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October 1, 2015, University Of North Dakota

University Senate Meeting Minutes

Minutes from the October 1, 2015, meeting of the University Senate. 17 pages

Volume 52, Number 52: August 12, 2015, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Volume 52, Number 44: June 17, 2015, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Using Polypharmacy Tools To Help Improve The Quality Of Life In Elderly, Jenna L. Kelsch

Theses and Dissertations

The aging population in the United States is increasing in numbers and in age. With an increasing elderly population comes increasing comorbid and chronic conditions. Polypharmacy is prevalent in multimorbid elderly patients and is on the rise in the United States. However, it is difficult to prescribe medications for the older adult especially those with multimorbidity. Aging affects the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of medications and leads to changes in how the medication is metabolized, stored, and excreted from the body, along with possible additional side effects. Beers criteria, Drug Burden Index, STOPP/ST ART criteria, Fit FOR the Aged criteria (FORT …

A Comparison Of Beers Criteria And Stopp Criteria In Reducing Polypharmacy In The Elderly., Gayla Barker

Theses and Dissertations

The elderly population is expected to double by the year 2050; currently the elderly are the largest consumer of prescription drugs and over the counter drugs (Ortman, Velkoff & Hogan, 2014). Research shows that one-third of the medications prescribed to the elderly in the United States may be unnecessary and using multiple medications increases the risk of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in the elderly (Gokula & Holmes 2012). ADRs put a patient at higher risk of hospitalization, which increases cost and can be avoided by decreasing the number of medications prescribed and by decreasing the use of inappropriate medications in …

Volume 52, Number 22: January 14, 2015, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Rehabilitation Of A Patient With A Jones Fracture, Calvin Crawford

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Ankle and foot injuries are common for all age groups, no matter the activity level. Ankle and foot injures can include strains, sprains, and/or fractures in any combination which can be debilitating for ambulation and functional activities. The most common foot fracture is an avulsion of the fifth metatarsal base, also called a Jones fracture, often associated with forced inversion of the foot. Almost all patients will return to their prior ambulatory state with proper care and rehabilitation within 12-16 weeks. The purpose of this scholarly project is to show the rehabilitation of a Jones fracture in …

Fostering Reading, Writing, And Communication Skills Through Intergenerational Relationships: An After-School Program, Cynthia Nelson, Laurel Prusak

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Intergenerational programs are known to bring older adults together with children in order to promote social inclusion, and increased self-confidence and motivation for both age groups (Hatton-Yeo, 2010). Programs of this nature have proven to influence greater academic outcomes and school performance, decreased criminal behavior and greater personal adaptability in younger populations (Hatton-Yeo, 2010). Research with community dwelling seniors who participated in intergenerational programs indicated that older adults showed a decrease in depressive symptomology after participating in weekly programming (Kamei et. al., 2011). While the outcomes of these studies clearly identify the benefits of intergenerational programming on both youth and …

Elderly Abuse Detection, Jessica Stettner

Theses and Dissertations

With the increasing elderly population, elderly abuse is a growing problem. Health care providers are in a position to screen and detect potential and current abuse situations. Through an observed clinical simulation and literature review, detection and screening of elder abuse is reviewed. The case presented is of a 62-year-old female who is seen in the clinic with her abuser present. Through interviewing the patient red flags of an abusive relationship are apparent. Physical examination of the patient revels braising that does not match the reported mechanism of injury. The need for screening of abuse is evident in the case. …

Volume 51, Number 22: January 15, 2014, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Volume 51, Number 4: September 11, 2013, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Volume 50, Number 50: July 31, 2013, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Volume 50, Number 43: June 12, 2013, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Volume 50, Number 39: May 15, 2013, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Pet Therapy And The Associated Benefits On The Elderly, Lindsey Senger

Theses and Dissertations

Pet therapy (also known as Animal Assisted Therapy {AAT}) today involves both human and animal interactions. Pet therapy is utilized most commonly with the elderly living in Long Term Care (LTC) facilities or assisted living facilities to promote health and healing for the patients. It is especially beneficial for those who are chronically ill, may suffer from disabilities or may have depression. The feeling of isolation and loneliness that accompanies depression is not healthy, especially for the elderly population. Research has shown that the health and well-being of the elderly who suffer from depression, decline rapidly when compared to those …

Streamlining Patient's Wishes: Analyzing Improvements For The Implementation Of Advance Directives, William A. Wallington

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to complete a review of literature and determine methods providers can use to increase the implementation rates of advance directives (ADs). A growing elderly population coupled with an increase in chronic disease is making the implementation of advance directives more important than ever, yet the percentage of completed advance directives continues to be poor. Utilizing a review of evidence-based research, barriers to implementation were identified. This includes communication, timing and setting, appropriate end-of-life care and utilization of Provider Order for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) to provide a detailed format therefore lessening miscommunication. A pamphlet …

Depression And Dementia, Tom Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Depression and dementia are otlen co-morbid conditions. The assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of these conditions is difficult, as each condition has symptoms associated with the other condition. Antidepressants are often used to treat the conditions when occurring comorbidly, but this has been questioned in recent years. This paper will utilize a literature review for evidence-based tools to provide the most beneficial clinical outcomes. Areas for further research or attention on this topic include determining whether depression can be diagnosed distinctly in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and what treatments are safe and effective for depression in AD. The results of this study …

Guardianship For Vulnerable Adults In North Dakota: Recommendations Regarding Unmet Needs, Statutory Efficacy, And Cost Effectiveness, Winsor C. Schmidt

North Dakota Law Review

No abstract provided.

