Zeitschrift Fur Gerontologie Und Geriatrie最新文献

Background: Mission statements that address a clearly communicated vision can positively influence the implementation of person-centred care in nursing homes. It is known that nursing homes with a dementia care unit can provide further training or an expert on person-centredness compared to those with a traditional care unit. It is unclear how the mission statements of these nursing homes differ in terms of their wording of person-centredness. The aim is to investigate how mission statements of nursing homes that provide different types of care units describe person-centred care.

Methods: We conducted a document analysis of mission statements from German nursing homes from a dataset of the survey study on specialized care for people living with dementia in nursing homes (BeStaDem Survey Study). The nursing homes that provided the mission statements had different care units, including traditional care units and dementia care units. The mission statements were deductively-inductively analysed using content analysis.

Results and conclusions: We analysed 60 mission statements of different nursing homes and identified main categories that include aspects of person-centred care. In particular, mission statements of nursing homes with dementia care units describe combinations of central aspects of person-centred care that mission statements of nursing homes with a traditional care unit without dementia-specific focus do not describe. The variation of different understandings or concepts often becomes evident in mission statements. In order for nursing homes to align their mission statement with a person-centred approach, a comprehensive understanding of person-centred care and a development process that includes all employees, is required.

Background and objective: Urbanisation and demographic change present social challenges that are often insufficiently addressed in urban and care planning. This study introduces a German-language version of the Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Questionnaire (AFCCQ) as a tool for measuring age-friendliness. The aim is to assess age-friendliness from the perspective of older adults and to identify varying needs within cities. In addition, findings for the city of Oldenburg are presented.

Method: The validation study was conducted with a representative sample of older people in Oldenburg (n = 905). The participants completed the AFCCQ-DE questionnaire, consisting of 23 items, and rated their experiences in the city using a 5-point Likert scale (strongly disagree - strongly agree). A factor analysis and a cluster analysis were then carried out.

Results: The psychometric validity and reliability of the AFCCQ-DE were confirmed. The questionnaire, which was translated into German for the first time, proved to be a robust instrument that can now be used in German-speaking countries. Using cluster-analytical methods, four groups of older people were identified, differing systematically in terms of their personal characteristics and needs.

Discussion: The results highlight the importance of a standardised instrument such as the AFCCQ for planning and evaluating the age-friendliness of cities and municipalities. The collected data provide a basis for the development of targeted urban planning measures that specifically address the needs of older adults and support ageing well in urban environments.

Background: The eyes and the central nervous system (CNS) develop from the same embryonic tissue which explains why retinal changes have been observed in various neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. These changes can be visualized in vivo on a cellular and subcellular level using optical coherence tomography (OCT). This article summarizes which retinal changes occur and how these could be used as potential biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases.

Objective: The article gives an overview of the literature on the relationship between neurodegeneration, OCT-based retinal characteristics and cognitive functions.

Methods: A literature search was carried out in PubMed until February 2025. The search terms "neurodegeneration", "dementia", "mild cognitive impairment", "mild neurocognitive disorder", "OCT", "OCT angiography (OCT-A)", "retinal biomarkers", "retinal layer", "RNFLT", and "GCL" were used. Relevant publications were reviewed, analyzed and summarized.

Results: In OCT‑A Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, vascular dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's disease demonstrate an association with a reduced retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and the ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness as well as an enlarged foveal avascular zone.

Conclusion: So far retinal changes could not be specifically assigned to a particular form of neurodegenerative disease,; however, they could be meaningful in neuropsychological/radiological examinations and for longitudinal monitoring, as already recommended for MS. Further longitudinal studies are needed to identify and validate retinal biomarkers (patterns).

The updated S3 guidelines on diagnostics, treatment and aftercare of peripheral arterial occlusive disease differ from previous versions in one key respect. While catheter-supported interventional and surgical treatment methods were previously covered in separate chapters, they are now evaluated jointly, depending on the location of arterial obstructions and the clinical stages. The stage of critical leg ischemia is specified in a prognostically relevant manner by the classification of local wound and infection conditions. Geriatric aspects are addressed in a separate chapter. The degree of frailty plays a prognostically relevant role and often requires a modification of the treatment goal. The importance of walking training and its variants as standard treatment in the stage of claudication is emphasized.

