Abstract
This paper examines the use of quality of life measures in health care. Topics covered include: How quality of life is determined, the criteria assessed and who determines the criteria. The political and ethical implications for patient care are also discussed. The paper concludes that despite the ethical concerns and poor quality of measurement related to quality of life indices, they are indeed being used today to make both political and clinical decisions across a wide variety of medical conditions and situations. The paper includes articles referred to in the text.

From the Paper
"Several ethical issues are associated with quality of life measures, the first and most important one being whether any decisions should be made using quality of life considerations given the very serious limitations regarding data accuracy. In other words, if clinicians can't trust that they have measured what their instruments purport to measure in an accurate and stable manner, why would they even want to make any decisions using these measures as a foundation? And if they do make decisions on the basis of such measures, the question of whether such decisions are ethical or moral must be raised."

Tags:clinicians, life, support, mercy, killings

Abstract
The paper discusses how quality of life for stroke survivors is challenging and female survivors are more prone to depression and poorer physical recovery. This paper examines right-hand hemiparesis among females as it pertains to quality of life. The paper provides a literature review based on current research focusing on gender and stroke recovery, quality of life in general for post-stroke survivors and in relation to Parse's theory of human becoming. Finally, the literature review explores motor coordination and post-stroke recovery.

Tags:stroke, female, quality

Abstract
This paper aims to demonstrate that when religion and marriage coincide, it makes for healthier lives and a stronger relationship for the couple. The author discusses the benefits of marriages citing researches that marriage does tend to make people healthier and happier than not being married. The paper also includes studies that show a strong correlation between religious participation and the risk of death. In closing, the author stresses that marriage and religion are key factors in determining the quality of life of a family, provided they are orchestrated to coincide in a positive way.

From the Paper
"Religion has long been an important source of vitality in fashioning our quality of life. The institutes of religion have been around for thousands of years, influencing essential aspects of our lives such as physical health (and therefore the longevity of life), mental health and happiness, economic welfare, and the way our children are raised. Nevertheless, it is difficult for the mere presence of religious conviction alone to proliferate these measures. Marriage provides an indispensable pillar of support. It provides a sense of togetherness, amicability, and strength, each of which are important factors for good mental and physical health."

Tags:matrimony benefits family children, life expectancy, health

Abstract
This paper discusses the challenging issue of quality of life for stroke survivors. It specifically focuses on female survivors who are more prone to depression and poorer physical recovery. The paper examines stroke, also known as cerebral vascular accidents (CVA) in relation to quality of life experienced following a non-fatal, yet disabling, CVA. It specifically examines right-hand hemiparesis among females as it pertains to quality of life.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Definition Of Types Of Stroke
What Is Quality Of Life?
Literature Review
Quality Of Life
Gender Differences
Recovery Of Movement

From the Paper
"In conclusion, nurses must be keenly aware of the individual definitions of quality of life and when working with a stroke survivor, remain diligent in drawing the patient out in effective communication to ascertain how they believe their quality of life is being or has been affects by the stroke. Nurses spend more time with patients than any other health care professional; nurses foster a greater sense of patient trust than other health care professionals (Dr. Danielle West, personal communication, October 10, 2006). Nurses should use that trust to provide caring interventions for their patients, acting as case managers or advocates for the stroke survivor."

Tags:CVA, neurology, depression

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that a family's quality of life is influenced by its location in the interdependent structures of class and race within its home city, state, and nation. The writer looks at the quality of the personal family life of the writer.

From the Paper
"My family's quality of life was affected by its location in these structures in Pleasant Hill, California. I come from a nuclear family of four that immigrated to the United States from Korea. I was fortunate enough to have my family's support to leave Korea and study in Pleasant Hill, while my brother left to enter the military. My parents began a successful business and fully supported me in my educational endeavors."

Tags:society, family

Abstract
This paper explains that, even with intervention and assessment, and to some degree intra-observer variation, quality of life may not be enough to define a patient's contentment with life when faced with end of life issues. The author points out that life-changing events and end of life issues can be so sudden that a patient and her family may find control over their lives involuntarily wrenched from them. The paper cites that the transcendence theory can be a powerful motivator to achieve health care objectives for helping bereaved patients, their families and their nurses "move on" to understanding how suffering and changes can affect new individual insights. The author relates that, in caring for the older adult, it is sometimes more understood than appreciated that they may have more complaints to attend to, more symptoms that they complain of and may even be difficult to approach. The paper then independently reviews five different articles on this topic.

