scholarly journals Digital Interventions to Promote Health and Well-Being of Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 755-755
Author(s):  
Gloria Gutman ◽  
Marcia Shade
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Internet Technology ◽  
Digital Tool ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Adoption Of Technology ◽  
Digital Interventions

Abstract The population of older adults is on the rise and so is their adoption of technology. According to the Pew Research Center, growing numbers of older adults are using smartphones, tablets, and the internet. Technology can also be an innovative and accessible way to deliver interventions that promote positive health outcomes. But implementing and evaluating digital interventions, especially those targeted to cognitively frail or otherwise vulnerable older adults, is not easy. The first presentation in this international interdisciplinary symposium sets the stage for discussing some of the barriers encountered. Specifically, it addresses the issue of compliance of adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) while using internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for sleep disturbance. The second presentation described a digital tool to screen and interview older adults in a hospital emergency department who may be experiencing mistreatment. This is followed by a study of use of voice assistant reminders to help aging adults adhere to daily completion of a diary to self-monitor pain symptoms. The fourth presentation describes a feasibility study of a digital screen-based device to calm long-term care home residents exhibiting disruptive Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia. Symposium speakers and participants will be encouraged to dialogue on how some of the implementation and evaluation barriers described might be overcome or avoided as well as to share success stories from their own research on digital interventions for older adults living at home, in congregate housing or in hospital settings.

scholarly journals Seniors’ campus continuums: local solutions for broad spectrum seniors care

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances Morton-Chang ◽  
Shilpi Majumder ◽  
Whitney Berta
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
System Level ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Housing Options

Abstract Background As demand and desire to “age-in-place” grows within an aging population, and new areas of need emerge, governments nationally and internationally are focusing effort and attention on innovative and integrative approaches to health and well-being. Seniors’ Campus Continuums are models of care that seek to broaden access to an array of services and housing options to meet growing health and social needs of aging populations. The objective of this study is to increase understanding of this model and factors that influence their evolution, development, ongoing functioning and capacity to integrate care for older adults wishing to age in their own home and community. Methods This research uses a comparative case study approach across six-bounded cases offering four geographically co-located components (mixed housing options, internal and external community supports, and a long-term care home) in various contexts across Ontario, Canada. Onsite in-person and phone interviews with senior campus staff (N = 30), and campus partners (N = 11), enhanced by direct observation at campuses explored historical and current efforts to offer health, housing and social care continuums for older adults. Results Analysis highlighted eight key factors. Enabling factors include i. rich historical legacies of helping people in need; ii. organizational vision and readiness to capitalize on windows of opportunity; iii. leveraging organizational structure and capacity; iv. intentional physical and social design; v. broad services mix, amenities and innovative partnerships. Impeding factors include vi. policy hurdles and rigidities; vii. human resources shortages and inequities; and viii. funding limitations. A number of benefits afforded by campuses at different levels were also observed. Conclusion Findings from this research highlight opportunities to optimize campus potential on many levels. At an individual level, campuses increase local access to a coordinated range of health and social care services, supports and housing options. At an organizational level, campuses offer enhanced collaboration opportunities across providers and partners to improve consistency and coordination of care, and improved access to shared resources, expertise and infrastructure. At a system level, campuses can address a diversity of health, social, financial, and housing needs to help seniors avoid premature or inappropriate use of higher intensity care settings.

scholarly journals Seniors’ Campus Continuums: Local Solutions for Broad Spectrum Seniors Care

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances Margaret Morton-Chang ◽  
Shilpi Majumder ◽  
Whitney Berta
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
System Level ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Housing Options

