Objectives: This study investigated the interactive associations of age, apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE4) genetic status, physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE), and physical functioning on processing speed over a 10-year period.
Design: In this longitudinal study, participants underwent biennial assessments from 2002 to 2012 as part of the National Institute for Longevity Sciences-Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA).
Setting and participants: We used data from 2518 middle-aged and older community-dwelling adults in Japan.
Methods: Processing speed was assessed using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test, and additional data included APOE4 genotyping, objective PAEE measurement via accelerometry (in kcal/d), and physical functioning assessments (handgrip strength and walking speed, dichotomized according to specific cutoffs: <18 kg for women and <28 kg for men [weakness], and <1 m/s [slowness], respectively). Mixed-effects models were used to analyze the data, accounting for time-varying covariates, including living arrangement, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, depressive symptoms, smoking, sleep duration, energy intake, and body mass index.
Results: Results revealed significant 3-way interactive associations among PAEE × age × APOE4 carrier (β = 0.000025, P = .021) and among slowness × age × APOE4 carrier (β = -0.014187, P = .013) on cognitive processing speed. Higher PAEE was associated with better processing speed, whereas slowness was associated with poorer processing speed, particularly in older APOE4 carriers. Although weakness showed significant interactions with age and APOE4 carrier, no 3-way interaction was observed.
Conclusions and implications: Our findings underscore the complex interplay among physical activity, physical functioning, age, and genetic risk on processing speed. The protective associations of higher PAEE levels and better physical functioning, especially in older APOE4 carriers, suggest that maintaining an active lifestyle and mobility may be crucial for individuals with a genetic predisposition to cognitive decline.
Objectives: Transfers to acute care hospitals expose long-term care residents to potential harm. We implemented Long-Term Care Plus (LTC+) at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce emergency department (ED) transfers and improve access to urgent medical services by providing virtual specialist consultation, system navigation, and diagnostic and laboratory testing to 54 long-term care homes (LTCHs).
Design: This mixed-methods study aimed to determine if LTC+ led to a decrease in avoidable acute care transfers and to explore participants' perceptions and contextual factors influencing uptake.
Setting and participants: LTC+ was implemented across 54 LTCHs and 3 hospital hubs in Toronto, Canada.
Methods: Statistical process control charts were created to detect changes in ED transfer rates, stratifying data into high- and low-uptake LTCHs to evaluate the effect of LTC+ on ED transfer rates across 54 LTCHs. Semistructured interviews were conducted with health care providers, administrators, residents, and caregivers across 6 LTCHs and 3 hospital hubs and analyzed thematically.
Results: There were 9658 ED transfers during the study period (April 2020 to March 2022), of which 3860 (40.0%) did not require admission. LTC+ delivered 534 virtual consultations, with 5 LTCHs accounting for 59% of program use. Compared with baseline (January 2019 to February 2020), transfer rates decreased by 40%, with no difference seen between LTCHs with high vs low uptake. Factors influencing uptake include program awareness, motivation, alignment of LTCH resources and program services, and commitment to ED avoidance.
Conclusions and implications: The LTC+ program did not reduce ED transfers beyond secular trends attributable to the broader effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants that used LTC+ identified important benefits that extended beyond ED avoidance including building self-efficacy and capacity in LTCHs to provide client-centered care with cross-sectoral collaboration. Refinements to the LTC+ program design and delivery and structural changes are needed to increase impact.