Polypharmacy is associated with malnutrition and activities of daily living disability among daycare facility users: A cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT: Polypharmacy influences malnutrition and activities of daily living (ADL) in older individuals owing to side effects such as anorexia. This study aimed to examine whether polypharmacy (5 or more drugs) is associated with malnutrition and ADL disability among daycare facility users.This cross-sectional study was performed in a daycare facility specializing in rehabilitation. Malnutrition was defined according to the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria and ADL disability according to the "criteria for determination of the daily life independence level (bedridden level) of elderly with disabilities."In total, 103 of the 134 included individuals were analyzed. Thirty-three (32.0%) participants were malnourished, 46 (44.7%) had ADL disability, 58 (56.3%) qualified as cases of polypharmacy, and 9 (8.7%) experienced loss of appetite. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that polypharmacy was independently associated with malnutrition and ADL disability. Separate analyses of each type of drug revealed that proton pump inhibitors (that impair protein absorption and assimilation), anticonstipation drugs, and antihypertensive drugs were associated with malnutrition, whereas proton pump inhibitors, anticonstipation drugs, antidyslipidemia drugs, and antidiabetic drugs were associated with ADL disability. The only factor related to anorexia was the loss of pleasure of eating, which in turn was related to psychological stress.The side effects of polypharmacy among individuals with malnutrition and ADL disability may include impaired protein absorption and assimilation caused by proton pump inhibitors, but not anorexia. Further multicenter prospective studies are required to confirm these findings.

Community-Based Service Providers' Experiences With Activities for Persons With Dementia.

Persons with dementia (PWD) benefit from participating in meaningful activities. This study's objective was to learn the characteristics of successful meaningful activities from community-based service providers who work with PWD. Six group interviews were performed with 15 unique professionals from an adult day service or community-based coordinated care program. These were supplemented by 100 hr of researcher immersion through weekly volunteering. Data were analyzed by a team, using qualitative content analysis. Participants reported successful activity content incorporated personalization; continuity and incremental challenges; and social engagement. Successful delivery of activities required managing necessary resources; involving informal (family/friend) caregivers; having a backup plan; monitoring time of day and energy levels; facilitating a domino effect; and ensuring safety. Outcomes of successful activities were experiencing fulfillment and purpose; overcoming challenges; and unexpected triggers. Research and practice recommendations include testing innovative, dynamic, and technology-enabled approaches to providing such activities.

Advance Directives State Requirements, Center Practices, and Participant Prevalence in Adult Day Services Centers: Findings From the 2016 National Study of Long-Term Care Providers.

OBJECTIVES: Adult day services centers (ADSCs) may serve as an entrée to advance care planning. This study examined state requirements for ADSCs to provide advance directives (ADs) information to ADSC participants, ADSCs' awareness of requirements, ADSCs' practice of providing AD information, and their associations with the percentage of participants with ADs. METHODS: Using the 2016 National Study of Long-Term Care Providers, analyses included 3,305 ADSCs that documented ADs in participants' files. Bivariate and linear regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Nine states had a requirement to provide AD information. About 80.8% of ADSCs provided AD information and 41.3% of participants had documented ADs. There were significant associations between state requirements, awareness, and providing information with AD prevalence. State requirement was mediated by awareness. DISCUSSION: This study found many ADSCs provided AD information, and ADSCs that thought their state had a requirement and provided information was associated with AD prevalence, regardless of state requirements.

Stall the Fall: Training Non-Clinical Caregivers to Prevent Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Fall injuries are the leading cause of injury death in older adults, yet despite this, health-care providers do not routinely incorporate fall prevention into practice. A fall prevention training program was developed for non-clinical caregivers serving community-dwelling older adults using the CDC's STEADI tool. The project outcomes revealed statistically significant increases in items related to knowledge and confidence in fall risk and assessment. Findings could guide the development of fall prevention training programs targeted at non-clinical caregivers to community-dwelling older adults.

Day centres for older people - attender characteristics, access routes and outcomes of regular attendance: findings of exploratory mixed methods case study research.

