Care For The Elderly Research Articles

Next-generation fall detection: harnessing human pose estimation and transformer technology

ABSTRACT Elderly falls are occurring at an alarming rate, with significant health risks for seniors. Current fall detection systems often lack accuracy, efficacy, and privacy considerations. This study examines three leading human pose estimation frameworks combined with transformer deep learning models to develop a lightweight, privacy-preserving fall detection system. Key features include: 1) It runs on low-power devices like Raspberry Pis; 2) It monitors seniors passively, without requiring active participation; 3) It can be deployed in any residential or senior care setting; 4) It does not rely on wearables; and 5) All processing occurs locally, ensuring privacy with only fall alerts transmitted to caregivers. In real-world tests, the model achieved 95.24% sensitivity, 89.80% specificity, 98.00% accuracy, a 90.91% F1 score, and 95.24% precision, highlighting its effectiveness in detecting falls among the elderly while maintaining privacy and security.

Rethinking Intergenerational Living as the Ideal Form of Senior Care: Life Course Research with Immigrant Families in Toronto

Canada’s care systems are ill-equipped to support its aging population, and this crisis intertwines with an acute shortage of affordable housing. Immigrants to Canada have a higher propensity to cohabitate multi-generationally, an arrangement that is sometimes romanticized as an ideal form of senior care. This article contributes to scholarship exploring intergenerational cohabitation as a practice of care, using life course research to consider how class and migration timing shape experiences of intergenerational living and senior care. Based on 19 in-depth interviews with immigrant seniors from Latin America and the Caribbean (n=10) and family caregivers (n=9) living in the Greater Toronto Area, this study uncovers two central findings. First, intergenerational living should not be viewed as an ideal form of senior care since (1a) some seniors resist intergenerational living, preferring independence and downtown residence nearer to culturally relevant communities and (1b) cohabitation does not always provide sufficient or better care. Second, access to smooth multigenerational cohabitation is inequitable, as housing arrangements are structured by class and migration timing, with middle-class families who have been in Canada longer facing fewer barriers to positive experiences of intergenerational living, compared to more recent migrants with lower incomes. This article challenges culturally essentializing assumptions about immigrant intergenerational cohabitation and argues that access to affordable housing is a senior care issue.

Service specification for senior care workers with traditional Chinese medicine specialty

Abstract Senior care workers specializing in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) healthcare have become an indispensable force in institutional care, community care, and home care. The first Chinese nursing service team aimed to improve the health of the elderly by providing continuous services for physical and mental well-being, disease prevention, physical amelioration, and overall health enhancement using TCM concepts, methods, and technologies. The primary purpose of formulating this TCM health and elderly care worker service specification was to standardize services within the TCM elderly care industry, ensuring that the elderly receive better health and elderly care services supported by technical expertise. This specification outlined the basic requirements for TCM health and elderly care workers, including standards for service content, service quality control, service evaluation, and improvement. It primarily focused on the content and requirements of TCM health and elderly care services, such as constitution identification, life care, acupoint healthcare, and TCM auxiliary nursing for elderly individuals with chronic diseases. This specification is applicable to TCM health and elderly care personnel at various levels of hospitals and healthcare institutions and is noted for its strong applicability and effectiveness.

Addressing ‘difficulty in dining’ among older adults: optimizing community senior dining halls from external and internal built environments

Many developed and developing countries, including China, are facing the challenges of the aging population. One such challenge is the difficulty for some older adults to access nutritious hot meals to maintain their health and well-being. Community-based senior dining halls (CSDHs) providing low-cost meals for older adults are a widespread model across China and neighboring countries, which aim to cater to the dining needs of older adults within local communities. However, most CSDHs face financial difficulties due to low dining volume. Hence, understanding how built environment characteristics are associated with the dining volume can potentially increase the dining volume and financial sustainability of CSDHs in the long run. This study analyzed the association between the dining volume and both the external and internal built environment of 50 CSDHs in Guangzhou, China. By using multiple linear regression models with three different buffer sizes (400 m, 600 m, and 800 m), we found that 1) among the external built environment characteristics, floor area ratio (FAR) and distance to the nearest subway station are negatively linked to the dining volume; 2) among the internal built environment characteristics, floor level is negatively associated with dining volume, whereas availability of dine-in seating and water dispenser, and number of seats are positively associated with it. Hence, a well-designed external and internal built environment of CSDHs may increase dining volume, enhance social interaction among older adults, and support community-based senior care.

