scholarly journals Community-based e-Health Program for Older Adults with Chronic Diseases: An Innovative Program Development and Pilot Evaluation (Preprint)

JMIR Aging ◽  
10.2196/33118 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xi Vivien Wu ◽  
Yanhong DONG ◽  
Janet Poh Choo Tan ◽  
Peiying Gan ◽  
Di Zhang ◽  
...  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S259-S260
Author(s):  
Keith W Turner ◽  
Cheng Yin

Abstract Background: Studies have shown that participation in community-based self-management education programs can result in improved healthful behaviors (exercise, cognitive symptom management, coping, and communications with physicians), improved health status (self-reported health, fatigue, disability, social/role activities, and health distress), and decreased days in the hospital. Problem: One of the understudied factors thought to influence efficacy in community based self-management programs is the presence and impacts of multiple chronic conditions on participants within community based behavioral health program populations. Multiple chronic diseases when scaled collectively can be considered as a participant’s individual disease burden to be included in other analyses. Methodology: This investigation explores possible ways disease burden associates with such important constructs as participant personal characteristics and participant confidence in controlling impacts of their disease symptoms and participant preferences for use of various methods of coping with disease impacts. Outcomes: Results indicate a complex pattern of relationships between such factors as personal characteristics of program participants and their perceived mastery over the impacts of their disease symptoms, and their preferred mechanisms for coping. Implications: program designers and managers can better understand the differential influences of disease burden on participants analyzed with their personal characteristics and their preferential uses for coping mechanisms and their perceived ability to withstand the added burdens of multiple chronic diseases.


Author(s):  
Priscila de Paula Marques ◽  
Daniela de Assumpção ◽  
Roseli Rezende ◽  
Anita Liberalesso Neri ◽  
Priscila Maria Stolses Bergamo Francisco

Abstract Objectives : To estimate the prevalence of polypharmacy among older adults (≥65 years); to verify its association with sociodemographic variables, nutritional status and health conditions; to describe the prevalence of polypharmacy according to the presence of specific chronic diseases, and to report the method of acquiring drugs. Method : A cross-sectional study was performed with older adults (n=2,217) from seven Brazilian municipal regions. The prevalence of polypharmacy and its 95% confidence intervals were estimated. Associations were verified using Pearson’s Chi-squared test with a significance level of 5%, and the independent associations between the selected variables and polypharmacy were verified by multiple hierarchical Poisson regression. Results : The prevalence of polypharmacy was 18.4% (CI95%:16.8-20.0), and was significantly lower among non-white individuals, those who did not have a health plan, and those who assessed their health as very good/good (p<0.05). Obesity: (PR=1.36; CI95%:1.06-1.75), increased waist circumference (PR=1.54; CI95%:1.08-2.20) and presence of two (PR=2.24; CI95%:1.52-3.31) or three or more (PR=4.22; CI95%:2.96-6.02) chronic diseases were positively associated with polypharmacy. Polypharmacy was observed in about 30.0% of older adults with heart disease, diabetes mellitus and/or strokes/CVA/ischemia. The frequency of older adults who acquired drugs in Basic Health Units was 20.3% and those who obtained them via their own/family resources was 13.5%. Conclusion : Among older adults, the identification of segments with a higher prevalence of polypharmacy enables a better structuring of the provision of treatment during their care pathway, allowing special attention to be paid to problems related to the use of drugs.


2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lianping Ti ◽  
◽  
Despina Tzemis ◽  
Margot Kuo ◽  
Jane Buxton

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Majid Mufaqam Syed-Abdul ◽  
Chrissa L. McClellan ◽  
Elizabeth J. Parks ◽  
Stephen D. Ball

