[Trends in the Prevalence of Dementia and Parkinson's Disease: An Analysis Based on Health Claims Data from all German Statutory Health Insurance Funds for Persons aged 65+in Germany 2009-2012]. / Trends in der Prävalenz von Demenz und Parkinson ­ Eine Analyse auf Basis aller gesetzlich versicherten Personen im Alter 65+in Deutschland zwischen 2009 und 2012.

OBJECTIVES: There will be an increase in the number of people with dementia (DEM) and Parkinson's disease (PD) with the ageing of the population. The aim of the study was to calculate prevalences and trends of prevalences for DEM and PD in Germany to enable reliable public health planning. METHODS: For the years 2009-2012, sex-specific period prevalences of DEM and PD for 5-year age-groups based on health claims data from all German statutory health insurance funds were calculated. Time trends were estimated using a negative binomial regression. RESULTS: In 2012 and for persons aged 65 or older, the crude prevalence was 7.9% for DEM and 2.2% for PD. Between 2009 and 2012, a mean decrease of the DEM prevalence by 1.2% per year was found for women and men above age 65. For PD we found constant rates between 2009-2012 among men and an annual mean decrease of PD prevalence of 0.5% among women. CONCLUSION: A reduction of the DEM prevalence by 1.2% per year could partially counterbalance the increase of people with dementia resulting from ageing population. For PD we found decreasing prevalences only among women.

Projected numbers of people with movement disorders in the years 2030 and 2050.

BACKGROUND: Movement disorders are chronic diseases with an increasing prevalence in old age. Because these disorders pose a major challenge to patients, families, and health care systems, there is a need for reliable data about the future number of affected people. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We searched the literature to identify epidemiological studies to obtain age-specific prevalence data of movement disorders. We combined the age-specific prevalence data with population projections for Europe, the United States, and Canada. RESULTS: Movement disorders will increase considerably between 2010 and 2050. The highest increase will be for dementia with Lewy bodies. In several countries, we project a near doubling of patients with PD. CONCLUSIONS: There will be a strong increase in the number of people affected by most movement disorders between 2010 and 2050. This increase will mostly depend on the future aging of populations in terms of their age structure and future life expectancy.

Assessing the Impact of a Game-Centered Mobile App on Community-Dwelling Older Adults' Health Activation.

BACKGROUND: Older adults experience normative age-graded declines in physical and cognitive performance and many must manage one or more chronic conditions. Exercise programs can help to improve both their physical health and their knowledge, skill, and confidence in managing aspects of their own healthcare, yet a significant barrier is motivating them to adhere to such programs. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the impact of a game-centered mobile app (Bingocize®) on older adults' knowledge, skill, and confidence for managing aspects of their healthcare. METHODS: Community-dwelling older adults (N=84) with mobility and not engaged in any structured exercise program were recruited from rural community senior centers in Kentucky and Tennessee. Participants were randomly assigned to (a) a version that included health education, or (b) health education and an exercise component. Participants used the app in a group setting for 10 weeks, twice per week, for one hour. The Patient Activation Measure (PAM-10) was used to assess group changes in knowledge, skill, and confidence for managing aspects of their healthcare. The design was a two (Group: Exercise + Health Education vs. Health Education-only) x two (Time: Pre- vs. Post-intervention) and an analyses of variance, with significance p<.05, was used to detect within and between group differences. RESULTS: PAM-10 values significantly increased from pre- to post-intervention for both groups, as did knowledge of the health topics (all p < 0.05). Attendance was >93% in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Bingocize® engendered high attendance and improved health activation of older adults; however, additional research is needed to examine whether changes in activation result in long-term changes in health behaviour. The Bingocize® mobile app is an enjoyable and effective way to increase health activation in community-dwelling older adults.