Geriatrics Commons^™

Guidebook For Occupational Therapy For End-Of-Life Care, Shannon Sudrla, Mary Smith, Alexandria Cannata, Anna Norene Carlson

Spring 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Patients at the end-of-life (EoL) experience functional decline in response to terminal illness and the active dying process, inhibiting participation and engagement in meaningful daily activities. Occupational therapy practitioners (OTP) are equipped to address patients’ occupational needs and desires despite their declining capacities; however, the absence of occupational therapy (OT) services in EoL care leaves patients’ occupational needs unmet, directly affecting their quality of life. The literature demonstrates the need for enhanced education and training among occupational therapy students (OTS) and practitioners to better prepare them to work with terminally ill patients who face progressive functional decline and imminent death. …

Ots Delivering Culturally Sensitive Care For Dementia Family Caregivers From Diverse Backgrounds, Abraham Lai, Lucy Palacios Mendez, Darren Sarmiento

Occupational Therapy | Graduate Capstone Projects

As occupational therapists, addressing key cultural barriers that may obstruct access to dementia care and education for individuals with dementia and their caregivers from diverse backgrounds is a priority for client-centered care. Stress, racial discrimination, and distrust may exacerbate symptoms and prevalence of dementia in certain populations, such as Chinese- Americans and Latinx (Quinones et al. 2020). Immigrants’ experiences of aging and health are diverse due to belonging to different socioeconomic, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic groups and having varying levels of education and work experience (R. S. 2020). There are existing cultural differences regarding caregiving and family networks, perception and …

An Inflection Point To Improve Emergency Care For Older Adults, Jonny Macias Tejada, Michael Malone, Kevin Biese

Journal of Geriatric Emergency Medicine

Not applicable.

The History Of Geriatric Emergency Medicine, Teresita M. Hogan Md, Lowell Gerson Phd, Aurthur B. Sanders Md

Journal of Geriatric Emergency Medicine

Abstract: Excellent emergency care does not happen by chance. The standard emergency approach that excels in the young, fails in older patients. Older adults experience unnecessary morbidity and excess mortality in our emergency departments. This article describes the pursuit of excellent emergency care in the historically challenging older adult population. A pivotal point occurred once emergency physicians recognized older patients as a distinct population in need of unique evaluation and treatment.

In the early 1990s a group of geriatricians, philanthropists, and emergency physicians joined forces to improve older patient care. Geriatric Emergency Medicine (GEM) emerged as a subspecialty as these …

Geriatric Depression Screening And Chief Complaint: What Is The Risk For 30- And 90-Day Readmission?, Eric James, Joan Michelle Moccia, Victoria Lucia

Journal of Geriatric Emergency Medicine

Abstract

Background:

Readmission to the hospital within 30-days has a high cost and represents a gap in care for older adults. Older adults are at significant risk for depression, particularly given their medical comorbidities and social factors such as isolation due to SARS-CoV-2. Many patients who screen positive for depression may have no known history of depression. This investigation examines the relationship between a positive geriatric depression screen and chief complaint as a function of 30- and 90-day readmission risk.

Methods:

We examined the electronic medical record of 329 older adults aged 65 and older from February 1, 2020, to …

Indication Of Mobility Aids And Training Of Older Patients In A Geriatric Emergency Department: Abiding By International Guidelines, Mario C. De Andrade Junior, Christian V. Morinaga, Christina M M Brito, Igor G. Moraes, Wellington P. Yamaguti, Pedro K. Curiati

Journal of Geriatric Emergency Medicine

Falls are the main cause of injuries, hospitalization, and loss of functionality among adults over 65 years of age. Thus, proper indication of assistive gait devices should be part of multidimensional fall prevention. However, many patients receive little or no professional assistance when selecting a mobility aid, and inadequate selection and use can result in a poor gait pattern.

