Outcomes of a Falls Prevention Education Program Among Older Adults in Grenada.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, there is a scarcity of data on falls, the leading cause of death as a result of unintentional injuries, among older adults aged 65+ years of age. By 2050, 80 % of the 2 billion older adults worldwide are expected to be living in this region; therefore, it is imperative that this issue receive urgent attention from community health practitioners, health educators and policy makers. Guided by Pillar 1-awareness of the WHO fall prevention model for community-dwelling older adults, the purpose of this paper was to describe the feasibility of implementing a falls prevention awareness educational initiative in the Eastern Caribbean Island of Grenada. Sixty-two older adults, average age 67, participated in a falls awareness workshop. An anonymous pre-workshop falls assessment checklist was distributed to establish baseline information followed by an interactive workshop. Eight fall risks were identified and 52 % of the participants reported a history of falls. Based on the group's eagerness to participate, we are encouraged that falls prevention intervention initiatives are feasible among others of similar characteristics in Grenada and plan to implement Pillar II-objective falls assessment and Pillar III-on-going interventions.

Nutrition education intervention with community-dwelling older adults: research challenges and opportunities.

This study critically reviewed empirical literature examining nutrition education intervention studies with community-dwelling older adults over the period 2003-2012 to: (1) determine the number, (2) evaluate the research designs, and (3) report the study outcomes. A search of online databases yielded 74 studies six of which met our criteria. The studies reported favorable intervention outcomes. Because of the number, variability in the types, designs, measures, scope, educational and behavioral strategies, results can only inform future studies and encourage scholars to use strong evaluation design. We recommend the utilization of an ecological conceptual model when conducting nutrition interventions studies and discussed implications in terms of research and practice.

The joys of caring for older adults: training practitioners to empower older adults.

Many older adults lack knowledge concerning the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle, atypical disease symptoms, the adverse effects of multiple medication use, and the hazards of frequent hospitalizations. Medically trained healthcare providers and community health practitioners can provide older adults with this information through health education classes. However, these healthcare professionals must continually update their knowledge as the science of gerontology and geriatrics is always expanding. The advanced certificate in gerontology administration program at LIU-Brooklyn hosted a 3-h train-the-trainer seminar, which was attended by 62 healthcare professionals to raise awareness concerning the realities of aging and to describe a range of behaviors that support health. For approximately 90 min, the keynote speaker presented issues and solutions that addressed the before-mentioned areas of knowledge deficit, followed by a question and answer period. Participants were asked to use an anonymous survey evaluation form featuring both quantitative and qualitative questions to rate the seminar. Close-ended questions were developed on a five-point scale ranging from 5 = strongly agree to 1 = strongly disagree. These items were analyzed to compute frequency and percent. The participants rated the seminar favorably with 98% stating that they learned the benefits of exercise for older adults; 97% learned how to avoid the hazards of hospitalization. Evaluations of the seminar suggest that it is feasible to develop educational programs targeting healthcare professionals and community health practitioners.

Physical symptoms, chronic and life-threatening illness trajectories among minority and aging populations.

The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship across race/ethnicity relative to reported subjective physical symptoms and clinically assessed medical conditions among the aging minority population using the Health and Retirement Study data for years 1998-2000. Poisson and negative binomial regressions were used to estimate three count dependent variables: physical symptom, chronic, and life-threatening medical conditions. Results indicate that while Black respondents were 18% more likely to report physical symptoms when compared to White respondents (B = .171, p < .01, e(.171) = 1.18) and 1.06 times more likely to report life-threatening medical conditions (B = .058, p < .01, e(.058) = 1.06), when SES variables were added being Black was no longer significantly associated with physical symptoms and chronic conditions. However, being Black did remain statistically significant and positively associated with life-threatening conditions, even after controlling for SES. Results bear statistical and clinical significance, given that we are examining racial and ethnic groups. First, Blacks are at higher risk for premature death for a variety of reasons; this has implications on financial expenditures and on the quality of life. Second, growth among the Hispanic population is outpacing both White and Black populations. Policy initiatives, including geriatric health education, partnerships with community and grass-roots leaders will promote awareness.

Application of evidence-based practice through a float project.

Evidence-based practice must become a common, acceptable process for the bedside nurse. This paper demonstrates a process for engaging nurses in the use of evidence for direct practice. An example using the revision of a float policy is provided as a model for staff nurses to incorporate evidence in a mechanism to elicit change.