From the Paper
"The second article tells of the triumph of the human spirit over seemingly impossible odds (McLean, 2006). In spite of his diagnosis of terminal colon cancer, firefighter lieutenant Mark Johnston underwent surgery in spite of the bleakness of his condition. What was remarkable was the camaraderie of his fellow firefighters, who would do what seemingly meant little more than keeping vigils with him. When Mark went into relapse after rejoining his team a year after, a testament to his spirit, he dispelled the prevailing myth of the palliative care unit's reputation for admitting patients that do not get discharged. In spite of this, Mark sought admission hesitantly at first, but with the constant show of support by family and friends during his times of greatest need and pain, he was able to eventually - and dramatically - return home."

Tags:palliative, art therapy, unsaid feelings, pain control

Abstract
This paper will discuss the quality of life in the work place and create a design that can reveal the methodology of this process. By examining different examples of this process in the work place, we can see how this can be applied in a real life situation by the different ways of doing this that are available. By uncovering the problems that may exist in the work place, a more solution-geared format can be given to the environment that people have to work in. The analysis will deal on a large-scale inquiry into the betterment of quality of life in the work place and seek answers to the problems that arise.

Abstract
This paper explains that, due to modern medicine and improved health awareness, people are living longer. However, it discusses that community health centers and other organizations that take care of the aging population need to be equipped to deal with an aging clientele in order to guarantee their quality of life.

From the Paper
"The predominant service made available to disabled older adults with developmental disabilities is community-based care (Lewis 2002). But current attitudes related to the provision of health promotion services, some physicians seem reluctant to provide appropriate care for these patients. Add to these the lack of formal training and financial incentives in the delivery of such care. It is, thus seen that it may take time before the quality of this type of health delivery system improves. Likewise, efforts at improving such a system and implementing it are beyond the control of regional health centers but lie in the hands of the legislature to allocate adequate resources and the Department of Health Services to collaborate with the regional centers and the Department of Developmental Services in realistically improving the delivery of appropriate health services to disabled older adults (Lewis)."

Tags:health, center, medicine, aged, elderly

Abstract
All chronic illness produces an impact on quality of life which is subject to change and, in the case of stroke, the impact ranges from mild to severe. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that stroke is individualized while its impact also is highly varied. I will investigate the concept of quality of life and how it is impacted by chronic illness. I will also show how the impact is portrayed in the film The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. In certain cases of stroke such as the completely debilitating illness in the film, there should be no quality of life but stroke, in contrast to many other chronic illnesses, is one illness where quality of life is amenable.

From the Paper
The Impact of Chronic Illness on Quality of Life Related to The Diving Bell and the Butterfly Introduction All chronic illness produces an impact on quality of life which is subject to change and, in the case of stroke, the impact ranges from mild to severe. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that stroke is individualized while its impact also is highly varied. I will investigate the concept of quality of life and how it is impacted by chronic illness. I will also show how the impact is portrayed in the film The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. In certain cases of stroke such as the completely

Tags:chronic, illness, impact

Abstract
The paper focuses on a case of a thirty-year old HIV positive male who refuses to take his medication, and explains why the nurse has compelling reasons to intervene. The paper defines quality of life and its physical, psychological and social implications, and also discusses how to measure the success of a nursing intervention. The paper points out the importance of dealing with sensitive issues early on in the intervention and getting the patient's loved ones to encourage treatment compliance.

From the Paper
"Assessing a patient's quality of life (QOL) before a case management intervention is perhaps inevitably subjective to some degree on the part of the nurse case manager, no matter how rigorously objective and evidence-based the instruments he or she strives to deploy. The nurse must be aware that the evaluative process must be at least partially based upon the patient's rather than the nurse's view of what constitutes a 'quality life,' given the highly personal and culturally bound nature of such a definition. When assessing a patient's status, a nurse must be careful to minimize his or her subjective personal perceptions as to what constitutes a quality life, and be respectful of the patient's personal definitions of health and happiness. However, this does not mean that the nurse can or should not institute careful guidelines regarding the patients' health practices.
"Regarding a thirty-year old man who is HIV positive who refuses to take his medication, the nurse has compelling reasons to intervene. First and foremost, if the man does not take his medication because of a failure to appreciate the seriousness of his condition, whether this noncompliance is due to denial, clinical depression, or financial considerations regarding his treatments, the man may needlessly suffer the ravages of AIDS and regret his decision as his health deteriorates. Secondly, the nurse has a responsibility as a health professional to engage in disease management, even while she takes the patient's wishes under consideration."

Tags:nursing, treatment, compliance, intervention