[Faisabilité de l'exploration des fonctions exécutives des résidents d'établissement d'hébergement pour personnes âgées]. / Feasibility of exploring executive functions in long-term care residents, the Screening Executive Tests for Elderly.

Impairment of cognitive functions is the primary reason for admission to long-term care units, with executive functions playing a pivotal role in dependency and behavioral issues. These functions pose significant challenges to nursing staff in providing care. However, the assessment of executive functions in elderly individuals residing in nursing homes often relies on tests that are both time-consuming and difficult for this demographic. In many instances, executive functions are either not assessed or only examined in broad terms. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze the feasibility of assessing executive functions in elderly nursing home residents, specifically aiming to distinguish sub-components such as mental flexibility, working memory, planning, and inhibition. The residents included in the study underwent executive function assessments over three visits, using various tests for each sub-component. METHODS: Out of 530 residents, 46 gave their consent and 38 completed the three visits, with an average age of 90±5 years (76.2% women) and a median MMSE score of 20/30. Feasibility was evaluated based on the test being executed and the frequency of interruptions due to difficulty or fatigue on the part of the resident. RESULTS: Only four tests proved suitable for elderly individuals in nursing homes, and we propose grouping them into a battery named SETE (Screening Executive Tests for Elderly): the conflicting instructions from the FAB, the alpha test, the clock test, and the verbal span test. CONCLUSION: The use of these four tests would enable the construction of a map delineating executive function impairment by sub-component. Enhanced knowledge of executive functions in long-term care residents will facilitate better adapted dependency management and the implementation of non-pharmacological interventions for behavioral disorders.

[Public space as a place of rehabilitation for the elderly - a systematic literature review]. / Przestrzen publiczna jako miejsce sprzyjajace rehabilitacji osób starszych ­ systematyczny przeglad literatury.

The phenomenon of the population's gradual global ageing means that an increasing proportion of research is concerned with the space in which seniors function on a daily basis. They are primarily aimed at identifying elements of the built environment that need updating in the new social context. The purpose of the analyses presented in this article is to review the current scientific literature on various aspects of physical activity of people outdoors in an urbanized environment. The scope review was based on the resources of 3 scientific databases (Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed). The analyses concerned articles published in the last decade (2013-2023). The collected material was subjected to the PRISMA procedure (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analytics), and 29 articles were extracted for analysis. The conducted research indicated thematic scopes that are undertaken in contemporary research on physical activities of a rehabilitation nature undertaken in public space by older people (>65 years of age). The research topics described in the articles analysed dealt with elements defining the characteristics of public space that mobilise older people to be active, identified barriers preventing its use and factors popularising it. The studies analysed also identified the characteristics of public spaces according to the type of activity used by seniors for rehabilitation. The result of the review is the separation of the thematic scope of research on the activation of the elderly in the open air towards rehabilitation. The information provided may be useful for architects, urban planners and people managing urban spaces to determine design solutions that meet the needs of older people.

[Changes in protein requirements of elderly people over 5 years assessed using the indicator amino acid oxidation method].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes in protein requirements of the elderly during the past five years. METHODS: Based on the previous study of protein requirements of 14 elderly in 2017, 4 of these elderly(70-80 y) were included as study participants and protein requirements were re-evaluated using the indicator amino acid oxidation method. There were seven protein levels: 0.1, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2, 1.5 and 1.8 g/(kg·d). Maintenance diets were given for the first two days of each protein level. A stable isotope study was conducted on the day 3, using L-~(13)C-phenylalanine as an indicator on the basis of an amino acid rationed diet, which was orally ingested into the body along with the amino acid rationed diet, and breath and urine samples were collected when the metabolism of L-~(13)C-phenylalanine reached steady state in the body. By measuring the kinetic parameters of labeled amino acids in the samples, a nonlinear mixed-effects model was constructed for the protein intake to be tested and the oxidation rate of labeled amino acids. The mean protein requirement of the study population was determined by the protein intake corresponding to the inflection point of the curve. RESULTS: Based on the production rate of ~(13)CO_2 in exhaled breath of four elderly people at different protein levels, the mean protein requirement was 1.05(95%CI 0.51-1.60) g/(kg·d). The protein recommended nutrient intake was 1.31(95%CI 0.64-2.00) g/(kg·d) was estimated by applying the coefficient of variation of the mean protein requirement to derive the recommended nutrient intake. CONCLUSION: Protein requirements in the elderly have increased over a five-year period and sarcopenia may be the main cause of increased protein requirements.