Abstract Background: As demand and desire to “age-in-place” grows within an aging population, and new areas of need emerge, governments nationally and internationally are focusing effort and attention on innovative and integrative approaches to health and well-being. Seniors’ Campus Continuums are models of care that seek to broaden access to an array of services and housing options to meet growing health and social needs of aging populations. The objective of this study is to increase understanding of this model and factors that influence their evolution, development, ongoing functioning and capacity to integrate care for older adults wishing to age in their own home and community.Methods: This research uses a comparative case study approach across six-bounded cases offering four geographically co-located components (mixed housing options, internal and external community supports, and a long-term care home) in various contexts across Ontario. Onsite in-person and phone interviews with senior campus staff (N=30), and campus partners (N=11), enhanced by direct observation at campuses explored historical and current efforts to offer health, housing and social care continuums for older adults.Results: Analysis highlighted eight key factors. Enabling factors include i. rich historical legacies of helping people in need; ii. organizational vision and readiness to capitalize on windows of opportunity; iii. leveraging organizational structure and capacity; iv. intentional physical and social design; v. broad services mix, amenities and innovative partnerships. Impeding factors include vi. policy hurdles and rigidities; vii. human resources shortages and inequities; and viii. funding limitations. A number of benefits afforded by campuses at different levels were also observed. Conclusion: Findings from this research highlight opportunities to optimize campus potential on many levels. At an individual level, campuses increase local access to a coordinated range of health and social care services, supports and housing options. At an organizational level, campuses offer enhanced collaboration opportunities across providers and partners to improve consistency and coordination of care, access to shared resources, expertise and infrastructure among other benefits. At a system level, campuses can address a diversity of health, social, financial, and housing needs to help seniors avoid premature or inappropriate use of higher intensity care settings.

scholarly journals Seniors’ Campus Continuums: Local Solutions for Broad Spectrum Seniors Care

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances Margaret Morton-Chang ◽  
Shilpi Majumder ◽  
Whitney Berta
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
System Level ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Housing Options

Abstract Background: As demand and desire to “age-in-place” grows within an aging population, and new areas of need emerge, governments nationally and internationally are focusing effort and attention on innovative and integrative approaches to health and well-being. Seniors’ Campus Continuums are models of care that seek to broaden access to an array of services and housing options to meet growing health and social needs of aging populations. The objective of this study is to increase understanding of this model and factors that influence their evolution, development, ongoing functioning and capacity to integrate care for older adults wishing to age in their own home and community.Methods: This research uses a comparative case study approach across six-bounded cases offering four geographically co-located components (mixed housing options, internal and external community supports, and a long-term care home) in various contexts across Ontario. Onsite in-person and phone interviews with senior campus staff (N=30), and campus partners (N=11), enhanced by direct observation at campuses explored historical and current efforts to offer health, housing and social care continuums for older adults.Results: Analysis highlighted eight key factors. Enabling factors include i. rich historical legacies of helping people in need; ii. organizational vision and readiness to capitalize on windows of opportunity; iii. leveraging organizational structure and capacity; iv. intentional physical and social design; v. broad services mix, amenities and innovative partnerships. Impeding factors include vi. policy hurdles and rigidities; vii. human resources shortages and inequities; and viii. funding limitations. A number of benefits afforded by campuses at different levels were also observed. Conclusion: Findings from this research highlight opportunities to optimize campus potential on many levels. At an individual level, campuses increase local access to a coordinated range of health and social care services, supports and housing options. At an organizational level, campuses offer enhanced collaboration opportunities across providers and partners to improve consistency and coordination of care, access to shared resources, expertise and infrastructure among other benefits. At a system level, campuses can address a diversity of health, social, financial, and housing needs to help seniors avoid premature or inappropriate use of higher intensity care settings.

Use of vitamin and mineral supplements in long-term care home residents

2012 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Navita Viveky ◽  
Lynda Toffelmire ◽  
Lilian Thorpe ◽  
Jennifer Billinsky ◽  
Jane Alcorn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Dementia Diagnosis ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Supplement Use ◽  
Supplement Usage

