scholarly journals Medications and Falls Experiences among Older People

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-383
Author(s):  
Jiyoon Han ◽  
Eunok Park

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the status of drug use and analyze the effects of drug use on falls among older people.Methods: The data were collected from 285 community-dwelling older persons through interviewing with questionnaires and checking participants’ medication prescriptions and the drugs using the Korea Pharmaceutical Information Center’s (KPIC) website. The medications were classified into anatomical and therapeutic divisions based on the medications’ ingredients provided by the KPIC. x2 test, ANOVA, t-test, and logistic regressions were applied to analyze the data.Results: The finding showed that 81.4% of the older adults were taking medications. Older people taking antihyperlipidemic drugs were at 1.79 times higher risk for experiencing a fall (95% CI=1.01~3.16, p=.046), and hypnotic sedative and sleeping pills increased their fall risks 11.06 times (95% CI=1.27~96.07, p=.029) compared to those not taking the medications. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents showed a 2.74 odds ratio (95% CI=1.23~5.73, p=.013) and narcotic analgesics increased the fall experience risk 8.56 times (95% CI=1.02~71.88, p=.048). Those with chronic diseases experienced falls 3.04 times more than those without chronic diseases.Conclusion: The study findings showed medications might be one of the important influencing factors on fall risks among older adults. Raising awareness of fall risks associated with medicines through health education and medication reviews by health professionals should be considered a strategy for preventing older adults' falls.

2021 ◽  
pp. 105477382110339
Author(s):  
Bei Li ◽  
Xiuxiu Huang ◽  
Chenchen Meng ◽  
Qiaoqin Wan ◽  
Yongan Sun

Dementia is prevalent in worldwide, and increases the care burden and potential costs. Physical activity (PA) has been increasingly shown to be beneficial for them. This was a cross-sectional observational study aiming to investigate the status of PA among community-dwelling older adults with dementia in Beijing or Hangzhou, China, and verify the relationships between neuropsychiatric symptoms, activities of daily living (ADL), caregivers’ fear of patients’ falling and their PA using a path analysis approach. The level of PA among 216 included people with dementia was low. PA was related to the neuropsychiatric symptoms, with ADL and caregivers’ fear of patients’ falling have mediation roles. The findings indicated that person-centered strategies related to the management of these symptoms might be helpful to improve ADL, relieve caregivers’ concerns about them falling and consequently foster positive participation in PA.


Drugs & Aging ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 785-792 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoit Cossette ◽  
Maimouna Bagna ◽  
Modou Sene ◽  
Caroline Sirois ◽  
Gabrielle P. Lefebvre ◽  
...  

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. e022205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Williamson ◽  
Lesley Ward ◽  
Karan Vadher ◽  
Susan J Dutton ◽  
Ben Parker ◽  
...  

IntroductionNeurogenic claudication due to spinal stenosis is common in older adults. The effectiveness of conservative interventions is not known. The aim of the study is to estimate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a physiotherapist-delivered, combined physical and psychological intervention.Methods and analysisThis is a pragmatic, multicentred, randomised controlled trial. Participants are randomised to a combined physical and psychological intervention (Better Outcomes for Older people with Spinal Trouble (BOOST) programme) or best practice advice (control). Community-dwelling adults, 65 years and over, with neurogenic claudication are identified from community and secondary care services. Recruitment is supplemented using a primary care-based cohort. Participants are registered prospectively and randomised in a 2:1 ratio (intervention:control) using a web-based service to ensure allocation concealment. The target sample size is a minimum of 402. The BOOST programme consists of an individual assessment and twelve 90 min classes, including education and discussion underpinned by cognitive behavioural techniques, exercises and walking circuit. During and after the classes, participants undertake home exercises and there are two support telephone calls to promote adherence with the exercises. Best practice advice is delivered in one to three individual sessions with a physiotherapist. The primary outcome is the Oswestry Disability Index at 12 months. Secondary outcomes include the 6 Minute Walk Test, Short Physical Performance Battery, Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire and Gait Self-Efficacy Scale. Outcomes are measured at 6 and 12 months by researchers who are masked to treatment allocation. The primary statistical analysis will be by ‘intention to treat’. There is a parallel health economic evaluation and qualitative study.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was given on 3 March 2016 (National Research Ethics Committee number: 16/LO/0349). This protocol adheres to the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials checklist. The results will be reported at conferences and in peer-reviewed publications using the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines. A plain English summary will be published on the BOOST website.Trial registration numberISRCTN12698674; Pre-results.


