Quality of life as perceived by older persons with chronic illness in rural and urban Shandong, China.

This qualitative study aimed to understand the meaning of quality of life to older persons with chronic illness in China, and to compare the perceptions of those living in rural and urban areas. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 older Chinese, half residing in urban and half in rural areas in Shandong province. Through an inductive coding and categorization process, the study identified two shared domains of quality of life: basic necessities and family wellness.

Elderly Chinese and their family caregivers' perceptions of good care: a qualitative study in Shandong, China.

This study aims to understand what older Chinese people with chronic illness and their family caregivers perceive to be good care, and to compare perspectives of those living in rural and urban areas. We conducted semistructured interviews with 24 care recipients and 23 caregivers in Shandong, China. Two major themes were identified: (a) filial piety as the standard, and (b) modifying cultural ideals to meet reality.

Does caregiver knowledge matter for hospice enrollment and beyond? Pilot study of minority hospice patients.

We examined the level of hospice knowledge of caregivers of minority elderly hospice patients and determined how it influences the hospice enrollment decision and the decision on the use of hospice services after enrollment. Based on qualitative analysis of medical records and interviews with caregivers of minority elderly hospice patients who received personal care from paid caregivers (eg, other than family caregivers), we found that hospice knowledge increased access to hospice among minority patients who otherwise would not opt for hospice or enroll too late for comprehensive hospice care services. Furthermore, the highest level of knowledge-acquired through caregivers' health care occupations-appears to influence hospice care after hospice enrollment.

Ethnic variation in timing of hospice referral: does having no informal caregiver matter?

Background: The length of hospice stay, as an indicator of timing of hospice referral, is an important outcome to examine in end-of-life care because it is relevant to the quality and cost efficiency of end-of-life care that patients receive. Although the majority receives nonmedical care from informal caregivers, many elderly hospice users rely on paid caregivers or staff of residential facilities.

Objective: This study examined whether availability of informal primary caregiver interact with ethnicity to affect length of hospice stay.

Older case management clients with younger family members in need of care: interdependencies and well-being.

This exploratory study investigated caregiving and interdependencies in families of frail older case management clients who coreside with younger individuals in need of care. Analyses were based on interviews with 78 older adults recruited from a large urban case management program. To be eligible for the study, the older adult had to coreside with an individual under age 60 who had disabilities or chronic health problems and/or with minors.

Overcoming hopelessness and social isolation: the ENGAGE model for working with neglecting families toward permanence.

The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA) mandates policies designed to increase the frequency and speed with which permanency is achieved for children in the child welfare system. ASFA's focus is on child safety, permanency, and well-being. The expectation that parents correct neglectful conditions within specified time frames places an increased ethical responsibility on child welfare staff.