title: Busy doing nothing: activity and interaction levels amongst differing populations of elderly patients.
abstract: This paper considers the activity and interaction levels amongst three differing populations of elderly patients (long-stay, short-stay and respite). It begins with a consideration of the literature on staff-patient interactions in care environments for elderly patients, highlighting the virtual absence of preplanned, purposeful activity. Data are then presented which suggest that, despite the emphasis nurses place on communicating with their patients, many patients continue to spend most of their time inactive. It is suggested that if the quality of care elderly patients receive is to improve, nursing staff must see the provision of activity as an integral part of their role and function.
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003631:Day Care, Medical; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000592:standards*; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000451:nursing; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care; D012144:Respite Care; D012931:Social Environment; D006113:United Kingdom