Geriatrics MDPI

📢Calling all Junior Scientists in Geriatrics! The Geriatrics Travel Award is your chance to showcase your research on a global stage!🌍 Launched in 2017, this award encourages up-and-coming researchers to present their latest findings at academic conferences focused on elderly health and healthcare. This includes research on healthcare systems, policies, and all aspects of caring for older adults. 🔓Eligibility: Postdoctoral fellows or PhD students Research fellows Planning to present your research (oral or poster) at an international conference in 2025 📚Application Process: The application window is open until October 31st, 2024. Winners will be announced by January 31st, 2025. Ready to apply? Head over to the link below and get started! 🔗 https://brnw.ch/21wLwHN Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your research profile and connect with the global geriatrics community! #geriatrics #research #travelaward #conference #healthcare #elderlycare #phd #postdoc #medicine #gerontology #mdpi

Improving Bone Health in Patients with Metastatic Prostate Cancer with the Use of Algorithm-Based Clinical Practice Tool 📑Explore this groundbreaking article here: https://brnw.ch/21wLvtk The bone health of patients with locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancer is at risk from treatment-related bone density loss and skeletal-related events from metastatic disease in bones. Evidence-based guidelines recommend using denosumab or zoledronic acid at bone metastasis-indicated dosages in the setting of castration-resistant prostate cancer with bone metastases and at the osteoporosis-indicated dosages in the hormone-sensitive setting in patients with a significant risk of fragility fracture. For the concerns of jaw osteonecrosis, a dental evaluation is recommended before starting bone-modifying agents. The literature review suggests a limited evidence-based practice for bone health with prostate cancer in the real world. Both under-treatment and inappropriate dosing of bone remodeling therapies place additional risks to bone health. An incomplete dental work up before starting bone-modifying agents increases the risk of jaw osteonecrosis. We created an algorithm-based clinical practice tool to minimize the deviation from evidence-based guidelines at our center and provide appropriate bone health care to our patients by ensuring indication-appropriate dosing and dental screening rates. This order set was incorporated into the electronic medical record system for ordering a bone remodeling agent for prostate cancer. The tool prompts the clinicians to follow the appropriate algorithm in a stepwise manner to ensure a pretreatment dental evaluation and use of the correct dosage of drugs. We analyzed the data from Sept 2019 to April 2022 following the incorporation of this tool. 0/35 (0%) patients were placed on inappropriate bone modifying agent dosing, and dental health was addressed in every patient before initiating treatment. We compared the change in the practice of prescribing and noted a significant difference in the clinician’s practice while prescribing denosumab/zoledronic acid before and after implementation of this tool [incorrect dosing: 24/41 vs. 0/35 (p < 0.00001)]; and an improvement in pretreatment dental checkup before and after implementation of the tool was noted to be [missed dental evaluation:12/41 vs. 0/35 (p < 0.00001)]. We found that incorporating an evidence-based algorithm in the order set while prescribing bone remodeling agents significantly improved our institutional clinical practice of indication-appropriate dosing and dental screening rates, and facilitated high-quality, evidence-based care to our patients with prostate cancer. #MDPI #OpenAccess #Gerontology #Geriatrics #Education #Publishing #Bone #Health

Healthy Lifestyle Behavior, Goal Setting, and Personality among Older Adults: A Synthesis of Literature Reviews and Interviews 🔗Full Article: https://brnw.ch/21wLtqi Despite the well-known health benefits of adopting a healthy lifestyle, older adults’ self-determination, goals, and motivation, as well as other personality factors, are known to influence their healthy lifestyle behaviors, yet these interactions have rarely been discussed. The literature that investigated and discussed the interaction of personality, goals, and healthy lifestyle behaviors among older adults was reviewed. In addition, interview responses from older adults regarding their experiences in participating in a real-life physical activity intervention and its relationship with their personality traits and goal setting were synthesized using content analysis. The current review highlights the relationship between healthy living practices, goal setting, and personalities, and it is backed up and expanded upon by interviews with participants. People with different personality types are likely to have diverse views on HLBs. Individuals who are more conscientiousness or extraverted are more likely to adopt HLBs than those who are not. It is suggested that a meta-analysis should be conducted on the relationship between personality, goal setting, and physical exercise or other specific HLBs. In addition, future research should focus on various types of HLB therapies that take into account personality and goal setting. #Health #Lifestyle #OlderAdults #Gerontology #OpenAccess #Publishing #MDPI #Geriatrics

