Pat Ryan to Mr. Meredith (10 October 1962)

https://egrove.olemiss.edu/mercorr_pro/1037/thumbnail.jp

Assessment of Pain in adults with cognitive impairment : a review of the tools

The aim of this paper is to discuss the results of a review into the literature related to chronic pain and the older adult. Several themes within the review have been identified and reported elsewhere and the final report has been published by the University of Sheffield in the form of an annotated bibliography. This report focuses upon the findings of the in relation to the assessment of pain in the adult with cognitive impairment. Issues surrounding assessment in the non-cognitively impaired older adult have also been reported elsewhere. For this paper nine studies will be discussed which report the development and testing of pain assessment scales the focus of which is upon behavioural indicators of pain. Some scales have been omitted from the review and the rationale for this decision will be discussed. Each of the selected scales will be discussed and the authors will make recommendations for both clinical practice and for future research based upon the validity, reliability and user friendliness of the scales. From the paper it can be concluded that the Abbey, DOLOPLUS-2 and PACSLAC appear to be the most reliable and valid and in terms of the “user friendliness” would be appropriate to explore further. Recommendations are made for further multi-centre evaluation of these scales.University of Sheffiel

Assessment of pain in older people : where are we now and what needs to be done?

The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a review of the literature into pain and older people. The funded study was part of the development of an annotated bibliography published in August 2005. The review included all major databases and involved the collection of 214 papers between the dates of 1995 and 2005. The papers were divided into several major themes, which include experiences, management (pharmacological and non-pharmacological), assessment, and attitudes. Within this paper, the results of the review into pain assessment will be discussed, which includes 42 of the collected papers. The other sections will be published later. The paper will discuss issues pertaining to the development of specific tools for older people, a discussion of tools already available, comparisons of staff versus older people’s perceptions of pain scales, and articles with cognitive impairment as a focus. Recommendations for further study are made.University of Sheffiel

Facilitated Life Story Writing by Individuals with Dementia for Conversational Remembering Boxes: Follow-up Summer 2005 - Report Series # 10

The goal of this follow-up study, conducted in the summer of 2005, was to enhance the experience of personhood in individuals with dementia through computer-mediated life story writing, by addressing the key problem areas identified in the pilot study (Summer 2004). Four of the original eight male participants were paired with a student researcher over the course of 6 weeks. The interviews were taped and electronically recorded. The life stories were transcribed and presented to the participants to be added to the personal memory boxes that were sent home during the first study. Follow-up with caregivers at the 3-month mark indicated a good level of interest but reduced activity with respect to the memory boxes. Unlike the previous study, computer use had an effect, albeit a small one, on the topics of stories elicited from two participants

Postcard: Merry Christmas, Helen & Robert Baughman, Liberal, Kansas

This color printed postcard features a photographic portrait of Helen and Robert Baughman with a yellow background. Printed text is above and to the right of the photo. An illustrations of two bells with a ribbon lies to the right of the photo. The back of the card features an illustration of Santa Claus standing on a map of the United States leaning towards the star on Liberal, Kansas. Stamp collecting materials is above the map. Two emblems, one of the Society of Philatelic Americans and one of the Kansas Precancel Society are on the map. Printed red text is above the illustrations. Typed text is on the right side of the card.https://scholars.fhsu.edu/tj_postcards/1830/thumbnail.jp

William Demby: 10-07-1971

In an interview recorded on October 17, 1971, William Demby discusses his novels Beetlecreek and The Catacombs; Rome in the 1960s; the problem of defining what a Black writer is; and traveling between Italy and the United States.https://digitalcommons.brockport.edu/writers_videos/1026/thumbnail.jp

Facilitated Life Story Writing by Individuals with Dementia for Conversational Remembering Boxes - Report Series # 4

The goal of this qualitative study, conducted in the summer of 2004, was to enhance the experience of personhood in individuals with dementia through the use of computermediated life story writing for conversational remembering boxes. Eight male participants with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) were paired with student researchers over the course of 4 weeks. The interviews were taped and electronically recorded on a computer, which was also used to engage the interest of the participants. The life stories were transcribed and served as a foundation for personal memory boxes that were sent home with the participants. Follow-up with caregivers at 3 and 6-month intervals indicated a good level of interest and activity with respect to the memory boxes. Computer use, which was to facilitate the interview process, was found to be a source of distraction and did not hold the participants’ interest. New software and hardware must be developed to enhance the changing abilities of people with dementia and to help maintain their personhood