scholarly journals Managing Malnutrition in Older Persons Residing in Care Homes: Nutritional and Clinical Outcomes Following a Screening and Intervention Program

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher G. Mountford ◽  
Arthur C. O. Okonkwo ◽  
Kathryn Hart ◽  
Nick P. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Care Homes

Selecting Skills To Teach Communication Partners: Where Do I Start?

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 127-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathy Binger ◽  
Jennifer Kent-Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Communication Partners ◽  
Multiple Challenges

Abstract Clinicians and researchers long have recognized that teaching communication partners how to provide AAC supports is essential to AAC success. One way to improve clinical outcomes is to select appropriate skills to teach communication partners. Although this sometimes seems like it should be a straightforward component of any intervention program, deciding which skills to teach partners can present multiple challenges. In this article, we will troubleshoot common issues and discuss how to select skills systematically, resulting in the desired effects for both communication partners and clients.

Effects of a Group Program to Increase Cognitive Performance Through Cognitively Stimulating Leisure Activities in Healthy Older Subjects

GeroPsych ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina A. Tesky ◽  
Christian Thiel ◽  
Winfried Banzer ◽  
Johannes Pantel
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cognitive Stimulation ◽  
Group Program ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Older Subjects

To investigate the effects of leisure activities on cognitive performance of healthy older subjects, an innovative intervention program was developed. Frequent participation in cognitively stimulating activities (i.e., reading, playing chess, or playing music) is associated with reduced risk of dementia. AKTIVA (active cognitive stimulation – prevention in the elderly) is an intervention program designed to enhance cognitive stimulation in everyday life by increasing cognitive stimulating leisure activities. The present study determines the effects of AKTIVA on cognitive function, mood and attitude toward aging in a sample of older participants from the general population. Several measurement instruments were used including the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-Cog), the Trail-Making Test (TMT), and the Memory Complaint Questionnaire (MAC-Q). Initially, the sample consisted of 307 older persons (170 female, 72 ± 7 years). The intervention was evaluated with a randomized, controlled pre-post follow-up design. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: AKTIVA intervention (n = 126), AKTIVA intervention plus nutrition and exercise counseling (n = 84), no-intervention control group (n = 97). The AKTIVA intervention consisted of 8 weekly sessions and two booster sessions after a break of 4 months. Participation in the group program resulted in positive effects on cognitive function and attitude toward aging for subassembly groups. Older persons (≥ 75 years) showed enhanced speed of information processing (by TMT Version A) (F = 4.17*, p < .05); younger participants (< 75 years) showed an improvement in subjective memory decline (by MAC-Q) (F = 2.55*, p < .05). Additionally, AKTIVA enhanced the frequency of activities for leisure activities for subassembly groups. The results of this study suggest that the AKTIVA program can be used to increase cognitively stimulating leisure activities in the elderly. Further research is necessary to identify the long-term effects of this intervention particularly with respect to the prevention of dementia.

scholarly journals Age is not the only risk factor in COVID-19: the role of comorbidities and of long staying in residential care homes

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D’ascanio ◽  
M. Innammorato ◽  
L. Pasquariello ◽  
D. Pizzirusso ◽  
G. Guerrieri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Residential Care ◽  
Pneumonia Severity Index ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Very Elderly ◽  
Arterial Blood

Abstract Background The actual SARS-CoV-2 outbreak caused a highly transmissible disease with a tremendous impact on elderly people. So far, few studies focused on very elderly patients (over 80 years old). In this study we examined the clinical presentation and the outcome of the disease in this group of patients, admitted to our Hospital in Rome. Methods This is a single-center, retrospective study performed in the Sant’Andrea University Hospital of Rome. We included patients older than 65 years of age with a diagnosis of COVID-19, from March 2020 to May 2020, divided in two groups according to their age (Elderly: 65–80 years old; Very Elderly > 80 years old). Data extracted from the each patient record included age, sex, comorbidities, symptoms at onset, the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI), the ratio of the partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2) to the inspired oxygen fraction (FiO2) (P/F) on admission, laboratory tests, radiological findings on computer tomography (CT), length of hospital stay (LOS), mortality rate and the viral shedding. The differences between the two groups were analyzed by the Fisher’s exact test or the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for categorical variables and the Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables. To assess significance among multiple groups of factors, we used the Bonferroni correction. The survival time was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method and Log Rank Test. Univariate and Multivariate logistic regression were performed to estimate associations between age, comorbidities, provenance from long-stay residential care homes (LSRCH) s and clinical outcomes. Results We found that Very Elderly patients had an increased mortality rate, also due to the frequent occurrence of multiple comorbidities. Moreover, we found that patients coming from LSRCHs appeared to be highly susceptible and vulnerable to develop severe manifestations of the disease. Conclusion We demonstrate that there were considerable differences between Elderly and Very Elderly patients in terms of inflammatory activity, severity of disease, adverse clinical outcomes. To establish a correct risk stratification, comorbidities and information about provenience from LSRCHs should be considered.

