0000000000038419

AUTHOR

Olle Söderhamn

Living alone, receiving help, helplessness, and inactivity are strongly related to risk of undernutrition among older home-dwelling people

Solveig T Tomstad1, Ulrika Söderhamn2, Geir Arild Espnes3, Olle Söderhamn21Department of Social Work and Health Science, Faculty of Sciences and Technology Management, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway and Centre for Caring Research – Southern Norway, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Grimstad, Norway; 2Centre for Caring Research – Southern Norway, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Grimstad, Norway; 3Research Centre for Health Promotion and Resources HiST-NTNU, Department of Social Work and Health Science, Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology Management, NTNU, Trondheim, NorwayBackground: Being at risk of und…

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Formal and informal care in relation to activities of daily living and self-perceived health among older care-dependent individuals in Norway

Background.  Research about formal care of older home-dwelling people in the Nordic countries is comprehensive, while research on informal care has been less inclusive. Aim.  To describe self-reported activities of daily living and perceived health, and to relate them to amount and types of formal and informal care received by a group of care-dependent, home-dwelling older individuals in Norway. Design and methods.  A sample consisting of 242 persons aged 75+ years receiving home nursing services. Data were collected by means of structured interviews with questions about activities of daily living (ADL), amount and types of formal and informal care and demographic variables. Descriptive sta…

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Experiences faced by next of kin during their older family members’ transition into long-term care in a Norwegian nursing home

Aims and objectives To describe and explore experiences of next of kin during the older persons’ transition into long-term care. Background Moving into long-term care is a challenge for both resident and next of kin. Next of kin experience transitions at the same time as they play significant parts in their family members’ transition into long-term care placement. Design Constructivist hermeneutical design. Methods Ten next of kin to newly admitted eight residents were recruited by purposeful sampling and interviewed. Periodic participant observation periods following new residents on arrival day and the first week after admission and some written documentation were the backdrops to the int…

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High-fidelity simulation among bachelor students in simulation groups and use of different roles.

Cost limitations might challenge the use of high-fidelity simulation as a teaching-learning method. This article presents the results of a Norwegian project including two simulation studies in which simulation teaching and learning were studied among students in the second year of a three-year bachelor nursing programme. The students were organised into small simulation groups with different roles; nurse, physician, family member and observer. Based on experiences in different roles, the students evaluated the simulation design characteristics and educational practices used in the simulation. In addition, three simulation outcomes were measured; knowledge (learning), Student Satisfaction an…

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Lived experiences of self-care among older, home-dwelling individuals identified to be at risk of undernutrition

Solveig T Tomstad,1,2 Ulrika Söderhamn,2 Geir Arild Espnes,3 Olle Söderhamn21Department of Social Work and Health Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; 2Centre for Caring Research – Southern Norway, University of Agder, Grimstad, Norway; 3Research Centre for Health Promotion and Resources HiST-NTNU, Department of Social Work and Health Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, NorwayIntroduction: In a society where most older people live in their own homes, it may be expected of older individuals to exercise their potential to take care of themselves in daily life. Nutrition is a central aspect of se…

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Work capacity and health-related quality of life among individuals with multiple sclerosis reduced by fatigue: A cross-sectional study

Background: Among individuals diagnosed with the chronic neurologic disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a majority suffers from fatigue, which strongly influences their every-day-life. The aim of this study was to investigate work capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a group of MS patients and also to investigate if work capacity and HRQoL could be predicted by background factors, fatigue, heat sensitivity, cognitive dysfunction, emotional distress or degree of disability. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMethods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, designed survey was undertaken A questionnaire was sent to 323 individuals diagnosed with MS, aged between 20 and 65 …

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Perceived health and risk of undernutrition: a comparison of different nutritional screening results in older patients

Artikkelen rapporterer en studie hvor hensikten var a sammenligne screeningsresultater ved bruk av ulike ernaeringsscreeninginstrumenter hos eldre pasienter i institusjon.

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Lived experiences of self-care among older physically active urban-living individuals

- Published article -cc-by-nc Background: Promoting physical activity is a public health priority in most industrial countries, and physical function is an important factor when taking into consideration older people’s self-care and health. Despite the increasing challenges associated with urbanization and the aging population, urban life appears to be positive in many ways for urban dwellers. However, the manner in which older people live in urban settings and how this influences their ability to take care of themselves should be considered important knowledge for health professionals and politicians to acquire. The aim of this study was to describe the lived experiences of self-care and f…