BACKGROUND: Social prescribing is encouraged to promote well-being, reduce isolation and loneliness. Traditional, generalist day centres for older people could be suggested by social prescribing, but little is known about their clientele or their outcomes. As part of a larger study of the role, outcomes and commissioning of generalist English day centres for older people, the characteristics of attenders at 4 day centres, their reasons for attendance and outcomes were explored. METHODS: This mixed-methods study used qualitative interviews and standardised tools within an embedded multiple-case study design. Semi-structured interviews with older day centre attenders (n = 23, 62% of eligible attenders) of 4 day centres in south-east England, recruited purposively to reflect organisational differences, were analysed. RESULTS: Participants reported non-elective withdrawal from socialisation following health or mobility decline, or losses. Apart from living arrangements and marital status, attenders' profiles differed between centres. Access had been mostly facilitated by others. Day centre attendance enhanced quality of life for this group of socially isolated people with mobility restrictions and at risk of declining independence and wellbeing. The positive impact on attenders' social participation and involvement and on meaningful occupation was significant (p-value < 0.001, 99% CI), with an average ASCOT gain score of 0.18. Ten outcome themes were identified. CONCLUSION: Outcomes of day centre attendance are those targeted by social care and health policy. Centres were communities that 'enabled' and offset loss or isolation, thus supporting ageing in place through wellbeing and contributed something unique to their attenders' lives. By monitoring attenders' health and wellbeing and providing practical support, information and facilitating access to other services, centres offered added value. Attendance needs to be set in the context of other social engagement and care provision which may not overlap or duplicate centre support. Professionals may wish to explore the benefits of social prescriptions to day centres but should map local centres' provision, engage with their organisers, and seek information on attenders, who may differ from those in this study.

Implementation of Revised Nutrition Standards in US Department of Agriculture's Child and Adult Care Food Program.

OBJECTIVE: In October 2017, substantial changes were made to improve the nutritional quality of meals served in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). This study describes the experience of child care providers and sponsors during the first year of implementation. METHODS: A 1-time survey was administered to CACFP sponsors in Delaware 1 year after implementation of the changes. Data analysis included frequencies and chi-square tests of independence. RESULTS: Among respondents (n = 137), 21% faced moderate or significant challenges. Food cost (53.1%) and communicating with parents about changes (44.6%) were the most common challenges faced. The majority reported that parents supported the changes and that children and teachers generally ate the new food. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: A minority of providers in Delaware faced significant challenges, suggesting that broad changes to CACFP may be feasibly implemented across settings. Training focused on food cost and parent communication may be warranted.

Assessing Functional Capacity and Factors Determining Functional Decline in the Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to assess functional capacity and determine the factors associated with functional decline in the elderly in adult day care centres and home care support in the County of Coimbra, Portugal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study. A total of 115 participants of both genders, aged between 65 and 98, were enrolled in the home care support and adult day care system of the County of Coimbra, Portugal. Functional capacity was assessed using the Barthel index and the Lawton index. Another questionnaire gathered social, demographic and health status information. RESULTS: The basic activities of daily living were significantly associated with age, cohabitation, medication usage, falls and multiple morbidity. Analysis of the study's variables and the instrumental activities of daily living found significant associations between age, institutional affiliation, perceived health status, hospitalizations, medication usage, physical exercise, multiple morbidities, falls, and fall prevention. DISCUSSION: The results demonstrate that no statistically observable differences were found between gender and functional dependence. A significant association between the Barthel index and cohabitation was also found. We should also highlight that this sample revealed the extremely important role of families in determining the protection of highly dependent older people. Likewise, a significant association was observed between instrumental activities of daily living and levels of physical activity in which greater independence was found in those seniors who practiced physical exercise three or more times per week. CONCLUSION: The results of this study allow us to identify factors that may be associated with the functional decline in the elderly. Useful evidence for the adoption of intervention strategies in the elderly population was added, focused on the prevention of functional decline and maintenance of the functional capacities of the elderly.

