Core Competencies for Gerontogeriatric Nursing: A Validation Study.

BACKGROUND: As the aging population grows, facing multifaceted health challenges and escalating care costs, equipping newly graduated nurses with the requisite skills for high-quality gerontogeriatric care becomes crucial. This study assesses the psychometric properties of a Gerontogeriatric Competency (GGC) scale to evaluate the competencies of newly graduated registered nurses (RNs). METHODS: Using a convenience sampling approach, a nationwide, observational prospective cohort study was conducted among 272 newly graduated RNs. The evaluation framework included a sociodemographic questionnaire, three groups of questions targeting gerontogeriatric nursing education aspects, and the GGC scale, with 64 competencies. Construct validity (via confirmatory factor analysis), known-group validity and reliability (assessed by Cronbach's α) were examined. RESULTS: The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed an adequate index fit: the ratio of chi-square to degrees of freedom (χ2/df) = 2.785, the goodness-of-fit index (GFI) = 0.579, confirmatory fit index (CFI) = 0.864, the parsimony goodness-of-fit index (PGFI) = 0.526, the parsimony confirmatory-of-fit index (PCFI) = 0.809, the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.087, and the modified expected cross-validation index (MECVI) = 24.418. Differences were observed in gerontogeriatric competencies based on curriculum inclusion, self-confidence, knowledge in caring for older adults, and satisfaction with the nursing program content. The Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.992 for the overall scale and ranged from 0.935 to 0.983 for the GGC dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: The GGC scale is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the gerontogeriatric competencies of new graduate RNs, highlighting its potential to enhance education, training, and, ultimately, the quality of care provided to the older population.

What Is the Relationship between Lifestyle and Frailty Status? Data from the Portuguese Multicentre Descriptive Study.

This observational and descriptive study attempted, within the scope of the ModulEn Research Project, to determine associations between lifestyle-related variables and frailty involving 160 community-dwelling older adults aged between 65 and 80 years living in the Central Region of Portugal. Forty-three percent of the study participants were pre-frail and 18% were frail. More than 50% of the frail people had slight cognitive decline, and the frailty condition was more frequently observed in women. As the literature highlights, there is potential for greater reversibility in the pre-frailty condition. To contribute to this reversibility, it is necessary to resort to interventions that promote physical activity and cognitive stimulation, apply adequate eating habits, and/or encourage the adoption of an active and socially integrated lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle implies good sleep and eating habits, and correct metabolic control that allows for effective surveillance of dyslipidemia, diabetes, and blood pressure.

Effectiveness of a Combined Intervention on Psychological and Physical Capacities of Frail Older Adults: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Older adults experience physical and psychological declines affecting independency. Adapted and structured combined interventions composed of cognitive stimulation and physical exercise contribute to comorbidities' reduction. Methods: Multicenter single-blinded two-arm cluster randomized controlled trial conducted to assess effectiveness of a combined intervention (CI), composed of a cognitive stimulation program (CSP) and a physical exercise program (PEP), on psychological and physical capacities of frail older adults as to on their activities of daily living. Were recruited 50 subjects from two elderly end-user organizations. Of these, 44 (65.9% females, mean age of 80.5 ± 8.47 years) were considered eligible, being randomly allocated in experimental (EG) or control group (CG). Data collected at baseline and post-intervention. EG received CI three times a week during 12 weeks. CG received standard care. Non-parametric measures were considered. Results: At baseline, groups were equivalent for study outcomes. The comparison of pre- and post-intervention data revealed that subjects receiving CI reduced depressive symptomatology and risk of fall based on gait and balance, and improved gait speed. Simultaneously, in the CG a significant decline on activities of daily living was observed. Significant results were found among biomechanical parameters of gait (BPG). EG' effect size revealed to be small (0.2 ≤ r < 0.5). CG' effect size was also small; but for activities of daily living there was an evident decrease. Conclusion: The CI is effective on managing older adults' psychological and physical capacities.

