CARE at the UW-Madison School of Nursing
“By the age of seventy, on average people have at least two chronic conditions. Many will have more than that,” says Parminder Raina, PhD, the director of the McMaster Institute of GeroScience in Ontario, Canada, and a professor of clinical epidemiology and biostatistics. He spoke at the Annual Colloquium on Aging in September, organized by …
Whether you’re a health care professional, direct care worker, or housing or service provider, the conversations that you have with older adults can help identify potential mental health issues. “It’s about forging relationships,” says Earlise Ward, PhD, a licensed psychologist and faculty director of the Cancer Health Disparities Initiative at the University of Wisconsin–Madison Carbone …
Considering his passion for home health care, it’s surprising that it wasn’t Troy Lawrence’s initial career plan. “Looking back at my undergrad experiences, I was in that group of people who were determined to be an ER or an ICU nurse,” says Lawrence, who received his BSN from the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing …
“What is person-centered care?” asked Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, an occupational therapist and nationally renowned dementia care educator with clinical appointments at Duke University’s School of Nursing and the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill’s School of Medicine. “It’s really a lot, but when it comes to dementia, it’s essential. It’s what every one of …
“Everything is intensified when cure isn’t possible,” explains University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing Professor Kris Kwekkeboom, PhD, RN. “Even small changes are important.” That understanding drives Kwekkeboom’s research into non-drug interventions to ease pain and other challenging symptoms towards the end of life. Even slight improvements in their quality of life can mean a …
As the U.S. population ages, the demand grows for long-term care. An estimated two-thirds of those who reach age 65 will eventually need long-term care, for short stays or ongoing assistance. Collectively, the number of people living in nursing homes or other residential care facilities, or using home care services is expected to nearly double, …
Honor residents’ preferences in their care. Provide a home-like environment. Encourage collaboration among staff. Build close relationships between residents and staff. Support direct care workers’ professional and personal development. Who could argue with the basic tenets of the nursing home culture change movement? Stated in the abstract, they seem eminently reasonable and undeniably beneficial. But …
Heart failure, the only major cardiovascular disease that’s growing in prevalence, affects many older adults. Five million U.S. residents live with heart failure; half of them are at least 75 years old. Living with such a serious disease—let alone the multiple chronic conditions experienced by many older adults—drastically impacts a person’s quality of life. Common …
How can state policymakers meet the increased demand for long-term services and supports and ensure quality care for often-vulnerable populations, while staying within tight budgets? It’s not an easy task. For one thing, state policies aren’t the only factor shaping long-term care. There are federal policies, regulations, funding and initiatives; market, financial and workforce pressures; …
Asked what services the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Central Wisconsin provides in Marathon, Wood, Langlade and Lincoln Counties, two of the agency’s community health educators laugh. It’s a long list. “We offer healthy living classes and evidence-based programs,” says Ciara Schultz, MS. “We do Meals on Wheels and congregate meal sites. We …