Helping networks in community home care for the elderly: types of team.

Changes in the delivery of health care have led to a shift in the location of care from the institution to the community. This has resulted in a need to re-examine current models of health-care practice in terms of their applicability and relevance to the community setting. The purpose of this study was to determine the relevance of traditional models of multidisciplinary teams by examining interrelationships amongst community-dwelling seniors with arthritis, their families, and health and community service providers (HCSPs).

The development of a helpline for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Background: The goal of the helpline is to assist individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) better manage their disease through improved understanding of COPD, its symptoms and treatment.

Objectives: The purpose of this project was to develop and validate a protocol for a COPD helpline.

Methods: Ten key informants with expertise in helpline development or COPD were interviewed.

Adaptation to disability in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: neglected relationships to older adults' perceptions of independence.

Purpose: This study extends understanding of the relationship between disability and independence in older adults with COPD.

Methods: An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to examine disability, adaptation, perceptions of independence, and self-efficacy in a sample of 50 community-dwelling older adults. Odds ratios were used to investigate relationships between variables.