2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (15) ◽  
pp. 2685-2693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilse Bloom ◽  
Wendy Lawrence ◽  
Mary Barker ◽  
Janis Baird ◽  
Elaine Dennison ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo explore influences on diet in a group of community-dwelling older adults in the UK.DesignData were collected through focus group discussions with older people; discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and transcripts analysed thematically.SettingHertfordshire, UK.SubjectsParticipants were sampled purposively from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study, focusing on those whose diets had been assessed at two time points: 1998–2001 and 2011.ResultsNinety-two adults participated (47 % women; 74–83 years) and eleven focus groups were held. A number of age-related factors were identified that were linked to food choices, including lifelong food experiences, retirement, bereavement and medical conditions, as well as environmental factors (such as transport). There appeared to be variability in how individuals responded to these influences, indicating that other underlying factors may mediate the effects of age-related factors on diet. Discussions about ‘keeping going’, being motivated to ‘not give up’, not wanting to be perceived as ‘old’, as well as examples of resilience and coping strategies, suggest the importance of mediating psychological factors. In addition, discussion about social activities and isolation, community spirit and loneliness, indicated the importance of social engagement as an influence on diet.ConclusionsInterventions to promote healthier diets in older age should take account of underlying psychological and social factors that influence diet, which may mediate the effects of age-related factors.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcello Ienca ◽  
Christophe Schneble ◽  
Reto Kressig ◽  
Tenzin Wangmo

Abstract BackgroundDigital health technologies are being increasingly developed with the aim of allowing older adults to maintain functional independence throughout the old age, a process known as healthy ageing. Such digital health technologies for healthy ageing are expected to mitigate the socio-economic effects of population ageing and improve the quality of life of older people. However, little is known regarding the views and needs of older people regarding these technologies. AimThe aim of this study is to explore the views, needs and perceptions of community-dwelling older adults regarding the use of digital health technologies for healthy ageing. MethodFace-to-face, in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with community-dwelling older adults (median age 79.6 years). The interview process involved both abstract reflections and practical demonstrations. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed according to inductive content analysis. ResultsThree main themes and twelve sub-themes emerged. The three main themes revolved around the following thematic areas: favorable views and perceptions on technology-assisted living, usability evaluations and ethical considerations. ConclusionsOur study reveals a generally positive attitude towards digital health technologies as participants believed digital tools could positively contribute to improving their overall wellbeing, especially if designed in a patient-centered manner. Safety concerns and ethical issues related to privacy, empowerment and lack of human contact also emerged as key considerations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 910-916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miji Kim ◽  
Chang Won Won