Milk-based culture of Penicillium camemberti and its component oleamide affect cognitive function in healthy elderly Japanese individuals: a multi-arm randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Dairy products and fermented foods have a reported association with maintained cognitive function. Camembert cheese, a dairy product fermented by the white mold Penicillium camemberti, has also been shown to enhance cognitive function in vivo. Oleamide, derived from the fermentation of the white mold, is a candidate for an active component, and expected to improve both cognitive function and sleep conditions. Thus, this study investigated whether the milk-based culture of white mold (MCW), and oleamide, could improve cognitive function and sleep state clinically. A multi-arm randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in Tokyo, Japan. 60 healthy Japanese individuals aged 50-75 who were aware of their cognitive decline were randomly and equally divided into three groups of 20 participants using computer-generated random numbers. Participants took either MCW (equivalent to 60 µg/day of oleamide), 60 µg/day of oleamide, or placebo capsules for 12 weeks. Serum BDNF, cognitive function by Cognitrax as primary and MCI Screen as secondary outcome, and sleep status using the Japanese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI-J) were assessed before and after intervention. The participants, outcome assessors and analysts, and research assistants were blinded to the group assignment. Of the 60 participants, 58 completed the study and were analyzed. No adverse events related to test foods were observed. The placebo group showed a negative rate of change in serum BDNF (-10.5% ± 19.7%), whereas the MCW and oleamide groups showed positive changes (2.0% ± 27.1% and 1.3% ± 13.5%, respectively). Cognitrax scores increased after 12 weeks in all groups. Conversely, the MPI score of the MCI Screen demonstrated a significant improvement in the MCW and oleamide groups compared to the placebo group (p = 0.013 and p < 0.001, respectively). The subscales, immediate free recall and delayed free recall, also significantly increased in them compared to the placebo group. Although PSQI-J revealed no significant differences among groups, the MCW and oleamide groups showed significant improvement after intervention in overall score, subjective sleep quality, and sleep latency. Our results suggest that MCW and its component, oleamide, are safe and contribute to maintaining cognitive functions, particularly short-term and working memory, and improving sleep state. Clinical trial registration: https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000054792, identifier UMIN-CTR UMIN000048084.

Abnormalities of white matter network properties in middle-aged and elderly patients with functional constipation.

Purpose: To explore white matter network topological properties changes in middle-aged and elderly patients with functional constipation (Functional Constipation, FC) by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and to evaluate the correlation between the abnormal changes and clinical data. Methods: 29 FC patients and 31 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) were recruited. Magnetic resonance imaging and clinical data were collected. The white matter network changes in FC patients were analyzed using deterministic fiber tracking methods, graph theory algorithms, and partial correlation analysis with clinical data. Results: The nodal clustering coefficient and nodal local efficiency of FC patients in the right orbital inferior frontal gyrus, right medial superior frontal gyrus, right rectus muscle, right hippocampus, left paracentral lobule and left temporal pole, and the nodal clustering coefficient in right orbital superior frontal gyrus, left cuneus lobe and right superior occipital gyrus, the nodal local efficiency in the right medial and paracingulate gyrus, right precuneus and right dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus of FC patients are lower than that of HC. The nodal local efficiency and clustering coefficient of FC patients in left hippocampus, left amygdala, right parietal inferior limbic angular gyrus and right angular gyrus, the nodal local efficiency in the right fusiform gyrus, left supplementary motor cortex and the nodal efficiency in the left lateral temporal gyrus and right orbital middle frontal gyrus (ORBmid.R) of FC patients are higher than that of HC. The nodal efficiency of ORBmid.R in FC was positively correlated with the Patient Assessment of Constipation quality of life questionnaire (PAC-QoL). Conclusion: Middle-aged and elderly FC patients have differences in the nodal level properties in the limbic system, supplementary motor cortex, and default mode network brain regions, and the nodal efficiency of ORBmid.R was positively correlated with the PAC-QoL score, revealing that FC may be related to the abnormal processing of visceral sensorimotor in ORBmid.R and providing potential imaging diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for middle-aged and elderly FC patients.

