Hamburg University Nursing Home Study 1981

A Guide to the Collection of Oral History Interviews at Indiana University Bloomington

Finding aid prepared by the staff of the Center for the Study of History and Memory with a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities Division of Preservation and Access, 2000-2002

Creator: Indiana University Center for the Study of History and Memory
Title: Hamburg University Nursing Home Study
Collection No.: ohrc083
Dates: 1981
Quantity:

Quantity: 8 Interviews

(Audio files, transcripts, and collateral materials )
Abstract: The Hamburg University Nursing Home Study consists of a number of interviews of both staff and patients at the Bloomington Convalescent Center (BCC). The interviewees discuss perceptions of nursing home life, differences between living outside and inside such a facility, and the state of the elderly in America today. The interviews center around topics such as patient reminiscences of earlier life and family.
Location: Interviews are housed in Franklin Hall, Room 0030A. Contact ohrc@indiana.edu for more information. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University Archives. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.
Language: Materials are in English
Repository: Center for Documentary Research and Practice
Franklin Hall 0030B
601 E. Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, Indiana 47405
Business Number: 812-855-2856
ohrc@indiana.edu
URL: https://cdrp.mediaschool.indiana.edu/

Scope and Content Note

This collection contains eight interviews conducted in October of 1981. The interviews range from 16 minutes to 1 hour 28 minutes. All interviews consist of audio tapes and typed transcripts.

Restrictions

Usage Restrictions:

The archive of the Center for Documentary Research and Practice at Indiana University is open to the use of researchers. Copies of transcript pages are available only when such copies are permitted by the deed of gift. Scholars must honor any restrictions the interviewee placed on the use of the interview. Since some of our earlier (pre-computer) transcripts do not exist in final form, any editing marks in a transcript (deletions, additions, corrections) are to be quoted as marked. Audio files may not be copied for patrons unless the deed of gift permits it, and a transcript is unavailable for that interview. The same rules of use that apply to a transcript apply to the audio interview. Interviews may not be reproduced in full for any public use, but excerpted quotes may be used as long as researchers fully cite the data in their research, including accession number, interview date, interviewee's and interviewer's name, and page(s).

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

[interviewee first name last name] interview, by [interviewer first name last name], [interview date(s)], [call number], [project name], Center for Documentary Research and Practice, Indiana University, Bloomington, [page number(s) or tape number and side if no transcript; if digital audio and no transcript, cite time when quote occurs].

Acquisition Information

Oral history interviews conducted by the Indiana University Center for the Study of History and Memory from 1968 to the present, with particular focus on the history of twentieth-century America and the Midwest.

Collection Inventory

Ayers, Nora; Rowlett, Anna , October 3, 1981

No(s): 81-018

Physical Description: 12 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 16 minutes; index

Scope and Content Note: Nora Ayres, born in 1916, moved into the Bloomington Convalescent Center (BCC) in December of 1973. She discusses a little of her life prior to the move and what she misses. She talks about her impression of the BCC and the staff. Anna Rowlett, born in 1906, discusses her acquiescence at the BCC and her daily routine. She talks about her life prior to coming to the center as well as her family.

Indexed Terms:

  • Places:
    • Bloomington, Indiana
    • Lake Monroe, Indiana
  • Subjects:
    • alcoholism
    • nursing home routine
    • nursing home staff
    • patient reminiscences
  • Corporate Bodies:
    • Alcoholics Anonymous
    • Bloomington Convalescent Center

Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information

Birch, Deva , October 2, 1981

No(s): 81-015

Physical Description: 9 pages, 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 18 minutes; index

Scope and Content Note: Deva Birch, born in 1889, discusses living at the Bloomington Convalescent Center (BCC). She recalls her life prior to entering the center and talks about her family. She discusses the future of the elderly and her religious convictions.

Indexed Terms:

  • Places:
    • Bloomington, Indiana
    • Terre Haute, Indiana
  • Subjects:
    • nursing home staff
    • patient reminiscences
  • Corporate Bodies:
    • Bloomington Convalescent Center

Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information

Delaney, Donald , October 3, 1981

No(s): 81-010

Physical Description: 10 pages, 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 30 minutes; index

Scope and Content Note: Donald Delaney, born in 1888, discusses the lives of his parents and his own life. He talks about living at the Bloomington Convalescent Center (BCC) and how he is comfortable.

