scholarly journals Generation to Generation Project: Pairing Students With Older Adult Mentors During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 78-78
Author(s):  
Pamela Elfenbein
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Oral History ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Human Services ◽  
Life Stories ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Oral Histories ◽  
Community Resources ◽  
Supportive Relationships ◽  
Adult Mentors

Abstract To meet the needs of older adults isolated in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we began pairing Human Services and Gerontology students with community dwelling adults 55 years of age and older, recruited through senior centers and other organizations serving older adults. Students paired with isolated older adults were tasked with building supportive relationships, assuring that basic needs were being met and that all available community resources were in place, and then documenting their mentor’s life stories with an emphasis on the resilience, strength and wisdom of their older adult mentors (to focus and build on their strengths, the older adults we engage with are referred to as our “mentors”). Oral histories and supporting artifacts are archived in the university’s library permanent repository. The oral histories portray unique perspectives into life, strength, and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine. The older adult mentors participating in the Generation to Generation project reported feeling strengthened and connected through their participation in the Generation to Generation project. To determine if social Isolation and loneliness can be ameliorated through participation in the Generation to Generation oral history project, researchers utilized the UCLA Loneliness Scale in pre- and post- participation interviews; findings will be shared.

scholarly journals Increasing Older Adult Involvement in Geriatric Assessment: A Mixed-Methods Process Evaluation

2021 ◽  
pp. 089826432199332
Author(s):  
Wanda Rietkerk ◽  
Jannet de Jonge-de Haan ◽  
Joris P. J. Slaets ◽  
Sytse U. Zuidema ◽  
Debby L. Gerritsen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Geriatric Assessment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Implementation Processes ◽  
Adult Involvement ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Objectives: Goal setting and motivational interviewing (MI) may increase well-being by promoting healthy behavior. Since we failed to show improved well-being in a proactive assessment service for community-dwelling older adults applying these techniques, we studied whether implementation processes could explain this. Methods: Goals set during the comprehensive geriatric assessment were evaluated on their potential for behavior change. MI and goal setting adherence wasassessed by reviewing audiotaped interactions and interviewing care professionals. Results: Among the 280 goals set with 230 frail older adults (mean age 77 ± 6.9 years, 59% women), more than 90% had a low potential for behavior change. Quality thresholds for MI were reached in only one of the 11 interactions. Application was hindered by the context and the limited proficiency of care professionals. Discussion: Implementation was suboptimal for goal setting and MI. This decreased the potential for improved well-being in the participating older adults.

scholarly journals 94 Association between Dual-Task Timed “UP and GO” Test and Occurrence of Falls According to Age Group (Young-Older or Old-Older Adults): A Longitudinal Observation Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv18-iv27
Author(s):  
Tsuyoshi Asai ◽  
Kensuke Oshima ◽  
Yoshihiro Fukumoto ◽  
Shogo Misu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Adult Group ◽  
Observation Study ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Aim To elucidate the association between the occurrence of falls and timed “up and go” (TUG) test score in a dual-task condition among community-dwelling older adults by age group. Methods This longitudinal observation study included 987 community-dwelling older adults at baseline. A TUG test (single-TUG) and a TUG test while counting aloud backward from 100 (dual-TUG) were conducted at baseline. The dual-task cost (DTC) value was computed from these results. Data on fall history were obtained using a self-administered questionnaire at the 1-year follow-up. At follow-up, 322 participants had dropped out and six participants had missing data for falls. The final analysis included 658 individuals (follow-up rate: 658/987, 67%) divided into a young-older adult group (aged 60–74 years) and an old-older adult group (aged 75 years or older). Associations between the occurrence of falls and TUG-related values were analyzed by age group using multivariate logistic regression models. Results For old-older adults, there were significant associations between the occurrence of falls and DTC value (odds ratio [OR] 0.981, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.963–0.999, p = 0.040) and single-TUG score (OR 1.129, 95% CI: 1.006–1.268, p = 0.039). However, no significant associations were observed for young-older adults. Conclusions Slower single-TUG test score and lower DTC value are associated with the occurrence of falls among old-older adults but not among young-older adults. Dual task assessment is useful for predicting falls in TUG fall assessment for old-older adults.