Loneliness, Psychological Well-being, Depression, and Social Participation in the Older Persons: Rural and Urban Differences.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to compare the loneliness, psychological well- being, depression, and social participation of elderly people living in Turkish society between rural and urban areas. The sample group of the study, in which a correlational survey model was used, consisted of 610 elderly adults. METHOD: The study population consists of two groups: the first group consists of individuals over 65 years of age living in the city (Istanbul) (n= 291), and the second group consists of individuals over 65 years of age living in rural areas (rural areas of Ordu) (n= 319). Socio-demographic Information Form, Loneliness in the Elderly Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale, Psychological Well-Being in the Elderly Scale, and Social Inclusion Scale were applied online. Statistical analyses of the study were conducted using SPSS 27.00, and the Independent Samples t-test and ANOVA test were used. RESULTS: According to the findings of this study, statistically significant results were found in psychological well-being, social inclusion, social relations, loneliness and depression, and place of residence. It was observed that the social isolation and social acceptance levels of those living in urban areas were higher than those living in rural areas. Social, loneliness, and depression scores of those living in the village/town were found to be higher than those living in the city centre. Furthermore, the social relationship scores of those living in the village/town were found to be higher than those living in the city centre. CONCLUSION: The increasing elderly population worldwide has become an issue that requires global measures. Place of residence is one of the factors thought to affect older people's health and well- being. It is thought that the study data will contribute to new policies that will ensure the protection and promotion of elderly health and those working in this field. In addition, the study, which provides information about Turkish culture, will also enable intercultural comparisons.

Associations of short-term ambient temperature exposure with lung function in middle-aged and elderly people: A longitudinal study in China.

The short-term associations of ambient temperature exposure with lung function in middle-aged and elderly Chinese remain obscure. The study included 19,128 participants from the Dongfeng-Tongji cohort's first (2013) and second (2018) follow-ups. The lung function for each subject was determined between April and December 2013 and re-assessed in 2018, with three parameters (forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1], and peak expiratory flow [PEF]) selected. The China Meteorological Data Sharing Service Center provided temperature data during the study period. In the two follow-ups, a total of 25,511 records (average age: first, 64.57; second, 65.80) were evaluated, including 10,604 males (41.57%). The inversely J-shaped associations between moving average temperatures (lag01-lag07) and FVC, FEV1, and PEF were observed, and the optimum temperatures at lag04 were 16.5 °C, 18.7 °C, and 16.2 °C, respectively. At lag04, every 1 °C increase in temperature was associated with 14.07 mL, 9.78 mL, and 62.72 mL/s increase in FVC, FEV1, and PEF in the low-temperature zone (

Knowledge and Attitude Towards the Elderly Among Doctors and Medical Students: A Questionnaire-Based Study.

