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Background: Retirement represents a crucial transitional period for many adults with possible consequences for cognitive aging. We examined trajectories of cognitive change before and after retirement in Black and White adults. Methods: Longitudinal examination of up to 10 years (mean = 7.1 ± 2.2 years) using data from the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study–a national, longitudinal study of Black and White adults ≥45 years of age. Data were from 2226 members of the REGARDS study who retired around the time when an occupational ancillary survey was administered. Cognitive function was an average of z‐scores for tests of verbal fluency, memory, and global function. Results: Cognitive functioning was stable before retirement (Estimate = 0.05, p = 0.322), followed by a significant decline after retirement (Estimate = −0.15, p < 0.001). The decline was particularly pronounced in White (Estimate = −0.19, p < 0.001) compared with Black (Estimate = −0.07, p = 0.077) participants, twice as large in men (Estimate = −0.20, p < 0.001) compared with women (Estimate = −0.11, p < 0.001), highest among White men (Estimate = −0.22, p < 0.001) and lowest in Black women (Estimate = −0.04, p = 0.457). Greater post‐retirement cognitive decline was also observed among participants who attended college (Estimate = −0.14, p = 0.016). While greater work complexity (Estimate = 0.92, p < 0.05) and higher income (Estimate = 1.03, p < 0.05) were related to better cognitive function at retirement, neither was significantly related to cognitive change after retirement. Conclusion: Cognitive functioning may decline at an accelerated rate immediately post‐retirement, more so in White adults and men than Black adults and women. Lifelong structural inequalities including occupational segregation and other social determinants of cognitive health may obscure the role of retirement in cognitive aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To determine whether there are racial and ethnicity group differences in Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health ( REACH II) intervention delivery. Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting Community-based intervention delivered at five sites across the United States. Participants Family caregivers of persons with dementia who were randomized to the active intervention condition (N = 323). Intervention Nine in-home sessions (90 minutes each) and three telephone sessions (30 minutes each) were intended to be delivered and designed to reduce caregiver burden and depression, improve caregiver self-care and social support, and help caregivers manage behavior problems in persons with dementia. Measurements Interventionists recorded the type of intervention (home or telephone), start and stop times, and whether specific intervention content modules (e.g., stress management, social support) were administered in each session. Results Overall, REACH II intervention delivery was high, with more than 80% of randomized caregivers completing at least five in-home sessions and receiving eight or more hours of intervention contact, but black caregivers completed fewer in-home sessions (mean 6.98) than Hispanics (mean 7.84) or whites (mean 8.25) and received less total intervention contact time (mean 683 minutes) than Hispanics (mean 842 minutes) or whites (mean 798 minutes). No significant differences in exposure to content according to race or ethnicity were found after controlling for demographic covariates. Conclusion Blacks in REACH II received significantly less intervention contact. Similar multicomponent interventions should examine whether there are systematic differences in intervention delivery across specific demographic subgroups and explore implications for treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To quantify the prognostic importance of prefrailty and frailty in a population-based sample of cancer survivors. Design The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey mortality-linked prospective cohort study. Setting Eighty-nine survey locations across the United States. Participants Population-based sample of older adults (average age 72.2) with a self-reported diagnosis of non-skin-related cancer (N = 416). Measurements The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Frailty components included low weight for height, slow walking, weakness, exhaustion, and low physical activity. Participants with none of the five criteria were classified as nonfrail, those with one or two as prefrail, and those with three or more as frail. Results The prevalence of prefrailty was 37.3% and of frailty was 9.1%. During a median follow-up of 11.2 years, 319 (76.7%) participants died. Median survival was 13.9 years for participants classified as nonfrail, 9.5 years for those classified as prefrail, and 2.5 years for those classified as frail. Cancer survivors classified as prefrail (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.28-2.65, P = .001) or frail (HR = 2.79, 95% CI = 1.34-5.81, P = .006) had a higher risk of premature mortality than those classified as nonfrail. Conclusion Prefrailty and frailty are prevalent clinical syndromes that may confer greater risk of premature mortality in older adult cancer survivors. Identifying frail cancer survivors and targeting interventions for them may be a strategy to improve survival after cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of care of older adults in the United States has been consistently shown to be inadequate. This gap between recommended and actual care provides an opportunity to improve the value of health care for older adults. Prior work from the Assessing Care of Vulnerable Elders ( ACOVE) investigators first defined, and then sought to improve, clinical practice for common geriatric conditions. A critical component of the ACOVE intervention for practice improvement was an emphasis on the delegation of specific care processes, but the independent effect of delegation on the quality of care has not been evaluated. This study analyzed the pooled results of prior ACOVE projects from 1998 to 2010. Totaled, these studies included 4,776 individuals aged 65 and older of mixed demographic backgrounds and 16,204 ACOVE quality indicators ( QIs) for three geriatric conditions: falls, urinary incontinence, and dementia. In unadjusted analyses, QI pass probabilities were 0.36 for physician-performed tasks, 0.55 for nurse practitioner ( NP)-, physician assistant ( PA)-, and registered nurse ( RN)-performed tasks; and 0.61 for medical assistant- and licensed vocational nurse-performed tasks. In multiply adjusted models, the independent pass-probability effect of delegation to NPs, PAs, and RNs was 1.37 ( P = .05). These findings suggest that delegation of selected tasks to nonphysician healthcare providers is associated with higher quality of care for these geriatric conditions in community practices and supports the value of interdisciplinary team management for common outpatient conditions in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To determine whether changes in insulin-like