Barnes Ramsey (yellowquartz2)
The themes identified in the current study represent common challenges in aging in place for older adults with self-reported cognitive decline. Identification of these themes allows for important next steps, which can focus on supports through targeted interventions. The themes identified in the current study represent common challenges in aging in place for older adults with self-reported cognitive decline. Identification of these themes allows for important next steps, which can focus on supports through targeted interventions. Non-pharmacological interventions are recommended to manage challenging behaviours among cognitively impaired older adults, however few studies have enrolled patients in acute care. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of implementing non-pharmacological interventions to manage behaviours in hospitalized older adults. A self-identity approach was used to identify potentially engaging activities for 13 older medically ill adults admitted to acute hospital; these activities were trialed for a two-week period. Data were collected on frequency of intervention administration and assistance required, as well as frequency of behaviours and neuroleptic use in the seven days prior to and following the trial of activities. Per participant, 5-11 interventions were prescribed. Most frequently interventions were tried two or more times (46%); 9% were not tried at all. Staff or family assistance was not required for 27% of activities. The mean number of documented behaviours across participants was 4.8 ± 2.3 in the pre-intervention period and 2.1 ± 1.9 in the post-intervention period. Overall the interventions were feasible and did not result in increasing neuroleptic use. Non-pharmacologic interventions may be feasible to implement in acute care. More research in this area is justified. Non-pharmacologic interventions may be feasible to implement in acute care. More research in this area is justified. The term failure to cope (FTC) is often used to dismissively describe hospitalized older adults. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors associated with receiving a label of FTC. Age-matched, case-control study with electronic and paper chart review identifying patient characteristics and admission details. One hundred eighty-five patients 70 years of age or older admitted to a general medicine team over two years 99 patients with the label of FTC and 86 controls. No patients labelled with FTC came from long-term care. Characteristics associated with a label of FTC included living alone (aOR 3.8, 95% CI 1.9-7.8), falls (aOR 3.8, 95% CI 1.9-7.8), rehospitalization (aOR 3.6, 95% CI 1.7-8.0), and living in an independent dwelling (aOR 2.4, 95% CI 1.0-5.5). A higher number of chronic medications was associated with a lower likelihood of being labelled with FTC (aOR 0.9, 95% CI 0.8-1.0). The results suggest that FTC is a label based predominantly on social factors and has no role in a medical assessment. The patient's home setting was the key factor in being labelled with FTC, most medical factors did not play a significant role, and a pervasive language of blame was present. The results suggest that FTC is a label based predominantly on social factors and has no role in a medical assessment. The patient's home setting was the key factor in being labelled with FTC, most medical factors did not play a significant role, and a pervasive language of blame was present. Agitation associated with dementia impacts delivery of medical care and is a major reason for institutionalization in dementia patients. This study examines the association of medication use and other clinical factors with patients' 'dischargeability' (i.e., amount of time until a patient is considered dischargeable from an inpatient unit). This study was a retrospective chart review examining 200 patients with dementia an