Elderly Care Research Articles

Like a fire brigade, but without pay - Experiences of temporary employment among workers in Swedish elder care

This study investigates experiences of temporary work among care personnel in elder care. Semi-structured interviews were performed with fifteen temporarily employed care personnel in municipal nursing homes or home care and analysed using phenomenography. The informants’ experiences of having temporary employment were characterised by either a sense of flexibility or, more commonly, uncertainty, lack of control over life, time and economic situation, as well as difficulties associated with always being available. The informants’ experiences of working as temporary employees were characterised by the enjoyment of work and job satisfaction, differing experiences regarding the division of work and communication, but also being in an exposed position. The results reflect an experience of being in a vulnerable position. Taking these results into consideration in developing interventions to enhance the working conditions for temporarily employed might as a secondary result decrease the turnover and increase the continuity of the care for the elder.

Exploring the equitable spatial planning on the accessibility of institutional elderly care in megacity: a study based on Chengdu, China

Exploring the equitable spatial planning on the accessibility of institutional elderly care in megacity: a study based on Chengdu, China

Tooth Shame - An Ethnographic Study of the Choreographies of Tooth Shame in Danish Elderly Care (SSM-D-24-02581)

Tooth Shame - An Ethnographic Study of the Choreographies of Tooth Shame in Danish Elderly Care (SSM-D-24-02581)

Construction of Smart Clothing Service System for the Health and Well-Being of the Aging Community in a Sustainable Society

Objective: The phenomenon of global aging is becoming more and more severe, and security services such as nursing and guardianship for the elderly have become the focus of social attention. According to the data released by the World Health Organization, by 2030, one out of every six people will be over 60 years old. By 2050, the world population will be 2.1 billion over 60 years old, and the number of people over 80 years old will reach 460 million. This paper aims to monitor the health and services of aging clothing intelligently for the health and well-being of the aging community in a sustainable society, starting from the physiological and psychological needs of the new elderly. Theoretical Framework: In the age-appropriate smart clothing service system, the critical link is to construct the human-computer interaction mode of clothing and wearable devices, establish a design paradigm from single interaction to multi-interaction, and form a service terminal based on smart wearable. Method: This paper designs an aging smart clothing design system using field research, questionnaires, interviews, etc., analyzes the aging smart wearable clothing evaluation system, and constructs aging smart clothing that meets the actual needs of health and well-being for the elderly in a sustainable society. Results and Discussion: In this research, The results obtained sustainable design theories and methods combined with interdisciplinary research tools as the basis of data analysis from the aging intelligent clothing product design system, age-appropriate smart clothing service system, and age-appropriate smart clothing evaluation system. Research Implications: Population aging has been the basic national condition of our country for quite a long time in the future, and "healthy aging" is a strategic measure put forward by the government around the intelligent care service system for the elderly, communities, and institutions. Important direction. Among them, how to build an age-appropriate smart wearable product service system has become the main development content. Therefore, its intelligence and synergistic combination with terminals such as communities, caregivers, and hospitals will become the trend of smart elderly care. Originality/Value: This study contributes to Construct a systematic design of a new intelligent wearable clothing service system for the elderly, which is a great of significance for improving the service quality index of the health and well-being of the elderly. At the same time, it is of great value to expand and deepen the concept of sustainable design.

Empowering Women through Work-Life Balance Policies and Practices

This article examines strategies for empowering women through effective work-life balance policies and practices. It reviews literature demonstrating the disproportionate work-life challenges faced by women and the negative career impacts that can result without organizational support. Key policies shown to address these challenges and improve job satisfaction for women are discussed, including flexible work arrangements, paid family and medical leave, child and elder care support, extended career breaks/sabbaticals, and visible leadership commitment. Tangible examples are then provided of how leading companies in healthcare, technology, and legal sectors have successfully implemented combinations of such policies. The results for these organizations include higher retention rates, greater diversity, improved employee satisfaction and loyalty, and enhanced business performance. The article translates this research foundation into practical recommendations, concluding that holistic integration of evidence-based work-life balance solutions within HR practices and culture builds an inclusive environment where all talents can thrive.