growth factor ( IGF) protein levels are greater in participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus or worsening glycemia than in normoglycemic individuals over a 9-year follow-up period. Design Retrospective analysis of a cohort study. Setting Participants were recruited from North Carolina, California, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Participants Cardiovascular Health Study All Stars participants, a cohort study of community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older (N = 897). Measurements Plasma IGF-I, IGF binding protein ( IGFBP)-1, and IGFBP-3 levels were assessed and American Diabetes Association cut-points for impaired glucose tolerance ( IGT), impaired fasting glucose ( IFG), and diabetes mellitus were used to classify participants at baseline (1996-97) and follow-up (2005-06). Results At baseline, mean age was 76.3 ± 3.6, and 18.5% had diabetes mellitus. Participants with IFG alone and IGT plus IFG had higher IGF-I levels and lower IGFBP-1 levels than those with normoglycemia or diabetes mellitus. The greatest percentage change in IGF levels occurred in those who had diabetes mellitus at baseline (9-year changes: −9.3% for IGF-I, 59.7% for IGFBP-1, −13.4% for IGFBP-3), the smallest in individuals who remained normoglycemic at follow-up (9-year changes: −3.7% for IGF-I, 25.6% for IGFBP-1, −6.4% for IGFBP-3), and intermediate in those who were normoglycemic but developed IFG at follow-up. Conclusion Degrees of glycemic impairment are associated with varying degrees of change in IGF protein levels. The changes observed in the diabetes mellitus group have been previously shown to be associated with heart failure, cancer, and noncancer mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To determine whether acute hospitalization is associated with a change in potentially inappropriate medication ( PIM) use and whether use varies across geographic region. Design Observational. Setting Continental United States. Participants Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during 2007-08. Measurements Potentially inappropriate medication use was defined according to the High-Risk Medications in Elderly Adults quality indicator from the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set. Prevalence of outpatient PIM use was determined at admission and discharge and then used to identify medications discontinued during hospitalization and incident medications started during this period. Results Of 124,051 older adults hospitalized for AMI, 9,607 (7.7%) were outpatient PIM users at admission, which increased to 8.6% at discharge ( P < .001). Admission PIM rates varied according to geographic region, as did the effect of hospitalization. Admission PIM use was lowest in the northeast and remained unchanged during hospitalization (5.1-5.1%, P = .95). In contrast, admission PIM use was highest in the south and increased significantly during hospitalization (9.9-11.4%, P < .001). PIM use also increased from the long-term perspective, with 6-month period prevalence rates of 22.6% before admission and 24.6% after discharge ( P < .001). Conclusion Despite intervention studies demonstrating up to 80% reduction in PIM use during acute hospitalization, a significant increase in PIM use was observed in a naturalistic setting in Medicare beneficiaries with AMI. Further research is needed to develop an approach to minimizing PIM use in the inpatient setting that is cost-effective and suitable for widespread implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been growing concern about racial and ethnic disparities in completion rates of advance directives ( ADs) in community-dwelling older populations. Although differences in AD completion rates between non-Hispanic whites and African Americans have been reported, not much is known about the awareness and completion of ADs in other groups of ethnic minorities. Using a sample of community-dwelling Korean-American older adults (n = 675) as a target, factors associated with their awareness and completion of ADs were explored. Guided by Andersen's behavioral health model, predisposing (age, sex, marital status, education), need (chronic conditions, functional disability), and enabling (health insurance, acculturation) variables were included in the separate logistic regression models of AD awareness and AD completion. In both models, acculturation was found to be a significant predictor; those who were more acculturated were more likely to be aware of ADs and to have completed ADs. This study contributes to the knowledge about the role of acculturation in explaining AD awareness and completion in Korean-American older adults and provides recommendations for possible AD educational interventions for this older adult minority population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To determine whether sleep-disordered breathing ( SDB), a group of disorders common in older adults characterized by breathing pauses during sleep often accompanied by hypoxemia, is associated with cognitive decline. Design Population-based longitudinal study. Setting Six centers in the United States. Participants Community-dwelling older men (N = 2,636; aged 76.0 ± 5.3) without probable mild cognitive impairment or dementia followed for 3.4 ± 0.5 years. Measurements SDB was measured using in-home polysomnography: nocturnal hypoxemia (≥1% of sleep time with oxygen saturation (SaO2) <90%, oxygen desaturation index ( ODI: number of oxygen desaturations of ≥3% per hour of sleep)) and apnea-hypopnea index ( AHI, number of apneas and hypopneas at ≥3% desaturation per hour of sleep). Cognitive decline was measured using the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3 MS) and the Trail-Making Test Part B (Trails B) at baseline and two follow-up points. Associations between predictors and cognitive decline were examined using linear mixed models adjusted for multiple confounders. Models were further adjusted for potential mediators (sleep duration, sleep fragmentation, resting SaO2). Results Nocturnal hypoxemia was related to greater decline on the 3 MS. Men with 1% or more of sleep time with SaO2 less than 90% had an adjusted annualized decline of 0.43 points, compared with 0.25 for men in the reference group ( P = .003). For each 5-point increase in ODI, there was an average annualized decline of 0.36 points ( P = .01). Results were robust to further adjustment for potential mediators. The association between AHI and cognitive decline did not reach significance. No associations were seen with SDB and decline on the Trails B. Conclusion In older community-dwelling men, there was a modest association between nocturnal hypoxemia and global cognitive decline, suggesting the importance of overnight oxygenation for cognitive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To determine whether elderly people with different patterns of magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI) findings have different long-term outcomes. Design Longitudinal cohort study. Setting Cardiovascular Health Study. Participants Individuals aged 65 and older were recruited (N = 5,888); 3,660 of these underwent