PURPOSE: To examine the association between market and organizational variables (financial health, market competitiveness, social capital) on health information technology (HIT) maturity levels across nursing homes. METH...PURPOSE: To examine the association between market and organizational variables (financial health, market competitiveness, social capital) on health information technology (HIT) maturity levels across nursing homes. METHOD: Using a national sample of HIT maturity in 525 nursing homes, we used a standard ordinary least squares regression model with robust standard errors to explore market and organizational factors associated with HIT maturity. RESULTS: We found four of seven financial health variables (operating income per resident day, total facility beds, occupancy percentage, chain affiliation) associated with HIT maturity. Moderately concentrated counties (market competitiveness) also exhibited higher HIT maturity. Social capital indicators were not associated with HIT maturity. CONCLUSION: Facilities with greater resources can make more significant HIT investments and are associated with higher HIT maturity. These findings can assist health care leaders in strategically examining the factors that drive investments in information technology within nursing homes.
PURPOSE: To investigate modifiable environmental work factors impacting long-term care (LTC) workers' mood symptoms. This is a first step in creating interventions that can improve mood symptoms and reduce turnover. METH...PURPOSE: To investigate modifiable environmental work factors impacting long-term care (LTC) workers' mood symptoms. This is a first step in creating interventions that can improve mood symptoms and reduce turnover. METHOD: This descriptive study used baseline data from a trial within six worksites ( = 112). Through self-reported surveys, mood symptoms were analyzed using the 21-item version of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale, and environmental factors, such as job demands, decision authority, job duties, social support, and organizational justice, were measured using the Job Strain Model tool. RESULTS: After controlling for age, organizational justice (β = 0.361, ≤ 0.001) significantly influenced mood symptoms and explained 15% of the variance in mood symptoms. CONCLUSION: Organizational justice may reduce mood symptoms in LTC staff. These findings offer managers and researchers insights for potential interventions with this population.
PURPOSE: To determine whether psychological distress mediates the relationship between social isolation and frailty among older people living with HIV (PLWH) in China. METHOD: A quantitative cross-sectional study was con...PURPOSE: To determine whether psychological distress mediates the relationship between social isolation and frailty among older people living with HIV (PLWH) in China. METHOD: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted. A convenience sample of 342 eligible older PLWH were identified between December 2022 and October 2023. Data were collected through in-person surveys and structured questionnaires designed to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, social isolation, frailty, and psychological distress with standard measures, including the Tilburg Frailty Indicator, Lubben Social Network Scale-6, and Distress Thermometer. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of major variables among participants was reported as follows: social isolation (57.3%), frailty (39.5%), and psychological distress (25.8%). Mediation analysis showed that an association between social isolation and frailty was mediated by psychological distress. Psychological distress partially mediated the relationship between social isolation and frailty, accounting for 30.4% of the total effect. CONCLUSION: Higher levels of social isolation and greater levels of psychological distress may be significant risk factors for frailty among older PLWH. Levels of social isolation influence frailty directly and indirectly through a psychological distress pathway.
PURPOSE: Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, poses complex challenges requiring health care providers to respond with empathy and skill. The current study examined whether a simulation-based dementia education inter...PURPOSE: Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, poses complex challenges requiring health care providers to respond with empathy and skill. The current study examined whether a simulation-based dementia education intervention could enhance empathy in health care students. METHODS: Using embedded mixed methods, one-group quasi-experimental design, empathy levels in 125 pre-licensure nursing and graduate occupational therapy students were measured via the Kiersma-Chen Empathy Scale-Revised (KCES-R) before, immediately after, and 6 weeks post-simulation. In addition, 36 post-debriefing focus groups explored student experiences qualitatively. RESULTS: Findings showed significant empathy score increases across all time points (F[2,124] = 17.02, < 0.001). Thematic analysis revealed five themes: , , , , and . CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that simulation-based dementia experience improves empathy and motivates students to provide better care. Experiential learning is critical to preparing future health care professionals to meet the growing demands of dementia care.
