Protein Knowledge of Older Adults and Identification of Subgroups with Poor Knowledge

The aim was to investigate the protein knowledge of community-dwelling older adults. A survey was conducted among 1825 adults aged ≥65 years and living in Finland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain and United Kingdom in 2017. Protein knowledge was measured with nine objective knowledge statements provided only to participants who indicated to know what the nutrient "protein" is (64.7% of sample). Demographic, socioeconomic and health determinants of poor protein knowledge were investigated using multiple logistic regression analyses. The sample was 49.6% female and 87.0% reported no walking difficulties. Participants scored best on the true statement "You need protein in the diet for repairing bones and muscles" (89.3% correct), and worst on the false statement "One meal per day with a good protein source is sufficient" (25.4% correct). Median knowledge score was 5.0 (scale 0–9) and poor knowledge was present in 49.4% of the sample. Males (Odds Ratio 1.57), those unable to walk for 5 min (2.66), not always making their own food decision (1.36) and having lower income (1.44) were more likely to have poor knowledge. Large differences were observed across countries. In conclusion, poor protein knowledge is present in about half of community-dwelling older adults. Communication strategies should be tailored to target the identified risk groups with poor knowledge.

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Urban Expansion of the SAFE-Home Opioid Management Education (SAFE-HOME) Naloxone Awareness Initiative for Home Health Workers and Older Adults

Pharmacy ◽

10.3390/pharmacy9040200 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 200

Author(s):

Abigail T. Elmes ◽

Brianna M. McQuade ◽

Michael Koronkowski ◽

Erin Emery-Tiburcio ◽

Jennie B. Jarrett

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Management Education ◽

Health Workers ◽

Urban Expansion ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Home Health ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Repeated Measure ◽

Opioid Overdose ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

The SAFE-Home Opioid Management Education (SAFE-HOME) Naloxone Awareness pilot program utilized home health workers (HHWs) in rural settings to educate older adults prescribed opioids on naloxone access and use. This work expands the SAFE-HOME program to urban settings to prepare HHWs to educate community-dwelling older adults on opioid risks and life-saving naloxone. This prospective, interventional cohort study evaluated 60-min synchronous, virtual HHW educational training sessions describing opioid risks in older adults, opioid overdose signs and symptoms, and naloxone access and use. Knowledge assessments were conducted pre- and post-intervention via a pre-developed assessment tool in a repeated measure model. Outcomes included change in total opioid and naloxone knowledge, and baseline total and individual opioid and naloxone knowledge. Six educational sessions were held (n = 154). The average pre- and post-education scores were 62.7% (n = 108) and 83.5% (n = 82), respectively (p < 0.001). Of the 69 participants who completed both pre- and post-education assessments, the average change in total score was +19.6% (p < 0.001), opioid knowledge score −0.4% (p = 0.901), and naloxone knowledge score +32.9% (p < 0.001). At baseline, HHWs were knowledgeable on opioid risks, but lacked familiarity with naloxone access and use. Targeting HHWs with opioid and naloxone training positions them to effectively educate at-risk community-dwelling older adults.

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Oral health determinants of incident malnutrition in community-dwelling older adults

Journal of Dentistry ◽

10.1016/j.jdent.2019.05.017 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 85 ◽

pp. 73-80 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Eva Kiesswetter ◽

Linda M Hengeveld ◽

Bart JF Keijser ◽

Dorothee Volkert ◽

Marjolein Visser

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Oral Health ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Health Determinants ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

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Antibody and Local Cytokine Response to Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

mSphere ◽

10.1128/msphere.00577-20 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Xiao Yu ◽

Anke J. Lakerveld ◽

Sandra Imholz ◽

Marion Hendriks ◽

Sofie C. A. ten Brink ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Severe Morbidity ◽

Prevention And Treatment ◽

Rsv Infection ◽

Syncytial Virus ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽

Local Cytokine

ABSTRACT Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is increasingly recognized for causing severe morbidity and mortality in older adults, but there are few studies on the RSV-induced immune response in this population. Information on the immunological processes at play during RSV infection in specific risk groups is essential for the rational and targeted design of novel vaccines and therapeutics. Here, we assessed the antibody and local cytokine response to RSV infection in community-dwelling older adults (≥60 years of age). During three winters, serum and nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected from study participants during acute respiratory infection and recovery. RSV IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and virus neutralization assays were performed on serum samples from RSV-infected individuals (n = 41) and controls (n = 563 and n = 197, respectively). Nasal RSV IgA and cytokine concentrations were determined using multiplex immunoassays in a subset of participants. An in vitro model of differentiated primary bronchial epithelial cells was used to assess RSV-induced cytokine responses over time. A statistically significant increase in serum neutralization titers and IgG concentrations was observed in RSV-infected participants compared to controls. During acute RSV infection, a statistically significant local upregulation of beta interferon (IFN-β), IFN-λ1, IFN-γ, interleukin 1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), IL-6, IL-10, CXCL8, and CXCL10 was found. IFN-β, IFN-λ1, CXCL8, and CXCL10 were also upregulated in the epithelial model upon RSV infection. In conclusion, this study provides novel insights into the basic immune response to RSV infection in an important and understudied risk population, providing leads for future studies that are essential for the prevention and treatment of severe RSV disease in older adults. IMPORTANCE Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause severe morbidity and mortality in certain risk groups, especially infants and older adults. Currently no (prophylactic) treatment is available, except for a partially effective yet highly expensive monoclonal antibody. RSV therefore remains a major public health concern. To allow targeted development of novel vaccines and therapeutics, it is of great importance to understand the immunological mechanisms that underlie (protection from) severe disease in specific risk populations. Since most RSV-related studies focus on infants, there are only very limited data available concerning the response to RSV in the elderly population. Therefore, in this study, RSV-induced antibody responses and local cytokine secretion were assessed in community-dwelling older adults. These data provide novel insights that will benefit ongoing efforts to design safe and effective prevention and treatment strategies for RSV in an understudied risk group.

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