High-Risk Medication Use in Older Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities: Prevalence, Harms, and Strategies to Mitigate Risks and Enhance Use

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (10) ◽  
pp. 419-433
Author(s):  
Janet K. Sluggett ◽  
Stephanie L. Harrison ◽  
Leona A. Ritchie ◽  
Alexander J. Clough ◽  
Debbie Rigby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Medication Use ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities

Older residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs), also known as nursing homes, care homes, or residential aged care facilities, often have multiple health conditions and are exposed to polypharmacy. Use of high-risk medications such as opioids, glucose-lowering medications, antithrombotics, and antipsychotics is prevalent among residents of LTCFs. Ensuring appropriate use of high-risk medications is important to minimize the risk of medication-related harm in this vulnerable population. This paper provides an overview of the prevalence and factors associated with high-risk medication use among residents of LTCFs. Evidencebased strategies to optimize the use of high-risk medications and enhance resident outcomes are also discussed.

High-Risk Medication Use in Older Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities: Prevalence, Harms, and Strategies to Mitigate Risks and Enhance Use

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (10) ◽  
pp. 419-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet K. Sluggett ◽  
Stephanie L. Harrison ◽  
Leona A. Ritchie ◽  
Alexander J. Clough ◽  
Debbie Rigby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Medication Use ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities

Older residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs), also known as nursing homes, care homes, or residential aged care facilities, often have multiple health conditions and are exposed to polypharmacy. Use of high-risk medications such as opioids, glucose-lowering medications, antithrombotics, and antipsychotics is prevalent among residents of LTCFs. Ensuring appropriate use of high-risk medications is important to minimize the risk of medication-related harm in this vulnerable population. This paper provides an overview of the prevalence and factors associated with high-risk medication use among residents of LTCFs. Evidencebased strategies to optimize the use of high-risk medications and enhance resident outcomes are also discussed.

Screening for mental disorders in residential aged care facilities

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 1107-1120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy A. Pachana ◽  
Edward Helmes ◽  
Gerard J. A. Byrne ◽  
Barry A. Edelstein ◽  
Candace A. Konnert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Task Force ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Screening Instruments ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Brief Screening

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The International Psychogeriatric Association Task Force on Mental Health Services in Long-Term Care Facilities seeks to improve care of persons in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). As part of that effort the current authors have contributed an overview and discussion of the uses of brief screening instruments in RACFs.Methods: While no current guidelines on the use of screening instruments in nursing homes were found, relevant extant guidelines were consulted. The literature on measurement development, testing standards, psychometric considerations and the nursing home environment were consulted.Results: Cognitive, psychiatric, behavioral, functional and omnibus screening instruments are described at a category level, along with specifics about their use in a RACF environment. Issues surrounding the selection, administration, interpretation and uses of screening instruments in RACFs are discussed. Issues of international interest (such as translation of measures) or clinical concern (e.g. impact of severe cognitive decline on assessment) are addressed. Practical points surrounding who can administer, score and interpret such screens, as well as their psychometric and clinical strengths more broadly, are articulated.Conclusions: Guidelines for use of screening instruments in the RACF environment are offered, together with broad recommendations concerning the appropriate use of brief screening instruments in RACFs. Directions for future research and policy directions are outlined, with particular reference to the international context.

Effects of a virtual group cycling experience on people living with dementia: A mixed method pilot study

Dementia ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 147130122095132
Author(s):  
Nathan M D’Cunha ◽  
Stephen T Isbel ◽  
Jane Frost ◽  
Angie Fearon ◽  
Andrew J McKune ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Group Setting ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Environmental Stimulation

Social isolation and sedentary behaviour are common in residential aged care facilities (also known as nursing homes or long-term care). Use of new technologies such as virtual and augmented reality are currently under investigation for their potential to provide exciting and engaging activities for older people in residential aged care facilities. However, there is limited evidence on whether these technologies can promote physical activity in a small group setting for people with cognitive impairment. Using mixed methods, we examined the use of a virtual cycling experience in a sample of 10 participants with cognitive impairment living in residential aged care facilities. In a randomised crossover design, participants engaged in a 25-minute, self-paced, facilitated seated virtual cycling experience and a time-matched seated physical activity session in groups of five. All participants completed a brief pre- and post-intervention mood questionnaire. Video analysis was used for both conditions to compare levels of environmental stimulation, apathy and engagement using both the Person–Environment Apathy Rating Scale and the Engagement of a Person with Dementia Scale. A thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews following the virtual cycling experience was also performed. No differences were observed between conditions for all outcomes except for environmental stimulation, where there was a lower response in the intervention than the control condition ( p = 0.032). This was primarily driven by lower scores for the virtual cycling experience than control in physical accessibility ( p = 0.012). Participants reported the virtual cycling experience to be immersive and challenging and reminisced about cycling earlier in life. The activity manager observed that the virtual cycling experience was an overall positive experience and emphasised benefits of safety screening and preparation prior to the activities. The findings of this study support the use of the virtual cycling experience as an immersive and engaging alternative to usual activities, which might encourage higher levels of physical activity in residential aged care facilities.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document