Geriatric Nursing (New York, N.Y.)[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Cultural adaptation and validation of the Albanian Barthel index: A reliable tool for assessing functional independence in older adults.
Todri J, Lena O
Geriatr Nurs · 2026 Jul · PMID 42401163 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: The Barthel Index (BI) is a widely used instrument for assessing functional independence in activities of daily living among older adults. To date, no published, culturally adapted, and psychometrically valid...
BACKGROUND: The Barthel Index (BI) is a widely used instrument for assessing functional independence in activities of daily living among older adults. To date, no published, culturally adapted, and psychometrically validated Albanian version has been available. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the validity and reliability of the Albanian Barthel Index (ABI). METHODS: A cross-cultural adaptation of the BI was conducted using standardized forward-backward translation procedures. A total of 200 participants (106 males, 94 females; mean age 69.8 ± 6.3 years) with low back pain were recruited from orthopedic and rehabilitation settings. Structural validity was examined using exploratory factor analysis with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Varimax rotation. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's α, while inter-rater reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Cohen's κ statistics. RESULTS: PCA demonstrated that a single dominant component accounted for most of the variance, supporting a predominantly unidimensional structure of the ABI as a measure of functional independence. All items showed strong contributions to the overall construct. Internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach's α = 0.93), indicating high item homogeneity. Inter-rater reliability was also strong, with ICC values indicating good to excellent agreement and Cohen's κ demonstrating substantial to almost perfect agreement across items. Slightly lower agreement was observed for the bathing item, though it remained within acceptable limits. CONCLUSIONS: The ABI is a valid, reliable, and culturally appropriate instrument for assessing functional independence in Albanian adults with musculoskeletal conditions. Its use may support standardized clinical assessment, rehabilitation planning, and outcome evaluation in geriatric care settings.
Aetiological diagnosis of cognitive impairment in older adults: The role of geriatric nursing and factors associated with its detection.
Mosquera Losada ME, Martín JP, Mariño AO … +1 more , Gómez-Conesa A
Geriatr Nurs · 2026 Jul · PMID 42398379 · Publisher ↗
AIMS: To quantify the proportion of residents with cognitive impairment who receive an aetiological diagnosis during their stay in nursing homes, to identify associated sociodemographic and stay-related factors, and to e...
AIMS: To quantify the proportion of residents with cognitive impairment who receive an aetiological diagnosis during their stay in nursing homes, to identify associated sociodemographic and stay-related factors, and to evaluate the association between geriatric specialist availability and aetiological diagnosis METHODS: Retrospective observational cohort study with up to 24 months of follow-up across eight nursing homes in Pontevedra, Spain. Participants were aged ≥60 years, had cognitive impairment at admission and no prior aetiological diagnosis (n = 98). The primary outcome was receipt of an aetiological diagnosis during the stay. RESULTS: An aetiological diagnosis was recorded in 26/98 residents (26.5%). Among those diagnosed, dementia accounted for 69.2%; vascular dementia predominated (55.5%), followed by Alzheimer's disease (22.2%); in 22.2% the subtype was not recorded. Median length of stay was longer in residents who received a diagnosis (24 vs 5.5 months; p < 0.01). In bivariate analyses, the presence of a geriatric nurse and a geriatrician was associated with a greater likelihood of receiving an aetiological diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Only one quarter of residents with cognitive impairment received an aetiological diagnosis during their stay, indicating considerable scope for improvement. Longer length of stay and the presence of healthcare professionals specialised in geriatrics were associated with higher diagnostic rates.
Adherence to life's essential 8 and functional disability in older adults: Findings from the ELSI-Brazil study.
Dos Santos GC, Farias EF, Ygnatios NTM … +7 more , Moreira BS, Lima-Costa MF, Mambrini JVM, Schneider IJC, Vieira DSR, Danielewicz AL, de Avelar NCP
Geriatr Nurs · 2026 Jul · PMID 42398378 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between adherence to life's essential 8 (LE8) and functional disability in older Brazilian adults, stratified by gender and different types of disability. METHODS: Data from the...
