scholarly journals Antibody Responses in Elderly Residential Care Persons following COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination

Author(s):  
David A Nace ◽  
Kevin E Kip ◽  
Octavia M Peck Palmer ◽  
Michael R Shurin ◽  
Katie Mulvey ◽  
...  

Objective COVID-19 disproportionately impacts older adults residing at long-term care facilities. Data regarding antibody response to COVID-19 vaccines in this population is limited. Our objective was to quantify the presence and magnitude of antibody response in older, vaccinated residents at assisted living, personal care, and independent living facilities. Design A cross-sectional quality improvement study was conducted March 15-April 1, 2021 in the Pittsburgh region. Setting and Population Participants were volunteers at assisted living, personal care, and independent living facilities, who received mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Conditions that obviate immune responses were exclusionary criteria. Methods Sera were collected to measure IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody level with reflex to total anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin levels. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression analysis were performed to evaluate relationships between factors potentially associated with antibody levels. Results All participants (N=70) had received two rounds of vaccination for COVID-19 and were found to have antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. There was wide variation in relative levels of antibodies as determined by extinction coefficients. Antibody levels trended lower in male sex, advanced age, steroid medications, and longer length of time from vaccination. Conclusions and Implications Higher functioning long-term care residents mounted detectable antibody responses when vaccinated with COVID-19 mRNA-based vaccines. This study provides preliminary information on level of population risk of assisted living, personal care, and independent living residents which can inform reopening strategies. Data suggests some degree of immunity is present during the immediate period following vaccination. However, protective effects of such vaccination programs remain to be determined in larger studies. Clinical protection is afforded not just by pre-formed antibody levels, but by ongoing adaptive immunity, which is known to be decreased in older individuals. Thus, the implications of these levels of antibodies in preventing COVID-19 disease must be determined by clinical follow-up.

Author(s):  
Tahira I. Lodhi ◽  
Tania Alchalabi

Given the increase in the geriatric population, the norms of long-term care systems will be forced to change in societies all over the world. This chapter provides an overview of the different levels of care available, from independent living to inpatient, subacute, rehab, assisted living facilities, group homes, and long-term care. A case study is provided of a couple’s declining health trajectory and worsening functional status, identifying resources that pay for various levels of care. Given that care plans must be tailored to the patient’s needs and circumstance, this review provides the foundation to build the structure of a transition or discharge plan. The use of complementary and alternative medicine in long-term care facilities is briefly covered.


2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth R. A. Beattie ◽  
JunAh Song ◽  
Shane LaGore

Wandering, a challenging behavior associated with dementia, affects many residents of long-term care facilities and can result in elopement, injury, and death. Most studies of wandering have taken place in nursing homes (NH). Expansion of the long-term care sector over the last 2 decades has resulted in a surge in options such as assisted living facilities (ALF). This study compared wandering behavior of residents (N = 108) in 21 long-term care facilities (15 NH, 6 ALF). Staff used the Revised Algase Wandering Scale-Nursing Home Version (RAWS-NH) to quantify wandering. While there were some differences in demographic variables (i.e., race, motor ability) between NH and ALF participants, no significant differences were found in either RAWS-NH overall or any of the 6 subscale scores. This suggests that the expression of wandering is similar in long-term care residents across all dimensions of the RAWS-NH regardless of facility type. Findings are of concern for those involved in the safe management and protection of residents at risk for wandering, particularly in long-term care facilities with underregulated staffing and training requirements.


2005 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. S272-S280 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. M. Agree ◽  
V. A. Freedman ◽  
J. C. Cornman ◽  
D. A. Wolf ◽  
J. E. Marcotte

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. e024439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masashige Saito ◽  
Jun Aida ◽  
Naoki Kondo ◽  
Junko Saito ◽  
Hirotaka Kato ◽  
...  

ObjectivesReducing costs related to functional disabilities and long-term care (LTC) is necessary in ageing societies. We evaluated the differences in the cumulative cost of public LTC insurance (LTCI) services by social participation.DesignProspective observational study.SettingOur baseline survey was conducted in March 2006 among people aged 65 or older who were not eligible for public LTCI benefits and were selected using a complete enumeration in Tokoname City, Japan. We followed up with their LTC services costs over a period of 11 years. Social participation was assessed by the frequency of participation in clubs for hobbies, sports or volunteering. We adopted a classical linear regression analysis and an inverse probability weighting (IPW), with multiple imputation of missing values.ParticipantsFunctionally independent 5377 older adults.Primary outcome measuresThe cumulative cost of public LTCI services for 11 years.ResultsEven when adjusting for the confounding variables, social participation at the baseline was negatively associated with the cumulative cost of LTCI services. The IPW model showed that in respondents who participated in hobby activities once a week or more, the cumulative cost of LTCI services for 11 years was lower, approximately US$3500 per person, in comparison to non-participants. Similarly, that in respondents who participated in sports group or clubs was lower, approximately US$6000 than non-participants.ConclusionsOlder adults’ participation in community organisations may help reduce future LTC costs. Promoting participation opportunities in the community could ensure the financial stability of LTCI services.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document