Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J Whittick.
Stress management training sessions involving nurses working in a psychiatric hospital were piloted. The recruitment of staff proved difficult so different methods of organizing the sessions were employed. Factors which influenced participation and which might be improved upon in the future are discussed.
Thirty elderly demented subjects were assessed in 1985 using a neuropsychological test battery which included tests of parietal lobe function that are allegedly predictive of outcome. Four years later, 29 out of the 30 subjects were followed up. Twelve had died. There were no differences between survivors and deceased in terms of age, pre-morbid intelligence, years of full-time education, or scores on parietal tests. However, proportionally more of the women had died, and those subjects with more global cognitive impairment in 1985 were significantly more likely to have died by 1989. Those who scored lower on an aphasia measure in 1985 were more likely to have died. None of the variables differentiated between survivors and deceased Alzheimer subjects.
A sample of 129 supporters caring for an elderly mentally infirm relative consecutively referred to psychogeriatric daycare services was interviewed. Information was obtained on the problems encountered by their dependant, the extent of their involvement, the amount of formal and informal support received, the subjective strain and burden reported, and their expectations of their ability to continue in the caring role. An attempt has been made to use this information to describe the extent of strain and some of the determinants of strain involved in caring. The results suggest that the sex of the dependant and the age of the supporter together with the number of problems faced all influence the reported level of strain. The amount of existing community support, whether formal or informal, does not seem to mitigate significantly the strain placed on the principal carers.