Thesis (M.N.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, School of Nursing, 2002. / Typescript. Bibliography: leaves 97-104.

Thesis (M.A.)--Trinity International University, 2000. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-128).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-111).

Thesis (M.A.)--Trinity International University, 2000. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-128).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1989.

Thesis (M. Communication Pathology)--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Summary in English and Afrikaans. Includes bibliographical references.

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No description available.

Nursing home residents often experience loneliness and social isolation. Research indicates that visitation via the telephone can decrease feelings of social isolation and loneliness. The purpose of this study was to introduce visual images to the telephone conversations of this population. It was hypothesized that the residents receiving this intervention would evidence decreased levels of loneliness and a greater sense of social support. This hypothesis was not supported by the data; however, emotional and social loneliness scores did show positive trends that may have been due to the intervention.

Research shows that healthcare providers (HCPs) are not adequately prepared to provide comfort care for patients who are at the end of life. Since the 1990s, numerous legislative, research, and clinical initiatives have addressed concerns about improving care at the end of life. The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of HCPs providing comfort for patients in the nursing home who are at the end of life. This study focused on physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and nurses' aides at a central Florida nursing home. A descriptive qualitative design was done utilizing a focus group discussion, individual interviews, and a self-administered questionnaire. The findings indicated that a lack of facility support, inadequate staffing, inadequate end of life care education, family and patient denial of prognosis, as well as decreased primary care physician involvement affect the delivery of comfort care for patients at the end of life in the nursing home. This study supports the need for end of life education to HCPs and the need for adjustments in staffing to meet the complex needs of patients in the nursing home who are at the end of life. A new finding of this study reflects the use of an angel cart to aid in the provision of comfort care for patients at the end of life. Recommendations for future research were made based on study results