scholarly journals Relationship Between Dietary Lutein and Cognition in an Older Adult Population (P14-030-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Krystle Zuniga ◽  
Alexandria Turner ◽  
Nicholas Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Panel Study ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Cognitive Domain ◽  
Word Recall

Abstract Objectives The dietary carotenoid lutein accumulates in the brain, and lutein supplementation has been demonstrated to improve cognitive function in older adults. The purpose of the study was to examine the association between dietary lutein intake and cognitive function in a recent and representative sample of the older adult U.S. population. Additionally, we aimed to identify the major contributors to dietary lutein intake in older adults. Methods Observations were drawn from the 2012 Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally-representative panel study of older U.S. adults, and the 2013 Health Care and Nutrition Study (HCNS), which assessed dietary intake via food frequency questionnaire in a subsample of HRS respondents. The analytic sample included 7045 respondents age 50 and older. Cognitive function was evaluated on the cognitive domain of episodic verbal memory, assessed using immediate word recall (IWR) and delayed word recall (DWR). Quartiles of lutein intake were calculated then used to compare IWR and DWR scores in 2012. Descriptive statistics and bivariate comparisons were adjusted for the complex survey design of the HRS and HCNS with results representative of community-dwelling older Americans in 2013. Results The average age of the sample was 65.6 ± 10.3 years old. Leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, dark yellow vegetables, eggs, fruit and other vegetables were significant predictors of dietary lutein intake. Lutein intake was significantly different between quartiles (P < 0.001) with lutein intakes of 720 ± 231 ug/day (Q1), 1468 ± 229 ug/day (Q2), 2394 ± 324 ug/day (Q3), and 5632 ± 3029 ug/day (Q4). Quartiles 3 and 4 had significantly higher IWR and DWR scores than quartiles 1 and 2 (P < 0.001). Conclusions Older adults may benefit from higher lutein intake through consumption of various vegetables, fruits, and eggs, as lutein may specifically protect episodic memory. Further research is needed to identify the mechanism of lutein's cognitive benefits. Funding Sources American Egg Board/Egg Nutrition Center.

scholarly journals Pre-frailty, frailty and associated factors in older caregivers of older adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Roberta De Oliveira Máximo ◽  
Ingrid Cristina Lopes ◽  
Allan Gustavo Brigola ◽  
Bruna Moretti Luchesi ◽  
Aline Cristina Martins Gratão ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Clinical Aspects ◽  
Frailty Phenotype ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Older Caregivers

INTRODUCTION: Providing care to an older adult is an activity that requires considerable physical effort and can cause stress and psychological strain, which accentuate factors that trigger the cycle of frailty, especially when the caregiver is also an older adult. However, few studies have analyzed the frailty process in older caregivers. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of pre-frailty, frailty and associated factors in older caregivers of older adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted including 328 community-dwelling older caregivers. Frailty was identified using frailty phenotype. Socio-demographic, behavioral and clinical aspects, characteristics related to care and functioning were covariables in the multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of pre-frailty and frailty were 58.8% and 21.1%, respectively. An increased age, female sex, not having a conjugal life, depressive symptoms and pain were commonly associated with pre-frailty and frailty. Sedentary lifestyle was exclusively associated with pre-frailty, whereas living in an urban area, low income and the cognitive decline were associated with frailty. A better performance on instrumental activities of daily living reduced the chance of frailty. CONCLUSION: Many factors associated with the frailty syndrome may be related to the act of providing care, which emphasizes the importance of the development of coping strategies for this population.

scholarly journals Demonstrating a Technology-Mediated Intervention to Support Medication Adherence in Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Primary Care: A Feasibility Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 233372141984517
Author(s):  
Henry Yu-Hin Siu ◽  
Bethany Delleman ◽  
Jessica Langevin ◽  
Dee Mangin ◽  
Michelle Howard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Medication Adherence ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Clinical Work ◽  
Medication Administration ◽  
Recruitment Rate ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Adherence Rate