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between adherence to life's essential 8 (LE8) and functional disability in older Brazilian adults, stratified by gender and different types of disability. METHODS: Data from the baseline of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil, 2015-2016) were used. The exposure variable was adherence to LE8 (diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep quality, body mass index, non-HDL cholesterol, glycated hemoglobin, and blood pressure), classified as high, moderate, or low adherence. Study outcomes were assessed through questions related to difficulty performing basic (b-ADL) and instrumental (i-ADL) activities of daily living. Data analysis was conducted using logistic regression. RESULTS: Among 1951 participants (52.5% female), 15.8% reported disability in b-ADL, 48.5% in i-ADL, and 76.7% had moderate adherence to LE8. In the adjusted model, women with high adherence to LE8 showed lower odds of disability in b-ADL (OR 0.31; 95%CI 0.10; 0.94) and i-ADL (OR 0.27; 95%CI 0.13; 0.55), while those with moderate adherence had lower odds of disability in i-ADL (OR 0.45; 95%CI 0.26; 0.79) compared to women with low adherence. For men, high adherence to LE8 reduced the odds of disability in b-ADL (OR 0.07; 95%CI 0.01; 0.34), but there was no association with disability in i-ADL. CONCLUSION: High adherence to LE8 was associated with lower odds of disability in b-ADL for both women and men, while moderate and high adherences were associated with lower odds of disability in i-ADL for women. The results underscore the importance of the association between adherence to LE8 and lower odds of functional disability, particularly among women.
From correlation to causation: Evidence-based strategies for promoting IoT adoption among heterogeneous rural elderly populations in China.
Guo Y, Wang L, Ma J … +2 more , Guo X, Tian Y
Geriatr Nurs · 2026 Jul · PMID 42398377 · Publisher ↗
China's rural elderly face significant healthcare access barriers despite the national Digital Village initiative promoting Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. However, evidence on causal pathways to IoT adoption and...
China's rural elderly face significant healthcare access barriers despite the national Digital Village initiative promoting Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. However, evidence on causal pathways to IoT adoption and cost-effective intervention strategies remains scarce. We surveyed 613 elderly residents (≥60 years) in rural Shanxi using multi-stage random sampling, collecting data on demographics, health status, IoT usage, barriers, and intervention preferences. Beyond descriptive analysis, we employed propensity score matching to identify causal effects, examined heterogeneous treatment responses, and simulated intervention scenarios with cost-effectiveness analysis. Results revealed high chronic disease burden (majority reporting 1-3 conditions) and moderate IoT usage (52.4%) despite low awareness (61.5% with little/no knowledge). Primary barriers were operationalmistouching (51.2%) and interface complexity (45.2%)rather than cost (35.7%). Having a caregiver increased adoption by 21.0 percentage points (95% CI: 8.0-33.0%, p = 0.001), a finding robust across multiple estimation methods (E-value = 4.1), with striking heterogeneity: low-education elderly showed 34.1pp improvement versus 10.1pp for high-education groups. Information-seeking behavior emerged as another modifiable factor (OR=1.25, p=0.02). Scenario-based cost comparison identified health information campaigns as the most efficient strategy, while combined caregiver-information interventions achieved the greatest impact (4.3pp increase). Based on these findings, we developed four evidence-based service modelsSelf-Management, Information-Enhanced, Community-Supported, and Intensive Risk Managementwith a decision pathway matching interventions to user segments. A phased implementation strategy could progressively increase adoption, with greatest gains among vulnerable populations. This study suggests that IoT adoption is fundamentally a social rather than technical challenge, requiring targeted interventions that address heterogeneous needs and optimize resource allocation in resource-constrained rural settings.
Refractory hypercalcemia due to iatrogenic unintentional Vitamin D intoxication unmasked by pancreatitis: Lessons learnt from an atypical case.
Woodman A, Tshering S, Rizvi F … +1 more , Kapoor A
Geriatr Nurs · 2026 Jul · PMID 42391860 · Publisher ↗
We present the case of a 64-year-old Caucasian man with severe abdominal pain and vomiting preceded by recurrent epigastric pain, nausea, polyuria, polydipsia, constipation, and weight loss. The patient had significantly...
