title: [Happy New Year--wherever you are!].
abstract: Can people really be happy in a nursing home? This article considers this question. The author briefly discusses the definition and some characteristics of happiness and then goes on to discuss the level of happiness in society in general and more specifically in care homes and nursing homes. In conclusion the author reflects on compliant factors of individual perceptions of happiness and how physicians can contribute.
authors.affiliation: Van Neynselgroep, Kennis- en Behandelcentrum Hendrik van Neynsel, Den Bosch, the Netherlands. jerbrink@xs4all.nl
authors.forename: Jacobien F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Erbrink
mesh_terms: D006240:Happiness; D006801:Humans; D009735:Nursing Homes; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010819:Physician's Role / Q000523:psychology*