Screening for Frailty Using the FRAIL Scale in Older Cancer Survivors: A Cross-sectional Comparison With the Fried Phenotype.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the diagnostic performance of the FRAIL Scale for frailty screening with reference to the Fried phenotype and investigate its association with health outcomes in older cancer survivors. DATA SOURCE: In this cross-sectional quantitative study, participants were post-treatment cancer survivors aged 65 or above. Measurements included the FRAIL Scale, Fried phenotype, Geriatric Depression Scale-15 item, Modified Barthel Inventory, and EORTC Core Quality of Life Questionnaire. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the FRAIL Scale with reference to the Fried phenotype. Health outcomes associated with being frail as estimated by the FRAIL Scale and Fried phenotype were also examined using regressions. RESULTS: Based on 293 older cancer survivors, the area under curve (AUC) of the FRAIL Scale was 0.79, and the optimal cut-off of 1 yielded a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 41%. According to regression results, the FRAIL Scale was modified by adding an item on time since cancer treatment completion (AUC = 0.81), and using a cut-off of 2 for older cancer survivors, which yielded a sensitivity of 74% and specificity of 67%. The modified FRAIL Scale was associated with depressive symptoms, functional independence, fatigue, dyspnea, physical functioning, and role functioning. CONCLUSIONS: The modified FRAIL Scale is proposed for use in older cancer survivors, and a cut-off of 2 should be used. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: The modified FRAIL Scale can serve as a brief screening tool for identifying frailty among older cancer survivors in practice.

Exploring the benefits of structured medication reviews for frail older patients in advanced clinical practice.

Frailty in old age has become synonymous with medication use. As people age, the risk of disease burden increases. Older age is often linked with complex healthcare needs, with a rise in the number of comorbidities. This often results in the need to use multiple medications. Frailty is a global concern and requires early interventions to help people maintain their health as they age. Advanced clinical practitioners have an important role in supporting frail people living in the community. This article will review the literature and explore strategies that advanced practitioners can implement to optimise wellbeing and reduce medicines-related harm for this vulnerable population.

Adverse Health Effects of Frailty: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Middle-Aged and Older Adults With Implications for Evidence-Based Practice.

BACKGROUND: Scholars have noted that frailty easily leads to functional deterioration and proneness to complications. Little literature addresses the stages of frailty in middle-aged and older adults and the effects of frailty on overall health. AIMS: This study explores the effect of different stages of frailty on the prospective health (falls, bone fractures, disability, dementia, hospitalization, and death) of middle-aged and older adults. In addition, different frailty indicators were compared to determine their usefulness in predicting future adverse health outcomes. METHODS: The authors of this study separately reviewed and extracted data from the literature obtained while searching the following keywords: "frailty" OR "frail" and "fall" OR "disability" OR "fracture" OR "hospitalization" OR "mortality" OR "cognitive function" "dementia" OR "Alzheimer's disease" and "middle-aged people" OR "older people" OR "elderly" OR "geriatric" OR "senior." The literature search was performed from January 2001 to November 2019 in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Specifically, we performed a systematic literature search in multiple databases-Embase, PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library-and analyzed all obtained literature results using a random-effects model. RESULTS: We collected a total of 29 prospective studies for the systematic literature review and meta-analysis. The main results indicated that the frail groups had significantly higher risks of adverse health effects (falls, bone fractures, disability, dementia, hospitalization, and death) than the robust or prefrail groups. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: Frailty is a crucial healthcare topic among geriatric syndromes. Considering that older adults with frailty are most likely to develop severe adverse health outcomes, professional nursing personnel should assess frailty among middle-aged and older adults and offer relevant care strategies to reduce the adverse effects of frailty in this population.

