An approach to develop a continuing professional development workshop for nurses to differentiate, delirium, dementia and depression among older adults

Delirium, dementia, and depression challenge nurses in acute care settings. They negatively impact older adult's health, well-being, and quality of life. Misdiagnosis of delirium, dementia, and depression is associated with higher mortality rate, functional decline, increased length of stay, higher admission and institutionalization rates, and higher health care expenditures. Nurses in acute care settings have a lack of knowledge about delirium, dementia, and depression. This lack of knowledge could have implication as necessary referrals to physicians is needed in order to ensure initiating of appropriate treatment. Continuing professional development is necessary to keep nurses abreast of the rapid changes in knowledge and technology needed to provide safe and high quality services. Providing an opportunity to participate in continuing professional development on this particular subject would go a long way to facilitate knowledge translation. As a result nurses will be equipped with the adequate knowledge and skills to meet the overall goal of providing quality care for older adults in different care settings.

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Person-Centered Communication Between Health Care Professionals and COVID-19-Infected Older Adults in Acute Care Settings: Findings From Wuhan, China

The Journals of Gerontology Series B ◽

10.1093/geronb/gbaa190 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Juan Li ◽

Jing Wang ◽

Xiangjing Kong ◽

Tingting Gao ◽

Bei Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Health Care ◽

Acute Care ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Older Patients ◽

Well Being ◽

Direct Care ◽

Core Element ◽

Acute Care Settings ◽

Multiple Challenges

Abstract Objectives The current study aims to explore person-centered communication between health care professionals and COVID-19-infected older patients in acute care settings. Methods The current qualitative study explored the communication between professionals and COVID-19-infected older adults in the acute care setting through 2 rounds of interviews with physicians and nurses who provided direct care and treatment for COVID-19-infected older patients in Wuhan, China. We explored the possibilities and significance of facilitating effective communication despite multiple challenges in the pandemic. Conventional content analysis was adopted to analyze the rich data collected from our participants. Results It is possible and necessary to initiate and sustain person-centered communication despite multiple challenges brought by the pandemic. The achievement of person-centered communication can play significant roles in addressing challenges, building mutual trust, improving quality of care and relationships, and promoting treatment adherence and patients’ psychological well-being. Discussion It is challenging for health care professionals to provide care for COVID-19-infected older adults, especially for those with cognitive and sensory impairment, in acute care settings. Facilitating person-centered communication is a significant strategy in responding to the pandemic crisis and a core element of person-centered care.

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The Impact of Function Focused Care From Acute Care to Home Care and Nursing Homes

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2148 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 629-629

Author(s):

Silke Metzelthin ◽

Sandra Zwakhalen ◽

Barbara Resnick

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

The Netherlands ◽

Home Care ◽

Acute Care ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Functional Decline ◽

Term Care ◽

The Us ◽

The Impact

Abstract Functional decline in older adults often lead towards acute or long-term care. In practice, caregivers often focus on completion of care tasks and of prevention of injuries from falls. This task based, safety approach inadvertently results in fewer opportunities for older adults to be actively involved in activities. Further deconditioning and functional decline are common consequences of this inactivity. To prevent or postpone these consequences Function Focused Care (FFC) was developed meaning that caregivers adapt their level of assistance to the capabilities of older adults and stimulate them to do as much as possible by themselves. FFC was first implemented in institutionalized long-term care in the US, but has spread rapidly to other settings (e.g. acute care), target groups (e.g. people with dementia) and countries (e.g. the Netherlands). During this symposium, four presenters from the US and the Netherlands talk about the impact of FFC. The first presentation is about the results of a stepped wedge cluster trial showing a tendency to improve activities of daily living and mobility. The second presentation is about a FFC training program. FFC was feasible to implement in home care and professionals experienced positive changes in knowledge, attitude, skills and support. The next presenter reports about significant improvements regarding time spent in physical activity and a decrease in resistiveness to care in a cluster randomized controlled trial among nursing home residents with dementia. The fourth speaker presents the content and first results of a training program to implement FFC in nursing homes. Nursing Care of Older Adults Interest Group Sponsored Symposium

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The Unique Environmental Influences of Acute Care Settings on Patient and Physician Well-Being: A Call to Action

Journal of Emergency Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.jemermed.2017.08.092 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 54 (1) ◽

pp. e19-e21 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Bernard P. Chang ◽

George Gallos ◽

Lauren Wasson ◽

Donald Edmondson

Keyword(s):

Acute Care ◽

Environmental Influences ◽

Well Being ◽

Call To Action ◽

Acute Care Settings

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Use of clinical frailty scale in acute care settings as a predictor of in-hospital and short-term mortality in older adults with severe acute respiratory illness: A prospective pilot cohort study from India

Journal of the Indian Academy of Geriatrics ◽

10.4103/jiag.jiag_25_21 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 89

Author(s):

