Functional autonomy in dementia of the Alzheimer's type, mild cognitive impairment, and healthy aging: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Activities of daily living (ADL) are fundamental skills required to independently care for oneself and are categorized in basic (BADLs) and instrumental (IADLs) activities of daily living. ADL evaluation is of paramount importance in clinical practice to discriminate between healthy individuals (HC) and patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, it is unclear whether and to what extent BADL and IADL deficits occur in MCI, when compared with AD. Therefore, the present study aimed at comparing performance on both BADLs and IADLs in HC, MCI, and AD. METHODS: Three electronic databases were consulted for studies comparing total BADLs/IADLs, and single BADLs/IADLs in AD, MCI, and HC (comparisons: AD versus MCI, AD versus HC, MCI versus HC). Ninety-six studies were included in the meta-analysis with random effect models (Hedges' g). Meta-regression was performed to evaluate the effect of clinical variables on ESs. RESULTS: AD group had more difficulties in BADLs and IADLs than HC and MCI groups; people with MCI showed more difficulties in both IADLs and BADLs than HC. The meta-regression analysis revealed that the percentage of males in the samples was a significant predictor of the ES in the meta-analysis comparing total BADL scores between MCI and HC; in the comparison between AD and HC, age at evaluation predicted the ES on some single IADLs: preparing food, handling medication, and finances. CONCLUSIONS: In MCI, it should be considered not only a decline of IADLs but also subtle decline of BADL abilities.

A prospective evaluation of the depression-nutrient intake reverse causality hypothesis in a cohort of community-dwelling older Canadians.

Studies have investigated the potential protective effects that diet may have on late-life depression incidence. This disorder can, however, affect the person's food intake, widely known as the reverse causality hypothesis of depression. To test this hypothesis, we compared mean nutrient intakes from three 24-h recalls during the year depression was detected (Geriatric Depression Scale ≥11 or antidepressant medication) with intakes from 1 year earlier among community-dwelling older adults (67-83 years) followed up annually in the 4-year Québec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Aging, who were free of depression and cognitive impairment at baseline. Participants (n 158, 64·4 % female) who became depressed and had data available for all follow-up years were matched by age group and sex with non-depressed participants. General linear mixed models were adjusted for percentage changes in physical activity, functional autonomy and stressful life events reported at the time of positive screening. A significant group effect for the dietary intake of all three B-vitamins was observed, as depression cases had consistently lower dietary intakes than controls (P<0·01). Over time, intakes of dietary vitamin B12 declined within depressed participants in bivariate analysis, but there was no time×group effect for any nutrient tested in the multivariate analyses. Intakes of energy, protein, saturated fat and total dietary fibre did not change in cases v. CONTROLS: Among community-dwelling older adults, declines in dietary vitamins B6, B12 and folate may precede depression incidence. To help preventative efforts by programmes and practitioners, longitudinal cohorts of longer duration should investigate the extent of the decline in dietary intakes relative to the time of depression.

Quality of life in aphasic patients 1 year after a first stroke.

PURPOSE: This study had twofold objective: (1) assessing change and dynamic processes over time between severity of aphasia and functional autonomy and (2) examining the temporal relationships between functional autonomy, depressive mood and quality of life in stroke patients with aphasia. METHOD: Prospective study of patients with aphasia consecutively included after a first stroke and examined 1 year later at home (n = 101). Assessment included a visual analogical scale assessing QoL, a functional autonomy scale, a severity of aphasia scale, a communication questionnaire and a depression scale. Structural equation modeling was used to estimate competitive models, in which depressive mood or QoL was the ultimate endogenous variable (i.e., vulnerability vs. scar model). RESULTS: One year after stroke, there were a slight improvement in language impairment (stability coefficient = .61, p < .001) and a moderate improvement in functional autonomy (stability coefficient = .44, p < .001). There were prospective reciprocal effects between severity of aphasia and functional autonomy, i.e., each state exerted a temporal dynamic prediction on the other over time. Cross-sectional results from path analysis showed that depressive mood negatively predicted QoL (i.e., scar model); there was no evidence of the reverse association. CONCLUSION: Results and their practical relevance in treatment were discussed. Predicting as soon as possible which factors would be related to late QoL in stroke patients with aphasia is of major importance.

