PURPOSE: To explore how nurses facilitate advance care planning (ACP) for older adults with unplanned hospitalizations in acute care settings. METHODS: We conducted a grounded theory study using semi-structured interview...PURPOSE: To explore how nurses facilitate advance care planning (ACP) for older adults with unplanned hospitalizations in acute care settings. METHODS: We conducted a grounded theory study using semi-structured interviews with 22 nurses regarding their successful ACP experiences. RESULTS: We conceptualized ACP facilitation as a strategic baton-passing process. Rather than being conducted by a single nurse, it is orchestrated by multiple nurses and, occasionally, other professionals. Each contributes what they can in the moment, anticipating handoffs as patients are transferred, involving multiple providers. Nurses elucidated the following collective activities: First, some nurses (1) squeeze in time to lay the groundwork for ACP conversations-namely, estimating time remaining, gaining patients' trust, rapidly assembling fragmented information, and bridging communication across providers. Meanwhile, others (2) seize the right moment to step into ACP conversations: If time is limited, nurses initiate the conversation without waiting for ideal timing. If time permits, they carefully gauge the appropriate moment after the emergency phase has passed. Subsequently, others (3) start developing a tentative ACP blueprint with the patient/family, adapting to the situation, and clarifying future directions. Nurses shift fluidly between roles across patients and situations, integrating fragmented efforts into a continuous process while respecting patient values across care transitions. Their pivotal role lies in orchestrating this process-ACP facilitation in acute care is thus likened to passing a baton in a sprint relay. CONCLUSION: Acute care nurses' adaptability and networking are critical in achieving ACP for older adults with unplanned hospitalization in hectic acute care settings.
The main purpose of this study is to identify the key factors affecting polypharmacy and medication adherence in elderly patients and to determine the impact of polypharmacy and medication adherence on their quality of l...The main purpose of this study is to identify the key factors affecting polypharmacy and medication adherence in elderly patients and to determine the impact of polypharmacy and medication adherence on their quality of life. The research was conducted on 326 patients aged 65 and older who applied to a family health center in Erzincan, Turkiye, between January and February 2025. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the data. The analyses indicated that increasing age affected polypharmacy, medication adherence, and quality of life of the elderly. Moreover, the type of disease and the medication cascade were identified as the determinants of polypharmacy, while the duration of the disease was observed to affect medication adherence. It was determined that polypharmacy affected medication adherence and quality of life, while gender and medication adherence also had a significant impact on the patient's quality of life (p<0.05). These findings suggest that polypharmacy and medication adherence have significant effects on the quality of life of elderly individuals. Therefore, it is important to monitor and evaluate polypharmacy regimens periodically with evidence-based therapeutic strategies and well-structured strategic plans to improve patients' quality of life and medication adherence.
PURPOSE/AIMS: To identify the factors associated with hospitalization of community-dwelling users of nursing small-scale multifunctional home care (NSMHC), a long-term care insurance service grounded in a person-centered...PURPOSE/AIMS: To identify the factors associated with hospitalization of community-dwelling users of nursing small-scale multifunctional home care (NSMHC), a long-term care insurance service grounded in a person-centered, integrated approach. METHODS: Data collected between October and November 2022 in Japan were analyzed. A structured questionnaire about NSMHC was used to collect data. The administrator of each NSMHC agency completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: Of 1936 users included in the analysis, 257 reported a reduction in hospitalizations. Of 440 users with dementia, 112 reported improvements in challenging behaviors. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that care related to medical procedures, including oxygen therapy (odds ratio [OR], 2.45; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.11-5.25) and wound care (OR, 1.99; 95 % CI, 1.17-3.38), was associated with a reduction in hospitalizations. Additionally, service agencies that received support from specialized nurses in the care of elimination disorders (OR, 1.86; 95 % CI, 1.01-3.42) and respiratory care (OR, 2.41; 95 % CI, 1.07-9.43) were significant predictors of reduction in hospitalizations. Among users with dementia, standard nursing care, such as providing education and support for family members (OR, 3.90; 95 % CI, 1.30-11.6), was associated with improvements in challenging behaviors. Service agencies receiving support from specialized nurses for the care of challenging behaviors or delirium (OR, 2.20; 95 % CI, 1.15-4.18) were also associated with improvements in challenging behaviors in dementia. CONCLUSIONS: Policymakers should consider increasing the availability of NSMHC services, as they effectively address the needs of older individuals, enabling them to continue living in their communities.
