The overall objective of this research was to analyze the effect of ownership status on 1) quality of care delivered, 2) the cost of nursing homes in the United States and 3) wages to Registered Nurses. The model developed here uses a two stage least squares technique to correct for observed endogeneity problems. Results show that a model which includes ownership classification interactively with all independent variables, performs better than a model which simply uses dummies to proxy for ownership status. Nonprofit homes were found to have higher direct patient care expenditures than profit homes. Non-profits were also found to have a more specialized nursing force. Both of these results suggest that non-profits may actually provide a higher quality of care than for profit enterprises. No support was found for the hypothesis that nonprofits have more philanthropic wage policies. / Graduation date: 1996

An exploratory, qualitative study on the experiences of Polish older adults who made a transition from independent living to an ethno-specific residential care facility in Toronto is presented. Using the framework of Continuity Theory of Aging, the impact of ethnic/cultural identity on the process of relocation and subsequent adjustment to a nursing home environment was investigated. A purposive sampling strategy was used to select 2 male and 4 female participants. The data was collected using long interviews that were tape recorded and transcribed verbatim. The findings of this study indicate that the subjects employed specific coping strategies that stem from traditional value orientation and life experiences hence suggesting that ethnic/cultural identity may have played a role in their successful adaptation to residential care setting. Although this research study is limited to one group of older adults and cannot be generalized to other ethnic groups, it has a potential to contribute to increasing the body of knowledge about the dynamics of residential care placement among ethnic minority seniors. Implications for social work policy, research and practice are discussed.

This thesis presents a study about the experience of becoming a nursing home resident as it affects the identity and self-esteem of very old persons. / In a qualitative study with six female residents of an English-speaking Centre d'Acceuil in Montreal, themes are explored in the light of theory about the effects of institutionalization. Consideration is given to the dynamics of relationships with family, friends, peers and staff. Loss of autonomy is singled out as the factor having the most impact on the individuals in the study. / As life draws to a close, each of the women interviewed struggles in her own way with conflict between the value of self-determination and the value of acceptance of dependence on others. The author suggests that the attempt to reconcile these two values may be a "life-task" for very old institutionalized persons. Questions are raised at the level of planning for institutional policy and a direction is indicated for the education of social workers planning to work with an elderly clientele.

This research evaluates Quebec's health care policy by analyzing how the partnership metaphor is implemented in policy and practice. The partnership construction is identified in 4 interpretive communities within long-term community services to the elderly population. This analysis focuses on the placement decision for cognitively impaired clients in home care. Interpretive policy analysis is employed to examine 3 policy documents and 3 client files, while grounded theory serves to analyze 13 semi-structured interviews with 2 administrators and 3 open triads of client, caregiver, and case manager. The findings show partnership to be an egalitarian, collaborative ideal widely adopted but with little consensus on the pertinent objects and actors. Important differences emerge in how partnership is applied to the placement decision, indicating a too flexible application. Specific restrictions are recommended on the application of the partnership metaphor in order to improve community services and organizational structures in health care.

Thesis (PhD) -- University of Western Sdyney, 2001. / Bibliography: leaves 163-186.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Sydney, 2008. / Title from title screen (viewed 11 February 2009). Includes tables and questionnaires. Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the School of Behavioural and Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print form.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1979.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 90-96). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.N.) -- Memorial University of Newfoundland. / Typescript. Bibliography: leaves 65-70. Also available online.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1979.