This study was designed to investigate the relationship between retinol intake, bone mineral density, and falls in 101 elderly women aged 72 to 90 years (78.6 yrs. �� 4.3 yrs.). Bone mineral density (BMD) (g/cm��) of the left hip, anterior-posterior lumbar spine (L3), and lateral spine (L3) was measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Dietary intake and physical activity were assessed by validated questionnaires (the 100-item Block Food Frequency Questionnaire and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly, respectively). Isometric hip abduction strength of the right and left legs was assessed using a hand-held dynamometer. Fall surveillance was collected using a "postcard" system at three-month intervals over a two-year period. Multiple regression analyses were used to show the predictability of retinol, vitamin D, calcium, years past menopause, years on hormone replacement therapy, and physical activity on BMD variables. Together, these variables explained 14% of the variance in total hip BMD at follow-up (R��=0.14, SEE=0.12, p=0.020), 26% of the variance in the anterior-posterior spine BMD at follow-up BMD (R��=0.26, SEE=0.17, p=0.051), and 33% of the variance in lateral spine BMD at follow-up (R��=0.33, SEE=0.10, p=0.009). Two-year changes in hip BMD were poorly predicted using the model with only 5% of total hip BMD variance being explained by the six independent variables (R��=0.05, SEE=0.03, p=0.558). Logistic regression was used to determine whether the likelihood of being a faller vs. a non-faller could be predicted from a model using retinol, vitamin D, average hip strength, and physical activity. It was shown that 11.5% of the variability in fall status could be explained by the model (Cox & Snell's R��=0.115). Using an ROC curve analysis, the model correctly classified 69% of the individuals into the correct "fall category". We conclude that retinol, although not an independent predictor of BMD or fall status, is an important component in the prediction of both BMD and falls. Further interventional research is needed to determine the effects of retinol on BMD and falling. / Graduation date: 2004

No description available.

Background When women have breast pain this usually is not associated with myocardial infarction, which results in that they get less attention and wrong treatment. The nurse has an important role in informing and educating patients and families during hospitalization, which is usually short. Continuous training, written information and repetition for patient and family throughout the hospital stay are of considerable importance to clarify that the patient understands and to reduce the anxiety of being discharged. Aim The aim is to describe nurses' experiences of caring for older women with myocardial infarction. Methods A qualitative method was used. The collection of data was done by six interviews with nurses in geriatric care and elderly care. Dataset has been processed based on a content analysis and divided into subcategories and main categories using meaningful units. Results Not having knowledge of older women with myocardial infarction was expressed as frustrating and nurses described how they were afraid to ask their colleagues. Some of the nurses experienced the opposite, they felt safe in their professional role and had confidence to ask. The nurses experienced difficulties in caring for older women with myocardial infarction because they often had multiple illnesses and was not fully oriented. Perceptions of stress, nervousness and depression were described as part of caring. Making time for reflection was of great importance to cope with stressful care situations. Discussions The results highlight the fact that some nurses experienced stress, it can be difficult to utilize the patient's life world and have a holistic approach in caring when it's a stressful work situation. The study has highlighted different experiences nurses may face in caring for the older woman with myocardial infarction. To get an understanding of these experiences may contribute to a better understanding of what resources are needed to be taken to improve care for these women.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-109). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-109). Also available on the Internet.

published_or_final_version / Medical Sciences / Master / Master of Medical Sciences

published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing in Advanced Practice

Ces trois etudes, basees sur un scheme d'apprentissage social, visaient le developpement d'instruments d'evaluation et d'intervention aupres de personnes agees vivant dans la communaute. / La premiere etude a demontre qu'une intervention aupres de gens lors de la pre-retraite peut contribue a l'augmentation des attentes d'efficacite de soi, particulierement en ce qui a trait a leur planification d'activites satisfaisantes. Cette recherche a aussi indique l'utilite d'avoir recours a des groupe de pairs comme modele pour promouvoir l'adaptation a la vie de retraite. / La seconde avait pour objet de comparer les attentes sociales de deux groupes de femmes (jeunes, agees) face aux consequences de l'affirmation de soi. Les femmes plus agees choisissaient moins souvent de s'affirmer car elles ne croyaient pas que ceci provoquerait chez les autres les comportements desires. Les plus jeunes etaient plus portes a s'attendre a une reaction negative de la part de leurs amis. Les deux groupes anticipaient une augmentation de leur egard-de-soi suite a la mise en action de comportements affirmatifs. / La troisieme etude utilisait un scheme a cas unique pour evaluer l'effet d'une intervention d'habiletes sociales sur six femmes agees. Il s'agissait de modifier les comportements-cibles individuels par le truchement de techniques behaviorales (tels que repetition, modelage et retroaction); de selectionner des objectifs specifiques a l'environnement natural de chaque sujet; et de faire de la restructuration cognitive. Les resultats obtenus indiquaient l'efficacite du traitement pour ameliorer et maintenir les comportements cibles chez tous les sujets et ce, pour toutes les mesures utilisees a divers intervalles de temps. Cette etude illustre egalement l'application d'une telle methodologie dans un milieu clinique.

The association of functional status with fat-free mass (FFM) was examined cross-sectionally in a sample of 30 frail elderly women $(81.5 pm 7$ years) to evaluate potential outcome indicators for nutritional interventions. FFM, determined using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis, was lower in this frail group than in previous reports for "younger" elderly females. All measures of muscle strength (handgrip, biceps, quadriceps) were significantly correlated with FFM $ rm (r ge 0.45, p le 0.02),$ while the measures of global function (Timed "Up & Go" Test and walking speed) as well as self-perceived health were not. The measures of muscle strength and global function were found to have good reliability based on measurements taken on two occasions separated by one week $ rm (ICC ge 0.80).$

The literature reviewed reveals changing attitudes towards sexuality generally and towards sexuality and the elderly in particular. These changes are ' .... represented by a shift from religious organization of moral life to increasingly secular regulation embodied in the emergence of new medical, psychological and educational norms' (Weeks 1986,p.33). However, it seems that these changes have not necessarily affected provision of care for older persons in a positive way. This study focusses on attitudes of older women, housed in traditional large residential units, and attitudes of caregivers of the residents in such units, towards human sexuality. Data was obtained by means of the administration of the Sexual Attitude Scale (Hudson and Murphy, 1976) which is a summated rating scale. The attitudes of subjects toward self-determination in human sexuality in the context of the aging person's life are specifically considered. The major findings of the study were that residents attitudes towards human sexuality were generally extremely conservative. However, this clearly did not extend to a belief that sex was only for the young. Attitudes expressed by staff towards human sexuality were on the whole liberal and they agreed that sex was not only for the young. However, although caregivers support the idea that sexuality in the later years is important in theory, their actions do not bear this out. The findings have implications for the prevailing arrangements for caring in traditional large residential care units with respect to house rules, and education in human sexuality for residents, staff and relatives of the elderly. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1992.