Introdução: Foi objectivo este estudo avaliar a capacidade funcional e determinar os fatores associados ao declínio funcional dos idosos num centro de dia e apoio domiciliário no Concelho de Coimbra, Portugal. Material e Métodos: Estudo transversal. Participaram no estudo 115 indivíduos de ambos os géneros, com idades entre os 65 ­ 98 anos, que utilizaram os serviços de apoio domiciliário e centro de dia no Concelho de Coimbra, Portugal. A capacidade funcional foi avaliada através dos questionários: índice de Barthel e índice de Lawton. Foi utilizado um questionário para caracterização sociodemográfica e do estado de saúde dos participantes. Resultados: Na análise, as atividades básicas da vida diária tiveram associação significativa com idade, coabitação, uso de medicamentos, quedas e presença de multimorbilidade. Na análise entre as variáveis de estudo e as atividades instrumentais da vida diária, houve associação significativa com idade, vínculo com instituição, perceção do estado de saúde, internamento hospitalar, uso de medicamento, prática de atividades física, presença de multimorbilidade, quedas e prevenção de quedas. Discussão: Os resultados demonstram que não foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente observáveis entre género e dependência funcional. Quando a relação entre as habilidades funcionais e a coabitação foi analisada, houve uma relação significativa entre o índice de Barthel e a coabitação. Sublinha-se que essa amostra revelou o papel altamente importante das famílias na determinação da proteção de pessoas idosas muito dependentes, bem como foi observada uma relação significativa entre as atividades instrumentais da vida diária e os níveis de atividade física, em que maior independência foi encontrada nos idosos que praticavam exercício físico três ou mais vezes por semana. Conclusão: Os resultados deste estudo permitem identificar fatores que podem estar associados ao declínio funcional dos idosos. Acrescentam evidências úteis para a adoção de estratégias de intervenção nesta população, focadas na prevenção do declínio funcional e na manutenção das capacidades funcionais dos idosos.

Photography in the planning of health interventions for the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze potentialities of the use of photo-elicitation technique as a tool of access to the real needs of the beneficiaries of the intervention of health professionals. For this purpose, the aspects of their quality of life that they considered more relevant were identified with an elderly group. METHOD: It is a qualitative investigation in which the discourse of the elderly on the changes to their quality of life is encouraged through the use of photographic images. RESULTS: Based on the data obtained, it was possible to identify the aspects of quality of life considered more relevant by the elderly, allowing, therefore, to sustain a later intervention adjusted to the needs and expectations of the elderly. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: The use of photo-elicitation allowed verifying its potentialities as a strategy to collect significant and relevant information for the planning of interventions in the Health area.

What types of activities increase participation in community "salons"?

As part of their national long-term care prevention strategy, Japanese government has promoted "community salons" as a way to encourage social participation among community-dwelling seniors. Previous studies suggested that participation in salon activities can be an effective approach to prevent long-term disability. However, there is wide variation in the types of activities offered through salons. We sought to examine different types of salon-based activities and their relation to participation rates among older populations (age ≥65 years). The association between different types of salon activities (exercise-based, cognitive strengthening, dining, socializing, and hobby/recreational activities) and participation rate per population (cumulative number of participants per registered old population in municipalities) was assessed via Poisson regression model. Ecological data were abstracted from the Annual Report on Preventive Long-Term Care Service maintained by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan. Salon activities based on hobby/recreational activities were associated with the highest participation rates among the older population (IRR = 1.0029; p < 0.001), while dining-based activities were associated with lower participation rates (IRR = 0.9955; p = 0.0012). Exercise-based salons were associated with higher participation among both women (IRR = 1.0031; p = 0.002) and men (IRR = 1.0023; p = 0.035). Municipalities where health professionals (as opposed to volunteers) were involved in running community salon programs had significantly higher participation rates (IRR = 1.3601), after adjusting for overall density of community salons, city size and prefecture level fixed effects (p = 0.001).

