How knowledge and labeling of dementia affect nurses' expectations

Jordanian nurses' attitudes toward older patients in acute care settings

PURPOSE

To identify and describe Jordanian nurses' attitudes toward older patients in acute care settings. The effects of socio-demographics and nursing work characteristics on nurses' attitudes were also examined.

METHOD

Descriptive correlational design was used. Kogan's (1961) Attitudes Toward Old People Scale was administered to a total population of Jordanian nurses (n = 200) working in selected units in acute care settings of three public hospitals in northern Jordan. Nurses' attitudes were described by using descriptive statistics. ANOVA and Pearson correlation were used to examine the effects of selected socio-demographic details and work characteristics on nurses' attitudes.

RESULTS

Jordanian nurses who participated in this study had marginally positive attitudes toward older patients in acute care settings. Years of clinical experience correlated significantly with their attitudes. Male nurses had significantly more positive attitudes than their female counterparts. Surgical nurses also demonstrated significantly more positive attitudes than those working in medical units.

CONCLUSION

Although positive attitudes emerged towards older people, it was also apparent that efforts should be made to enhance them further so that quality care is delivered to this population. In addition, Jordanian nurse educators should put a greater focus on issues related to the care of the older person in their nursing curriculum.

Perpetuation of ageist attitudes among present and future health care personnel: implications for elder care

The population of the western world is greying rapidly. By the year 2025, people over the age of 65 will make up 20% of the population of the USA. By the year 2000, one-half of elderly people in the United Kingdom (UK) will be over the age of 75. The increasing numbers of elderly people will be spending from 18% (males) to 27% (females) of their added years as impaired, disabled and frail individuals. The purposes of this comparative descriptive study were to: (a) describe and compare the attitudes of registered nurses (RNs) and health career work study students (HCS) who work with elderly people in the clinical setting; and (b) determine whether relevant demographic variables of the two groups were related to their attitudes. A convenience sample of 82 RNs and 68 HCSs were asked to complete Kogan's (1961) Attitudes Toward Old People Scale (KOP). Response to the survey was 91% and 74% for the HCS and RN groups respectively. There was a significant difference between the group mean scores with students holding less favourable attitudes toward elderly people on the KOP-negative scale. No significant difference was found on the KOP-positive scale. Point-biserial correlations between demographic variables and attitude scores revealed that gender and ethnicity were significantly related to RNs attitudes--males and blacks and Asians expressed more unfavourable attitudes. Educational level and primary area of clinical work were significantly associated with students' scores on the KOP-negative scale, while years of clinical experience was significantly related to KOP-positive scale scores. While both groups held attitudes that were more favourable than unfavourable, RNs and HCSs expressed stereotypical views about old people in general. Recommendations for nursing education and nursing service are proposed to prevent the negative impact on future care elderly people that the findings suggest.

Delirium in the older person with cancer

Delirium occurs in 25-40% of patients with cancer and in as many as 85% of patients with advanced cancer. Delirium, or acute confusion, can be short term and reversible and differs from dementia, which is chronic and irreversible. Accurate assessment is critical for effective treatment and to reduce the increased mortality associated with delirium. Assessment for differentiating depression as well as dementia is needed, because mistaken diagnoses often prolong and exacerbate the symptoms of delirium. Different treatment strategies are appropriate depending on the cause(s) of confusion. In this article, risk factors and assessment tools are reviewed, and interventions for delirium in older persons with cancer are presented. Future areas for research are identified, because there is a paucity of research on delirium in older patients with cancer.