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Testing reliability and validity of Lorensen’s Self-care Capability Scale (LSCS) among older home-living, care-dependent individuals in Norway

dale b., saevareid h. i., soderhamn o. (2013) Testing reliability and validity of Lorensen’s Self-care Capability Scale (LSCS) among older home-living, care-dependent individuals in Norway. International Journal of Older People Nursing 8, 166–173 doi: 10.1111/j.1748-3743.2012.00339.x Aim and objective.  The aim of this study was to test reliability and validity of the Lorensen’s Self-Care Capability Scale (LSCS). Background.  The assessment of self-care capability among older people living at home is essential for maintaining independence for as long as possible. Method.  The study sample consisted of 242 home nursing patients who were 75 + years old and living at home. The responsible home…

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Being old and living alone in urban areas: the meaning of self-care and health on the perception of life situation and identity

- Published article -cc-by-nc Background: Living alone in urban areas when getting old is an important and necessary field for research as the growth of the urban population worldwide increases, and due to the fact that people live longer. How older people manage their self-care and health, and how this might influence their identity and life situation may be very important to understand when planning for a new, upcoming older generation. The aim of this study was to elucidate the meaning of self-care and health for the perception of life situation and identity among single-living older individuals in urban areas in southern Norway. Methods: A phenomenological–hermeneutic approach inspired …

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Construction and testing of the Moral Development Scale for Professionals (MDSP)

Moral development among students is central for nursing education, because nursing is informed by moral ends, and it is essential that professional nurses have a well developed ability for moral behaviour, ethical reasoning and decision making. The aim of this study was to construct a new instrument for measuring moral development according to Kohlberg's theory of moral development among students and professionals, and initially test it for reliability and validity among students in professional education. Thirty-two items following the conventional and postconventional stages in the theory were developed. Different actions for reducing the items were implemented. The final version of the i…

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The meaning of actualization of self-care resources among a group of older home-dwelling people—A hermeneutic study

Self-care is an activity of mature persons who have developed their abilities to take care of themselves. Individuals can choose to actualize their self-care abilities into self-care activities to maintain, restore, or improve health and well-being. It is of importance to understand the meaning of the actualization of self-care resources among older people. The aim of this study was to investigate the meaning of the actualization of self-care resources, i.e., actions taken to improve, maintain, or restore health and well-being, among a group of older home-dwelling individuals with a high sense of coherence. The design of this study was to reanalyse narratives revealing self-care activities …

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Self-care and anticipated transition into retirement and later life in a Nordic welfare context

Olle Söderhamn1–3, Anne Skisland1,2, Margaretha Herrman31Department of Health and Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Grimstad and Kristiansand, Norway; 2Centre for Caring Research – Southern Norway, Grimstad, Norway; 3Department of Nursing, Health and Culture, University West, Trollhättan, SwedenAbstract: Few studies have appeared in the health care literature on the meaning of transition into retirement and later life. However, this predictable-involuntary transition may influence personal health and well-being, and studying it from a self-care perspective could be useful. The aim of this study was to illuminat…

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Norwegian version of the Nutritional Form for the Elderly: sufficient psychometric properties for performing institutional screening of elderly patients.

The objective of this study was to test if the Norwegian version of the nutritional screening instrument entitled Nutritional Form for the Elderly (NUFFE-NO) demonstrates sufficient evidence of reliability and validity, including sensitivity and specificity, when applied to a select group of elderly hospital patients. The hypothesis was that NUFFE-NO has sufficient psychometric properties to be used as a screening instrument. The model used for the testing procedure was designed to test reliability (homogeneity and stability) and validity (criterion-related, concurrent validity, and construct validity) including sensitivity and specificity in a cross-sectional study. One-hundred fifty-eight…

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Translation and testing of the Risk Assessment Pressure Ulcer Sore scale used among residents in Norwegian nursing homes.

Published version of an article in the journal: BMJ Open. Also available from the publisher at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2012-001575 Open access Objective. The purpose of this study was to translate and test the psychometric properties of the Norwegian-language version of the Risk Assessment Pressure Sore scale. Background. Risk assessment scales for pressure ulcer prevention have become an aspect of quality improvement in healthcare, but their effectiveness depends on the reliability and validity of the scale. Methods. A convenience sample of 481 residents in 15 nursing homes in rural Norway was included between January and June 2007. The English-language version of the Risk Asses…

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Participation in physical and social activities among home-dwelling persons with dementia - experiences of next of kin

Ulrika Söderhamn,1 Bjørg Landmark,2,3 Sissel Eriksen,2 Olle Söderhamn11Center for Caring Research – Southern Norway, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Grimstad, 2Institute of Research and Development for Nursing and Care Services, Municipality of Drammen, Drammen, 3Faculty of Health Sciences, Buskerud University College, Drammen, NorwayIntroduction: To be next of kin to a home-dwelling person with dementia is known to be a heavy burden, especially early in the process. Studies have revealed a need for information and support during the disease process. Likewise, there is support for the positive impacts of physical and social a…

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Self-care agency and perceived health among people using advanced medical technology at home

Aim. This paper is a report of a study of self-care agency and perceived health in a group ofpersons using advanced medical technology at home.Background. An increasing number of persons are using ...

