scholarly journals Speech Analysis to Evaluate Robot-Assisted Recreation of Older Adults with Dementia

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 777-783
Author(s):  
Tomoko Nariai ◽  
Shiroh Itai ◽  
Hiroaki Kojima ◽  
◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Speech Analysis ◽  
Robot Assisted ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Subjective Analysis ◽  
Field Level ◽  
Speech Data

We investigated robot-assisted recreation (RAR) for improving the quality of life (QoL) of older adults with dementia in an aged care facility. However, as a simple method to evaluate RAR has not been established at the field level, limited scientific data exists to show its effectiveness. To solve this problem, we studied a method to evaluate RAR based on speech analysis, which can reduce the burden on subjects (older adults) and data analysts. This study conducted both subjective and objective analyses of speech data. Subjective analysis based on the transcripts of speech data resulted in findings that supported and added to the knowledge of previous research, such as an increased willingness to participate in RAR, positive feelings toward the future, and interest in interacting with others. The results of the objective analysis based on the fundamental frequency (F0) demonstrated that there was a difference in the distribution of F0 during RAR and the interviews conducted before and after RAR. This study thus provides the prospect for easy evaluation of recreational activities, including RAR, in aged care facilities at the field level using speech analysis.

scholarly journals Trajectories of Hospital Readmission After A Fall Injury for Older Adults Living in Aged Care or The Community

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Mitchell ◽  
Brian Draper ◽  
Jacqueline Close ◽  
Lara Harvey ◽  
Henry Brodaty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hospital Readmission ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Group Membership ◽  
Hospital Readmissions ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Community Living ◽  
Fall Injury ◽  
Trajectory Group

IntroductionFall injuries are one of the leading causes of hospitalisation for adults aged ≥65 years. Distinguishing key characteristics of older adults who are either living in aged care or in the community who have multiple hospital readmissions after a fall injury may inform targeted approaches to the prevention of hospital readmissions. Objectives and ApproachTo examine trajectories of hospital readmission of older adults living in aged care or the community after a fall injury hospitalisation and to identify factors predictive of trajectory group membership. A group-based trajectory analysis of hospital readmissions of adults aged ≥65 years who had a fall injury hospitalisation during 2008-09 in New South Wales, Australia was conducted. Linked hospitalisation and aged care data were examined for a 5 year period to 2013. Group-based trajectory models were derived based on number of subsequent readmissions following the index admission. Multinominal logistic regression examined predictors of trajectory group membership. ResultsThere were 24,729 fall injury hospitalisations; 78.8% of fallers were living in the community and 21.2% in aged care. Five distinct trajectory groups were identified for community-living (i.e. Moderate-declining, Chronic, Low-constant, Low-declining, and High users) and four trajectory groups for aged care residents (i.e. Low, Moderate-declining, Moderate-chronic, and High users). Key predictors of trajectory group membership for both community-living and aged care residents were age group, number of comorbidities, and dementia status. For aged care residents, depression, assistance with activities of daily living, and number of subsequent fall injury admissions were also predictors of group membership, with time to move to an aged care facility a predictor of group membership for community-living. Conclusion / ImplicationsIdentifying trajectories of ongoing hospital use informs targeting of strategies to reduce hospital admissions and design of services to allow community-living individuals to remain as long as possible within their own residence.

scholarly journals Older adults’ understandings and perspectives on frailty in community and residential aged care: an interpretive description

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. e035339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandy Archibald ◽  
Michael Lawless ◽  
Rachel C Ambagtsheer ◽  
Alison Kitson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Care Group ◽  
Static State ◽  
Consumer Perspective

ObjectivesDespite growing interest in frailty as a significant public health challenge, comparatively little is known about how older adults perceive and experience frailty, limiting the effectiveness of strategies to improve frailty management and prevention. The objective of this study was to understand how older people, including frail older persons in residential aged care, perceive and understand frailty through an interpretive–descriptive qualitative study.SettingAged care facility, community-based university for older persons and an aged care auxiliary care group in a large metropolitan centre in South Australia.Participants39 non-frail, prefrail, frail and very frail South Australian older adults.MethodsSeven focus groups were conducted. Participants completed one of two frailty instruments depending on setting and indicated whether they self-identified as frail. Data were analysed inductively and thematically by two independent investigators.ResultsFrailty was described according to three schemas of (1) the old and frail: a static state near the end of life; (2) frailty at any age: a disability model; and (3) frailty as a loss of independence: control, actions and identity. In addition, a theme was identifying linking mindset, cognition and emotion to frailty. The term frailty was viewed negatively and was often implicated with personal choice. There was little correlation between frailty assessments and whether participants self-identified as frail.ConclusionsAside from a disability model, views of frailty as unmodifiable permeated older persons’ diverse perspectives on frailty and are likely to impact health behaviours. To our knowledge, this is among the largest qualitative studies examining consumer perceptions of frailty and contributes a clinically relevant schema linking age, prevention and modifiability from a consumer perspective.

It’s Not Just Physical: Exercise Physiologist-Led Exercise Program Promotes Functional and Psychosocial Health Outcomes in Aged Care

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette J. Raynor ◽  
Fiona Iredale ◽  
Robert Crowther ◽  
Jane White ◽  
Julie Dare
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Exercise Intervention ◽  
Exercise Physiology ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Psychosocial Health ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Exercise Physiologist

Regular physical activity has multiple benefits for older adults, including improved physical, cognitive, and psychosocial health. This exploratory study investigated the benefits of a 12-week exercise program for older adults (n = 11 control and n = 13 intervention) living in a residential aged care facility in Perth, Western Australia. The program, prescribed and delivered by an accredited exercise physiologist, aimed to maintain or improve participants’ physical capacity. It comprised one-on-one exercise sessions (1 hr × 2 days/week × 12 weeks), involving a components-approach intervention. Physical performance measures (balance, strength, flexibility, and mobility) were assessed preintervention and postintervention. Qualitative interviews postintervention with residents participating in the exercise intervention, and with family members, staff, and research team members, explored barriers and enablers to participation and perceived psychosocial outcomes. Findings indicate the program provided physical benefits and enhanced social engagement for participants, illustrating the value of providing exercise physiology services in the aged care sector.

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