Valoración y prevención de la fragilidad en el adulto mayor / Assessment and prevention of frailty in older adults

Objetivo: revisar el constructo de fragilidad y sintetizar la evidencia disponible sobre las estrategias preventivas de la fragilidad aplicables en Atención Primaria.Método: se llevó a cabo una revisión narrativa. Se realizaron búsquedas bibliográficas en las bases de datos Medline-Pubmed, Scientific Electronic Library Online-SciELO y ScienceDirect, utilizando los términos “frailty”, “frail elderly” y “health promotion”.Resultados: la fragilidad supone un estado de mayor vulnerabilidad que predispone a la persona a eventos adversos. El fenotipo de fragilidad está en constante revisión, aunque existen dos modelos principales. El modelo físico de Fried identifica cinco dimensiones en el constructo: pérdida de peso no intencionada, sensación subjetiva de agotamiento, debilidad con falta objetiva de fuerza, disminución de la velocidad de la marcha y escasa actividad física. El modelo de Rockwood se basa en la acumulación de déficits, identifica hasta 80 déficits e incluye distintas dimensiones: física, cognitiva, emocional y social. Ejercicio físico, nutrición, apoyo psicológico y manejo de comorbilidades y polifarmacia son algunas de las intervenciones propuestas para prevenir la fragilidad.Discusión: la fragilidad ha adquirido una importancia creciente en este medio por su elevada prevalencia y por su relación con la aparición de eventos adversos, por lo que se considera necesario un adecuado conocimiento por parte de los profesionales en la detección y manejo de este síndrome en el adulto mayor.(AU)

Objective: to review the frailty construct and summarize the evidence available on strategies for preventing frailty applicable in Primary Care.Method: a narrative review was conducted, with bibliographic searches in the Medline-Pubmed, Scientific Electronic Library Online-SciELO and ScienceDirect databases, using the terms: “frailty”, “frail elderly”, “health promotion”.Results: frailty represents a situation of higher vulnerability which predisposes persons to suffering adverse events. The frailty phenotype is under constant review, though there are two main models. The physical model by Fried identifies five dimensions in the construct: unintended weight loss, subjective feeling of fatigue, weakness with objective lack of strength, reduction in walking speed, and low physical activity. The Rockwood model is based on a build-up of deficiencies; up to 80 deficiencies are identified, and it includes different dimensions: physical, cognitive, emotional, and social. Some of the potential interventions to prevent frailty are: physical exercise, nutrition, psychological support, and management of comorbidities and polypharmacy.Discussion: frailty has acquired an increasing importance in our setting, due to its high prevalence and its association with the development of adverse events; therefore, it is necessary for professionals to have an adequate knowledge about how to detect and manage this syndrome in older adults.(AU)

Patients recovering from COVID-19 pneumonia in sub-acute care exhibit severe frailty: Role of the nurse assessment.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To document the level of frailty in sub-acute COVID-19 patients recovering from acute respiratory failure and investigate the associations between frailty, assessed by the nurse using the Blaylock Risk Assessment Screening Score (BRASS), and clinical and functional patient characteristics during hospitalisation. BACKGROUND: Frailty is a major problem in patients discharged from acute care, but no data are available on the frailty risk in survivors of COVID-19 infection. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional study (STROBE checklist). METHODS: At admission to sub-acute care in 2020, 236 COVID-19 patients (median age 77 years - interquartile range 68-83) were administered BRASS and classified into 3 levels of frailty risk. The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) was also administered to measure physical function and disability. Differences between BRASS levels and associations between BRASS index and clinical parameters were analysed. RESULTS: The median BRASS index was 14.0 (interquartile range 9.0-20.0) denoting intermediate frailty (32.2%, 41.1%, 26.7% of patients exhibited low, intermediate and high frailty, respectively). Significant differences emerged between the BRASS frailty classes regards to sex, comorbidities, history of cognitive deficits, previous mechanical ventilation support and SPPB score. Patients with no comorbidities (14%) exhibited low frailty (BRASS: median 5.5, interquartile range 3.0-12.0). Age ≥65 years, presence of comorbidities, cognitive deficit and SPPB % predicted <50% were significant predictors of high frailty. CONCLUSIONS: Most COVID-19 survivors exhibit substantial frailty and require continuing care after discharge from acute care. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The BRASS index is a valuable tool for nurses to identify those patients most at risk of frailty, who require a programme of rehabilitation and community reintegration.

