In most of the studies it seems that the presence of a contracture is equivalent with the presence of restriction in the range of motion (ROM) of a joint. Very little is known about risk factors for contractures. But it seems that immobility may play a pivotal role in the development of this condition. IMPLICATION FOR REHABILITATION: The prevalence of contractures in nursing home residents is estimated at 55% with significant functional and medical consequences. In most studies, which were published in the last 10 years, the presence of a contracture is equivalent with the presence of restriction in the range of motion of a joint. Immobility seems to play a role in the development of contractures. Potential avenues to prevention of contractures and subsequent functional limitations are exercise programmes for and maintenance of mobility of the elderly.

Quality of life - an important outcome factor of long-term care - development and psychometric testing of an audit instrument, the Quality of Life Index, (QoL index"), to assess the consideration for individual quality of life aspects during the care process in long-term care settings is evaluated  -  even for clients with limited communication skills.A stratified random sample of n=209 residents was drawn out of the population of N=1 128 residents of 8 nursing homes and their individual QoL-aspects were assessed with SEIQoL-DW or in difficult communication situations with "LQ-Index-Informationssammlung". The LQ-Index's new items were validated via a parallel testing with the reference instrument SEIQoL-DW, the split half-reliability, the interrater reliability (Kappa) and a structured expert review according to the cognitive interview technique.All 209 participants were assessed via LQ-Index. The SEIQoL-Interview was completed and estimated valid by 18 (8.61%) residents. The psychometric testing results and the expert review indicate high feasibility, good reliability, validity and objectivity of the instrument "LQ-Index".As a result of this study a feasible and valid instrument is now available to assess the consideration for individual quality of life aspects during the care process in long-term care settings - even for clients with limited communication skills.

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Purpose. If nurses should respect resident´s autonomy, nurses themselves must experience empowerment and respect for their own autonomy in the work environment. The purpose of this study is to get a deeper understanding of nurses’ perception of their own empowerment in the organization’s culture during an intervention program for strengthening autonomy. Design/methodology/approach. Guided semi-structured interviews and moderated group discussions were conducted before and after the intervention. A structured and evaluative content analysis of the text material were performed. Findings. In total 73 nurses and nurse aids working at frontline with the residents were voluntarily included into the study. New categories for nurses’ perceived empowerment and organizational culture could be derived from the text material. Originality/value. The study’s results deliver a theoretical model with a sophisticated system of categories for organizational culture as perceived by nurses that can be used for further qualitative and quantitative research and for a sustainable organization development.