Rate of accidental falls in institutionalised older people with and without cognitive impairment halved as a result of a staff-oriented intervention.

Objective: to evaluate the impact of a staff-oriented intervention on the number of accidental falls in residents with and without cognitive impairment.

Design: clustered randomised controlled trial.

Methods: ten nursing wards from 7 nursing homes were randomised in a control (5 wards) and intervention (5 wards) group.

Insufficient lighting in nursing homes.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to measure the level of lighting in nursing homes in a variety of areas to determine its adequacy in meeting the visual needs of elderly residents.

Design: Observational study

Participants: Eight nursing homes cooperating in an intervention study designed to prevent accidental falls.

Measurements: The amount of light was measured in eight nursing homes with a lux meter DVM 1300 Velleman.

Scoring clock tests for dementia screening: a comparison of two scoring methods.

Objective: To compare the dementia screening performance of two scoring systems of the clock drawing test.

Methods: A sample of 1199 elderly subjects was administered the clock drawing test as part of a study on aging and dementia. The clock drawings were scored using published criteria for the two scoring systems that were compared.