Prolonged sedentary time and physical fitness among Canadian men and women aged 60 to 69.

BACKGROUND: Evidence for associations between prolonged sedentary time and breaks in sedentary time and fitness is limited in older adults. This study examines associations between objectively measured and self-reported total sedentary time and breaks in sedentary time with cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal fitness among Canadian men and women aged 60 to 69. DATA AND METHODS: Data from cycles 1 and 2 of the Canadian Health Measures Survey were used for analysis. This is a nationally representative survey with an overall response rate of 53.5%. Men (n = 564) and women (n = 593) aged 60 to 69 were selected for analysis. Sedentary time, breaks in sedentary time, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were objectively measured with accelerometers. Leisure sedentary time was self-reported. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed with the modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test. Musculoskeletal fitness was based on grip strength and flexibility. Linear regression models were adjusted for age, sex, education, body mass index, smoking status and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. RESULTS: The number of breaks in measured sedentary time (ß:0.47, p = 0.02 ) and the percentage of measured sedentary time spent in bouts lasting at least 20 minutes (ß:-0.53, p = 0.01 ) were associated with cardiorespiratory fitness. For men, grip strength was negatively associated with measured total sedentary time (ß:-0.03, p = 0.03 ) and sit-and-reach was positively associated with breaks in measured sedentary time (ß:0.15, p = 0.02 ). Self-reported sedentary time was not associated with any of the fitness outcomes. INTERPRETATION: Among Canadians aged 60 to 69, fitness may be influenced not only by total sedentary time, but also by patterns of sedentary time.

The relationship between perceived promotion of autonomy/dependence and pain-related disability in older adults with chronic pain: the mediating role of self-reported physical functioning.

Chronic pain is prevalent among older adults and is usually associated with high levels of functional disability. Social support for the promotion of functional autonomy and dependence has been associated with pain-related disability and self-reported physical functioning. Nevertheless, these relationships need further inquiry. Our aims were to investigate: (1) the relationship between perceived promotion of autonomy/dependence and pain-related disability and (2) the extent to which self-reported physical functioning mediated these relationships. 118 older adults (Mage = 81.0) with musculoskeletal chronic pain completed the Portuguese versions of the revised formal social support for Autonomy and Dependence in Pain Inventory, the pain severity and interference scales of the Brief Pain Inventory, and the physical functioning scale of the Medical Outcomes Study-Short-Form 36 v2. Higher levels of perceived promotion of autonomy were associated with lower pain-related disability; this relationship was partially mediated by self-reported physical functioning (B = -.767, p < .001 decreasing to B' = -.485, p < .01). Higher perceived promotion of dependence was associated with higher pain-related disability; this effect was also partially accounted for by self-reported physical functioning (B = .889, p < .01 decreasing to B' = .597, p < .05). These results highlight the importance of perceived promotion of autonomy and dependence for managing older adults' experience of chronic pain.

Evening adolescents: the role of family relationships and pubertal development.

Accumulating evidence suggests that evening-type adolescents are exposed to a number of determinants that might have a negative impact on their health condition. Despite the fact that biological and psychosocial factors are interrelated, their impacts on the shift toward eveningness during puberty have been considered only separately. In this study, the effects of frequency of conflicts and functional autonomy on the relationship between pubertal development and Morningness-Eveningness (M-E) were tested together. A sample of 2081 adolescents aged 12-16 completed pubertal development, M-E, family frequency of conflicts and functional autonomy scales. Results indicated that greater functional autonomy and more conflicts in the family were unique predictors of greater eveningness, and they both together were better predictors of M-E than an advanced age and pubertal development. Apart from biological development, family relationship seems an important factor explaining progressive tendency toward eveningness during puberty and adolescence. Some implications to adolescent development were indicated.