All patients admitted to our emergency department (ED) undergo a medical evaluation, in which, based on their clinical condition, the protocol for indication and training in the use of walking aids can be triggered. Patients need to be clinically stable and …

Patterns Of Care Partner Communication For Persons Living With Dementia In The Emergency Department, Adrian D. Haimovich, Aidan Gilson, Evangeline Gao, Ling Chi, Cameron J. Gettel, Mara Schonberg, Ula Hwang, Richard A. Taylor

Journal of Geriatric Emergency Medicine

Abstract

Background:

Nearly half of all persons living with dementia (PLwD) will visit the emergency department (ED) in any given year and ED visits by PLwD are associated with short-term adverse outcomes. Care partner engagement is critical in the care of PLwD, but little is known about their patterns of communication with ED clinicians.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective electronic health record (EHR) review of a random sampling of patients ≥ 65 years with a historical diagnosis code of dementia who visited an ED within a large

regional health network between 1/2014 and 1/2022. ED notes within the EHRs were …

Geriatric Emergency Departments As Laboratories For Innovation, Brian W. Patterson, Manish N. Shah

Journal of Geriatric Emergency Medicine

n/a for editorial

Family Caregivers Of Older Adults With Physical Disabilities In Rural Thailand, Denis Tuttle, Jiranan Griffiths, Anuchart Kaunnil

The Qualitative Report

Thailand is one of many countries experiencing changes in the demographics of its population. People are living longer and having fewer children resulting in an increasing percentage of older adults in the general population. This presents a challenge in providing care for older adults, especially in countries where there is a culture of family caregiving. This study aims to investigate the experience of family caregivers, exploring the problems of caring for older people with physical disabilities and the needs of family caregivers. This is done to better understand ways to support caregivers. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, 15 family caregivers …

Examination Of Geriatric Care Processes Implemented In Level 1 And Level 2 Geriatric Emergency Departments, Ilianna Santangelo, Surriya Ahmad, Shan Liu, Lauren Southerland, Christopher Carpenter, Ula Hwang, Adriane Lesser, Nicole Tidwell, Kevin Biese, Maura Kennedy

Journal of Geriatric Emergency Medicine

Background: Older adults constitute a large and growing proportion of the population and have unique care needs in the emergency department (ED) setting. The geriatric ED accreditation program aims to improve emergency care provided to older adults by standardizing care provided across accredited geriatric EDs (GED) and through implementation of geriatric-specific care processes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate select care processes at accredited level 1 and level 2 GEDs.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of a cohort of level 1 and level 2 GEDs that received accreditation between May 7, 2018 and …

‘Can You See What I See?’: An Art Project Promoting Living Well With Dementia, Jennifer K. Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Caroline Hyland, an illustrator and former occupational therapist based in Dublin, Ireland, provided the cover art for the Winter 2023 edition of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). “Can You See What I See?” is an acrylic painting on black textured paper. The piece was inspired by Caroline’s grandmother Kathleen Duhig, her love of flowers, and the song “The Dutchman.” Kathleen and three of her sisters lived with dementia. This painting, and several others, are featured in a book Caroline wrote to support living well with dementia. By combining her artistic talents and training as an occupational therapist, Caroline …

Enhancing The Quality Of Life For Senior Citizens: A Facilitator’S Guidebook For Mindful Music And Movement, Shannon Sexton

Mindfulness Studies Theses

Music appreciation and enjoyment enhance well-being throughout the lifespan. The challenges and constraints that people experience as they age can lead to lack of access to music, decreased physical activity, and fewer avenues for creative expression. Group music and movement interventions created for older populations offer opportunities for social connection and improved quality of life. Mindful practices add further benefit when combined with these interventions. Current available programs are scarce and most often do not encompass mixed modalities. In addition, the benefits of these programs do not show long-term sustainability. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the effects …

Relationship Of Abdominal Circumference And Trunk Length With Spinal Anesthesia Block Height In Geriatric Patients Undergoing Transurethral Resection Of Prostate, Muhammad Yahya, Aliya Ahmed, Iayla Fatima, Muhammad Nasir