MRI, and 3,230 without a stroke before MRI were included in these analyses. Measurements Cluster analysis of brain MRI findings was previously used to define five clusters: normal, atrophy, simple infract, leukoaraiosis, and complex infarct. Participants were subsequently classified as healthy if they rated their health as excellent, very good, or good and as able if they did not report any limitations in activities of daily living ( ADLs). Mean years of life (YoL), years of healthy life ( YHL), and years of able life ( YAL) were calculated over 16 years after the MRI and compared between clusters using unadjusted and adjusted regression analyses. Results Mean age of participants was 75.0. With 16 years of follow-up, mean YoL was 11.3; YHL, 8.0; and YAL, 8.4. Outcomes differed significantly between clusters. With or without adjustments, outcomes were all significantly better in the normal than complex infarct cluster. The three remaining clusters had intermediate results, significantly different from the normal and complex infarct clusters but not usually from one another. Over 16 years of follow-up, participants in the complex infarct cluster (n = 368) spent the largest percentage of their 8.4 years alive being sick (38%) and not able (38%). Conclusion Findings on MRI scans in elderly adults are associated not only with long-term survival, but also with long-term self-rated health and limitation in ADLs. The combination of infarcts and leukoaraiosis carried the worst prognosis, presumably reflecting small vessel disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To create data-driven typologies of licensed nurse staffing and health services in residential care and assisted living ( RC/ AL). Design Cluster analysis was used to describe the patterns of licensed nurse staffing and 47 services and the extent to which these clusters were related. Setting RC/ AL communities in the United States. Participants A convenience sample of administrators and healthcare supervisors from 89 RC/AL communities in 22 states. Measurement RC/ AL characteristics, licensed nurse staffing (total number of hours that registered nurses ( RNs) and licensed practical nurses ( LPNs) worked), number of hours that contract nurses worked, and availability of 47 services. Results Analysis revealed four licensed nurse staffing clusters defined according to total number of hours and the type of nurse providing the hours ( RN, LPN, or a mix of both). They ranged from no or minimal RN and LPN hours to high nursing hours with a mix of RNs and LPNs. The 47 services clustered into five clusters: basic services; technically complex services; assessments, wound care, and therapies; testing and specialty services; and gastrostomy and intravenous medications. The availability of services was related to the presence of nurses ( RNs and LPNs) except for the gastrostomy and intravenous medication services, which were not readily available. Conclusion The amount and skill mix of licensed nurse staffing varies in RC/ AL and is related to the types of services available. These findings may have implications for resident care and outcomes. Future work in this area, including extension to include nonnurse direct care workers, is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To evaluate the prevalence of respiratory impairment and dyspnea and their associations with objectively measured physical inactivity and performance-based mobility in sedentary older persons. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders Study. Participants Community-dwelling older persons (n = 1,635, mean age 78.9) who reported being sedentary (<20 min/wk of regular physical activity and <125 min/wk of moderate physical activity in past month). Measurements Respiratory impairment was defined as low ventilatory capacity (forced expiratory volume in 1 second less than lower limit of normal ( LLN)) and respiratory muscle weakness (maximal inspiratory pressure < LLN). Dyspnea was defined as moderate to severe ratings on the modified Borg index, immediately after a 400-m walk test (400- MWT). Physical inactivity was defined according to high sedentary time as the highest quartile of participants with accelerometry-measured activity of <100 counts/min. Performance-based mobility was evaluated using the Short Physical Performance Battery (≤7 defined as moderate to severe mobility impairment) and 400- MWT gait speed (<0.8 m/s defined as slow). Results Prevalence rates were 17.7% for low ventilatory capacity, 14.7% for respiratory muscle weakness, 31.6% for dyspnea, 44.7% for moderate to severe mobility impairment and 43.6% for slow gait speed. Significant associations were found between low ventilatory capacity and slow gait speed (adjusted odds ratio (a OR) = 1.41, 95% confidence interval ( CI) = 1.03-1.92), between respiratory muscle weakness and moderate to severe mobility impairment (a OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.03-1.95), and between dyspnea and high sedentary time (a OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.28-3.06) and slow gait speed (a OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.22-2.38). Conclusion Respiratory impairment and dyspnea are prevalent in sedentary older persons and are associated with objectively measured physical inactivity and poor performance-based mobility. Because they are modifiable, respiratory impairment and dyspnea should be considered in the evaluation of sedentary older persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To examine the incidence of, variations in, and costs of potentially avoidable hospitalizations ( PAHs) of nursing home ( NH) residents at the end of life and to identify the association between NH characteristics and a facility-level quality measure ( QM) for PAH. Design Retrospective. Setting Hospitalizations originating from NHs. Participants Long-term care NH residents who died in 2007. Measurements A risk-adjusted QM was constructed for PAH. A Poisson regression model was used to predict the count of PAH given residents' risk factors. For each facility, the QM was defined as the difference between the observed facility-specific rate (per 1,000 person-years) of PAH ( O) and the expected risk-adjusted rate ( E). A logistic regression model with state fixed-effects was then fit to examine the association between facility characteristics and the likelihood of having higher-than-expected rates of PAH ( O- E > 0). QM values greater than 0 indicate worse-than-average quality. Results Almost 50% of hospital admissions for NH residents in their last year of life were for potentially avoidable conditions, costing Medicare $1 billion. Five conditions were responsible for more than 80% of PAHs. PAH QM across facilities showed significant variation (mean 12.0 ± 142.3 per 1,000 person-years, range −399.48 to 398.09 per 1,000 person-years). Chain and hospital-based facilities were more likely to exhibit better performance ( O- E < 0). Facilities with higher nursing staffing were more likely to have better performance, as were facilities with higher skilled staff ratio, those with nurse practitioners or physician assistants, and those with