followed by cognitive function and the presence of pre-existing co-morbidities. By ensuring that these factors are optimal prior to sustaining a hip fracture, elderly patients are more likely to have better outcomes. For those patients who do sustain a hip fracture, intensive rehabilitation is especially necessary for the patient who presents with poor pre-fracture mobility, impaired cognition and pre-existing medical co-morbidities.