INTRODUCTION:  There is a continuous rise in the total number and percentage of elders globally, and as such, they are expected to utilize healthcare services more often. Therefore, this study aimed to determine doctors' and students' current knowledge and attitudes toward elders and compare those findings with other studies worldwide. The specific objectives of this study were to determine and compare the differences in attitudes between medical students and doctors regarding geriatrics. This comparison will focus on the following four key domains: social values, resource distribution, compassion, and medical care. Another objective was to assess the knowledge of medical students and doctors regarding geriatric topics. This assessment will help determine the necessity for interventions such as educational programs and workshops on geriatrics. METHODS: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted by disseminating a Google Forms survey to medical students and doctors. The survey included the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Geriatrics Attitudes Scale and the UCLA Geriatrics Knowledge Test. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 29.0.2.0 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.). RESULTS:  A total number of 126 medical students and 72 doctors filled out the survey. Both medical students and doctors demonstrated moderate scores on the attitudes scale, with overall average scores of 2.92 out of 5 and 2.93 out of 5, respectively. As for knowledge, medical students achieved an average score of 41%, while doctors attained an average score of 43%. CONCLUSION:  This study provides significant insights regarding the knowledge and attitudes of students and doctors and attitudes towards geriatrics. The moderate attitudes score and poor knowledge score across both groups indicate the need for medical educators in Oman to further emphasize and teach about geriatrics in medical curricula.

The regional disparities in liver disease comorbidity among elderly Chinese based on a health ecological model: the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for liver disease comorbidity among older adults in eastern, central, and western China, and explored binary, ternary and quaternary co-morbid co-causal patterns of liver disease within a health ecological model. METHOD: Basic information from 9,763 older adults was analyzed using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). LASSO regression was employed to identify significant predictors in eastern, central, and western China. Patterns of liver disease comorbidity were studied using association rules, and spatial distribution was analyzed using a geographic information system. Furthermore, binary, ternary, and quaternary network diagrams were constructed to illustrate the relationships between liver disease comorbidity and co-causes. RESULTS: Among the 9,763 elderly adults studied, 536 were found to have liver disease comorbidity, with binary or ternary comorbidity being the most prevalent. Provinces with a high prevalence of liver disease comorbidity were primarily concentrated in Inner Mongolia, Sichuan, and Henan. The most common comorbidity patterns identified were "liver-heart-metabolic", "liver-kidney", "liver-lung", and "liver-stomach-arthritic". In the eastern region, important combination patterns included "liver disease-metabolic disease", "liver disease-stomach disease", and "liver disease-arthritis", with the main influencing factors being sleep duration of less than 6 h, frequent drinking, female, and daily activity capability. In the central region, common combination patterns included "liver disease-heart disease", "liver disease-metabolic disease", and "liver disease-kidney disease", with the main influencing factors being an education level of primary school or below, marriage, having medical insurance, exercise, and no disabilities. In the western region, the main comorbidity patterns were "liver disease-chronic lung disease", "liver disease-stomach disease", "liver disease-heart disease", and "liver disease-arthritis", with the main influencing factors being general or poor health satisfaction, general or poor health condition, severe pain, and no disabilities. CONCLUSION: The comorbidities associated with liver disease exhibit specific clustering patterns at both the overall and local levels. By analyzing the comorbidity patterns of liver diseases in different regions and establishing co-morbid co-causal patterns, this study offers a new perspective and scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of liver diseases.

Revolutionizing elderly care: Building a healthier aging society through innovative long-term care systems and assessing the long-term care acceptance model.

AIM: With a growing elderly population, the demand for caregivers is increasing in Khon Kaen, Thailand, with approximately 17 000 elderly residents. This growing number of older people and a shortage of caregivers could overload the healthcare system. METHODS: The present study involved 129 healthcare volunteers (caregivers for questionnaires study) and the collection of health data from 290 elderly residents from northeastern Thailand. After training, the volunteers assessed its usefulness through questionnaires. Tool reliability and statistical hypotheses were tested using stratified regression analysis (hierarchical regression) and multiple regression. RESULTS: The relative mean scores of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude toward usage and behavioral intention to use technology were 4.51, 4.29, 4.44 and 4.41, respectively. In addition, perceived usefulness and user attitudes positively affected volunteers' willingness to use the system. CONCLUSION: The study was developed from the awareness of enhancing community quality and ecosystem through a long-term care system application. Analyzing external factors can enhance technology's future effectiveness. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; ••: ••-••.