Abstract Ageing is associated with reduced muscle mass, strength, flexibility and balance, resulting in a poor quality of life (QOL). Past studies have occurred in highly controlled laboratory settings which provide strong support to determine whether similar gains can be made in community programmes. Twenty participants were enrolled in an eight-week community-based resistance training programme (mean age = 61.3 (standard error (SE) = 0.9) years); Body Mass Index = 32.0 (SE = 1.3) kg/m2). All participants completed surveys to assess outcomes associated with QOL. Given the relationship between muscle function and nerve health, nerve conduction studies (NCS) were also conducted in a separate group of participants (mean age = 64.9 (SE = 2.0) years; Body Mass Index = 32.6 (SE = 1.9) kg/m2). This community-based training programme significantly improved QOL measures in older adults (p < 0.001). Although weight loss was not the primary outcome of the study, participants reduced their body weights (p < 0.001), by primarily reducing fat mass (p = 0.007) while maintaining muscle mass. Significant improvements were observed in muscle strength (2.2%), flexibility and balance (3.2–464.2%, p ⩽ 0.05 for all). Improvements were also observed in plasma glucose (p = 0.05), haemoglobin A1C (p = 0.06) and aldolase enzyme levels (p < 0.001). Scores for surveys on memory and sleep improved (p < 0.05). Improved QOL was associated with increased lean mass (r = −0.714, p = 0.002), decreased fat mass (r = −0.702, p = 0.003) and improved flexibility and balance (r = −0.627, p = 0.008). An eight-week, community-based resistance training programme significantly improved QOL in older adults. Influence on the lipid profile and NCS still needs further investigation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 958-958
Author(s):  
Keith Chan ◽  
Sarah LaFave ◽  
Maggie Ratnayake ◽  
Christina Marsack-Topolewski ◽  
Jillian Graves ◽  
...  

Abstract There is a growing population of older adults who are living longer and acquiring chronic illness and disabilities, making it difficult for them to complete everyday activities and age in place. More than 2 million of these older adults are homebound and 5 million need help leaving their homes. They experience social isolation, food insecurity, and lack of connection to community resources which has intensified since the pandemic. Integrative service learning models can provide home-based support to older adults while offering valuable, hands-on learning experiences for students. This study examined findings for a community-based program which trained university students to provide practical home-based support for older adults and their caregivers. Data was collected for 109 older adults who were connected with student trainees. Students provided services with groceries, companionship, and help accessing needed services. Findings from t-test results using the UCLA Loneliness Scale indicated that older adults reported less loneliness after engagement with students (mean difference = 6.15, t = 3.14, df = 82, p &lt; 0.01). Qualitative process data suggested that older adults benefited from services and a connection to their assigned students prior to and during the pandemic. Student trainees reported that the experience enriched their learning and reaffirmed their commitment to working with older adults. Community-based service learning can address home-based needs of older adults and their caregivers and enhance learning opportunities for students. Policies and practice can support a pipeline of geriatric health professionals through innovative service learning models to benefit older adults, caregivers and students.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 505-505
Author(s):  
Matthew Farina ◽  
Phillip Cantu ◽  
Mark Hayward

Abstract Recent research has documented increasing education inequality in life expectancy among U.S. adults; however, much is unknown about other health status changes. The objective of study is to assess how healthy and unhealthy life expectancies, as classified by common chronic diseases, has changed for older adults across education groups. Data come from the Health and Retirement Study and National Vital Statistics. We created prevalence-based life tables using the Sullivan method to assess sex-specific life expectancies for stroke, heart disease, cancer, and arthritis by education group. In general, unhealthy life expectancy increased with each condition across education groups. However, the increases in unhealthy life expectancy varied greatly. While stroke increased by half a year across education groups, life expectancy with diabetes increased by 3 to 4 years. In contrast, the evidence for healthy life expectancy provides mixed results. Across chronic diseases, healthy life expectancy decreased by 1 to 3 years for respondents without a 4-year degree. Conversely, healthy life expectancy increased for the college educated by .5 to 3 years. While previous research shows increases in life expectancy for the most educated, trends in life expectancy with chronic conditions is less positive: not all additional years are in lived in good health. In addition to documenting life expectancy changes across education groups, research assessing health of older adults should consider the changing inequality across a variety of health conditions, which will have broad implications for population aging and policy intervention.


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