Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine最新文献

Major depressive disorder (MDD) and Restless legs syndrome (RLS) present complex clinical challenges, often coexisting and complicating treatment strategies. While the relationship between MDD and RLS remains somewhat elusive, emerging evidence suggests a potential interplay between antidepressant medications and the worsening of RLS symptoms. This case report illuminates an instance where mirtazapine, a tetracyclic antidepressant commonly used in MDD, precipitated a resurgence of RLS symptoms in a patient with a previously controlled presentation.

Introduction: Thailand's aging population is increasing. While the societal impact of aging is recognized, formal programs to support pre-retirement planning are currently lacking. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a program specifically designed to address this gap and support individuals to prepare for a healthy and fulfilling later life. Methods: We employed a quasi-experimental, one-group pre-test/post-test design to evaluate a newly developed program focused on pre-retirement preparation. The program consisted of four, 3-hr modules delivered weekly. Voluntary participants (N = 25) were aged 50 to 59 years, physically active, and committed to attending all modules. Participants' knowledge and self-reported preparedness for aging were assessed before and after program completion. Results: The program led to a statistically significant increase in participants' overall knowledge of aging (z = -2.010, p < .05). While specific areas of preparation did not show statistically significant individual differences, mean scores improved across all aspects of preparation. This may reflect the existing health knowledge of some participants and their proactive approach to aging preparation (80% reported some prior preparation). Conclusion: This study demonstrates the effectiveness of a pre-retirement preparation program in enhancing knowledge and self-reported preparedness for aging. Findings suggest that such programs can stimulate middle-aged adults to plan for their future well-being. This study underscores the need for a more holistic approach to pre-retirement preparation. Future programs should consider incorporating content beyond health and finances, potentially including social life planning as identified in this research. Future research could explore program modifications, such as extended formats and content tailored to specific needs.

This pilot study examines Ohio's licensed nursing home administrators and state tested nursing assistant's perspectives about job satisfaction, future career and employment plans, potential beneficial changes to their organizations, and their thoughts on reducing turnover rates in their field. Ohio Board of Executives of Long-Term Services and Supports provided their contact list of all 1,969 licensed nursing home administrators in Ohio in the fall of 2023. Two surveys were created for licensed nursing home administrators and state tested nursing assistants. Results were analyzed for themes within the open-ended responses; 28 surveys were received from licensed nursing home administrators and 17 surveys were received from state tested nursing assistants. Residents and their families are among the top reasons for job satisfaction, many employees face symptoms of burnout, and wages are a concern among both state tested nursing assistants and licensed nursing home administrators. Future career plans differed between the two professions and had distinct driving factors. A discussion of licensed nursing home administrators' opinions on improving retention and turnover rates should include more accountability, personal responsibility, and adding opportunities for professional growth and development.

Introduction: Obesity and income (wage) distribution have emerged as one of the most serious public health concerns but in this research, the study is continued under body mass index (BMI) and body shape and size index (BSSI) among children and adults in Pakistan.

Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated the health-related behaviors and outcomes of 2,223 children and adults aged 2 to 19 years from Multan, Pakistan, including both males and females, providing a comprehensive understanding of the health status in this population. Data about gender, weight, height, age, family income and other demographic measures are recorded. For the measurement of BMI and BSSI, the latest formulas and methods were used. Different variables were applied through statistical description understudy. To check out the wage distribution in BSSI and BMI, the comparative approach was used and performed a role in making charts for BSSI and BMI against family income, age group and gender.

Results: The mean BMI and BSSI for complete data are 18.00 and 0.23 for the age group of 2 to 5 years of children with family income less than 10,000. Similarly, these figures are 20.59 and 0.29 for the family income greater than 50,000.

Conclusion: Most important things have been observed by this study, that income greatly affected the rate of obesity. BMI and BSSI increased by increasing the family income of children and adults in Pakistan. BMI and BSSI show high figures for female respondents as compared to male ones, observed by this research.

Family caregivers of persons living with dementia (PLWD) are often expected to coordinate and manage all aspects of a loved one's day-to-day care across settings with limited modern, user-friendly resources to support them. We developed CareMOBI, a mHealth app prototype that aims to support improved care coordination and communication between care team members. A concurrent mixed-methods triangulation design was used to assess the acceptability and likelihood of adopting CareMOBI among family caregivers of PLWD. Caregivers (n = 13) completed the Technology Acceptance Model questionnaire (quantitative) and semi-structured interviews (qualitative). Integration occurred using the four themes of the Technology Acceptance Model. There was strong agreement among family caregivers that CareMOBI had a high perceived value for care (M = 6.23/7), was easy to use (M = 6.20/7), and enhanced current workflows (M = 5.86/7). However, training in utilizing mHealth apps and the need for a Spanish-language version were cited as necessary enhancements to increase the widespread adoption of CareMOBI.