"Stroke - 65 plus. Continued active life." A randomized controlled trial of a self-management neurorehabilitation intervention for elderly people after stroke.

PURPOSE: Post-stroke sequelae among elderly often lead to a more inactive life while carrying a risk of overburdening close relatives. The objective of the present study was to determine if a novel self-management neuro-rehabilitation intervention added to usual treatment for people with stroke over the age of 65 years improved their self-efficacy. METHODS: This randomised controlled trial included participants two weeks before discharge from subacute rehabilitation. All participants received usual treatment. The intervention entailed an add-on of six to eight self-management sessions lasting 45-60 min within a period of nine months after discharge. This novel neuro-rehabilitation intervention focused on promoting growth, development and self-efficacy by facilitating the participants' self-management strategies regarding their activities and social network. All participants were assessed at baseline, three months and nine months after discharge. The primary outcome was self-efficacy measured by the Stroke Self-Efficacy Questionnaire. RESULTS: Sixty-nine individuals with stroke aged > 65 years were randomised. Their mean(SD) age was 76(6) years; 32 (46%) were female. No significant difference was found between the groups at baseline. Improvement recorded in the intervention group did not significantly differ from that of the control group with regard to primary outcome or secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This novel self-management intervention had no significant effect measured by the primary outcome self-efficacy or quality of life. Furthermore, no impact was observed on participation and autonomy compared with usual treatment.Clinical trial registration-URL: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03183960. Registered on 12 June 2017.

The present study testing a novel self-management neuro-rehabilitation intervention for people with stroke aged more than 65 years failed to improve self-efficacy, quality of life, and impact on participation and autonomy.Post hoc analyzes showed a lower caregiver burden at three and nine months in the intervention group as compared to the control group.The approach of perceiving the stroke individual and the informal caregiver as one unit (dyad), involving both in decisions regarding everyday activities and roles in everyday life especially within their shared part of life, appears important and warrants further development.

Effect of Low-Dose Aspirin on the Elderly.

Aspirin is a recognized and affordable antiplatelet medicine. Low amounts of aspirin have been used to prevent cardiovascular events, and it is still widely used for primary and secondary stroke prevention. The purpose of this review article is to evaluate the effects of using low doses of aspirin among elderly people. Although taking large dosages of aspirin (500 mg daily) reduces the long-term risk of colorectal cancer, its effectiveness for long-term prevention may be limited by adverse effects. Studies have assessed the relationship between aspirin dosage, incidence, and death in patients with colorectal cancer. Research has indicated that those with diabetes mellitus have an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Low amounts of aspirin have been used to prevent cardiovascular events. However, there is uncertainty regarding the potential benefits and risks associated with preventing the development of cardiovascular problems in individuals with diabetes. The use of aspirin lowers the risk of occlusive vascular events but raises the possibility of bleeding. More attention should be paid to reducing inappropriate aspirin usage in light of its prevalence, particularly among older persons, as the substantial continuous usage of this drug increases the chances of bleeding.

The Effectiveness and Usability of a Rehabilitation Program Using the Nintendo Switch to Promote Healthy Aging in Older People with Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

