What is new in the world of immunizations for 2018
While it is not a sexy, new or exciting topic immunizations are critically important to the health and prevention of disease and optimization of quality of life for ourselves and the older adults we work with. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have come out with the recommendations for 2017-20181 and I wanted to highlight these exciting tidbits related to immunizations for older adults. (Source: Geriatric Nursing)
Source: Geriatric Nursing - January 11, 2018 Category: Nursing Authors: Barbara Resnick Tags: From the Editor Source Type: research
Significant changes in CMS pharmacy services F-Tags for long-term care facilities
Recently, regulations governing United States long-term care facilities (LTCF), both skilled nursing facilities (SNF) and nursing facilities (NF), have undergone their biggest update in approximately two decades. The changes were the result of a lengthy process which was published as a proposed rule in the Federal Register on July 16, 2015. Nearly 10,000 written comments were received from interested parties, organizations and professional associations before the final rule was published on October 4, 2016. (Source: Geriatric Nursing)
Source: Geriatric Nursing - January 11, 2018 Category: Nursing Authors: William Simonson Source Type: research
What don't we know about bladder control and why does it matter? An AGS-NIA collaborative conference sought answers – and progress
Nearly 40% of older women and up to 35% of older men live with distressing urinary health conditions that can compromise quality of life and quality of care.1,2 Direct and indirect spending on just one of these conditions, overactive bladder, has crested $65 billion annually, according to some estimates.1 The social and economic toll of poor bladder health presents a significant barrier to optimizing the well-being of older adults and caregivers – so why do we see limited clinical practice and research information on these complex geriatric syndromes?2 (Source: Geriatric Nursing)
Source: Geriatric Nursing - January 11, 2018 Category: Nursing Authors: Debra Saliba Source Type: research
Interdisciplinary development and implementation of a dementia skills training program in a VA community living center: a pilot study
This pilot study investigates the usefulness of a dementia care training program developed by an interdisciplinary team to address problem behaviors associated with dementia. Staff members of a VA Community Living Center completed an 8-hour workshop covering fundamental knowledge about dementia and instruction in skills to use with patients through video, lecture, and role-plays. Measures on dementia knowledge and perceived self-efficacy were completed by staff members before and after the workshop. (Source: Geriatric Nursing)
Source: Geriatric Nursing - January 11, 2018 Category: Nursing Authors: Lindsay A. Gerolimatos, Kyle S. Page, Phyllis Balestracci, Kate L.M. Hinrichs Source Type: research
Factors related to older patients' fear of falling during the first mobilization after total knee replacement and total hip replacement
The aim of this study was to determine fear of falling in the first mobilization and affecting factors in older patients. The study had a descriptive and cross-sectional design. Data were collected in Izmir, Turkey between February 2014 and March 2016. The sample included 204 older patients undergoing joint replacement surgery. Fifty-seven-point four percent and 42.6% of the patients had total hip and knee replacement respectively. 42.2% of the patients had a severe fear of falling when they were first mobilized. (Source: Geriatric Nursing)
Source: Geriatric Nursing - January 8, 2018 Category: Nursing Authors: Hale Turhan Damar, Ozlem Bilik, Ozgul Karayurt, Figen Erol Ursavas Tags: Feature Article Source Type: research
Is that really worth it – assuring value
Increasingly providers are being required to focus on total cost of care as a result of the increase in provider payment being based on total cost of care and patients experiencing greater out of pocket expenses. As a result providers must take into account the total cost of care which requires assessing the cost and value of individual components of care. Providers, through their orders, control up to 80 percent of all healthcare costs.1 But all too often these providers are unaware of the costs of the services that they have ordered. (Source: Geriatric Nursing)
Source: Geriatric Nursing - January 8, 2018 Category: Nursing Authors: Richard G. Stefanacci, Albert Riddle Source Type: research
Using story and art to improve education for older patients and their caregivers
Think back to the last few times you discharged a frail, older patient from hospital to home. More often than not, challenging situations in which decisions about home versus skilled care come to mind. A choice to head home frequently leads to a sense of educational information overload. Handing over a stack of discharge paperwork with online links or printed copies of patient education materials to an older person and their caregiver causes many of us to wonder ‘can they actually make sense of all of this stuff once they get home?’ (Source: Geriatric Nursing)
Source: Geriatric Nursing - January 8, 2018 Category: Nursing Authors: Sarah H. Kagan Source Type: research
Integrating behavioral health care for older adults: Start with nurses
Our healthcare system is currently challenged in caring for a growing population of older adults living with complex health issues. A particular concern among this population today is meeting the challenge for those who have behavioral health issues. Approximately 1 in 5 persons over the age of 65 years has a behavioral health concern.1 The 2012 National Academies report addressing the mental healthcare workforce for older adults: In Whose Hands informed us just how underprepared yet we in this arena, anticipating that by 2030 there will be less than one geriatric psychiatrist for every 6000 older persons with a behavioral...
