Family perceptions of mouth care for assisted living residents with dementia: Implications for care.

Mouth care is an important component of care for persons with dementia in assisted living (AL). However, there is little information about family member knowledge, beliefs, and experiences with resident oral health. Family perceptions and involvement in care may impact oral and systemic health for AL residents.

Triadic treatment decision-making in advanced cancer: a pilot study of the roles and perceptions of patients, caregivers, and oncologists.

Purpose: The research on cancer treatment decision-making focuses on dyads; the full "triad" of patients, oncologists, and caregivers remains largely unstudied. We investigated how all members of this triad perceive and experience decisions related to treatment for advanced cancer.

Methods: At an academic cancer center, we enrolled adult patients with advanced gastrointestinal or hematological malignancies, their caregivers, and their oncologists.

Effects of enhanced caregiver training program on cancer caregiver's self-efficacy, preparedness, and psychological well-being.

Purpose: We examined the effects of an enhanced informal caregiver training (Enhanced-CT) protocol in cancer symptom and caregiver stress management to caregivers of hospitalized cancer patients.

Methods: We recruited adult patients in oncology units and their informal caregivers. We utilized a two-armed, randomized controlled trial design with data collected at baseline, post-training, and at 2 and 4 weeks after hospital discharge.

Environmental and policy change to support healthy aging.

Given the growing evidence of the influence of the environment on older adult health, the need to design and implement effective environmental policy around healthy and vital aging is urgent. This article describes issues amenable to improvement through policy change, evidence supporting specific policy approaches and outcomes, and promising strategies for implementing those approaches. Key areas of focus are neighborhood design and safety, housing, transportation, and mobility.

Assessing literacy in clinical and community settings: the patient perspective.

A common concern among patient advocates and practitioners is the potential to offend patients with literacy testing in clinical settings. Patients' perceptions of, and comfort level with, literacy testing have not been well established. The aim of this study was to assess patient attitudes about literacy assessments in a primary care clinic and a community-based wellness program and to explore whether patients preferred one assessment tool over another.