Articles tagged with Geriatrics
A two-year study found that frailty using the Frailty Index can predict in-hospital complications and mortality in older trauma patients. The study enrolled 250 patients aged 65 and above, with 44% meeting the frailty criteria.
A new study suggests that physician partners can lighten the administrative load of primary care physicians, allowing them to spend more time with their patients. The study found that geriatricians who worked with a physician partner had shorter patient visits and higher patient satisfaction rates compared to those without a partner.
A multidimensional frailty score developed from the comprehensive geriatric assessment and other variables can predict longer hospital stays and increased risk of complications or death after surgery in elderly patients. The model supports surgical treatment for fit older patients at low risk of complications.
Patients with a documented diagnosis of dementia are nearly 20% more likely to be readmitted within 30 days than those without dementia. This is due to difficulties comprehending discharge instructions and multiple medical conditions.
The EORTC and SIOG have updated their expert opinion on NSCLC management in elderly patients, highlighting the need for personalized treatment decisions based on life expectancy and biological age. Multidisciplinary geriatric assessments can improve treatment outcomes for this population.
Research conducted by Erja Portegijs and colleagues found that physical function and sense of autonomy are independent determinants of life-space mobility in older people. Life-space mobility, which reflects an individual's opportunities to participate in society, is affected by both physical limitations and psychological factors.
A framework for improved geriatric patient care is proposed based on lessons learned from managing complex care transitions. The framework emphasizes the importance of looking at community, system and regional factors in care transitions.
A new UCLA study found that married men who waited until 25 or older to get married had stronger bones than those who got married earlier. In contrast, women with supportive partners had greater bone strength, regardless of their age at marriage. The study suggests that marriage quality plays a significant role in bone health.
A study of geriatric health care professionals found they experience emotional struggle while caring for their own aging relatives, but also benefits from this dual role. The researchers emphasize the need for support and tools for all caregivers to navigate difficult conversations with providers and family members.
Older patients with traumatic injuries can regain more daily activities with geriatric care, according to a new study. Geriatric interventions helped them take better care of themselves and be more independent.
Two new centers will focus on building relationships with local health and social service professionals to support skill-building opportunities for personnel. The new centers aim to strengthen the services that improve the health of older people by improving the interface between practice and academia.
A new international study found that senior citizens face distinct challenges in emergency departments, including higher rates of dependency, cognitive impairment, and delirium. The study calls for staff training in geriatric care and specialized department layouts to better meet seniors' needs.
The Gerontological Society of America has awarded Richard M. Allman, MD, with the 2013 Joseph T. Freeman Award for his contributions to geriatric research and practice. The award recognizes his focus on understanding mobility loss in older adults and improving age-related health disparities.
The UT Southwestern Geriatrics section has received a $1 million four-year grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation to enhance interprofessional education and patient safety. The grant will support a curriculum that incorporates virtual and face-to-face experiences, as well as faculty development and training.
Dr. Richard M. Allman has been recognized with the 2013 Donald P. Kent Award by The Gerontological Society of America for his exceptional leadership in gerontology through teaching, service, and practice. His research focuses on understanding mobility loss and testing new ways to maintain or enhance mobility in older adults.
Researchers found that older emergency patients have functional and cognitive problems increase dramatically after arrival. These patients often require specialized training in geriatric care to provide the best assessment and care.
A recent UCLA-led study highlights the crucial role nurse practitioners play in treating chronic geriatric conditions. Nurse practitioners were found to improve the satisfaction of quality indicators for patients with falls, urinary incontinence, dementia, and depression when co-managed with primary care physicians.
A creative storytelling program called TimeSlips helps medical students see people with dementia as fully-fledged individuals, rather than just diagnoses. The program, which encourages participants to use their imagination and share stories in poem form, leads to significant improvements in student attitudes towards dementia patients.
The Gerontological Society of America has established five Hartford Academic Centers of Excellence in Geriatric Social Work, aiming to enhance training for future geriatric social work practitioners and faculty. The centers will focus on translating new knowledge into policy and practice.
Researchers used hormone levels to estimate when a woman will have her final menstrual period, providing a way to gauge menopause-related bone loss. The study found that levels of estradiol and follicle stimulating hormone can predict the timeline for menopause.
Poverty in older age poses significant risks to the UK's health system. The authors highlight poor performing pensions, taxation changes, and social care funding as key factors contributing to this issue. They also express concerns about the potential for private for-profit providers to impact vulnerable individuals' care.