Co-designing Medication Optimization Patient-Centered Outcomes Research With Older People and Caregivers as Research Partners.

Background: Additional evidence is required to address the unintended consequences of medication use in older people and the required caregiver support. To inform priorities for future research efforts, different stakeholder perspectives are needed, including those of older people, caregivers, clinicians, and researchers. Objective: To develop a co-designed medication-related research agenda. Methods: A 12-member Advisory Council, half of which were older people and caregivers, designed the research. An 11-question survey to identify priorities for medication-related patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) topics was administered to members of the Elder Care Medicine Network (ECMN) (ie, older people, caregivers, clinicians, and researchers). Respondents were categorized into two groups with hierarchical assignment to the clinician/research group over the older adult/caregiver group. Chi-square tests compared priority areas for medication-related PCOR between the two groups. Results: There were 53 responses (48% response rate) from the ECMN, with 39.6% (n = 21) from the clinician/researcher group and 60.4% (n = 32) from the older adult/caregiver group. The priority areas from both groups included safe ways to simplify medicines (62.2%), communicating with pharmacists and prescribers about medications (58.5%), and information about safe supplements with prescription medications (52.8%). Statistically significant differences existed between the two groups in the proportions choosing the priority areas. Conclusion: Co-design of a survey to identify priority areas for PCOR demonstrated successful engagement of older people and caregivers as research partners. While older people and caregivers may have differing perspectives on the importance of specific medication-related PCOR topics, simplifying medication regimen and health care communications were germane to both groups.

Evaluating Anatomy Education in Kastamonu Çatalzeytin Vocational Higher Schools through Student Feedbacks

Aims: The aim of this study is to assess the attitudes of students in Vocational Higher Schools by obtaining their opinions, regarding the Anatomy course. Methods: This study is a survey-based research aimed at evaluating the opinions of 639 students enrolled in different programs (Disability Care and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, and Elderly Care Programs) at Kastamonu University Çatalzeytin Vocational Higher School regarding the Anatomy course, which they have taken theoretically. The survey questionnaire consists of 29 questions related to the evaluation of theoretical classes and eight questions related to the evaluation of exams. The survey questions were created online, and the participating students were provided with a link to access the survey questionnaire. Results: When asked about the contribution of the Anatomy course content to their professional development, 60.5% of the students responded positively, while 18.2% responded negatively. In regards to the inclusion of practical classes alongside theoretical classes, 80.9% of the students responded positively, while 7.1% responded negatively. Regarding the evaluation of exams, 63.8% of the students responded positively to the question of including visual-based questions in theoretical exams, while 19.5% responded negatively. When asked about the inclusion of practical exams alongside theoretical exams, 50% responded positively, while 27.6% responded negatively. Conclusions: Based on the findings of this study, which incorporates the opinions of the students, it is emphasized that practical classes should be included alongside theoretical classes in Anatomy education. Furthermore, it is noted that reminder sessions would be beneficial in the following years due to the tendency of forgetting the content of the Anatomy course.

Contingent on paradoxical policies: migrants’ trajectories to permanent residence and skilled care work in Denmark

ABSTRACT Syrian refugees and Ukrainian labour migrants are among the increasing number of migrants in Denmark who have enrolled in training programmes to become skilled care workers in response to the Danish state’s initiatives to increase labour supply for public-sector elderly care. However, stricter immigration legislation together with regulations concerning state-financed education complicate training, employment and residence for these migrants. This article explores how the Danish welfare state’s conflicting interests in and attempts at pursuing both a strict immigration policy and securing enough trained care workers in eldercare affect trajectories to skilled care work among foreign nationals residing in Denmark. Based on data from long-term ethnographic fieldwork, we demonstrate how in various ways Syrian and Ukrainian care work trainees with temporary residence face a double-sided uncertainty, as their lives in Denmark are contingent on events and decisions out of their control, such as amendments to immigration and educational policies and legislation. On the one hand, these events and decisions jeopardize the migrant trainees’ and their families’ future in Denmark. On the other hand, they offer opportunities to make new connections and acquire new knowledge and skills, which in the longer run may contribute to improving their lives in Denmark.

