Precision Health: Use of Omics to Optimize Self-Management of Chronic Pain in Aging
Given the recent and projected growth in the number of individuals who are older adults and centenarians, a primary challenge is the ability to provide optimal care for this segment of the population, 50% of whom have three or more chronic illnesses. One symptom that resonates across most chronic illnesses is pain. More than one half of Americans experience chronic pain associated with comorbidities and mortality (Grey, Schulman-Green, Knafl,& Reynolds, 2015). The risk of experiencing pain increases for females and older adults (Nahin, 2015). Although acute pain serves a biological (Source: Research in gerontological nursing)
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - January 26, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Susan G. Dorsey, PhD, RN, FAAN Source Type: research
2016 –2017 Reviewers
Each person listed below has given his or her time, effort, and thought toward reviewing manuscripts for Research in Gerontological Nursing (RGN) from December 1, 2016 to November 30, 2017. The time and expertise shared by this group of scholars are essential to the integrity and quality of the articles published in RGN. The reviews these individuals provide are invaluable to the Editor in making manuscript decisions, to authors in strengthening and improving their work, and to the profession in advancing the science of gerontological nursing. We acknowledge and thank them for their time and (Source: Research in gerontological nursing)
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - January 26, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Authors: TBD Source Type: research
Response to the Commentary: Precision Health: Using Omics to Optimize Self-Management of Chronic Pain in Aging: From the Perspective of the NINR Intramural Research Program
As discussed in the commentary by Dorsey, Resnick, and Renn (2018), nurse scientists currently use a variety of research methods to study symptoms. In all methods, nurse scientists view research through a clinical lens. It is the clinical foundation of the profession of nursing that leads its researchers to prioritize research focused on improving patient outcomes. For that reason, nursing research occupies a unique position in science. At the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), use of diverse research methods within a clinical context is clearly demonstrated through the Intramural (Source: Research in gerontological nursing)
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - January 26, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Ann K. Cashion, PhD, RN, FAAN Source Type: research
Older Adult Caregiving in an Amish Community
The Amish in North America represent a unique group whose health characteristics may resemble their rural, non-Hispanic White counterparts, but whose lifestyle and cultural expressions are different. Approximately 300,000 Amish individuals live in more than 30 states and three Canadian provinces (Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, 2016). Most individuals would consider the Amish community to be conservative compared to main-stream society, and a spectrum of conservatism exists in this group. This conservatism mitigates the level of sequestration from the larger world and, in (Source: Research in gerontological nursing)
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - January 26, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Helen M. Farrar, PhD, RN, BC, CNE Source Type: research
Barriers to Promoting Mobility in Hospitalized Older Adults
Hospitalized older adults are at greater risk for functional decline due to natural age-related musculoskeletal changes that are further complicated by comorbidities, chronic illness, and insufficient mobility (Cruz-Jentoft et al., 2010; Pedersen et al., 2013). Promoting mobility, including ambulation, sitting in a chair, and range of motion, is critical basic nursing care that nurses should be doing routinely (Doenges, Moorhouse,& Murr, 2014). Muscle atrophy and muscle weakness are consequences of immobility (Cruz-Jentoft et al., 2010), leading to hospital readmissions (Fisher, Graham, (Source: Research in gerontological nursing)
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - January 26, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Gordana Dermody, PhD, RN, CNL Source Type: research
Is It Functional Levels, Obesity, or Something Else?: Making the Case for Additional Research Focused on Obesity in Nursing Homes
Obesity is increasing in prevalence in U.S. nursing homes (NHs), with one of four residents having a body mass index (BMI) ≥35 (Felix, Bradway, Chisholm, Pradhan,& Weech-Maldonado, 2015). Obesity increases risk of disability and functional impairment among community-dwelling adults (Anton, Karabetian, Naugle,& Buford, 2013); and, according to preliminary data, NH residents classified as obese have functional limitations performing self-care activities compared to peers classified as non-obese (Felix, 2008). The impact of functional impairment and obesity on NH residents' daily care (Source: Research in gerontological nursing)
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - January 26, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Christine Bradway, PhD, CRNP, FAAN Source Type: research
Measurement of Nursing Home Culture Change: Systematic Review
Nursing homes across the nation are working toward change with a goal of improving the quality of life and quality of care of those they serve (Miller et al., 2013). This change is known as the nursing home culture change (NHCC) movement. This movement seeks to transform nursing homes into places where residents thrive and do not simply survive (Koren, 2010). As the population ages, considerable resources will be required to meet the health care needs of older adults. Changes in care delivery that improve quality of life and quality of care, within considerable financial constraints, are (Source: Research in gerontological nursing)
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - January 23, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Diana L. Sturdevant, PhD, GCNS-BC, APRN Source Type: research