Introduction: Independent Living residences for older adults can be divided into two categories and require better definitions for research purposes; the purpose of this manuscript is to provide those definitions and explore variation in provided services and resident characteristics: (a) Subsidized age-based housing (55+) (Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) housing units for low-income adults), and (b) non-subsidized age-based housing. Methods: Residents in the two settings were compared: 37 subsidized locations (p = 289 residents) and 19 non-subsidized (p = 208). Aging support services in each housing type were quantified. Results: Subsidized residents are more likely to be female (84.6% vs. 70.2%, p = .0002) and have fair-poor health (36.5% vs. 12.5%, p < .0001), frequent pain (28.4% vs. 12.8%, p < .0001), and fair-poor mobility (37.5% vs. 23.5%, p = .0298). Non-subsidized locations are more likely to offer support services; on average, residents are older (mean age 83vs. 75; p < .0001) and white (97.6% vs. 69.2%, p < .0001). Conclusion: Significant differences exist between populations living in subsidized and non-subsidized housing, suggesting the effect of cumulative disadvantage over the lifespan; populations in poorer health have access to fewer services. Research is needed to explore generalizability on a national level.

This study aimed to describe the gender roles of people interested in an exercise program done on outdoor exercise structures and test if gender roles were associated with studied outcomes. Older adults aged 65+ who were not currently performing resistance training were invited to participate. Gender roles were quantified using the Bem Sex Role Inventory 30-item questionnaire (-60 [feminine] to +60 [masculine]). Outcomes included completing the 6-week intervention (Y/N) and changes in physical function (one leg stance, 30-s chair stand), strength (predicted maximal chest press and leg press, grip strength), power (knee extensor power), and overall health via the SF-36 questionnaire. Twenty-nine adults (65.5% female; median 72 years old) participated in the study, and 17 completed the intervention (58.6%). The median (interquartile) gender role score was -13.0 (-19.5 to -8.5), with no gender role difference (p = .62) between completers and non-completers. These results suggest that older adults interested in such a program portray themselves as more feminine. No association was found between gender role scores and changes in any study outcomes. In this setting, gender roles did not seem to impact the study outcomes and therefore may not need to be considered when designing an outdoor exercise structure program.

As the number and proportion of older adults living in the U.S. increases, growing evidence shows that people are entering late life with more functional disability than in previous generations. Using data from the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, we sought to identify the contributions of demographic variables and health conditions to functional disability. Specifically, we tested the associations among age, sex, race, chronic physical health conditions, depression, and functional ability among 243,693 adults, ages 45 years and older. Model testing, implemented in AMOS 29.0.0, resulted in an acceptable fit of the model to the data, Χ² (DF = 18, N = 243,693) = 19,512.64, p < .001; CFI = 0.909; TLI = 0.774; RMSEA = 0.066; R ² Function = .267. The findings from the present study replicate previous research that age, sex, and racial background differences influence functional disability. We extend the literature to examine physical and emotional health as potential pathways to intervene in midlife.

The population of Hispanic older adults is growing along with the burden of chronic diseases. This cross-sectional study aims to assess the factors associated with frailty among community-dwelling Hispanic women aged ≥60 years (n = 357) enrolled in the Panama Aging Research Initiative-Health Disparities study of cognitive-functional health of older persons in Panama. Cognitive function was assessed with a neuropsychological test battery. Depression was measured with the Geriatric Depression Scale. Frailty was defined using the Fried criteria and participants were classified as non-frail, pre-frail or frail. A subsample (n = 281) provided fasting blood samples for quantification of protein biomarkers. Associations were examined using hierarchical multiple linear regressions. 59.4% and 9.0% of participants (M = 69.2 years, SD = 6.3) were pre-frail and frail, respectively. Having more depression (β = .28, p < .001) was significantly associated with frailty, even after covariate adjustment. Cognitive function was not associated with frailty. Higher pTau181 levels were associated with increased frailty (β = .13, p = .039), whereas higher α2M levels were associated with decreased frailty (β = -.16, p = .004). These findings advance the search for health indicators and biomarkers of frailty and warrant further studies to decrease the burden of frailty among older Hispanic women.

Introduction: To investigate the nutritional status of elderly Chinese patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and analyze possible factors related to nutritional problems. Methods: Patients with PD aged 65 years or older were enrolled. Anthropometric assessment and Mini Nutritional Assessment were used to determine nutritional status. Various scales were completed to identify potentially related factors, such as Hoehn and Yahr stage (H&Y stage), 30 mL water swallow test, Clock Drawing Test (CDT), and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Results: 785 patients were enrolled. The prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition was 3.1% (24/785) and 25.7% (202/785), respectively. Regression analyses indicated that H&Y stage ≥ 3 (OR: 2.151; 95%CI: 1.174-3.941; p = .013), abnormal water swallow test (OR: 4.559; 95%CI: 2.130-9.759; p < .001), CDT score < 6 (OR: 2.810; 95%CI: 1.534-5.148; p = .001), and CCI (OR: 1.621; 95%CI: 1.238-2.124; p < .001) were considered to be potential factors associated with low BMI. Conclusion: 28.8% of elderly PD patients were in abnormal nutritional status. Disease severity, dysphagia, cognitive function, and comorbidities might be related factors.