Transitional care and empowerment of the older adult

Older adults with complex comorbidities are at risk for challenges that compromise their post-discharge safety at home. A growing body of evidence suggests that post-hospitalization outcomes for vulnerable elders can be improved by interventions that encourage patient empowerment. The purpose of this pilot project was to determine if an individualized transition intervention would improve patient empowerment 30days after home discharge following an acute illness. Through individualized interaction with an advanced practice nurse, a sample of 25 elder patients was encouraged to acquire the knowledge and confidence to advocate for their needs after discharge from a subacute facility. Pre and post-intervention patient empowerment was measured through the Senior Empowerment and Advocacy in Patient Safety survey. Quantitative data from this study provided evidence to support the benefit of transition care in enhancing patient empowerment. The data generated by this project will add to the existing body of evidence on transitional care.     

社区老年人长期护理需求的调查分析

目的：调查社区老年人长期护理需求的内容及需求层次。方法依据马斯洛人类需要层次论,自行设计调查问卷,对武汉市3个社区卫生服务中心260名老年人进行调查。结果社区老年人对长期护理需求水平较高,总需求得分为（47．82±7．64）分;且需求内容广泛,从具体条目看,需求率在50％以上有13项（59．1％）;社区老年人对安全需求的得分为（13．20±3．19）分,略高于生理需求及其他层次的需求。结论社区长期护理人员应当以需求为导向,采取相应措施,满足老年人的长期护理需求。     

Features of problematic eating behaviors among community-dwelling older adults with dementia: Family caregivers' experience

This study aimed to explore family caregivers' experience of the problematic eating behaviors among community-dwelling older adults with dementia, and how these caregivers cope with these problems. An exploratory qualitative study using purposive sampling recruited family caregivers of community-dwelling older adults with dementia in southern Taiwan. In-depth interviews were carried out with a semi-structured interview guide. Data were saturated when the number of participants reached a certain number. The following three features were derived from the content analysis: fundamental deviations of eating behaviors, expressing needs through eating behaviors, and loss of eating ability. The results also show that caregivers often derived their own ways of coping with the problems they faced, and tended to have negative attitudes and behaviors with regard to coping with the demands of older adults with dementia. The findings of this study can provide valuable information to family caregivers with regard to the problematic eating behaviors of older adults with dementia, so that early recognition and understanding of such behaviors facilitate appropriate responses, thus reducing the burden shouldered by caregivers.     

A path analysis of Internet health information seeking behaviors among older adults

The Internet has emerged as an innovative tool that older adults can use to obtain health-related information. However, the relationships among predictors of Internet health information seeking behaviors (IHISB) in this population are not well understood. To fill this gap, this study examined the direct and indirect pathways of potential predictors of IHISB among older South Korean adults, using the modified Technology Acceptance Model 3. Participants were 300 older South Korean adults who had used the Internet to obtain health information within the past month. Data were collected via a self-report questionnaire and were analyzed through structural equation modeling. Two variables—prior experience and behavioral intention to use—had positive direct effects on IHISB. These findings imply that health care providers promoting IHISB among older adults should consider these individuals' prior experience with the Internet and their willingness to use the Internet as a source of health information.     

The impact of mobility limitations on health outcomes among older adults

The purpose of this study was to stratify an older adult population for subsequent interventions based on functional ability, and to estimate prevalence, characteristics and impact of mobility limitations on health outcomes. In 2016, surveys were sent to a stratified random sample of AARP^® Medicare Supplement insureds; mobility limitations were defined using two screening questions. Responses were stratified to three mobility limitation levels. Multivariate regression models determined characteristics and impact on health outcomes. Among weighted survey respondents (N = 15,989), severe, moderate and no limitation levels were 21.4%, 18.4% and 60.3%, respectively. The strongest predictors of increased limitations included pain and poor health. Individuals with more severe limitations had increased falls, decreased preventive services compliance and increased healthcare utilization and expenditures. Utilizing two screening questions stratified this population to three meaningful mobility limitation levels. Higher levels of mobility limitations were strongly associated with negative health outcomes. Mobility-enhancing interventions could promote successful aging.     

