The Perception of Meaningfulness and Performance of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living From the Perspectives of the Medically At-Risk Older Adults and Their Caregivers
The purpose of the study was to understand the impact of chronic disability on the functional ability of older adults. Thirty older adult participants and their caregivers were asked to identify which instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) are most meaningful and how their disability affected performance. Data collected through individual analysis indicated that the most important IADL tasks were driving and managing medication. Both older adult participants and their caregivers similarly perceived the health condition as significantly affecting the performance of all of the IADLs. However, there was a difference i...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - September 9, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Dickerson, A. E., Reistetter, T., Gaudy, J. R. Tags: Brief Reports Source Type: research
The State of Adult Day Services: Findings and Implications From the MetLife National Study of Adult Day Services
With approximately 4,600 centers serving over 260,000 persons each day, adult day services (ADS) continues to be a growing sector within the long-term care industry. However, due to the absence of national data, a full and detailed understanding of the ADS industry has been limited. In the first national study since 2002, researchers collected descriptive and programmatic data on a randomly selected sample (N = 557) of ADS facilities across the United States. Results indicated substantial changes in facility characteristics (e.g., size, staffing), participan...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - September 9, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Anderson, K. A., Dabelko-Schoeny, H., Johnson, T. D. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Local Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Effectiveness and the Measurement of Program Resources
This study examines the (a) existing resources available to LLTCOPs in Georgia, California, and New York, (b) relationship of resources to LLTCOP’s reported effectiveness in meeting its federal mandates, and (c) state-specific mediating factors influencing LLTCOPs’ resources and reported effectiveness. Quantitative and qualitative data from the National Ombudsman Reporting System (NORS) and a telephone survey of LLTCOPs in Georgia, California, and New York were collected and analyzed. Resource adequacy, as measured by beds per full-time equivalent staff (beds/FTE), is inconsistently associated with effectivenes...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - September 9, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Hollister, B. A., Estes, C. L. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Development and Reliability of the Mealtime Social Interaction Measure for Long-Term Care (MSILTC)
Mealtimes are important social events in retirement (RH) and long term care homes (LTC). This manuscript describes the development, refining and scaling of the MSILTC as well as inter-observer reliability. Two facilities provided access to their RH (n~100) and LTC (n~30-45) dining rooms. This observation-based tool captures both frequency and nature of interactions. Mealtime observations were carried out by trained researchers for development (n=13 tables), refinement (n=12 tables) scaling (n=17 tables) and reliability (n= 30 tables). Tablemate and staff lev...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - September 9, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Keller, H. H., Laurie, C. B., McLeod, J., Ridgeway, N. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
The Quality of Feeding Assistance Care Practices for Long-Term Care Veterans: Implications for Quality Improvement Efforts
The primary purpose of this study was to determine the quality of feeding assistance care and identify areas in need of improvement for a sample of long-term care veterans. A secondary purpose was to compare these findings with the results of previous studies in community facilities to determine ways in which the VA sample might differ. A repeated measures observational study was conducted in two VA facilities with 200 long-stay residents. Research staff conducted standardized observations during and between meals for 3 months. There was a trend for better feeding assistance care quality during meals in the VA sample, but ...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - September 9, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Simmons, S. F., Sims, N., Durkin, D. W., Shotwell, M. S., Erwin, S., Schnelle, J. F. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Transferring Control to Others: Process and Meaning for Older Adults in Assisted Living
This study examines qualitative data describing transfers of control over life tasks (e.g., managing money, overseeing care) to close others in terms of the control by and outcome for the older person. The extant caregiving literature includes limited focus on how such task transfers occur, who controls them, and the reactions of older adults. The literature on control, however, provides extensive data that declining control has negative outcomes. Employing data from interviews with 77 adults in assisted living settings, narratives were identified where task transfers were discussed. These 26 instances were reviewed by the...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - September 9, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Morgan, L. A., Brazda, M. A. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Aging Without Driving: Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study, 1993 to 2008
This study characterized older adults who do not drive (former and never drivers) and examined how this group of elders has changed over the past 15 years. Sample included community-living adults aged 70 to 85 who do not drive from the 1993 Asset and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old Study (N = 1,979) and 2008 Health and Retirement Study (N = 1,119). Chi-square and t tests were used to assess differences between never and former drivers and between cohorts. Logistic regression was used to examine the predictors of having never driven. The driving status among older adults has improved over the past 15 years as the propo...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - September 9, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Choi, M., Mezuk, B. Tags: Brief Reports Source Type: research
Be Well: Results of a Nutrition, Exercise, and Weight Management Intervention Among At-Risk Older Adults
The objective of this article is to test the effectiveness of a multifaceted exercise and nutritional education intervention for chronically ill, community-dwelling older adults. A pre/post cohort design was implemented with measures of physical activity, fitness, depression, and anthropometry collected via 4-month in-person interview and telephone follow-up. The study was conducted at two community-based senior centers in the Los Angeles area and participants (n=62) were older adults aged 60 or older, with multiple chronic conditions, with one or more emergency department visits or hospital admissions in the previous 6 mo...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - September 9, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Kogan, A. C., Gonzalez, J., Hart, B., Halloran, S., Thomason, B., Levine, M., Enguidanos, S. Tags: Brief Reports Source Type: research