Polypharmacy And The Elderly: A Case Study And Literature Review, Kristin M. Stevens

Theses and Dissertations

Polypharmacy is a common issue among the elderly population due to multiple comorbidities that develop as a person ages. With this increase, there is also the increased risk for negative health outcomes such as higher healthcare costs, adverse drug events, drug interactions, and increased mortality rate (Maher, Hanlon, & Hajjar, 2014). The elderly population is increasing worldwide, and it is estimated that 20% of the population will be older than 65 by 2025 (Milos et al., 2013). Patients 65 years old and older are the largest consumer of prescription and nonprescription medications in the United States, which has more than …

An Intergenerational Leisure Activity Program To Promote Successful Aging, Rachel Becker, Jason Zacharias

Occupational Therapy Capstones

PROBLEM: By the year 2030, older adults who are 65 years of age or older will account for 20% of the US population (Center for Disease Control, 2008); however, the rate of successful aging has decreased 25% from 1998 to 2004 (McLaughlin, Connell, Heeringa, Li, &Roberts, 2009).

PURPOSE: The purpose of this scholarly project is to develop an intergenerational program that will promote successful aging of older adults. METHOD: A literature review was conducted on older adults and successful aging using PubMed, OT search, CINAHL, AJOT, Google scholar, and textbooks. RESULTS: Researchers indicated that intergenerational programs promote successful aging and …

Summer Commencement: August 3, 2012, University Of North Dakota

UND Commencement Programs

UND Summer Commencement program from August 3, 2012.

Gerontology Simulation To Enhance Undergraduate Nursing Student Learning, Karen J. Clementich

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Obesity In The Geriatric Population, Kimberly A. Brown

Theses and Dissertations

Obesity has been a focus of medical and public health attention for decades; however, a relative paucity of information exists regarding the management of obesity in the geriatric population. It is known that standard, young adult recommendations to manage weight cannot be applied directly to the older population due to the potential of adverse health outcomes, but the most effective strategies are controversial (Heintze et al., 20 l 0). The goal of weight management is unique for this population and poses a challenge for health care providers when managing, treating, and counseling patients. With the current trends of obesity and …

Use Of Evidence To Assess Decreased Agitation In Alzheimer's Patients With Music Therapy, Rebecca Kreis

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence-based research of the literature on music therapy as an intervention for agitation in Alzheimer's dementia patients. An agitated behavior state continues to be one of the most challenging behavior states in caring for individuals with Alzheimer's disease. An extensive review of the literature showed that music therapy is a successful, easy to apply, low cost intervention for agitated behavior in Alzheimer's disease patients

Home-Based Primary Care: A Return Of The House Call, Nicole M. Windjue

Theses and Dissertations

Retention and recruitment of providers is an ongoing stmggle in small and rural communities and poses a significant public health concern in meeting the needs of our aging population. This unfortunate situation will force many of our aging adults and home bound elders out of their homes and into skilled nursing facilities or assisted living environments long before they would have otherwise required skilled care. Providing primary care visits in the home is one way of addressing this issue. The medical and nursing communities have an obligation and a difficult challenge in providing our aging elders with a continuity of …

Early Implementation Of Palliative Care Services In The Elderly Population, Jenifer Wynne

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Pain Assessment And Management In Clients With Alzheimer's, Kristen Jaster

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Volume 49, Number 34: April 11, 2012, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

April 5, 2012, University Of North Dakota

University Senate Meeting Minutes

Minutes from the April 5, 2012, meeting of the University Senate. 51 pages

Addressing Functional Decline And Psychosocial Needs In Hospitalized Elderly, Rebecca A. Porier

Theses and Dissertations

Do hospitalized geriatric patients have better outcomes such as increased patient satisfaction, decreased length of stay, and decreased readmission rates with specialized interdisciplinary care, as on Acute Care of Elders (ACE) units, versus usual care? This is one question that this paper will address. The goal in this type of care is to achieve medical stability while preserving maximum functioning. Collaboration with all health care specialties is crucial to geriatric care . Secondarily, the gap in nursing knowledge of the elderly patient's care needs has to be addressed. Thirdly, patient's psychosocial needs should be addressed in order to promote their …