Association between Comorbidity Indices and Functional Autonomy in Individuals with Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review aimed to examine whether higher comorbidity burden, as assessed by comorbidity indices, was associated with a functional autonomy decline in individuals with cognitive impairment. The search was conducted in the following databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, Cochrane, and Embase. Both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies that examined the relationship between comorbidity indices and scales measuring activities of daily living (ADL) in individuals with cognitive impairment were included. The quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was used. Overall, 12 studies were included, among which three were longitudinal. Significant association was frequently reported by cross-sectional designs (n=7 studies) and only one study reported a significant longitudinal association. This longitudinal study repeatedly assessed both comorbidity burden and functional autonomy, and considered comorbidity burden as a time-varying covariate. Considering comorbidity burden as a time varying covariate may deal with the dynamic nature of comorbidity burden over time, and conducting repeated assessments during the follow-up using both comorbidity index and ADL scales may increase their sensitivity to reliably measure comorbidity burden and functional autonomy decline over time. In conclusion, a higher comorbidity index was associated with a lower level of functional autonomy in people with cognitive impairment. This relationship seems to be dynamic over time and using comorbidity indices and ADL scales only once may not deal with the fluctuation of both comorbidity burden and functional autonomy decline. To cope with complexity of this relationship this review highlights some methodological approaches to be considered.

[From comprehensive geriatric assessment to an integrated multidimensional assessment system : interRAI tools and their applications]. / De l'évaluation gériatrique standardisée à un système intégré d'évaluation multidimensionnelle : les outils interRAI et leurs applications.

The multidimensional assessment carried out with interRAI tools constitutes an operationalization of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and is adapted to the specificities of each place of care. From a single assessment, the interRAI approach makes it possible to conduct a multidimensional assessment of functional autonomy and to produce a series of indicators (health, areas of intervention, quality of care and consumption of resources). It helps to identify clinical needs to be the subject of a personalized care plan and the strengths and weaknesses of health organizations to modify the professional practices. Compared to standardized geriatric assessment, interRAI tools consider the person's expectations and resources, offer a universal common language, produce a multidimensional synthesis and facilitate the construction of an integrated information system. The basis for their development is scientificity based on evidence.

Effect of resistance circuit training on comprehensive health indicators in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aging process leads to the degeneration of body structure and function. The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of resistance circuit training (RCT) on comprehensive health indicators of older adults. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched until August 2023. Primary outcomes were body composition, muscle strength, cardiorespiratory endurance, blood pressure, and functional autonomy. Muscle function and exercise intensity subgroups were analyzed. RCT reduces body fat (MD = - 5.39 kg, 95% CI - 10.48 to - 0.29), BMI (MD = - 1.22, 95% CI - 2.17 to - 0.26), and body weight (MD = - 1.28 kg, 95% CI - 1.78 to - 0.78), and increases lean body mass (MD = 1.42 kg, 95% CI 0.83-2.01) in older adults. It improves upper limb strength (SMD = 2.09, 95% CI 1.7-2.48), lower limb strength (SMD = 2.03, 95% CI 1.56-2.51), cardiorespiratory endurance (MD = 94 m, 95% CI 25.69-162.67), and functional autonomy (MD = - 1.35, 95% CI - 1.73 to - 0.96). High-intensity RCT benefits BMI and body weight, while low-intensity exercise reduces blood pressure. RCT improves muscle function in push, pull, hip, and knee movements in older adults. RCT improves body composition, muscle strength, cardiorespiratory endurance, blood pressure, and functional autonomy in older adults. High-intensity training is superior for body composition, while moderate to low intensity training is more effective for lowering blood pressure.

Assessing patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and patient-related outcomes in randomized cancer clinical trials for older adults: Results of DATECAN-ELDERLY initiative.

