Search

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) continues to impact older adults disproportionately with respect to serious consequences ranging from severe illness and hospitalization to increased mortality risk. Concurrently, concerns about potential shortages of healthcare professionals and health supplies to address these issues have focused attention on how these resources are ultimately allocated and used. Some strategies, for example, misguidedly use age as an arbitrary criterion that disfavors older adults in resource allocation decisions. This is a companion article to the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) position statement, "Resource Allocation Strategies and Age‐Related Considerations in the COVID‐19 Era and Beyond." It is intended to inform stakeholders including hospitals, health systems, and policymakers about ethical considerations that should be considered when developing strategies for allocation of scarce resources during an emergency involving older adults. This review presents the legal and ethical background for the position statement and discusses these issues that informed the development of the AGS positions: (1) age as a determining factor, (2) age as a tiebreaker, (3) criteria with a differential impact on older adults, (4) individual choices and advance directives, (5) racial/ethnic disparities and resource allocation, and (6) scoring systems and their impact on older adults. It also considers the role of advance directives as expressions of individual preferences in pandemics. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1143–1149, 2020. See related paper by Farrell et al. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) continues to impact older adults disproportionately, from severe illness and hospitalization to increased mortality risk. Concurrently, concerns about potential shortages of healthcare professionals and health supplies to address these needs have focused attention on how resources are ultimately allocated and used. Some strategies misguidedly use age as an arbitrary criterion, inappropriately disfavoring older adults. This statement represents the official policy position of the American Geriatrics Society (AGS). It is intended to inform stakeholders including hospitals, health systems, and policymakers about ethical considerations to consider when developing strategies for allocating scarce resources during an emergency involving older adults. Members of the AGS Ethics Committee collaborated with interprofessional experts in ethics, law, nursing, and medicine (including geriatrics, palliative care, emergency medicine, and pulmonology/critical care) to conduct a structured literature review and examine relevant reports. The resulting recommendations defend a particular view of distributive justice that maximizes relevant clinical factors and deemphasizes or eliminates factors placing arbitrary, disproportionate weight on advanced age. The AGS positions include (1) avoiding age per se as a means for excluding anyone from care; (2) assessing comorbidities and considering the disparate impact of social determinants of health; (3) encouraging decision makers to focus primarily on potential short‐term (not long‐term) outcomes; (4) avoiding ancillary criteria such as "life‐years saved" and "long‐term predicted life expectancy" that might disadvantage older people; (5) forming and staffing triage committees tasked with allocating scarce resources; (6) developing institutional resource allocation strategies that are transparent and applied uniformly; and (7) facilitating appropriate advance care planning. The statement includes recommendations that should be immediately implemented to address resource allocation strategies during COVID‐19, aligning with AGS positions. The statement also includes recommendations for post‐pandemic review. Such review would support revised strategies to ensure that governments and institutions have equitable emergency resource allocation strategies, avoid future discriminatory language and practice, and have appropriate guidance to develop national frameworks for emergent resource allocation decisions. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1136–1142, 2020. See related paper by Farrell et al. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies revealed unidirectional associations between frailty and medication‐related problems (MRPs) among older adults. Less is known about the association between frailty and the risk of MRPs. We aimed to assess the bi‐directional association between frailty and the risk of MRPs in community‐dwelling older adults in five European countries. Methods: Participants were 1785 older adults in the population‐based Urban Health Centres Europe project. Repeated assessments were collected at baseline and one‐year follow‐up, including frailty, the risk of MRPs, and covariates. Linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the unidirectional associations. A cross‐lagged panel modeling was used to assess bi‐directional associations. Results: The unidirectional association between frailty at baseline and the risk of MRPs at follow‐up remained statistically significant after adjusting for covariates (β = 0.10, 95%CI:0.08, 0.13). The association between the risk of MRPs at baseline and frailty at follow‐up shows similar trends. The bi‐directional association was comparable with reported unidirectional associations, with a stronger effect from frailty at baseline to the risk of MRPs at follow‐up than reversed path (Wald test for comparing lagged effects: p < 0.05). Conclusion: This longitudinal study suggests that a cycle may exist where older adults with higher frailty levels are more likely to have a higher risk of MRPs, which in turn contributes to developing a higher level of frailty. Further research is needed to validate our findings and explore underlying pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Published guidelines recommend high‐intensity statins following an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). The authors examined the potential for disparate patterns of statin prescribing in a cluster randomized trial of transitional care following acute stroke or TIA. Methods: Medications taken before hospitalization and statins prescribed at discharge among stroke and TIA patients at 27 participating hospitals were examined. Any statin and intensive statin prescribed at discharge were compared by age (<65, 65–75, >75 years), racial category (White vs. Black), sex (male vs. female), and