Research on How the Digital Economy Contributes to Achieving A High-Level and Balanced Development of the Elderly Care Service Industry

Abstract China’s aging population has gained significant attention. Population aging implies that the demand for elderly care services will be on the rise. However, China’s aging exhibits a notable characteristic of getting old prior to achieving affluence, which directly constrains the enhancement of the level of elderly care services. The Communist Party of China and the government attach considerable importance to the issue of population aging and pensions. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee adopted the Decision of the CPC Central Committee on Further Comprehensively Deepening Reform and Promoting Chinese-Style Modernization, emphasizing that “we should actively respond to population aging and improve the development of elderly care and elderly care industry policy mechanisms.” Regarding the supply of pension services, due to the professional and long-term nature of pension services, the supply cost remains high. The contradiction between the low level of demand and the high cost of supply might lead to the “low-level equilibrium trap” of the elderly service industry. The digital economy has achieved remarkable effects in promoting the elderly care service industry. It has played a vital role in optimizing the allocation of elderly care resources, reducing the cost of elderly care services, and creating a superior elderly care ecosystem. In this context, it holds considerable academic value and practical significance to study the impact of the digital economy on the development of pension service industry, to analyze the digital divide and bridge the path for the development of the pension service industry, and to explore the countermeasures and ideas of the digital economy to facilitate the high-level, balanced, and high-quality development of the pension service industry.

Artificial Intelligence in public health: A case study

Artificial Intelligence technology has become an innovative tool in global healthcare that helps to manage various problems of scale and complexity. Its use in public health is multifaceted and multivariate extending across early outbreak detection, risk modeling and prediction, efficient vaccine logistics and administration, reducing health disparities, aiding assist in diagnosis, everyday monitoring of chronic diseases, telemedicine and virtual chatbots especially for elderly care, mental health and oncology patients, and community engagement. Despite these huge generational advantages, multiple challenges exist in data quality, security and misuse, individual privacy, contextual application, accountability and oversight and remain primary concerns for universal adoption of artificial intelligence. There is a need for safeguards and a global regulatory framework to responsibly harvest the benefits of artificial intelligence for the advancement of public and community health.

An interrogation of family-based care for the elderly in Kaloleni sub-location, Kisumu, Kenya

The aim of this study was to interrogate family based care services for the elderly within Kaloleni Sub-Location, Kisumu, Kenya. The population of the elderly (age 60 and above) is projected to outnumber children (0-9 years) by the year 2030, and by 2050, to exceed the population of adolescents and youth aged between 10 to 14 years. The Kenya government is exploring the development of a community care strategy and the roll-out of an Integrated Care of Older Persons (ICOPE) package. While family-based care has been the policy and cultural preference for offering long term elderly care, the state recognized growing demand for responsive changes to current realities. This research set the following three objectives: First, to establish the state of family based care in Kaloleni sub-location; second, to examine alternatives to family based care that exist in the sub-location, and, lastly, to interrogate policy options as suggested by respondents in the study. Using Krejcie and Morgan sample size determination table, a total of 120 elderly persons aged 70 and above were traced and 92 of them randomly sampled. The methodology deployed was mixed methods involving narrative interviewing and cross sectional survey. Descriptive data analysis and thematic analysis were deployed for quantitative and qualitative results respectively. Narrative interviewing/In depth interviews method was used in collecting data from Kaloleni sub-location. While findings from this research may not be generalizable due to study limitations and scope, the study strongly demonstrated the desperate state of gerontological care in informal settlements in urban centers in Kisumu, where over 90% of respondents sought improvement on care service provision for the elderly. The elderly persons mostly rely on care givers from the family but these care givers also tend to be dependent on the elderly respondents for general upkeep. Results support the literature that contends that older people are vulnerable to poverty. It was recommended that policy must shift to address factors that promote healthy aging and diminish suffering in old age as population aging continues. Further studies of a longitudinal nature are required to lend greater insight and inform policy.

