Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Orlagh Feehan, David J. Armstrong, Pamela J. Magee, Kirsty L. Pourshahidi, J. J. Strain, Laura Beggan, Diego F. Cobice, Emeir M. McSorley
Summary: This study examined the association between vitamin D status and health outcomes in care home residents in Northern Ireland. The study found a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency, and higher vitamin D levels were associated with greater supplement use and reduced bone turnover.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Charlene H. Chu, Renee K. Biss, Lara Cooper, Amanda My Linh Quan, Henrique Matulis
Summary: This study aimed to design and develop a novel, user-centered, evidence-based exergaming system for older adults in long-term care homes, with positive results in terms of acceptability, usability, and enjoyment. Through a user-centered design process, the research team successfully developed the MouvMat intervention, receiving positive feedback from participants and stakeholders on its potential benefits for physical and cognitive health.
JMIR SERIOUS GAMES
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Stephanie L. Harrison, Gregory Y. H. Lip, Ashley Akbari, Fatemeh Torabi, Leona A. Ritchie, Asangaedem Akpan, Julian Halcox, Sarah Rodgers, Joe Hollinghurst, Daniel Harris, Deirdre A. Lane
Summary: This study found that older individuals with a history of stroke in the 12 months prior to moving to a care home are at a higher risk of experiencing another stroke and mortality following a stroke. It was also observed that these individuals are often not prescribed medications for secondary stroke prevention.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Mike Rommerskirch-Manietta, Daniel Purwins, Kimberly Van Haitsma, Katherine M. Abbott, Martina Roes
Summary: Considering the preferences for everyday living of older people with various care needs across different care settings is important in nursing care. Currently, there is no systematic overview of the various instruments, and it is unclear what instruments exist, and which preferences they measure.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Yue Wu, Sijia Huo, Jingyi Mu, Jian Kang
Summary: The number of blind older adults is increasing, and their needs and perception of sound are unique. Through on-site observation and interviews in a blind nursing home in China, this study categorized the daily behavioral activities of blind older adults and identified the dominant sound sources. A sound perception model for blind older adults in nursing homes was developed, consisting of three levels: sound requirements, acoustic environment, and sound cognition.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Yuting Song, Sascha Bolt, Trina Thorne, Peter Norton, Jeff Poss, Fangfang Fu, Janet Squires, Greta Cummings, Carole A. Estabrooks
Summary: This study assessed the association between nursing assistants' use of best practices and residents' pain levels in nursing homes. The findings showed that higher levels of best practice use among nursing assistants were associated with a higher likelihood of residents experiencing mild pain, but there was no significant difference in moderate or severe pain. This highlights the importance of further research to identify factors that promote effective pain assessment and management.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Karl Pillemer, Stephanie Silver, Mildred Ramirez, Jian Kong, Joseph P. Eimicke, Gabriel D. Boratgis, Rhoda Meador, Leslie Schultz, Mark S. Lachs, Julia Nolte, Emily K. Chen, Jeanne A. Teresi
Summary: This study identified individual and environmental factors associated with involvement in resident-to-resident elder mistreatment (RREM) incidents in nursing homes. Residents involved in RREM episodes typically exhibit milder dementia and behavioral symptoms, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. Additionally, residents in special care units (SCUs) for dementia may be at elevated risk for RREM, indicating the importance of preventive measures.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Bo Kyum Yang, Shannon Idzik, H. Wayne Nelson, Mary Helen McSweeney-Feld
Summary: This study examines the association between employing nurse practitioners (NPs) in nursing homes (NHs) and nursing staff turnover as well as resident care outcomes. The findings suggest that NHs with employed NPs have lower turnover rates for registered nurses and certified nursing assistants, and better outcomes in terms of hospitalizations, infection control citations, and complaints.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Deanna Gray-Miceli, Jeannette Rogowski, Pamela B. de Cordova, Marie Boltz
Summary: Public health emergencies disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, such as older adults in nursing homes, with New Jersey ranking second nationally in resident deaths from COVID-19. Researchers are evaluating factors impacting nursing care delivery in NJ NHs and offering evidence-based recommendations for future health disasters.
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Wendy Andrusjak, Ana Barbosa, Gail Mountain
Summary: The study revealed that in care homes in England, the majority of staff lack knowledge about hearing and vision difficulties in older residents, and some practices known to improve ear and eye care are not commonly implemented. There is inconsistency in care home staff knowledge of ear and eye care, highlighting a need for standardized practice and shared communication for best practice dissemination.
Article
Management
Mateja Lorber, Sergej Kmetec, Natasa Mlinar Reljic, Zvonka Fekonja
Summary: More than half to three quarters of older adults with diabetes in nursing homes have well-managed diabetes, but there is still potential for improvement, which warrants further research.
JOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jun Wang, Weichu Liu, Xuelian Li, Luyong Li, Jinyan Tong, Qinghua Zhao, Mingzhao Xiao
Summary: This pilot study in China evaluated the effects of a minimized physical restraint (PR) program on restraint reduction and nursing assistants' knowledge, attitudes, intention, and practice towards PR. The results showed that the educational intervention significantly increased the knowledge, attitude, and practice of nursing assistants, and decreased their intention. Furthermore, there was an increase in the rate of correct PR use and a decrease in the duration of restraint during the daytime at 3 months. However, there were no significant effects on restraint rate and other secondary outcomes at follow-up. Nursing assistants expressed their support for the program and acknowledged its benefits, but also identified implementation barriers.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Eric Jutkowitz, Adrienne Landsteiner, Edward Ratner, Tetyana Shippee, Caroline Madrigal, Kristen Ullman, Eric Linskens, Timothy J. Wilt, Wei Duan-Porter
Summary: This systematic review evaluated the effects of nurse staffing in nursing homes on resident outcomes. The results showed that higher levels of registered nurse (RN) staffing and skill mix may be associated with better outcomes, including fewer pressure ulcers, COVID-19 infections/mortality, other infections, and lower rates of moderate-severe pain. Increasing RN staffing levels and skill mix are important approaches to improve nursing home care.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Nursing
Sheila A. Boamah, Marie-Lee Yous, Harrison Gao, Rachel Weldrick, Vanina Dal Bello-Haas, Pamela Durepos
Summary: This study aims to explore the experiences of caregivers of people living in long-term care homes during the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic and identify the supports and resources needed to improve caregivers' quality of life. The findings reveal that caregivers experienced feelings of frustration, confusion, and joy during the pandemic. The study highlights the importance of collaboration between long-term care organizations and caregivers to optimize resident care and support the mental health of caregivers.
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
X. Lin, M. Li, Z. Li, L. Zhu, L. Liu, Xiaoyan Chen
Summary: The study evaluated the effectiveness of various methods in assessing sarcopenia in older adult nursing home occupants, with the Ishii test showing superior screening ability compared to other methods.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITION HEALTH & AGING
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Andrea L. Gilmore-Bykovskyi, Melissa Hovanes, Jacquelyn Mirr, Laura Block
Summary: The study found high rates of omission in communication about neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) and management strategies for dementia patients at hospital discharge, highlighting the need for further research to improve care transitions for these patients who are often unable to communicate their needs.
JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY AND NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ethics
Clark Benson, Amanda Friz, Shannon Mullen, Laura Block, Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi
Summary: This study identified ethical and methodological considerations related to ADRD research recruitment, such as risk for undue influence, divergent decision-making preferences, and bias contributing to low referrals of participants. These considerations were successfully addressed with multifaceted, proactive strategies and input from the Community Advisory Board (CAB), highlighting the importance of these approaches in recruitment science research.
JOURNAL OF EMPIRICAL RESEARCH ON HUMAN RESEARCH ETHICS
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Kyung Soo Kim, Kristine L. Kwekkeboom, Tonya Roberts, Earlise Ward
Summary: This study examined characteristics associated with engagement in art making activities among older adults, finding that female sex, higher education, personality traits, positive attitude toward the arts, and a larger social network size were positively correlated with participation. The findings suggest that targeting males and individuals with lower education, and tailoring art making activities based on personality traits, could improve patient-centered interventions. Future studies can build upon this information to further investigate art making interventions for older adults.
Article
Nursing
Tonya J. Roberts, Thor Ringler, Seth Jovaag
Summary: The VA Storybook Program aims to enhance nurse-patient relationships and satisfaction with care through distributing personal stories about nurses to patients. Evaluation data collected from patients and nurses shows that patients describe nurses differently after reading the stories, with high satisfaction expressed by patients and interviews suggesting the stories foster connection and trust. Story programs may be an effective, structured approach for improving nurse-patient relationships.
