This thesis explores the communication of a group of older people with dementia living in a residential care home and specifically, seeks to understand how living with dementia in a care home influences communication. The study draws broadly on a symbolic interactionist perspective and uses an ethnographic, inclusive, video methodology. In so doing, the study grounds the research in the experiences of the older residents with dementia and explores communication as it is interwoven with social life. The empirical data, on which this thesis is based, were gathered over the course of six months in one residential care home in Central Scotland. Analysis of these data, in conjunction with the theoretical literature informing the study, led to the development of a framework and a set of concepts to understand the communication of the older people with dementia living in residential care. This framework was used to examine the ways in which the older residents' experiences of institutionalisation, ageing, and dementia, generally, and of life in the care setting, specifically, influenced their communication. The findings revealed that the older residents made diverse meanings of their experiences in the home, and mat many of the meanings that they made were threatening to their self-identity, self-determinacy and social relationships. The residents engaged in a range of strategies to respond to the impact of these meanings and to negotiate their life in the care home. The research presented in this thesis has many implications for understanding the experiences of older people with dementia in residential care. In particular, the research highlights the need for a new social understanding of dementia, that examines the experience of dementia in relation to broad structural and cultural processes and that seeks to promote the social inclusion and citizenship of older people with dementia.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 152-158). / Also available by subscription via World Wide Web / xii, 158 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality and disability worldwide. The majority of stroke patients are elderly. Advanced age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, smoking and heavy alcohol drinking are the major risk factors. Treatment of modifiable risk factors is an important strategy for primary and secondary stroke prevention. The primary aim of this thesis was to examine stroke risk factor profile, risk factor management and clinical outcomes, as well as their association with ethnicity (defined as English-speaking background ? ESB, and non-English-speaking background - NESB) in a group of elderly patients from a multiethnic background. Stroke risk factor profile and outcomes of stroke were similar between English and non-English-speaking background patients. However, a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the NESB patient group was observed in the study (41% vs. 10% in the ESB patient group) (Chapter 2). In addition, predictive factors and predictive models for stroke outcomes were developed. Advanced age, visual field loss and stroke type were the main predictors for mortality and functional dependency at 12 months post-stroke (Chapter 3). Delirium occurred in one quarter of the elderly patient post-stroke and was also associated with a worse clinical outcome (Chapter 4). Risk factor management may be suboptimal in elderly patients. For example, anticoagulant therapy for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation was underused, particularly in NESB patients (Chapter 2). The reasons for under-usage of anticoagulant therapy were investigated in a general practitioner survey (Chapter 6). Results showed that NESB, older age, cognitive impairment (especially living alone) were significant potential barriers for anticoagulant prescription by general practitioners. Stroke units have been proven to be a better care model for stroke patients, with shortened hospital length of stay and improved clinical outcomes. Clinical audits from Bankstown Combined (Co-located) Acute and Rehabilitation Stroke Unit and later the newly established Blacktown Combined Co-located Stroke Unit have demonstrated these benefits (Chapter 5). However, further studies need to be performed in order to determine whether a combined co-located stroke unit care model is superior to other stroke unit care models, and if so, the reasons behind this.

Diskettes comprise Appendix N andO. / System requirements: IBM compatible, requires Word for windows 6 or higher. / Bibliography: leaves 400-428. / xix, 428 leaves ; 30 cm. + 2 diskettes (3 1/2 in.) / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Psychology, 1997?

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2008. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 137 p. : ill. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 127-137).

Thesis (M.H.A.)--University of Michigan, 1976.

Project (D. Min.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 136-139).

Thesis (M.H.A.)--University of Michigan, 1960.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1971.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1999. / Running title: Cognitive representations of hypertension. Includes bibliographical references.