Department of Anaesthesia

Introduction: Spinal anesthesia is commonly used for various surgical procedures. Prediction of spinal anesthesia block height is always a challenging task for anesthetists. Higher than desired levels of spinal anesthesia blocks are associated with serious side effects, while inadequate block height does not provide satisfactory surgical anesthesia. In this study, we observed the relationship between the ratio of trunk length (TL) and square of the abdominal circumference (AC²) and spinal anesthesia sensory block height in geriatric patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).
Material & Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted at the Aga Khan University …

Chesterfield Fire And Ems Mobile Integrated Healthcare: Background And A Case Study, David Bigelow

Case Studies from Age in Action

Learning Objectives

• Explain the history of Mobile Integrated Healthcare.
• Understand the importance of reducing hospital readmissions.
• Learn how MIH partners with Adult Protective Services and others for the benefit of their patients.

Patient Frailty: A Review, Lakshmi Sailaja Kodavati

Dissertations and Theses

According to Geriator (2011), frailty is a common clinical syndrome in older adults that carries an increased risk for poor health outcomes such as falls, incident disability, hospitalization, and mortality. An operational definition of frailty is the existence of at least three out of five observable criteria indicating compromised energetics: low grip strength; low energy; slowed walking speed; low physical activity; and unintentional weight loss (Fried, et al. 2001).

According to Dubois and Charpillet (2017), most transitions into frailty are due to unintentional weight loss which, in turn, impacts gait performance and subsequent general mobility. In this literature review, the …

Geriatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship Journal Club: Syncope Risk Stratification & Geriatric-Specific Clinical Decision Rules, Kyle R. Burton Md Mpp, Phillip Magidson

Journal of Geriatric Emergency Medicine

No abstract provided.

Home-Based Primary Care In Patients With Dementia: Impact On Cost, Medication Use, And Patient Satisfaction, Megan O'Leary

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: Individuals living with dementia deserve affordable, accessible, and effective healthcare. These patients often face barriers that make it difficult to consistently access traditional in office primary care. Home-based primary care (HBPC) holds the opportunity to bridge the gap between individuals with dementia and preventative healthcare resources.

Purpose: Dementia rates are increasing as the population ages, and additional research is needed to determine the optimal treatment model for individuals with dementia. This literature review evaluates if patients with dementia receive improved care with HBPC vs in office primary care through examining cost, medication use and compliance, and patient satisfaction.

Methods: …

Effects Of Meditation On Chronic Pain Management Among Older Adults, Katelyn R. Forsell

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The older adult population is expected to continue to grow. This population is more susceptible to facing chronic health conditions that often contribute to pain. Pain affects many aspects of an individual's life and can be debilitating, affecting physical and mental wellbeing. Chronic pain among older adults is often not well managed. Mindfulness meditation is a holistic healing modality that literature supports for pain mitigation (Creswell & Khoury, 2019). This scholarly project provided mindfulness meditation sessions to older adults in an independent and assisted living facility setting to help educate and guide them in reducing chronic pain. Pain reduction scores …

Dead End: Challenges In Healthcare Delivery To Older Adults With History Of Dementia And Incarceration- A Case Report, Shruti Anand, Saket Saxena

Journal of Geriatric Emergency Medicine

No abstract provided.

Ensuring A Knowledgeable Geriatric Workforce: Interdisciplinary Education In Long-Term Services And Supports, Gina Tucker-Roghi

Occupational Therapy | Faculty Scholarship

In this symposium, we describe five interdisciplinary educational programs to enhance the geriatric workforce in long-term services and supports (LTSS): Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), assisted living, and home health and hospice. The interdisciplinary teams that came together to offer the programs leveraged technology to maximize access to experts in both the curriculum development process and the delivery of the educational programs for a wide range of target learners. The first program, an interdisciplinary telementoring series on dementia care for therapists in SNFs, was developed by a team of experts from occupational, physical and speech therapy. The program included asynchronous online …