We present the case of a 64-year-old Caucasian man with severe abdominal pain and vomiting preceded by recurrent epigastric pain, nausea, polyuria, polydipsia, constipation, and weight loss. The patient had significantly elevated calcium 3.84 mmol/L (2.20-2.60), advanced renal impairment with serum creatinine 253 μmol/L (59-104), serum urea 11.2 mmol/L(2.5-7.8), elevated serum lipase 1599 U/L (13-60). Hematological studies revealed normocytic normochromic anemia, Hb 96 g/L(130-170), adequately suppressed parathyroid hormone 1.3 pmol/L (1.8-7.9), indicating parathyroid independent hypercalcemia. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) imaging showed features of acute pancreatitis and several non-obstructing left renal calculi. The patient was treated in hospital with intravenous fluid therapy, intravenous PPI therapy, and analgesics. Vitamin D supplements were discontinued. He also received intravenous pamidronate infusion during his hospital stay. The patient required another hospitalization three months after discharge for intravenous fluid therapy due to worsening hypercalcemia and required a second dose of intravenous pamidronate therapy. Seven months after the initial presentation, the patient's serum calcium levels remained within normal limits without the need for medical treatment. His 25-hydroxyvitamin D level became detectable and reached 285 nmol/L after 16 months. His renal function also improved significantly: the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 51 mL/min after 16 months, compared with 21 mL/min at the initial presentation. The patient was discharged and returned to the care of his primary care physician.
Understanding formal caregivers' perspectives and experiences on supporting older African Australian migrants: A qualitative inquiry.
Iwuagwu AO, Fernandez E, Cheong Poon AW
Geriatr Nurs · 2026 Jul · PMID 42391859 · Publisher ↗
The essential role of formal caregivers cannot be overemphasised in aged care. However, very little is known about formal caregivers of older African adults in Australia. This study aims to qualitatively explore the pers...
The essential role of formal caregivers cannot be overemphasised in aged care. However, very little is known about formal caregivers of older African adults in Australia. This study aims to qualitatively explore the perspectives and experiences of formal caregivers who care for older African adults in Australia. Using a qualitative study methodology, we conducted 12 in-depth semi-structured interviews with African and non-African paid caregivers who met the study criteria. The data were analysed and interpreted thematically, within an interpretivist framework, with NVivo 12 used to organise and manage data. The result shows a limited engagement with aged care services by older African adults in Australia, the complex experiences of formal caregivers providing care to African older adults in Australia and the strategies for service improvement. The findings have the potential to strengthen the existing culturally responsive aged care policies and programs in Australia and to inform tailored support for formal caregivers of older African adults. Implications of this study will potentially promote quality care delivery and improve access and use of aged care services by African Australian families.
Effectiveness of a structured caregiver support program for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease: A mixed methods study.
Surer HK, Yaylagul NK
Geriatr Nurs · 2026 Jun · PMID 42379112 · Publisher ↗
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Structured Caregiver Support Program (SCSP) on caregiver burden, psychological well-being and psychological resilience of informal caregivers of people with Alzheim...
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Structured Caregiver Support Program (SCSP) on caregiver burden, psychological well-being and psychological resilience of informal caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease. A mixed-method research design, comprising both quantitative and qualitative research methods was used in this study. The quantitative part of the study was designed as a randomized controlled study with a pretest-posttest design. In the qualitative part of the study, a phenomenological approach was used and three focus group interviews were conducted. The quantitative findings of the study show that the SCSP produced a statistically significant difference in the intervention group compared to the control group in terms of reducing caregiver burden and improving psychological well-being and psychological resilience levels (p < 0.05). The effect sizes (Cohen's d) obtained from the post-test comparisons between groups ranged from 0.921 to 2.134, indicating a "large" effect size. In the qualitative findings of the study as a result of thematic analysis, three main themes emerged: "need for an intervention program", "changes brought about by the intervention program", and "evaluation of the intervention program". The SCSP is easy to implement and cost-effective. It can be used as a practical intervention program, especially for professionals working in health and care services.
Family carer's experience of a delirium resource (PREDICT) to support care partnerships with healthcare professionals: A qualitative study.
Aggar C, Davis ER, Langheim R … +7 more , Hughes M, Compton RM, Bail K, Sorwar G, Baker JR, Greenhill J, Craswell A
Geriatr Nurs · 2026 Jun · PMID 42372639 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: There is a growing recognition of the need for collaborative partnerships between carers and healthcare professionals to ensure the delivery of safe and equitable healthcare for older persons. Involving and e...