Development and psychometric testing of a measure of older adult patients' attitudes towards mobility during hospitalization (ATM-H)

This paper describes the development and psychometric testing of a questionnaire evaluating attitudes towards mobility during hospitalization of older adults, an understudied phenomenon that lacks a valid and reliable measure. An instrument development procedure, followed by an empirical study, was conducted between December 2013 and June 2014. Instrument development included item generation and analysis of content validity, which was established by six experts. The validation study used a prospective within-patients design with a sample of 100 patients, age 70+, hospitalized in general medical units in a large medical center. Internal consistency, reliability, and divergent and predictive validity of the measure were tested. Reliability analysis revealed an acceptable estimate for the total score (0.76). Predictive validity was good. The divergent validity coefficient was in the expected direction. Preliminary psychometric properties of the measure showed acceptable results. The measure should be explored further in different cultural settings.     

The association of eating performance and environmental stimulation among older adults with dementia in nursing homes: A secondary analysis

BackgroundNursing home residents with dementia experience increased risk for compromised eating performance due to intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental factors. Environmental stimulation is physical, social, and/or sensory stimulation present in the environment that can potentially trigger individuals’ emotion or motivate physical reactions. Beyond the personal factors, there is a lack of evidence on how environmental stimulation influences individuals’ eating performance at mealtimes.ObjectivesThis study examined the association between environmental stimulation and eating performance among nursing home residents with dementia.DesignThis study was a secondary analysis using baseline videos selected from a communication intervention study, where videos were recorded to capture staff-resident interactions during care activities for nursing home residents with dementia. Videos were included in this study only if residents demonstrated eating activities at mealtimes.Sample and settingA total of 36 videos were selected (mean length = 4 min). The sample included 15 residents with dementia (mean age = 86), and 19 certified nursing assistants (mean age = 36) in 8 nursing homes.MethodsThe dependent variable was eating performance as measured by the Level of Eating Independence scale (range: 15–36, with higher scores indicating better eating performance). The independent variables were characteristics of environmental stimulation measured by the Person-Environment Apathy Rating-Environment subscale (stimulation clarity, stimulation strength, stimulation specificity, interaction involvement, physical accessibility, and environmental feedback). Each characteristic was rated on a 1–4 scale with higher scores indicating more desirable environmental stimulation. Multilevel models were used to examine the association between eating performance and environmental stimulation, adjusting for resident characteristics (i.e., age, gender, dementia stage, function, comorbidity, psychoactive medication use) and nesting effects of residents and staff.ResultsResident participants demonstrated moderate levels of eating performance (M = 27.08, SD = 5.16). Eating performance was significantly lower among older residents, those with more advanced dementia, and higher comorbidity. After controlling for resident characteristics, eating performance was significantly associated with stimulation specificity (how the stimulation is delivered and tailored to the resident), and was not associated with other environmental stimulation characteristics. For each 1 point increase in stimulation specificity, eating performance increased by 8.78 points (95% CI=0.59, 16.97).ConclusionsEnvironmental stimulation that is personally tailored to a resident’ needs and preferences and directly offered to a resident contributed to better eating performance among residents with dementia. The findings will direct future development and implementation of person-directed mealtime care programs and dining environment arrangements for residents with dementia in nursing homes.     

Quality of experience during horticultural activities: an experience sampling pilot study among older adults living in a nursing home

Horticulture was shown to represent a well-being source for older adults, encompassing the physical, mental and social domains. Aim of this pilot study was to contribute to extant literature through the investigation of the quality of experience associated with horticultural versus occupational activities. A group of 11 older residents of a nursing home were involved in a crossover study with a baseline measure. Participants attended weekly horticultural and occupational sessions for two six-week cycles. Experience Sampling Method was administered before the program and after each session, to assess participants' levels of happiness, concentration, sociability, involvement, challenges and stakes, and self-satisfaction. Altogether, 332 self-report questionnaires were collected.Findings showed that participants' levels of the cognitive and motivational variables increased during both activities, but horticulture was also perceived as providing higher challenges and stakes, and improving self-satisfaction. Results can have practical implications for well-being promotion among older adults through meaningful activity engagement.     