Mapeo de tendencias en estudios sobre modelos de gestión administrativa en Centros de Adulto Mayor

The study conducted a mapping of the forms, models, or trends used in the administrative management of senior care centers. The objective of this research was to identify its evolution over time, as well as the countries, journals, articles, and representative authors, and the thematic connections and areas of knowledge, considering the concepts present in the scientific literature. Methodologically, it was approached based on the principles of the PRISMA statement through bibliometric analysis. The results of the search and application of inclusion and exclusion criteria allowed the identification of 93 articles extracted from Scopus in English. The results indicate that research published on the topic has shown two slight increases, one in 1997 and another in 2019, highlighting the United States as the leader in academic contributions. Three clusters were identified, which could guide future research by identifying scientific trends. Among the conclusions, bibliographic coupling stands out, presenting three important research streams that guide the scientific community, the productive sectors, and governments: greenhouse, mental health, and the evaluation of geriatric service delivery.

Heart Failure in Older People Part 2: Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy.

Heart failure is a common cardiovascular disease that affects older people and has a high rate of mortality. Treatment for heart failure has evolved in the past 10 years to include novel evidence-based agents as well as changes in how medications are initiated and up-titrated. Despite evidence of the importance of using four guideline-directed medications, older people are often undertreated with these lifesaving therapies. Senior care pharmacists play an important role in heart failure management among older people by providing therapeutic recommendations; monitoring therapeutic interventions; and educating patients, caregivers, and/ or providers.

A REVIEW STUDY ON THE AYURVEDA AND GERIATRICS

The ancient holistic health system of India known as Ayurveda offers a variety of preventative methods for delaying the ageing process. It has an area of expertise called Rasayana that is dedicated to senior concerns. Consequently, all that is needed to promote healthy ageing is to slow down the ageing process to a certain degree. Around the world, geriatrics is rising to prominence as a field of medicine. The traditional medical system has little to offer in senior care, except medical therapy for old age disorders. The medical speciality of geriatrics focuses on concerns related to ageing and ailments that afflict older people. The natural course of ageing. So yes, more medical research or advancement has yet to stop humans from ageing. The elderly experience a variety of physiological and psychological changes. Numerous research on this age group has discovered a rise in fear of disease, melancholy, and mortality. This age is typically accompanied by discomfort and illness in several different systems. Due to several circumstances, the senior population is rapidly growing in emerging nations.

WP7.4 - A closed loop audit assessing adherence to NELA frailty guidelines in over 75’s undergoing Emergency Laparotomy

Abstract Background and Aims The National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA) 2023 recommend patients over 65 should have clinical frailty score (CFS) recorded, and, if frail or aged 80 or over, should have Care of the Elderly (COE) input. Due to the multi-morbid nature of frailty this population carry additional surgical and post-operative risk. This audit reviewed use of these recommendations at a large District General Hospital (DGH). Methods We performed a closed loop audit on all patients aged 75 and older who had an emergency laparotomy between September 2020 to December 2023. We collected data from their admissions, including CFS and if COE reviews had occurred. The data was analysed. Interventions included presentation at clinical governance, discussion with the COE consultant and a poster was developed for the surgical assessment unit. The data was again retrospectively collected to complete the audit cycle. Results A total of 94 patients were included. The initial audit found 0 patients had CFS recorded and 16% had COE review. The reaudit found significant improvement, with 92% of patients having CFS recorded and 46% having had COE review. Conclusion The second cycle audit has shown significant improvement at the DGH in recording CFS and organising COE reviews for patients over 75 having an emergency laparotomy. However, there remains scope for improvement. Suggested improvements include: a referral pathway to prompt COE reviews and the creation of the “general surgery geriatrician” similar to the ortho-geriatrician role. Organising COE reviews could improve patient outcomes and provide more holistic care.

The Development of Elderly Care Curriculum for Undergraduate Students in Sichuan Province, China: Current Status, Challenges and Prospects

This article is a literature review on the development of elderly care courses for undergraduate students in Sichuan Province's music teacher profession. Through a review of relevant literature, the study finds that music education positively impacts the mental health and social participation of elderly individuals. However, there are shortcomings in curriculum design, personalized teaching, and interdisciplinary integration. This paper aims to explore how to effectively integrate music education with elderly care knowledge, optimize curriculum design, and establish scientific assessment mechanisms to enhance the practical effectiveness of the courses. This study provides theoretical support and practical guidance for developing elderly care courses for music teacher undergraduates in Sichuan Province. This paper draws its content from the doctoral thesis, "The Development of Subject Curriculum for Caring for the Elderly Among Music Teacher Profession Students at the Undergraduate Level in Sichuan Province, China."