BACKGROUND: There is a growing recognition of the need for collaborative partnerships between carers and healthcare professionals to ensure the delivery of safe and equitable healthcare for older persons. Involving and empowering carers to participate in healthcare decisions is beneficial for patients at risk of delirium, as carers are well placed to notice small behavioural changes that indicate delirium. The Prevention & Early Delirium Identification Carer Toolkit (PREDICT) to prevent and manage delirium in the acute hospital setting was co-designed to support these care partnerships. AIM: To explore carers' experience of PREDICT to support partnerships with healthcare professionals in the prevention and management of delirium METHOD: A qualitative study grounded in empowerment theory explored carers' experience of PREDICT to support care partnerships in the prevention and management of delirium. Carers of older people at risk of delirium on a general medical ward in a regional hospital were exposed to PREDICT. Semi structured interviews were conducted with these carers following discharge. Reflective inductive thematic analysis was used to identify and analyse key themes from the data. RESULTS: Two key themes were identified: 'Carers Well Placed' and 'They Weren't Quite Themselves', and two sub themes: 'Feeling Unsupported' and 'Fear, Loss and Grief '. CONCLUSIONS: PREDICT supports carers to better understand delirium and strengthens opportunities for partnership with nurses in its prevention and management. Approaches that prioritise education, engagement, empowerment, emotional support and empathy may enhance nurse-carer collaboration and contribute to more person-centred delirium care in acute hospital settings.
Perspectives on spatiotemporal and kinematic gait alterations and intrinsic capacity in Chinese older adults: An analysis of cross-sectional study by latent class analysis.
Kang Y, Shi H, Shen J … +4 more , Pang J, Zhang C, Li J, Zhang J
Geriatr Nurs · 2026 Jun · PMID 42372638 · Publisher ↗
Intrinsic capacity (IC), a multidimensional measure of physical and mental function proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO), may help identify older adults at risk of falls. However, it remains unclear how differ...
Intrinsic capacity (IC), a multidimensional measure of physical and mental function proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO), may help identify older adults at risk of falls. However, it remains unclear how different patterns of IC decline relate to changes in walking ability. This cross-sectional study enrolled 833 adults aged 60 years or older in Beijing, China, aiming to identify distinct IC subgroups and examine differences in gait characteristics across these subgroups. WHO-recommended assessment tools and wearable sensor-based gait analysis during 12-meter walking trials were used. Latent class analysis identified three IC subgroups: "relatively healthy" (54.5%), "sensorimotor decline" (37.7%), and "extensively impaired" (7.8%). Compared to the "relatively healthy" group, both the "sensorimotor decline" and "extensively impaired" groups showed significantly worse walking performance, including reduced cadence, shorter stride length, lower ground impact, and poorer footfall control, with greater impairments observed in the "extensively impaired" group. In addition, the "extensively impaired" group showed greater stride length variability, while the "sensorimotor decline" group showed greater asymmetry across most gait parameters. These findings were confirmed by sensitivity analyses. IC subgroup classification can effectively identify older adults with distinct fall risk profiles. Sensorimotor training is recommended for the "sensorimotor decline" group, while multidisciplinary rehabilitation is recommended for the "extensively impaired" group. IC assessment offers a simple and cost-effective approach to fall risk screening in clinical and community settings.
Feasibility and effectiveness of a multimodal exercise intervention on physical activity and physical functions in low-income older adults.
Chen W, Fisher G, Cui Y … +2 more , Baalawi H, Larson JL
Geriatr Nurs · 2026 Jun · PMID 42365775 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: This study examined the feasibility and effectiveness of a multimodal exercise intervention on an objective measure of physical activity (PA), and objective and subjective measures of physical functions among...
OBJECTIVES: This study examined the feasibility and effectiveness of a multimodal exercise intervention on an objective measure of physical activity (PA), and objective and subjective measures of physical functions among older adults living in a low-income senior housing complex. METHODS: Older adults (mean age = 80.17 ± 6.913 years) residing in a low-income senior housing complex voluntarily participated in an 8-week intervention. The feasibility of the study was assessed throughout the study period. Physical activity and physical functions were measured within two weeks before and after the intervention. RESULTS: The recruitment rate was 87.1%, adherence rate 99.2%, and retention rate 85.2%, all surpassing the benchmark of 80%. Similarly, participants reported a very high level of intervention acceptability, with 95.7% indicating approval. Wilcoxon signed ranks test revealed that the participants significantly increased their weekly moderate-intensity PA and moderate-to-vigorous PA over time (Z = -2.403, p = .016; Z = -2.312, p = .021), respectively. Participants demonstrated a significant improvement on Timed Up-Go test, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)-Repeated Chair Stand test, SPPB-Balance test (Z = -3.802, p < .001; Z = -3.256, p = .001; Z = -1.890, p = .059), and self-reported physical function (Z = -2.088, p = .037) over time. CONCLUSION: This intervention study is feasible and acceptable to be implemented among older adults. The intervention effectively improves weekly MPA and MVPA minutes and physical functions.