BACKGROUND: Ageism, defined as stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination based on age, remains a pervasive issue globally, negatively affecting the health and well-being of older adults. The Fraboni Scale of Ageism (FSA...BACKGROUND: Ageism, defined as stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination based on age, remains a pervasive issue globally, negatively affecting the health and well-being of older adults. The Fraboni Scale of Ageism (FSA) is a widely used tool to measure ageist attitudes, yet it has not been validated in Arabic-speaking populations. AIM: This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and examine the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Fraboni Scale of Ageism (FSA) among nursing students in Alexandria, Egypt. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 471 nursing students at the Technical Institute of Nursing, Alexandria University. The FSA was translated using the forward-backward translation method and evaluated for content validity, internal consistency, and concurrent validity. Construct validity was assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. RESULTS: The Arabic FSA showed strong internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.822). Content validity was acceptable (CVI = 0.89). Eight items were removed from the original scale to enhance validity. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a three-factor model, and confirmatory factor analysis supported this model with satisfactory fit indices (SRMR = 0.042 and RMSEA = 0.060). Regression analysis revealed that male students and those with lower knowledge of aging had significantly higher ageism levels (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The Arabic version of the FSA is a reliable and valid tool for assessing ageist attitudes among Arabic-speaking nursing students. It can be used for future research and in designing educational interventions aimed at reducing ageism.
AIM: This interpretive qualitative inquiry aimed to explore perspectives of family carers, clinicians and service providers on the issues and challenges of providing quality end-of-life care for people with advanced deme...AIM: This interpretive qualitative inquiry aimed to explore perspectives of family carers, clinicians and service providers on the issues and challenges of providing quality end-of-life care for people with advanced dementia living at home. METHODS: We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 33 bereaved and current family carers and focus groups with 20 clinicians and service providers across various care settings. Thematic analysis was used to disclose meaningful insights and patterns of meaning. RESULTS: Six key themes were identified: Inadequate preparation, guidance and access to appropriate resources; Taboo and misunderstanding: talking about death; Dementia as a terminal illness and the role of palliative care; Key time points, critical events and decisions; Planning ahead not in reality; Family issues and dynamics. From clinicians' and service providers' perspectives, problems related to limited resources, poor consumer access, and skilled workforce shortages all undermined efforts to enable living and dying at home. Family carers found that conversations about death and care home admission were "too confronting" for many, hampering planning in advance. A lack of public, community and health professional awareness led to suboptimal end-of-life planning, signaling the need for all health professionals, especially community and primary care practitioners to be knowledgeable in dementia care. CONCLUSION: Addressing unique challenges that people with advanced dementia and their family carers experience requires continuity of care and coordination of multidisciplinary care services. Further research is needed to identify dementia-appropriate policies, for example adaptation of current models of advance care planning to meet the needs of this population.