Association of frailty with long-term homecare utilization in older adults following cancer surgery: Retrospective population-based cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Frailty is an important prognostic factor, and the association with postoperative dependence is important outcome to older adults. We examined the association of frailty with long-term homecare utilization for older adults following cancer surgery. METHODS: In this population-based cohort study, we determined frailty status in all older adults (≥70 years old) undergoing cancer resection (2007-2017). Outcomes were receipt of homecare and intensity of homecare (days per month) over 5 years. We estimated the adjusted association of frailty with outcomes, and assessed interaction with age. RESULTS: Of 82,037 patients, 6443 (7.8%) had frailty. Receipt and intensity of homecare was greater with frailty, but followed similar trajectories over 5 years between groups. Homecare receipt peaked in the first postoperative month (51.4% frailty, 43.1% no frailty), and plateaued by 1 year until 5 years (28.5% frailty, 12.8% no frailty). After 1 year, those with frailty required 4 more homecare days per month than without frailty (14 vs 10 days/month). After adjustment, frailty was associated with increased homecare receipt (hazard ratio 1.40; 95%CI 1.35-1.45), and increasing intensity each year (year 1 incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.22, 95%CI 1.18-1.27 to year 5 IRR 1.47, 95%CI 1.35-1.59). The magnitude of the association of frailty with homecare receipt decreased with age (pinteraction <0.001). CONCLUSION: While the trajectory of homecare receipt and intensity is similar between those with and without frailty, frailty is associated with increased receipt of homecare and increased intensity of homecare after cancer surgery across all age groups.

Factors Associated With Improving or Worsening the State of Frailty: A Secondary Data Analysis of a 5-Year Longitudinal Study.

PURPOSE: This study aims to examine the frailty transition patterns of older adults recruited from both community and residential care settings within a 5-year period, and to identify the physical and psychosocial factors associated with the transitions. DESIGN: This study is a secondary data analysis of a longitudinal study for tracking the change of health status of older adults 60 years of age or older. Participants who had undergone at least two assessments during 2013-2017 were selected for analysis. Guided by the Gobben's Frailty Model, biopsychosocial predictors were comprehensively identified from the literature, and their relationship to frailty state transition was explored. METHODS: We compared the baseline characteristics of participants at the frail, pre-frail, and robust states (categorized using the Fried Frailty Index). A generalized estimating equation was used to identify factors associated with an improvement or a deterioration in frailty. The probability of transitions between frailty states was calculated. FINDINGS: Among the 306 participants, 19% (n = 59) improved and 30% (n = 92) declined in frailty within the project period. Sleep difficulties (odds ratio [OR] = 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-2.90; p = .027), better cognitive status (OR = 0.80-0.84; 95% CI: 0.66-0.98 and 0.73-2.73; p = .031 and .018), good nutritional status (OR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.59-0.91; p = .005), slow mobility (OR = 1.03-1.13; 95% CI: 1.00-1.05 and 1.03-1.25; p = .047 and .014), hearing impairment (OR = 2.83; 95% CI: 1.00-8.01; p = .05), better quality of health-physical domain (OR = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.92-0.99; p = .006), and better functional ability (OR = 0.85-0.97; 95% CI: 0.79-0.92 and 0.96-0.99; p < .001 and p = .003) were significant associated factors in the worsening group. More physical activity (OR = 1.01; 95% CI: 1.00-1.01 and 1.01-1.02; p = .026 and p < .001), hearing impairment (OR = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.08-0.86; p = .028), and slow mobility (OR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.87-1.00; p = .037) were significant associated factors in the improvement group. CONCLUSIONS: Frailty is a crucial global public health issue. This study provides evidence for nurses to holistically consider the associated factors and to design effective interventions to combat frailty in our ageing society. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Frailty is a transient state that can be reversed. Professional nurses working in both community and residential care settings should be able to identify older adults at risk and improve their health conditions appropriately.

The Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC): a new casemix classification for residential aged care.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a casemix classification to underpin a new funding model for residential aged care in Australia. DESIGN, SETTING: Cross-sectional study of resident characteristics in thirty non-government residential aged care facilities in Melbourne, the Hunter region of New South Wales, and northern Queensland, March 2018 - June 2018. PARTICIPANTS: 1877 aged care residents and 1600 residential aged care staff. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC), a casemix classification for residential aged care based on the attributes of aged care residents that best predict their need for care: frailty, mobility, motor function, cognition, behaviour, and technical nursing needs. RESULTS: The AN-ACC comprises 13 aged care resident classes reflecting differences in resource use. Apart from the class that included palliative care patients, the primary branches were defined by the capacity for mobility; further classification is based on physical capacity, cognitive function, mental health problems, and behaviour. The statistical performance of the AN-ACC was good, as measured by the reduction in variation statistic (RIV; 0.52) and class-specific coefficients of variation. The statistical performance and clinical acceptability of AN-ACC compare favourably with overseas casemix models, and it is better than the current Australian aged care funding model, the Aged Care Funding Instrument (64 classes; RIV, 0.20). CONCLUSIONS: The care burden associated with frailty, mobility, function, cognition, behaviour and technical nursing needs drives residential aged care resource use. The AN-ACC is sufficiently robust for estimating the funding and staffing requirements of residential aged care facilities in Australia.

Homecare professionals' observation of deteriorating, frail older patients: A mixed-methods study.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To develop knowledge about homecare professionals' observational competence in early recognition of deterioration in frail older patients. BACKGROUND: The number of frail older patients in homecare has been rising, and these patients are at higher risk of deterioration and mortality. However, studies are scarce on homecare professionals' recognition and response to clinical deterioration in homecare. DESIGN: This study applies an explorative, qualitative, mixed-methods design. METHODS: The data were collected in two homecare districts in 2018 during 62 hr of participant observation, as well as from six focus group interviews. The data were subjected to qualitative content analyses. The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) checklist was used to report the results. RESULTS: The data analyses revealed two main themes and five sub-themes related to homecare professionals' observational practices. The first main theme entailed patient-situated assessment of changes in patients' clinical condition, that is, the homecare professionals' recognised changes in patients' physical and mental conditions. The second theme was the organisational environment, in which planned, practical tasks and collaboration and collegial support were emphasised. CONCLUSIONS: The homecare professionals in the two districts varied in their ability to recognise signs of patient deterioration. Their routines are described in detailed work plans, which seemed to affect assessment of their patients' decline. RELEVANCE FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: The results can inform homecare services on how homecare professionals' observational competence and an appropriate organisational system are essential in ensuring early detection of deterioration in frail older patients.

Revisión sistemática: influencia de los Grupos de Ayuda Mutua sobre cuidadores familiares / Systematic review: influence of Self-Help Groups on family caregivers

INTRODUCCIÓN: Desde la incorporación de la mujer al mundo laboral, junto con el envejecimiento progresivo de la población y el aumento de las enfermedades crónicas, se produce una alteración en el rol del cuidador, debido a la carga física, laboral y familiar que soporta, generándose conflictos emocionales y con el resto de miembros de la familia. La ayuda mutua puede ser una alternativa eficaz para promover el bienestar de los cuidadores, así como el de sus familias y dependientes. OBJETIVO: Conocer las características de los grupos de ayuda mutua (GAM) para cuidadores familiares y su influencia sobre los cuidadores, la persona dependiente y la salud familiar. METODOLOGÍA: Revisión sistemática. La estrategia de búsqueda incluyó las bases de datos Pubmed, Scopus, Psycinfo, Eric, Cochrane plus y CSIC. Se buscaron artículos escritos en español, catalán, inglés, portugués o francés, publicados en los últimos 10 años. RESULTADOS: Se seleccionaron 12 artículos relacionados con el tema de estudio. Todos los estudios muestran que la participación en estos grupos puede mejorar el bienestar físico-psicológico, el estado de salud de los cuidadores y, al mismo tiempo, reforzar su sentimiento de apoyo social, aunque faltan estudios en nuestro medio, con un tamaño muestral superior y de mayor calidad. CONCLUSIONES: Los cuidadores se benefician de participar en grupos de ayuda mutua. Por lo tanto, deben convertirse en un componente de rutina del cuidador familiar

