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
Overview of the Collection
Repository
Indiana University Center for Documentary Research and Practice
Indiana University
Franklin Hall 0030B
601 E. Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405
Phone: 812/855-2856
Fax: 812/855-0002
E-mail: ohrc@indiana.edu
https://cdrp.mediaschool.indiana.edu
Creator
Indiana University Center for the
Study of History and Memory
TitleHamburg University Nursing Home Study, 1981
Project No.
ohrc083
Interviews
8 interviews. Audiotapes, transcripts, and collateral
materials.
Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Franklin Hall, Room 0030B. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University
Archives.
Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews
from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.
Language
Materials are in English
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.
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.
Administrative Information
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.
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).
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].
Interview List
Interviewee
Ayers, Nora; Rowlett, Anna
October 3, 1981
Call Number
81-018
Physical Description
12 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 16 minutes; index
Interviewer
Lütjen, Hans Peter
Access Status
Restricted; contact the Center for the Study of History and
Memory for more information
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. She also discusses being an alcoholic. 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.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Bloomington Convalescent Center
-
-
Place Names
- Bloomington, Indiana
- Lake Monroe, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- alcoholism
- nursing home routine
- nursing home staff
- patient reminiscences
Interviewee
Birch, Deva
October 2,
1981
Call Number
81-015
Physical Description
9 pages, 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 18 minutes; index
Interviewer
Lütjen, Hans Peter
Access Status
Restricted; contact the Center for the Study of History and
Memory for more information
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.
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Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Bloomington Convalescent Center
-
-
Place Names
- Bloomington, Indiana
- Terre Haute, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- nursing home staff
- patient reminiscences
Interviewee
Delaney, Donald
October 3,
1981
Call Number
81-010
Physical Description
10 pages, 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 30 minutes; index
Interviewer
Lütjen, Hans Peter
Access Status
Restricted; contact the Center for the Study of History and
Memory for more information
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.
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Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Bloomington Convalescent Center
-
-
Place Names
- Bloomington, Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- patient reminiscences
Interviewee
Felts, Oma
October 2,
1981
Call Number
81-017
Physical Description
18 pages, 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 30 minutes; index
Interviewer
Lütjen, Hans Peter
Access Status
Restricted; contact the Center for the Study of History and
Memory for more information
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.
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Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Bloomington Convalescent Center
-
-
Place Names
- Indiana
- Kentucky
-
-
Subjects
- health problems
- nursing home staff
- patient reminiscences
Interviewee
Hagan, Elsie
October 1,
1981
Call Number
81-016
Physical Description
13 pages, 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 30 minutes; index
Interviewer
Lütjen, Hans Peter
Access Status
Restricted; contact the Center for the Study of History and
Memory for more information
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.
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Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Bloomington Convalescent Center
-
-
Place Names
- Germany
- Indiana
-
-
Subjects
- health problems
- nursing home routine
- patient reminiscences
Interviewee
Leavens, Wade
October 3,
1981
Call Number
81-012
Physical Description
36 pages, 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 1 hour 28 minutes; index
Interviewer
Lütjen, Hans Peter
Access Status
Restricted; contact the Center for the Study of History and
Memory for more information
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.
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Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Bloomington Convalescent Center
-
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Personal Names
- Walters, Jeannie
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Subjects
- generational differences
- health problems
- nursing home experiences
- nursing home staff
- patient reminiscences
Interviewee
Parks, Sandy; Atsom, Dana; Hood, Rosemary; Hamstra, Bea
October 2,
1981
Call Number
81-011
Physical Description
21 pages, 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 30 minutes; no index
Interviewer
Lütjen, Hans Peter
Access Status
Restricted; contact the Center for the Study of History and
Memory for more information
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.
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Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Bloomington Convalescent Center
-
-
Occupation Names
- licensed practical nurse
- nurse's aide
-
-
Subjects
- nursing home routine
- nursing home staff
- patient depression
- patient reminiscences
Interviewee
Stephens, Orval
October 1,
1981
Call Number
81-013
Physical Description
11 pages, 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 28 minutes; no
index
Interviewer
Lütjen, Hans Peter
Access Status
Restricted; contact the Center for the Study of History and
Memory for more information
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.
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Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Bloomington Convalescent Center
-
-
Subjects
- economic changes
- patient reminiscences
