Zeitschrift Fur Gerontologie Und Geriatrie最新文献

Current demographic trends are leading to an increase of older multimorbid chronically ill patients. The resulting complexity of treatment (age-related physiological changes, polypharmacy, cognitive and sensory impairments, reduced ability to communicate) is associated with major challenges for the healthcare and social services systems. Geriatric palliative care represents an important, specialized field of modern medicine. Its focus is on continuous multidisciplinary care to preserve the quality of life. The treatment is holistic, combining pharmacological and nonpharmacological approaches. Key aspects are rapid symptom relief and preserving the patient's dignity. Hence, the management of medical emergencies in the context of palliative care differs markedly from curative emergencies. Legal and ethical aspects such as advance directives and weighing up the benefits and risks of treatment are essential.

Background: Caring for individuals with dementia at home poses significant challenges for family caregivers, particularly in families with a migration background. Previous studies have primarily relied on interviews and surveys, which may be biased by shame and social desirability. In contrast, caregivers often express themselves more spontaneously and less filtered on social media, potentially providing new insights into their reality of life.

Objective: This study aims to examine social media posts from Turkish origin family caregivers regarding their experiences in the context of home care.

Methods: A total of 123 posts from Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and online forums were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Results: Overall, three main themes were identified: (1) psychological and physical burdens, (2) criticism of the healthcare system, and (3) managing caregiving responsibilities.

Discussion: Social media offer a space for exchange and support for family caregivers, while structural deficits, lack of culturally sensitive services and bureaucratic barriers complicate care. The often culturally embedded responsibility for family-based care can be both a source of overload and a resource. Future measures should promote structural improvements and diversity-sensitive support services.

Background: Although the population of older adults in our society is significantly older and more resilient than before, they also show age-related limitations in performance in all areas of motor function. Hand dexterity and eye-hand coordination are important factors for leading an independent life.

Aim: This study investigates gender-related and age-related differences in hand dexterity and examines whether hand dexterity declines with age similar to upper extremity strength.

Methods: Among 198 older adults (male = 61, aged 60-81 years), hand dexterity was assessed using 4 subtests of the motor performance series (MLS) by Schoppe, focusing on motor speed and eye-hand coordination accuracy. Strength was measured via hand dynamometry and a biceps curl test.

Results: Gender-specific differences emerged in tasks involving grasping small objects (ANOVA test statistic: F (1, 190) = 4.52; p = 0.035; η² = 0.023) despite their markedly different strength ratios between sexes (F (1, 190) = 254.09; p < 0.001; η² = 0.572). Women aged 65 years and over showed age-associated declines in motor speed and finger dexterity with low (p < 0.05; Cohen's f = 0.23) and moderate precision pressure (p = 0.034; Cohen's f = 0.25), whereas men's hand strength significantly decreased.

Conclusion: It remains uncertain whether these declines of hand dexterity are attributable to strength ratios or the natural processes of aging. In addition to strength training, interventions specifically targeting manual dexterity should be implemented to help preserve both movement speed and fine motor precision in older adults.

Background: Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, informal caregivers (iPP) were under significant burden but rarely utilized formal support services. During the pandemic this situation intensified. It remains unclear whether these challenges persist in the post-pandemic period.

Objective: (1) Are there differences in the objective and subjective burdens of iPP in the pre-post pandemic comparison? (2) To what extent were formal support services utilized in the pre- and post-pandemic comparison?

Material and methods: The secondary data analysis is based on pre-pandemic data from the Benefits of Being a Caregiver study (October 2019-February 2020, N = 489) and post-pandemic data from the Progression in Home Care study (September 2022-May 2023, N = 471). Propensity score matching was performed to reduce systematic differences. In the evaluation χ² tests or Fisher's exact tests as well as (Welch's) t‑tests or nonparametric tests were used.

Results: The objective burden decreased significantly after the pandemic; however, approximately 30.0% of iPP providing over 10 hours of care per day remained highly burdened. The subjective burden remained consistently high. The use of formal services increased in specific areas (caregiver counselling, household assistance, voluntary care services, medical care, therapeutic services) but overall remained at a low level. All effect sizes were small, except for a large effect for medical care utilization.

Conclusion: Even after the pandemic iPP continue to show high levels of subjective and objective burden, which is associated with an increased risk of health impairments. To counteract this, the utilization of formal relief services should be specifically increased.

Background: Care facilities in Germany report a high use of psychotropic drugs among residents with dementia. Nurses are primarily responsible for the care of residents, which is why expertise in dealing with people with dementia, non-drug strategies for challenging behavior and psychotropic drugs as long-term or on-demand medication should be strengthened.

Aim of the study: Based on a practical analysis in nursing homes, the application-oriented PhasaPII project developed a self-study course for care teams on the knowledge-based use of psychotropic drugs as long-term or on-demand medication and alternative courses of action in residential long-term care. The self-study course "Psychotropic drugs in residential geriatric care" is available online and free of charge for caregivers.

Methods: Expert interviews with facility managers and nursing service managers and focus groups with nursing teams in seven cooperating facilities on the use of psychotropic drugs in inpatient long-term care formed the basis for the development of the course. The interviews and focus groups were evaluated using content analysis according to Mayring [22].

Results: The qualitative survey shows a high need for specialist knowledge among carers of residents with dementia. The learning content is divided into 10 lessons so that participants can explore the complex topic of psychotropic drugs from different perspectives.

Discussion and outlook: Collaboration with care facilities in the project was difficult due to staff shortages and time constraints. The self-study course is a building block for the responsible management of medication for residents with dementia.

Purpose: This study was designed to examine the metaphorical perceptions and cognitive structures of aged individuals with chronic diseases towards death.

Methods: The research was conducted as a qualitative study based on metaphor analysis. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview form that investigated the metaphorical perceptions of 15 individuals with chronic diseases towards death and a form that was asked to be explained with drawing technique. In the semi-structured interview form "Death is like … because …", metaphor expression was included, and in the other part "Describe your thoughts about death with drawings", the form containing the expression was used. The data were analyzed using the content analysis technique. The study was conducted and reported according to the COREQ checklist.

Results: It was determined that the old individuals with chronic diseases who participated in the study produced 4 metaphors with the writing technique and 4 metaphors with the drawing technique. As metaphors, the themes of end of life and a new beginning, extinction and feeling of emptiness, journey of life, salvation and reunion were determined.

Conclusion: As a result of the study, it was determined that old individuals with chronic diseases had anxiety about death. In addition, it was determined that old individuals had negative and positive cognitive schemas about death. In this context, old individuals with chronic diseases may need psychosocial support systems.

Background: Heat protection in inpatient care facilities can prevent heat-related mortality and morbidity among people in need of care and relieve the burden on nursing personnel.

Objective: The research project "Heat protection measures in inpatient and outpatient care (HISTA)", funded by the GKV-Spitzenverband (Statutory Health Insurance Umbrella Organization), investigates which heat protection measures have been implemented in inpatient care facilities to date and which challenges are perceived in their implementation.

Methods: An online survey was conducted in 2024 among a random sample of managers of inpatient care facilities. A descriptive and statistical evaluation was carried out.

Results: A total of 282 people participated in the survey. The majority considered heat protection to be important. Heat protection measures are implemented to varying degrees. The need for support is seen particularly in the financing of technical and construction measures.

Discussion: The implementation of heat protection measures depends on the available options and resources. Heat protection should be seen as a task for society as a whole, which would ensure not only obligations to provide heat protection but also financing.