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Biomedical subjects

J Formby

Publications and source records attributed to J Formby.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Changes in life satisfaction over a two and a half year period among very elderly people living in London.

Research evidence concerning the contributions of social networks and support to the subjective wellbeing (i.e. life satisfaction) of older persons is not consistent. This paper reports the results of an investigation of the effects life satisfaction at baseline, social network type and health status, on life satisfaction at follow-up at two and a half years later among people ages 85+ living in the East end of London. The percentage of the total variation in overall life satisfaction which was explained by the model was 47%. Baseline life satisfaction score explained most of this (43%), and the remaining variation was explained largely by functional status and age. Previous analyses of baseline life satisfaction reported that health and functional status had accounted for most of the variation between groups, far more than social network and support variables.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1992

A randomised controlled trial of long stay nursing home and geriatric ward care for the elderly. A summary of main findings.

This paper reports outcome data on mental and physical ability levels, mortality and accidents rates, from a randomised controlled trial evaluating health authority funded nursing home and long stay geriatric ward care in one inner London health district. There were no differences between settings in relation to mortality rates, although respondents randomised to the nursing homes deteriorated more rapidly in overall and functional ability levels; they also experienced a higher accident rate than respondents in the wards. This has to be balanced against the previously published observational data from the evaluation which clearly indicated that quality of life in the homes was superior to that in the wards. There was more occupational therapy input into the wards in comparison with the homes, and activities were promoted most in the patient's Club in the hospital setting. Although quality of life was superior in the homes in relation to flexibility and preservation of resident's dignity.

Accidents↗
PubMed1991

General practitioners' views on quality specifications for "outpatient referrals and care contracts".

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain general practitioners' views about which quality specifications should be included in contracts for hospital care. DESIGN: In depth interview study and postal survey. SETTING: General practitioners in City and Hackney Health District. SUBJECTS: Fourteen doctors were interviewed in depth; 77 of 131 doctors (59%) returned postal questionnaires. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Rating of listed quality specifications. RESULTS: The most popular items which doctors thought should be included in contracts by April 1991 related to the availability of patients' notes in outpatient clinics, respect shown to general practitioners in telephone communications with hospital doctors, supply of medicines after discharge, patient management plans for general practitioners, the earlier arrival of discharge slips, the type of hospital doctor to see new outpatients, and the unnecessary duplication of investigations. CONCLUSIONS: A high premium was attached by general practitioners to effective organisation, effective communication between primary and secondary sources of care, and effective communication with patients.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1991

A randomized controlled trial of nursing home and long-stay geriatric ward care for elderly people.

This paper reports outcome data on mental and physical ability levels, mortality and accident rates, from a randomized controlled trial evaluating health authority funded nursing home and long-stay geriatric ward care in one inner London health district. There were no differences between settings in mortality rates, although respondents randomized to the nursing homes deteriorated more rapidly in overall, mental and functional ability levels. Previous analyses reported that they also experienced a higher accident rate than respondents in the wards. However, observational data from the evaluation clearly indicated that quality of life in the homes was superior to that in the wards. We conclude that the more rapid physical decline and greater risk of accident in the nursing homes have to be balanced against an inferior quality of life in the hospital, and that a judgement is not easy to make on behalf of other people.

Accidents↗
PubMed1991

Nurses' attitudes to elderly people: a survey of nursing homes and elderly care wards in an inner-London health district.

This paper is based on a survey of 104 nurses of varying grades and experience working with elderly people in nursing homes and hospitals in an inner-London health district. The aim was to establish the veracity of a hypothesis which stated that nursing home staff would express greater job satisfaction and perceive their environments more positively than hospital staff. Most nurses in all settings were satisfied with their work, although less than one-third reported their reason for applying for their current post as a preference for working with elderly people. The authors conclude that, although favourable views were recorded, the negativity and dissatisfaction expressed by the nurses is evidence of the low status and appeal of the specialty.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Accidents in elderly care: a randomised controlled trial (part 3).