Which is the association between patient-related variables and type of hospital discharge in geriatric surgical patients? Findings from a retrospective study.
Dassi S, Paganizza S, Santarossa A … +2 more , Veronese M, Danielis M
Geriatr Nurs · 2026 Jun · PMID 42365774 · Publisher ↗
Geriatric surgical patients often have clinical and social factors influencing their discharge destination. This retrospective study examines patient-related variables associated with home discharge in individuals aged ≥...
Geriatric surgical patients often have clinical and social factors influencing their discharge destination. This retrospective study examines patient-related variables associated with home discharge in individuals aged ≥65 years who underwent general, orthopedic, otolaryngologic, urologic, or vascular surgery in three northern Italian hospitals (January-December 2024). Functional status was assessed using the Barthel Index, along with sociodemographic and clinical data. Among 2015 patients, 77% were discharged home. Positive predictors of home discharge included older age (OR=1.040, p < 0.001), higher Barthel Index at discharge (OR=1.028, p < 0.001), and higher hemoglobin levels (OR=1.023, p < 0.001). Negative predictors included male sex (OR=0.496, p < 0.001), higher Barthel Index at admission (OR=0.983, p < 0.001), orthopedic surgery (OR=0.118, p < 0.001), and higher BRASS scores (OR=0.842, p < 0.001). Functional independence significantly influences discharge destination in geriatric surgical patients. Integrating standardized preoperative functional assessments alongside clinical and sociodemographic variables may improve discharge planning.
When tradition meets modern demands: Compassion fatigue in informal caregiving through the job demands-resources model.
Cohen M, Hamdan H, Khalaila R
Geriatr Nurs · 2026 Jun · PMID 42365773 · Publisher ↗
Aims To examine compassion fatigue among informal caregivers from ethnic minority populations. Using the Job Demands-Resources model, this study explored two pathways among 100 Arab informal caregivers: (1) an energetic...
Aims To examine compassion fatigue among informal caregivers from ethnic minority populations. Using the Job Demands-Resources model, this study explored two pathways among 100 Arab informal caregivers: (1) an energetic pathway where demands are associated with compassion fatigue via burnout, moderated by cultural and family resources; and (2) a motivational pathway where resources are associated with compassion fatigue via job engagement, moderated by demands. Methods A cross-sectional study of 100 informal caregivers recruited from three Arab communities in northern Israel during 2022. Participants provided daily assistance to elderly family members with functional or cognitive impairment. Data were collected using validated Arabic-language questionnaires and analyzed using Hayes PROCESS Model 9. Results Supporting the energetic pathway, family support (but not filial piety) significantly moderated both the subjective caregiver burden-burnout-compassion fatigue pathway (Index = -0.177, 95% CI [-0.366, -0.052]) and the number of caregiving activities-burnout-compassion fatigue pathway (Index = -0.404, 95% CI [-0.882, -0.007]). In the motivational pathway, both caregiver burden (Index = 0.146, 95% CI [0.055, 0.267]) and number of caregiving activities (Index = 0.219, 95% CI [0.061, 0.427]) moderated the filial piety-job engagement-compassion fatigue pathway, while family support showed no significant moderated mediation effects. Conclusion The Job Demands-Resources model effectively captures compassion fatigue in Arab informal caregivers. Practical family support provides consistent protection, while cultural values show conditional effects, protective under low demands but diminished under high demands. Interventions should prioritize strengthening practical family support systems while managing cultural expectations to prevent them from becoming additional sources of burden.
The benefit of physical exercise in improving quality of life, VO max and sleep quality among older adults living with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Hidayat J, Chen MY, Pfeiffer S … +1 more , Dewi YS
Geriatr Nurs · 2026 Jun · PMID 42365772 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Older adults living with HIV face multiple health challenges, yet evidence on the impact of exercise on their well-being remains limited. Regular physical activity is known to have multiple benefits in genera...