on-site X-ray services. Conclusion Variations in facility-level PAHs suggest that a potential for reducing hospital admissions for these conditions may exist. Presence of modifiable facility characteristics associated with PAH performance could help us formulate interventions and policies for reducing PAHs at the end of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To describe the extent to which hospitalized nursing home ( NH) residents with advanced dementia were admitted to a skilled nursing facility ( SNF) after a qualifying hospitalization and to identify resident and nursing home characteristics associated with a greater likelihood of SNF admissions. Design Cohort study using data from the Minimum Data Set, Medicare claims, and the On-line Survey Certification of Automated Records. Setting United States, 2000-2006. Participants Nursing home residents with advanced dementia aged 65 and older with a 3-day hospitalization (N = 4,177). Measurements The likelihood of SNF admission after hospitalization was calculated. Resident and nursing home factors associated with SNF admission were identified using hierarchical multivariable logistic regression. Results Sixty-one percent of residents with advanced dementia were admitted to a SNF after their hospitalization. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy ( PEG) tube placement during hospitalization was strongly associated with SNF admission (adjusted odds ratio ( AOR) = 2.31, 95% confidence interval ( CI) = 1.85-2.88), as was better functional status ( AOR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.05-1.38). The presence of diabetes mellitus was associated with lower likelihood of SNF admission ( AOR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.73-0.99). Facility features significantly associated with SNF admission included more than 100 beds ( AOR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.07-1.46), being part of a chain ( AOR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.14-1.50), urban location ( AOR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.03-1.41), and for-profit status ( AOR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.09-1.51). Conclusion The majority of nursing home residents with advanced dementia are admitted to SNFs after a qualifying hospitalization. SNF admission is strongly associated with PEG tube insertion during hospitalization and with nursing home factors. Efforts to optimize appropriate use of SNF services in individuals with advanced dementia should focus on these factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To ascertain predictors of initiation of brand-name versus generic narrow therapeutic index ( NTI) drugs. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Data from CVS Caremark were linked to Medicare claims and to U.S. census data. Participants Individuals aged 65 and older who initiated an NTI drug in 2006 and 2007 (N = 36,832). Measurements Demographic, health service utilization, and geographic predictors of whether participants initiated a generic or brand-name version of their NTI drug were identified using logistic regression. Results Overall, 30,014 (81.5%) participants started on a generic version of their NTI drug. The most commonly initiated NTI drugs were warfarin (n = 17,790; 48%), levothyroxine (n = 10,779; 29%), and digoxin (n = 6,414; 17%). Older age (odds ratio ( OR) = 1.12, 95% confidence interval ( CI) = 1.02-1.22 comparing aged ≥85 with 65-74), higher burden of comorbidity ( OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.04-1.07 for each 1-point increase in comorbidity score), and prior use of any generic drug ( OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.29-1.87) were positively associated with generic drug initiation. Independent of other predictors, residing in the census block group with the highest generic use was positively associated with greater odds of generic NTI drug initiation ( OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.14-1.35 compared with the lowest quintile). Conclusion Demographic, health service utilization, and geographic characteristics are important determinants of whether individuals initiate treatment with a brand-name or generic NTI drug. These factors may contribute to disparities in care and highlight potential targets for educational campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To examine prestroke lifestyle factors associated with poststroke mortality and recovery in older women. Design Longitudinal prospective cohort study. Setting The Women's Health Initiative ( WHI, clinical trials and observational study), 40 clinical centers in the United States. Participants WHI participants, women aged 50 to 79, who were stroke-free at baseline (1993/98), with incident stroke before 2005. Measurements Participants were followed for mortality through 2010. Prestroke characteristics were from the last examination before the stroke event. Annual follow-up for clinical events ascertained hospitalization for stroke that was subsequently physician adjudicated with medical records. Multivariable regression models were used to analyze factors associated with poststroke mortality and poststroke recovery at hospital discharge (poststroke Glasgow score), adjusting for stroke type. Results Of 3,173 women with incident stroke, 1,111 (35%) died. Individuals who were overweight or obese before stroke had lower poststroke mortality than those who were normal weight (obese: hazard ratio ( HR) = 0.69, 95% confidence interval ( CI) = 0.53-0.88; overweight: HR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.58-0.90); individuals who were underweight before stroke had nonsignificantly greater poststroke mortality ( HR = 2.02, 95% CI = 0.98-4.16, P = .06). Other prestroke factors associated with poststroke mortality included diabetes mellitus ( HR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.01-1.64), current smoking (vs nonsmoker, HR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.53-3.00), physical inactivity (vs >150 min of exercise per week, HR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.09-1.78), and lowest physical function quartile (vs highest, HR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.18-2.02). Prestroke diabetes mellitus was associated with lower odds of good recovery after stroke (odds ratio ( OR) = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.44-0.82). Current hormone use before stroke was associated with greater odds of moderate than of severe disability after stroke ( OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.00-1.66). Conclusion Potentially modifiable factors before stroke, including smoking, diabetes mellitus, and being underweight, were associated with greater poststroke mortality in older women. Being overweight or obese and physical activity before stroke were associated with lower poststroke mortality in older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To determine the level of agreement between dementia rating by trained community health workers ( CHWs) based on the Clinical Dementia Rating ( CDR) and the criterion standard: physician diagnosis. Design Cross-sectional