Heart Failure in Older People Part 1: Disease State Review and Lifestyle Interventions.

The care for patients with heart failure (HF) has evolved greatly over the past decade. While new guidelines have provided more clarity on categorization and staging, and novel agents have been approved for use, there are still questions surrounding the optimal strategies as they relate to diet and exercise. Additionally, overall health care costs have increased for patients, driven in part by medication therapy. Given the myriad comorbidities associated with the diagnosis of HF, senior care pharmacists are positioned to positively impact the care for patients with HF, regardless of setting. As the guidelines continue to evolve, addressing a wider spectrum of the disease, including iron deficiency, mental health, and pain, so must the pharmacist's role in caring for patients with HF. Senior care pharmacists engaged in the management of older people with HF must be especially attuned to the unique and individualized care each patient needs, offering guidance and education in balancing treatment modalities across all aspects of care. In this three-part series, we will explore a number of areas central to the management of HF. This first section will focus on the cost of treatment, pathophysiology, and non-pharmacologic management. Series two and three will address guideline-directed medication therapy and special population management, respectively.

A Qualitative Research on the Support of Family Care for the Elderly with Dementia -Focusing on family caregivers at home in Jeju area-

A Qualitative Research on the Support of Family Care for the Elderly with Dementia -Focusing on family caregivers at home in Jeju area-

A Study of Willingness to Adopt Smart Aging Services: Evidence from Anhui Province, China

Exploring the adoption intention of smart senior care services can help improve the actual adoption rate. Taking a questionnaire survey of 1600 households in Anhui Province as an example, structural equation modeling was used to study the adoption intention and influencing factors of smart senior care services. The results show that subjective norms, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use are the key factors influencing the adoption intention of smart senior care services. Further, age has an impact on perceived usefulness and adoption intention, education has an impact on perceived ease of use and adoption intention, and monthly household income has an impact on perceived usefulness and adoption intention. This paper broadens the existing technology acceptance model (TAM) theory and provides some basis for the development of economics. The findings will be beneficial to the government in formulating more precise policies on elderly services to properly address the challenges of aging.

Racial and ethnic differences in unmet needs among older adults receiving publicly-funded home and community-based services.

Unmet need for home and community-based services (HCBS) may disparately impact older adults from racial and ethnic minoritized groups. We examined racial and ethnic differences in unmet need for HCBS among consumers ≥65 years using publicly funded HCBS. We analyzed the National Core Indicators-Aging and Disability survey data (2015-2019) from 21,739 community-dwelling HCBS consumers aged ≥65 years in 23 participating states. Outcome measures included self-reported unmet need in six service types (i.e., personal care, homemaker/chore, delivered meals, adult day services, transportation, and caregiver support). Racial and ethnic groups included non-Hispanic Black, Asian, non-Hispanic White, Hispanic, and multiracial groups. Logistic regression models examined associations between race and ethnicity and unmet need, adjusting for sociodemographic, health, and HCBS program (i.e., Medicaid, Older Americans Act [OAA], Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly [PACE]) characteristics, and use of specific service types. Among 21,739 respondents, 23.3% were Black, 3.4% were Asian, 10.8% were Hispanic, 58.8% were non-Hispanic White, and 3.7% were multiracial or identified with other races/ethnicities. Asian and Black consumers had higher odds of reporting unmet need in personal care than White consumers (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.45, p value < 0.01; and aOR, 1.25, p < 0.001, respectively). Asian and Black consumers had significantly higher odds of unmet need in adult day services versus White consumers (aOR, 1.94, p < 0.001 and aOR, 1.39, p < 0.001, respectively). Black consumers had higher odds of unmet need versus non-Hispanic White consumers in meal delivery and caregiver support services (aOR, 1.29; p < 0.01; and aOR 1.26, p < 0.05, respectively). Race and ethnicity were not significantly associated with experiencing unmet need for homemaker/chore or transportation services. Future research should identify driving forces in disparities in unmet need to develop culturally appropriate solutions.