Indexed Terms:

  • Places:
    • Bloomington, Indiana
  • Subjects:
    • patient reminiscences
  • Corporate Bodies:
    • Bloomington Convalescent Center

Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information

Felts, Oma , October 2, 1981

No(s): 81-017

Physical Description: 18 pages, 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 30 minutes; index

Scope and Content Note: Oma Felts, born in February of 1894, discusses her life leading up to entering the Bloomington Convalescent Center (BCC). She recalls living on a farm during the Great Depression. She talks about where she lived after her husband's death, and the health problems that have effected her. She talks about her family, especially children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Felts also describes her life at the BCC.

Indexed Terms:

  • Places:
    • Indiana
    • Kentucky
  • Subjects:
    • health problems
    • nursing home staff
    • patient reminiscences
  • Corporate Bodies:
    • Bloomington Convalescent Center

Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information

Hagan, Elsie , October 1, 1981

No(s): 81-016

Physical Description: 13 pages, 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 30 minutes; index

Scope and Content Note: Elsie Hagan, born in 1925, discusses coming to the Bloomington Convalescent Center (BCC) for health reasons and hoping to get well in order to return home. She talks about the differences between living at home and living at the center, and she describes her daily routine at BCC. Elsie reminisces about her life and talks about her family.

Indexed Terms:

  • Places:
    • Germany
    • Indiana
  • Subjects:
    • health problems
    • nursing home routine
    • patient reminiscences
  • Corporate Bodies:
    • Bloomington Convalescent Center

Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information

Leavens, Wade , October 3, 1981

No(s): 81-012

Physical Description: 36 pages, 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 1 hour 28 minutes; index

Scope and Content Note: Wade Leavens talks about his life prior to living at the Bloomington Convalescent Center (BCC). He talks about family and the differences between the older and younger generations. He discusses his health problems and how he's overcome them. Leavens talks about the many experiences he's had through the BCC and how he's become involved; for instance, he is the official greeter, an article writer for the journal, and has served on committees. He also talks about the many friends he's made through this work both inside and outside of the center. He discusses the BCC staff and shares anecdotes throughout the interview.

Indexed Terms:

  • Subjects:
    • generational differences
    • health problems
    • nursing home experiences
    • nursing home staff
    • patient reminiscences
  • Corporate Bodies:
    • Bloomington Convalescent Center
  • People:
    • Walters, Jeannie

Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information

Parks, Sandy; Atsom, Dana; Hood, Rosemary; Hamstra, Bea , October 2, 1981

No(s): 81-011

Physical Description: 21 pages, 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 30 minutes; no index

Scope and Content Note: Sandy Parks, born in 1960, discusses working for the Bloomington Convalescent Center (BCC) as a nurse's aide. She describes the hierarchy of the center and her basic routine. She talks about the patients' reminiscences and wishes and about the facility's benefits. Rosemary Hood, born in 1930, discusses working as a licensed practical nurse at the BCC. She talks about the daily routine of the patients as well as their reminiscences and wishes. She talks about the patients' depression and how it stems from the general self-centered attitude of American people, including family and staff. She also discusses the great responsibility involved in trying to fulfill the wants of the patients. Dana Atsom, born in 1957, discusses working as a nurse's aide at the BCC. She talks about how the patients seem to live in the past. She describes both her daily routine and that of the patients. She also shares the wishes of some of the patients. Bea Hamsta, born in 1925, discusses working at the BCC as a licensed practical nurse. She describes the hierarchy of the staff. She discusses the patients' reminiscences and their feeling of restraint despite excellent care. She talks about the center's goal to fulfill the wishes of the patients if possible.

Indexed Terms:

  • Occupations:
    • licensed practical nurse
    • nurse's aide
  • Subjects:
    • nursing home routine
    • nursing home staff
    • patient depression
    • patient reminiscences
  • Corporate Bodies:
    • Bloomington Convalescent Center

Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information

Stephens, Orval , October 1, 1981

No(s): 81-013

Physical Description: 11 pages, 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 28 minutes; no index

Scope and Content Note: Orval Stephens, born in November of 1905, discusses his life at the Bloomington Convalescent Center (BCC). He talks about his discontent at the center due mainly to his feeling of lost freedom and his wish to live independently. He reminisces about his wife and talks about changes that have occurred in the economy. He describes his daily routine at the BCC and expresses his dislike of the food.

Indexed Terms:

  • Subjects:
    • economic changes
    • patient reminiscences
  • Corporate Bodies:
    • Bloomington Convalescent Center

Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information