INTRODUCTION: Since the incorporation of women into the world of work, together with the progressive ageing of the population and the increase of chronic diseases, there is an alteration in the role of the caregiver, due to the physical, work and family burden it bears, emotional conflicts and with other family members. Mutual aid can be an effective alternative to promoting the well-being of caregivers, as well as their families and dependents. OBJECTIVE: To know the characteristics of self-help groups for family caregivers and their influence on caregivers, the dependent and family health. METHODOLOGY: Systematic review. The search strategy included the Pubmed, Scopus, Psycinfo, Eric, Cochrane plus and CSIC databases; selecting scientific articles in either Spanish, Catalan, English, Portuguese or French, for the last 10 years. RESULTS: 12 articles related to the study topic were selected. All studies show that participation in these groups can improve the physical-psychological well-being, the health of caregivers and, at the same time, reinforce their sense of social support, although there is a lack of studies in our environment, with a size higher quality sample. CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers benefit from participating in self-help groups. Therefore, they should become a routine component of the family caregiver

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the FRAIL-NH scale for Chinese nursing home residents: A methodological and cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Frailty is a common condition in older adults, and has a particularly high prevalence among nursing home residents. Therefore, it is essential to assess frailty in nursing homes. The FRAIL-NH scale is a brief, quick-to-complete, and user-friendly measurement tool. However, it has not been used in China, and further cross-cultural adaptation and validation need to be undertaken. OBJECTIVES: To cross-culturally adapt and validate the FRAIL-NH scale for Chinese nursing home residents. DESIGN: Methodological and cross-sectional study. SETTING: Twenty-seven nursing homes in Jinan, China. PARTICIPANTS: Older Chinese nursing home residents (n = 353, age ≥60 years, 197 women; 156 men). METHODS: Interviewers obtained data on frailty, demographics, comorbidity, physical function, nutritional status, and self-rated health. The Chinese FRAIL-NH scale version was generated using the translation-backward translation method. Psychometric properties, including internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, criterion validity, and diagnosis accuracy were evaluated. RESULTS: The FRAIL-NH scale showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: 0.67) and satisfactory test-retest reliability within a 1- to 2-week interval (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.84). As expected, the FRAIL-NH scale was correlated to the validated measurements, presenting convergent validity. Using the frailty phenotype as a reference criterion, the area under the curve was 0.79. The optimal cutoff point for frailty was 2 (sensitivity: 69.90% and 77.33%) in Chinese nursing homes. The FRAIL-NH scale was significantly associated with the frailty phenotype (correlation coefficient = 0.61, P < 0.001), but showed fair agreement with it (kappa = 0.46, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The FRAIL-NH scale was found to be suitable for frailty measurement with acceptable validity and reliability, and the optimal cutoff point for frailty was 2. The FRAIL-NH scale can be applied in Chinese nursing homes.

Advanced nurse practitioners can lead comprehensive geriatric assessment in acute hospitals.

With an increasingly ageing population comes a greater risk of frailty, a distinct health state in which multiple body systems gradually lose their inbuilt reserves. The ability to recognise important frailty markers and conduct specialist comprehensive assessments of potentially frail older people admitted to acute hospitals is important to improve their health and well-being. This article explores the role of the advanced nurse practitioner (ANP) in identifying frailty and leading comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) for older people admitted to acute hospital settings. A small evaluation of CGA led by an ANP in a district general hospital found that a well-rounded assessment of patients living with frailty could be carried out, and that such assessments reduced unscheduled readmission within 28 days of discharge and overall length of hospital stay by six days. In a challenging climate, in which healthcare services seek to deliver effective and efficient care to the frail older population, ANPs can ensure a timely and specialist approach to CGA.