An eHealth Coaching Solution to Improve Transitional Care of Seniors with Heart Failure: Long-Field Trial.

Heart failure is the leading reason for seniors being admitted to hospitals. Over half of the elderly individuals diagnosed with heart failure find themselves readmitted to hospitals within a span of six months. This recurrence is associated with inadequate adherence to medical treatment and recommendations, underscoring the necessity for support systems that aid seniors in better adhering to post-hospitalization instructions. The objective of this study is to evaluate the usability, usefulness and added value of the core functionalities within the H2HCare Ambient Assisted Living developed system that was evaluated with 11 participants over a long field trial of three months. Our assessment encompassed the examination of their Quality of Life as well as the usability and efficacy of the system. Overall, participants reported finding the system user-friendly, beneficial, and conducive to enhanced disease management. Improvements include tailoring the alarm system to patient standards and using a questionnaire to assess situation urgency.

The influence of care home registration type and size on senior care leader’s confidence to provide palliative and end-of-life care: an explanatory sequential mixed methods study

BackgroundCare home staff are key providers of palliative and end-of-life care. Yet, little is known about how care home characteristics can influence care leader’s confidence in their ability to provide optimal palliative and end-of-life care.AimTo understand the influence of care home registration type (nursing, residential or dual registered) and size on senior care leader’s confidence to provide palliative and end-of-life care.DesignAn explanatory sequential mixed methods study comprising an online cross-sectional survey (including the Palliative Care Self-Efficacy Scale) and qualitative individual interviews. Analysis of survey data used a multivariate logistic regression and qualitative interview data used Framework Analysis. A ‘Following the Thread’ method was undertaken for data integration.Setting/participantsUK care home senior care leaders, purposively sampled by registration type, size and geographical location.ResultsThe online survey (N = 107) results indicated that nursing home senior care leaders had higher confidence scores on the Palliative Care Self-Efficacy Scale than residential care home leaders (aOR: 3.85, 95% CI 1.20-12.31, p = 0.02). Care home size did not show effect when adjusting for registration type (medium - aOR 1.71, 95% CI 0.59–4.97, p = 0.33; large – aOR 0.65, 95% CI 0.18–2.30, p = 0.5). Interviews (n = 27) identified three themes that promote confidence, (1) ‘feelings of preparedness’ stemming from staff expertise and experience and care home infrastructure, (2) ‘partnership working’ with external services as a valued member of the multidisciplinary team, and (3) a shared language developed from end-of-life care guidance.ConclusionCare home senior care leader’s confidence is influenced by care home characteristics, particularly availability of on-site registered nurses and the infrastructure of large care homes. All care home leaders benefit from training, working with external, multidisciplinary teams and use of guidance. However, mechanisms to achieve this differed by care home type and size. Further exploration is needed on successful integration of palliative care services and interventions to enhance confidence in residential care homes.

Viewing hospitality from an interdisciplinary lens: a systematic review of 30-year research on hospitality in health care

Purpose This study aims to examine the conceptual and empirical operations of hospitality at its intersections with health care, which includes medical and senior care. Design/methodology/approach This study conducts a systematic review of literature on hospitality in health care published in hospitality, tourism and leisure journals spanning from 1990 to 2023. A total of 50 studies meeting the inclusion criteria are reviewed, providing insights into how hospitality is conceptualized, its practical implementation and the proposed outcomes in health-care settings. Findings Hospitality in health care is conceptualized by hospitality scholars in three main ways: as service functions, as a service exchange and as an organizational culture. There is a significant overlap between the notion of hospitality and the concept of person-centered care in gerontology and health-care literature. Also, hospitality contributes positively to patient/resident experiences, organizational performance and societal impacts. Research limitations/implications The study is limited by its focus solely on the theoretical and practical aspects of hospitality in health care within hospitality, tourism and leisure journals, excluding relevant literature from gerontological and health-care journals. Originality/value Interdisciplinary research requires scholars from different disciplines to develop a common language and understanding of key concepts. This study presents the conceptual and practical domains of hospitality and its relevancy to health-care research and offers future directions to strengthen the interdisciplinary research between hospitality, health care and gerontology.

Comparison of characteristic competencies of public health nurses working at a community general support center and health and welfare in public administration in Japan.