Driving cessation is difficult for persons living with cognitive decline (PLWCD) and their caregivers (CG). Physicians are often required to notify authorities of driving risks, and typically base decisions on paper-based cognitive assessments and on-road tests. This study examines experiences surrounding cessation and CG’s views regarding simulators in the process. Read the full study here ➡️https://brnw.ch/21wLiT0 Semi-structured virtual interviews were conducted with CGs of PLWCD from an academic memory clinic. Experiences around cessation were explored first, followed by discussions regarding the simulator. Framework analysis was applied to transcribed interviews. Six females and two males, three children, and five spouses participated. PLWCD viewed driving cessation negatively, often had difficulty understanding why, and believed cessation was temporary. CGs experienced relief and/or shock. Cessation negatively impacted the relationships between the PLWCD and both the physician and CG. Isolation, coping challenges and loss of independence were experienced by the PLWCD. The lives of caregivers were adversely affected, especially regarding driving burden and worsening mental health. CGs were generally supportive of simulators. Positives included: measurement of driving skills, method of testing, and providing an understanding regarding the driving suspension. Potential drawbacks included difficulty using the machine, testing anxiety, and stress induced by a crash. Caregivers were concerned about: PLWCD’s disappointment of failure, requesting to retest, and reluctance to accept the decision. PLWCD and caregivers had negative experiences related to driving cessation. Generally, caregivers viewed implementing driving simulators positively, in the context of a practice session and support for PLWCD’s potential reactions to the decision. #OpenAccess #Education #Gerontology #Science #Research #Caregiver

The Lived Experience of Healthcare Workers in Preventing Falls in Community Dwelling Individuals with Dementia ➡️Link: https://brnw.ch/21wLdmH Older adults living with dementia have at least twice the risk of falling compared to their peers living without cognitive impairment. There is evidence for the effectiveness of standard interventions in fall prevention in community dwellings, but they may not translate to individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or dementia. A qualitative inquiry, adopting an interpretive research design underpinned by a phenomenological approach using semi-structured interviews with four healthcare workers from the field was adopted. Data were analyzed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis to identify themes. Four major themes were developed: ongoing assessment is important in guiding interventions and influencing change, knowledge and experience inform practice, individuals living with dementia have complex physical and cognitive needs, and teamwork is essential in falls prevention strategies, which highlighted falls prevention in this context being multifactorial and complex. The findings found that combining physical and cognitive strategies as part of fall prevention has potential benefits for this population, including reducing fall risks and maintaining function. Targeted training and awareness raising within a supportive multi-disciplinary team structure is required, underpinned by on-going, person-centered assessments. #gerontology #aging #openaccess #publishing #dementia #community #falls

A Biopsychosocial Model of Mealtime Management in Persons with Dementia, an Asset-Based Approach to Patient-Centered Care 🔗Link: https://brnw.ch/21wLc1f Considering the rapid increase in the population over the age of 65, there is an increasing need to consider models of care for persons with dementia (PWD). One common deficit associated with dementia progression is difficulty with successful participation in mealtimes. Difficulty participating in mealtimes in PWD is not the result of one factor, but rather a confluence of biological, psychological, and social characteristics common in dementia. Factors leading to mealtime difficulties for PWD may include changes in cognitive status, altered sensorimotor functioning, and increased reliance on caregiver support. The complex nature of biological, psychological, and social factors leading to mealtime difficulty highlights the need for a pragmatic model that caregivers can utilize to successfully support PWD during mealtimes. Existing models of dementia and mealtime management were reviewed and collated to create a model of mealtime management that considers this complex interplay. The Biopsychosocial Model of Mealtime Management builds on past research around patient-centered care and introduces an asset-based approach to capitalize on a PWD’s retained capabilities as opposed to compensating for disabilities associated with dementia. We hope this model will provide a framework for caregivers to understand what factors impact mealtime participation in PWD and provide appropriate means of intervention. #gerontology #aging #openaccess #publishing #dementia #mentalhealth

