Initial assessment of the COVID-19 vaccination’s impact on case numbers, hospitalisations and deaths in people aged 80 years and older, 15 EU/EEA countries, December 2020 to May 2021

Nathalie Nicolay; Francesco Innocenti; Julien Beauté; Veronika Učakar; Marta Grgič Vitek; Eero Poukka; Tuula Hannila-Handelberg; Charmaine Gauci; Tanya Melillo; Theano Georgakopoulou; Jiri Jarkovsky; Pavel Slezak; Concepción Delgado-Sanz; Carmen Olmedo-Lucerón; Heleene Suija; Rasa Liausediene; Piaras O’Lorcain; Niamh Murphy; André Peralta-Santos; Pedro Casaca; Ioanna Gregoriou; Nick Bundle; Gianfranco Spiteri; Giovanni Ravasi

doi:10.2807/1560-7917.es.2021.26.48.2101030

Initial assessment of the COVID-19 vaccination’s impact on case numbers, hospitalisations and deaths in people aged 80 years and older, 15 EU/EEA countries, December 2020 to May 2021

Eurosurveillance ◽

10.2807/1560-7917.es.2021.26.48.2101030 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (48) ◽

Author(s):

Nathalie Nicolay ◽

Francesco Innocenti ◽

Julien Beauté ◽

Veronika Učakar ◽

Marta Grgič Vitek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Elderly People ◽

Risk Ratio ◽

Initial Assessment ◽

Vaccination Uptake ◽

Vaccination Campaigns

Prioritisation of elderly people in COVID-19 vaccination campaigns aimed at reducing severe outcomes in this group. Using EU/EEA surveillance and vaccination uptake, we estimated the risk ratio of case, hospitalisation and death notifications in people 80 years and older compared with 25–59-year-olds. Highest impact was observed for full vaccination uptake 80% or higher with reductions in notification rates of cases up to 65% (IRR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.13–0.99), hospitalisations up to 78% (IRR: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.13–0.37) and deaths up to 84% (IRR: 0.16; 95% CI: 0.13–0.20).

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TRATAMIENTO DE LA FRAGILIDAD Y APATÍA A TRAVÉS DE ACTIVIDADES PSICOMOTRICES EN LA ENFERMEDAD DE ALZHEIMER

International Journal of Developmental and Educational Psychology Revista INFAD de psicología ◽

10.17060/ijodaep.2016.n2.v1.561 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 103

Author(s):

Claudia Guillen-Betancort ◽

Guillermo Da Silva-Domingo ◽

Josefa González Santos ◽

Raquel De la Fuente-Anuncibay ◽

Álvaro Da Silva González ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Longitudinal Study ◽

Occupational Therapy ◽

Elderly People ◽

Disease Type ◽

Initial Assessment ◽

Spearman Correlation ◽

Vital Functions ◽

People With Dementia ◽

Relationship Of ◽

Therapy Treatment

Abstract.Objective: To implement an Occupational Therapy treatment in elderly people with dementia and frailtyMethod: A longitudinal study of a sample of 23 users, 14 women and 9 men aged between 71 and 92 is performed, the average age 84.66 years, users of a residence, presenting frailty and dementia. Carried out an initial assessment and final tests with Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and Dementia Apathy Interview and Rating (DAIR), participants attend occupational therapy sessions.Statistical analysis: it was performed nonparametric Wilcoxon, Spearman correlation and Mann Whitney U test.Results: We observed that the levels of fragility do not improve, there is no relationship of age with frailty, the level of apathy does not decrease with the intervention, there is no difference in the score of apathy or fragility by sex.Conclusions: the results indicate a maintenance of vital functions on both scales, which can be considered beneficial when dealing with degenerative processes.Keywords: fragility, apathy, dementia of Alzheimer’s disease type, psychomotor activities.Resumen.Objetivo: Implementar un tratamiento de Terapia Ocupacional en personas mayores con demencia y fragilidadMétodo: Se realiza un estudio longitudinal sobre una muestra de 23 usuarios, 14 mujeres y 9 hombres con edades comprendidas entre 71 y 92, siendo la edad media 84.66 años, usuarios de una residencia, que presentan fragilidad y demencia. Se lleva a cabo una evaluación inicial y otra final con las pruebas Batería Corta del Desempeño Físico (SPPB) y Dementia Apathy Interview and Rating (DAIR), los participantes asisten a sesiones de Terapia Ocupacional.Análisis estadístico: se llevan a cabo pruebas no paramétricas de Wilcoxon, Correlación de Spearman y U de Mann Whitney.Resultados: se observa que los niveles de fragilidad no mejoran, que no hay relación de la edad con la fragilidad, el nivel de apatía no disminuye con la intervención, no existen diferencias en la puntuación de apatía ni fragilidad según el sexo.Conclusiones. los resultados indican un mantenimiento de las funciones vitales en ambas escalas, lo que se puede considerar beneficioso al tratarse de procesos degenerativos.Palabras clave: fragilidad, apatía, demencia tipo Alzhéimer, actividades psicomotrices.