Background: Medication non-adherence can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. This 4-week feasibility study aims to demonstrate that the eDosette intervention can be implemented with older adults in primary care. Method: Fifty-six older adults from four primary care sites in Southwestern Ontario, Canada participated. The intervention involved generating, for pharmacist review, weekly medication administration records based on transmitted data captured by the eDosette. The primary outcome is implementation feasibility defined by recruitment, adherence rates, frequency of captured missed and late doses, descriptions of clinical work resulting from the intervention, and participant feedback. Results: The recruitment rate was 24% (57/240); one withdrew due to personal reasons. The mean observed adherence rate was 82% (range 49%-100%). Overall, participants missed 505 and took 2,105 doses late; 118 clinical decisions occurred with 72 unique medication changes in 31 participants. Participants found the eDosette easy to use and did not feel that they were viewed negatively because of their potential non-adherence. Conclusion: The eDosette intervention could be feasibly implemented in primary care with older adults. Providing information about when an older adult takes their medications could play a role in medication adherence by prompting more informed discussions between the older adult and primary care clinicians.

scholarly journals A QUALITATIVE REVIEW OF OLDER ADULT PERSPECTIVES ON HEALTHY AGING IN THE CIRCUMPOLAR NORTH

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S264-S265
Author(s):  
Britteny M Howell ◽  
Jennifer R Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
The United States ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Cultural Research ◽  
Circumpolar North ◽  
Personal Resilience

Abstract Cross-cultural research has shown marked variation in health outcomes across the world’s older adult populations. Indeed, older adults in the Circumpolar North experience a variety of health disparities. Because aging is a biological process rooted in sociocultural context, there exists great variation in the ways older adults define and experience healthy, or “successful,” aging in their communities. The aim of this analysis was to synthesize qualitative research among older residents (aged 50+ years) in the Circumpolar North to identify a definition of healthy aging common in the region. The Circumpolar North is defined as the Arctic and subarctic regions of Canada, Finland, Denmark, Greenland & the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States. A thorough review was conducted across a variety of academic search databases for peer-reviewed, qualitative studies conducted among community-dwelling older adults. The search strategy initially identified 194 articles; 22 articles met the inclusion criteria. Included studies were coded and analyzed using Grounded Theory to examine underlying themes of healthy aging in the Circumpolar North. The findings reveal the importance older adults place on incorporating social, environmental, and personal resilience factors into multidimensional models of healthy aging. This research also highlights the need for increased translational research with populations in the Circumpolar North that are under-represented in the gerontological literature.

104 Sociodemographic, Cognitive & Physical Function Characteristics among Older Adult Fallers with and without Cognitive Frailty: Preliminary Results

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv18-iv27
Author(s):  
Resshaya Murukesu ◽  
Devinder Kaur Ajit Singh ◽  
Suzana Shahar ◽  
Ponnusamy Subramaniam
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Step Test ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Cognitive Frailty

Abstract Introduction Older adults with frailty and cognitive impairment are more susceptible to falls. The risk factor of falls and faller profiles among older adults in general has been established. However, information regarding potential risk factors and faller patterns among older adults with cognitive frailty is limited. Objective To examine the sociodemographic, cognitive and physical function characteristics of fallers with and without cognitive frailty. Methods A total of 133 community dwelling older adults aged 60 years and above were screened at three older adult activity centres in Kuala Lumpur. Sociodemographic details were obtained via interview. Cognitive Frailty was identified using the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale and Fried Frailty Index. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Digit Span (DS) test and Ray Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). The Senior Fitness test was used to asses physical function. Characteristics of falls were documented using a self-administered questionnaire. Data was descriptively analysed; independent T-test was used for continuous variables and chi-square test was used for categorical variables. Results Prevalence of falls was 21.1% (n=28). Within fallers, 42.9% (n=12) were cognitively frail and 57.1% (n=16) were not. Fallers with cognitive frailty were significantly older (mean age = 72.31±5.29) (p&lt;0.001), had lower MMSE scores (p&lt;0.01), lower 2 Minute Step test scores (p&lt;0.001) and lower Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scores (p&lt;0.05). Descriptively, fallers with cognitive frailty were mostly recurrent fallers (67%), sustained falls outdoors due to ‘slip and fall’ and majority sought medical attention after the fall(s). Conclusion Fallers with cognitive frailty were older and had lower physical and cognitive function as compared to those without. There is a need to further understand the relationship between falls and cognitive frailty in order to provide holistic fall prevention and management strategies. Acknowledgement of grant UKM(DCP-2017-002/2) and Ministry of Higher Education(LRGS/BU/2012/UKM-UKM/K/01).

