scholarly journals A TELEHEALTH DELIRIUM COACHING INTERVENTION FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF OLDER ADULTS WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S844-S844
Author(s):  
Deborah A D’Avolio ◽  
Andra Opalinski ◽  
David Newman
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
General Health ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Coaching Intervention ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Delirium Prevention ◽  
Human Connection

Abstract The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate the feasibility of a telehealth coaching intervention for delirium prevention among family caregivers (FCs) of community-dwelling older adults with dementia. This study used an explanatory mixed methods design in which survey data was augmented with semi-structured interviews. A purposive sample of 20 older adult dyads participated. The intervention consisted of 6-weeks of telephone coaching sessions. FCs conducted daily delirium assessments. We employed correlations and GLM to investigate the relationships between variables and the outcomes. Results: The model showed a statistically significant positive correlation between the Human Connection Scale and the SF-36 pretest domain of general health (r= .47, p= .04). There were statistically significant positive correlations between the Human Connection Scale and the SF-36 posttest domains of physical functioning (r= .54, p= .014) and general health (r= .76, p<.001). There were a small positive changes in mean scores on each domain between the pre- and post-test scores on the SF-36. The most impressive findings came from FCs identification of delirium using the FAM-CAM. These participants had no history of delirium but 6 of 20 (30%) reported at least one episode of delirium. The qualitative data revealed that FGs found weekly coaching sessions beneficial and supportive. The results suggests that the intervention has a meaningful impact on how we assess delirium in the community and warrants further study.

scholarly journals How Do Family Caregivers’ Values Influence Pain Management for Older Adults with Dementia?

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 949-949
Author(s):  
Hui Zhao ◽  
Pamela Kulbok ◽  
Ishan Williams ◽  
Carol Manning ◽  
Rafael Romo
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Pain Management ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Personal Values ◽  
Alternative Therapy ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Dementia Patients

Abstract Professional caregivers rely on formal training when managing pain among patients with dementia, but family caregivers (FCGs) lack this foundation. Instead, FCGs use informal sources that may reflect a values-driven decision-making process. Few studies have examined how FGCs’ personal values impact pain management for dementia patients. We sought to examine the influence of personal values on pain management among FCGs for community-dwelling older adults with dementia using qualitative descriptive methods. Twenty-five adult FCGs, aged from 29 to 95, were recruited in central Virginia. Participants were predominantly white, married, female, and high school graduates. We conducted semi-structured interviews that were audio recorded and analyzed using constant comparative analysis. Four themes emerged: 1) Priority for pain management: when quality of life is valued over other factors (i.e., length of life), priorities focused on no pain, leading to better pain management; 2) Moral perspectives: negative views toward drugs, especially opioids, led to less use and greater report of pain; 3) Beliefs about alternative therapy: negative views led to less likely use of non-traditional approaches and reports of more pain, and 4) Personal experience of pain: past personal experiences of pain (negative or positive) influenced the priority placed on pain management and the FCG’s ability to provide effective pain management. The diverse views held by FCGs demonstrate a value-based process and suggest a modifiable factor in pain management. Helping FCGs reflect biases while reinforcing values that improve pain management would lead to improve pain and quality of life for older adults with dementia.

scholarly journals Older Adults’ Motivations for Participating in a “Tune-Up” of Their Driving Skills: A Multi-Stakeholder Analysis

2020 ◽  
pp. 073346482098241
Author(s):  
Ruheena Sangrar ◽  
Kyung Joon Mun ◽  
Lauren E. Griffith ◽  
Lori Letts ◽  
Brenda Vrkljan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Stakeholder Analysis ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Older Drivers ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Driver Training ◽  
Near Misses ◽  
Driving Experience

Driver training has the potential to keep older adults safe behind-the-wheel for longer, yet there is limited evidence describing factors that influence their willingness to participate in training. Focus groups with community-dwelling older drivers ( n = 23; 70–90 years) and semi-structured interviews with driving instructors ( n = 6) and occupational therapists ( n = 5) were conducted to identify these factors. Qualitative descriptive analyses highlighted how self-awareness of behind-the-wheel abilities in later life can influence an older adult’s motivation to participate in driver training, as well as their willingness to discuss their behaviors. Collision-involvement and near-misses prompted participants to reflect on their driving abilities and their openness to feedback. Participants’ preferences for learning contexts that use a strengths-based approach and validate the driving experience of older drivers, while providing feedback on behind-the-wheel performance, were raised. Older driver training initiatives that consider the needs of the aging population in their design can promote road safety and community mobility.

