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BMC Geriatr 2019 Feb 21;19(1):51. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

Department of Health Promotion and Health Education, National Taiwan Normal University, No.162, Sec. 1, He-ping East Road, Taipei, 10610, Taiwan.

Background: Health professionals and healthcare volunteers play a critical role in promoting uptake of the fecal occult blood test (FOBT), which is an effective screening method for colorectal cancer. However, previous studies paid less attention to investigating both groups regarding their intention to undergo the test. This study used the Health Belief Model (HBM) to explore the likelihood of an FOBT uptake among health professionals and healthcare volunteers aged 50 years or older. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Feb 19;19(1):50. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Oldenaller 1, 1081 HJ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Background: Physical activity is linked to benefits such as increased physical fitness, cognition, emotional and social functioning, general health and well-being in older people. Some evidence suggests that this also applies to people living with dementia. However, it can be harder for them to perform physical activities, due to several barriers, such as issues with orientation and balance problems. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Feb 19;19(1):47. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Cambridge Institute of Public Health, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SR, UK.

Background: Frailty is seen across various health and social care settings. However, little is known about how healthcare professionals, particularly those who provide care for older adults living in the community view frailty. There is also a dearth of information about the extent to which a shared understanding of frailty exists across the various disciplines of care. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Feb 19;19(1):48. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Hospices Civils de Lyon, Service de Médecine Gériatrique, Centre Hospitalier Lyon-Sud, Pierre-Bénite, France.

Background: Reduced mobility is the first sign of functional decline and can lead to dependency in elderly people. Screening for the risk of mobility limitation in this population is an important public health issue to prevent further disabilities. Despite the current lack of guidelines, primary care healthcare providers may have a central role to play in this type of screening. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Feb 19;19(1):49. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Department of Drug Statistics, Norwegian Public Institute of Health, Oslo, Norway.

Background: Drug consumption increases with age, but there are few comparisons of drug use between old people living at home or in a nursing home. To identify areas of concern as well as in need for quality improvement in the two settings, we compared drug use among people aged ≥70 years living at home or in a nursing home.

Methods: Cross-sectional observational study from Oslo, Norway. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Feb 18;19(1):43. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.

Background: Exercise is effective in order to prevent falls in community-dwelling older people. Self-management programs have the potential to increase access and reduce costs related to exercise-based fall prevention. However, information regarding older people's views of participating in such programs is needed to support implementation. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Feb 18;19(1):45. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Primary Care Building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK.

Background: Older adults with bacterial skin infections may present with atypical symptoms, making diagnosis difficult. There is limited authoritative guidance on how older adults in the community present with bacterial skin infections. To date there have been no systematic reviews assessing the diagnostic value of symptoms and signs in identifying bacterial skin infections in older adults in the community. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Feb 18;19(1):44. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Public Health Agency of Barcelona, Lesseps, 1, 08023, Barcelona, Spain.

Background: The proportion of older people has dramatically increased in recent decades. Moreover, social and demographic trends show a global increase of older people at risk of loneliness and lack of social relationships. The objective of this study was to evaluate the process, the effectiveness and the cost-effectiveness of a planned 22 weekly group sessions called School of Health for Older People to reduce social isolation. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Feb 18;19(1):46. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

KU Leuven, Department of Movement Sciences, Tervuursevest 101, 3001, Leuven, Belgium.

Background: The majority of institutionalized older adults do not exercise, despite the many health benefits. The current study investigated whether a framed intervention can motivate older adults in assisted living facilities (ALFs) to perform functional resistance exercises. It was hypothesized that repeated framing of these exercises from a prevention perspective (e. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Feb 15;19(1):42. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Academic Geriatric Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.

Background: Frailty and sarcopenia are common amongst hospitalised older people and associated with poor healthcare outcomes. Widely recognised tools for their identification are the Fried Frailty Phenotype, its self-report version the FRAIL Scale, and the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) criteria. We studied the feasibility of using these tools in a hospital setting of acute wards for older people. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Feb 14;19(1):41. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, 1730 Minor Ave, Ste 1600, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA.

Background: Detecting patients with undiagnosed dementia is an important clinical challenge. Changes in medication adherence might represent an early sign of cognitive impairment. We sought to examine antihypertensive and statin adherence trajectories in community-dwelling older adults, comparing people who went on to develop dementia to those who did not. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Feb 13;19(1):40. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Health Research Board Clinical Research Facility-Cork, University College Cork, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland, T12 DC4A.