scholarly journals Association of socioeconomic status with outcomes in older adult community-dwelling patients after visiting the emergency department: a retrospective cohort study

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. e019318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joyce J H Wachelder ◽  
Isabelle van Drunen ◽  
Patricia M Stassen ◽  
Steffie H A Brouns ◽  
Suze L E Lambooij ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Low Ses ◽  
Inhospital Mortality ◽  
Average Household Income ◽  
Return Visits ◽  
Triage Level

ObjectivesOlder adults frequently visit the emergency department (ED). Socioeconomic status (SES) has an important impact on health and ED utilisation; however, the association between SES and ED utilisation in elderly remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between SES in older adult patients visiting the ED on outcomes.DesignA retrospective study.ParticipantsOlder adults (≥65 years) visiting the ED, in the Netherlands. SES was stratified into tertiles based on average household income at zip code level: low (<€1800/month), intermediate (€1800–€2300/month) and high (>€2300/month).Primary outcomesHospitalisation, inhospital mortality and 30-day ED return visits. Effect of SES on outcomes for all groups were assessed by logistic regression and adjusted for confounders.ResultsIn total, 4828 older adults visited the ED during the study period. Low SES was associated with a higher risk of hospitalisation among community-dwelling patients compared with high SES (adjusted OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.7). This association was not present for intermediate SES (adjusted OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.4). Inhospital mortality was comparable between the low and high SES group, even after adjustment for age, comorbidity and triage level (low OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.8 to 2.6, intermediate OR 1.3, 95% CI 0.8 to 2.2). Thirty-day ED revisits among community-dwelling patients were also equal between the SES groups (low: adjusted OR 1.0, 95% CI 0.7 to 1.4, and intermediate: adjusted OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.6 to 1.1).ConclusionIn older adult ED patients, low SES was associated with a higher risk of hospitalisation than high SES. However, SES had no impact on inhospital mortality and 30-day ED revisits after adjustment for confounders.

Association between Skin Conditions and Depressive Disorders in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 256-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Gontijo Guerra ◽  
Michel Préville ◽  
Helen-Maria Vasiliadis ◽  
Djamal Berbiche
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Skin Conditions

Background: Depression is frequently observed in dermatologic patients. However, the association between depressive disorders and skin conditions has rarely been explored through population-based studies, especially within older-adult populations. Objective: To test this association in a representative sample of an older-adult population. Methods: Data came from the Survey on the Health of the Elderly (Enquête sur la Santé des Aînés [ESA]), a longitudinal survey conducted in Quebec among 2,811 older adults. Cross-lagged panel models were used to simultaneously examine cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between the presence of skin conditions and depressive disorders. Results: The prevalence of skin conditions was 13%, and the prevalence of depressive disorders among participants presenting with skin conditions was 11%. Our results indicated significant cross-sectional correlation ( ζ = 0.20) between skin conditions and depressive disorders, but no longitudinal association was observed. Conclusion: Our results reinforce the hypothesis that skin conditions and depressive disorders are concurrently associated in older adults. However, no evidence of the predictive effect of skin problems on depression (and vice versa) was found in our community sample. Despite the deleterious effect of the coexistence of these problems in older adults, studies are lacking. This article highlights the importance of this issue and emphasizes the need for further research on this topic.

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