A SURVEY OF RESIDENTS IN FIVE NURSING AND REST HOMES IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

A survey was conducted to study the characteristics of 169 residents in 5 nursing or rest homes in Cumberland County, North Carolina and results obtained from interviews with varying numbers of the residents concerning basic demographic information and the administration of three simple assessment measures.

Abstract

A bstract A survey was conducted to study the characteristics of 169 residents in 5 nursing or rest homes in Cumberland County, North Carolina. The survey preceded an intensive drive by the Local Council on Older Adults to stimulate numerous programs to involve these residents in more activities and contacts with other people. The baseline data are reported in terms of results obtained from interviews with varying numbers of the residents concerning basic demographic information and the administration of three simple assessment measures—Social Competency Inventory (90 subjects), Mental Status examination (102 subjects) and Activities of Daily Living (89 subjects). The data preclude drawing firm conclusions. However, the tests did discriminate between various ability levels, in relation to future attempts to evaluate the impact of treatment programs on groups. The age groups of the residents ranged from “under 45” to “85 and over” but most were concentrated in the 45–84 category. It would seem that the younger residents were those who were not functioning well mentally, whereas the older residents were those who had adequate mental ability but could not function physically or socially. Plans are to repeat the survey and note the impact of the programs of the Council on Older Adults.