Biomedical subjects

Sherry Robinson

Publications and source records attributed to Sherry Robinson.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

A program to reduce fatigue in convalescing elderly adults.

This study is an examination of the influence of a fatigue reduction program on the level of fatigue experienced by elderly individuals convalescing in subacute units after lower extremity injury, surgery, or weakness. Fifty participants with a mean age of 81 were divided into two groups of 25 participants. The experimental group received a fatigue reduction program consisting of planned rest periods after bathing and therapy; high-protein, high-carbohydrate liquid supplement; and a 3-minute back rub at bedtime. Each participant's level of fatigue was tested soon after admission and 1 week later, and data were analyzed using the paired t test. The difference between the change in pre-test and post-test scores of the two groups was significant in all three measures of fatigue. The experimental group exhibited a significantly greater reduction in fatigue. The outcomes reinforced the value of nursing interventions that have been an integral component of nursing care from its beginning: promoting nutrition, alternating periods of activity and rest, and including a back rub in evening care.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Impact of the Eden Alternative on family satisfaction.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of the Eden Alternative on family satisfaction. DESIGN: The study was a one-group pre-post design. Families were surveyed prior to the beginning of implementation of the Eden Alternative and again 2 years later. SETTING: The study was conducted at a 150-bed nursing home in the Midwest. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-seven family members completed the survey at both time points. INTERVENTION: More than 80 in-services on the 10 principles of the Eden Alternative were provided to the staff on all shifts over the first year. Implementation of the Eden Alternative began during the second year. MEASUREMENTS: The Family Questionnaire, which measures perception of skill and caring nature of caregivers, quality of activities, the environment, contentment of elders, and relationships with administration, was mailed to a family member of each elder living in the nursing home in March of 2002 and again in March of 2004. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in family satisfaction, as measured by the Family Questionnaire (P < .0001) after implementation of the Eden Alternative. CONCLUSION: The Eden Alternative provided many opportunities for family involvement. The improved satisfaction scores reflected greater communication and interaction among families, staff, and residents.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Warmed blankets: an intervention to promote comfort for elderly hospitalized patients.

A common complaint among hospitalized elderly patients is discomfort related to the cool environment. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effect of the application of a warmed blanket on the level of comfort in elderly hospitalized patients. A sample of 49 older adults who complained of feeling uncomfortable (in pain, being cold, or feeling anxious) were measured on their level of discomfort before and 1 hour after the application of a warm blanket. The level of discomfort after receiving the blanket was significantly less (P <.001).

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The Memorial Meal Mates: a program to improve nutrition in hospitalized older adults.

A common problem among older hospitalized patients is inadequate nutritional intake. The Memorial Meal Mates project was developed to address this problem. College-aged volunteers were provided a 3-hour in-service taught by an interdisciplinary team. During a 2-month period, the Memorial Meal Mates fed 34 patients, who were compared with 34 other patients fed by nursing staff. The mean intake of the Meal Mates group was 58.88%, compared with the mean intake of the control group of 32.45%. Patients fed by the volunteers nearly doubled their intake over those fed by nursing staff.

Aged↗