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Structured interviews were held with 149 registered nurses in seven countries in America, Asia, Australia and Europe concerning the feeding of severely demented patients who do not accept food. The most common reasons for nurses being willing to change their decision to feed or not to feed were an order from the medical head, a request from the patient's husband and/or the staff meeting. There was a connection between the willingness to feed and the ranking of ethical principles. Nurses who were most prone to feed the patient most often gave a high rank to the ethical principle of sanctity of life, while those who primarily chose not to feed the patient gave a high rank to the ethical principle of autonomy. All nurses stressed the ethical principle of beneficence.

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The increased focus on the needs of elderly people in the acute-care setting is a reflection of the interest and concern shown by society at this time. Not only is there an increasing number of elders in the population, but also an increased number of hospital beds are occupied by older adults (Gross & Schwenger 1981). On many acute-care units 35% to 50% of the patients are over 65. In acute-care settings there is a need to increase professional awareness of the special needs of elderly patients. Elderly people with an acute illness are especially vulnerable because of age-related changes, multiple chronic diseases and the unfamiliar, fast-paced environment (Davidson, 1986). We all need to know more about the specific nursing needs of older patients and to recognize their full potential so we can help them to improve their functional ability and increase their independence. A series of 10 gerontological education seminars was developed in a large university teaching hospital to provide information that would foster positive attitudes about aging and that would enhance nursing care of elderly people. This paper will describe the successful development of a gerontological educational series by a committee largely composed of staff nurses.