This paper reports the data on accidents from a randomised controlled trial evaluating health authority-funded nursing home and long stay care of the elderly ward care in one inner London health district. Respondents randomised to NHS nursing homes experienced a higher accident rate than respondents randomised to conventional long stay hospital wards for elderly people. Respondents in the homes also experienced an earlier decline in functional and mental ability than those in hospital. These disadvantages have to be balanced against the previously published observational data from the evaluation, which clearly indicated that quality of life in the homes was superior to that in the wards. The conclusion from this study is that earlier decline in functional and mental ability and increased accident risk in the more flexible environments of the nursing homes have to be balanced against an inferior quality of life in the large traditional hospital wards; such assessments are not easy to make on behalf of other people. This final part of the report details the authors' conclusions.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Elderly people's use of services: a survey.

This article describes some of the findings of a longitudinal survey of three samples of older people living at home in East London and Mid Essex. It describes the service use and need for community services of the three samples at their baseline interviews, and then looks at how their patterns of use and need changed by the time of their follow-up interviews. It shows that older people are generally using services appropriately, but that there are still unmet needs. Service use was found to increase with age as health and functional ability declined. Further findings will be published shortly.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Functional ability of very elderly people.

This article, which expands on the research discussed four weeks ago in Nursing Standard, describes the circumstances of very elderly people with different levels of functional ability, and how their ability's changed over a 2.5 year period. In particular, it focuses on the needs of those with poor functional ability, who were found to be more likely to have health problems, poorer emotional well-being, almost no friends in their social networks, and greater needs for help (or more help) from services such as chiropody. Few received services specific to rehabilitation and social support, although this group were more likely to receive a greater amount of help, in terms of instrumental aid, with tasks of daily living.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Elderly housebound: changes over time.

This article, which completes the research discussed in recent articles in Nursing Standard (1, 2), describes the changes in the ability of very elderly frail people to go outdoors. The sample members were first interviewed in 1987 when they were aged 85 or over, and followed up in 1990. Cross-sectional analyses showed that the groups who could not get outside alone or at all in either 1987 or 1990 were more likely to be taking prescribed medication, had poorer functional ability, reported problems with eyesight and aches/pains/stiffness in muscles/joints, had poorer emotional well-being, spent most of their days 'just sitting', and wanted more help with activities of daily living. There were, however, no differences in their social network characteristics, or their use of services.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hospital and nursing home care for the elderly in an inner city health district.

This study reports process data on everyday life in an NHS hospital and two nursing homes for elderly people. The interviews revealed low expectations of respondents, although observational data confirmed the superior quality of life in the nursing homes. The responses of the elderly people, however, do illustrate the types of activity they would like to engage in to improve their quality of life.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Accidents in elderly care: a randomised controlled trial (Part 1).

This paper reports the data on accidents from a randomised controlled trial evaluating health authority-funded nursing home and long stay care of the elderly ward care in one inner London health district. Respondents randomised to NHS nursing homes experienced a higher accident rate than respondents randomised to conventional long stay hospital wards for elderly people. Respondents in the homes also experienced an earlier decline in functional and mental ability than those in hospital. These disadvantages have to be balanced against the previously published observational data from the evaluation, which clearly indicated that quality of life in the homes was superior to that in the wards. The conclusion from this study is that earlier decline in functional and mental ability and increased accident risk in the more flexible environments of the nursing homes have to be balanced against an inferior quality of life in the large hospital long stay wards.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Accidents in elderly care: a randomised controlled trial (Part 2).

This paper reports the data on accidents from a randomised controlled trial evaluating health authority-funded nursing home and long stay care of the elderly ward care in one inner London health district. Respondents randomised to NHS nursing homes experienced a higher accident rate than respondents randomised to conventional long stay hospital wards for elderly people. Respondents in the homes also experienced an earlier decline in functional and mental ability than those in hospital. These disadvantages have to be balanced against the previously published observational data from the evaluation, which clearly indicated that quality of life in the homes was superior to that in the wards. The conclusion from this study is that earlier decline in functional and mental ability and increased accident risk in the more flexible environments of the nursing homes have to be balanced against an inferior quality of life in the large traditional hospital wards; such assessments are not easy to make on behalf of other people. The report is divided into three parts. This week, the results of the trial are presented.

Accidental Falls↗