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A Co-Designed Health Information System Implementation Into Residential Aged Care: A Mixed-Method Evaluation, Kasia Bail, Eamon Merrick, Diane Gibson, Alicia Hind, Karen Strickland, Bernice Redley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Internationally, the adoption of technology into residential aged care settings has been slow and fraught with multiple challenges for residents, staff and service providers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptability, efficiency, and quality of health information system implementation into aged care. Methods: Three-stage, mixed-methods participatory action research, concurrent with the natural experiment of a co-designed health information system implementation into a 169-bed aged care home in Australia. Data were collected pre-, during, and post implementation between 2019 and 2021. Qualitative data included focus groups, interviews, and observations. Quantitative data included work observations, pedometers, record audits, …

Evaluating The Clinical Utility Of A Novel Electroencephalography System For Assessing Perioperative Neurocognition In Older Surgical Patients, Lloyd H. Barnwell Iii

Theses and Dissertations

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a public health and research priority (American Society of Anesthesiologists, 2019). POD is a risk factor for long-term neurocognitive decline, and the rate of decline is directly proportional to the severity of POD (Vasunilashorn et al., 2018). Baseline cognitive function is a strong, independent predictor for POD (Culley et al., 2017). The International Perioperative Neurotoxicity Working Group recommends baseline cognitive function be assessed for older patients prior to surgery and anesthesia (Berger, et al., 2018). Perioperative cognitive screening tools trialed in anesthesia are not routinely incorporated into clinical practice related to validity, reliability, or practicality problems …

Improving Health Care Accessibility Among Geriatric Patients In Rural Communities, Capriana Calvachi

Honors Projects

The following literature review and analysis compiles information regarding ways to improve rural geriatric healthcare accessibility through the use of interprofessional care and outreach. I also wish to bring to light the various deficiencies often seen in this realm of care, and the reasons behind the inadequate rural physician retention rates. Using this background information, I compiled various collaborative approaches which seek to ease the strain faced by the healthcare system and its elderly patients.

Improving healthcare accessibility through the use of interprofessional care and outreach is an essential facet in geriatric medicine. By exploring the deficiencies of geriactric healthcare …

Periodontitis And The Elderly: An Overview Of The Disease And Its Impact On An Aging Population, Nicole Grace Weissenfluh

Senior Honors Theses

Periodontitis affects millions of Americans each year, and is especially prevalent among the elderly. Since periodontitis is a chronic, progressive condition, uninterrupted disease progression leads to irreversible oral damage; therefore, periodontitis often reduces the oral health-related quality of life. Furthermore, research strongly suggests a correlation between periodontitis and other systemic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus), highlighting the importance of understanding, treating, and preventing periodontitis. This thesis explores the pathology and etiology of periodontitis, with special focus given to the prevalence and impact of the disease in the elderly population. Additionally, the connection between periodontitis and other systemic diseases …

Type 2 Diabetes Management For Geriatric Veterans, Fachecia L. Fort

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Managing diabetes in the geriatric long-term care population can be challenging, yet important because diabetes is a chronic, progressive disease. The purpose of this project was to identify clinical practice guidelines for managing Type 2 diabetes in geriatric veterans and to develop a class to educate providers on diabetes management in the geriatric long-term care population at a community living and rehabilitation center. The practice focused question asked if providing education to providers about the clinical practice guidelines for managing Type 2 diabetes in geriatric long-term care veterans would improve knowledge as measured by a pre- and posttest. The project …

Dental Students Develop Program Addressing Geriatric Oral Health At Local Nursing Home, Nancy Lyn Wilson, Katherine Ciarrocca

Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association

Background: The elderly, especially those who reside in institutions and have a minority or low-income background, often have unmet oral health needs. As life expectancy increases, so will the need for oral health providers skilled in addressing the unique challenges presented by geriatric patients.

Methods: Dentists for Della is a student organization at the Dental College of Georgia that aims to improve the oral health status of residents at the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home (GWVNH) in Augusta, Georgia. The students conduct fundraising activities so that third and fourth year students can provide needed dental treatment at no cost to …

Sleep And Sleep Disorders In Later Life, Robert D. Vorona

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. Describe basic changes in sleep that occur as we age.

2. Review several important sleep disorders common in later life

3. Discuss treatment modalities for these sleep disorders and potential benefits of therapy.

Dysphagia And Nutrition In The Elderly, Amanda Panting

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Dysphagia and nutrition in the elderly go hand in hand. As age increases, bodily functions decrease. The loss of function causes an increased susceptibility to swallowing disorders and possible malnutrition. Dysphagia in the elderly increases mortality and morbidity rates (3). This paper discusses causes, symptoms and consequences of dysphagia. Swallow studies and various feeding techniques are examined. Alzheimer's disease, dementia and stroke are diseases that are commonly seen among patients with dysphagia (3, 10). Alternative nutrition via enteral feeding has been shown to increase survival rate (14, 15, 16). The ethics of prolonging death or prolonging life through nutrition support …

The Shepherd’S Center Of Richmond: Opportunities For Meaning And Personal Growth Through Service, Linda Frank

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. To inform Virginians about The Shepherd’s Center of Richmond, a non-profit service organization by, with, and for older adults.

2. To demonstrate the impact of volunteer service as a means to finding a sense of meaning and purpose in later life.

Ariel - Volume 12(13) Number 1, Sheila Grossman, Gary Fishbein, Sam Markind, Grace Goracci, Richard Spiegel, Sue Sajer, Joe Dankoff, Gary Gilman

Ariel

Executive Editor

Gary E. Fishbein

Associate Editor

Sam Markind

Business Manager

Rich Davis

Sports Editor

Dave Cohen

Photography Editor

Ben Alman

Layout

Sheila Grossman