As older adults with cancer are underrepresented in randomized clinical trials (RCT), there is limited evidence on which to rely for treatment decisions for this population. Commonly used RCT endpoints for the assessment of treatment efficacy are more often tumor-centered (e.g., progression-free survival). These endpoints may not be as relevant for the older patients who present more often with comorbidities, non-cancer-related deaths, and treatment toxicity. Moreover, their expectation and preferences are likely to differ from younger adults. The DATECAN-ELDERLY initiative combines a broad expertise, in geriatric oncology and clinical research, with interest in cancer RCT that include older patients with cancer. In order to guide researchers and clinicians coordinating cancer RCT involving older patients with cancer, the experts reviewed the literature on relevant domains to assess using patient-reported outcomes (PRO) and patient-related outcomes, as well as available tools related to these domains. Domains considered relevant by the panel of experts when assessing treatment efficacy in RCT for older patients with cancer included functional autonomy, cognition, depression and nutrition. These were based on published guidelines from international societies and from regulatory authorities as well as minimum datasets recommended to collect in RCT including older adults with cancer. In addition, health-related quality of life, patients' symptoms, and satisfaction were also considered by the panel. With regards to tools for the assessment of these domains, we highlighted that each tool has its own strengths and limitations, and very few had been validated in older adults with cancer. Further studies are thus needed to validate these tools in this specific population and define the minimum clinically important difference to use when developing RCTs in this population. The selection of the most relevant tool should thus be guided by the RCT research question, together with the specific properties of the tool.

Assessing Family Social Support for Functional Autonomy and Dependence in Pain: A Psychometric Study.

Assessing family supportive responses to pain behaviors is paramount, as these may help or hinder chronic pain (CP) adjustment. Current self-report measures of pain-specific family supportive dynamics are scarce, covering a limited range of responses. To address this gap, this paper aimed at the psychometric validation of a (revised) novel measure - the Informal Social Support for Autonomy and Dependence in Pain Inventory (ISSADI-PAIN). Three-hundred and three adults participated in this study (53.3% women; Mage = 49.31), 53.5% with current CP, 20.1% with acute pain (AP) in the previous week and 26.4% with no current pain. All participants completed the revised ISSADI-PAIN. Participants reporting AP/CP in the previous week also filled out measures of pain coping/outcomes. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyzes supported a 3-factor structure: Perceived Promotion of Dependence (PPD; 5 items; α = .82), Perceived Promotion of Autonomy-Emotional (PPA-Emot; 3 items; α = .78), PPA-instrumental (PPA-Inst; 3 items; α = .82). Higher PPD was associated with higher AP disability and less wellness-focused coping; higher PPA-Emot was associated with more wellness-focused CP coping; PPA-Inst was associated with better/worse AP/CP outcomes and more frequent use of wellness-focused CP coping. Men with AP reported more PPD than women. The revised ISSADI-PAIN is an innovative, valid, and reliable measure of relevant functions of pain-related social support, which may influence pain persistence and adaptation. PERSPECTIVE: This article presents a novel self-report measure (ISSADI-PAIN) that assesses family support for functional autonomy and dependence in pain contexts. This measure may contribute to further research on the complexities of family supportive dynamics surrounding individuals with AP/CP, clarifying their role on pain persistence and adaptation processes.

[Beyond decision-making: A contextual and multidimensional view of patient autonomy]. / Más allá de la toma de decisiones: Una visión contextual y multidimensional de la autonomía del paciente.

There has been a trend in the clinical literature to reduce patient autonomy to decision-making, perhaps due to the influence of the philosophical-legal tradition and because of its initial hospital and emergency medicine focus. This paper presents a broader model of autonomy, which, in addition to strict medical issues and respect for freedom of choice, pays more attention to the specificities that characterise people in need of health care, i.e., the biological, psychological, and social aspects that allow or impede them a greater degree of autonomy. To that end we identify and describe all the stages or points at which the question arises of the patient's (in)capacity for self-management throughout the care process. This generates a more complex and multidimensional notion of patient autonomy which, in addition to the ability to make free and therapeutically informed decisions -decisional autonomy-, also includes the ability to carry out basic vital functions and tasks that can be performed by a statistical majority of people (such as eating, seeing, walking, understanding complex situations, etc.) -functional autonomy-, the patient's capacity to plan, sequence, and perform tasks related to the management of their chronic diseases, i.e., the capacity to implement the chosen therapeutic plan and maintain it over time-executive autonomy-, the patient's capacity to retain, understand and communicate coherently and understandably for others the principle identifying aspects that have characterised them during their lives-narrative autonomy-, and the ability of patients to access and control information relative to their situation for themselves-informative autonomy-.