Increasing Capacity for Family Care: A Research Opportunity
November is National Caregiving Month, and an annual opportunity to recognize and celebrate the contributions that family caregivers make to the health of our nation. They provide more than 80% of long-term care to frail older adults, with an estimated value of $470 billion annually (AARP Research, 2016). Importantly, they make it possible for older adults with serious illness and cognitive and functional deficits to remain at home, in the place of their choice. Yet, family caregivers are largely invisible in the health care system; much remains to be understood about their experience and (Source: Research in gerontological nursing)
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - November 22, 2017 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Heather M. Young, PhD, RN, FAAN Source Type: research
Mind –Body Therapies in Individuals With Dementia: An Integrative Review
The population of individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias is projected to expand from 5.5 to 13.8 million by 2050 (Alzheimer's Association, 2017), increasing the annual costs of dementia care from $259 billion to $1.1 trillion. The majority of care for individuals with AD is provided by approximately 15.9 million family caregivers, saving the U.S. health care system more than $230 billion annually (Alzheimer's Association, 2017). The interest in and use of complementary and integrative health strategies continues to grow in the United States. In 2012, 34% of U.S. adults (Source: Research in gerontological nursing)
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - November 22, 2017 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Joel G. Anderson, PhD, CHTP Source Type: research
Measuring Social Isolation in the National Health and Aging Trends Study
Social isolation in community-dwelling older adults can have life-altering outcomes that may profoundly influence individual health. Expanding knowledge regarding how social isolation affects older adult health is important because socially isolated older adults are at increased risk for multiple morbidities and mortality (Berkman& Syme, 1979; Saito, Kondo, Kondo, Ojima,& Hirai, 2012). However, research on this geriatric condition has been limited by a lack of conceptual clarity, resulting in numerous approaches to its measurement, difficulty in making comparisons across studies, (Source: Research in gerontological nursing)
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - November 22, 2017 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Janet S. Pohl, PhD, RN Source Type: research
Examining Exercise in Older Adults Using the Theory of Planned Behavior and Temporal Discounting
Today, one in eight Americans is older than 65. These older adults can be expected to have, on average, an additional 19 years of life ahead of them (Administration on Aging, 2009). The average life expectancy is now approaching 84 years in the United States (Administration on Aging, 2009). In addition to living longer, older Americans are also living healthier than in previous generations (Stewart, Cutler,& Rosen, 2013). However, as the population ages, the rates of chronic illness and disability are expected to increase significantly; thus, demands on the health care system can be (Source: Research in gerontological nursing)
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - November 22, 2017 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Linda M. Tate, PhD, ACNS-BC, APRN Source Type: research
Pilot Testing a Coaching Intervention to Improve Certified Nursing Assistants' Dressing of Nursing Home Residents
Adoption of evidence-based practice remains challenging in nursing homes (Rahman, Applebaum, Schnelle,& Simmons, 2012). Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) describe difficulties implementing evidence-based care (Davila et al., 2016). This finding is significant because CNAs provide 80% to 90% of resident care in nursing homes (Bishop, Squillace, Meagher, Anderson,& Wiener, 2009). Therefore, development of interventions that improve evidence-based practice use in nursing homes by CNAs is important. Staff coaching is one intervention that may address many barriers and facilitators to (Source: Research in gerontological nursing)
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - November 22, 2017 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Kerry Jean Jordan, PhD, RN, CNL Source Type: research
Dehydration of Older Patients in Institutional Care and the Home Environment
Dehydration in older adults is a common and significant clinical problem. It is associated with more comorbidities, longer hospital stays, re-hospitalizations, and higher mortality rates (Fortes et al., 2015). Adverse health outcomes associated with dehydration in older patients include falls, fractures, heart disease, confusion, delirium, heat stress, constipation, kidney failure, pressure ulcers, poor wound healing, suboptimal rehabilitation outcomes, infections, seizures, drug toxicity, and reduced quality of life (Chan, Knutsen, Blix, Lee,& Fraser, 2002). Decreased thirst response, (Source: Research in gerontological nursing)
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - November 22, 2017 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Amadeus Le šnik, PhD, RN Source Type: research
Increasing Capacity for Family Care: A Research Opportunity
November is National Caregiving Month, and an annual opportunity to recognize and celebrate the contributions that family caregivers make to the health of our nation. They provide more than 80% of long-term care to frail older adults, with an estimated value of $470 billion annually (AARP Research, 2016). Importantly, they make it possible for older adults with serious illness and cognitive and functional deficits to remain at home, in the place of their choice. Yet, family caregivers are largely invisible in the health care system; much remains to be understood about their experience and (Source: Research in gerontological nursing)
Source: Research in gerontological nursing - November 22, 2017 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Heather M. Young, PhD, RN, FAAN Source Type: research
