Evaluating the effectiveness of five screening tools used to identify malnutrition risk in hospitalized elderly: A systematic review
This systematic review investigated 5 frequently used nutrition screening tools (NSTs) used in hospitals and their effectiveness at identifying malnutrition risk in the elderly. A literature review was conducted to obtain research articles focused on malnutrition screening in hospitalized elderly and effectiveness of the NST used. Twenty six articles were reviewed and evaluated, resulting in 8 that met inclusion criteria. The Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form, designed for use in the elderly, resulted in overestimation of malnutrition. (Source: Geriatric Nursing)
Source: Geriatric Nursing - September 21, 2017 Category: Nursing Authors: Brooke L. Cascio, John V. Logomarsino Tags: Feature Article Source Type: research
Fear of falling among community-dwelling older adults: A scoping review to identify effective evidence-based interventions
Fear of falling presents a significant problem for many older adults by reducing physical function and increasing the risk of future falls. Several different types of interventions have improved fear of falling and a summary of efficacious interventions will help clinicians recommend treatment options. Using the Arksey and O'Malley Framework for scoping reviews, the purpose of this review was to identify efficacious interventions for treating fear of falling among community-dwelling older adults in order to provide a list of potential treatment options for care providers. (Source: Geriatric Nursing)
Source: Geriatric Nursing - September 20, 2017 Category: Nursing Authors: Mary O. Whipple, Aimee V. Hamel, Kristine M.C. Talley Tags: Feature Article Source Type: research
Calf circumference is associated with dysphagia in acute-care inpatients
The aim of the study was to determine the association between decreased muscle mass and dysphagia in older acute-care patients. A cross-sectional study was performed on 103 patients aged ≥65 years who were consecutively admitted to acute-care wards. Muscle mass and strength were evaluated by assessing calf circumference (CC) and handgrip strength, respectively. Dysphagia and swallowing difficulty were assessed using the Dysphagia Severity Scale (DSS). Univariate and multivariate a nalyses were used to determine whether CC was associated with dysphagia. (Source: Geriatric Nursing)
Source: Geriatric Nursing - September 19, 2017 Category: Nursing Authors: Haruyo Matsuo, Yoshihiro Yoshimura Tags: Feature Article Source Type: research
Dementia screening tests in New Jersey assisted living facilities
As our assisted living populations change and acuities rise it is vital that our assessment tools meet the ever expanding needs of our residents. Residents who have or may have dementia comprise 60% of all assisted living residents. AALNA feels this study will provide AL clinicians, owners and operators with some foundation and recommendations for new or alternative tools for screening for the levels of cognition in this population. (AALNA editorial staff). (Source: Geriatric Nursing)
Source: Geriatric Nursing - September 13, 2017 Category: Nursing Authors: Kristina Vishnevetskaya, Mary Wagner, Michael Toscani, Loretta Kaes Tags: AALNA Section Source Type: research
Words matter in aging
As the Editor of Geriatric Nursing and an Associate Editor for numerous other geriatric focused journals I have seen older adults referred to in numerous ways including “the elderly”, “elders”, “aged” or “seniors” among others. The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society recently decided to adopt the American Medical Association (AMA) Manual of Style (presently in its 10th edition)1 as the guide for how to refer to older adults. Specifically, the AMA style guide provides recommendations with regard to terms that should not be used when describing older adults. (Source: Geriatric Nursing)
Source: Geriatric Nursing - September 13, 2017 Category: Nursing Authors: Barbara Resnick Tags: Editorial Source Type: research
“Frailing” or Failing? Defining frailty syndrome vs adult failure to thrive for clinical practice
Physical decline and aging often go hand-in-hand – they are frequently synonymous. As one ages, the human body naturally undergoes a slow process of deterioration, and sometimes this process results in what is known as frailty syndrome. When most people hear this term they think of general fragility. While this is true to an extent, it has been suggested that at least three of the following elements must be present in order to deem an individual as frail: “unexplained weight loss, self-reported exhaustion, weak grip strength, slow walking speed, and low activity.”1 Based on this definition, experts on aging agree tha...
Source: Geriatric Nursing - September 13, 2017 Category: Nursing Authors: Britt Cusack, Christian Harbin Tags: GAPNA Section Source Type: research
Digging deeper into dignity
Imagine yourself standing in the hallway of your unit in your hospital. Someone from transport is rolling up with a new patient from the emergency department (ED). All you can see is a big rumpled pile of several blankets and sheets twisted over that patient. One thin and wrinkled foot is uncovered. Both hands – gnarled, bony, and wrinkly – clutch the side rails of the gurney tightly enough to blanch the knuckles of each hand. At the head of the gurney, while you cannot see the patient's face, locks of wild knotted dirty gray hair spring out in all directions. (Source: Geriatric Nursing)
Source: Geriatric Nursing - September 13, 2017 Category: Nursing Authors: Sarah H. Kagan Tags: Acute Care of the Elderly Column Source Type: research
An aspirin a day …Does that make sense?
We all are familiar with the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” but we are more likely to take an aspirin (ASA) a day. Nearly 40% of US adults older than 50 years of age use aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (prevention of first MI or stroke) or for secondary prevention of CVD (preventio n of recurrence of MI or stroke).1 In this column I'll look at the daily use of ASA and will summarize the most current thoughts and recommendations. (Source: Geriatric Nursing)
Source: Geriatric Nursing - September 13, 2017 Category: Nursing Authors: William Simonson Tags: Pharmacy Column Source Type: research
Competency – Protecting rights, for good and bad
As health care providers for older adults we have a responsibility to protect them. This sometimes means protecting their rights to make 'bad' decisions while at other times protecting them against their making bad decisions. This may seem like a conflict but there is a line between these two worlds. Competent individuals have the right to make their own decisions that we might consider bad; for health care providers this means protecting that right. But for incompetent older adults this means protecting them against themselves. (Source: Geriatric Nursing)
Source: Geriatric Nursing - September 12, 2017 Category: Nursing Authors: Richard G. Stefanacci, Albert Riddle Tags: Assisted Living Column Source Type: research
The geriatric nurse's role in aligning patient goals with the care provided
A terminal extubation of John H, an 82 year old male with multiple comorbidities who developed sepsis status post a surgical wound infection following elective hip repair, is about to occur in the intensive care unit. The family, intensivist, respiratory therapist, social worker, registered nurse and palliative care nurse practitioner are at the bedside. The family is now feeling the predictable yet unnecessary weight on their shoulders of having decided to “pull the plug” on their parent or grandparent. (Source: Geriatric Nursing)
Source: Geriatric Nursing - September 9, 2017 Category: Nursing Authors: Abraham A. Brody Tags: NICHE Section Source Type: research
Table of Contents
(Source: Geriatric Nursing)
Source: Geriatric Nursing - September 1, 2017 Category: Nursing Source Type: research
Editorial Board
(Source: Geriatric Nursing)
Source: Geriatric Nursing - September 1, 2017 Category: Nursing Source Type: research
Information for Readers
(Source: Geriatric Nursing)
Source: Geriatric Nursing - September 1, 2017 Category: Nursing Source Type: research
