Suicide among nursing home residents: a population-based study

OBJECTIVE: The rate of suicide is highest among the oldest old and is associated with chronic medical illness and functional impairment. These risk factors are prevalent among nursing home (NH) residents, yet little has been published on suicide in this population. METHODS: We performed a population-based, retrospective cohort study to identify clinical features of NH residents attempting or completing suicide. A computerized data-base search was conducted to identify cases of completed suicide in Olmsted County and surrounding communities (846 NH beds) between 1981 and 1997. Subjects' medical records were reviewed to identify clinical details. RESULTS: Five cases of completed suicide and three suicide attempts were identified, including six men and two women. Deaths were the result of drowning, hanging, or medication overdose (the latter following a period of intentional hoarding). Those who died ranged in age from 69 to 87 years. Most had been NH residents for less than 6 months. No deaths occurred in patients with severe cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Suicide and suicide attempts in the NH seem to be uncommon but are likely underrecognized and underreported. Suicide risk among NH residents seems to be highest among men and those recently admitted to facilities. In addition, suicide methods differ among NH residents compared with community-dwelling older people, likely reflecting environmental restrictions and physical limitations. Suicide and suicide attempts are important resident health issues and risk management concerns for staff in long-term-care facilities.     

Mini Nutritional Assessment in elderly subjects receiving home nursing care

Background: Old age and disease are risk factors for malnutrition. We assessed the nutritional status in elderly receiving home nursing care. Methods: Eighty people (86% women) over the ages of 70 years (mean±SD 84±6) were investigated. One-third had lung and/or cardiovascular disease, 10% had diabetes mellitus and the remainder had miscellaneous disorders. The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) scale (0–30 points), consisting of 18 point-weighted questions, including anthropometry, e.g. body mass index (BMI, kg m^?2), was used. Results: Fifty patients (62%) were assessed as having suspected malnutrition (MNA 17–23.5 points), while two were assessed as being malnourished (MNA < 17 points). The mean BMI was 22.7±5. One third of the subjects had BMI values <20 and 64% had BMI ≤ 23. Patients with cardiac failure and/or lung disease had the lowest MNA values (20.9±3.3 points) and 85% of these patients were assessed as being at risk for malnourishment. More than half drank ≤1 L of fluid per day. Over half of those who were malnourished or were suspected to be malnourished did not have meal support, whereas almost half of the well-nourished patients had meal support. Conclusion: Two-thirds of the patients receiving home nursing care were assessed as having suspected or confirmed malnutrition, or were underweight. Nutritional routines may need more focus within home nursing care services.     

Sarcopenia and mortality among older nursing home residents

Background and AimsSarcopenia has been indicated as a reliable marker of frailty and poor prognosis among the oldest individuals. At present, no data are available on sarcopenia in the nursing home population. The aim of the current study was to explore the relationship between sarcopenia and all-cause mortality in a population of elderly persons aged 70 years and older living in a nursing home in Italy.MethodsThis study was conducted among all subjects (n = 122) aged 70 years and older who lived in the teaching nursing home of Catholic University of Rome between August 1, 2010, and September 30, 2010. According to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP), sarcopenia was diagnosed in presence of low muscle mass plus either low muscle strength or low physical performance. The primary outcome measure was survival after 6 months.ResultsForty residents (32.8%) were indentified as affected by sarcopenia. This condition was more common in men (68%) than in women (21%). During the follow-up period, 26 (21.3%) patients died. After adjusting for age, gender, cerebrovascular diseases, osteoarthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, activity of daily living impairment, and body mass index, residents with sarcopenia were more likely to die compared with those without sarcopenia (adjusted hazard ratio 2.34; 95% confidence interval 1.04–5.24).ConclusionsThe present study suggests that among subjects living in a nursing home, sarcopenia is highly prevalent and is associated with a significantly increased risk of all-cause death. The current findings support the possibility that sarcopenia has an independent effect on survival among nursing home residents.     