(1) Background: Healthy aging is the process of developing and maintaining functional capacity and optimizing involvement in order to improve one's quality of life as people age. This study aimed to encourage healthy aging in people with cognitive impairment, as well as a control group, via the use of the Nintendo Switch combined with occupational therapy sessions, aiming to improve gross and fine motor skills, functionality, quality of life, and cognitive status. (2) Methods: A randomized clinical trial was undertaken. The sample was randomized using the OxMar software program Attribution 4.0 International, facilitating the division into a control group (CG), who received conventional occupational therapy sessions, and an experimental group (EG), who received therapy incorporating the Nintendo Switch, in addition to conventional occupational therapy sessions. The intervention period with the Nintendo Switch lasted for 8 weeks. (3) Results: Thirty-two participants were included in the study. Significant differences were found in the vast majority of the variables analyzed, which shows an improvement following the intervention; these improvements were mainly observed in measures of skill and the perception of quality of life. (4) Conclusions: An eight-week intervention with the Nintendo Switch alongside conventional occupational therapy helps to maintain cognitive status and functional independence. Following 8 weeks of intervention with the Nintendo Switch, improvements in gross motor dexterity, fine motor dexterity, and quality of life were observed in older people with cognitive impairment.

Challenges and solutions for discharge support of elderly people in the acute care ward: Interviews with community-based integrated care supporters and patients in Tokyo, Japan.

Japan, which has become the country with the longest-living people in the world due to rapid population aging, has an insurer function for each local government and socialized long-term care under a public system. Japan aims to build a Community-based Integrated Care System (CICS) for each municipality with the goal of integrating medical care and long-term care. However, despite the policy and management studies, the challenges and solutions for discharge support by the parties have not yet been clarified. This study aimed to obtain suggestions on challenges and solutions for discharge support in the acute care wards for the elderly for community-based integrated care support providers and patients in Kita Ward, Tokyo. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the obtained data were a priori analyzed by a deductive thematic analysis using a conceptual framework for integrated care based on the integrative functions of primary care. The challenges were found to include: i) disparity between medical and lifestyle perspectives, ii) competencies of medical and care workers at homes, iii) discharge support challenges related to the elderly themselves, iv) nursing care dependent on family; and v) the impact of payment of medical service in the health insurance system and payment of long-term care services. The solution that can be applied at the local government level was community connection. While aiming to build a CICS for each local government, there was a contradiction in that the challenges and solutions required examination at the national and prefectural levels.

Patterns in behavioural sleep variables and social jetlag in elderly people of Western Odisha.

In humans, sleep is an essential physiological process for life and survival. The main objective of the current study is to determine the behavioural sleep patterns and social jetlag in elderly adults. The second objective is to define the relationship among subjective sleep quality, mid-sleep timings, social jetlag, and sunlight exposure. We recruited 945 female and 1047 male participants aged ≥ 60 years from 65 rural villages in the Sambalpur district of Odisha, India. The Munich Chrono Type Questionnaire (MCTQ) is a self-reported questionnaire that measures a person's behavioral sleep variables, including social jetlag and chronotype, whereas the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) measures the subjective sleep quality of an individual. We employed MCTQ and PSQI to obtain behavioral sleep variables and subjective sleep quality in the recruited subjects. The behavioral sleep variables were compared using a paired t-test on both work and work-free days. In addition, the behavioral sleep variables as a function of gender were compared using an independent Student's t-test. In the current study, most of the elderly individuals reported both midpoint of sleep on workdays (MSW) and midpoint of sleep on work-free days (MSF) between 00:01-03:00. The averages of mid-sleep timings between workdays and work-free days were not statistically significant. Data on MSFsc (midpoint of sleep on work-free days sleep corrected) indicated that most elderly adults (99.6%) are morning type; they go to bed early and wake up early. The elderly participants from the rural population of Sambalpur district in western Odisha had the least social jetlag and exhibited good subjective sleep quality. It would be worthwhile to find out the determinants of these positive features apropos social jetlag and behavioural sleep patterns.