Exploring the Causes and Policy Explanations for the Imbalance between Supply and Demand of Professional Healthcare Personnel in Grassroots Elderly Care Institutions in Qingdao

Current pension agency for with the deepening of aging degree and “combining medical and nursing care” policy response has many problems, widespread phenomenon is professional staff pension agency imbalance between supply and demand. In this study, the causes of this problem and its policy explanation are analyzed by using the in-depth interview method of qualitative research. Through the interviews with nurses, medical staff and management personnel in the local pension institutions in Qingdao, it is found that the causes of the imbalance between the supply and demand of professional medical staff mainly include insufficient number of medical staff, inconsistency between workload and income, tension between doctors and patients, and operation difficulties of pension institutions. The key to solving the problem is to promote cooperation between enterprises and schools, set up unified posts, improve the recruitment system, increase government subsidies and support, and formulate and implement targeted policies and measures to form a reasonable and efficient medical and nursing combination system.

A Comparative Study of Sensor Quantity and Data Granularity in AAL Systems for Activity Recognition

Abstract As populations age, the demand for non-intrusive elderly care solutions increases, highlighting the need for efficient AAL systems. Current research predominantly focuses on wearable sensors at high data frequencies. There is a critical gap in research in understanding the effectiveness of model performance using ambient sensors operating at varied granularities and with varied numbers of sensors. This study addresses this gap by investigating how sensor quantity and data frequency affect an artificial intelligence model’s ability to detect various activities of daily living. The methodology employs a quantitative, experimental design to systematically assess the performance of artificial intelligence models across sensor quantity and data frequencies. This assessment will be conducted through a multi-study approach involving different populations to ensure robust and generalizable findings. Each model’s efficacy will be evaluated using 5-fold cross-validation and GridSearchCV for rigorous hyperparameter tuning, employing diverse data aggregation and imputations techniques to maintain comprehensive analysis integrity. The primary goal of this research is to determine the optimal data granularity and number of sensors that maximize AI models’ ability to detect daily living activities while minimizing resource demands, thereby enhancing the sustainability and scalability of AAL systems. This work aims to advance the field of ambient sensing in elderly care, offering significant implications for designing and implementing future AAL technologies and potentially improving the quality of life for the elderly population. Key messages • The study explores the optimal configuration of data granularity and sensor quantity to maximize AI model efficiency in detecting activities of daily living among older adults. • The study investigates the impact of data frequency and sensor count on AI model performance in detecting daily activities, aiming to optimize Ambient Assisted Living systems for the elderly.

The impact of a cardio-geriatric integrated care on mortality and readmissions in older patients with Heart Failure. Results of a quasi-experimental study