Dental Pain in Care Homes: Is It a Phenomenon? A Systematic Review of the Literature 🔗Link: https://brnw.ch/21wLaMM Evidence suggests that 80% of residents living in nursing homes have moderate to severe pain, could dental causes be an under reported contributory factor. The evidence suggests that this is an under-researched area. Our project aims were to explore and consolidate the current literature and conduct some stakeholder groups with care home managers and dentists. Our stakeholder group will be reported elsewhere. A literature search was carried out on 8 and 9 March 2022 in the electronic databases: Cochrane, PubMed, Medline, Dental & Oral Sciences Source, CINAHL, Global Health, SocINDEX, Ovid (Medline) and Scopus. Restrictions were placed on dates and language (2012–2022 and English only). The search yielded 775 papers up to the year 2020. After screening and exclusion, we were left with five papers: four quantitative and one qualitative. This review demonstrates that there has been very little research into oral health and/or dental pain in adults with dementia. Furthermore, the recommendations have yet to be taken forward. Identifying pain in older adults with dementia remains challenging. There is a need to develop an algorithm in conjunction with care home staff and dental practitioners in order to identify and address the pain associated with dental disease in adults with dementia. #gerontology #aging #openaccess #publishing #science #dentistry #oralhealth #dental #pain

We're excited to share the latest issue of our Geriatrics journal. This edition features 30 new articles covering recent research in the field of geriatric medicine. 💻To explore Volume 9, Issue 3, please visit: https://brnw.ch/21wLa7R The cover study aimed to quantify and compare ladder use ability and behavior in younger and older men and women from three ladder use behavior experiments. 🔗Link to cover study: https://brnw.ch/21wLa7S The experimental tasks comprised (1) changing a lightbulb on a household stepladder under two cognitive demands (single and dual task), (2) clearing a simulated roof gutter on a straight ladder and (3) querying ladder choice in different exigency scenarios. Ladder use ability and behavior data were captured from recorded time, performance, motion capture and user choice data. In addition, this study surveyed ladder use frequency and habitual behaviors. The experimental findings indicate that older adults require more time to complete ladder tasks; younger adults display riskier ladder use behaviors; men and women display similar ladder use ability; and men are more willing to climb riskier ladders. The survey found older adults to report more frequent ladder use than younger adults, and men use straight ladders more frequently than women. These results suggest that the reported higher ladder fall rates experienced by older adults and men are linked to increased ladder use exposure and riskier ladder choice. This knowledge can help guide population-specific interventions to reduce ladder falls in both young and older people. #gerontology #aging #openaccess #publishing #science #education

MDPI Singapore had the distinct pleasure of meeting with Dr. Yifan Yang, an Education Research Scientist at the National Institute of Education, Singapore. Dr. Yang brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, serving as a Topical Advisory Panel Member of Geriatrics MDPI and specializing in a myriad of fields. Dr. Yang's impressive body of work encompasses groundbreaking intervention studies focused on skeletal muscle health, weight loss, weight training, and the aging process. Her collaborations with prominent researchers and institutions in Singapore, are paving the way for advancements in functional and active aging.   Dr. Yang's dedication and contributions to the field of geriatrics and muscle research align perfectly with our mission to advance scientific knowledge and improve global health outcomes. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Yang for taking the time to meet with us, and we eagerly anticipate the innovative research and insights that will emerge from our future collaborations.    Together, we strive to make significant strides in the realm of geriatrics and beyond. ✨ MDPI #MDPI #MDPISingapore #NIESingapore #Geriatrics #ResearchCollaboration #AcademicExcellence #ResearchInnovation

It has been proposed that being overweight may provide an advantage with respect to mortality in older people, although this has not been investigated fully. Therefore, to confirm that and elucidate the underlying mechanism, we investigated mortality in older people using explainable artificial intelligence (AI) with the gradient-boosting algorithm XGboost. Read the full study with just a click ➡️ https://brnw.ch/21wKtrQ #MDPI #OpenAccess #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #Healthy #Ageing #Geriatrics #Gerontology #Mortality