The Role of Altered Sensory Processing and Its Association with Participation in Daily Activities and Quality of Life among Older Adults in the Community.

To identify variables that contribute to fall risk in older adults, this study examined the relationship between fall risk, sensory processing, participation in daily activities, and quality of life (QoL). Of the 123 participants, those at high-risk were significantly less able to register sensory input and had increased sensory sensitivity, restricted participation and overall lower QoL. Altered sensory processing was related with risk of falling. Additionally, both sensory process and fall risk were subsequently related with lower daily participation and, together, were related with lower QoL. Thus, sensory processing, participation and QoL assessments need to be included in occupational therapy evaluations and interventions for fall risk among older adults.

Tale of two countries: attitudes towards older persons in Italy and Israel during the COVID-19 pandemic as seen through the looking-glass of the media.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the many challenges and difficulties of healthcare systems caring for older frail people. This public health crisis has indeed jeopardised the concept of the welfare state, in particular the right of older people to uncompromised healthcare. Together with the clinical challenges facing the geriatric patient and the organisational difficulties of the healthcare systems, sociocultural factors may have also played a substantial role in the strategies that countries have applied in coping with the pandemic. In this opinion article, we report attitudes towards the older populations of two countries, Italy and Israel, during the COVID-19 pandemic as viewed through the looking-glass of the media.

Telephone-Based Emotional Support for Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Isolation and lockdowns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbate older adults' vulnerability to emotional harm. This paper stresses the importance of establishing an ongoing system of distant emotional care by experienced gerontologists as a routine practice, parallel to physical healthcare services. It introduces a tele-based emotional support program for older adults operated by the Israel Gerontological Society during COVID-19. Experience with the telephone-support initiative suggests it to be an effective and meaningful means of providing emotional support to older adults and their families and assisting community caregiving agencies. Policymakers and gerontologists should address older adults' needs for emotional support and develop effective tele-support solutions in routine times as a promising relief for homebound, frail, or lonely older adults. Tele-based emotional support can substitute for in-person meetings and easily and quickly reach out to many older adults who otherwise would not receive support.

From Hospital to Home: Validating a Cognitive-Functional Evaluation of Elders (COFEE-HD).

Background. Increase in hospitalizations of older adults emphasizes the need for efficient hospital discharge planning to enable optimal reentry upon returning home. Yet few assessments offer an extensive picture of the older adult's functional-cognitive state. A comprehensive assessment for discharge planning together with a written summary can be beneficial to the older adult and family. Purpose. This quantitative study compared a modified version of a previously validated tool COFEE (cognitive OT functional evaluation of elders), for use in the hospital, HD (hospital discharge) with standard hospitals assessments. Methods. Of the 77 participants recruited in hospital, home assessments were conducted 4 months later on 64 participants. Findings. The COFEE-HD scores (physical functioning, personal and environmental safety and meta cognitive functioning) were significantly correlated with standard hospital measures and with the home assessment. Implications. The COFEE-HD was found to have a high level of validity in a hospital setting, and the resulting evaluation can provide important insights into function, safety and cognitive function for post-discharge behaviors.

Pilot validation of a verbal practical judgement assessment (VPJ) among community-dwelling older adults in Israel: the first step toward a national standard.

Increased longevity and subsequent increase in older populations emphasize the importance of assisting older people to continue living in safe and residential situations for as long as possible. Judgement, an important aspect of cognition, and a predictor of function may become impaired and compromise safe living. Yet, judgement is difficult to assess, and few valid instruments are utilized in clinical settings that accurately evaluate judgement in older people. Objectives: This pilot study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and initiate the validation of the Hebrew version of the verbal practical judgement (VPJ) assessment among community-dwelling older people. Methods: A total of 50 older adults, aged over 65 years, living in the community in Israel, half of whom were independent (n=27, 54%), and the rest dependent participants in a day centre with some level of cognitive/functional decline, completed the VPJ evaluation and comparison assessments. Results: Positive and significant (p<0.05) relationships between VPJ and standard assessments were found, demonstrating convergent validity. By comparing VPJ scores between independent and dependent older adults, results also supported discriminant validity. Finally, a multiple hierarchical regression demonstrated a positive relationship between instrumental activities of daily living and judgement. Conclusions: This pilot study found the VPJ feasible, likely valid, and culturally adaptable to assess judgement in Israeli older adults. Assessing judgement will provide older adults and their families with essential information regarding function, cognition, and safety and will enable them to live/return home in accordance with their autonomy, safety, and well-being.