Age Differential Effects of Severity of Visual Impairment on Mortality Among Older Adults in China
We use a population-based longitudinal survey in China from 2002 to 2005 to examine age differentials in the association between severity of visual impairment and mortality risk in older adults. Controlling for numerous factors and baseline health, a substantial age difference is found. Young-old women and men aged 65 to 79 with severe visual impairments have 161% (hazard ratio = 2.61) and 52% (hazard ratio = 1.52) higher risk of death respectively as compared to their unimpaired counterparts. Mild impairment does not increase mortality risk among young-old adults, while both mild and severe impairment increase mortality r...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - September 9, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Gu, D., Zhou, J., Yong, V., Sautter, J., Saito, Y. Tags: Brief Reports Source Type: research
Examining the Perceptions, Preferences, and Practices That Influence Healthy Aging for African American Older Adults: An Ecological Perspective
This study explored the healthy aging and health promotion perceptions, preferences, and practices of a purposive sample of African American older adults who resided in two communities in the south. An ecological framework was used to capture environmental factors, perceptions regarding access to health promotion resources, and health behavior preferences and practices. A mixed-method approach was used. Health supporting amenities were mapped, focus groups were conducted, and demographic information was obtained. The data were merged to create consolidated themes. The results indicated that health promotion amenities were ...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - September 9, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Waites, C. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Effect of an Interdisciplinary Educational Program on Antipsychotic Prescribing Among Residents With Dementia in Two Long-Term Care Centers
The effect of an educational program on antipsychotic prescribing was assessed in two Canadian long-term care centers (LTCC). In each center (Center A residents, n = 258 and Center B residents, n = 191, with dementia at program inception), the rate of change in the odds of using antipsychotics in residents was estimated using mixed-effects logistic regression during a 6-month program period and a 4-month postprogram period, with baseline proportions of use estimated during the 6 months prior to the program. Preprogram proportions of antipsychotic use were 41.6% and 46.2%, respectively. Antipsychotic use decreased during th...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - September 9, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Monette, J., Monette, M., Sourial, N., Vandal, A. C., Wolfson, C., Champoux, N., Fletcher, J., Savoie, M. L. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Home Care Workers: Interstate Differences in Training Requirements and Their Implications for Quality
Home care workers, the fastest growing segment of the U.S. direct care workforce, provide nonmedical services that are not reimbursed by Medicare; consequently, requirements for training and supervision are left to the states. The purposes of this study are to compare these state requirements and to identify core competencies for home care workers. Our content analysis of relevant state laws determined that 29 states require a license for home care providers. Of these 29 states, 26 require orientation and 15 require in-service training for home care workers; the duration and content of these programs vary widely across the...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - September 9, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Kelly, C. M., Morgan, J. C., Jason, K. J. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Older Adults' Fears About Diabetes: Using Common Sense Models of Disease to Understand Fear Origins and Implications for Self-Management
This study examines older adults’ fears of diabetes complications and their effects on self-management practices. Existing models of diabetes self-management posit that patients’ actions are grounded in disease beliefs and experience, but there is little supporting evidence. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with a community-based sample of 74 African American, American Indian, and White older adults with diabetes. Analysis uses Leventhal’s Common Sense Model of Diabetes to link fears to early experience and current self-management. Sixty-three participants identify fears focused on complicat...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - September 9, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Quandt, S. A., Reynolds, T., Chapman, C., Bell, R. A., Grzywacz, J. G., Ip, E. H., Kirk, J. K., Arcury, T. A. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Attitudes of Older Adults Regarding Disclosure of Complementary Therapy Use to Physicians
This article examines factors affecting disclosure of complementary therapy use and considers ethnic and gender differences in disclosure. It is based on a systematic qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews conducted with 62 African American and White adults aged 65 and older. Twenty-three of the 39 older adults who acknowledge using complementary therapies disclose this to their physicians. Themes leading to disclosure are believing that physicians are supportive and the importance of sharing information. Themes for not disclosing complementary therapy use include physicians’ negative views, complementary therap...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - August 11, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Arcury, T. A., Bell, R. A., Altizer, K. P., Grzywacz, J. G., Sandberg, J. C., Quandt, S. A. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Skill Acquisition With Text-Entry Interfaces: Particularly Older Users Benefit From Minimized Information-Processing Demands
Operating information technology challenges older users if it requires executive control, which generally declines with age. Especially for novel and occasional tasks, cognitive demands can be high. We demonstrate how interface design can reduce cognitive demands by studying skill acquisition with the destination entry interfaces of two customary route guidance systems. Young, middle-aged, and older adults performed manual destination entry either with a system operated with multiple buttons in a dialogue encompassing spelling and list selection, or with a system operated by a single rotary encoder, in which an intelligent...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - August 11, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Jahn, G., Krems, J. F. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