BACKGROUND: Older adults living with HIV face multiple health challenges, yet evidence on the impact of exercise on their well-being remains limited. Regular physical activity is known to have multiple benefits in general aging population, but its specific benefits for those with HIV are less established. AIM: This review assessed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of physical exercise on quality of life, VO₂ max, and sleep quality among seniors with HIV. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Embase. Eligible studies included RCTs evaluating structured exercise interventions in adults aged 50 years and older living with HIV. Data on participants, interventions, and outcomes were extracted and pooled for meta-analysis. RESULTS: Ten RCTs involving 372 participants met the inclusion criteria. Participants had lived with HIV for 9-25 years. Exercise interventions were associated with significant improvements in quality of life (p < 0.01, Z = 7.16, I² = 70%) and VO₂ max (p < 0.05, Z = 1.99, I² = 88%). However, no significant effect was observed on sleep quality (p ˃ 0.05, Z = 0.16, I² = 79%). CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that physical activity can enhance quality of life and aerobic capacity among older adults living with HIV, although benefits for sleep quality were not demonstrated. These findings highlight the value of incorporating exercise into routine care for this population. Further large-scale, high-quality RCTs are recommended to confirm these outcomes and explore long-term effects.
Traditional nurse-led vs chatbot education for older adults in postoperative complication prevention after major visceral surgery: A randomized controlled trial.
Elzeky MEH, Ali SM, Alanazi S … +2 more , Shoukr EMM, Shahine NFM
Geriatr Nurs · 2026 Jun · PMID 42365771 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Older adult surgical patients often face barriers to accessing and understanding health information, which may affect their ability to prevent postoperative complications. Chatbot-based education may offer a...
BACKGROUND: Older adult surgical patients often face barriers to accessing and understanding health information, which may affect their ability to prevent postoperative complications. Chatbot-based education may offer a personalized and accessible alternative to traditional preoperative consultations. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 214 older adult patients undergoing elective major abdominal surgery. Participants were randomly assigned to either a traditional nurse-led education group (TN-E) or an intervention group (PreventCombot), which received additional chatbot-based education. Data were collected at multiple time points using validated tools to assess postoperative complications, anxiety, satisfaction, and health-related quality of life. RESULTS: Compared to the TN-E group, The chatbot-based intervention significantly reduced most postoperative complications at 24 h, 48 h, and 30d (p < 0.05), with balanced baseline characteristics (all p > 0.05). Moreover, the PreventCombot group showed significantly reduced anxiety levels (p < 0.001), and improved physical and mental health-related quality of life scores (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Chatbot-based patient education is a promising adjunct to routine preoperative consultation for older adults. It enhances emotional well-being and satisfaction and may contribute to improved recovery outcomes. Integrating chatbots into preoperative care can support personalized learning and reduce communication barriers in geriatric patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered prospectively on ClinicalTrials.gov on 03/10/2024; registration number ID: [NCT06624995].
"A little bit of masking tape and a lot of glitter": Perspectives of older LGBT+ Australians on navigating aged care.
McMullen-Roach S, Kumar S, Inacio M … +1 more , Murray C
Geriatr Nurs · 2026 Jun · PMID 42364335 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: There is growing awareness into the challenges experienced by LGBT+ older adults when accessing aged care in Australia. However, the perspectives of Australian LGBT+ older adults accessing aged care have not...
BACKGROUND: There is growing awareness into the challenges experienced by LGBT+ older adults when accessing aged care in Australia. However, the perspectives of Australian LGBT+ older adults accessing aged care have not been well documented. OBJECTIVE: This study answered the question: What are the views and perspectives of LGBT+ older adults about their experiences of using aged care in Australia? METHODS: This qualitative study utilised an interpretive descriptive methodology. Between December 2024 to March 2025, semi-structured interviews were conducted with LGBT+ older adults accessing aged care either in a community or residential setting. Interview data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: 19 LGBT+ older adults were interviewed. Findings are presented in 4 themes that explore participants perceptions of the impact of their LGBT+ identity on their interactions with aged care (theme 1). Participants described their ideals of aged care (theme 2), the processes of getting started in aged care (theme 3), and their experiences when engaging with the care system (theme 4). CONCLUSION: Whilst there are shared experiences in aged care between LGBT+ older adults and the general population, the impact of minority stress is highly evident in the liminal phases between being assessed for, seeking and making decisions about receiving care.
Visibility of the caregiver role in nursing documentation for hospitalized older adults: A cross-sectional study.
da Silva JMM, Elias MFAL, Campos MJA … +2 more , Leal AFA, Gonçalves RFL
Geriatr Nurs · 2026 Jun · PMID 42364334 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Family caregivers play a vital role in supporting dependent older adults, particularly during hospital-to-home transitions. Yet their contribution often remains insufficiently documented in nursing records, w...