Abstract Background Despite advancements in heart failure (HF) management, older adults still experience adverse outcomes. Post-discharge care for frail elders is often complicated by non-cardiac events and Hospital-Acquired Deconditioning Syndrome. While an integrated multidisciplinary approach combining cardiological and geriatric expertise appears highly beneficial, it remains underutilized. Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated Cardio-Geriatric approach in improving one-year mortality, reducing HF readmissions and increasing days-alive-out-of-hospital (DAOH) among older patients discharged from acute care hospitals. Methods The study utilized a before-and-after design. The study enrolled two groups of patients: the first consisted of individuals aged ≥ 65 years hospitalized for acute HF between January 2018 and December 2019, receiving usual care (UC) post-discharge follow-up (referral to a cardiologist and general practitioner); the second group evaluated outpatients in the Cardio-Geriatric ambulatory clinic (CG) within three weeks after discharge for acute HF between January 2020 and December 2022. Primary outcomes included one-year all-cause mortality, HF readmissions and DOAH. Cox Regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, frailty status, and main comorbidities assessed CG effectiveness. Results Among 606 patients (mean age 86 years, 56% females), 477 received US, the remaining 175 were referred to the CG. At 1-year follow-up we observed a significant reduction in re-hospitalizations between CG and UC (36.5% vs. 53.6%; respectively, p < 0.001) and mortality (20% vs. 44.8%; respectively, p < 0.001). CG patients had more than double DAOH (300 ± 100 vs 156 ± 145 days, p <0.001). Cox regression analysis confirmed CG integrated approach as a protective factor for mortality or re-hospitalization even after adjustment for confounders [aHR 0.50; 95% CI (0.28-0.89)]. Respiratory diseases, neurological conditions, and infections were common causes of readmission, emphasizing the need for comprehensive post-discharge care. Conclusion The Cardio-Geriatric integrated approach significantly improved outcomes, highlighting the potential of integrated care in addressing the multifaceted needs of older adults with heart failure

Suggestion on the elderly care model specific to Türkiye

The world population is aging as a result of increasing life expectancy and decreasing birth rates. Since Turkey is among the fastest aging countries in the world, social aging is expected to emerge as a significant problem in the coming years. This research is a qualitative study conducted to determine suggestions for creating an elderly care model specific to Turkey. In this context, in-depth interviews were conducted face to face or online with eight participants providing elderly care services and seven participants receiving the service. Participants were determined by snowball sampling method. Semi-structured questionnaires were used as data collection tools and the obtained data were analyzed using the MAXQDA computer program. The expressions used by the participants in the interviews were coded 306 times under 86 headings and collected under four themes. "Health services provided to the elderly" was the theme with the most codes (33.01%). “Care services for the elderly” was coded 92 times (30.07%), “Social services and social assistance for the elderly” was coded 76 (24.84%) and “Financing, social security system and legal regulations” was coded 37 (12.09%) times. . As a result of the research, suggestions were made for the elderly care model specific to Turkey to improve the health system offered to the elderly, strengthen the social security system, improve care services for the elderly and strengthen social services and social assistance for the elderly. (Extended English summary is at the end of this document) Özet Yaşam süresinin uzaması ve doğum oranlarının düşmesi sonucunda dünya nüfusu yaşlanmaktadır. Türkiye, dünyada en hızlı yaşlanan ülkeler arasında yer aldığı için gelecek yıllarda toplumsal yaşlanmanın önemli bir problem olarak ortaya çıkması beklenmektedir. Bu araştırma, Türkiye’ye özgü yaşlı bakım modeli oluşturulmasına yönelik öneriler belirlemek amacıyla yapılan niteliksel bir çalışmadır. Bu kapsamda yaşlı bakım hizmeti sunan sekiz ve hizmeti alan yedi katılımcı yüz yüze ya da online olarak derinlemesine görüşme gerçekleştirilmiştir. Katılımcılar kartopu örnekleme yöntemi ile belirlenmiştir. Veri toplama aracı olarak yarı yapılandırılmış soru formları kullanılmış ve elde edilen veriler, MAXQDA bilgisayar programı kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Görüşmelerde katılımcıların kullandıkları ifadeler 86 başlık altında 306 kez kodlanmış ve dört tema altında toplanmıştır. “Yaşlılara sunulan sağlık hizmetleri” en çok kod içeren tema olmuştur (%33,01). “Yaşlılara yönelik bakım hizmetleri” 92 (%30,07), “Yaşlılara yönelik sosyal hizmetler ve sosyal yardımlar” 76 (%24,84) ve “Finansman, sosyal güvenlik sistemi ve hukuki düzenlemeler” 37 (%12,09) kez kodlanmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda, Türkiye’ye özgü yaşlı bakım modeli için yaşlılara sunulan sağlık sistemini iyileştirilmesi, sosyal güvenlik sistemini güçlendirilmesi, yaşlılara yönelik bakım hizmetlerinin iyileştirmesi ve yaşlılara yönelik sosyal hizmetler ve sosyal yardımları güçlendirmesine yönelik önerilerde bulunulmuştur.