A new trauma program at St. Michael's Hospital has shown significant improvements in outcomes for elderly patients admitted for trauma. The program, which provides geriatric consultations within 72 hours of admission, has reduced the risk of delirium by 10% and decreased the likelihood of discharge to long-term care facilities.
UC Irvine's Program in Geriatrics has been awarded a three-year, $1 million grant from the U.S. Administration on Aging to implement a new federal initiative combating elder abuse. The program will test promising community-based practices to prevent the abuse of people with dementia, with the goal of reducing this complex and interrela...
The IU and Regenstrief clinician-researchers will work with 19 central Indiana nursing facilities to improve the quality of care, reduce hospitalizations, and increase access to palliative care for long-stay residents. The comprehensive four-year initiative, OPTIMISTIC, aims to transform institutional care and address the neglected nee...
The new guidelines, published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, apply to every patient 65 years and older as defined by Medicare regulations. The guidelines cover 13 key issues of preoperative care for the elderly, including cognitive impairment, decision-making capacity, and medication management.
Elder abuse affects 4% of Canadian seniors, with an estimated 200,000 to 500,000 people experiencing abuse or neglect. A comprehensive approach is needed, including financial support for caregivers and education, training, and respite programs.
Thomas M. Gill, MD, recipient of the 2012 GSA Joseph T. Freeman Award, is a leading authority on epidemiology and prevention of disability among older persons.
The National Hartford Centers of Gerontological Nursing Excellence has awarded over $1.38 million in grants to support postdoctoral research training, mentorship, and career development for new fellows and scholars. These highly skilled individuals will strengthen the knowledge base in areas such as family caregiving, home health and h...
The National Hartford Centers of Gerontological Nursing Excellence aim to prepare new faculty in geriatric nursing and enhance existing expertise. The centers are supported by the John A. Hartford Foundation and GSA's Coordinating Center, with goals including improving health outcomes for older adults.
The American Federation for Aging Research's MSTAR program aims to address the growing shortage of geriatric medicine physicians. By providing medical students with training and research opportunities, the program seeks to increase the number of doctors specializing in age-related diseases and conditions.
A recent study found that almost 90% of older adults aged 65-96 were willing to undergo dementia screening, with refusal rates higher among those between 70-79 years old. The study's results suggest that age is the primary factor affecting willingness, with no significant impact from sex, race, or income level.
A nationwide study of newly admitted nursing home patients found that 21% sustain a fall during their stay. Facilities with higher CNA-to-patient staffing ratios were associated with lower fall rates due to CNAs providing hands-on care during high-risk activities.
A recent study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that loneliness is independently associated with an increased rate of death and functional decline. Older adults who identified themselves as lonely had a 59% greater risk of decline, and a 45% greater risk of death compared to those who did not experience loneliness.
A new UCSF report highlights the need for improved medical care for elderly inmates, who disproportionately account for escalating medical expenses. The report recommends nine policy areas to promote cost-effective quality care, including screening for dementia and palliative care.
The study found that daily bathing of patients with disposable cloths containing chlorhexidine gluconate reduced MRSA transmission rates from 4.99 cases per 1,000 patient days to 0.88 cases per 1,000 patient days, a significant 82% decrease. This intervention was effective in preventing MRSA infections in a geriatric setting.
A new University of Michigan Health System study found that middle-aged and older adults with diabetes showed strong survival rates, even those living in nursing homes or with multiple health issues. The study suggests that interventions can prevent or delay diabetes complications.
A new national poll reveals that significant gaps exist in primary care for older Americans, with only 7% receiving all seven recommended services to support healthy aging. The survey highlights the importance of counseling on falls prevention and accessing Medicare's Annual Wellness Visit to improve geriatric care.
The John A. Hartford Foundation awards $2.5 million in career development grants to 83 IU School of Medicine geriatricians to improve healthcare for older adults. The award aims to increase the number of academic leaders in geriatric medicine and address the growing need for trained geriatricians.
The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) has awarded nearly $2.5 million in career development grants to 83 advanced fellows and junior faculty members at 28 Hartford Centers of Excellence in Geriatric Medicine and Training. The awards aim to support research, teaching, and leadership in geriatric medicine.
Regenstrief Institute investigator Noll Campbell has been chosen by the American Geriatrics Society to receive a Merck/American Geriatrics Society New Investigator Award. His clinical research on medication effects on older adults aims to improve care for frail populations.
