SUPPORT OF THE EXPERIENCE OF HEALTH IN LUCID ELDERLY NURSING-HOME PATIENTS - REGISTERED NURSES PERCEPTIONS

As peace of mind has been reported by elderly nursing home patients to be an important aspect of health, registered nurses were asked how th ey could support the attainment of this state of mind in elderly, luci d patients. Four aspects of nursing support were found: support throug h instrumental activities, through daily coexistence, through genuine encounters and through empowering supportive interventions. Included i n professional nursing was not only the responsibility for all nursing performed in the ward, but also the empowering support, health educat ion (support to acquire a realistic picture of the situation) acid sup port in dealing with situations at hand. It was concluded that these f unctions in nursing home care needed further attention and research.