Immunogenicity of BNT162b2 vaccine after two and three doses in health personnel and institutionalized elderly people not infected with SARS-CoV-2 / Inmunogenicidad de la vacuna BNT162b2 tras la administración de 2 y 3 dosis en personal sanitario y personas mayores institucionalizadas sin infección previa por SARS-CoV-2

Objective The aim of our research was to compare the evolution of the immune response induced by the BNT162b2 vaccine after the administration of two and three doses in healthcare personnel and in institutionalized elderly people (>65 years of age) without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Material and methods A prospective observational study was carried out on a convenience sample made up of health workers and institutionalized elderly people, measuring antibodies against S and N proteins of SARS-CoV-2 two and six months after receiving the second vaccine dose, as well as two months after receiving the third dose. Results A significant reduction of the anti-S humoral immune response was reported six months after the second dose of vaccine in both health workers and residents. The administration of a third dose of vaccine induced a significant increase in this antibody response in both investigated groups reaching a similar proportion of responders two months after this third dose. Conclusions Humoral immunity induced by two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine in persons without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection wanes over time. The administration of a third dose significantly increases anti-S antibodies being highly recommended, especially in people over 65 years of age (AU)

Objetivo El objetivo de nuestra investigación fue comparar la evolución de la respuesta inmunitaria humoral inducida por la vacuna BNT162b2 tras la administración de 2 y 3 dosis en personal sanitario y en personas mayores institucionalizadas (>65años) sin infección previa por SARS-CoV-2. Material y métodos Se realizó un estudio observacional prospectivo en una muestra de conveniencia conformada por sanitarios y mayores institucionalizados, determinando anticuerpos contra las proteínas S y N del SARS-CoV-2 a los 2 y 6 meses de recibir la segunda dosis de la vacuna, así como a los 2 meses después de recibir la tercera dosis. Resultados Se observó una reducción significativa de la respuesta inmune humoral anti-S 6 meses después de la segunda dosis de vacuna, tanto en sanitarios como en residentes. La administración de una tercera dosis de vacuna indujo un aumento significativo de esta respuesta de anticuerpos en ambos grupos, alcanzándose una proporción similar de individuos respondedores a los 2 meses de esta tercera dosis. Conclusiones La inmunidad humoral inducida por 2 dosis de la vacuna BNT162b2 en personas sin infección previa por SARS-CoV-2 disminuye con el tiempo. La administración de una tercera dosis aumenta significativamente los anticuerpos anti-S siendo muy recomendable, especialmente en personas mayores de 65 años (AU)

Elderly users' perceptions of signage systems from tertiary hospitals in Guangzhou.

Wayfinding in hospitals today is a significant challenge for urban residents, especially for the elderly. This study investigated the perceptions and attitudes of the elderly toward existing hospital signage systems to identify the wayfinding needs in the healthcare environment. This study collected 762 elderly participants' perceptions and personal preferences regarding 12 features of the existing signage systems in three hospitals in the Yuexiu, Haizhu, and Liwan districts of Guangzhou using a questionnaire methodology. The study further explored the differences in perceptions and preferences for signage based on the gender, age, and educational level of the elderly participants. The findings indicate that most of the elderly participants experienced becoming lost in the hospital; they typically chose to ask others for directions first, followed by using the signage system. Most of the elderly participants had positive attitudes toward the current hospital signage system. Furthermore, they emphasized the importance of the signage system's graphics, texts, colors, and updates, which directly affects the readability and comprehensibility of signs. We found gender differences in perceptions and attitudes toward signage; male participants had more positive attitudes toward the hospital signage systems than female participants. Additionally, consistent with previous findings, the older the age of participants, the less comprehension they had regarding signage graphic symbols. We also found that the more educated elderly participants were, the more understanding of signage they had. At the same time, however, they were less satisfied, which is possibly because the more educated they were, the more aware they were of signage issues.