Predicting posthospital recovery of physical function among older adults after lower extremity surgery in a short-stay skilled nursing facility

This study describes the posthospital recovery of physical function among 131 older adults after lower extremity surgery in a short-stay skilled nursing facility (SNF), and identifies admission factors predicting physical function at discharge. Multiple regression analyses found that older adults with low baseline physical function, pressure ulcer, malnutrition, memory loss upon admission, and not enough physical therapy had poor physical function at the time of discharge from the facility. This study generated the following recommendations for nurses working in short-stay SNFs: (1) screen all posthospital residents at admission with predictors to identify people at risk for physical functional decline, (2) design and implement targeted nursing and rehabilitation interventions to improve physical function, and (3) develop discharge plans that provide ongoing monitoring and interventions for community or nursing home nurses.     

Measuring health-related quality of life and neutropenia-specific concerns among older adults undergoing chemotherapy: validation of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Neutropenia (FACT-N)

Objective The present study established the psychometric properties of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Neutropenia (FACT-N), a self-report instrument to assess neutropenia-specific concerns and health-related quality of life (HRQL), in a sample of adults 65 years of age and older. Materials and methods Participants were undergoing chemotherapy for lung, breast, or ovarian cancer or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (n = 852) and were randomly assigned to receive pegfilgrastim beginning with cycle 1 (primary prophylaxis) or pegfilgrastim subsequent to cycle 1 at their clinicians’ discretion (usual care). Participants completed a self-report assessment on day 1 of each cycle (up to six cycles) and at the expected nadir of the white blood cell count of each cycle. Using factor analysis, three subscales were identified in the 19-item FACT-N subscale: Malaise, Worry, and Flu-like symptoms. Results and discussions The FACT-N and each of the subscales were sensitive to the presence of neutropenia although did not correlate with the absolute neutrophil count (ANC). While ANC is a marker of the impact of chemotherapy on the myeloid precursors of the bone marrow and is correlated with risk of febrile neutropenia, however the constellation of symptoms and patient experience vary throughout the period of neutropenia as the ANC first declines and then recovers. The 19-item neutropenia subscale can be used alone; however, evidence supporting reliability and validity was most robust for aggregate scores from the FACT-N and the Trial Outcome Index—Neutropenia (TOI-N). Conclusion Understanding the impact of neutropenia on HRQL through the availability of a validated self-report measure will, ideally, lead to interventions to reduce the burden associated with cancer and its treatments.     

Fear of falling among community-dwelling older adults: A scoping review to identify effective evidence-based interventions

Fear of falling presents a significant problem for many older adults by reducing physical function and increasing the risk of future falls. Several different types of interventions have improved fear of falling and a summary of efficacious interventions will help clinicians recommend treatment options. Using the Arksey and O'Malley Framework for scoping reviews, the purpose of this review was to identify efficacious interventions for treating fear of falling among community-dwelling older adults in order to provide a list of potential treatment options for care providers. A total of 45 publications were identified for inclusion in this review.     

Gender-specific associations between activities of daily living disability and depressive symptoms among older adults in China: Evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

PurposeTo evaluate the associations between BADL/IADL disability and depressive symptoms from the perspective of gender among older adults in China.MethodsThis cross-sectional study used the data from the second wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). The sample included 3463 older adults aged 60 years and older across China. Multivariable logistic regression models were conducted.ResultsAmong 3463 older adults, 1240 (35.8%) were classified as depressed, the prevalence of BADL and IADL disabilities were 756 (21.8%) and 1194 (34.5%), respectively. After controlling for covariates, BADL/IADL disability was significantly associated with an increased risk of depression prevalence both in men and women among older adults. Compared with IADL independent, IADL disability was about two times more likely to develop depressive symptoms in men (OR = 2.165, 95% CI = 1.661–2.822), which was much higher than that in women (OR = 1.748, 95% CI = 1.415–2.160). In contrast, the odds of being depressed for women with BADL disability (OR = 1.824, 95% CI = 1.447–2.299) were much higher than the odds for men with BADL disability (OR = 1.791, 95% CI = 1.348–2.379).ConclusionsOlder adults with BADL/IADL disability were more likely to have depressive symptoms both for men and women. However, the associations between depressive symptoms and BADL/IADL disability were different in gender. Our results suggest that differential institutional care service and appropriate strategies for improvement in mental health are required.