Background: The aim of this trial is to evaluate the effect of SENATOR software on incident, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in older, multimorbid, hospitalized patients. The SENATOR software produces a report designed to optimize older patients' current prescriptions by applying the published STOPP and START criteria, highlighting drug-drug and drug-disease interactions and providing non-pharmacological recommendations aimed at reducing the risk of incident delirium.

Methods: We will conduct a multinational, pragmatic, parallel arm Prospective Randomized Open-label, Blinded Endpoint (PROBE) controlled trial. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Feb 11;19(1):39. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, 53121, Bonn, Germany.

Background: The benefit of medication reviews for long-term care (LTC) residents has been generally recognized throughout health care systems. Whereas many studies showed the impact of comprehensive medication reviews performed by specialized clinical pharmacists, little is known about the impact of medication reviews performed by community pharmacists. Involving them in the provision of medication reviews may help satisfy the increasing demand for ensuring medication safety. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Feb 8;19(1):37. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Centre for Dementia Research, School of Health and Community Studies, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, LS1 3HE, UK.

Background: Psychosocial person-centred interventions are considered best practice for addressing complex behaviours and care needs such as agitation and anxiety, and for improving the quality of life of people with dementia in care homes. Dementia Care Mapping (DCM™) is an established practice development tool and process aimed to help care home staff deliver more person-centred care. To date, few studies have evaluated the efficacy of DCM™ and have found mixed results. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Feb 8;19(1):38. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Geriatric Medicine, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden.

Background: Constipation is a common condition among older people, particularly among people living in nursing homes, and the use of drugs such as opioids is one of many factors that contribute to its high prevalence. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of constipation and the use of laxatives between 2007 and 2013, to analyze constipation and laxative use among people who are prescribed opioids, and to identify factors associated with constipation.

Methods: In 2007 and 2013, two surveys were performed in the county of Västerbotten in Northern Sweden, comprising all those living in nursing homes. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Feb 7;19(1):36. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand.

Background: The Aotearoa/New Zealand population is ageing and numerous studies demonstrate with this phenomenon comes increases in non-communicable diseases, injuries and healthcare costs among other issues. Further, significant inequities exist between Māori (Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa/New Zealand) and non-Māori around poor ageing and health. Most research addressing these issues is deficit oriented; however, the current research project takes a strengths-based approach that highlights the potential of kaumātua (elders) by asserting mana motuhake (autonomy, identity and self-actualisation). Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Feb 6;19(1):35. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, University Bordeaux, Inserm, ISPED, 146 rue Léo Saignat, CS61292, F-33076 BORDEAUX Cedex, UMR 1219, F-33000, Bordeaux, France.

Background: There is a growing interest in developing tailored non-pharmacological strategies to face patients' needs in dementia. Occupational therapy (OT) may contribute to promote self-empowerment of both patients and caregivers. France has implemented nationwide OT over a short-term period of 3/4 months. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Feb 4;19(1):32. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Research and Development Unit, Primary Health Care in Southern Älvsborg County, Sven Eriksonsplatsen 4, SE-503 38, Borås, Sweden.

Background: Non-specific symptoms, such as confusion, are often suspected to be caused by urinary tract infection (UTI) and continues to be the most common reason for suspecting a UTI despite many other potential causes. This leads to significant overdiagnosis of UTI, inappropriate antibiotic use and potential harmful outcomes. This problem is particularly prevalent in nursing home settings. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Feb 4;19(1):33. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

LUCAS, KU Leuven, Minderbroedersstraat 8, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.

Background: Due to the gradual loss of function, it is crucial for persons with dementia to discuss advance care planning in due course. However, nursing home staff, residents and their families feel uncomfortable to start this type of conversation, resulting in unknown (care) preferences. 'We DECide optimized' will provide tools to nursing home staff for discussing advance care planning. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Feb 4;19(1):31. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Institute of Environmental Medicine, Unit of Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Background: Stroke incidence has declined during the past decades. Yet, there is a concern that an ageing population together with improved survival after stroke will result in a raised proportion of the population who have experienced a stroke, as well as increasing incidence rate of recurrent strokes, and, absolute numbers of strokes. The objectives of this study were to investigate how the age specific incidence rates of recurrent strokes have developed in relation to the incidence rates of first strokes and how the postponement in age look like, and to see how the prevalence proportion of stroke as well as the absolute number of incident strokes has changed over time. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Feb 4;19(1):34. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Institut Charles Delaunay, UMR CNRS 6281, Université de Technologie de Troyes (UTT), 12 Rue Marie Curie, CS 42060, F-10004, Troyes, France.