The Importance of Religiosity to the Well-Being of African American Older Adults Living With Dementia

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 509-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fayron Epps ◽  
Ishan C. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Family Involvement ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Religious Practices ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Religious Activities ◽  
Structured Interviews

This study was a post hoc analysis of a larger qualitative descriptive study exploring family involvement in health promotion activities for African Americans living with dementia where participants identified religious practices as meaningful health promotion activities. The purpose of this study was to explore ways in which religiosity may influence the well-being of older adults living with dementia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among a sample of 22 family caregivers and 15 older adults living with dementia ( N = 37). Three themes emerged: Engagement, Promotion of Faith and Spiritual Connectedness, and Maintenance of Religious Practices. It is imperative for family caregivers to understand the important contributions of religious activities and beliefs to the well-being of their family member. This information might be of use for faith communities, policy makers, and health care providers in the provision of optimal person-centered care and the promotion of quality of life for persons living with dementia.

scholarly journals I’m Not Creative in That Way: Older Adults’ Differential Experiences of an Arts-Based Intervention

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 835-835
Author(s):  
Colette Brown ◽  
Andrea Chirino ◽  
Cristina Cortez ◽  
Cassandra Gearhart
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Conceptual Art ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cognitively Normal ◽  
Cognitive Improvement ◽  
Adult Participants ◽  
Art Activities ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract A recent 12-week intervention study revealed that making conceptual art is linked to improved cognitive health among community-dwelling older adults (Brown et al., 2020). Unknown, however, is whether the intervention experience differed for participants who exhibited more versus less improvement. This pilot study examined 163 excerpts from semi-structured interviews with cognitively normal, older adult participants (N = 11, Mean age = 72.82). Using thematic analysis and data displays on Dedoose, key themes were distilled regarding intervention acceptability. Participants exhibiting less cognitive improvement more often mentioned personally connecting to topics of dementia and aging through art, but more often mentioned scheduling conflicts. Conversely, participants exhibiting greater cognitive improvement more often mentioned experiencing intellectual enrichment, but feeling insecure about their art capabilities. Novel art activities may be personally meaningful and cognitively stimulating for some participants, but emotionally frustrating for others. Future work should explore ways to optimize arts-based interventions for older participants.

scholarly journals The type 2 diabetes-specific dementia risk score (DSDRS) is associated with frailty, cognitive and functional status amongst Mexican community-dwelling older adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar Yaxmehen Bello-Chavolla ◽  
Carlos Alberto Aguilar-Salinas ◽  
José Alberto Avila-Funes
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Dementia Risk ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background The type 2 diabetes (T2D) specific dementia-risk score (DSDRS) was developed to evaluate dementia risk in older adults with T2D. T2D-related factors have been shown increase the risk of age-related conditions, which might also increase dementia risk. Here, we investigate the associations of DSDRS with frailty, disability, quality of life (QoL) and cognition in community-dwelling older adults with T2D. Methods We included 257 community-dwelling older adults with T2D to evaluate the association between DSDRS and Mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Isaac’s set-test (IST), clock drawing test (CDT), quality of life (SF-36), risk of malnutrition (Mini-Nutritional Assessment or MNA), as well as frailty, Katz’ and Lawton-Brody scores. We also assessed the phenotype and correlates of high-estimated dementia risk by assessing individuals with DSDRS >75th age-specific percentiles. Results Mean age of participants was 78.0 ± 6.2 years. DSDRS showed a significant correlation with MMSE test, IST, CDT, SF-36, MNA, Lawton-Brody and Katz scores, and an increasing number of frailty components. DSDRS was higher among frail, pre-frail, and subjects with limited ADL and IADL (p < 0.001). Participants with DSDRS >75th age-specific percentiles had lower education, MMSE, IST, SF-36, MNA, Katz, Lawton-Brody, and higher frailty scores. High-estimated 10-year dementia risk was associated with ADL and IADL disability, frailty and risk of malnutrition. When assessing individual components of DSDRS, T2D-related microvascular complications were associated to all outcome measures. Conclusion The DSDRS is associated with frailty, disability, malnutrition and lower cognitive performance. These findings support that T2D-related factors have significant burden on functional status, QoL, disability and dementia risk.

scholarly journals Robotic Pet Use Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (9) ◽  
pp. 2018-2028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janella Hudson ◽  
Rachel Ungar ◽  
Laurie Albright ◽  
Rifky Tkatch ◽  
James Schaeffer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Effective Solution ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Active Lifestyles ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Objective The primary purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy of robotic pets in alleviating loneliness for older adults. Method Self-reported lonely individuals with AARP Medicare Supplement plans insured by UnitedHealthcare who participated in a program with a robotic pet (n = 20) were recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews. Participants were asked to provide feedback about their experiences interacting with a robotic pet, their perceptions about the potential impact on loneliness, and recommendations for improving the program. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Participants’ responses were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Constant comparison and consensus-gaining processes were used to develop categories that later formed representative themes. Results Seven themes emerged from analysis: Openness to Adoption of Robotic Pet, Reactions to Pet and its Attributes, Integration of Pet in Daily Life, Strategic Utilization and Forging New Connections, Deriving Comfort and Camaraderie, Advice for Future Users, and Recommendations for Enhancing Ownership Experience. Participants living alone, with fewer social connections and less active lifestyles, derived the most benefit from interacting with their pets. Common responses to pets included cuddling, petting, grooming, and sleeping with them. Some shared or loaned their pets, while others refused to loan their pets to interested peers. Most reported showing their pets to others, which helped some facilitate communication and social connections. Conclusion Robotic pets may be an effective solution for alleviating loneliness in older adults, especially among those who live alone, have fewer social connections, and live less active lifestyles.

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