Cuidados de enfermagem ao idoso submetido a implantação de válvula aórtica transcateter e família na preparação do regresso a casa: revisão scoping / Nursing care to the elderly submitted to transcatheter aortic valve implantation and family in the preparation of homecare: scoping review

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation, despite the success rate, is a procedure with complications that may decrease the functional capacity of the elderly person and hamper their return to daily life at home. In order to identify the nursing care to the elderly submitted to TAVI and family that facilitates the preparation of homecare, a literature review was performed based on the Joanna Briggs Institute model for Scoping Reviews. Of the all articles found, twelve were included. The authors highlighting the importance of the relationship of trust established between the nurse and the elderly and family in the development of an individualized nursing intervention in the preparation of homecare, in which the management of the expectations with the treatment, the screening of complications, pain control, and promotion of comfort and functionality of the elderly are central. We conclude that the multidimensional evaluation of the elderly at the time of admission allows planning of adequate interventions to prevent complications and maintain their functional capacity on the way home. It is important to develop nursing care protocols to meet these needs

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Úlcera por pressão em idosos institucionalizados: escores de risco e determinantes clínicos / Pressure ulcer in institutionalized elderly: the risk scores and clinical determinants

Introduction: The term senescence translates the natural process of aging, which includes a sum of physiological, anatomical and functional changes. These changes can lead to morbidities and, when associated with chronic diseases, provide a situation of fragility and dependence, which may leave the elderly vulnerable to the appearance of wounds, which usually present a chronic evolution. Objective: to determine the prevalence and characteristics of pressure ulcers among institutionalized elderly people, the association between risk scores and clinical conditions of the elderly, and the measure of intensity of association of these variables with the development of the lesion. Method: This is a cross-sectional, population-based study with a quantitative approach, based on the analysis of part of the database. All the elderly included in the database (N = 324), enrolled in long-term institutions, were included in the study. Results: The prevalence of pressure ulcer was 8% in institutionalized elderly. It can be verified that of the five variables related to clinical conditions, they had a significant association (p≤0.05). The estimates of the coefficients of the binary logistic regression model showed that positive values, such as urinary incontinence, osteoarticular, neurological diseases and negative values for the change in vision, may increase and / or decrease the chance of developing the lesion. Conclusion: Pressure ulcers are preventable wounds that require constant observa-tion by the professionals responsible for the planning and implementation of care

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Síndrome da fragilidade e o uso de tecnologias assistivas em idosos / Syndrome of frailty and the use of assistive technologies in elderly / Síndrome de la fragilidad y el uso de tecnologías asistas en idosos

Objetivo: Analisar a associação entre a síndrome da fragilidade e o uso de tecnologias assistivas em idosos de um ambulatório. Método: Pesquisa transversal, com 374 idosos, entre fevereiro de 2016 a fevereiro de 2017. A coleta de dados contemplou instrumento estruturado e Escala de Fragilidade de Edmonton. Para análise utilizou-se o Stata®12, verificou-se a associação por meio dos testes F de Fisher e t de Student (p≤0,05). Resultados: Predomínio de mulheres (67,4%), média de idade de 67,9 anos, casados (56,4%), baixa escolaridade (55,1%). Dos participantes, 4,5% utilizavam bengala, 1,3% muleta e 0,3% andador, 29,4% faziam uso de lentes corretivas, 40,1% dos idosos apresentaram algum grau de fragilidade. As análises bivariada e multivariada apontaram associação positiva entre a fragilidade e bengala (p=0,001). Conclusão: Importante do profissional de saúde, realize o rastreio precoce da fragilidade com destaque para os idosos em uso de tecnologias assistivas, pois podem indicar o comprometimento e perda funcional