validation study. Setting Community gathering places such as ethnic churches, senior centers, low-income elderly apartments, and ethnic groceries in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. Participants Ninety community-dwelling Korean-American individuals aged 60 and older. Measurements The CDR is a standardized clinical dementia staging instrument used to assess cognitive and functional performance using a semistructured interview protocol. Six CHWs trained and certified as CDR raters interviewed and rated study participants. A bilingual geriatric psychiatrist evaluated participants independently for dementia status. Results CHWs rated 61.1% of the participants as having mild cognitive impairment ( MCI; CDR = 0.5) or dementia ( CDR≥1), versus 56.7% diagnosed by the clinician. A receiver operating characteristic ( ROC) curve analysis demonstrated good predictive ability of CDR rating by trained CHWs (area under the ROC curve = 0.86, 95% confidence interval = 0.78-0.93, sensitivity = 85.5%, specificity = 88.6%) in detecting MCI and dementia. Conclusion The findings provide preliminary evidence that trained CHWs can effectively identify community-dwelling elderly Korean adults with MCI and dementia for early follow-up assessment and care in a community with scarce bilingual caregivers and programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To examine the association between Beers criteria sedative medications and delirium in a large cohort of hospitalized elderly adults with common medical conditions. Design Retrospective cohort and nested case-control studies. Setting 374 U. S. hospitals. Participants All individuals aged 65 and older admitted to the hospital between September 2003 and June 2005 with one of six principal diagnoses (acute myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, community-acquired pneumonia, congestive heart failure, ischemic stroke, urinary tract infection). Measurements Primary outcome was presumed hospital-acquired delirium, defined as initiation of an antipsychotic medication or restraints on hospital Day 3 or later. Logistic and proportional hazards regression were used to model the associations between sedative exposure and delirium. Results The dataset contained 225,028 participants (median age 82; 58% female). Four percent fit the definition of hospital-acquired delirium (median onset Day 5). In all, 38,883 (17%) participants received one or more sedative medications. In the cohort study, diphenhydramine (adjusted odds ratio ( AOR) = 1.22, 95% confidence interval ( CI) = 1.09-1.36) and short-acting benzodiazepines ( AOR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.03-1.34) were associated with greater risk of subsequent delirium. In the nested case-control study, diphenhydramine, short- and long-acting benzodiazepines and promethazine were associated with delirium. Amitriptyline and muscle relaxants were not associated with delirium in either study. Confounding by indication could not be excluded for drugs that are sometimes used improperly to treat delirium. Conclusion An association was found between several Beers criteria sedative medications and delirium in hospitalized medical patients. Given the prevalence of these medications and the morbidity associated with delirium, further investigation into the appropriateness of such prescribing is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To determine whether antipsychotic medication initiation is associated with subsequent fracture in nursing home residents, whether fracture rates differ between users of first- and second-generation antipsychotics, and whether fracture rates differ between users of haloperidol, risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine. Design Time-to-event analyses were conducted in a retrospective cohort using linked Medicaid; Medicare; Minimum Data Set; and Online Survey, Certification, and Reporting data sets. Setting Nursing homes in California, Florida, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Participants Nursing home residents aged ≥ 65. Measurements Fracture outcomes (any fracture; hip fracture) in users of first- and second-generation anti-psychotic and specifically users of haloperidol, risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine. Comparisons incorporated propensity scores that included individual- (demographic characteristics, comorbidity, diagnoses, weight, fall history, concomitant medications, cognitive performance, physical function, aggressive behavior) and facility- (nursing home size, ownership factors, staffing levels) level variables. Results Of 8,262 subjects (in 4,131 pairs), 4.3% suffered any fracture during observation, with 1% having a hip fracture during an average follow-up period of 93 ± 71 days (range 1-293 days). Antipsychotic initiation was associated with any fracture (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.39, P = .004) and hip fracture (HR = 1.76, P = .02). The highest risk was found for hip fracture when antipsychotic use was adjusted for dose (HR = 2.96, P = .008), but no differences in time to fracture were found between first- and second-generation agents or between individual drugs. Conclusion Antipsychotic initiation is associated with fracture in nursing home residents, but risk does not differ between commonly used antipsychotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To systematically document the implementation, components, comparators, adherence, and effectiveness of published fall prevention approaches in U. S. acute care hospitals. Design Systematic review. Studies were identified through existing reviews, searching five electronic databases, screening reference lists, and contacting topic experts for studies published through August 2011. Setting U.S. acute care hospitals. Participants Studies reporting in-hospital falls for intervention groups and concurrent (e.g., controlled trials) or historic comparators (e.g., before-after studies). Intervention Fall prevention interventions. Measurements Incidence rate ratios ( IRR, ratio of fall rate postintervention or treatment group to the fall rate preintervention or control group) and ratings of study details. Results Fifty-nine studies met inclusion criteria. Implementation strategies were sparsely documented (17% not at all) and included staff education, establishing committees, seeking leadership support, and occasionally continuous quality improvement techniques. Most interventions (81%) included multiple components (e.g., risk assessments (often not validated), visual risk alerts, patient education, care rounds, bed-exit alarms, and postfall evaluations). Fifty-four percent did not report on fall prevention measures applied in the comparison group, and 39% neither reported fidelity data nor described adherence strategies such as regular audits and feedback to ensure completion of care processes. Only 45% of concurrent and 15% of historic control studies reported sufficient data to compare fall rates. The pooled postintervention incidence rate ratio ( IRR) was 0.77 (95% confidence interval = 0.52-1.12, P = .17; eight studies; I2: 94%). Meta-regressions showed no