Thyroid functional and molecular imaging.

Radioiodine uptake (RAIU) test with iodine-123 (Na[123I]I) or iodine-131 (Na[131I]I) enables accurate evaluation and quantification of iodine uptake and kinetics within thyroid cells. Thyroid Scintigraphy (TS) employing Na[123I]I or 99mTc-pertechnetate (Na[99mTc]TcO4) provides information regarding the function and topographical distribution of thyroid cells activity, including detection and localization of ectopic thyroid tissue. Destructive thyrotoxicosis is characterized by low RAIU with scintigraphically reduced radiotracer activity in the thyroid tissue, while productive thyrotoxicosis (i.e. hyperthyroidism "stricto sensu") is characterized by high RAIU with scintigraphically diffuse (i.e. Graves' Disease, GD and diffuse thyroid autonomy) or focal (i.e. autonomously functioning thyroid nodules, AFTN) overactivity. Accordingly, RAIU and/or TS are widely used to differentiate different causes of thyrotoxicosis. In addition, several radiopharmaceuticals are also available to help differentiate benign from malignant thyroid nodules and inform clinical decision-making: scintigraphic identification of AFTNs obviate fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy, and [99mTc]Tc-hexakis-(2­methoxy-2-isobutyl isonitrile ([99mTc]Tc-MIBI) and/or 18F-fluoro-d-glucose ([18F]FDG) may complement the work-up of cytologically indeterminate "cold" nodules for reducing the need for diagnostic lobectomies/thyroidectomies. Finally, RAIU studies are also useful for calculating the administered therapeutic activity of Na[131I]I to treat hyperthyroidism and euthyroid multinodular goiter. All considered, thyroid molecular imaging allows functional characterization of different thyroid diseases, even before clinical symptoms become manifest, and remains integral to the management of such conditions. Our present paper summarizes basic concepts, clinical applications, and potential developments of thyroid molecular imaging in patients affected by thyrotoxicosis and thyroid nodules.

Relationship between Asymmetries and Functional Autonomy in Older Chilean Adults.

The objectives of this study were: (a) to determine asymmetries, both lower limb (LL) and upper limb (UL), in Chilean older adults, and (b) to relate asymmetries to FA in both LL and UL. Forty-one older adults voluntarily participated in this study (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: age 72.0 ± 8.0 years, LL asymmetries 13.78 ± 14.87%, UL asymmetries 10.70 ± 8.85%, FA 40.35 ± 16.26 points). The variables were: (1) asymmetries of LL and UL, assessed through a force platform and handgrip, respectively; (2) FA, assessed through the Latin American Group for Maturity (GDLAM) and the GDLAM index of autonomy (GI) protocol. The relationship between the variables was performed through Spearman's correlation. The analysis showed that 39% of the participants presented asymmetries above 15% in the LL. Likewise, this 39% of older adults presented a lower FA than their peers with asymmetries below 15% in the LL (≤15%: 35.64 ± 12.26 points vs. >15%: 47.69 ± 19.23 points, p = 0.003). The analysis showed a small correlation between LL and GI asymmetries (r = 0.27, p = 0.07) and a small but negative correlation between UL and GI (r = -0.21). The mean values of asymmetries of both LL and UL are within 'normal' parameters. However, several older adults were identified as being at risk. In parallel, older adults who presented a higher level of asymmetries in LL showed a lower level of FA.

The Informal Social Support for Autonomy and Dependence in Pain Inventory Spanish version.