Objective: To analyze the association between the fragility syndrome and the use of assistive technologies in the elderly in an outpatient clinic. Method: Cross-sectional research with 374 elderly individuals, between February 2016 and February 2017. Data collection included structured instrument and Edmonton Fragility Scale. Stata®12 was used for analysis, the association was verified through Fisher's F test and Student's t test (p≤0.05). Results: Predominance of women (67.4%), mean age of 67.9 years, married (56.4%), low educational level (55.1%). Of the participants, 4.5% used bengal, 1.3% crutch and 0.3% walker, 29.4% used corrective lenses, 40.1% of the elderly presented some degree of fragility. The bivariate and multivariate analysis showed a positive association between fragility and bengal (p=0.001). Conclusion: Important for the health professional, perform the early screening of the fragility, highlighting the elderly using assistive technologies, as they may indicate impairment and functional loss

Objetivo: Analizar la asociación entre el síndrome de fragilidad y el uso de tecnologías asistivas en ancianos de un ambulatorio. Método: Investigación transversal, con 374 ancianos, entre febrero de 2016 a febrero de 2017. La recolección de datos contempló instrumento estructurado y Escala de Fragilidad de Edmonton. Para el análisis se utilizó el Stata®12, se verificó la asociación por medio de las pruebas F de Fisher y t de Student (p≤0,05). Resultados: Predominio de mujeres (67,4%), promedio de edad de 67,9 años, casados (56,4%), baja escolaridad (55,1%). De los participantes, el 4,5% utilizaba bengala, el 1,3% muleta y el 0,3% andador, el 29,4% hacía uso de lentes correctivas, el 40,1% de los ancianos presentaron algún grado de fragilidad. Los análisis bivariados y multivariados apuntaron una asociación positiva entre la fragilidad y el bengala (p=0,001). Conclusión: Importante del profesional de salud, realice el rastreo precoz de la fragilidad con destaque para los ancianos en uso de tecnologías asistivas, pues pueden indicar el compromiso y pérdida funcional

Social frailty: the importance of social and environmental factors in predicting frailty in older adults.

Frailty can have multifaceted contributors, including physical, psychological, social and environmental elements. There is a lack of clarity surrounding frailty as it lacks a universal common definition, multiple factors are attributed to frailty and no definitive assessment tool is available. The evidence suggests that there is a lack of research to indicate causal relationships between the various determinants of frailty in ageing individuals. This review discusses the important role that social and environmental factors play in predicting the risk of frailty in older adults, as well as discussing the various signs of frailty. Health professionals in primary and community care settings are well placed to prevent and identify social frailty in the persons they care for.

[Do caregivers of non-dependent elderly have specific characteristics? Study among 876 elderly-caregiver dyads]. / Les aidants de personnes âgées non dépendantes ont-ils des spécificités ? Étude auprès de 876 dyades personnes âgées-aidants.

BACKGROUND: The increase in life expectancy and the aging of the population have a significant impact on the informal care provided by caregivers. Protecting caregivers against excessive burden has become a public health priority. The majority of studies target only those providing care for dependent elderly people. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of informal caregivers of non-dependent elderly persons, their difficulties and their level of burden. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 876 dyads: elderly people (over 70 years of age, non-dependent, living at home and having requested assistance from CARSAT South-East) and their caregivers. Two questionnaires were administered: one for the elderly (including the Frailty Group Iso-Resource Evaluation) and one for caregivers (including the Mini-Zarit Scale). A multi-component analysis and a logistic regression were performed. RESULTS: The elderly were mainly women (77.6%) with a mean age of 82.2±5.8 years and most were frail (94.7%). Most of the caregivers were women (64.5%) with a mean age of 62.7±13.7 years. The multi-component analysis showed three categories of caregivers: spouses, children and others. Among them, spouses performed the most tasks (4.8±2.6) and had the greatest burden. Caregivers in the "others" category were the least burdened and were the least impacted in their daily life. The children category caregivers were divided into two subgroups: those with characteristics similar to "others" caregivers and those with characteristics similar to "spouse" caregivers. Heavy burden was related to greater impact on daily life, poor relationships with the elderly and caregivers' difficulties in performing their role. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the heterogeneous nature of informal caregiver profiles. It also shows that the characteristic features and the burden of these caregivers are similar whether the elderly person is dependent or non-dependent but frail.

