Effect of an occupation-based cultural heritage intervention in long-term geriatric care: a two-group control study.

Objective: We investigated the effectiveness of an occupation-based cultural heritage intervention to facilitate adaptation to relocation into long-term care (LTC) facilities as measured by quality of life, activity engagement, and social participation.

Method: We used a quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group design with pre- and posttests. Residents receiving the cultural intervention were compared with residents in a typical activity group.

Voices of elders: culture and person factors of residents admitted to long-term care facilities.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate person and environment factors of elders that facilitate adaptation to relocation to long-term care skilled nursing facilities. Results represent findings from Phase 1 of three phases of a 2-year study to develop and test a cultural heritage intervention to improve adaptation to nursing home relocation.

Design: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 23 newly admitted Caucasians and African Americans residing in skilled nursing facilities.

Storytelling by community-dwelling older adults: perspectives of home care workers.

The purpose of this exploratory, qualitative study was to investigate storytelling by home care clients to their home care workers (HCWs). Specific research questions were: (a) When does storytelling by a care recipient occur during usual care?; (b) How do HCWs engage older clients in storytelling?; (c) How do HCWs respond to the stories told by clients?; and (d) What is the perceived effect of storytelling by older clients on the relationship between the client and the HCW? Two focus groups consisting of 10 HCWs each were conducted. Verbatim transcripts of both focus groups were analyzed using the constant comparative analysis method.

Protein kinase C-gamma activation in the early streptozotocin diabetic rat lens.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the early activation of the protein kinase C-gamma (PKC-gamma) pathway in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat lens.

Methods: Twelve-week-old male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with 80 mg/kg (body weight) of STZ (N-[methylnitrosocarbamoyl]-D-glucosamine) intraperitoneally. Very high glucose (VHG) diabetes was defined as a nonfasting blood glucose level of at least 450 mg/dl, confirmed by daily monitoring with Accu-Check Advantage test strips, and occurred about 2 weeks after STZ administration.

Involving homeless persons in the leadership of a health care organization.

Consumer advisory boards (CABs) are a way of involving patients in their health care. To engage the homeless in the administration of a health care organization for the homeless, a service agency formed such a board comprising homeless and formerly homeless individuals. The purpose was to integrate experiences of homelessness into programmatic design and research efforts of the organization, and to promote participatory research among the homeless.