Source: Geriatric Nursing - January 8, 2018 Category: Nursing Authors: Donna E. McCabe Source Type: research
Inadequate fluid intake in long term care residents: prevalence and determinants
This study aims to describe fluid intake in long term care residents and identify the factors associated with fluid intake. Data were collected from 622 long term care residents, with a mean age of 86.8 ± 7.8. Total fluid intake was estimated over three non-consecutive days. Potential resident and unit-level variables risk factors for low fluid intake were collected, such as dementia status, activities of daily living, and eating challenges. (Source: Geriatric Nursing)
Source: Geriatric Nursing - January 5, 2018 Category: Nursing Authors: Ashwini M. Namasivayam-MacDonald, Susan E. Slaughter, Jill Morrison, Catriona M. Steele, Natalie Carrier, Christina Lengyel, Heather H. Keller Source Type: research
A pilot-feasibility study of measuring emotional expression during oral care
This study explored the feasibility of measuring emotional responses to oral care among individuals with dementia living in residential long-term care (LTC). Eleven residents with dementia were recruited from a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs LTC unit and were observed eight times before, during, and after oral care episodes. Study participants showed a trend toward more positive emotional expressions during and after oral care (mean ± SD: 6.49 ± 1.57 and 6.27 ± 1.20 respectively) than before oral care (6.15 ± 0.86) at the margin of statistical significance (p = .08). (Source: Geriatric Nursing)
Source: Geriatric Nursing - January 5, 2018 Category: Nursing Authors: Kyung Hee Lee, Lorraine Galkowski, Christine Downey, Eleanor S. McConnell Source Type: research
Inadequate fluid intake in long term care residents: prevalence and determinants
This study aims to describe fluid intake in long term care residents and identify the factors associated with fluid intake. Data were collected from 622 long term care residents, with a mean age of 86.8 ± 7.8. Total fluid intake was estimated over three non-consecutive days. Potential resident and unit-level variables risk factors for low fluid intake were collected, such as dementia status, activities of daily living, and eating challenges. (Source: Geriatric Nursing)
Source: Geriatric Nursing - January 5, 2018 Category: Nursing Authors: Ashwini M. Namasivayam-MacDonald, Susan E. Slaughter, Jill Morrison, Catriona M. Steele, Natalie Carrier, Christina Lengyel, Heather H. Keller Source Type: research
A pilot-feasibility study of measuring emotional expression during oral care
This study explored the feasibility of measuring emotional responses to oral care among individuals with dementia living in residential long-term care (LTC). Eleven residents with dementia were recruited from a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs LTC unit and were observed eight times before, during, and after oral care episodes. Study participants showed a trend toward more positive emotional expressions during and after oral care (mean ± SD: 6.49 ± 1.57 and 6.27 ± 1.20 respectively) than before oral care (6.15 ± 0.86) at the margin of statistical significance (p = .08). (Source: Geriatric Nursing)
Source: Geriatric Nursing - January 5, 2018 Category: Nursing Authors: Kyung Hee Lee, Lorraine Galkowski, Christine Downey, Eleanor S. McConnell Source Type: research
Nurses' perspectives on whether medical aid in dying should be accessible to incompetent patients with dementia: findings from a survey conducted in Quebec, Canada
We conducted a survey in a random sample of 514 Quebec nurses caring for the elderly to assess their attitudes towards extending medical aid in dying to incompetent patients and to explore associated factors. Attitudes were measured using clinical vignettes featuring a hypothetical patient with Alzheimer disease. Vignettes varied according to the stage of the disease (advanced or terminal) and the presence or absence of a written request. Of the 291 respondents, 83.5% agreed with the current legislation that allows physicians to administer aid in dying to competent patients who are at the end of life and suffer unbearably....
Source: Geriatric Nursing - January 3, 2018 Category: Nursing Authors: G. Bravo, C. Rodrigue, M. Arcand, J. Downie, M.-F. Dubois, S. Kaasalaine, C.M. Hertogh, S. Pautex, L. Van den Block Source Type: research
