title: Younger residents in nursing homes.
abstract: Younger residents in nursing facilities represent a growing but little recognized population. This study examined a group of younger residents, describing issues identified by residents and facility staff and identifying strategies that might improve their quality of life. In this study, the majority of younger residents were men with significant physical and mental health deficits, who spent most of their time alone or watching television. Residents wanted a greater variety of relevant recreational activities and more meaningful relationships with family, staff, and other residents. Staff believed nursing facilities were not designed for younger residents, resulting in unmet psychosocial and recreational needs.
authors.affiliation: Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, School of Nursing, Center on Aging, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA. diane.persson@uth.tmc.edu
authors.forename: Diane I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Persson
authors.forename: Sharon K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ostwald
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000458:organization & administration; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010351:Patient Discharge; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D013781:Texas