O aumento da longevidade e o subsequente aumento das populações mais velhas enfatizam a importância de ajudar os idosos a continuar vivendo em situações residenciais seguras pelo maior tempo possível. O julgamento, um aspecto importante da cognição e um preditor da função, pode ser prejudicado e comprometer uma vida segura. No entanto, o julgamento é difícil de avaliar e poucos instrumentos válidos são utilizados em ambientes clínicos que avaliam com precisão o julgamento em pessoas idosas. Objetivos: Este estudo piloto teve como objetivo traduzir, adaptar culturalmente e iniciar a validação da versão hebraica da avaliação Verbal Practical Judgment (VPJ) entre idosos residentes na comunidade. Métodos: Cinquenta idosos, com mais de 65 anos, residentes na comunidade em Israel, metade dos quais eram independentes (n=27, 54%) e o restante participantes dependentes de um centro diurno com algum nível de declínio cognitivo/funcional, completaram o VPJ avaliações de avaliação e comparação. Resultados: Foram encontradas relações positivas e significativas (p<0,05) entre VPJ e avaliações padrão, demonstrando validade convergente. Ao comparar os escores VPJ entre idosos independentes e dependentes, os resultados também apoiaram a validade discriminante. Finalmente, uma regressão hierárquica múltipla demonstrou uma relação positiva entre AIVD e julgamento. Conclusão: Este estudo piloto considerou o VPJ viável, provavelmente válido e culturalmente adaptável para avaliar o julgamento em idosos israelenses. A avaliação do julgamento fornecerá aos idosos e suas famílias informações essenciais sobre função, cognição e segurança e os capacitará a viver/voltar para casa de acordo com sua autonomia, segurança e bem-estar.

The Feasibility and Efficacy of an Israeli Lifestyle Redesign®-Based Program for Well Older Adults: A Pilot Study.

The Israeli Lifestyle Program (ILP) was adapted from the original Lifestyle Redesign® intervention, aiming to enhance health, functioning, and quality of life (QoL) of older adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of the ILP. The design of the study entailed a non-randomized trial with a 3-month follow-up including 18 women aged 65 to 81 recruited from a community center. The research group (n = 9) participated in 15 weekly group meetings and three individual sessions. The control group (n = 9) received an information booklet based on the ILP content. Between-group comparisons revealed significant differences in change scores in favor of the research group for occupational performance (U = 19.0, p = .03), environmental (U = 21.5, p = .04), and social (U = 20.5, p = .03) QoL factors. Findings also revealed reduction in depressive symptoms (U = 24.0, p = .07). These findings suggest community group programs for improving occupational performance and QoL.

Pilot validation of a verbal practical judgement assessment (VPJ) among community-dwelling older adults in Israel: the first step toward a national standard / Validação piloto de uma avaliação de julgamento prático verbal (VPJ) entre idosos residentes na comunidade em Israel: o primeiro passo em direção a um padrão nacional

ABSTRACT. Increased longevity and subsequent increase in older populations emphasize the importance of assisting older people to continue living in safe and residential situations for as long as possible. Judgement, an important aspect of cognition, and a predictor of function may become impaired and compromise safe living. Yet, judgement is difficult to assess, and few valid instruments are utilized in clinical settings that accurately evaluate judgement in older people. Objectives: This pilot study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and initiate the validation of the Hebrew version of the verbal practical judgement (VPJ) assessment among community-dwelling older people. Methods: A total of 50 older adults, aged over 65 years, living in the community in Israel, half of whom were independent (n=27, 54%), and the rest dependent participants in a day centre with some level of cognitive/functional decline, completed the VPJ evaluation and comparison assessments. Results: Positive and significant (p<0.05) relationships between VPJ and standard assessments were found, demonstrating convergent validity. By comparing VPJ scores between independent and dependent older adults, results also supported discriminant validity. Finally, a multiple hierarchical regression demonstrated a positive relationship between instrumental activities of daily living and judgement. Conclusions: This pilot study found the VPJ feasible, likely valid, and culturally adaptable to assess judgement in Israeli older adults. Assessing judgement will provide older adults and their families with essential information regarding function, cognition, and safety and will enable them to live/return home in accordance with their autonomy, safety, and well-being.

RESUMO. O aumento da longevidade e o subsequente aumento das populações mais velhas enfatizam a importância de ajudar os idosos a continuar vivendo em situações residenciais seguras pelo maior tempo possível. O julgamento, um aspecto importante da cognição e um preditor da função, pode ser prejudicado e comprometer uma vida segura. No entanto, o julgamento é difícil de avaliar e poucos instrumentos válidos são utilizados em ambientes clínicos que avaliam com precisão o julgamento em pessoas idosas. Objetivos: Este estudo piloto teve como objetivo traduzir, adaptar culturalmente e iniciar a validação da versão hebraica da avaliação Verbal Practical Judgment (VPJ) entre idosos residentes na comunidade. Métodos: Cinquenta idosos, com mais de 65 anos, residentes na comunidade em Israel, metade dos quais eram independentes (n=27, 54%) e o restante participantes dependentes de um centro diurno com algum nível de declínio cognitivo/funcional, completaram o VPJ avaliações de avaliação e comparação. Resultados: Foram encontradas relações positivas e significativas (p<0,05) entre VPJ e avaliações padrão, demonstrando validade convergente. Ao comparar os escores VPJ entre idosos independentes e dependentes, os resultados também apoiaram a validade discriminante. Finalmente, uma regressão hierárquica múltipla demonstrou uma relação positiva entre AIVD e julgamento. Conclusão: Este estudo piloto considerou o VPJ viável, provavelmente válido e culturalmente adaptável para avaliar o julgamento em idosos israelenses. A avaliação do julgamento fornecerá aos idosos e suas famílias informações essenciais sobre função, cognição e segurança e os capacitará a viver/voltar para casa de acordo com sua autonomia, segurança e bem-estar.