Clinical
Our clinical nursing articles aim to inform and educate nurse practitioners and students. This is achieved through the publication of peer-reviewed, evidence-based, relevant and topical articles.
Integrating oral care into nursing practice in care homes
Learn about some measures that could support nurses to implement high-quality oral care
Estimating cost of a music intervention for aged care residents with dementia
Individualised music listening has been shown to reduce agitation and improve mood
Effects of social isolation and restrictions on older people during COVID-19
Nurses need to be mindful of potential post-pandemic deconditioning in older people
Diagnosing, managing and preventing UTIs in older people with dementia in hospital
Urinary tract infections are common in older people but frequently complicated to diagnose
Care home uniforms: exploring stakeholders’ views on clothing options for staff
The care home community is divided on whether or not staff should wear a uniform
Early career nurses undertaking post-registration education in care for older people
Developing and evaluating a competency framework in a UK university
An advanced nurse practitioner-led service for older people’s emergency surgery
Enhance your awareness of the value and use of comprehensive geriatric assessments
Role of medicines management in preventing falls in older people
Consider actions you could take in your practice to prevent medicines-related falls
Nutritional interventions in older people with COVID-19: an overview of the evidence
The role of nutritional interventions in the treatment of, and recovery from, COVID-19
‘Five things about me’ – enhancing person-centred care for older people
How person-centred care includes the whole person, including values, beliefs and aspirations
Exploring the use of music as an intervention for older people living in nursing homes
Why you should read this article: • To understand why enjoying cultural events such as music concerts is regarded as a human right • To enhance your understanding of why older people are often excluded from such events • To learn more about the health and well-being benefits of music for older people in nursing homes Background Enjoying cultural events such as musical performances is a human right as well as contributing to quality of life. However, older people who live in nursing homes are often excluded from such events. Music interventions for older people with cognitive decline have been shown to have a positive effect on their mood and behaviour, particularly in terms of anxiety, agitation and irritability. Aim To investigate the effect of musical interventions in nursing homes from the perspective of older people, their relatives and caregivers. Method Musical performances were held at 11 nursing homes in Sweden. These performances were followed by semi-structured interviews that aimed to capture the experiences of the older people, their relatives and caregivers. The interviews were analysed by qualitative thematic analysis. Findings Four relational themes were generated from the analysis: music enhances well-being for the body and soul, music evokes emotions and a ‘spark of life’, music adds a ‘silver lining’ to everyday life, and music inspires a journey of the imagination through time and space. Conclusion The music concerts had a positive effect on older people, their relatives and caregivers. Providing cultural encounters in nursing homes is an important caring intervention.
Organic versus mixed specialist older adult inpatient mental health units
Does care quality for people with dementia differ between mixed and organic wards?