Background: Frailty detection and remote monitoring are of major importance for slowing down, and/or even stopping the frailty process in home-dwelling older people. Taking the Fried's criteria as a reference, this work aims to compare the results produced by a technological set (ARPEGE Pack) with those obtained by usual clinical tests, as well as to discuss the ability of the Pack to be used for long-run frailty remote monitoring.

Methods: 194 participants were given a number of geriatric tests and asked to make use of the ARPEGE technological tools as well as reference clinical tools to feed Fried's indicators. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 31;19(1):30. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Bispebjerg Hospital, Nielsine Nielsens Vej 11, building 8, 1st floor, DK-2400, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Background: Regular loading of tendons may counteract the negative effects of aging. However, the influence of strength training loading magnitude on tendon mechanical properties and its relation to matrix collagen content and collagen cross-linking is sparsely described in older adults. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of moderate or high load resistance training on tendon matrix and its mechanical properties. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 30;19(1):28. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, 7 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9JZ, UK.

Background: Sedentary behaviour is related to poorer health independently of time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether wellbeing or symptoms of anxiety or depression predict sedentary behaviour in older adults.

Method: Participants were drawn from the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 (LBC1936) (n = 271), and the West of Scotland Twenty-07 1950s (n = 309) and 1930s (n = 118) cohorts. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 30;19(1):29. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

National Advisory Unit on Rehabilitation in Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, P.O. Box 23, Vinderen, 0319, Oslo, Norway.

Background: Reablement is an emerging approach in rehabilitation services, but evidence for its efficacy is rather weak and inconsistent. The purpose of the present study is therefore to investigate the health effects of reablement in home-dwelling adults.

Methods: A multicenter, clinical controlled trial involving 47 municipalities in Norway, with assessments at baseline, and after 10 weeks and at 6 and 12 months. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 28;19(1):26. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Department of Family Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.

Background: Previous studies have reported the associations of frailty phenotype or its components with mortality. However, studies that explored the effects of transition in frailty status on mortality were far less in Asian or Chinese. The aim of this study was to evaluate baseline frailty status and one-year change of frailty status in relation to all-cause mortality in Taiwanese community-dwelling older adults who participated in the Taichung Community Health Study for Elders. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 28;19(1):25. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain.

Background: Physical activity may reverse frailty in the elderly, but we encounter barriers to the implementation of exercise programs in this population. Our main aim is to evaluate the effect of a multicomponent physical activity program, versus regular medical practice, on reverting pre-frailty status among the elderly, 12 months post-intervention.

Methods: Randomized parallel group multicenter clinical trial located in primary care setting, among non-dependent and pre-frail patients > 70 years old, including 190 patients (95 intervention, 95 control group). Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 28;19(1):27. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, No.250, Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei, 110, Taiwan, Republic of China.

Background: Poor eye-hand coordination is associated with the symptoms of the early stage of cognitive decline. However, previous research on the eye-hand coordination of older adults without cognitive impairment is scant. Therefore, this study examined the effects of interactive cognitive-motor training on the visual-motor integration, visual perception, and motor coordination sub-abilities of the eye-hand coordination and cognitive function in older adults. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 25;19(1):23. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.

Background: Alterations in autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity might be involved in the pathophysiology of delirium. The aim was to explore autonomic cardiovascular control in older patients with and without delirium.

Methods: Fourteen patients (five with delirium) acutely admitted to the geriatric ward with an infection were enrolled in the study. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 25;19(1):24. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Institute for General Practice, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.

Background: Medication safety is an important health issue for nursing home residents (NHR). They usually experience polypharmacy and often take potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) and antipsychotics. This, coupled with a frail health state, makes NHR particularly vulnerable to adverse drug events (ADE). Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 24;19(1):22. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

The Education University of Hong Kong, 10 Lo Ping Rd, Tai Po, Hong Kong.