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Nutritional self-care in two older Norwegian males: a case study

Solveig T Tomstad,1,2 Ulrika Söderhamn,2 Geir Arild Espnes,1,3 Olle Söderhamn21Department of Social Work and Health Science, Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology Management, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, 2Centre for Caring Research-Southern Norway, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Grimstad, 3Research Centre for Health Promotion and Resources, Department of Social Work and Health Science, Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology Management, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, NorwayBackground: Knowledge about how to support nutritional self-care in the vulnerable elderly living in their own …

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Life situation and identity among single older home-living people: A phenomenologicalhermeneutic study

Being able to continue living in their own home as long as possible is the general preference for many older people, and this is also in line with the public policy in the Nordic countries. The aim of this study was to elucidate the meaning of self-care and health for perception of life situation and identity among single-living older individuals in rural areas in southern Norway. Eleven older persons with a mean age of 78 years were interviewed and encouraged to narrate their self-care and health experiences. The interviews were audio taped, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a phenomenological hermeneutic method inspired by the philosophy of Ricoeur. The findings are presented as a n…

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Sensitivity to heat in MS patients: a factor strongly influencing symptomology -- an explorative survey

Published version of an article to be found in BMC Neurology 2011, 11:27, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2377-11-27 Background: Many individuals diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are sensitive to increased body temperature, which has been recognized as correlating with the symptom of fatigue. The need to explore this association has been highlighted. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of heat sensitivity and its relations to disease course, disability, common MS-related symptoms and ongoing immunosuppressive treatments among individuals 65 years of age or younger diagnosed with MS. Methods: A cross-sectional designed survey was undertaken. A questionnaire was sent …

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Self-care ability among home-dwelling older people in rural areas in southern Norway

Results: A total of 780 persons were found to have higher self-care ability and 240 to have lower self-care ability using the Self-care Ability Scale for the Elderly. Self-care ability was found to be closely related to health-related issues, self-care agency, sense of coherence, nutritional state and mental health, former profession, and type of dwelling. Predictors for high self-care ability were to have higher self-care agency, not receiving family help, having low risk for undernutrition, not perceiving helplessness, being able to prepare food, being active and having lower age. Conclusions: When self-care ability is reduced in older people, caregivers have to be aware about how this ca…

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Construct validity of the Moral Development Scale for Professionals (MDSP)

Olle Söderhamn1,2, John Olav Bjørnestad1, Anne Skisland1, Christina Cliffordson21Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Grimstad and Kristiansand, Norway; 2Department of Nursing, Health and Culture, University West, Trollhättan, SwedenAbstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the construct validity of the Moral Development Scale for Professionals (MDSP) using structural equation modeling. The instrument is a 12-item self-report instrument, developed in the Scandinavian cultural context and based on Kohlberg’s theory. A hypothesized simplex structure model underlying the MDSP was tested through structural equation modeling. …

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Testing and using Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire: Mental health in relation to home nursing, home help, and family care among older, care-dependent individuals

The aims of this study were to test the Norwegian version of Goldberg's 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30) in a group of older, care-dependent individuals living at home; to describe self-reported mental health; and to relate mental health to receiving home nursing, home help, and family care. A sample of 234 home nursing patients in Norway aged 75 years and older was interviewed. Mental state was assessed using the GHQ-30. Reliability and validity were calculated with Spearman's rank correlations, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and Mann-Whitney U-test. The factor analysis was performed using the principal components analysis with varimax rotation and Kaiser normalization. Demogra…

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Narrated lived experiences of self-care and health among rural-living older persons with a strong sense of coherence.