Background: Gerontological theories, terms and concepts often cross disciplinary and national boundaries and change or adapt in that process. Accordingly, literature-based studies show that the theoretical understanding of space and ageing differs in the German and French contexts.

Research question: From a lifeworld-oriented perspective, we ask to what extent differences in older people's everyday experience of space can be found in the two countries and what dynamics between the relationship to as well as the personal experience of space and ageing become apparent in each case.

Methods: Based on the Photovoice method the relationship between space and ageing was explored across linguistic, national and disciplinary boundaries through participatory research with older adults.

Results: Thanks to the participation of older co-researchers in the collection and analysis of the material and the development of theory, it became visible that spatial relationships and spatial perception are not linked to national cultural influences but more to aspects such as milieu-specific or generational affiliation. The results show a homogeneity of spatial perceptions and practices across national borders and illustrate how (shared) memories, social transformation processes and biographical transitions shape and change them.

Discussion: Participatory approaches have the potential to open up new perspectives and theoretical approaches to ageing and space that are better suited to the new generation of older adults. In addition, research-based collaboration between scientists and older adults enables transformative learning experiences on both sides.

Background: Violence against older people in the domestic environment is a widespread phenomenon with potentially far-reaching consequences for those affected. There are indications that older people in need of care are particularly affected by violence.

Methods: Nationwide cross-sectional online survey of family caregivers (n = 1021) on stress and incidents of abuse in support and care during the coronavirus pandemic.

Results: Of the family caregivers 39.3% reported having committed some form of abuse against the person in need of care in the last 6 months, with an increase in abuse during the coronavirus pandemic. Risk factors for the occurrence of abuse against people in need of care included abuse originating from the person in need of care, a higher level of care or living with the person surveyed.

Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that there is considerable potential for preventing abuse by supporting and relieving the burden on family caregivers. In emergency situations such as the coronavirus pandemic, a focus should be placed on maintaining access to appropriate counselling and relief services for family caregivers.

Background: Falls and related injuries in older ages are becoming a major public health problem.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the factors influencing the risk of falls and self-reported fall-related injuries among older adults in Turkey.

Material and methods: In this large population-based cross-sectional study, data from 2721 persons aged over 65 years were collected using simple random sampling. Anthropometric indices, demographic characteristics, medical history and fall status were collected.

Results: The rate of falling (35.3% vs. 20.1%) and fear of falls (53.6% vs. 29.3%) were higher in women than men. Female gender, fear of falling, chronic disease and a lower education level were found to increase the risk of both falling and fall-related injuries. Age, obesity and appendicular muscle mass did not significantly affect the risk of falling or injuries (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Sex, education level, fear of falling and the presence of chronic diseases are associated with the risk of falling and fall injuries in the older Turkish population. Health professionals should assess older people for these risk factors and provide specific advice and care to prevent falls.

Background: Treadmill perturbation-based balance training (PBT) is considered a promising approach to fall prevention in older adults. It aims to improve reactive balance control in response to unexpected disturbances-one of the most common causes of falls in everyday life.

Objective: To introduce treadmill-based perturbation training as an innovative therapeutic method in geriatric rehabilitation and to provide practical insights into its implementation.

Methods: The article combines a narrative literature analysis on the use of PBT with a report on experiences from inpatient and outpatient geriatric rehabilitation at the Agaplesion Bethesda Klinik Ulm. The training takes place on treadmills with targeted, multidirectional perturbations under therapeutic supervision.

Results: Randomized studies and meta-analyses show that even small amounts of PBT can lead to a significant reduction in the fall rate (up to -46%) and the number of people who fall (up to -29%). In clinical practice, rehabilitation patients report an increased sense of security and greater confidence in their own mobility. Integrated into interdisciplinary rehabilitation processes, a standardized protocol with 40 perturbations per unit has been established. Implementation requires a step-by-step approach, careful indication, and team coordination.

Conclusion: Treadmill PBT can be easily integrated into geriatric rehabilitation concepts. Experience shows that training under controlled conditions addresses everyday fall mechanisms and strengthens the sense of safety of rehabilitation patients.