Sunny Singhal ◽

Pramod Kumar ◽

Akshata Rao ◽

Sunil Jyani ◽

Nayer Jamshed ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Acute Care ◽

Respiratory Illness ◽

Acute Respiratory Illness ◽

Short Term ◽

Clinical Frailty Scale ◽

Short Term Mortality ◽

Acute Care Settings ◽

Severe Acute Respiratory Illness

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Continuing professional development: researching non-technical competencies can support cognitive reappraisal and reduced stress in clinicians

Veterinary Record ◽

10.1136/vr.104426 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 181 (10) ◽

pp. 266-266 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Tierney Kinnison ◽

Stephen May

Keyword(s):

Professional Development ◽

Cognitive Reappraisal ◽

Continuing Professional Development ◽

Well Being ◽

Coping Responses ◽

Emotional Change ◽

Key Skills ◽

Technical Competencies ◽

Behaviour Changes ◽

And Coping

Generic professional capabilities (non-technical competencies) are increasingly valued for their links to patient outcomes and clinician well-being. This study explores the emotional change, and practice-related outcomes, of participants of a veterinary professional key skills (PKS) continuing professional development (CPD) module. Reflective summaries produced by participants were analysed. A change in emotion, from ‘negative’ to ‘positive’, was the focus of analysis. Sections regarding these emotions were thematically analysed. Analysis was performed on 46 summaries. Three themes were identified: ‘the PKS module’ (centred on reluctance becoming surprise and stimulation), ‘developing non-technical competencies’ (unease to confidence) and ‘stress and coping through a reflective focus’ (anxiety to harmony). The changing emotions were connected to positive cognitive reappraisal and often behaviour changes, benefitting self, practice, clients and patients. The PKS module teaches participants to reflect; a new and challenging concept. The consequences of this enabled participants to understand the importance of professional topics, to be appreciative as well as critical, and to enjoy their job. Importantly, the module stimulated coping responses. Better understanding of roles led to participants having more reasonable expectations of themselves, more appreciation of their work and reduced stress. This research supports more attention to professional skills CPD for health professions.

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AGING IN COMMUNITY: A LEGAL MAPPING ANALYSIS OF MASSACHUSETTS MUNICIPAL ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT ZONING BYLAWS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.939 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S250-S251

Author(s):

Travis M Gagen

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Functional Decline ◽

Institutional Care ◽

Well Being ◽

Functional Health ◽

Dwelling Unit ◽

Older Americans ◽

Alternative Housing ◽

Accessory Dwelling Units ◽

Health Promoting

Abstract Accessory-dwelling units (ADUs) are one alternative housing arrangement that enable older adults to remain in the home despite functional decline. Functional decline increases with age making older adults more susceptible to loosing independent housing. Involuntary relocation to institutional care can result in a decline of functional health, reduced life satisfaction, impairment of psychological well-being and increased mortality rate. The majority of older Americans (93%) wish to remain in their home for as long as possible. ADUs function to maintain, stimulate and support an older adult as a means to prevent relocation to an institution. The modified environment coupled with adaptable features maintains and supports activities of daily living (ADL) within a familiar place. Under Massachusetts law MGL c. 40A, the state gives authority to cities and towns to adopt ordinances and bylaws to regulate the use of land, buildings and structures. Restrictive zoning laws limit the ability to construct health-promoting built-environments to age-in-community. All 351 Massachusetts municipalities Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) zoning bylaws were coded using the ADU Friendliness Score. Once scored, the 351 municipalities were placed into four categories based off their ADU score; the four categories are poor (0-24), fair (25-49), good (50-74), and excellent (75-100). Eighty-nine municipalities (25%) are in the poor category; thirty municipalities (8.5%) are in the fair category; one hundred and eighty-five municipalities (53%) are in the good category; forty-seven municipalities (13.5%) are in the excellent category. These findings contributed to a model ADU bylaw specific for aging Americans for municipalities to adopt.

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Preventing Treatment-Related Functional Decline: Strategies to Maximize Resilience

American Society of Clinical Oncology Educational Book ◽

10.1200/edbk_200427 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 415-431 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Armin Shahrokni ◽

Koshy Alexander ◽

Tanya M. Wildes ◽

Martine T. E. Puts

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Functional Decline ◽

Treatment Decision ◽

Well Being ◽

Cancer Prognosis ◽

Screening Tools ◽

Care Plan ◽

Treatment Decision Making ◽

Prediction Of Mortality ◽

Individualized Prediction

The majority of patients with cancer are older adults. A comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) will help the clinical team identify underlying medical and functional status issues that can affect cancer treatment delivery, cancer prognosis, and treatment tolerability. The CGA, as well as more abbreviated assessments and geriatric screening tools, can aid in the treatment decision-making process through improved individualized prediction of mortality, toxicity of cancer therapy, and postoperative complications and can also help clinicians develop an integrated care plan for the older adult with cancer. In this article, we will review the latest evidence with regard to the use of CGA in oncology. In addition, we will describe the benefits of conducting a CGA and the types of interventions that can be taken by the interprofessional team to improve the treatment outcomes and well-being of older adults.

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