Ulrika Söderhamn, Bjørg Dale, Olle SöderhamnFaculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Centre for Caring Research – Southern Norway, Grimstad, NorwayAbstract: Sense of coherence (SOC), with its components comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness, is a major factor in the ability to cope successfully with stressors and is closely related to health. Qualitative studies related to SOC are scarce, and in this phenomenological interview study, self-care is investigated in relation to SOC. The aim of this study was to describe the lived experiences of self-care and features that may influence health and self-care among older home-…

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Older home nursing patients’ perception of social provisions and received care

Social loneliness and isolation may be some of the consequences that older people experience regarding age-related changes and losses, and nurses should be engaged in identifying social networks and social needs in this group. The aims of this study were to describe perceived social provisions in a group of older home-dwelling care-dependent patients, and to explore the relationship between perceived social provisions, physical functioning, mental state and reception of formal and informal care. The sample consisted of 242 persons aged 75+ years from seven municipalities in southern Norway, all receiving home nursing. Data were collected by means of structured interviews. Social support was…

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Forandring av selvoppfatning blant studenter i løpet av en bachelorutdanning i sykepleie

Selvoppfatning er av betydning for faglig framgang og kreativitet. Hensikten med denne studien var å beskrive forandring av selvoppfatning hos en gruppe sykepleierstudenter i løpet av sin treårige bachelorutdanning. En studiegruppe med 127 sykepleierstudenter ved en norsk høgskole besvarte et spørreskjema i første og siste studieår. Skalaer for måling av generell selvoppfatning og regelbevissthet samt spørsmål om bakgrunnsvariabler inngikk i spørreskjemaet. Resultatene viste at selvoppfatningen økte signifikant i løpet av utdanningen i den totale studiegr…

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Phenomenological perspectives on self-care in aging.

Olle SöderhamnCenter for Caring Research- Southern Norway, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Grimstad, NorwayAbstract: Self-care is a central concept in health care and may be considered as a means to maintain, restore, and improve one's health and well-being. When performed effectively, self-care contributes not only to human functioning but also to human structural integrity and human development (ie, to a dynamic and holistic state of health). Self-care as a clinical concept is relevant for health care professionals, and it should be meaningful to investigate it at a philosophical level and to further elaborate upon this concept. The aim of this …

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Sense of coherence and health among home-dwelling older people.

Sense of coherence (SOC) is important for maintaining health. The aim of this study was to investigate if the SOC experience among home-dwelling physically active older people differs from that of hospital patients with the same age and sex. Data were collected with questionnaires and structured interviews containing Antonovsky’s SOC scale in an age- and sex-matched study group (n=160). Non-parametric statistical analyses were performed. No differences were found in SOC between home-dwelling individuals and patients. Ninety-five percent of the home-dwelling individuals perceived themselves as being in good health and 42.5% among the patients (p<0.001). SOC and disease were predictors fo…

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A model for a national clinical final examination in the Swedish bachelor programme in nursing

Aim To describe the development and evaluation of a model for a national clinical final examination in the bachelor nursing education.Background After the transfer of nursing education to the academy, concerns have been raised among nurses, nurse leaders, lecturers and researchers about the nursing students clinical competence at the entrance to professional life.Methods During 2003 to 2005, a collaborative project was carried out between four universities and adjunctive health-care areas supplying clinical placements in Sweden. A two-part examination was agreed upon comprising a written theoretical test and a bedside test. An assessment tool for the bedside test was created. Nursing studen…

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Living with an adult family member using advanced medical technology at home

Living with an adult family member using advanced medical technology at home An increased number of chronically ill adults perform self-care while using different sorts of advanced medical technology at home. This hermeneutical study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the meaning of living with an adult family member using advanced medical technology at home. Eleven next of kin to adults performing self-care at home, either using long-term oxygen from a cylinder or ventilator, or performing peritoneal or haemodialysis, were interviewed. The qualitative interviews were analysed using a Gadamerian methodology. The main interpretation explained the meaning as rhythmical patterns of connec…

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Volunteering in dementia care – a Norwegian phenomenological study

Ulrika Söderhamn1, Bjørg Landmark2,3, Live Aasgaard2, Hilde Eide3, Olle Söderhamn11Center for Caring Research – Southern Norway, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Grimstad, Norway; 2Institute of Research and Development for Nursing and Care Services, Municipality of Drammen, Drammen, Norway; 3Faculty of Health Sciences, Buskerud University College, Drammen, NorwayIntroduction: The number of people suffering from dementia will increase dramatically in the future, and this will be a great challenge and concern for health care services. It is assumed that volunteers will strengthen community health care services more in the future…

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Ability for self-care in urban living older people in southern Norway

- Published article -cc-by-nc Background: The number of older people living in urban environments throughout the world will increase in the coming years. There is a trend in most European countries towards improved health among older people, and increased life expectancy for both women and men. Norway has experienced less increase in life expectancy than some other European countries, and it is therefore important to investigate older urban Norwegian people’s health and ways of living in a self-care environment, with special regard to health promotion. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe self-care ability among home-dwelling older (65+ years) individuals living in urban areas in sout…

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A successful way for performing nutritional nursing assessment in older patients

Aim.  The aim of this study was to obtain increased knowledge and understanding about what can be promoting and facilitating for nurses to perform nutritional nursing assessment in older patients. Background.  The frequency of older patients at nutritional risk or suffering from undernutrition is high in hospitals. Studies have shown frequent lack of awareness about signs of undernutrition as all patients are, for example, not weighed. Nurses’ descriptions about nutritional problems have also been found to be often vague and unspecific. Design.  A qualitative design was used. Methods.  Ten conveniently chosen registered nurses, working with older patients in two hospitals in western Sweden …

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Nutritional screening of older home-dwelling Norwegians: a comparison between two instruments.

