Zeitschrift Fur Gerontologie Und Geriatrie最新文献

The German Society of Geriatrics (DGG) celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2025. It was founded in 1985 to position geriatrics in science and policy, to disseminate knowledge, to establish a geriatric specialist status and to establish an independent field of geriatric medicine in diagnostics, treatment and rehabilitation. How did it achieve these goals? For this three methods were used: (1) semi-structured and open interviews (n = 28), (2) a very comprehensive source study with identification of 4 milestones based on historical ethnography, and (3) a content analysis of all protocols of general meetings (n = 36) over 40 years. The DGG has achieved nearly all of its goals, and more. It has independently developed evidence in the areas of nutrition, geriatric traumatology and assessment. Through its excellent international network, scientific excellence can be found within the DGG; however, the goal of establishing a geriatric specialist has not been achieved. Only a specialist area such as geriatrics within the DGG can meet the complex needs of older people.

Background: People with Down syndrome have a genetically increased risk of developing early onset Alzheimer's dementia. An interview study with healthcare providers, patient representatives and employees in residential and work facilities was conducted to identify deficits in the healthcare process and approaches to overcoming them.

Method: In this study 14 semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Results: A lack of knowledge and experience on the part of medical service providers in dealing with and providing medical care for people with Down syndrome was identified as a key challenge. In addition, the diagnosis of dementia in people with Down syndrome is difficult for various reasons (including lack of appropriate diagnostic tools in standard care and lack of time or financial resources). Doubts were expressed about the efficacy of antidementia medications and the reasons for the increased use of sedatives were discussed. Attentive observation of behavior and involvement of caregivers, regular review and reduction of polypharmacy and the use of alternative behavior modification techniques were mentioned as possible solutions.

Conclusion: The identified deficits in the medical care of the target population and the approaches to solving them will be incorporated into the development of health policy recommendations in order to optimize the care situation of those affected in the long term.

Background: Social relationships are an important source of practical, emotional and nursing support, especially in the context of the need for care. As older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI*) people frequently live alone and have children less often, non-kinship relationships take on a particularly important role. The extent to which non-heterosexual individuals develop (potentially compensatory) strategies to cope with episodes of needing care has, to date, rarely been the focus of research on aging.

Objective: To investigate the role of social support for older LGBTI* people with long-term care needs, including any implications for how this should be approached.

Methods: The international scoping review was conducted using the scientific databases: APA PsycInfo, CINAHL, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, PSYNDEX literature with PSYNDEX tests, BASE, Livivo, Pubpsych, PubMed, and Google Scholar. A total of 19 articles were identified for analysis.

Conclusion: This article highlights three key themes related to social networks and care for older LGBTI* individuals: sociodemographic challenges, support resources, and structures for care of older persons and strategies for good quality of care. Family of choice connections are the backbone of social support for LGBTI* individuals but are also perceived as fragile when it comes to long-term care. Strategies for good quality of care include visibility of non-conforming sexual or gender identity, stigma management in long-term care facilities and proactive care planning. In order to support the compensatory effect of chosen family relationships among LGBTI* seniors, the development of diversity sensitive care and work with caregivers is needed. How this has been addressed to date and recommendations for future themes in gerontological diversity research are discussed.

Background: The proportion of aging persons in the population is growing, accompanied by an increase in mental and neurological disorders. The sexuality of older people is often overlooked or stigmatized, despite playing a central role in well-being. Mental illnesses can substantially impair sexual health, while conversely, sexual dysfunctions are considered risk factors for mental distress.

Objective: This study examined the reciprocal relationship between mental health and sexuality in older age, considering biopsychosocial aspects.

Methods: The investigation is based on a selective literature search for frequent psychiatric disorders in older age and their effects on sexual health. The study considered the disorder patterns, symptoms and the side effects of psychopharmacotherapy. Additionally, the impacts of sexual dysfunctions on the mental health of older people were analyzed.

Results: Mental illnesses in older age, particularly depression, anxiety disorders and somatoform disorders, strongly correlate with sexual functional disorders. Antidepressants and antipsychotics frequently contribute to sexual dysfunction, which can negatively affect medication adherence. Studies have shown that sexual dissatisfaction increases the risk of depressive symptoms, anxiety and overall mental distress. Social integration and positive age-related sexual beliefs are protective factors for mental and sexual health.

Discussion: The interactions between mental health and sexuality require an interdisciplinary treatment approach. The sexual health of older patients must be systematically integrated into geriatric psychiatric care.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a continuum between chronic (CCS) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). It is the leading cause of death in older people. In addition to the prognostic relevance, angina pectoris, dyspnea or fatigue lead to impaired quality of life. The basic diagnostics include anamnesis, physical examination, 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG), laboratory diagnostics and transthoracic echocardiography. Functional investigations, such as stress magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), stress echocardiography, myocardial scintigraphy and direct imaging techniques, such as coronary computed tomography (CT) and invasive coronary angiography are available. The treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms, the patient's wishes and the risk of the procedure. Regardless of age, the basic treatment is strict optimization of risk factors, antithrombotic antianginal therapy. Revascularization is reserved for patients with refractory symptoms or a high-risk constellation.

Many of the challenges facing ageing societies involve an interaction of factors from many domains and levels, including person-level age-related changes in function through to the physical environment, economy, urban design and social policies. The pace of change in our societies is accelerated by climate change and the rapid introduction of artificial intelligence and other technologies. When presented with practical challenges or problems to solve that are inherently due to an ageing society, it is not possible for any individual to have the expertise and capacity to address all the dimensions involved. Therefore, developing a multidisciplinary framework that signals the dimensions of influence that need to be considered in adaptive ageing, may assist in optimizing how complex issues in ageing are tackled. This paper proposes a holistic adaptive ageing framework (HAAF) as a starting point for multidisciplinary and multisectoral approaches to develop optimal solutions to complex problems. The five dimensions of the framework include lived experience, person-level adaptation, environmental context, technology and social and economic policy. Future research is needed to operationalize the framework and evaluate its application to complex problems.

Background: Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) accounts for around 5% of all forms of dementia and often starts at a relatively young age. It poses challenges for relatives and carers. This article focuses on changes with respect to sexuality. Studies have so far mainly focussed on neuronal changes and only marginally on the altered sexuality of people with FTD and the associated difficulties for partners. Sexuality and intimacy should be seen as a basic human need, even for people with dementia.

Aim of the work: The challenges of altered sexuality of people with FTD in their couple relationships were surveyed in order to identify forms of behavior of sufferers and derive conclusions for the practice.

Material and methods: The study comprises expert interviews (n = 8). These were analyzed using a content-structuring qualitative content analysis according to Kuckartz.

Results: The interviews clearly show that people with FTD experience a different sexuality as a result of the disease, both in the form of hypersexual and hyposexual behavior. Both forms of behavior lead to changes in couple relationships.

Discussion: The results indicate the need to destigmatize those affected as hypersexual per se and the relevance of professional support for those affected and organizations. An integrative approach is required in which protection and enabling a healthy sexuality with FTD are considered together.