Vitamin–mineral supplementation may offer older adults health and cognition-related benefits but overuse may contribute to polypharmacy. We examined the prevalence of supplement usage in long-term care facility (LTC) residents (≥65 years of age). As cognition may be affected by nutrition, we also examined use in those with diagnosis of dementia and those with no dementia diagnosis. The prevalence of supplement usage and overall “pill count” from pharmaceutical use was assessed in 189 LTC residents and a subsample of 56 older adults with dementia diagnosis, respectively. Participants were residing in an LTC facility of a mid-size metropolitan area during 2009. The average use of supplements was 1.0 per day for all residents, with 35% taking vitamin D supplements, 20% multivitamins, and 26% calcium. Supplement use was similar (p ≥ 0.05) for those with dementia diagnosis (53%, average 2.0 per day) and for those without such diagnosis (45%, average 2.2 per day). Usage ranged between 1–6 supplements per day. In both of these groups, ∼73% of users were taking vitamin D. The number of prescribed medications ranged from 4 to 24 (average 10.2) in a subsample of residents whose supplement intake was 0 to 6 (average 2). These findings suggest an overall low rate of supplement use, with no significant differences (p ≥ 0.05) in use between residents with and without dementia diagnosis. However, some residents were at risk for supplement overuse.

scholarly journals PET VISITATION AS NARRATIVE CARE FOR OLDER ADULTS IN THERAPEUTIC SETTINGS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S867-S867
Author(s):  
Jill Yamasaki ◽  
Kelley Murfin
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Personalized Care ◽  
Healing Relationships ◽  
Therapeutic Settings

Abstract A growing body of research highlights the physiological and psychosocial benefits of pet visitation programs in therapeutic settings. These programs utilize the profound connection between humans and animals to promote holistic healing, foster greater quality of life, and influence meaningful communication between patients and providers. For older adults in hospitals or long-term care, these benefits are often correlated with moments of pleasure, comfort, relaxation, and entertainment. The current study builds on this prior knowledge by examining pet visitation programs as a novel form of narrative care that can also help preserve biographical continuity and promote the sharing of lived stories. We worked with two volunteer pet visitation programs in Houston and one in Los Angeles. Our research included a variety of ethnographic methods, including participant observation; informal interviews with providers, patients (or residents, depending on the context), and their families; semi-structured interviews with volunteers; and discourse review of organizational materials. We employed a method of constant comparison to identify and thematically analyze recurrent patterns of behavior and overarching meanings across the data. Three primary themes emerged from the data: (a) compassion, (b) connection, and (c) response. Collectively, the presence of pets prompted stories and behaviors that foster healing relationships characterized by empathy and mutual understanding between patients (or residents), family members, and providers. Pet visitation programs facilitate storied conversations, increased autonomy, and alternative ways of knowing that promote greater understandings of the patient’s (or resident’s) psychosocial context and biographical history, leading to more personalized care and improved well-being.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy P. Kropf ◽  
Sherry M. Cummings
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Behavioral Treatment ◽  
Cognitive Distortions ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral ◽  
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment ◽  
Behavioral Strategies ◽  
Term Care

Chapter 3, “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Theory and Practice,” presents the history, examines the theoretical underpinnings, and explains the essential skills and techniques of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Theoretical principles, such as cognitive distortions, underlying assumptions and schema, and their presentation in older adults, are discussed. The treatment approach of CBT is outlined, including the nature of the therapeutic relationship, changing cognitions, behavioral strategies, the use of homework in treatment, and special considerations and adaptations for practice with older clients. Various contexts and settings where CBT is implemented are summarized, such as individual and group settings within community-based, acute-care, and long-term-care facilities. The chapter ends with the case example of cognitive behavioral treatment with an older female caregiver, which highlights and illustrates CBT practice with older adults.

Reminiscence intervention for community-dwelling older adults without dementia: a literature review

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Shropshire
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Term Care

The aim of the present integrative literature review is to summarise empirical evidence supporting the positive health benefits of reminiscence intervention for older adults without dementia who reside in community and long-term care settings. Reminiscence intervention may be used to improve cognitive ability in older adults by prompting them to share life stories and recall past events. Using Garrard's matrix method, 15 studies were identified and included in this review, with a total of 815 participants. The health outcomes of reminiscence intervention for older adults residing in the community and long-term care settings were improvements in depressive symptoms; greater wellbeing, peace and life satisfaction; and improvements in quality of life, social engagement, anxiety and cognitive skills/memory. Non-pharmacological approaches such as reminiscence intervention may contribute to a rich base for reformulating cognitive interpretations, increasing cognitive abilities, and improving social skills among older adults.