Influenza vaccination coverage among US nursing home nursing assistants: the role of working conditions

ObjectivesTo estimate influenza vaccination coverage among nursing assistants (NAs) working in US nursing homes, and to identify demographic and occupational predictors of vaccination status among NAs.Design, setting, and participantsCross-sectional analysis of data on 2873 NAs from the 2004 National Nursing Assistant Survey. Multivariable-adjusted vaccination coverage (prevalence) ratios for demographic and occupational characteristics were calculated using Poisson regression.MeasurementsOutcome variable was NAs’ influenza vaccination status, yes or no, based on the question, “During the past 12 months, did you receive a flu shot?”ResultsCoverage for all NAs working in US nursing homes was estimated to be 37.1%. NAs 45 or older were more likely to be vaccinated than younger NAs (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07–1.41). Significant negative associations with vaccination status were found for NAs who were non-Hispanic blacks (PR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.70–0.97), disagreed that they were respected/rewarded for their work (PR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.71–1.00), worked at for-profit facilities (PR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.72–0.95), and reported receiving fewer than 7 of 15 nonwage job benefits (PR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.67–0.90).ConclusionInfluenza coverage among nursing home NAs appears to be similar to nationally reported coverage estimates among health care providers in the United States in general. In addition to individual characteristics, occupational characteristics reflective of working conditions are associated with vaccination status among NAs, suggesting that further research into these types of associations may be useful in identifying which institutions may benefit from outreach efforts and types of interventions to increase vaccination coverage.     

Arm pain and daytime sleepiness among nursing home employees

We investigated the relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and sleep problems among 98 employees (79 women) at three nursing homes. Self-reported data were collected regarding pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, legs, and low back, sleep disturbances, daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale), and the level of workload on the hands, legs, and low back by type of care. Pain in the arms was significantly associated with less difficulty initiating sleep, fewer symptoms of insomnia, and a higher level of daytime sleepiness. After adjusting for age and gender, only the association between arm pain and daytime sleepiness remained significant (Odds Ratio 6.70, 95% Confidence Interval 1.40-31.97). Participants with both arm pain and daytime sleepiness showed significantly greater levels of workload in some kinds of care in a systemic manner than counterparts without either complaint. These findings suggest that arm pain is associated with elevated sleep propensity/fatigue in nursing home work.     

Violence exposure and burn-out among Turkish nursing home staff

AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of violence against personnel from residents and to identify the prevalence of burn-out among staff working in nursing homes. METHODS: The study was performed in two cities in the west of Turkey. A semi-structured questionnaire on violence and Pines' Burnout scale were distributed among all the staff working in six nursing homes, and 214 of them responded. RESULTS: Of the total number of respondents, 56% stated that they had been exposed to violence during the preceding year. More than 20% stated that they had reported violence to their supervisor. Less than 10% had received medical or psychological support following the event. Violent incidents were reported significantly more frequently among staff who reported problems working with elderly residents. There was no relationship between violence towards staff and burn-out. CONCLUSIONS: Violence is commonly experienced by care workers in nursing homes for the elderly. Strategies to improve occupational conditions in nursing homes are required.     

Antipsychotic drug use among nursing home residents taking rivastigmine

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether or not rivastigmine use is associated with a decrease in the initiation of antipsychotic drug therapy among nursing home residents in the United States. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed using Minimum Data Set data and physician order files for newly admitted residents of 452 US nursing facilities from 2000 through 2002. The rivastigmine group included those who were diagnosed with Alzheimers disease (AD) and began rivastigmine treatment within 30 days of diagnosis. Patients were required to be on treatment for a minimum of 30 days. The control group included those who were diagnosed with AD, but did not receive a cholinesterase inhibitor. All subjects were antipsychotic drug-naive within 30 days of baseline (initiation of rivastigmine or initial AD diagnosis). A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate predicted risk of antipsychotic drug use. RESULTS: This study included 845 patients in the rivastigmine group and 517 patients in the control group. The rivastigmine group had fewer female patients, was younger, and had more verbal distress, sleep issues, sadness, loss of interest, and behavioral symptoms at baseline compared with the control group (P < .01). Overall initiation of antipsychotics was lower in the rivastigmine group (8.6%) compared with the control group (17.0%). Patients in the control group were almost 2 times more likely (relative risk = 1.86; P < .001) to take antipsychotics compared with patients taking rivastigmine, after adjusting for demographic covariates and mental health conditions or behavioral symptoms at baseline. Patients with baseline mental health conditions or behavioral symptoms were more likely to start antipsychotics than those without such conditions (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Study results suggest that nursing home residents with Alzheimers disease treated with rivastigmine have a reduced risk of initiating therapy with an antipsychotic drug compared with residents who do not receive cholinesterase inhibitor treatment.