Social support plays a crucial role in the quality of life of people with chronic pain. The Informal Social Support for Autonomy and Dependence in Pain Inventory assesses two functions of received social support: the promotion of autonomy and the promotion of dependence. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to adapt this instrument for its use in the Spanish population. The sample comprised 256 individuals with chronic pain. Participants were recruited through two local associations of people with fibromyalgia, a physiotherapy unit and a hospital pain unit. The data were collected in Spain between October 2018 and January 2020. The structure of the questionnaire was analysed using confirmatory factor analysis, average variance extracted, composite reliability and internal consistency indexes, and inter-correlations between the scales. The criterion-related validity of the instrument was analysed by investigating its relationship with pain intensity, positive and negative affect, daily functioning, activity impairment, wellbeing and satisfaction with life. The structure with the best fit had four related factors: emotional social support for the promotion of autonomy; instrumental social support for the promotion of autonomy; emotional social support for the promotion of dependence and instrumental social support for the promotion of dependence. The scales showed adequate internal consistency. An association was found between higher levels of instrumental social support for the promotion of dependence and higher levels of pain-related disability and decreased daily functioning. An association was also found between the promotion of autonomy and increased satisfaction with life. The Spanish version of the inventory shows appropriate psychometric properties. In the setting of disability prevention, this instrument is useful in assessing the support relationships between people with chronic pain and their relatives.

Molecular Imaging for Thyrotoxicosis and Thyroid Nodules.

After exclusion of exogenous iodine overload, radioiodine uptake (RAIU) testing with 123I or 131I enables the accurate evaluation and quantification of iodine uptake and kinetics within thyroid cells. In addition, scintigraphic evaluation with 123I or 99mTc-pertechnetate (99mTc04-) provides the topographic distribution of thyroid cell activity and allows the detection and localization of ectopic thyroid tissue. Destructive thyrotoxicosis is characterized by abolished or reduced uptake whereas productive thyrotoxicosis (i.e., hyperthyroidism "sensu strictu") is characterized by high RAIU with scintigraphically diffuse (i.e., Graves disease and diffuse thyroid autonomy) or focal (i.e., autonomously functioning thyroid nodules [AFTN]) overactivity. Accordingly, RAIU or thyroid scintigraphy are widely used to differentiate different causes of thyrotoxicosis. In addition, several radiopharmaceuticals are also available to help in differentiating benign from malignant thyroid nodules and inform clinical decision making. In fact, AFTNs can be safely excluded from fine-needle aspiration biopsy while either 99mTc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) and 18F-FDG may complement the work-up of cytologically indeterminate cold nodules and contribute to reducing the need for diagnostic lobectomies/thyroidectomies. Finally, RAIU studies are also useful for calculating the administered therapeutic activity of 131I to treat hyperthyroidism and euthyroid multinodular goiter. All considered, thyroid molecular imaging allows us to characterize molecular/functional aspects of different thyroid diseases, even before clinical symptoms become manifest and remains integral to properly managing such conditions. Our present paper summarizes basic concepts, clinical applications, and potential developments of thyroid molecular imaging in patients affected by thyrotoxicosis and thyroid nodules.

Physical Activity and the Improvement of Autonomy, Functional Ability, Subjective Health, and Social Relationships in Women over the Age of 60.

Regarding functional ability, autonomy, promotion of social relationships and health, little scientific evidence has been found of physical practice in active women over 60 years of age. Hence, the goal of this study was to assess the functional abilities and autonomy, social relationships and subjective health of physically active older women according to the level of activity practiced. The IPAQ and CUBRECAVI scales were applied to a sample of 257 women between 61 and 93 years old (M = 69.44, SD = 4.61). Statistically significant outcomes were obtained in functional ability and autonomy according to their level of physical activity (p = 0.001): greater satisfaction and frequency of social relationships with a mild level of physical activity (p = 0.011), and statistically significant differences in the degree of satisfaction with their health according to the level of physical activity they practice (p < 0.001). The results showed that those with high physical activity obtained better levels of functional abilities and autonomy. Additionally, dissatisfaction with one's own health is associated with low levels of physical activity. In conclusion, it could be said that the practice of mild physical exercise in older women encourages greater autonomy and functional ability for activities of daily living, which results in independence in everyday life in addition to fostering social links as well as gaining a better satisfaction with their own health, with the socio-emotional benefits that this can bring.