BACKGROUND: Family caregivers play a vital role in supporting dependent older adults, particularly during hospital-to-home transitions. Yet their contribution often remains insufficiently documented in nursing records, which may limit the visibility of caregiver-related information across care settings. OBJECTIVE: To examine the visibility of the nursing focus "Caregiver Role" in electronic nursing records of hospitalized older adults and its incorporation into discharge documentation. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using electronic nursing records of 577 patients aged ≥65 years with documented self-care dependence, admitted to an internal medicine department in a European country (January-March 2023). Data were retrieved from the national electronic health record (SClínico®), which uses the International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP) to structure nursing diagnoses and interventions. Descriptive statistics were applied. RESULTS: Although caregivers were routinely identified at admission, only 76 patients (13.2%) had at least one documented caregiver-related nursing focus. Among these, 124 caregiver-related diagnosis entries were recorded, most frequently "Committed caregiver role." Interventions were primarily classified under generic categories (e.g., assess, guide). Fewer than 10% of discharge documentation included caregiver-related content. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate a discrepancy between the identification of family caregivers and their formal integration into nursing care plans and discharge documentation. Improving the systematic documentation of caregiver-related information may enhance the continuity and visibility of caregiver involvement across care transitions.
Unraveling the mediating role of anxiety and depression: Cultivating mindfulness to improve quality of life in Parkinson's disease patients.
Chan LML, Choi EPH, Wayne PM … +1 more , Kwok JYY
Geriatr Nurs · 2026 Jun · PMID 42364333 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVE: To explore the associations between mindfulness, psychological distress, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and examine whether psychological distress mediates the association between mindfulness and...
OBJECTIVE: To explore the associations between mindfulness, psychological distress, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and examine whether psychological distress mediates the association between mindfulness and HRQOL in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of baseline data from a clinical trial investigating mindfulness-based interventions in patients with mild-to-moderate PD (n = 159). Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing mindfulness, psychological distress (anxiety and depression), disease-specific HRQOL, and assessor-rated motor symptom severity. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 159 participants, including 83 female (52.2%) with a mean age of 64.8 years (SD = 7.9). Of these, 107 participants (67.3%) were classified at Hoehn and Yahr stage 3. Independent t-tests showed that psychologically distressed individuals had significantly lower mindfulness levels and poorer HRQOL than non-distressed individuals. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that higher mindfulness levels were associated with reduced anxiety and depression and improved HRQOL, particularly in the non-judging and acting with awareness facets. Mediation analyses demonstrated that anxiety and depression fully mediated the relationship between the observing and non-judging facets of mindfulness and HRQOL. In contrast, acting with awareness facet was partially mediated by both anxiety and depression, while describing facet was fully mediated by depression alone. CONCLUSION: Integrating mindfulness interventions into clinical pathways for neurodegenerative diseases could offer patients with effective tools to improve their quality of life. These interventions, focused on observing, non-judging, and acting with awareness, could enhance psychological care. Notably, for individuals at risk of comorbid depression, the 'describing' facet of mindfulness may play a particularly critical role in mitigating psychological distress.
Psychometric testing of the self-care of chronic illness inventory in a Western Asian country.
Karaçar Y, Takmak Ş, Vellone E … +3 more , Alvaro R, Mazzotta R, De Maria M
Geriatr Nurs · 2026 Jun · PMID 42364332 · Publisher ↗
AIM: This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory (SC-CII) among individuals with chronic conditions living in a Western Asian (WA) country. DESIGN: This was a methodo...
AIM: This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory (SC-CII) among individuals with chronic conditions living in a Western Asian (WA) country. DESIGN: This was a methodological, observational, cross-sectional study. METHODS: The study sample comprised patients in inpatient and outpatient settings with at least one chronic condition. The participants completed the SC-CII, which comprises three scales: self-care maintenance, self-care monitoring, and self-care management. Factorial validity was tested by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Internal consistency was explored using Cronbach's alpha, the composite reliability coefficient, and the global reliability index for multidimensional scales. The intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated to determine test-retest reliability. Construct validity was assessed through hypothesis testing. The measurement error was evaluated to estimate responsiveness to change. RESULTS: A total of 215 participants were included (mean age, 65.73 ± 8.65; 56.7% female; 39.1% elementary school-level education). The participants reported an average of 2.11 ± 0.77 chronic conditions. CFA supported a two-factor structure for the self-care maintenance and self-care management scales, and a unidimensional structure for the self-care monitoring scale. Internal consistency was satisfactory, with reliability indices ≥ 0.80. The intraclass correlation coefficients for test-retest reliability ranged from 0.884 to 0.907 across the scales. Significant positive correlations were observed among the three dimensions of self-care and between self-care behaviors and self-care self-efficacy, supporting convergent validity. CONCLUSION: The SC-CII is a reliable instrument that produces valid data for evaluating self-care behaviors in clinical and research settings. Its use may help identify patients at risk for inadequate self‑care and guide the development of tailored educational and behavioral interventions. REPORTING METHOD: The results are reported in accordance with COSMIN guidelines.