The effect of volunteers' care and support on the health outcomes of older adults in acute care: A systematic scoping review.

AIM: To examine the available evidence on the effects of care and support provided by volunteers on the health outcomes of older adults in acute care services. BACKGROUND: Acute hospital inpatient populations are becoming older, and this presents the potential for poorer health outcomes. Factors such as chronic health conditions, polypharmacy and cognitive and functional decline are associated with increased risk of health care-related harm, such as falls, delirium and poor nutrition. To minimise the risk of health care-related harm, volunteer programmes to support patient care have been established in many hospitals worldwide. DESIGN: A systematic scoping review. METHODS: The review followed the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) (File S1). Nine databases were searched (CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect and JBI) using the following key terms: 'hospital', 'volunteer', 'sitter', 'acute care', 'older adults', 'confusion', 'dementia' and 'frail'. The search was limited to papers written in English and published from 2002-2017. Inclusion criteria were studies involving the use of hospital volunteers in the care or support of older adult patients aged ≥ 65 years, or ≥ 50 years for Indigenous peoples, with chronic health conditions, cognitive impairment and/or physical decline or frailty, within the acute inpatient settings. RESULTS: Of the 199 articles identified, 17 articles that met the inclusion criteria were critically appraised for quality, and 12 articles were included in the final review. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence that the provision of volunteer care and support with eating and drinking, mobilising and therapeutic activities can impact positively upon patient health outcomes related to nutrition, falls and delirium. Further robust research is needed to determine the impact of volunteers in acute care and the specific care activities that can contribute to the best outcomes for older adults. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Volunteers can play a valuable role in supporting care delivery by nurses and other health professionals in acute care services, and their contribution can improve health outcomes for older adults in this setting.

The Relationship Between Depression and Frailty in Community-Dwelling Older People: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 84,351 Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: In this study we investigated the correlation between depression and frailty in older adults. Additionally, correlations among study designs (prospective vs. cross-sectional), regions, depression indices, frailty indices, covariance corrections, and sexes were explored to support the analysis. METHODS: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis were conducted. A total of 84,351 older adults, all 65 years of age or older, were analyzed. Both authors independently extracted and examined retrieved articles. Searched keywords included "depression" or "depressive"; "frailty" or "frail"; and "older people," "elderly," "geriatric," or "senior." Articles published between January 2000 and December 2016 were searched. A literature quality assessment was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic REVIEWS AND META-ANALYSES: Systematic literature searches were conducted on the Embase, PubMed, MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Cochrane Library databases, and collected studies were analyzed using a random effects model. RESULTS: Fourteen studies on people 65 years of age or older were collected, and a correlation analysis was conducted for depression and frailty. According to the meta-analysis, the risk for frailty due to depression was nonsignificant among the subgroups for study design (p for heterogeneity = .149), region (p = .429), depression criteria (p = .934), covariate adjustment (p = .702), and frailty criteria (p = .661). Notably, the risk for frailty due to depression was significantly higher in men than in women (pooled odds ratios for men and women: 4.76 and 2.25, respectively; Qbetween χ2 = 9.93, p = .002). CONCLUSION: Older adults with depression are more prone to frailty than are those without depression. Regardless of study design, region, depression index, frailty index, and covariance corrections, no significant differences were observed in the results of studies on depression and frailty in older adults. The only factor that had a significant influence was sex; older men with depression were at a higher risk for frailty than were older women with depression. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Depression and frailty are pertinent health concerns related to geriatric syndromes. Because older adults with depression have a high risk for frailty, nursing personnel should use a depression index as early as possible to screen for depression and further reduce the occurrence of frailty in older adults. Furthermore, based on the aforementioned differences between the sexes, special attention should be paid to older men with depression to reduce their risk for frailty.