While dementia caregiving causes caregiving stress, cultural values, such as filial piety, stigma, and language barriers, can deter seeking support among East Asian caregivers of persons with dementia. Yet, research on t...While dementia caregiving causes caregiving stress, cultural values, such as filial piety, stigma, and language barriers, can deter seeking support among East Asian caregivers of persons with dementia. Yet, research on their support use remains limited. This review aimed to synthesize evidence on support use among East Asian caregivers of persons with dementia. We used an integrative review with six databases. Included studies targeted family caregivers of persons with dementia from East Asian backgrounds. We excluded articles not written in English, but did not apply limits on publication year. A total of 43 articles from 1998 to 2024 were extracted and synthesized using thematic analysis. Three key themes emerged: 1) patterns of using support, 2) factors influencing support use, and 3) needs for using formal support. Caregivers preferred informal networks and problem-focused strategies, seeking formal services during crises, but involved a negotiated decision-making process. This pattern was shaped by individual (e.g., demographics, caregiving characteristics, knowledge of dementia and services, perception and attitudes toward support use), family (e.g., family harmony, support, conflict), cultural (e.g., stigma, filial piety, language barriers, acculturation), and organizational barriers (e.g., limited availability of culturally tailored services). These findings underscore the need for culturally sensitive services, education, and community-based approaches for practical and emotional support. Therefore, interventions should reframe help-seeking as a proactive strength and foster engagement through culturally aligned community channels. Future studies should explore how culturally responsive, supportive, and systemically integrated interventions can improve timely support use among East Asian caregivers of persons with dementia.
BACKGROUND: Social engagement is vital for older adults living at home, yet cognitive decline and reduced mobility often limit support. As "aging in place" expands home care's remit, it remains unclear to what extent hea...BACKGROUND: Social engagement is vital for older adults living at home, yet cognitive decline and reduced mobility often limit support. As "aging in place" expands home care's remit, it remains unclear to what extent healthcare services address social needs alongside medical and functional needs. AIM: To explore how older adults, their families, home care staff, and care administrators perceive and address older adults' social needs. METHODS: Two qualitative studies from Central and Eastern Norway were combined and analysed using thematic analysis. Participants included eight older adults, 13 relatives, 15 home care nurses, and 17 care administrators. FINDINGS: The participants had differing views on social needs. Older adults valued companionship with home care staff, highlighting trust, kindness, and meaningful conversation. These "small acts of kindness" were central to their experience of care. Relatives largely shared this perspective. Home care nurses were uncertain whether meeting social needs fell within their responsibilities yet regarded social interaction as important for understanding the older person's resources and challenges in terms of care. In contrast, care administrators saw social needs as a shared responsibility-primarily for families, neighbours, and volunteers-and emphasised structured activities in community centres. CONCLUSIONS: Social needs should be viewed as part of relational care, embedded in daily interactions-not as separate, resource-heavy tasks. When care time constraints become too rigid, essential social interactions often go unrecognised and undervalued in service allocations. The small acts of kindness prove to be far from insignificant, emerging instead as necessities in both social support and tailored care provision.
AIM: To explore the association between revised-Risk Analysis Index (RAI-rev) and postoperative delirium (POD) in older patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery. METHODS: From March 2024 to August 2024, patients ag...AIM: To explore the association between revised-Risk Analysis Index (RAI-rev) and postoperative delirium (POD) in older patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery. METHODS: From March 2024 to August 2024, patients aged 65 years and older scheduled for elective abdominal surgery were included in the study. Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the relationship between POD and the RAI-rev scores. Afterwards, we applied propensity score matching (PSM) analysis to mitigate the potential bias from covariates. RESULTS: We prospectively enrolled 163 consecutive patients. Independent risk factors identified by multivariate regression analysis included RAI-rev, Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) and triglyceride. RAI-rev presented the maximum area under curve of 0.790. Meanwhile, the predictive value of RAI-rev still existed after PSM. CONCLUSION: The RAI-rev, NRS 2002 and triglyceride were independently associated with POD in older abdominal surgery patients. Particularly, the RAI-rev was proved to be a more effective predictor of POD incidence.