Optimizing elderly care: a data-driven AI model for predicting polypharmacy risk using SHARE data

Abstract Background Polypharmacy (PP), which rises with age, is a growing public health challenge, affecting health outcomes and escalating healthcare expenditure. Leveraging the comprehensive European coverage and longitudinality of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) study, we aim to assess PP prevalence patterns and identify the most effective machine learning (ML) model for predicting long-term PP risk, as a foundation for a scalable predictive tool. Methods We used data from participants aged above 50 who were present in wave 6 and at least one of the subsequent three waves of the SHARE study, aiming to predict PP risk at 2, 4, and 6-year intervals. PP was defined as the concurrent use of five or more medications. We analyzed PP prevalence trends and selected the predictor variables from wave 6 using LASSO regression analysis. We evaluated eight ML models, namely, ANN, SVM, DT, RF, GB, XGBoost, LightGBM, and CatBoost, using a rigorous cross-validation strategy to ensure robustness and reliability. Results Our analysis reveals an upward trend in PP prevalence across the surveyed countries, with aggregate figures rising from 34.03% (95% CI 33.1-34.9) in wave 7 to 36.75% (95% CI 35.6-37.9) in wave 8, reaching 39.91 (95% CI 38.9-40.9) in wave 9. Additionally, using the Categorical Boosting ML model to predict PP resulted in overall accuracies of 75.08%, 73.7%, and 71.65% and recall rates of 72.83%, 70.48%, and 67.96% for the 2, 4, and 6-year intervals, respectively. Conclusions This study reveals a rising trend of PP across European countries and demonstrates the potential of using longitudinal data and ML to enhance PP prediction. The tool developed represents a step forward in risk stratification, which would be particularly beneficial in practical settings where family physicians or pharmacists could employ the tool to monitor elderly patients, predict and thus prevent PP, and reduce the negative health and economic impact associated with it. Key messages • The integration of machine learning with longitudinal data presents a significant advance in polypharmacy risk prediction. • The tool we developed highlights the potential translational impact of our findings.

Landscape Design Strategies for Healthy Aging-in-Place in Communities: Case Studies from Suzhou, China

As the global population ages, the World Health Organization promotes “Healthy Aging” to enhance the quality of life for the elderly. In China, with its substantial aging population, the “9073” elderly care mode, which prioritizes community-based care, was implemented in 2011. However, the specific needs of elderly residents in different climatic and cultural contexts are often overlooked. This study addresses this gap by examining how community green space design can support healthy aging, using Suzhou as a case study due to its significant elderly population. This research examines the relationship between community environments, elderly needs, and behaviors. Our findings reveal that elderly residents have complex needs, seeking safety, comfort, health, social interaction, and spiritual richness simultaneously. A mismatch was observed between their stated preferences for features like seating and shade and their actual usage patterns, suggesting that existing green spaces may not fully meet their needs. This study underscores the importance of incorporating both expressed preferences and proactive design strategies to enhance the healthy benefit of community green spaces. These insights support the “Healthy China 2030” strategy and promote the well-being of elders, contributing to sustainable urban regeneration.

