Elders' experiences of the death of an adult child.

The death of a child can result in complicated grief. Thirty-one adults, 60 years of age or older, who lost an adult child, participated in a qualitative study using a focus group format that allowed them to discuss their experience. A hermeneutical approach was used to develop an overall thematic description of what it meant to an older person to lose an adult child.

Improving geriatric care knowledge, competency, and resourcefulness of home care nurses and aides.

Home care nurses aides have opportunities to support families caring for frail elders; however, most lack specialized geriatric knowledge, competence, and resourcefulness skills essential to caring for vulnerable elders and assisting their families. This study compares the pretest and posttest intervention scores of a geriatric care continuing education program for nurses and aides. Specific participant outcomes include increased geriatric knowledge, competency, and resourcefulness.