Design of ISD-1: an instrument for social diagnosis in care homes for older persons

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 511-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Patricia Cury ◽  
Andrés Arias Astray ◽  
José Luis Palacios Gómez
Keyword(s):  
Older Persons ◽  
Care Homes

scholarly journals 2795. Clinical and Economic Impact of a Ribavirin Intervention Program in Hematopoietic Cell and Solid-organ Transplant Recipients with Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S987-S988
Author(s):  
Emily Leonard ◽  
Rebekah Wrenn ◽  
Jennifer Saullo ◽  
Richard H Drew ◽  
Richard H Drew ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Acquisition Cost ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Organ Transplant ◽  
Solid Organ Transplant ◽  
Solid Organ ◽  
Immunocompromised Patients ◽  
Cost Avoidance ◽  
Syncytial Virus

Abstract Background While data are limited, oral ribavirin (RBV) has been shown to be a cost-effective alternative to aerosolized RBV for the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in immunocompromised patients with significant reductions in acquisition and administration costs. We evaluated the clinical and economic impact of an RBV intervention program at a large, academic medical center. Methods This single-center, retrospective cohort study evaluated hematopoietic cell and solid-organ transplant patients admitted to Duke University Hospital (DUH) with documented or suspected RSV receiving aerosolized and/or oral RBV from July 2013 to April 2018. The ID consult service approval requirement was initiated for aerosolized RBV beginning in October 2015. Education was done at this time to promote oral RBV as the preferred therapy for immunocompromised, RSV-infected adults and children. No restrictions or treatment protocols were in place prior to that time for either formulation. Clinical outcomes, adverse effects, and drug acquisition cost were collected. A cost-avoidance analysis was performed using DUH acquisition cost for actual and alternate RBV therapy. Results A total of 118 treatments (115 unique adult and pediatric patients) were included. Demographics were comparable between groups with and median age was 52 years in the Oral RBV and 61 years in the Aerosol RBV group. The predominant transplant type was lung (62.5% in Oral RBV and 55.6% in Aerosol RBV) followed by hematopoietic (16.7% in Oral RBV and 27% in Aerosol RBV). The median (range) duration of therapy was 4 (1–16) days for oral RBV and 5 (1–23) days for aerosolized RBV. The total cost avoidance was $2,522,915 with oral RBV. Clinical outcomes are summarized in Table 1. Conclusion In our large tertiary care center, the use of oral RBV led to substantial cost avoidance with clinical outcomes comparable to aerosolized RBV in immunocompromised patients. Larger prospective trials evaluating oral RBV for RSV treatment are warranted. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and Ageism: Has the Pandemic Allowed Prevailing Ageist Attitudes to Go Viral?

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Rooprai ◽  
Neel Mistry
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Vaccine Administration ◽  
Human Worth

Current perceptions of older adults are often met with prejudice and misconceptions that constitute what has been characterized as ‘ageism’. Rarely are older persons considered indispensable members of the population who deserve our respect and support. While it is unclear if and when this pandemic will end, what is clear is how COVID-19 has unveiled the prevalent ageist attitudes against older people, underscoring an unsettling discourse about age and human worth that has allowed us to easily question the value of older adults. In this commentary, we highlight specific recommendations that can be made to combat ageism during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, with exploration of vaccine administration and inequities across long-term care homes.

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