A large cross-sectional survey of 2325 Canadian men aged 55-97 years old found that mobility impairments, memory loss, and medication side effects were top health concerns. However, only a minority reported receiving adequate counseling on these issues, highlighting important gaps in healthcare.
Christian Davis Furman, a leading geriatrician at UofL, has been chosen for the CMS Innovation Advisors Program to enhance healthcare delivery and reduce costs. She will receive a stipend of up to $20,000 to support her activities during the one-year program.
Kessler Foundation received a $250,000 grant from the Wallerstein Foundation to study hidden disabilities that complicate recovery after stroke. Researchers aim to find better treatments for these often-overlooked disabilities, which can prolong hospitalizations and increase the risk of injury.
Michigan State University launches a statewide Division of Geriatric Medicine with $800,000 federal grant to tackle the health care needs of Michigan's aging population and reduce costs. The division aims to create a network of osteopathic geriatric fellowships for doctors to undergo specialized training.
A new study assesses the effectiveness of bedside geriatric assessments in identifying vulnerable older adults with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) who can benefit from aggressive treatment. The assessment tool evaluated cognitive function, psychological state, physical function, and co-morbid disease to provide more individualized tr...
Homeless seniors in Boston experience high rates of functional decline, falls, frailty, and depression compared to the general population. Many conditions are easily treatable if detected, suggesting early screening is crucial for clinicians caring for homeless adults.
A new study from the University of Haifa found that walking around the ward during hospitalization significantly reduces the length of older patient's stay. The study, which surveyed 485 participants aged 70 and up, found that patients who walked around shortened their hospital stay by an average day and a half compared to those who di...
Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, has received the 2011 Doris Schwartz Gerontological Nursing Research Award from the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) for her sustained contributions to geriatric nursing research. Her program of research focuses on acute care of the elderly and elder abuse and neglect.
A three-pronged intervention combining standardized admission templates, palliative care consultations, and root-cause-analysis conferences improves discharge disposition among senior patients. The rate of patient rehospitalization falls from 16.5% to 13.3%, while discharges to home increase from 68.6% to 73.0%.
A study found that hospitals prioritize young patients over elderly ones, highlighting the need for tailored care and more geriatricians in Canada.
A new study calls for an overhaul of current practices to ensure seriously ill prisoners are identified and released. The researchers propose standardized national guidelines and a recall mechanism to address inequities faced by illiterate, cognitively impaired, or unsupported prisoners.
The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) awards $2.5 million to support the training of academic leaders in geriatrics, addressing a critical need for geriatricians with over 36,000 projected by 2030.
Middle-aged adults with diabetes are more likely to develop age-related conditions like cognitive impairment, incontinence, and vision problems. The study found that those with diabetes developed these conditions nearly double the rate of those without diabetes.
The US healthcare system is facing a significant challenge in caring for the growing number of Baby Boomers experiencing bone fractures. A new guide aims to improve care and quality for patients dealing with fragility fractures, addressing various aspects from hospital admission to rehabilitation.
A new evidence-based model of geriatric care management, GRACE, optimizes the health and functional status of community-dwelling lower-income older adults. GRACE improves health and quality of life, decreases emergency department visits and hospital admission rates.
A study found that Medicare costs in the last six months of life are driven more by patient characteristics such as ability to function and family support than regional factors. Patient impairment or decline was a strong predictor of higher Medicare costs, accounting for ten percent of variation.
The American Geriatrics Society and British Geriatric Society's updated guidelines for preventing falls in older adults emphasize the importance of exercise, such as tai chi or physical therapy, to reduce fall risk. The guidelines also recommend environmental adaptations, medication reduction, and cataract surgery where necessary.
A novel program in Livingston County, NY, uses EMS technicians to identify and address unmet needs of elderly residents, resulting in high patient satisfaction rates. The program's success highlights the potential of innovative collaboration between healthcare providers and social services to improve quality of life for seniors.
A study from Indiana University School of Medicine finds that a home-based geriatric care management program, GRACE, improves health and quality of life, decreases emergency department visits and hospital admission rates among high-risk patients. The program's cost-saving benefits are also highlighted.
A Yale study reveals that hospitalizations and injuries are linked to worsening functional ability in older adults, especially those who are physically frail. The study found that fall-related injuries led to the highest likelihood of developing new or worsening disability.