Toward Assessment of Dementia Caregiver Activation for Health Care: An Integrative Review of Related Constructs and Measures
The purpose of this integrative literature review was to establish the rationale for a new measure of dementia caregiver activation for health care. Little is known about how caregivers form working partnerships with clinicians to manage the health of individuals who, because of cognitive impairment and functional limitations, can no longer actively manage their own health. Building on three sources—the construct of patient activation, an empirical health care framework for individuals living with dementia, and a set of dementia care quality indicators—the construct of dementia caregiver activation for health c...
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - September 19, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Pilot Enhancement of the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program with a Healthy Aging Program
Older adults with arthritis or joint pain were targeted for a pilot program enhancing the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program with the 10 Keys™ to Healthy Aging Program. Using a one-group, pre-post design, feasibility was examined and improvements in preventive behaviors, arthritis outcomes, and cardiometabolic outcomes were explored. A 10-week program was developed, instructors were recruited and trained, and four sites and 51 participants were recruited. Measures included attendance, adherence, satisfaction, preventive behaviors, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (pain and stiffness),...
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - September 19, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Pneumonia Identification Using Nursing Home Records
Pneumonia is a leading cause of death among nursing home residents; consequently, prevention and treatment are important for quality improvement. To be pragmatic, quality improvement depends on sensitive case identification using nursing home records; however, no studies have examined the reliability of different methods of pneumonia case finding from records. The current authors compared three established strategies for defining pneumonia using records from 1,119 residents across 16 nursing homes: recorded diagnosis of pneumonia, modified McGeer criteria (chest x-ray infiltrate plus specified signs/symptoms), and antibiot...
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - September 19, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
A Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey-Based Investigation of Alternative Primary Care Models in Nursing Homes: Cost and Utilization Differences
The current study used the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey-Based (MCBS) Cost and Use files for 2006–2008 to investigate whether health care costs and service utilization of nursing home residents varied with nurse practitioner (NP) and physician assistant (PA) involvement, compared to the use of medical doctors (MDs) only. The sample included Medicare beneficiaries 65 and older residing in a nursing home for the entire study year (433 annual observations). A generalized estimating equations procedure was used to assess whether health care cost and utilization measures varied by cohort. Point estimates indicated t...
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - September 19, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Examining Health Disparities Using Data Science
(Source: Research in gerontological nursing)
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - September 19, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
The Relationship Between Reminiscence Functions, Optimism, Depressive Symptoms, Physical Activity, and Pain in Older Adults
The study purpose was to examine the association between reminiscence functions, optimism, depressive symptoms, physical activity, and pain in older adults with chronic lower extremity osteoarthritis pain. One hundred ninety-five community-dwelling adults were interviewed using the Modified Reminiscence Functions Scale, Brief Pain Inventory, Life Orientation Test-Revised, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Short Depression Scale, and Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly in random counterbalanced order. Structural equation modeling supported chronic pain as positively associated with depressive symptoms and comorbidities a...
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - September 19, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Patient Preferences for Information on Post-Acute Care Services
The purpose of the current study was to explore what hospitalized patients would like to know about post-acute care (PAC) services to ultimately help them make an informed decision when offered PAC options. Thirty hospitalized adults 55 and older in a Northeastern U.S. academic medical center participated in a qualitative descriptive study with conventional content analysis as the analytical technique. Three themes emerged: (a) receiving practical information about the services, (b)understanding “how it relates to me,” and (c)having opportunities to understand PAC options. Study findings inform clinicians what informat...
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - September 19, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Performance and Usability of Tablet Computers by Family Caregivers in the United States and China
Mobile-based health information software offers the potential to support family caregivers who live at home or have difficulty accessing health care centers. The current study examined factors predicting perceived usability and performance of computer tablets among typical family caregivers caring for older adults in their homes in the United States and China. A multi-part study was conducted with 100 caregivers age 55 and older, comprising a short written survey, practice-based observation, and follow-up survey combining standard usability items and open-ended questions. Results show the target population from both region...
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - September 19, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
CareHeroes Web and Android ™ Apps for Dementia Caregivers: A Feasibility Study
The purpose of the current feasibility study was to examine the use, utility, and areas for refinement of a newly developed web-based and Android™ application (app) (i.e., CareHeroes) with multiple features to support individuals caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia (AD). The study was performed over an 11-week period with triads of AD caregivers, assigned home care case managers, and primary care providers (PCP). The study involved quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Eleven AD caregivers (seven daughters, two sons, and two spouses), six case managers, and five PCPs participat...
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - September 19, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Describing Older Adults' Awareness of Fall Risk Using Situation Awareness Research Techniques: A Pilot Study
The purpose of the current study was to evaluate efficacy of techniques adapted from situation awareness research for describing how older adults perceive and understand fall risk factors in the context of daily routine. Eleven older adults watched a video of an older woman performing daily activities. Thirteen intrinsic, extrinsic, and behavioral fall risks were embedded throughout the scenario. The video was periodically frozen/blanked from view while participants answered questions about their understanding of the situation and associated story elements. Participants perceived a variety of fall risk factors but did not ...
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - September 19, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Overlooking Informal Dementia Caregivers' Burden
Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) need early caregiver support. Caregivers often have poor health, but usually do not have time to seek medical advice for their own conditions. Patients' physicians, who are frequently the sole medical practitioner caregivers contact regularly, have an important function in recognizing family caregivers' burdens. The current study investigated to what extent medical practitioners recognized family caregivers' problems. In a two-staged survey in neurology outpatient care, caregivers of patients with mild or moderate AD were enrolled and assessed by physicians regarding their physical an...
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - September 19, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
A Need for Strong Partnerships for Successful Nursing Home Research
(Source: Research in gerontological nursing)
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - September 19, 2016 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