Pressure injuries (PIs) remain difficult to avoid in high-risk populations, especially in older adults who are immobile, unconscious, or living with multiple comorbidities, and the inconsistency of research outcomes used...Pressure injuries (PIs) remain difficult to avoid in high-risk populations, especially in older adults who are immobile, unconscious, or living with multiple comorbidities, and the inconsistency of research outcomes used to evaluate the effectiveness of intervention measures complicates the advancement of evidence-based practice. The objective of this paper was to conduct a comprehensive review of the application of outcome measures in randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews of PIs treatment. We conducted a comprehensive search in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for relevant research in Oct 2024. Outcomes were extracted by two reviewers. We consolidated different expressions of the same outcome indicators. VOSviewer 1.6.17 software was used to generate network maps for outcomes. A total of 204 randomized controlled trials and 51 systematic reviews were included in this analysis. Commonly reported outcomes in randomized controlled trials include "change in wound surface area," "pressure ulcer healing status," and "percentage of complete healing," whereas systematic reviews primarily report "percentage of complete healing," "time to complete healing," and "change in wound surface area." Despite efforts to unify numerous indicators with similar definitions or content, over 150 different outcome indicators have still been identified as being used in research. Clustering analysis further reveals substantial variability in the selection of outcome indicators across studies, indicating significant gaps in standardization efforts. This study highlights significant discrepancies in outcome reporting for PIs treatment research, highlighting inconsistencies in the selection of outcome indicators, and establishes a foundation for developing a core outcome set of standardized outcome indicators for PIs treatment.
Dementia and pain are common in nursing home (NH) residents. Several studies have investigated the relation between pain and neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in NH residents with dementia, but there is a lack of systemati...Dementia and pain are common in nursing home (NH) residents. Several studies have investigated the relation between pain and neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in NH residents with dementia, but there is a lack of systematic reviews regarding this relation. The aim was to systematically review observational studies studying the relation between pain and NPS in NH residents with dementia. A systematic search was conducted in the PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, APA PsycInfo, AgeLine, Cochrane, and Idunn databases for studies published from January 2013 to June 2025. Studies with a quantitative design where self-report, staff assessment, and/or chart review were used to assess pain and NPS were included. Of 530 articles considered, 18 studies (15 cross-sectional studies and 3 longitudinal studies), 19 articles, were included (N = 84 to 97,789 participants). Fourteen articles had good or strong quality, while five had fair or poor quality. A variety of assessment tools for assessing pain and NPS were used, both self-reporting and staff-reporting. The presence and the severity of pain were associated with more frequent and more severe NPS, while changes in pain were associated with changes in NPS. An association between the presence of pain and agitation/aggression was frequently reported, as well as between pain and depressive symptoms. The findings in studies reporting the association between other NPS and pain were inconclusive. In conclusion, strong associations between pain and agitation/aggression and depression were reported in NH residents wtih dementia. Assessing and treating pain is important. There is still a lack of longitudinal studies.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effect of dance interventions on cognitive functions and quality of life in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: This research used a single-blind randomized controlled trial des...OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effect of dance interventions on cognitive functions and quality of life in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: This research used a single-blind randomized controlled trial design involving 40 chronic stroke patients at X State Hospital who were divided into a dance intervention group and a control group. The dance group was given 60 min of sessions three times a week for 12 weeks under the guidance of a dance instructor. Both groups were pre-tested and post-tested using the Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). RESULTS: The dance intervention group experienced significant improvements in SS-QOL sub-dimensions (energy activities, personality, social and family roles, thinking, language, mood) as well as MoCA scores compared to the control group which had deteriorated over time (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Dance interventions can significantly improve cognitive function and quality of life among chronic stroke patients. The study was registered on Clinical Trials (NCT06145503).
OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate an observer-rated scale for assessing self-care behaviors among community-dwelling older adults with mild to moderate disabilities (CDESBS-MMD), addressing the critical need for nursing...OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate an observer-rated scale for assessing self-care behaviors among community-dwelling older adults with mild to moderate disabilities (CDESBS-MMD), addressing the critical need for nursing-specific assessment tools beyond one-dimensional or solely self-reported instruments for geriatric nursing practice. METHODS: A two-phase study was conducted. Phase 1 involved instrument development grounded in Orem's self-care theory, including literature review, qualitative interviews, Delphi expert consultation, and pilot testing. Phase 2 evaluated psychometric properties using a sample of 500 community-dwelling older adults in Wenzhou, China (March-May 2024). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA; n = 185) was used to determine the item structure, followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; n = 315) to validate model fit, and reliability and validity testing. RESULTS: The final scale includes 19 items across six dimensions: personal hygiene, nutrition and rest, safety, social interaction, medication and health management, and activity and rehabilitation behaviors. These factors explain 59.281 % of total variance. The scale demonstrates good internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.780) and excellent test-retest reliability [ICC(3.1)=0.934]. CONCLUSION: The CDESBS-MMD is the first comprehensive observer-rated scale for assessing self-care behaviors among community-dwelling older adults with mild to moderate disabilities. It provides clinically meaningful support for nurses to identify care needs, guide individualized interventions, and improve the efficiency of community care resource allocation.
BACKGROUND: Population aging and complex healthcare demands highlight the need for integrated care to improve efficiency and quality. Integrated care managers are central to coordinating multidisciplinary teams and optim...BACKGROUND: Population aging and complex healthcare demands highlight the need for integrated care to improve efficiency and quality. Integrated care managers are central to coordinating multidisciplinary teams and optimizing resource use, yet their required competencies remain underexplored in China. PURPOSE: This qualitative study aims to identify the core competencies essential for emerging integrated care managers in China, providing a reference for training, evaluation, and professional development. METHODS: From January to July 2024, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 practitioners and managers engaged in integrated care across diverse healthcare settings. Data were transcribed and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, and findings were interpreted through the lens of the Holistic Competency Model. RESULTS: Six core competencies were identified: multidisciplinary integration knowledge, comprehensive assessment and case management competency, resource coordination and integration competency, emergency response competency, professional development competency, and humanistic practice competency, further refined into 16 subcategories. These competencies interact dynamically across cognitive, functional, social, and meta-competence dimensions, forming a context-sensitive, systematic framework. CONCLUSION: This study develops a context-specific competency framework for integrated care managers in China, clarifying the requisite knowledge, skills, and values. The framework offers practical guidance for training, professional development, and competency-based evaluation, while advancing theoretical understanding of integrated care roles.
INTRODUCTION: Growing demand for Long-Term Care (LTC) services highlights the need to address systemic issues within an ethnically and culturally diverse healthcare workforce. To address such challenges in a healthcare s...INTRODUCTION: Growing demand for Long-Term Care (LTC) services highlights the need to address systemic issues within an ethnically and culturally diverse healthcare workforce. To address such challenges in a healthcare setting, an Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) program was developed. This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of the EDI program in a rural LTC facility in Nova Scotia, Canada, using the Donabedian framework. METHODS: This mixed-methods study involved ninety-two LTC staff members. Participants completed a survey to assess the program relative to the Donabedian framework: Structure (resources and policies), Process (training and implementation), and Outcomes (staff satisfaction, knowledge and participation in EDI activities). Interviews (n = 4) were conducted to further explore their experiences and perceptions of the program. Descriptive and analytical analysis was employed for the survey data, while qualitative data was explored via reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Participants reported moderate understanding and satisfaction with the program. Responses differed significantly in terms of satisfaction levels based on reported income and religious affiliation. Convergence between qualitative and quantitative data indicated the effectiveness of material facilitation, but staff availability was a limiting factor. CONCLUSION: Staff were satisfied with the EDI program; however, the results reiterate the need for sustained efforts in rural communities. Improved resources and targeted education for rural healthcare facilities are crucial, and it is essential to consider intersectionality when promoting equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