To compare the characteristic competencies of public health nurses working for the older adult's health and welfare in public administration ("PA") with those at community general support centers ("CGSC") in Japan. We conducted a questionnaire survey by mail for PA and CGSC public health nurses. A competency list that was developed to compare three groups (PA, CGSC experts with ≥5 years of experience, and CGSC newcomers with ≤2 years of experience) was used. The following characteristics were examined: (1) competencies acquired early after arriving at the CGSC, (2) competencies acquired through a certain amount of CGSC experience, (3) common competencies, (4) competencies that even experts lacked, and (5) competencies that the newcomers lacked. We examined the responses of 171 PA nurses, 185 CGSC expert public health nurses, and 165 CGSC newcomer public health nurses. The results of comparison of the three groups showed that (1) had no applicable items; (2) had nine items for individual support associated with preventive care management; (3) had 14 items including teamwork among three professionals (social workers, senior care manager, public health nurse)/other professionals and self-improvement; (4) had three items for community development, (5) had two items for individual support and 16 items for community development. Initiatives for preventive care and coordination of care teams should be supported and suggested as characteristic competencies for CGSC public health nurses.

Geriatric dentistry in palliative care: a systematic review

This systematic review aimed to identify the role of geriatric dentistry in end-of-life palliative care by synthesizing the published scientific literature on the topic and analyzing its significance and contributions. Following PRISMA guidelines, this study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024529548). Comprehensive electronic searches were conducted in the MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus databases using the terms "Dental Care for the Elderly" and "Palliative Care," supplemented by meticulous manual searches. A total of 215 studies were initially retrieved, and 10 were meticulously selected based on the inclusion criteria. The results underscore the importance of multi/interdisciplinary collaboration and emphasize the need for performance improvement strategies in geriatric dentistry within palliative care settings. Although the scientific production in this area remains limited, dental interventions are demonstrated to be crucial, with various successful approaches well-documented. Current research strongly suggests that geriatric dentistry is an indispensable component of comprehensive palliative care, given that the oral cavity is significantly affected by the aging process.

Family Experience Caring for the Elderly with Diabetes Mellitus Using Sister Calista Roy's Adaptation Process Approach

Introduction: Families who care for the elderly who suffer from diabetes mellitus experience problems in the adaptation process to prevent recurrence and it is difficult to provide an understanding of the condition of the disease to the elderly. The purpose of the study was to describe in detail the experience of families caring for the elderly with diabetes mellitus using a sister calista roy adaptation process approach. Methods: This study uses a qualitative method with a phenomenological study approach. The population of this study were all families living at home with the elderly who suffer from diabetes mellitus in Keling Village, Kepung District with a total sample of 6 participants using purposive sampling technique. The data collection method used in-depth interview techniques. Data analysis technique using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: The analysis of this study resulted in the theme of the process of family adaptation to care for the elderly with diabetes mellitus, including: 1) Family stimulation by understanding the condition of the disease and obligations in caring for the patient; 2) Family coping mechanisms by having a patient and calm attitude, and providing effective communication; 3) Family self-regulation by exercising self-control and caring attitude; 4) Family behavior by providing consultation on health services, meeting needs and managing stress. Conclusions: The process of family adaptation in caring for the elderly with diabetes mellitus by reflecting on the behavior of the adjustment process with various kinds of coping that is done to produce an adaptive or maladaptive behavior.

A Qualitative Analysis of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Management Program to Reduce Stress and Burnout for Health Care Staff.

Occupational stress in the work setting can lead to burnout. Health care workers are at a higher risk of experiencing stress and burnout. Mindfulness has gained momentum as a coping mechanism for stress and feelings of burnout, although it is unknown which mindfulness practices are the most effective for reducing feelings of occupational stress. The purpose of the qualitative portion of this mixed-methods study was to explore health care staff's perceptions of the characteristics of mindfulness interventions that were effective in reducing their stress and feelings of burnout. Health care staff consisting of nurses, State Tested Nursing Aides, housekeeping staff, culinary staff, activities staff, social workers, and chaplain staff (N =48) in a senior care and rehabilitation setting in a Midwestern city were invited to attend a semi-structured focus group, post-intervention. Thematic analysis was used to identify 3 main themes: ease of use promotes effective implementation, positive impact of mindfulness on self and others, and home- and work-related factors affect implementation. Overall, participants perceived benefit from various mindfulness practices for reducing their feelings of stress and burnout in the workplace. Guidance, ease of use of the mindfulness practice, and addressing barriers such as time and location can help with implementation.