PURPOSE: The current study examined differences in senior nursing students' knowledge, attitudes, and perceived competency about older adults, based on enrollment in Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Associate Degree...PURPOSE: The current study examined differences in senior nursing students' knowledge, attitudes, and perceived competency about older adults, based on enrollment in Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), and Practical Nursing (PN) programs offering gerontological nursing curricula content. METHOD: A nonexperimental, descriptive survey design was used. A total of 145 senior nursing students from five pre-licensure programs in Florida completed a 92-item survey incorporating the Palmore Facts on Aging Quiz 2, Kogan's Attitudes Toward Old People Scale, and the Hartford Geriatric Nurse Competency Tool. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), multivariate ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. RESULTS: Students demonstrated limited knowledge about older adults but reported high perceived competency. A statistically significant difference in knowledge was found between program types, with PN students scoring highest. A moderate positive correlation existed between knowledge and attitudes. No significant differences were found for attitudes or perceived competency by program. CONCLUSION: The current study underscores the need to systematically design an evidence-based curriculum inclusive of gerontological nursing content across BSN, ADN, and PN programs to prepare the future nursing workforce to care for older adults.
PURPOSE: Urinary retention (UR) is a lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS) that can present in men and women aged ≥65 years. However, unlike the medications available for men to treat this condition, the current approach to...PURPOSE: Urinary retention (UR) is a lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS) that can present in men and women aged ≥65 years. However, unlike the medications available for men to treat this condition, the current approach to management of chronic UR in women is limited to conservative methods and urinary catheterization, which have various risks. The current article reviews the use of tamsulosin as a potential pharmacological alternative for the management of chronic UR in older women. METHOD: A review of primary literature evaluating tamsulosin use for the treatment of chronic non-neurogenic UR in women was performed. RESULTS: Tamsulosin showed significant improvements in LUTS-based outcome measures, with limited reports of orthostatic hypotension and dizziness. CONCLUSION: Tamsulosin may be considered a safe alternative option for the management of UR in older women over urinary catheterization and potentially reduces the incidence of catheter-associated complications.
PURPOSE: Maintaining optimal glycemic control, as measured by hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), is critical for preventing diabetes-related complications in older adults. The current study investigated determinants of glycemic con...PURPOSE: Maintaining optimal glycemic control, as measured by hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), is critical for preventing diabetes-related complications in older adults. The current study investigated determinants of glycemic control in older adults with diabetes in South Korea, aligning with the latest clinical guidelines from the American Diabetes Association and World Health Organization. METHOD: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the 2022 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A total of 372 adults aged ≥65 years with physician-diagnosed diabetes were included. Participants were categorized into well-controlled (HbA1c <7%) and poorly controlled (HbA1c ≥7%) groups. Factors influencing glycemic control, including psychological distress, physical activity, and socioeconomic variables, were assessed using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 ≥4; odds ratio [OR] = 1.986, = 0.019), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder-7 ≥2; OR = 1.800, = 0.041), and insufficient strength training (<2 times/week; OR = 0.496, = 0.025) were significant predictors of poor glycemic control. Current smoking was also associated with elevated HbA1c (OR = 2.228, = 0.030). No significant associations were observed for demographic or socioeconomic factors. CONCLUSION: Psychological distress, insufficient strength training, and smoking are key modifiable predictors of poor glycemic control in older adults with diabetes. These findings highlight the need for integrated interventions that address mental health support, lifestyle modifications, and smoking cessation in diabetes management for older adults. Further longitudinal studies are recommended to confirm causality.
PURPOSE: To examine the impact of sarcopenia severity on depressive symptoms and quality of life (QoL) among community-dwelling older adults with dementia, using the 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria. METH...PURPOSE: To examine the impact of sarcopenia severity on depressive symptoms and quality of life (QoL) among community-dwelling older adults with dementia, using the 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted at neurological outpatient clinics in Taiwan. Participants included 120 older adults aged ≥65 years with dementia (as determined by a Clinical Dementia Rating score ≤2). Sarcopenia severity was classified based on muscle mass, strength, and physical performance. Depressive symptoms and QoL were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36, respectively. RESULTS: Severe sarcopenia was significantly associated with poorer QoL ( < 0.05), and no significant association was found between sarcopenia and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia severity negatively impacts QoL in older adults with dementia. Routine nursing assessments should include sarcopenia screening to guide interventions aimed at improving QoL, such as resistance training and nutritional support.