Photography in the planning of health interventions for the elderly / La fotografía en la planificación de intervenciones de salud dirigidas a ancianos / A fotografia no planejamento de intervenções de saúde dirigidas a idosos

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze potentialities of the use of photo-elicitation technique as a tool of access to the real needs of the beneficiaries of the intervention of health professionals. For this purpose, the aspects of their quality of life that they considered more relevant were identified with an elderly group. Method: It is a qualitative investigation in which the discourse of the elderly on the changes to their quality of life is encouraged through the use of photographic images. Results: Based on the data obtained, it was possible to identify the aspects of quality of life considered more relevant by the elderly, allowing, therefore, to sustain a later intervention adjusted to the needs and expectations of the elderly. Final considerations: The use of photo-elicitation allowed verifying its potentialities as a strategy to collect significant and relevant information for the planning of interventions in the Health area.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar las potencialidades de la utilización de la técnica de la foto-elección como instrumento de acceso a las reales necesidades de los beneficiarios de la intervención de los profesionales de salud. Con ese propósito, se identificaron, junto a un grupo de ancianos, los aspectos de su calidad de vida que consideran más relevantes. Método: Se trata de una investigación cualitativa en la que el discurso de los ancianos sobre las alteraciones a su calidad de vida es estimulado mediante el uso de imágenes fotográficas. Resultados: Con base en los datos obtenidos, fue posible identificar los aspectos de la calidad de vida considerados más relevantes por los ancianos, permitiendo así sostener una posterior intervención ajustada a las necesidades y expectativas del anciano. Consideraciones finales: La experiencia de utilización de la foto-elicitación permitió constatar sus potencialidades como estrategia de recogida de información significativa y relevante para la planificación de intervenciones en el área de la Salud.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar as potencialidades da utilização da técnica da foto-elicitação enquanto instrumento de acesso às reais necessidades dos beneficiários da intervenção dos profissionais de saúde. Com esse propósito, foram identificados, junto a um grupo de idosos, os aspetos da sua qualidade de vida que consideram mais relevantes. Método: Trata-se de uma investigação qualitativa em que o discurso dos idosos sobre as alterações à sua qualidade de vida é estimulado através do recurso a imagens fotográficas. Resultados: Com base nos dados obtidos, foi possível identificar os aspetos da qualidade de vida considerados mais relevantes pelos idosos, permitindo, assim, sustentar uma posterior intervenção ajustada às necessidades e expectativas do idoso. Considerações finais: A experiência de utilização da foto-elicitação permitiu constatar as suas potencialidades enquanto estratégia de recolha de informação significativa e relevante para o planejamento de intervenções na área da Saúde.

The impact of attending day care designed for home-dwelling people with dementia on nursing home admission: a 24-month controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Day care services offer meaningful activities, a safe environment for attendees and respite for family caregivers while being expected to delay the need for nursing home (NH) admission. However, previous research has shown inconsistent results regarding postponement of NH admission. The objective of the study was to explore the influence of a day care programme designed for home-dwelling people with dementia on NH admission. METHOD: A quasi-experimental trial explored the proportion of patients permanently admitted to nursing homes after 24 months as the main outcome by comparing a group of day care attendees (DG) and a group of participants without day care (CG). In all, 257 participants were included (181 in DG and 76 in CG). A logistic regression model was developed with NH admission as the outcome. Participant group (DG or CG) was the main predictor, baseline patient and family caregiver characteristics and interactions were used as covariates. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 81.5 (SD 6.4), 65% were women and 53% lived alone. The mean MMSE score was 20.4 (SD 3.5). In all, 128 (50%) of the participants were admitted to a nursing home by the 24-month follow-up, 63 participants (25%) completed the follow-up assessment and 66 (26%) dropped out due to death (8%) and other reasons (18%). In the logistic unadjusted regression model for NH admission after 24 months, participant group (DG or CG) was not found to be a significant predictor of NH admission. The results from the adjusted model revealed that the participant group was associated with NH admission through the interactions with age, living conditions, affective symptoms, sleep symptoms and practical functioning, showing a higher probability for NH admission in DG compared to CG. CONCLUSION: The study reveals no evidence to confirm that day care services designed for people with dementia postpone the need for NH admission. Admission to nursing homes seems to be based on a complex mix of personal and functional characteristics both in the person with dementia and the family caregivers. The findings should be considered in accordance with the limitation of inadequate power and the high drop-out rate. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered in Clinical Trials ( NCT01943071 ).

