RESUMEN
An increasing number of family caregivers are seeking services and support due in large part to the dramatic increase in the number of older adults obtaining dementia diagnoses. This paper describes barriers and challenges experienced by our research team in recruiting early-stage dementia caregiving dyads into research studies. Effective recruitment and screening strategies to address these barriers are also discussed. Recruitment and enrollment success depends on these strategies as well as having well-trained recruitment staff who are knowledgeable about the study and have experience working with older adults, and more specifically, persons with dementia.
Asunto(s)
Cuidadores/psicología , Demencia/psicología , Selección de Paciente , Anciano , Geriatría , HumanosRESUMEN
This study examines whether the delivery of three components, (a) exercise training, (b) behavior management skill building, and (c) dementia-related education, in an evidence-based program are differentially associated with changes in outcomes for individuals with dementia (IWDs) after 3 months. Data come from 508 IWDs participating in the community replication of the evidence-based "Reducing Disability in Alzheimer's Disease" program. Regression results indicate that after 3 months, more exercise sessions are associated with improvements in physical functioning, mobility, minutes exercising, and symptoms of depression; more dementia education sessions are related to fewer restricted activity days; and more behavior management sessions are related to more symptoms of depression. As resource-strapped agencies look to best serve participants, further analysis and consideration is needed to determine the ideal balance of program efficacy, feasibility, and resources, as well as program benefits for IWDs and caregivers.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedad de Alzheimer/rehabilitación , Cuidadores/educación , Depresión/terapia , Terapia por Ejercicio , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Terapia Conductista/métodos , Práctica Clínica Basada en la Evidencia , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Ohio , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de Salud , Calidad de VidaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Urolithiasis affects an estimated 5% of the population and the lifetime risk of passing a stone in the urinary tract is estimated to be 8-10%. Urinary calculus formation is highly variable and while certain risk factors such as age, gender, seasonality, anatomic abnormality, and metabolic diseases have been identified, not much is known regarding the association of environmental factors such as lunar phases on renal colic. We conducted a retrospective study to test the hypothesis that full moon phase is an environmental factor associated for increased emergency department (ED) visits for renal colic due to ureteral calculus. METHODS: We analyzed 559 renal colic diagnoses by the ED at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in a 24-month period and compared them with corresponding lunar phases as well as supermoon events. The lunar phases were defined as full moon ± two days, new moon ± two days, and the days in-between as normal days according to the lunar calendar. Supermoon event dates were obtained from NASA. RESULTS: 90 cases (16.1%) were diagnosed during full moon phase, 89 cases (15.9%) were diagnosed during new moon phase, and 380 cases (68.0%) were diagnosed during normal days. The incidence of renal colic showed no statistically significant association with lunar phases or supermoon events. CONCLUSION: In this retrospective longitudinal study with adequate power, neither full moon phase nor supermoon event exhibited an association with increased renal colic diagnoses due to ureteral calculus by the ED at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Asunto(s)
Luna , Cólico Renal/epidemiología , Cálculos Ureterales/complicaciones , Femenino , Humanos , Incidencia , Estudios Longitudinales , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Cólico Renal/diagnóstico , Estudios Retrospectivos , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
There have been few replications of efficacious evidence-based programs for dementia caregivers offered in community settings. This study highlights the replication of the evidence-based Reducing Disability in Alzheimer's Disease program and explores the changes in outcomes for participating caregivers and whether those changes are related to level of program utilization. With data from 219 caregivers, regression results indicate that more exercise sessions are associated with a decrease in caregiver strain and more behavior management sessions are associated with a decrease in unmet needs after 3 months. Findings demonstrate how a multicomponent program can have positive benefits for family caregivers.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedad de Alzheimer/enfermería , Cuidadores/educación , Cuidadores/psicología , Familia/psicología , Estrés Psicológico/prevención & control , Anciano , Práctica Clínica Basada en la Evidencia , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Ohio , Responsabilidad Social , Apoyo Social , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
This analysis assesses the activity level of 324 older adults and the relationship of activity to quality of life with a specific emphasis on the role of cognitive ability. Although the number of older adults with cognitive impairment continues to grow, few studies have examined the variation in activity and quality of life based on the older adults' cognitive status. Results indicated that cognitively impaired older adults were less active than their nonimpaired peers; however, correlations revealed that regardless of impairment status, more activity was related to a higher quality of life. There was no support for the hypothesis that impaired older adults who have more cognitive ability will have a higher rated quality of life. These results should be considered in the development of programs for older adults. Regardless of impairment level, activity is paramount to maintaining quality of life.