Ulrika Söderhamn, Bjørg Dale, Kari Sundsli, Olle SöderhamnCentre for Caring Research-Southern Norway, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Grimstad, NorwayBackground: It is important to obtain knowledge about the prevalence of nutritional risk and associated factors among older home-dwelling people in order to be able to meet nutritional challenges in this group in the future and to plan appropriate interventions. The aim of this survey was to investigate the prevalence of home-dwelling older people at nutritional risk and to identify associated factors using two different nutritional screening instruments as self-report instruments.Methods…

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Nutritional form for the elderly is a reliable and valid instrument for the determination of undernutrition risk, and it is associated with health-related quality of life.

Undernutrition is a common problem associated with clinical complications such as impaired immune response, reduced muscle strength, impaired wound healing, and susceptibility to infections; therefore, it is an important treatment target to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with chronic diseases and aging. The aim of the present study was to apply a reliable and valid instrument for the determination of undernutrition risk in an in-hospital patient population and to describe possible associations between risk of undernutrition and some aspects of health-related quality of life in patients with chronic diseases. Fifty-six adult patients with different chronic diseases were interviewe…

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Experiences of Living in a Disrupted Situation as Partner to a Man With Testicular Cancer

New knowledge has been gained about how close relatives reorient themselves and handle their life situation when facing close relatives' illness. The aim of this study was to describe and elucidate narrated experiences of living in a disrupted situation as partner to a patient with testicular cancer. A qualitative single-case design with a conversational interview using a semistructured guide with open-ended questions was implemented. A young woman whose partner had testicular cancer with metastases was interviewed. Narrative analysis of the data with focus on corporeality, spatiality, temporality, and communality revealed three themes that reflected the woman's concerns in different exist…

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Psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30) among older people living at home

Bjørg Dale, Ulrika Söderhamn, Olle SöderhamnCentre for Caring Research – Southern Norway, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Grimstad, NorwayIntroduction: The incidence and prevalence of mental problems among older people are difficult to map because the causes are often complex and the symptoms manifest in a range of ways. Therefore, there is a need for robust and useful instruments for screening mental problems in this group. One instrument used in Norway and around the world is the 30-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30). Nevertheless, studies testing reliability and validity of the Norwegian version are …

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Psychometric testing of the Norwegian version of the Nutritional Form For the Elderly among older home-dwelling people

Ulrika Söderhamn, Bjørg Dale, Kari Sundsli, Solveig T Tomstad, Olle SöderhamnCenter for Caring Research, Southern Norway, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Grimstad, NorwayBackground: Nutritional screening instruments need to be evaluated in terms of reliability and validity and being able to demonstrate sensitivity and specificity for use in clinical practice and research. The aims of this study were to test the reliability and validity of the Norwegian version of the Nutritional Form For the Elderly (NUFFE-NO) in a sample of older home-dwelling people, and to use the short form of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF) as a standard.…

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Fatigue in relation to perceived health: people with multiple sclerosis compared with people in the general population

Fatigue is not only a complex phenomenon accompanying different illness conditions but is also a common complaint among individuals in the general population. Among individuals diagnosed with the chronic neurological disease multiple sclerosis (MS), one-third describe fatigue as the very first symptom, however it is invisible to others. When adopting an action-theoretic approach to health, fatigue may be considered to influence the individual's goals of life and subjectively perceived health. The aim of this study was to describe perceived fatigue in relation to perceived health among working-aged individuals diagnosed with MS (n = 155), and in a comparative group of individuals randomly se…

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Self-care telephone talks as a health-promotion intervention in urban home-living persons 75+ years of age: a randomized controlled study

- Published article -cc-by-nc Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a telephone-based self-care intervention among urban living individuals 75+ years of age by comparing self-reported perceived health, mental health, sense of coherence, self-care ability, and self-care agency before and after the intervention. Materials and methods: In a randomized controlled study, 15 persons answered a questionnaire about perceived health, mental health, sense of coherence, self-care ability, and self-care agency. In a sex- and age-matched control group (n=15), the same questions were answered. Data were collected before and after intervention. An open-ended question about experiences …

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