scholarly journals THE IMPACT OF A PARO INTERVENTION ON DEPRESSION AND WELL-BEING IN OLDER ADULTS WITH DEPRESSION

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S341-S341
Author(s):  
Shu-Chuan Chen ◽  
Wendy Moyle ◽  
Cindy Jones
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
World Health ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities

Abstract Aim: This study aimed to explore the effect of a social robot Paro intervention on depression and well-being in older adults with depression living in long-term care facilities in Taiwan. Methods: This study was adopted a single group and quasi-experimental with repeated measures design. Each participant participated in two stages: observation and Paro intervention stages. Stage 1 was an 8-week observation stage in long-term care facilities where the purpose was to observe the normal mood, behaviour and activities of older adults with depression. In stage 2, each participant was given a Paro by the researcher to keep for 24 hours for 7 days in for 8 weeks. Outcome measurements were obtained 4 times: a week before the intervention (T1), immediately the end of 8-week observation (T2), mid-point of Paro intervention (T3), and immediately the end of 8-week Paro intervention (T4). Instruments included the Geriatric Depression Scale, the UCLA Loneliness Scale version 3, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-OLD. Results: There were 20 participants completed the study. The mean age of participants was 81.1years (SD = 8.2). After 8-week Paro intervention, statistically significant differences in changes were found on depression, loneliness, and quality of life from pre-intervention to post-intervention. Conclusion: This study was found that Paro intervention has beneficial effects on depression and mental well-being for older people with depression in long-term care facilities. Paro Intervention might be a suitable psychosocial intervention for older people with depression and should be considered as a useful tool in clinical practice.

AwareCare: a pilot randomized controlled trial of an awareness-based staff training intervention to improve quality of life for residents with severe dementia in long-term care settings

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Clare ◽  
Rhiannon Whitaker ◽  
Robert T Woods ◽  
Catherine Quinn ◽  
Hannah Jelley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Severe Dementia ◽  
Term Care

ABSTRACTBackground: The extent to which care home residents with severe dementia show awareness is influenced by the extent to which the environment provides opportunities for engagement and by the way in which care staff interact with them. We aimed to establish whether training care staff to observe and identify signs of awareness in residents with severe dementia resulted in improved quality of life for residents.Methods: In this pilot cluster randomized trial, care staff in four homes (n = 32) received training and supervision and carried out structured observations of residents using the AwareCare measure (n = 32) over an eight-week period, while staff in four control homes (n = 33) had no training with regard to their residents (n = 33) and no contact with the research team. The primary outcome was resident quality of life. Secondary outcomes were resident well-being, behavior and cognition, staff attitudes and well-being, and care practices in the home.Results: Following intervention, residents in the intervention group had significantly better quality of life as rated by family members than those in the control group, but care staff ratings of quality of life did not differ. There were no other significant between-group differences. Staff participating in the intervention identified benefits in terms of their understanding of residents’ needs.Conclusions: Staff were able to use the observational measure effectively and relatives of residents in the intervention homes perceived an improvement in their quality of life.

scholarly journals Positive Role of Purpose in Life in Health Outcomes and Perspectives on Environment

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 577-577
Author(s):  
Shyuan Ching Tan ◽  
Alyssa Gamaldo ◽  
Angela Sardina
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Affordable Housing ◽  
Purpose In Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Healthy Behaviors ◽  
State College ◽  
Job Opportunities ◽  
Meaningful Engagement

Abstract Having a sense of purpose directs behaviors, hence, purpose in life (PIL) can be a useful indicator/moderator of healthy mental and physical behaviors and outcomes. As such, purpose in life, particularly in lower income older adults, might encourage meaningful engagement in activities and life that lead to positive health. Thirty-nine residents (M=68.01, SD=10.26) of affordable housing for older adults in Wilmington, NC and State College, PA were surveyed on demographics, mental health, well-being (i.e., PIL), health behaviors, and their perceptions on immediate housing and the community resources. Findings suggest that for higher educated, younger and Black older adults, PIL moderates or protects against negative mental outcomes (p<.05). For higher educated older adults, PIL moderates or encourages positive perception of job opportunities in the community (p<.05) and healthier behaviors (p<.05). More research is needed to understand how environment interacts with PIL to promote healthy behaviors and outcomes.

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