A biannual publication of the
School of Nursing and Health Care Practices,
Southern Cross University,
in association with the
Australian College of Holistic Nurses Inc.
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|
A biannual publication of the School of Nursing and Health Care Practices, Southern Cross University, in association with the Australian College of Holistic Nurses Inc. |
|
11(2): 4-11
Refereed Feature Article
Carers’ perceptions of pain in people with dementia: A
grounded theory
approach
Falls D (RN), Stevens J (RN, PhD),
Andersen M (RN), Collin S (RN), Dodd N (RN), Fitzgerald E (RN), Mitchell G
(RN), Sheriden J (RN), Ramsay. A (RN), Weaver A (RN), Wilson V (RN).
Formal and informal carers reveal the important role played by intimate
knowledge developed from close and ongoing contact.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to add to the limited understanding about the perception and observation of pain by the formal and informal carers of people with dementia. Thirty-one carers were interviewed to talk about how they know when their person with dementia has pain. The findings from this Grounded Theory based project showed that there is no one set of signs or behaviours that indicate pain in all people with dementia. However, there appeared to be a common pain assessment process amongst the carers. This process involved being able to detect deviation from normal behaviours based upon their intimate knowledge of what is normal for their person with dementia. A central hypothesis was thus generated from the data that considered that effective pain assessment for people with dementia is dependent on carers having an intimate knowledge of the individual’s normal state of being with dementia. Implications for nursing practice in caring for people with dementia are discussed.
11(1): 4-15 Feature Article
Strategies for coping with spiritual pain: A comparison of insights from survivors and hospice patients
Pam McGrath BSocWk; MA; PhD
The participants in Pam’s study generously provide insights into their spiritual distress thereby extending our understanding on ways to respond.Abstract: The article presents recent findings on survivors' strategies for dealing with 'spiritual pain'. The insights are compared to previously published data from the same study looking at hospice patients. The discussion provides nurses with insights to strategies used by survivors to cope with adjusting to life post-treatment, how that differs from hospice patients, and the implication of such insights for nursing practice.
Keywords: Spiritual pain, Holistic care, Psycho-social oncology, Spirituality, Qualitative research. Introduction
Introduction
In the last couple of decades there has been a plethora of articles arguing that spirituality is an important dimension of holistic nursing practice (Loyer 1995). There is now a strong imperative within the literature that nurses committed to caring for the whole person should be knowledgeable about patients' spiritual needs (Davis 1994; Efficace & Marrone 2002; Ersek & Ferrell 1994; Gioiella, Berkman & Robinson 1998; Goddard 1995; Halstead & Hull 2001; Kuuppelomaki 2002; Kristeller, Zumbrun & Schilling 1999; Murray 1995; Narayanasamy 1993; Shuster, Steeves, Onega & Richardson 1996; Taylor, Amenta & Highfield, 1994, 1995; Thomas & Retsas 1999). The call to increase nursing skills in spiritual care is considered important in oncology because nursing researchers in cancer care are more likely to study issues relating to spirituality than researchers in other fields of nursing (Flannelly, Flannelly & Weaver 2002).
9(2): 14-23
Refereed Feature Article
Caregivers talk about experiences of caring for an older person with dementia
Professor Tina
Koch RN,
BA, PhD
June Marks BA, (Ph.D
candidate)
Anne Hofmeyer RN MN
Ph.D
Tina, June and Anne explain how carers of a loved one with dementia face a range of challenges in providing care, and adapting to an unexpected career in caring.
8(1): 47-48Abstract: This study explored caregivers’ experiences of caring for an older person with dementia by listening to the voices of 15 carers to identify successful management strategies. Some successful management strategies did emerge—none saw their approach as a 'successful strategy', just that things worked on certain days. It is suggested that families can be prepared for a ‘career’ in caring and that early assessment and diagnosis is essential.
Introduction As the Nurse Unit Manager of the General Ward I work closely with dementia patients every day and have a lot to do with the relatives. My previous experience had covered all areas of the ward were covered EXCEPT aged and dementia care. I saw, caring for acute medical, surgical, aged, dementia and midwifery patients as quite a challenge and even before I started I knew this was to be a quite learning curve for me. The challenge soon became quite evident.
8(1): 4-13
Refereed Feature Article
Joan Yalden
Loretta Chung
Tai Chi: Towards an exercise program for the older person
To improve wellbeing, exercise programs need to be innovative to accommodate the abilities of frail elderly people and capture their interest
Abstract In the changing demographic and health care contexts of aged care, the creation of health promoting exercise programs for frail elderly people to improve wellbeing and quality of care is a common objective in community and residential aged care. This article describes the background to the development of a gentle exercise program that has therapeutic value and the potential to improve wellbeing and quality of care.
Abstract The value of practical and literary nursing research is compared to the rational that underlies orthodox and alternative treatment management for UTIs. A new policy for treating UTIs is described and proposed, with consideration given to the impact of this policy upon nursing home residents and staff.
1(1): 10-15
Refereed Feature
Article
Margaret Martin
Three Stone Stories: The fine line heals the memory of the memory
Three stones tell their stories about healing
Abstract ...we discover so much about each other, and leave so much more to share... In this paper stories of healing are shared. Through yarning, the nurse healer and the person receiving care recount their personal histories to make sense of their present circumstances.