NURSING SCIENCE QUARTERLY
(2021)
Review
Gerontology
Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi, Raina Croff, Crystal M. Glover, Jonathan D. Jackson, Jason Resendez, Adriana Perez, Megan Zuelsdorff, Gina Green-Harris, Jennifer J. Manly
Summary: Significant advancements in reducing racial and ethnic inequities in chronic diseases of aging are unlikely without better inclusion of minoritized populations in aging research. Current studies mostly focus on individual-level factors and behavior, neglecting the impact of study design, structural factors, and social determinants of health on participation. This article examines the factors driving health inequities in aging and disparate participation in aging research among minoritized populations and proposes frameworks to foster equitable inclusion.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Fred B. Ketchum, Jessica Monsees, Alice J. Kim, Tim Schmachtenberg, Amy Kind, Manish Shah, Wolfgang Hoffmann, Jochen Rene Thyrian, Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi
Summary: The objective of this study is to identify barriers and facilitators to the use of formal dementia services among underserved and minority groups in the United States and Germany. Through qualitative interviews with caregivers, it was found that limited knowledge, challenges in interacting with healthcare systems, and the alignment of formal services with cultural or ethnic/racial identity were important factors influencing the utilization of dementia care services.
AGING & MENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Gerontology
Maya Staehler, Clark Benson, Laura Block, Tonya Roberts, Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi
Summary: This exploratory ethnographic study aimed to identify verbal and nonverbal expressions by people living with dementia in formal care settings, with the goal of informing temporally specific observational measures. The study found observable indicators of shifts in engagement and communication, highlighting the importance of expanding positive outcome measurement for people living with dementia.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Laura Block, Melissa Hovanes, Andrea L. Gilmore-Bykovskyi
Summary: Hospital-to-SNF transitions in care for people with dementia often lack important diagnostic/decision-making information such as dementia diagnosis, power of attorney for health care (POAHC), and code status. This study reveals high rates of omission in written discharge communication, emphasizing the need for improvement in inter-setting communication gaps.
Article
Rheumatology
Maria Schletzbaum, Amy J. Kind, Yi Chen, Brad C. Astor, Stacy P. Ardoin, Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi, Ann M. Sheehy, Farah A. Kaiksow, W. Ryan Powell, Christie M. Bartels
Summary: Recent studies suggest that young adults with SLE have high 30-day readmission rates, necessitating tailored readmission reduction strategies. In this study, rehospitalization rates among Medicare beneficiaries with SLE were measured and predictors of rehospitalization were determined by age.
JOURNAL OF RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Gerontology
Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi, Laura Block, Clark Benson, Jess Fehland, Meghan Botsch, Kimberly D. Mueller, Nicole Werner, Mindy J. Shah
Summary: This study explored the experiences and perspectives of family caregivers and hospice clinicians regarding episodes of lucidity (ELs) in people with dementia and discussed observational approaches to studying these events. Most participants readily recalled ELs events and described them as a significant and meaningful transient return of abilities. ELs were conceptualized as a manifestation of self, and caregivers made extensive efforts to detect patterns and create supportive social conditions for ELs. Participants supported the use of audiovisual observation for studying ELs and provided recommendations for privacy, workflow, and caregiver engagement.
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Nicole E. Werner, Rachel A. Rutkowski, Richard J. Holden, Siddarth Ponnala, Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi
Summary: This study analyzed the care work system of dementia caregivers, finding that care work is influenced by caregiver goals, the care needs of the person with dementia, daily life needs of the caregiver and family, and contextual factors. The research provides a foundation for further understanding the care work system, determining its intersection and coordination with other work systems, and designing systems that address caregivers' individual caregiving context.
APPLIED ERGONOMICS
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Maria Schletzbaum, Nadia Sweet, Brad Astor, Ang Yu, W. Ryan Powell, Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi, Farah Kaiksow, Ann Sheehy, Amy J. Kind, Christie M. Bartels
Summary: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus have a high rate of 30-day readmissions, and timely postdischarge follow-up can reduce this rate. This study found that patients from disadvantaged neighborhoods are less likely to complete follow-up, and follow-up is associated with lower mortality in older patients.
ARTHRITIS CARE & RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Beth Fields, Catherine Still, Austin Medlin, Andrea Strayer, Alicia Arbaje, Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi, Nicole Werner
Summary: This paper describes the study protocol for the development and refinement of the ADRD Systematic Hospital Inclusion Family Toolkit (A-SHIFT), which aims to provide guidance to health care systems on effectively including care partners of hospitalized persons living with ADRD.
JMIR RESEARCH PROTOCOLS
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Beth Fields, Nicole Werner, Manish N. Shah, Scott Hetzel, Blair P. Golden, Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi, Dorothy Farrar Edwards
Summary: This study aims to adapt and test the Care Partner Hospital Assessment Tool (CHAT) to better prepare care partners of hospitalized people living with dementia for their caregiving responsibilities after hospital discharge. The study consists of two phases, formative research and a pilot randomized controlled trial, with an estimated completion time of 60 months. The results will provide guidance for clinicians on identifying and preparing care partners for hospitalized people living with dementia.
JMIR RESEARCH PROTOCOLS
(2023)