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Worldwide Vaccination Willingness for COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9101071 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 1071

Author(s):

Kimberly R. Nehal ◽

Lieke M. Steendam ◽

Maiza Campos Ponce ◽

Marinka van der Hoeven ◽

G. Suzanne A. Smit

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Vaccine Acceptance ◽

Vaccination Uptake ◽

Gender Education ◽

Attitudes And Perceptions ◽

Disease Reduction ◽

Susceptible Populations ◽

Vaccination Campaigns ◽

Fourth Wave

Countries across the globe are currently experiencing a third or fourth wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections; therefore, the need for effective vaccination campaigns is higher than ever. However, effectiveness of these campaigns in disease reduction is highly dependent on vaccination uptake and coverage in susceptible populations. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis estimated the vaccination intention and identified determinants of willingness and hesitancy. This study updates the existing body of literature on vaccination willingness, and was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed was searched for publications, selecting only studies published between 20 October 2020 and 1 March 2021, in English, with participants aged >16 years of age. The search identified 411 articles, of which 63 surveys were included that accounted for more than 30 countries worldwide. The global COVID-19 vaccination willingness was estimated at 66.01% [95% CI: 60.76–70.89% I2 = 99.4% [99.3%; 99.4%]; τ2 = 0.83]. The vaccination willingness varied within as well as between countries. Age, gender, education, attitudes and perceptions about vaccines were most frequently observed to be significantly associated with vaccine acceptance or refusal.

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Coincidence Analysis: A New Method for Causal Inference in Implementation Science

10.21203/rs.3.rs-58815/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Rebecca Garr Whitaker ◽

Nina Sperber ◽

Michael Baumgartner ◽

Alrik Thiem ◽

Deborah Cragun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Causal Inference ◽

Hpv Vaccination ◽

Implementation Strategies ◽

Local Context ◽

Comparative Approach ◽

Vaccination Rates ◽

Vaccination Uptake ◽

Level Data ◽

Working Together ◽

Vaccination Campaigns

Abstract BackgroundImplementation of multifaceted interventions typically involves many diverse elements working together in interrelated ways, including intervention components, implementation strategies, and features of local context. Given this real-world complexity, implementation researchers may be interested in a new mathematical, cross-case method called Coincidence Analysis (CNA) that has been designed explicitly to support causal inference, answer research questions about combinations of conditions that are minimally necessary or sufficient for an outcome, and identify the possible presence of multiple causal paths to an outcome. CNA can be applied as a standalone method or in conjunction with other approaches, and can reveal new empirical findings related to implementation that might otherwise have gone undetected.MethodsWe applied CNA to a publicly available dataset from Sweden with county-level data on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaigns and vaccination uptake in 2012 and 2014 and then compared CNA results to the published regression findings.ResultsThe original regression analysis found vaccination uptake was positively associated only with the availability of vaccines in schools. CNA produced different findings and uncovered an additional solution path: high vaccination rates were achieved by either (1) offering the vaccine in all schools or (2) a combination of offering the vaccine in some schools and media coverage.ConclusionsCNA offers a new comparative approach for researchers seeking to understand how implementation conditions work together and link to outcomes.

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CAREGIVER SATISFACTION FOR TELEREHABILITATION AND FOLLOW-UP INTERVENTION FOR ELDERLY FAMILIES WITH DEMENTIA

10.5327/1980-5764.rpda075 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Renata Gerassi ◽

Larissa de Andrade ◽

Maria Candanedo ◽

Carolina Tsen ◽

Décio Neto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Elderly People ◽

The Elderly ◽

Initial Assessment ◽

Fundamental Aspect ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Phone Calls ◽

People With Dementia ◽

The Individual ◽

And Control

Background: Understanding the satisfaction with telerehabilitation as a positive evaluation of the individual about the service offered, this is a fundamental aspect to measure the quality of care and the relevance of these services provided. Objective: Compare the caregiver’s satisfaction to a telerehabilitation program and to a remote follow-up for families of elderly people with dementia. Methods: Randomized clinical trial, with blinding of the evaluator, controlled by two groups: Intervention (IG) and Control (CG). In the initial assessment, 10 caregivers of elderly people with dementia were included. The IG received the telerehabilitation program, with standardized physical exercise for the elderly and guidance to the caregiver. The GC had the monthly monitoring by phone calls. After 12 weeks, the caregiver’s satisfaction was assessed using an online questionnaire based on the Short Assessment of Patient Satisfaction, with a score between 0 and 28. Results: Satisfaction of 10 caregivers was assessed so far, with 5 caregivers for each group. The average IG was 25.4 points, representing a positive differential of 12.9% in relation to the CG that reached an average of 21.8 points. Conclusion: The previous results in relation to the satisfaction of the telerehabilitation program suggest its potentiality as an aid in providing care to the elderly with dementia.