Functioning in Older Adults: Prevalence and Implications for Policy and Digital Services

Abstract Background Actions maintaining and promoting functioning, and proactively preparing for the surge in demand for services in near future, are needed as the population is aging. Policy actions need to base on up-to-date picture of the situation. We examined the prevalence of limitations in different dimensions of functioning in the older population. Methods Data consisted of participants aged 75 years or older (n = 9,686) in the nationally representative Healthy Finland Survey in 2022. The questionnaire included questions on various aspects of functioning (physical, cognitive, psychosocial, need and use of help), quality of life, internet use and digital competence. Weighted prevalence of functional limitations by age (75-79, 80-84, 85-89, ≥90 years) was analyzed for men and women using logistic regression, sampling design and non-response acknowledged. Results Difficulties in most aspects of functioning increased rapidly with age. In ≥ 90-year-olds, one third experienced major difficulties in activities of daily living (vs. 4% in 75-79-year-olds), and 30% of men and 45% women aged 90 or over experienced major difficulties in getting out of their home (vs. 4% in 75-79-year-olds). The prevalence of loneliness doubled by age, from 9% in the youngest to 21% in oldest age group. The corresponding increase in psychological distress was from 9% to 15%. Need for help increased dramatically with age, but the unmet need among those needing help did not, being around 20% in all age groups. In ≥ 90-year-olds, 83% of men 92% of women reported little or no internet skills (vs. 40% in 75-79-year-olds), and 55% of men and 75% women did not use digital services at all, i.e. neither independently nor with help from others (vs. 25-28% in 75-79-year-olds). Conclusions Difficulties in functioning and need of help were common among the oldest age groups which underlines the urgency to ensure sufficient resources for elderly care. Key messages • While developing health and social care services, equal access to services must be ensured even for those not able to use digital services. • Functioning must be supported not only by measures aimed at the individual, but also by improving the environment so that people with a lower level of functioning can cope with their everyday lives.

Epidemiological analysis of 2106 geriatric trauma patients in a level I trauma center in Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, China.

As the global population ages, geriatric trauma gains attention. Limited studies on geriatric trauma in developing countries necessitate comprehensive investigation. This study aims to delineate the epidemiological characteristics of geriatric trauma, providing insights for prevention and enhanced elderly trauma care. Clinical data of 2106 geriatric trauma patients (age ≥ 60) treated from November 1, 2020, to October 31, 2023, at the trauma center of the First Hospital of Lanzhou University were retrospectively analyzed. Descriptive statistics covered temporal and monthly distribution, trauma sites, causes, and length of stay. Inclusive were 2106 geriatric patients (941 males, 1165 females; male-to-female ratio 1:1.24). Trauma incidence was higher in summer and autumn (May-October) than winter (November-December). Peak incidents occurred between 14:00-16:00, with concentrations at 12:00-16:00 and 20:00-22:00. Falls (59.35%), road traffic accidents (16.62%), other traumas (14.10%), cutting/stabbing (4.56%), violence (3.42%), mechanical injuries (1.61%), winter sports injuries (0.14%), burns (0.14%), and animal bites (0.06%) were major causes. Extremity and skin injuries prevailed, with significant site distribution differences (P < .001). Average length of stay at the trauma center was 78.35 ± 48.32 minutes. The gender distribution, timing, causes, and sites of trauma in the elderly differ significantly from other age groups. Unlike the higher occurrence of trauma in young men compared to women, among the elderly, it is more prevalent in women than men, mainly attributed to falls. It is crucial to implement specific measures to prevent trauma in the elderly, and the advancement of information technology in the trauma care system could additionally improve the quality of care.

Transformation of informal elder care practices and mobilities during the pandemic

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic revealed that when formal care services closed down, informal care burden was unequally transferred to women. Women across the world became part of “caregiver pools”. Using textual archive material collected by the Finnish Literature Society, we analyse the transformation of informal elder care practices in Finland. We adopt a care mobility and care process perspective to analyse how informal elder care was transformed due to social distancing measures that restricted ageing individuals and their family members’ local and translocal mobilities. We find that over 70-year-olds had to adapt their daily mobilities according to risk assessment. Caregiving provided by mostly female family members was replaced by digital care at a distance, which reinforced existing inequalities in care. We argue that the pandemic simultaneously brought about both a time–space compression and what we call a time–space expansion that affected the everyday practices and mobilities of care.