Background: Volunteering could be a win-win opportunity for older adults: Links between volunteering and societal improvements as well as older adults' own health and longevity are found in several observational studies. RCTs to increase volunteering in older adults are however sparse, leaving the question of causality unanswered. This study protocol describes a theory-based social-cognitive intervention with multiple behavior change techniques to increase volunteering among community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 24;19(1):21. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Department of Community Healthcare & Geriatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsuruma-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 466-8550, Japan.

Background: The trajectories for health-related quality of life of patients receiving home-based primary care are not well identified. Our objective was to investigate changes in the quality of life (QOL) and factors that affected the QOL of patients receiving home-based primary care.

Methods: Our prospective cohort study, the Observational study of Nagoya Elderly with HOme MEdical (ONE HOME) study, recruited 184 patients undergoing home-based primary care with a 5-year follow-up period. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 23;19(1):19. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Primary Health Care Research Unit, La Alamedilla Health Center. Health Service of Castilla y León (SACyL), Primary Care Prevention and Health Promotion Research Network (REDIAPP), Salamanca, Spain.

Background: The increasing use of smartphones by older adults also increases their potential for improving different aspects of health in this population. Some studies have shown promising results in the improvement of cognitive performance through lifestyle modification. All this may have a broad impact on the quality of life and carrying out daily living activities. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 23;19(1):20. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Department of Applied Health Sciences, Division of Physiotherapy, Hochschule für Gesundheit (University of Applied Sciences), Gesundheitscampus 6-8, 44801, Bochum, Germany.

Background: Mobility is a key indicator of physical functioning in older people, but there is limited evidence of the reliability of mobility measures in older people with cognitive impairment. This study aimed to examine the test-retest reliability and measurement error of common measurement instruments of mobility and physical functioning in older patients with dementia, delirium or other cognitive impairment.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in a geriatric hospital. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 22;19(1):18. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.

Background: Caregivers of a family member with a chronic disability or illness such as dementia are at increased risk for chronic disease. There are many factors that contribute to dementia caregiver vulnerability and these factors can be challenging to assess in clinical settings. Self-rated health (SRH) is an independent measure of survival and physical health in the elderly. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 21;19(1):17. Epub 2019 Jan 21.

Center for Research and Innovation in Care, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium.

Background: Elderly living in a Nursing Home (NH) are frequently transferred to an Emergency Department when they need acute medical care. A proportion of these transfers may be considered inappropriate and may be avoidable.

Methods: Systematic review. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 18;19(1):16. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

Center for Health Policy Studies, School of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zijingang Campus, 866 Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou, 310058, China.

Background: To estimate the potential gains in health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE) after hypothetical elimination of four non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among Chinese elderly from 1990 to 2016, including cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) and diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods: Based on data from Global Burden of Disease 2016, we generated life table by gender using Sullivan method to calculate HALE. Disease-deleted method was used to calculate cause-elimination HALE, after hypothetical elimination of specific diseases. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 18;19(1):15. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

Sheffield Hallam University, Montgomery House, 32 Collegiate Crescent, Sheffield, S10 2BP, England.

Background: Polypharmacy, and the associated adverse drug events such as non-adherence to prescriptions, is a common problem for elderly people living with multiple comorbidities. Deprescribing, i.e. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 16;19(1):14. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Diabetes Center and Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, No. 109 West Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, China.

Background: Geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a simple and useful nutritional marker for predictor of adverse outcomes in patients undergoing a variety of conditions. This study explored the relationship between GNRI and adverse outcomes of Pyogenic Liver Abscess (PLA) patients and assessed GNRI predictive value.

Methods: This was one retrospective study involving 240 PLA patients. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 14;19(1):12. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Department of Primary and Community Care and Radboud Alzheimer Centre, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

Introduction: Pro-active assessment programs are increasingly used to improve care for older adults. These programs include comprehensive geriatric tailored to individual patient preferences. Evidence for the effects of these programs on patient outcomes is nevertheless scarce or ambiguous. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 14;19(1):13. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

HES-SO Valais-Wallis, School of Health Sciences, Physiotherapy, Rathausstrasse 8, Leukerbad, VS, Switzerland.

Background: Fall prevention interventions with home-based exercise programmes are effective to reduce the number and the rate of falls, by reducing risk factors. They improve balance, strength, function, physical activity, but it is known that older adults' exercise adherence declines over time. However, it is unclear which delivery-modalities of the home-based exercise programmes show the best adherence and the largest effect. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 11;19(1):11. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

IRCCS INRCA, Scientific Direction, Via della Montagnola, 81-60127, Ancona, Italy.