systematic association between implementation intensity, intervention complexity, comparator information, or adherence levels and IRR. Conclusion Promising approaches exist, but better reporting of outcomes, implementation, adherence, intervention components, and comparison group information is necessary to establish evidence on how hospitals can successfully prevent falls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To examine receipt of mammography screening according to life expectancy in women aged 75 and older. Design Population-based survey. Setting United States. Participants Community dwelling U.S. women aged 75 and older who participated in the 2008 or 2010 National Health Interview Survey. Measurements Using a previously developed and validated index, women were categorized according to life expectancy (>9, 5-9, <5 years). Receipt of mammography screening in the past 2 years was examined according to life expectancy, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, access to care, preventive orientation (e.g., receipt of influenza vaccination), and receipt of a clinician recommendation for screening. Results Of 2,266 respondents, 27.1% had a life expectancy of greater than 9 years, 53.4% had a life expectancy of 5 to 9 years, and 19.5% had a life expectancy of less than 5 years. Overall, 55.7% reported receiving mammography screening in the past 2 years. Life expectancy was strongly associated with receipt of screening ( P < .001), yet 36.1% of women with less than 5 years life expectancy were screened, and 29.2% of women with more than 9 years life expectancy were not screened. A clinician recommendation for screening was the strongest predictor of screening independent of life expectancy. Higher educational attainment, age, receipt of influenza vaccination, and history of benign breast biopsy were also independently associated with being screened. Conclusion Despite uncertainty of benefit, many women aged 75 and older are screened with mammography. Life expectancy is strongly associated with receipt of screening, which may reflect clinicians and patients appropriately considering life expectancy in screening decisions, but 36% of women with short life expectancies are still screened, suggesting that new interventions are needed to further improve targeting of screening according to life expectancy. Decision aids and guidelines encouraging clinicians to consider patient life expectancy in screening decisions may improve care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To describe the trajectory of functional decline after an individual is referred to hospice. Design Electronic health record-based retrospective cohort study. Setting Three hospice programs in the U.S. southeast, northeast, and midwest. Participants Individuals in hospice. Main outcome measures Palliative Performance Scale ( PPS) scores measured at intervals between hospice enrollment and death, on a scale from 10 to 100. Results In 8,669 decedents, there was an average 13.8-point decline in PPS score. After adjusting for baseline PPS score and length of stay in hospice, three distinct trajectories were identified, each of which consisted of two diagnoses whose rates of decline had 95% confidence intervals ( CIs) that overlapped. The most rapid decline was observed for individuals with cancer (adjusted decline 8.44 points/wk; 95% CI = 8.03-8.82) and stroke (adjusted decline 7.67 points/wk, 95% CI = 7.08-8.29). A significantly slower decline was observed in individuals with pulmonary disease (adjusted decline 5.02 points/wk, 95% CI = 4.24-5.75) and cardiac disease (adjusted decline 4.53 points/wk, 95% CI = 4.05-5.05). Individuals with debility (adjusted decline 1.86 points/wk, 95% CI = 0.95-2.78) and dementia (adjusted decline 1.98 points/wk, 95% CI = 1.01-2.89) had the slowest decline. In an inverse probability-weighted sample of individuals who had a PPS score recorded in the last day of life (n = 1,959, 22.6%), 35.9% had a PPS score of at least 40, indicating some oral intake, variable mental status, limited self-care, and an ability to get out of bed for at least part of the day. Conclusion Although functional status generally declines in individuals in hospice, this decline is heterogeneous. Some individuals retain some physical and cognitive function until the last day of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To examine the characteristics of hospice enrollees with dementia who were discharged alive because their condition stabilized or improved and predictors of death in the year after discharge. Design Cross-sectional analysis of clinical and administrative data. Setting For-profit hospice provider. Participants Hospice enrollees aged 65 and older with an admission diagnosis of dementia who died or were discharged alive because their condition stabilized or improved between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2003. Measurements Demographic variables and hospice length of stay; data did not include functional status or comorbidities. Results Of 24,111 enrollees with dementia, 1,204 (5.0%) were discharged alive because their condition stabilized or improved; the remainder died while receiving hospice. The median length of stay for those who died was 12 versus 236 days for those discharged alive. Those discharged alive were more likely to be female or have a length of stay exceeding 180 days and less likely to be in the oldest age group (≥85), be African American, or reside in a nursing home. In a subgroup of 303 patients discharged alive, 75.5% were still alive at 1 year; none of the demographic variables were associated with death after hospice discharge. Conclusion A small proportion of hospice enrollees with dementia was discharged alive. Most died shortly after enrollment. Future research should examine other factors that may predict which hospice enrollees with dementia are likely to be discharged alive and their subsequent trajectory, such as functional status, comorbidities, and preferences for care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To investigate patterns in prevalences of chronic medical conditions over the age span of long-term stay nursing home residents and between the sexes with data from the 2004 National Nursing Home Survey ( NNHS). Design Retrospective, cross-sectional study. Setting U.S. nursing homes. Participants Nationally representative sample comprising 11,788 long-term stay residents (3,003 (25%) men, 8,785 (75%) women) aged 65 and older. Measurements Clinical Classifications Software was used to group International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes to identify the 20 most-prevalent chronic medical conditions. SAS survey procedures were used to account for design effects of stratification and clustering to generate nationally representative estimates of prevalences of medical conditions. Results Average age was 84, with women older than men (85 vs 81, P = .02) and 67% of women aged 80 to 95. Women required more assistance with activities of daily living. The most frequent chronic medical conditions were hypertension (men 53%, women 56%), dementia (men 45%, women 52%), depression (men 31%, women 