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FOLLOW UP OF THE PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS AND COGNITIVE EVOLUTION OF ELDERLY PEOPLE IN LONGITUDINAL FOLLOW-UP

10.5327/1980-5764.rpda068 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Silvia Merlin ◽

Maira Oliveira ◽

Luciana Cassimiro ◽

Isabella Avolio ◽

Eduardo Tres ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Elderly People ◽

Cognitive Change ◽

Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Personality Characteristics ◽

Initial Assessment ◽

Subjective Cognitive Decline ◽

Cognitive Changes

Background: Some psychological and personality characteristics of individuals, seem to determine behavioral patterns that are associated with better health throughout life and, consequently, prevent the progression of early cognitive changes to dementia. Objective: Identify factors that interfere in the evolution of cognitive disorders. Methods: Volunteers were evaluated clinically and for personality characteristics and neuropsychological testing. Follow-up occurred over two years from the initial assessment, and participants’ cognitive categories were re-analyzed every six months to observe variation in the same. Results: Of the 102 subjects, 65 remained at follow-up. The sample was composed predominantly of women (65%), white (74%), with a mean age of 78 (±7.5) years and 12 (±4.8) years of education. Throughout the process, 23% of cognitively normal 15% of subjective cognitive decline, and 27% of non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment individuals worsened cognitively. In the same period, 15% of the non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment and 31% of the amnestic mild cognitive impairment improved in cognitive ratings. Observed that older ages present greater cognitive worsening, and that very low indices of the personality trait Openness present associations with cognitive worsening. Conclusion: The factors most associated with cognitive change in this group of elderly people were age and aspects of openness of personality that are associated with cognitive reserve.

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Effects of language stimulation on cognition of institutionalized aged people: a preliminary case series study

Dementia & Neuropsychologia ◽

10.1590/1980-57642021dn15-010015 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 136-144

Author(s):

Ruttienya Dias Braga da Cunha ◽

Tayane Frez Pacheco ◽

Simone dos Santos Barreto

Keyword(s):

Elderly People ◽

Case Series ◽

Communication Disorders ◽

Cognitive Stimulation ◽

Initial Assessment ◽

Institutionalized Elderly ◽

Cognitive Linguistic ◽

Case Series Study ◽

Neuropsychiatric Diseases ◽

Series Study

ABSTRACT. Cognitive stimulation programs for institutionalized elderly people show positive results, however few studies have investigated the effectiveness of language stimulation programs for the health of this population. Objectives: To characterize the cognitive-linguistic profile of institutionalized elderly and to compare their performance before and after a language stimulation program (LSP). Methods: An exploratory case series study was conducted with nine residents of a Home for the Aged. Elderly people aged 60 or over, of both sexes, without neurological or neuropsychiatric diseases, communication disorders, intellectual impairment or severe visual or hearing impairment were included. The participants were submitted to an initial assessment through the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Montreal Toulouse Battery Language Assessment – Brazil to characterize the cognitive-linguistic profile of the studied group. Five elderly were selected to participate in the LSP, of wich only two participated effectively in the program, but all were reassessed after the program was completed. Results: on the initial assessment, of the nine participants, only one had adequate cognitive performance and all presented changes in macro and/or microlinguistics aspects of oral discourse, with oral comprehension preserved. On the reassessment carried out with five participants, only two participants who adhered effectively to the program obtained improvements in MoCa scores. In regarding language, three participants performed better in the oral emission measures. The performance of the participants in oral comprehension remained or declined. Conclusion: The speech-language therapy intervention through a LSP contributes to improving the cognitive-linguistic performance of institutionalized elderly.

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Influenza vaccination uptake: past lessons and future implications

British Journal of Healthcare Management ◽

10.12968/bjhc.2020.0157 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (11) ◽

pp. 266-269

Author(s):

George Winter

Keyword(s):

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Vulnerable Populations ◽

Influenza Season ◽

Vaccination Uptake ◽

Uptake Rates ◽

Vaccination Campaigns

The COVID-19 pandemic has made influenza vaccination for vulnerable populations more important than ever, but uptake rates from previous years are a cause for concern. George Winter discusses the importance of learning from past vaccination campaigns, both for this influenza season and for any future COVID-19 vaccine.

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