Background: Physical activity (PA) has health benefits for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Indeed, regular PA is considered an important part of any T2D management plan, yet most patients adopt a sedentary lifestyle. Exercise referral schemes (ERS) have the potential to effectively promote physical activity among T2D patients, and their effectiveness may be enhanced when they are supported by computer-based technologies. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 11;19(1):10. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Wellbeing (CRAHW), Research School of Population Health, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, 54 Mills Road, Acton, Canberra, 2601, Australia.

Background: The proportion of population ageing in China will grow significantly in the next few decades but the pace of population ageing and social change vary considerably across regions. Notably, Eastern coastal areas are economically more advanced compared to the Western region. These economic disparities could result in differing adverse health outcomes. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 8;19(1). Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, E-48940, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.

Background: The purpose of the Aging-ON study is to determine if a supervised dual-task program carried out in long-term nursing homes is able to attenuate frailty in a greater extent than the same multicomponent exercise program alone.

Methods: This multicenter randomized controlled trial will include 188 participants who will be randomly allocated to either a multicomponent exercise program or to the same multicomponent program with simultaneous cognitive training (dual-task training). Inclusion criteria are as follows: ≥ 70 years, ≥ 50 on the Barthel Index, ≥ 20 on the Mini Examen Cognoscitivo (MEC-35) who are able to stand up and walk independently for 10 m. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 9;19(1). Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian Univerity of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.

Background: Many balance and strength tests exist that have been designed for older seniors, often aged ≥70 years. To guide strategies for preventing functional decline, valid and reliable tests are needed to detect early signs of functional decline in young seniors. Currently, little is known about which tests are being used in young seniors and their methodological quality. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 8;19(1). Epub 2019 Jan 8.

School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Tranzo, Tilburg University, Schakelring, Waalwijk, Tilburg, the Netherlands.

Background: The attitudes of care staff toward the sexuality of residents with dementia they care for is assumed to influence the residents' expression of their sexuality in the way they want. This paper examines the effect of organizational factors, person-centered care, and the culture of the organization on the attitudes of care staff toward the sexuality of residents with dementia in residential care facilities (RCF) .

Methods: Care staff in different functions at six RCF organizations (N = 187) participated. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 8;19(1). Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Unitat de Suport a la Recerca Metropolitana Nord, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la recerca a l'Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), Mataró, Spain.

Background: Dementia patients often show neuropsychiatric symptoms, known as behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). These are a common motive for medical consultations, hospitalizations, and nursing home stays. Various studies have suggested that the high prevalence of psychotropic drug use to treat BPSD in institutionalized dementia patients may lead to impaired cognitive capacity, rigidity, somnolence, and other complications during the course of the illness. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 7;19(1). Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka-city, 814-0180, Japan.

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) is a useful marker for pneumonia. However, its clinical usefulness in elderly patients has not been studied extensively. This study aimed to assess the relationship between PCT and prognosis and pneumonia severity in elderly patients with pneumonia acquired outside the hospital. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 7;19(1). Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Australian Health Services Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.

Background: Research highlights the need for carers of people with dementia to acquire relevant and timely information to assist them to access appropriate respite services. Unfortunately, negative experiences of information-seeking can create additional stress for carers and contribute to delays in up-take, or not using respite services at all.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey data was collected from a convenience sample of n = 84 carers of older people with dementia living in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region of NSW, Australia. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 7;19(1). Epub 2019 Jan 7.

INSERM, University Montpellier, Neuropsychiatry: Epidemiological and Clinical Research, Montpellier, France.

Background: Socioeconomic level of residential environment was found to influence cognitive performance. However, individuals from the same place of residence may be affected differently. We aim to investigate for the first time the influence of individual activity space on the association between neighborhood socioeconomic status (NSES) and the risk of dementia. Read More

BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 7;19(1). Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Gerontology Research Center, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35 (L335), 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland.

Background: Active aging has been established as a policy goal for aging societies. We define active aging at the individual level as striving for elements of well-being through activities in relation to a person's goals, functional capacities and opportunities. Increasing evidence suggests that any meaningful activity is beneficial for different aspects of well-being in older people. Read More