2(2): 33-37
Non-Refereed Occasional
Paper
Joan Landers
Health in Midlife: Facts about HRT and natural therapies and the choices available to women
An evaluation of the long term use of HRT and some approaches to natural therapeutic treatments
Abstract A common criticism of natural therapies is the lack of solid scientific evidence about their safety and effectiveness. Likewise uncertainties about the effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and research into its long term use should be considered carefully when assessing the benefits and risks. This article will attempt to look at the research into HRT and the reasons the pharmaceutical industry and medical professional need to define menopause as a deficiency disease.
3(1): 34-37
Non-Refereed Occasional
Paper
Eileen McMullen
The Validation of Thelma.
Eileen explores the use of validation therapy in a residential care environment
Abstract This paper explores the use of Validation Therapy ustilising a holistic approach within a residential care environment. The writer seeks to identify feelings that are brought about by the interactions between the carer and the client, Thelma. In adopting a holistic approach to mind, body, spirit, and family the carer is able to add further dimensions to a client’s life.
3(2): 45
Practitioners Forum
Joy Ford
The satisfaction of working with the elderly
Abstract In this case study of ‘James’, reflexology and massage are used to treat a client with multiple medical problems.
4(1): 26
Practitioners Forum
Susan Jones
Natural healing in Gerontic care
Abstract Aromatherapy has been successful for individual treatment and for changing the overall atmosphere and odour at a 56 bed nursing home. Two case studies are detailed.
4(1): 27
Practitioners Forum
Jenny McFarlane
Palliative care — An holistic service
Abstract All aspects of care are encouraged at a Palliative Care Service … An overview.
5(1): 45
Practitioners Forum
Maureen Grace
The Importance of Dignity, Convenience and Suitability in Dementia Clothing
Abstract An insight into Sundowner Syndrome and ways in which valuable nursing time can be saved and aggression reduced by considerate utilisation of clothing.
5(2): 7-13
Refereed Feature
Article
Stephen Kermode
Lyn Ramsay
Dr. Stephen Myers
Natural and complimentary therapy utilisation on the North Coast of NSW.
This paper reports on the findings of a phone survey on the prevalence and patterns of use of natural and complementary therapies in the NSW North Coast Region.
Abstract The use of natural and complementary therapies in Australia seems to be increasing. There is an emerging body of literature which describes the prevalence and patterns of usage of such therapies. This paper reports the findings of a telephone survey of 645 residents of the North Coast of New South Wales which set out to describe the prevalence and patterns of use of natural and complementary therapies in the region.
7(1): 26-30
Non-Refereed Occasional
Paper
Barbara F. Ritchie
Empowering female residents: Alternative approaches to UTI’s in nursing homes
Through presenting her research into UTI’s, Barbara demonstrates ways in which nurses are able to offer clinically valid alternatives to existing practices
Abstract The value of practical and literary nursing research is compared to the rational that underlies orthodox and alternative treatment management for UTIs. A new policy for treating UTIs is described and proposed, with consideration given to the impact of this policy upon nursing home residents and staff.
8(1): 4-13
Refereed Feature
Article
Joan Yalden
Loretta Chung
Tai Chi: Towards an exercise program for the older person
To improve wellbeing, exercise programs need to be innovative to accommodate the abilities of frail elderly people and capture their interest
Abstract In the changing demographic and health care contexts of aged care, the creation of health promoting exercise programs for frail elderly people to improve wellbeing and quality of care is a common objective in community and residential aged care. This article describes the background to the development of a gentle exercise program that has therapeutic value and the potential to improve wellbeing and quality of care.
8(1): 47-48
Personal & Poetic
Kay de Mestre
Working with dementia patients and their relatives
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3(1): 34-37
Non-Refereed Occasional Paper
Eileen McMullen
The Validation of Thelma.
Eileen explores the use of validation therapy in a residential care environment
Abstract This paper explores the use of Validation Therapy ustilising a holistic approach within a residential care environment. The writer seeks to identify feelings that are brought about by the interactions between the carer and the client, Thelma. In adopting a holistic approach to mind, body, spirit, and family the carer is able to add further dimensions to a client’s life.
3(2): 45
Practitioners Forum
Joy Ford
The satisfaction of working with the elderly
Abstract In this case study of ‘James’, reflexology and massage are used to treat a client with multiple medical problems.
4(1): 26
Practitioners Forum
Susan Jones
Natural healing in Gerontic care
Abstract Aromatherapy has been successful for individual treatment and for changing the overall atmosphere and odour at a 56 bed nursing home. Two case studies are detailed.
4(1): 27
Practitioners Forum
Jenny McFarlane
Palliative care — An holistic service
Abstract All aspects of care are encouraged at a Palliative Care Service … An overview.
5(1): 45
Practitioners Forum
Maureen Grace
The Importance of Dignity, Convenience and Suitability in Dementia Clothing
Abstract An insight into Sundowner Syndrome and ways in which valuable nursing time can be saved and aggression reduced by considerate utilisation of clothing.
5(2): 7-13
Refereed Feature Article
Stephen Kermode
Lyn Ramsay
Dr. Stephen Myers
Natural and complimentary therapy utilisation on the North Coast of NSW.
This paper reports on the findings of a phone survey on the prevalence and patterns of use of natural and complementary therapies in the NSW North Coast Region.
Abstract The use of natural and complementary therapies in Australia seems to be increasing. There is an emerging body of literature which describes the prevalence and patterns of usage of such therapies. This paper reports the findings of a telephone survey of 645 residents of the North Coast of New South Wales which set out to describe the prevalence and patterns of use of natural and complementary therapies in the region.