Fazer a Diferença 3 - um programa de estimulação cognitiva individual para pessoas idosas: Aceitabilidade e aplicabilidade / Making a Difference 3 - an individual cognitive stimulation program for older people: Appropriateness and feasibility / Fazer a Diferença 3 - un programa de estimulación cognitiva individual para personas mayores: Aceptabilidad y aplicabilidad

Resumo Enquadramento: A estimulação cognitiva individual desenvolvida em contexto domiciliar por um cuidador é uma intervenção inovadora. O programa de estimulação cognitiva Fazer a Diferença 3 (FD3) é um exemplo deste tipo de intervenção. Objetivo: Explorar a aceitabilidade e a aplicabilidade do programa FD3 para a população portuguesa. Metodologia: Estudo desenvolvido em duas fases: na Fase 1 realizaram-se entrevistas exploratórias a académicos, profissionais de saúde e cuidadores, com o intuito de se conhecer a recetividade a este tipo de intervenção; na Fase 2 conduziu-se um painel de peritos e grupos focais, com cuidadores, para explorar a suas perceções sobre o programa FD3, versão portuguesa. Resultados: A Fase 1 foi impulsionadora do estudo. As partes interessadas analisaram este tipo de intervenção como muito útil e versátil. A Fase 2 permitiu perceber as potencialidades em termos de aceitabilidade e de aplicabilidade da intervenção, traduzida e adaptada, para a população portuguesa. Conclusão: O programa FD3 poderá ser uma excelente ferramenta no cuidado à pessoa idosa com deterioração cognitiva a residir em contexto domiciliar.

Abstract Background: The delivery of individual cognitive stimulation by caregivers in a home-based setting is an innovative intervention. An example of this type of intervention is the Making a Difference 3 (MD3) cognitive stimulation program. Objective: To explore the appropriateness and feasibility of the MD3 program for the Portuguese population. Methodology: This study was developed in two phases. In Phase 1, exploratory interviews were conducted with academics, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to identify the receptivity to this type of intervention. In Phase 2, a panel of experts and focus groups with caregivers were conducted to explore their perceptions about the Portuguese version of the MD3 program. Results: Phase 1 was the driving force behind the study. Participants considered this type of intervention very useful and versatile. Phase 2 allowed identifying the level of appropriateness and feasibility of the intervention that was translated and adapted to the Portuguese population. Conclusion: The MD3 program can be an excellent tool in caring for older adults with cognitive impairment living at home.

Resumen Marco contextual: La estimulación cognitiva individual, desarrollada en casa, por un cuidador, es una intervención innovadora. El programa de estimulación cognitiva Marcando la diferencia 3 (MD3) es un ejemplo de este tipo de intervención. Objetivo: explorar la aceptabilidad y aplicabilidad del programa MD3 para la población portuguesa. Metodología: se desarrollaron dos fases. En la Fase 1, se realizaron entrevistas exploratorias con académicos, profesionales y cuidadores, con el fin de conocer la receptividad a este tipo de intervenciones; La Fase 2, se desarrolló un panel de expertos y grupos focales para explorar sus percepciones sobre el programa, versión portuguesa. Resultados: La Fase 1 fue la fuerza impulsora detrás del estudio. Los grupos de interés consideraron este tipo de intervención como muy útil y versátil. La Fase 2 permitió percibir las potencialidades en términos de aceptabilidad y aplicabilidad de la intervención, traducida y adaptada, para la población. Conclusión: El programa MD3 puede ser una excelente herramienta para el cuidado de las personas mayores con deterioro cognitivo que viven en el hogar.

Medication adherence and management in older people: identify and intervene

Medication non-adherence rates in older people range between 45 and 75% due to several reasons. A descriptive, quantitative study is being conducted with the purpose of identifying older people's knowledge about medication management, their difficulties, and strategies used. The sample is composed of older people (aged 65 years or over) who use day care centers in Coimbra. Data are collected using a questionnaire designed by the authors. The AGITE (Adesão e Gestão por Idosos da Terapêutica, Older People's Medication Adherence and Management) tool has 4 open-ended questions and 26 closed-ended questions. It is used in combination with the 6-item Cognitive Impairment Test (6CIT) and the Graffar scale. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Health Sciences Research Unit: Nur-sing, Nursing School of Coimbra. The final version of the questionnaire was applied to a sample composed of 128 older adults with a mean age of 78.24 years. The preliminary results show that the questionnaire is easy to apply. With regard to its psychometric properties, and based on the exploratory factor analysis, three dimensions emerged with an acceptable internal consistency (0.6-0.8). The AGITE tool may be an adequate tool for identifying older people's difficulties and designing nursing strategies to help them overcome these difficulties. For this reason, the study should continue being developed

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