Abstract Background in October 2018, the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2) updated their original definition of sarcopenia to reflect the scientific and clinical evidence that has accumulated over the last decade. Objective to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia in a large group of community-dwelling older adults using the EWGSOP2 definition and algorithm. Design a cross-sectional study. Setting the nationwide Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study (KFACS). Subjects a total of 2,099 ambulatory community-dwelling older adults, aged 70–84 years (mean age, 75.9 ± 4.0 years; 49.8% women) who were enrolled in the KFACS. Methods physical function was assessed by handgrip strength, usual gait speed, the five-times-sit-to-stand test, the timed up-and-go test, and the Short Physical Performance Battery. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results according to the criteria of the EWGSOP2, the sarcopenia indicators of combined low muscle strength and low muscle quantity were present in 4.6–14.5% of men and 6.7–14.4% of women. The severe sarcopenia indicators of combined low muscle strength, low muscle quantity and low physical performance were present in 0.3–2.2% of men and 0.2–6.2% of women. Using the clinical algorithm with SARC-F as a screening tool, the prevalence of probable sarcopenia (2.2%), confirmed sarcopenia (1.4%) and severe sarcopenia (0.8%) was low. Conclusions the prevalence of sarcopenia among community-dwelling older individuals varied depending on which components of the revised EWGSOP2 definition were used, such as the tools used to measure muscle strength and the ASM indicators for low muscle mass.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Samaras ◽  
Steve Makkar ◽  
John D Crawford ◽  
Nicole A Kochan ◽  
Wei Wen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Metformin use in diabetes has been associated with both increased and decreased dementia rates in observational studies of people with diabetes. Objective: To examine changes in global cognition and specific cognitive domains over 6 years in older adults with diabetes treated with metformin, compared to other glucose lowering medications, and to people without diabetes. Methods Data were examined from the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study, a prospective observational study of 6 years duration of 1037 non-demented community-dwelling elderly aged 70-90 at baseline, derived from a compulsory electoral roll. Neuropsychological testing was performed every 2 years with domain measures of memory, executive function, language, visuospatial function, attention and processing speed and a composite of global cognition. Data were analysed by linear mixed modelling, including age, sex, education, body mass index, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, smoking and apolipoprotein E ε4 carriage as covariates. Results: At baseline, 123 participants had diabetes (DM) with 67 receiving metformin (DM+MF) who were similar in demographics to those not receiving metformin (DM-noMF) and those without diabetes (no-DM). Participants with diabetes had higher BMI, lower HDL- and LDL-cholesterol and more prevalent heart disease, hypertension and smoking, compared to no-DM. Over 6-years, DM+MF participants had significantly slower rates of decline in global cognition and executive function, compared to DM-noMF, adjusted for covariates. The rate of decline for each cognitive domain was similar between DM+MF and controls. No impact was found in analyses examining interactions with sex, ApoEε4 carriage or hyperlipidemia. No difference was found in the rate of decline in brain volumes between the groups over 2 years. Incident dementia was significantly higher in DM-noMF, compared to DM+MF (adjusted OR 5.29 [95% CI 1.17-23.88], p,0.05), whereas risk of incident dementia was similar between DM+MF and participants without diabetes. Conclusions: In older people with diabetes receiving metformin, rates of cognitive decline and dementia were similar to that found in people without diabetes and significantly less than that found in people with diabetes not receiving metformin. Large randomized studies in people with and without diabetes are required to determine whether these associations can be attributed to metformin alone or if other factors explain these observations. Future studies will clarify if this cheap and safe medication can be repurposed for prevention of cognitive decline in older people.


2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 573-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalia Perleberg Bachettini ◽  
Renata Moraes Bielemann ◽  
Thiago Gonzalez Barbosa-Silva ◽  
Ana Maria Baptista Menezes ◽  
Elaine Tomasi ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 1679-1691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Almudena López-Lopez ◽  
José L. González ◽  
Miriam Alonso-Fernández ◽  
Noelia Cuidad ◽  
Borja Matías

ABSTRACTBackground:Chronic pain is likely to lead to depressive symptoms, but the nature of this relationship is not completely clear. The aim of the present study is to analyze the role of activity restriction in the pain-depression relationship in older people, and to test the hypothesis that this role is more relevant in community-dwelling older people than in nursing home residents.Method:Depressive symptoms, pain intensity, and activity restriction were measured in a sample of 208 older adults with osteoarthritis, 102 living in nursing homes (NH), and 106 in the community. Analyses were carried out using moderation and moderated mediation analyses approach, treating activity restriction as a confounder.Results:Results showed a significant confounding effect of activity restriction, interaction effect between pain intensity and activity restriction on depression, and modifying effect of pain intensity on depression by adding activity restriction into the model. These results suggest a potential mediating and moderating effects of activity restriction. Moreover, analyses suggest that, surprisingly, the strength of the mediation could be higher in nursing homes.Conclusions:Overall, it may be that what is really important to emotional well-being is not so much pain itself, but rather the way in which the pain alters older people's lives. The greater strength of the mediation in NH might be understood within the scope of self-determination theory. Generally speaking, the NH context has been considered as a coercive setting, promoting non-autonomous orientation. In this context, when events are objectively coercive, people may lack perceived autonomy and hence be at greater risk of depression.


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