Aging-in-Place: Residents' Attitudes and Floor Plan Potential in Apartment Buildings From 1990 to 2015.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated apartment designs in apartment blocks built 1990-2015 in Gothenburg, Sweden. We investigated the residents' attitudes toward their previous, present, and future housing and their perceived possibilities for aging-in-place. We analyzed their apartments, focusing on the possibilities for aging-in-place in future care situations concerning bedroom capacity in a care situation; spatial proximity between bathroom, bedroom, storage, and entrance; and functional autonomy in a care situation without too much disturbance for a partner. BACKGROUND: Since the 2000s, the ambition in Sweden is to enable older people to remain in ordinary housing. The possibilities for aging-in-place should therefore be considered already in the design stage, also when producing standard apartments. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were made with 30 households, with one or more resident 65 years or older. Floor plan analyses were made of their present apartments. RESULTS: The majority displayed a pragmatic attitude toward aging, high satisfaction with their present housing situation, and good chances for aging-in-place in future homecare scenarios. The floor plan analysis shows that the three concepts of bedroom capacity, spatial proximity, and functional autonomy can be used to determine the potential for aging-in-place. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that architectural qualities related to aging-in-place are not automatically connected to floor size or number of rooms. Small apartments can perform better than larger ones, depending on spatio-functional organization and connections between different functions. The residents' perceived chances for aging-in-place confirm this relation. Future studies should compare different locations, production periods, and relations between size, space efficiency, and accessibility.

Enriched gardens improve cognition and independence of nursing home residents with dementia: a pilot controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Dementia is a major issue worldwide, and considerable efforts were made to design therapeutic mediation tools and evaluate their benefits on the health of patients. METHODS: Design: Multi-center cluster-controlled pilot trial. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: Four nursing homes that offered separated access to one conventional sensory garden (CSG) and one enriched garden (EG). The participants were residents with dementia, independent for walking and with no severe dementia or behavioural troubles. Eligible residents were divided into three groups according to the proximity of their room: close to the CSG or EG gardens for the first two groups and further from the gardens for the third (control) group. INTERVENTIONS: We asked staff members to frequently invite residents to visit the EG or the CSG depending on their group allocation. No invitation to gardens was made to the control group. We installed 12 enrichment modules in the EG that stimulated cognitive, independence and walking/balance functions. MEASURES: Cognitive function (MMSE), independence for activities of daily living (ADL) and risk of falls (unipodal stance and timed up and go - (TUG)) were assessed at baseline and after 6 months. RESULTS: The 120 participants were 81·0 ± 3·5 years old and comprised of 83 women. Their MMSE score was 17·5 ± 2·9. Patients' characteristics were not significantly different between the three groups. Among the participants invited to visit the EG group, 6-month changes in MMSE showed improvement compared to other groups (+ 0·93 ± 0·65 vs -0·25 ± 0·71 and -0·24 ± 0·73 in the EG vs CSG and control groups, respectively, P < 0·0001). Changes in ADL, TUG and unipodal stance were significantly improved in the group visiting the EG as compared to other groups, which indicates better functioning. CONCLUSIONS: EGs offer a new approach to therapeutic mediation for residents of nursing homes with dementia.

Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Systems to Improve the Activities of Daily Life in Older People.

(1) This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments with virtual reality systems (VRSs) on the functional autonomy of older adults versus conventional treatment. (3) Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis. An electronic data search was carried out, following the PRISMA statement, up to February 2020. We combined results from clinical trials using VRSs for the improvement of basic and instrumental activities of daily living. The guidelines of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions were followed for calculations and risk of bias. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to assess the quality of evidence. (4) Results: The final analysis included 23 studies with a population of 1595 participants. A moderate, but clinically significant, effect was found for basic activities of daily living (BADLs), (Standard Medium Deviation, SMD 0.61; 95% CI: -0.15-1.37; P < 0.001). A small effect was found for instrumental ADLs (Instrumental Activities of daily living, IADLs) (SMD -0.34; 95% CI: -0.82-0.15; P < 0.001). Functional ambulation was the BADL which improved the most (SMD -0.63; 95% CI: -0.86, -0.40; P < 0.001). (5) Conclusion: The use of VRSs is an innovative and feasible technique to support and improve the functional autonomy of community-dwelling older adults. Due to the very low quality of the evidence for our main outcomes, the effects of a VRS on the BADLs and IADLs are uncertain. Clinical trials of a higher methodological quality are necessary to increase the level of knowledge of its actual effectiveness.