OBJECTIVE: To conduct a comprehensive and simultaneous examination of the unidimensionality of all Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) versions to determine their construct validity as depression-screening tools in older ad...OBJECTIVE: To conduct a comprehensive and simultaneous examination of the unidimensionality of all Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) versions to determine their construct validity as depression-screening tools in older adult populations living in long-term care institutions. METHODS: Two hundred residents completed all assessments. The mean age was 80.6 ± 9.9 years, and 89% were male. The average length of institutional stay was 5.8 ± 5.5 years. Rasch analysis was used to evaluate the unidimensionality of the GDS-30 and its shorter version. Key indicators such as infit and outfit mean-square (MnSq) values and eigenvalues from the residual principal component analysis were assessed to identify misfit items and verify the construct validity of each version. RESULTS: Six GDS-30 items were misfit (outfit MnSq=0.4∼2.94). Removing these resulted in 24 items (the Rasch-derived GDS-24), which better aligned with unidimensionality (infit MnSq = 0.74-1.31, outfit MnSq = 0.52-1.48). The GDS-15 had three misfitting items (infit MnSq = 0.70-1.33; outfit MnSq = 0.49-1.56), the GDS-10 had one misfitting item (outfit MnSq = 0.45), the GDS-5 had two misfitting items (outfit MnSq = 3.27 and 4.67), and the GDS-4 had three misfitting items (outfit MnSq = 1.75-9.90). CONCLUSION: The Rasch-derived GDS-24 emerged as a balanced alternative, offering comprehensive screening with improved psychometric performance compared to the GDS-30 and its shorter versions.
Nursing students, play a crucial role in empowering individuals and ensuring access to comprehensive sexual health education when they begin working as nurses after graduation. This study aims to examine nursing students...Nursing students, play a crucial role in empowering individuals and ensuring access to comprehensive sexual health education when they begin working as nurses after graduation. This study aims to examine nursing students' attitudes toward sexuality in later life, their perceptions of ageism, and the relationships among these factors. Data were collected between October and December 2024 from 520 nursing students enrolled in three public universities in city with well-established and internationally renowned state universities. Face-to-face surveys included the Sociodemographic Information Form, the Aging Sexual Attitudes Scale, and the Positive and Negative Ageism Scale. Statistical analyses included independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression. The findings indicated that nursing students demonstrated positive attitudes toward sexuality, high levels of positive ageism, and low levels of negative ageism. A significant positive correlation was found between attitudes toward sexuality and negative ageism, whereas no significant relationship was observed with positive ageism. Nursing students' attitudes toward sexuality in later life are influenced by their perceptions of ageism. Nursing education and clinical practice should emphasize awareness of older adults' sexual health while addressing biases through educational programs and interactive training methods. To combat ageism and improve care quality, the implementation of age-friendly healthcare policies must be underpinned by proactive, sustained, and multidisciplinary collaboration among healthcare professionals, educators, and community stakeholders. This collaborative approach is essential for integrating person-centred geriatric practices into all levels of service delivery and education.
BACKGROUND: Asian social norms and declining birth rates have intensified eldercare burdens, making younger generations' attitudes crucial. AIM: To examine how dementia care education influences nursing students' filial...BACKGROUND: Asian social norms and declining birth rates have intensified eldercare burdens, making younger generations' attitudes crucial. AIM: To examine how dementia care education influences nursing students' filial piety and caregiving intentions. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 115 nursing students from Northern Taiwan between September 2023 and January 2024. The study used a demographic questionnaire, the Dual Filial Piety Scale, and the Filial Piety Scale. RESULTS: The intervention group showed significant increases in authoritarian filial piety toward fathers (t = 3.042, p=.003) and mothers (t = 2.386, p=.019). Between-group analyses revealed significant posttest differences in filial responsibility (t = 2.172, p=.032). After controlling for institutional care preferences, the intervention significantly affected reciprocal filial piety for mothers (B = 4.639, p=.014, 95% CI [0.948, 8.331]) and filial responsibility attitudes (B = 9.654, p=.023, 95% CI [1.379, 17.928]). CONCLUSIONS: Dementia care education significantly enhanced nursing students' knowledge and transformed their caregiving and filial obligations perspectives.
