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Perspectives from the inside: Mental health problems of the elderly in nursing homes
Author(s) -
Carstensen Laura L.,
Fisher Jane E.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
behavioral interventions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.605
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1099-078X
pISSN - 1072-0847
DOI - 10.1002/bin.2360030303
Subject(s) - confusion , nursing homes , psychology , perspective (graphical) , mental health , nursing , depression (economics) , population , gerontology , psychiatry , medicine , computer science , psychoanalysis , economics , macroeconomics , environmental health , artificial intelligence
Resident views of behavior and emotional problems in nursing homes have been virtually ignored in the gerontology literature. In an attempt to better understand this neglected perspective and its relationship to the views of professionals, residents ( n = 92) and staff members ( n = 74) of 20 nursing homes were surveyed regarding their views on problems of the resident population. Confusion, wanting to return home, and depression were seen as the primary problems by both residents and staff. Results of the survey suggest that staff members and residents identify the same areas as problematic, yet, in contrast to staff, the majority of residents say that outside assistance is not desired and that they prefer to discuss problems with family and/or friends.