Journal of Gerontological Nursing

PURPOSE: Research on the concept of expressed emotion (EE) has expanded in recent years but its role in dementia still requires elucidation. Understanding the role of EE in the dementia context could help in the development of appropriate interventions. METHOD: The current review synthesized relevant literature to investigate the prevalence and correlates of EE status in families of people with dementia. A comprehensive search of four databases from inception to 2022 produced 2,683 papers; 18 studies met inclusion criteria...

PURPOSE: To identify factors contributing to the need for informal care among community-dwelling older adults with functional impairment in Chile. METHOD: A secondary data analysis was conducted using cross-sectional data from 540 Chilean older adults aged ≥60 years (mean age = 72.2 years, SD = 6.22 years). RESULTS: Informal care need was reported by 24.3% ( n = 131) of participants. Among the variables that most influenced the need for informal care among older adults were hospitalization in the past 1 year, functionality, comorbidities, and multidimensional frailty (all p < 0...

One in three nursing home (NH) residents experience adverse events. One strategy for safer NH care is health information technology (HIT). Two national NH surveys measuring HIT maturity were administered in 2020 ( N = 719) and 2021 ( N = 312). Quarterly NH survey deficiencies from the same years were linked to HIT maturity surveys. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used in analysis. NHs were of similar size and location, with more for-profit facilities. Most (67.5% and 61.9%, respectively) NH administrators reported having capabilities to share data internally within their facility, and not externally...

The purpose of the current qualitative study was to describe the development of the Dardashna Checklist to clinically identify behavior change triggers in individuals with dementia. Semi-structured, in-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted with four physicians and four experienced caregivers involved in the care of individuals with dementia. From analysis of participants' interviews, themes extracted included Triggers of Behavioral Change in Individuals With Dementia and Types of Behavioral Changes , using the checklist structure as a guide...

The current study explored participants' experiences and perceptions of receiving acupressure within an Australian aged care context. Participants were older adults living in three residential aged care facilities who had received an acupressure intervention. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed using a thematic approach. Twelve participants (10 females and two males) were interviewed. Four major themes emerged: Having Better Sleep , Feeling Calm and Relaxed , Promoting Well-Being and Functional Status , and Acceptability of Acupressure ...

Positive social support can predict health outcomes in populations that experience significant burdens, such as minority caregivers. The purpose of the current study was to detail the social network (SN) of 36 Black family caregivers (FCGs) for persons with memory problems (PWMP) and examine differences in SN support depending on FCG gender and relationship to the care recipient. Participants were recruited from the Alzheimer's family program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the local community...

The current review sought to identify and synthesize the evidence on available interventions that include walking and their impact on fear of falling (FOF) among community-dwelling older adults without cognitive impairment. A 10-year search was conducted (January 2012 to January 2022) in two peer-reviewed databases. A total of 116 articles were identified, and 22 articles were reviewed. Most studies included multicomponent walking interventions, such as walking and another type of intervention or exercise. Among the different questionnaires to assess FOF, the Falls Efficacy Scale-International was the most used in 77...

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No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Older adults, who are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), exhibit less stress and greater well-being than their younger peers. However, there have been no in-depth explorations of adaptive coping strategies among this population, nor has the role of frailty status been addressed. The current study examined stress and coping in 30 U.S. older adults (mean age = 81 years, range = 68 to 95 years) amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, uncovering themes of: (1) Pandemic Stresses : stresses experienced during the pandemic centered around social isolation and concern for others' well-being; (2) Resilience : older adults proved highly adaptable, with lifetime experience as a stress buffer; and (3) Silver Linings : older adults reported positive by-products, such as reconnecting with and a renewed appreciation for life and nature...

Postoperative delirium is a serious complication, particularly in older adults with hip fractures. Using the 2019 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data file, we performed multiple regression analyses to compare risk factors for postoperative delirium in hip fracture patients with and without dementia. Preoperative delirium and mobility aid use were common risk factors in both groups. However, differential effects were observed for other factors. Pathological fracture increased delirium risk in patients with dementia but had a protective effect in those without dementia...

Older adults have an increased risk of adverse drug events related to polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use. These patients are even more vulnerable as they transition through different health care settings. In 2023, the American Geriatrics Society published an updated version of the Beers Criteria® , providing updated guidance on identifying and managing PIMs. Nurses and nurse practitioners play important roles in medication management across the continuum of care. The current article aims to illustrate key concepts regarding medication safety and deprescribing for older adult patients during transitions of care...

The purpose of the current study was to compare quality of life health outcomes during the year prior to and first year of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic among people who lived in a nursing home. This study used quarterly cross-sectional data from Minimum Data Sets between March 2019 and March 2021 among 96 people who resided in a nursing home. Health outcomes were cognitive function, transfer ability, depression, rejecting care, falls, urinary tract infections, physical conflict, and verbal conflict...

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Information is lacking in long-term care regarding heart failure (HF) management, including in nursing homes. The current pilot project examined the Nurse-Led Interdisciplinary-Heart Failure Team Program (NLI-HFTP) intervention for nursing home residents with HF. This study used a pre-posttest one-group design with 46 nursing home residents who were primarily female, African American, of non-Hispanic ethnicity, and with an average age of 76 years. Post-intervention Nurse-Patient Interaction Scale scores were significantly higher than pre-intervention scores (mean pretest = 124...

An increase in demand for health care services for older adults is being negatively impacted by lack of a sufficient nursing workforce with competence in home- and community-based services (HCBS). The current article examines the unique challenges and opportunities in caring for older adults in HCBS settings, outlines the core competencies nurses must possess to provide this care, and proposes strategies to leverage legislative and regulatory initiatives to incorporate these competencies into nursing education and practice...

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No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Serious illness communication in homecare about hospice and/or palliative care transitions is lacking due to clinical culture. The purpose of the current study was to understand communication openings using COMFORT™, a palliative care communication model used to train nurses. Qualitative, focus group interviews with 31 homecare nurses were conducted. Data were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed using NVivo software, followed by hand-sorting. Four themes for communication openings for initiating discussions about potential hospice and/or palliative care transitions were identified: Organizational Openings (homecare appropriateness, eligibility requirements, and staffing); Patient Openings (patient physical decline, psychosocial changes, safety concerns, and denying/stopping care); Caregiver Openings (caregiver physical changes and patient readiness); and Nurse Openings (need for hospice, checking for prognosis understanding, increasing interprofessional care needs, and providing end-of-life care)...

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