Rosas C, Renata Silva Andrechuk C, Kano Inazumi C
… +5 more, Amorim Ramos Felix N, de Souza Oliveira C, Liberalesso Neri A, Arbex Silva Borim F, Filomena Ceolim M
This study verified the direct and indirect associations between frailty, depressive symptoms, stressful events, insomnia, arterial hypertension, and sociodemographic factors. A total of 689 older adults participated. Th...This study verified the direct and indirect associations between frailty, depressive symptoms, stressful events, insomnia, arterial hypertension, and sociodemographic factors. A total of 689 older adults participated. The following variables were collected: frailty, depressive symptoms, insomnia, intensity of stressful events, and arterial hypertension. Mediation analysis was performed and tested through path analysis based on structural equation modeling. Statistically significant coefficients were identified with t > 1.96. Frailty and arterial hypertension were the outcome variables obtained in the model. Older age (β = 0,18) and female sex (β = 0,09) were directly related to frailty, with this relationship also mediated by the intensity of stressful events and depressive symptoms. Arterial hypertension was directly related to education (β = -0,08) and sex (β = 0,09), while insomnia symptoms mediated the relationship between education (β = -0,13) and arterial hypertension (β = 0,13). A comprehensive approach to older adults must prioritize perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and insomnia, considering their interplay within the family context to ensure holistic care and well-being.
AIM: To investigate the factors influencing self-neglect in older adults with chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS: This study employed an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. The research was conducted at a univ...AIM: To investigate the factors influencing self-neglect in older adults with chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS: This study employed an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. The research was conducted at a university hospital in China from April to October 2023. Quantitative data were collected via questionnaires, whereas qualitative data were gathered through unstructured face-to-face interviews. RESULTS: A total of 466 patients completed the Elder Self-Neglect Questionnaire, and 15 participated in unstructured face-to-face interviews. The primary factors influencing self-neglect in older adults with CHF were educational background, left ventricular ejection fraction, daily self-care ability, living alone, and insufficient family support. CONCLUSION: To reduce the level of self-neglect and improve quality of life among older adults with CHF, medical staff should implement targeted interventions based on the identified influencing factors.
INTRODUCTION: Intrinsic capacity (IC), which includes locomotion, vitality, cognition, sensation, and psychology, is key to healthy aging. Few studies have focused on the association between IC and trajectory of activiti...INTRODUCTION: Intrinsic capacity (IC), which includes locomotion, vitality, cognition, sensation, and psychology, is key to healthy aging. Few studies have focused on the association between IC and trajectory of activities of daily living (ADL) in hospitalized older patients. This study aimed to investigate the effect of IC and coexisting variables on ADL trajectory in older patients after discharge. METHODS: A secondary analysis was conducted using a comprehensive geriatric assessment database in a tertiary care medical center in southern Taiwan. The baseline data collected at admission included demographic factors, present health conditions, and IC. The Barthel Index score at one, three, six, and 12 months after discharge were evaluated as outcomes. RESULTS: This study included 558 patients with a mean age of 84.6±7.6 years, and 61.3 % were men. On average, their mean score of IC was 1.76±0.79, and 96.4 % had locomotor impairment, 95 % had vitality problems, 93.9 % had sensory problems, 60 % had cognitive impairment, and 55.2 % had psychological issues. Latent profile analysis was used to classify ADL trajectory in older patients after discharge into three classes: improved, slightly improved, and declining. Higher IC scores, lower prevalence of delirium, and fewer urinary incontinence issues were associated with membership in the improved and slightly improved groups. CONCLUSION: Low IC, delirium, and urinary incontinence are associated with poorer post-discharge ADL trajectories in older patients. Early identification of these risk factors can guide nurses in implementing individualized care plans to support recovery and promote independence in older patients.