PURPOSE: To systematically develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a Chinese version of the Self-Reporting Age-Friendly Environment Assessment Tool (CS-AFEAT). METHOD: The CS-AFEAT was developed based on lite...PURPOSE: To systematically develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a Chinese version of the Self-Reporting Age-Friendly Environment Assessment Tool (CS-AFEAT). METHOD: The CS-AFEAT was developed based on literature review, semi-structured interviews with older adults, and a two-round Delphi procedure. Older adults ( = 836) from Guangdong Province were chosen to complete a survey using a convenience sampling method to test validity and reliability. One half of the sample was randomly selected for exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and the other half for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Internal consistency reliability was tested using Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: A questionnaire comprising 61 items and six domains was constructed. All items had significant discrimination and had a strong relationship with the total score of the tool. In EFA and CFA, the factor loading of each item was >0.70. During CFA, the composite reliabilities of all domains were >0.90. The content validity index of the overall tool was 0.980. Cronbach's alpha of the overall tool was 0.962. CONCLUSION: This scale can contribute to establishing age-friendly home and community environments. It may be a valuable reference for community service centers to assess and enhance their services, considering factors such as limited workforce and resources. Moreover, this scale can facilitate continuous improvement and long-term development of age-friendly care communities.
PURPOSE: To synthesize the pooled estimate of the overall incidence of social frailty (SF) and pre-frailty, as well as the prevalence of SF based on sex, country, participant type, and assessment tool used. METHOD: This...PURPOSE: To synthesize the pooled estimate of the overall incidence of social frailty (SF) and pre-frailty, as well as the prevalence of SF based on sex, country, participant type, and assessment tool used. METHOD: This systematic review and meta-analysis incorporated data from inception to December 2021 using six databases: PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library. In addition to using a comprehensive set of medical subject headings and text phrases in Chinese and English, additional research was manually retrieved from reference lists. Calculations of the combined incidence of SF and pre-frailty were based on a random-effects model. Sources of heterogeneity were also verified through subgroup analysis. RESULTS: The literature search yielded 2,371 articles, with 17 articles included in the meta-analysis. The combined incidences of SF and pre-frailty were 18.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] [13.7, 24.1]) and 46.6% (95% CI [34.4, 58.7]), respectively. After subgroup analyses of SF, the combined prevalence was 21.6% (95% CI [12.9, 30.3]) in Japan, 19.4% (95% CI [13.2, 25.5]) among females, 25.1% (95% CI [9.1, 41.1]) with Makizako's 5-item SF questionnaire, and 66.5% (95% CI [63.9, 69.1]) among older adults with heart failure. CONCLUSION: SF and pre-frailty were prevalent in Asian older adults, especially in Japan, among females, with Makizako's 5-item SF questionnaire, and among older adults with heart failure.
Since the beginning of the second Trump Administration there have been changes in relationships and global agreements, Executive Orders that supported fossil fuel energy while limiting environmental health protections, a...Since the beginning of the second Trump Administration there have been changes in relationships and global agreements, Executive Orders that supported fossil fuel energy while limiting environmental health protections, and communications related to climate change. These changes risk the health of older adults. Nurses must engage with policymakers and advocate to rollback polices that negatively influence health to protect older adults from climate change-related health risks.
Chung J, Viceconte M, Syros R
… +3 more, Wood R, Mansion N, Jang H
J Gerontol Nurs
· 2025 Jul · PMID 40626782
·
Full text
PURPOSE: Artificial intelligence-based voice assistants offer diverse functionalities to support aging in place. The current study explored usability challenges and design recommendations for voice user interfaces (VUIs)...PURPOSE: Artificial intelligence-based voice assistants offer diverse functionalities to support aging in place. The current study explored usability challenges and design recommendations for voice user interfaces (VUIs) of smart speakers among low-income older adults. METHOD: Results from two user-centered design studies involving residents in low-income housing ( = 27 and = 11, respectively), including current smart speaker users and nonusers living alone, were synthesized. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, we explored participants' experiences, challenges, and design preferences for smart speakers. RESULTS: Participants reported difficulties with technology learning opportunities, lack of in-person technical support, and usability issues with VUI. They also highlighted user-related challenges, such as cognitive and physical limitations, affecting interaction with the devices. Participants proposed VUI design improvements to enhance usability, accessibility, and engagement. CONCLUSION: The current study contributes to the identification of key barriers and facilitators for smart speaker adoption among underserved older adults, offering recommendations for more inclusive and user-friendly VUI design. [(7), 7-14.].