[Analysis of relationship between personal wellbeing index and related factors in the elderly aged 55 or above, who visit the day care centers in Macao, Hong Kong and Guangzhou].

Objective: To investigate the personal wellbeing index (PWI) among elderly aged 55 and above from the elderly day care centers in Macao, Hong Kong and Guangzhou, and associated factors. Methods: We used convenient sampling to select participants from 16 elderly day care centers in Macao, Hong Kong and Guangzhou. Inclusion criteria were: females aged 55 or above, males 60 or above, the participants who were conscious and clearly understood the questionnaire. Informed consent form was signed by the participants. A total of 324 elderly participated in the study: 90 from Macao, 100 from Hong Kong, and 134 from Guangzhou. Close-end questionnaire was used to collect demographic information and PWI inventory (Cantonese version) was used to assess the PWI scores. Comparison in the PWI scores difference was conducted. Multiple regression method was used to analyze factors associated with PWI. Results: The PWI was 7.3±1.9 (Macao: 7.7±1.9, Hong Kong: 7.2±1.7, Guangzhou: 7.0±1.9) (F=3.32, P=0.037). The multiple regression analysis showed that comparing to those who did exercised 3 times or less, or single/devoiced/separated, or had no education, the elderly who did exercised 4 times or more per week or married/widowed, or received education in primary school or above had higher PWI scores. The beta values (95%CI) were 0.82 (95% CI: 0.31-1.34), 1.03 (95% CI: 0.12-1.94), 0.51 (95% CI: 0.04-0.99) respectively. Conclusion: The elderly participants aged 55 or above who went to elderly day care centers in three cities had higher PWI score generally. Marital status, participate in sufficient physical activity and advanced education level were significant related to PWI.

Service Use, Participation, Experiences, and Outcomes Among Older Adult Immigrants in American Adult Day Service Centers: An Integrative Review of the Literature.

Older adult immigrants are often socially isolated and vulnerable to poor health. Adult day service (ADS) centers could potentially facilitate social integration and address their long-term health care needs. The current review (a) identifies barriers to and facilitators of ADS use among immigrants, (b) explores how ADS programs impact older adult immigrants' health and well-being, and (c) isolates the most effective culturally based components of ADS programs. An integrative review was conducted using Whittemore and Knafl's methodology. Four databases were searched. Articles were critically appraised and data were organized within an ADS-specific framework. Functional impairment, race, gender, and degree of loneliness were all predictors of ADS use. ADS enhanced immigrants' quality of life and provided fulfillment. Transportation, bilingual nurses, peer support, and cultural activities were deemed essential by participants. ADS can provide support to older adult immigrants by adding cultural elements to existing services and using nurses as cultural liaisons. More research is needed to assess the impact of ADS on disease outcomes, including dementia, and on immigrants in multi-ethnic settings. [Res Gerontol Nurs. 2018; 11(6):317-328.].

Functionality and Risk of Falls in Elders Followed in a Day Care Center in Brazil.

Adult day centers provide comprehensive care for older adults and may enhance autonomy, well-being, and socialization. This quasi-experimental study evaluated the impact of such multidisciplinary day care on functionality, fear of falling, and risk of falls in community elders. Fifty-two seniors who attended day services were followed for 1 year. During the year, the adults maintained functionality for activities of daily living, presented improvement in instrumental activities of daily living, and no longer presented high risk for falls. No association was found between the risk of falling and fear of falling, however. Results are discussed in terms of the positive outcomes of attending day services.

Modeling Cortisol Daily Rhythms of Family Caregivers of Individuals With Dementia: Daily Stressors and Adult Day Services Use.

Objectives: The study examined the typical diurnal cortisol trajectory and its differential associations with an intervention, the adult day services (ADS) use, among a sample of family caregivers who experienced high levels of daily stress. Method: On hundred and sixty-five caregivers of individuals with dementia completed an 8-day diary on daily stressors, positive events, sleep quality, and ADS use. The caregivers also provided five saliva samples on each diary day. Daily cortisol trajectories were modeled as a function of time elapsed since awakening, and three spline growth curve models were fit to the cortisol data. Based on the best-fitting linear spline model, the effect of daily ADS use was examined at both daily and person levels. Covariates included daily experiences and other caregiving characteristics. Results: On ADS days, caregivers had a steeper cortisol awakening response (CAR) slope and a steeper morning decline. ADS use remained significant after controlling for covariates at both daily and person levels. Discussion: The findings suggested potential biophysiological benefits of daily ADS use for a sample that was under chronic stress and high levels of daily stress.