A longitudinal study of factors associated with cognitive frailty in middle-aged and elderly population based on the health ecology model.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive frailty (CF) is an important geriatric syndrome and is reversible. It is crucial to develop preventive interventions for CF. We aimed to explore the associations between CF and its associated factors in Chinese aged 45 years and above. METHODS: Based on the available data of 3 waves in China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study from 2011 to 2015, 16,071 individuals aged 45 years and above from 3 waves were included. Based on the health ecology model, the associated factors were classified as downstream, midstream and upstream factors. Generalized hierarchical linear model including time level, individual level, and province level was applied to analyze the associations between factors and CF. RESULTS: Multilevel factors have different effects on physical and cognitive function. In the downstream, old age, female, underweight, chronic diseases, and depression were risk factors of reversible CF and potentially reversible CF, and overweight was their protective factor. In the midstream, short or long night sleep duration was their risk factor, and > 30 and ≤ 60 min afternoon naps, alcohol drinking, and participation in social activities were their protective factors. In the upstream, living in rural areas was their risk factor, and high educational level, household consumption and GDP per capita were their protective factors. CONCLUSIONS: Physical function and cognitive function are affected differently by multiple factors. The occurrence and development of physical frailty and cognitive impairment may have some common mechanisms. CF can be influenced by multilevel factors, and multilevel and comprehensive management of CF should be achieved. KEY POINTS: Cognitive frailty was correlated with multilevel factors, including downstream, midstream, and upstream factors. It is crucial to focus on individual interventions such as physiological factors, psychological factors and health behaviors, especially the elderly, women and those with depression. Socioeconomic status was associated with the lower prevalence of cognitive frailty.

Prevalence and factors associated with dynapenia among middle-aged and elderly people in rural southern China.

To estimate the prevalence of dynapenia and examine potential risk factors for dynapenia using a sample of rural middle-aged and elderly Chinese. A cross-sectional study of 253 Chinese adults aged 50 years and older was conducted from June to August in 2022 in Nanjing. A questionnaire was used to collect data on all socioeconomic variables. Body weight, height, body fat percentage, grip strength, waist circumference, calf circumference, and gait speed were measured. The prevalence of dynapenia was 69.6 %, 62.3 % in men and 72.7 % in women respectively. Binary logistic regressions indicated significant associations between dynapenia and age (odds ratio [OR] = 2.59; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.63, 4.12; p < 0.001), educational level (OR = 0.55; 95 % CI 0.38, 0.80; p = 0.002). Dynapenia was prevalent among rural middle-aged and elderly people in southern China. Age and lower education level were both associated with dynapenia. Nutrition and physical activity should be strongly recommended as important strategies to maintain and improve muscle strength.

Pathways of Media Contact to Health Literacy in Middle-Aged and Older People: The Chain Mediation Effect of Perceived Social Support and Self-Efficacy.

Objective: To understand the status of media exposure, social support, self-efficacy, and health literacy among middle-aged and older adults in China, and explore the impact path of media exposure on the health literacy of this population, providing a reference for promoting their physical and mental health. Methods: From July to November 2022, a multi-stage random sampling method was employed to survey 16,938 Chinese middle-aged and older adults aged 46 and above. Structural equation modeling and statistical analysis were conducted using LISREL 8.8 and Mplus 8.3 software. Results: The average score for media exposure among Chinese middle-aged and older adults was (18.55±5.36), perceived social support was (60.68±12.51), self-efficacy was (28.76±5.40), and health literacy was (35.49±6.05). Statistical results revealed that media exposure has a positive impact on the health literacy of middle-aged and older adults, with a direct effect of 0.091 (p < 0.001). Mediation analysis showed that media exposure can affect the health literacy of this population through the independent mediating effects of perceived social support (ß = 0.013, p < 0.001) and self-efficacy (ß = 0.029, p < 0.001), as well as through a chain mediation effect involving perceived social support and self-efficacy (ß = 0.015, p < 0.001). Conclusion: As a pathway for health information dissemination, media exposure plays a crucial role in the intervention of health literacy among middle-aged and older adults. Perceived social support and self-efficacy not only have independent mediating effects but also significant chain mediating effects in the relationship between media exposure and health literacy among this population. Therefore, improving the health literacy of middle-aged and older people can be popularized through media and improved in a multi-path, all-round, and precise way with the help of related technologies and social forces from which media literacy can be improved.