37%), arthritis (men 26%, women 35%), diabetes mellitus (men 26%, women 23%), gastroesophageal reflux disease ( GERD) (men 23%, women 23%), atherosclerosis (men 24%, women 20%), congestive heart failure ( CHF) (men 18%, women 21%), cerebrovascular disease ( CVD) (men 24%, women 19%), and anemia (men 17%, women 20%). Sex differences in prevalences existed for all but constipation, GERD, and hypertension. Diabetes mellitus, CVD, and lipid disorders decreased with age in men and women. Atrial fibrillation, anemia, arthritis, CHF, dementia, and thyroid disease increased with age in men and women. Age-related patterns differed between the sexes for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and Parkinson's disease. Conclusion The profile of chronic medical conditions varies over the age span of nursing home residents and differs between men and women. This knowledge should guide educational and care efforts in long-term care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To use the Medicare Files of Service Use ( MFSU) to evaluate patterns in the incidence of aging-related diseases in the U.S. elderly population. Design Age-specific incidence rates of 19 aging-related diseases were evaluated using the National Long Term Care Survey ( NLTCS) and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results ( SEER) Registry data, both linked to MFSU ( NLTCS-M and SEER-M, respectively), using an algorithm developed for individual date at onset evaluation. Setting A random sample from the entire U.S. elderly population (Medicare beneficiaries) was used in NLTCS, and the SEER Registry data covers 26% of the U.S. population. Participants Thirty-four thousand seventy-seven individuals from NLTCS-M and 2,154,598 from SEER-M. Measurements Individual medical histories were reconstructed using information on diagnoses coded in MFSU, dates of medical services and procedures, and Medicare enrollment and disenrollment. Results The majority of diseases (e.g., prostate cancer, asthma, and diabetes mellitus) had a monotonic decline (or decline after a short period of increase) in incidence with age. A monotonic increase in incidence with age with a subsequent leveling off and decline was observed for myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, ulcer, and Alzheimer's disease. An inverted U-shaped age pattern was detected for lung and colon carcinomas, Parkinson's disease, and renal failure. The results obtained from the NLTCS-M and SEER-M were in agreement (excluding an excess for circulatory diseases in the NLTCS-M). A sensitivity analysis proved the stability of the incidence rates evaluated. Conclusion The developed computational approaches applied to the nationally representative Medicare-based data sets allow reconstruction of age patterns of disease incidence in the U.S. elderly population at the national level with unprecedented statistical accuracy and stability with respect to systematic biases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To present findings on past-year medical conditions associated with lifetime trauma exposure and full and partial posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD) in a nationally representative sample of U.S. older adults. Design Face-to-face diagnostic interviews. Setting Wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Participants Nine thousand four hundred sixty-three adults aged 60 and older. Measurements Logistic regression analyses adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and psychiatric comorbidity were used to evaluate associations between PTSD status and past-year medical disorders; linear regression models evaluated associations with past-month physical functioning. Results After adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics and comorbid lifetime mood, anxiety, substance use, attention-deficit/hyperactivity, and personality disorders, respondents with lifetime PTSD were more likely than respondents who reported experiencing one or more traumatic life events but who did not meet lifetime criteria for full or partial PTSD (trauma controls) to report being diagnosed with hypertension, angina pectoris, tachycardia, other heart disease, stomach ulcer, gastritis, and arthritis (odds ratios ( ORs) = 1.3-1.8) by a healthcare professional; they also scored lower on a measure of physical functioning than controls and respondents with partial PTSD. Respondents with lifetime partial PTSD were more likely than controls to report past-year diagnoses of gastritis ( OR = 1.7), angina pectoris ( OR = 1.5), and arthritis ( OR = 1.4) and reported worse physical functioning. Number of lifetime traumatic event types was associated with most of the medical conditions assessed; adjustment for these events reduced the magnitudes of and rendered nonsignificant most associations between PTSD status and medical conditions. Conclusion Older adults with lifetime PTSD have high rates of several physical health conditions, many of which are chronic disorders of aging, and poorer physical functioning. Older adults with lifetime partial PTSD have higher rates of gastritis, angina pectoris, and arthritis and poorer physical functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To describe the prevalence of unplanned hospitalizations caused by adverse drug reactions ( ADRs) in older veterans and to examine the association between this outcome and polypharmacy after controlling for comorbidities and other patient characteristics. Design Retrospective cohort. Setting Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. Participants Six hundred seventy-eight randomly selected unplanned hospitalizations of older (aged ≥ 65) veterans between October 1, 2003, and September 30, 2006. Measurements Naranjo ADR algorithm, ADR preventability, and polypharmacy (0-4, 5-8, and ≥9 scheduled medications). Results Seventy ADRs involving 113 drugs were found in 68 (10%) hospitalizations of older veterans, of which 25 (36.8%) were preventable. Extrapolating to the population of more than 2.4 million older veterans receiving care during the study period, 8,000 hospitalizations may have been unnecessary. The most common ADRs that occurred were bradycardia (n = 6; beta-blockers, digoxin), hypoglycemia (n = 6; sulfonylureas, insulin), falls (n = 6; antidepressants, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors), and mental status changes (n = 6; anticonvulsants, benzodiazepines). Overall, 44.8% of veterans took nine or more outpatient medications and 35.4% took five to eight. Using multivariable logistic regression and controlling for demographic, health-status, and access-to-care variables, polypharmacy (≥9 and 5-8) was associated with greater risk of ADR-related hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio ( AOR) = 3.90, 95% confidence interval ( CI) = 1.43-10.61 and AOR = 2.85, 95% CI = 1.03-7.85, respectively). Conclusion ADRs, determined using a validated causality algorithm, are a common cause of unplanned hospitalization in older veterans, are frequently preventable, and are associated with polypharmacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in older adults undergoing surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Three hundred seventy-nine acute care hospitals participating in the nationally representative Perspective database (2006-2008). PARTICIPANTS: Individuals aged 65 and older undergoing major inpatient gastrointestinal, gynecological, urological, and orthopedic surgery (N=272,351). MEASUREMENTS: Medications were classified as PIMs using previously published criteria defining 33 medications deemed potentially inappropriate in people aged 65 and older. Information about participant and provider characteristics and administration of PIMs was obtained from hospital discharge file data. Logistic regression techniques were used to examine factors associated with use of PIMs in the perioperative period. RESULTS: One-quarter of participants received at least one PIM during their surgical admission. Meperidine was the most frequently prescribed PIM (37,855, 14% of participants). In adjusted analysis, PIM use was less likely as age advanced (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=0.98 per year of age, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.97-0.98) and in men (AOR=0.83, 95% CI=0.81-0.85). PIMs were more likely to be prescribed to participants cared for by orthopedic surgeons than for those cared for by general surgeons (AOR=1.22, 95% CI=1.08-1.40). Participants undergoing surgery in the West (AOR=1.79, 95% CI=1.02-3.16) and South (AOR=2.24, 95% CI=1.38-3.64) were more likely to receive a PIM than those in the Northeast. CONCLUSION: Receipt of PIMs in older adults undergoing surgery is common and varies widely between providers and geographic regions and according to participant characteristics. Interventions aimed at reducing the use of PIMs in the perioperative period should be considered in quality improvement efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the literature regarding the effect of Medicare Part D on the under- and overuse of specific medications and corresponding health outcomes. DESIGN: Systematic review. SETTING: Medline search of the peer-reviewed literature from January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2010. PARTICIPANTS: Medicare beneficiaries who obtained drug insurance from the Part D program. MEASUREMENTS: The review evaluated changes in the use of specific drugs or drug classes after implementation of Part D, as described in original, peer-reviewed articles. RESULTS: Nineteen articles met inclusion criteria. Part D's implementation was associated with greater use of essential medications such as clopidogrel and statins, especially in beneficiaries who had been previously uninsured, but increases in inappropriate antibiotic use for the treatment of acute respiratory tract infections and increases in claims for the often overused proton pump inhibitor drug class were also observed. In the Part D transition period, dually eligible beneficiaries' drug use remained largely unchanged. When beneficiary cost sharing increased in the coverage gap, use of essential and overused medications declined. CONCLUSION: Increasing drug coverage led to greater use of underused essential medications and inappropriate, or overused, medications under Medicare Part D. Despite efforts to have it do so, the Part D benefit did not sufficiently discriminate between essential and nonessential medication use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To explore strategies used by clinical programs to justify operations to decision-makers using the example of the Hospital Elder Life Program ( HELP), an evidence-based, cost-effective program to improve care for hospitalized older adults. Design Qualitative study design using 62 in-depth, semistructured interviews conducted with HELP staff members and hospital administrators between September 2008 and August 2009. Setting Nineteen HELP sites in hospitals across the United States and Canada that had been recruiting patients for at least 6 months. Participants HELP staff and hospital administrators. Measurements Participant experiences sustaining the program in the face of actual or perceived financial threats, with a focus on factors they believe are effective in justifying the program to decision-makers in the hospital or health system. Results Using the constant comparative method, a standard qualitative analysis technique, three major themes were identified across interviews. Each focuses on a strategy for successfully justifying the program and securing funds for continued operations: interact meaningfully with decision-makers, including formal presentations that showcase operational successes and informal means that highlight the benefits of HELP to the hospital or health system; document day-to-day, operational successes in metrics that resonate with decision-maker priorities; and garner support from influential hospital staff that feed into administrative decision-making, particularly nurses and physicians. Conclusion As clinical programs face financially challenging times, it is important to find effective ways to justify their operations to decision-makers. Strategies described here may help clinically effective and cost-effective programs sustain themselves and thus may help improve care in their institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: To identify prevalence and risk factors for exposure to drug-disease interactions included in the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) Drug-Disease Interaction (Rx-DIS) measure. DESIGN: Cross-sectional retrospective database analysis. SETTING: Outpatient clinics within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). PARTICIPANTS: Individuals aged 65 and older who received VA outpatient care between October 1, 2003, and September 30, 2006. MEASUREMENTS: Rx-DIS exposure based on the HEDIS measure was identified in VA patients with dementia, falls, and chronic renal failure using VA pharmacy and administrative databases. Factors associated with Rx-DIS exposure were examined, including demographic, health status, and access-to-care factors, including VA outpatient health services use and copayment status. RESULTS: Of the 305,041 older veterans who met criteria for inclusion, the 1-year prevalence of Rx-DIS exposure was 15.2%; prevalence was 20.2% for dementia, 16.2% for falls, and 8.5% for chronic renal failure. Patients with high disease burden (physical, psychiatric, number of medications) were significantly more likely to have Rx-DIS exposure, regardless of condition. Hispanics and individuals with no copayments were more likely to have Rx-DIS exposure than whites or those with required copayments. There was variation in other predictors based on the type of Rx-DIS. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of Rx-DIS was common in older VA outpatients. Future studies should examine the risk of Rx-DIS exposure on health outcomes using separate analyses for each type of Rx-DIS separately before combining all Rx-DIS into a single measure of exposure. Studies that examine the effectiveness of interventions to reduce Rx-DIS exposure will also be helpful in improving the quality of care for older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]