Develando la experiencia de un grupo de personas mayores en un centro de día / Unveiling the experience of a group of elderly people in a day care center

Objetivo: El envejecimiento de la población representa uno de los grandes desafíos para Latinoamérica, tanto para los servicios de salud como para los servicios sociales de apoyo a las personas mayores. La introducción de los centros de día para personas mayores, como un nuevo servicio gerontológico, se transformará en una pieza crítica de los servicios ofrecidos a las personas mayores que viven en la comunidad, generando las bases para construir un sistema de cuidado y atención especializada dirigida a este grupo etario. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la experiencia de un grupo de personas mayores pertenecientes a un centro de día de una municipalidad de Santiago, Chile. Métodos: Estudio cualitativo descriptivo con uso de técnica de grupo focal y análisis de contenido que devela la experiencia de 37 personas mayores asistentes a un centro de día. Resultados: Los principales resultados de este estudio fueron: a) mejoría en la funcionalidad, b) empoderamiento de las personas mayores y c) mayor inserción social. Conclusiones: La experiencia de las personas mayores es evaluada como positiva, reconociendo mejorías en aspectos claves de su vida cotidiana y que tienen el potencial de contribuir a mejorar y fortalecer la funcionalidad y aspectos de la salud mental de las personas mayores. Estos resultados aportan evidencia científica latinoamericana a la evaluación de la experiencia de las personas mayores con este nuevo servicio geriátrico

Background: Chile is a country that will continue aged at an accelerated rate as a result of a progressive decline in the birth rate, adequate access to health and a sustained increase in life expectancy. The aging population is one of the major challenges for the country as well as for health and for social services to support aged population. Introducing the Day Care Centers for aged people, as a new gerontological service, will become a critical part of the services offered to the elderly living in the community, creating the foundations for an specialized system of care directed this age group. The aim of this study is to evaluate the experience of a group of elderly people from a day care center of a municipality of the Metropolitan Region. Methods: Descriptive qualitative study with focus group and content analysis that reveals the experience of 37 older people attending at day care center. Results: The main results of this study were: (a) improvement in functionality, (b) empowerment of older persons, and (c) greater social inclusion. Conclusion: The experience of older persons is assessed as positive by themselves. Older people recognized improvements in key aspects of their daily lives and have the potential to contribute to improving and strengthening the functionality and mental health of elderly people. These results provide evidence for national evaluation of this new geriatric service

Coming of age: health-care challenges of an ageing population in Israel.

Although Israel is still young in years, with relatively high birth rates and older people (individuals aged 65 years or older) constituting only about 11% of its population, the absolute number of older people is growing rapidly. Life expectancy is high, and increasing numbers of people are living to advanced old age (older than 85 years). A wide spectrum of geriatric care is provided within a universal system providing health services to all citizens. Community and institutional care is available, and many innovative programmes are being developed. The unique demographic characteristics of the ageing society in Israel reflect cultural and multiethnic diversity, in addition to a high rate of immigration of older people. To meet the growing challenges, address disparities, and search for innovation will require planning and development of adequate services at the highest level.

Feasibility of an electronic participant information system for adult day services: A qualitative study of staff perspectives.

Adult day services (ADS) professionals have begun to explore assessment systems focused on participants. Barriers include inadequate technology, software costs, and personnel requirements. We present data from staff interviews at an ADS with an electronic participant information system. Contrary to reports about difficulties learning to use electronic systems, staff found the system manageable and data meaningful. We identify ways that community-based centers can build partnerships and utilize software to integrate assessment and electronic records to improve center performance and participant outcomes. ADS programs should explore how outcome data systems can be used to improve care, promote family caregiver engagement, optimize staff workload, and promote fiscal stability.