Construction and initial validation of a new tool for the hetero-evaluation of sleep disturbance risk in hospitalized older adults: The Biazzi scale.
Guasconi M, Montesanto N, Pisaroni N … +8 more , Faverzani C, Bolzoni M, Genovese A, Scaramuccia A, Panzeri A, Cattadori E, Bonacaro A, Contini A
Geriatr Nurs · 2026 Jun · PMID 42364331 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Hospitalization increases older adults' vulnerability to sleep disorders, yet their assessment in hospital settings remains challenging due to the limitations of self-report tools. This study describes the de...
BACKGROUND: Hospitalization increases older adults' vulnerability to sleep disorders, yet their assessment in hospital settings remains challenging due to the limitations of self-report tools. This study describes the development and validation of the Biazzi Scale, a clinician-administered instrument designed to identify sleep disturbance risk in hospitalized older adults. METHODS: The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, scale items were developed through a literature review and expert consultation, and content validity was assessed using the Item-Level Content Validity Index (I-CVI) and the Scale-Level Content Validity Index (S-CVI). In the second phase, the Biazzi Scale was administered to 150 patients aged ≥65 years hospitalized in four wards of the Piacenza Local Health Authority. Inter-rater reliability was evaluated using Cohen's Kappa. Functional convergent validity at the level of clinical classification was examined through Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) as an external reference. RESULTS: Content validity was satisfactory (I-CVI ≥0.78; S-CVI = 0.90), and inter-rater reliability was good (κ = 0.77). ROC analysis demonstrated adequate classification performance, with an optimal cut-off score of 6. Sleep disturbance risk differed significantly across hospital wards and between genders, with higher risk observed among female patients. CONCLUSION: The Biazzi Scale is a reliable and clinically applicable tool for identifying sleep disturbance risk in hospitalized older adults. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The scale supports early risk screening and may prompt further individualized clinical assessment to inform clinical decision-making during hospitalization.
Nurses' perspectives of dysphagia screening practices in Irish residential long-term care settings: A qualitative descriptive study.
Estupiñán Artiles C, Donnellan C, Regan J … +1 more , Mooney M
Geriatr Nurs · 2026 Jun · PMID 42364330 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: To examine nurses' perspectives on current dysphagia screening practices in Irish residential long-term care settings (RLTCS), and to investigate barriers and facilitators to nursing-led dysphagia screening w...
OBJECTIVES: To examine nurses' perspectives on current dysphagia screening practices in Irish residential long-term care settings (RLTCS), and to investigate barriers and facilitators to nursing-led dysphagia screening within this healthcare context. METHODS: This study employed a qualitative descriptive design and was reported in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling from RLTCS located in the northeast of the Republic of Ireland. Eleven in-person focus group interviews were conducted with thirty-four nurses working in clinical and managerial roles. A semi-structured interview guide was utilised, and the data were subsequently analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: One central theme, comprising four subthemes, was developed. Nurses identified residents at risk of dysphagia through clinical judgement, drawing mainly on mealtime observations and residents' self-reports of swallowing difficulties. Adequate training to screen for dysphagia and effective interprofessional communication were highlighted as key facilitators in identifying at-risk residents. Limited access to speech and language therapists (SLTs), lack of dysphagia-specific guidelines and absence of validated swallow screening tests for this population were identified as major barriers. CONCLUSION: While nurses valued receiving in-service training in dysphagia, the practices employed to identify residents at risk often lack empirical support. Consequently, a substantial number of residents with dysphagia may remain undiagnosed. Limited access to SLT dysphagia services, combined with the absence of validated swallow screening tests for older adults in RLTCS, further impedes timely diagnosis and appropriate management of dysphagia.
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