rurality (urban vs. non‐urban) using logistic mixed models. Results: Among 3211 patients (mean age 67 years; 47% female; 29% Black), 90% and 55%, respectively, were prescribed any statin or intensive statin therapy at discharge. White (vs. Black) patients (0.71, 0.51–0.98) less commonly received any statin prescription, while stroke (vs. TIA) patients (1.90, 1.38–2.62) and those residing in urban areas (1.66, 1.07–2.55) more commonly received any statin prescription. Among those prescribed a statin, only 42% of White and 51% of Black patients >75 years. were prescribed an intensive statin; the OR for intensive statin prescribing was 0.44 for patients >75 years and was similar in a subgroup not on a statin previously. Conclusion/Relevance: Following stroke or TIA, statin prescribing remains lower in White patients, in those with TIA, and in those in non‐urban areas. Intensive statin prescribing remains limited, particularly in patients >75 years. These data may inform efforts to improve guideline concordant prescribing for post‐stroke patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many older adults take at least one prescription medication with anticholinergic (ACH) activity, which can impact the central nervous system and can lead to cognitive decline and impairment especially in an aging population susceptible to cognitive changes. We examined this relationship between ACH burden and cognitive function in middle‐aged and older adults. We further determined if increased activity levels mitigated the relationships between ACH burden and cognition. Methods: Data from The Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke project were used. We included 20,575 adults aged ≥45 years with longitudinal cognitive testing. The anticholinergic cognitive burden (ACB) scale was used to assess for ACH use and overall burden. Cognitive data included an overall composite score, a memory, and verbal fluency composites. Mixed effects models were conducted to determine if cognitive function worsened over time for participants with higher ACB (>3) scores. The full model adjusted for age, sex, race, education, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure, and dyslipidemia, self‐reported physical activity (PA) and depressive symptoms. Results: A significant relationship between ACH burden and composite cognitive scores was found (p = <0.001), with those with higher ACB showing more rapid cognitive decline over time. There was an effect of age for participants with higher ACB (>3) scores and ACB as a continuous variable. Baseline PA level was associated with less cognitive decline over time and this effect was greater in older cohorts. Conclusions: We observed an effect of ACHs on cognition in adults ≥45 years old that worsened with age. ACH users showed more cognitive effects, whereas PA emerged as a possible mitigating factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People aging with and without HIV (PWH and PWoH) want to avoid neurocognitive dysfunction, especially delirium. Continued use of alcohol in conjunction with neurocognitively active medications (NCAMs) may be a largely underappreciated cause, especially for PWH who experience polypharmacy a decade earlier than PWoH. We compare absolute and relative risk of delirium among PWH and PWoH by age, level of alcohol use, and exposure to NCAMs. Methods: Using the VACS cohort, we compare absolute and relative risk of inpatient delirium among PWH and PWoH by age, level of alcohol use, and exposure to NCAMs between 2007 and 2019. We matched each case based on age, race/ethnicity, sex, HIV, baseline year, and observation time with up to 5 controls. The case/control date was defined as date of admission for cases and the date corresponding to the same length of time on study for controls. Level of alcohol use was defined using Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test–Consumption (AUDIT‐C). Medication exposure was measured from 45 to 3 days prior to index date; medications were classified as anticholinergic NCAM, non‐anticholinergic NCAM, or non NCAM and counts generated. We used logistic regression to determine odds ratios (ORs) for delirium associated with medication counts stratified by HIV status and adjusted for demographics, severity of illness, and related diagnoses. Results: PWH experienced a higher incidence of delirium (5.6, [95% CI 5.3–5.9/1000 PY]) than PWoH (5.0, [95% CI 4.8–5.1/1000 PY]). In multivariable analysis, anticholinergic and non‐anticholinergic NCAM counts and level of alcohol use demonstrated strong independent dose–response associations with delirium. Conclusions: Decreasing alcohol use and limiting the use of neurocognitively active medications may help decrease excess rates of delirium, especially among PWH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Frailty increases the risk of negative health‐related events, such as falls, disability, hospitalizations, and death. Although the association between oral health and physical frailty is well established, the relationship between oral health and psychological frailty has not yet been investigated. Therefore, we conducted a cross‐sectional study to examine the association between maximal occlusal force and psychological frailty in Japanese community‐dwelling older adults. Methods: Psychological frailty was defined as a World Health Organization‐5 scale (WHO‐5) score of <13, cognitive and functional status was defined as a Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA‐J) score of <23, and psychological robustness was defined as a WHO‐5 score of ≥13 and a MoCA‐J score of ≥23. We used a cross‐sectional study design to measure maximal occlusal force in 1810 participants, and examined the following factors relevant to psychological frailty: educational level, financial status, living situation, history of chronic diseases, handgrip strength, and instrumental activities of daily living. We used propensity score matching to match the psychological frailty and psychological robustness groups according to demographic and confounding factors. This process, resulted in 344 participants, of whom 172 were in the psychological frailty group and 172 were in the psychological robustness group. In the matched cohort, differences between groups with and without psychological frailty were compared using generalized estimating equations for maximal occlusal force after adjusting for the number of teeth. Results: After controlling for potential confounding factors of frailty, the psychological frailty group showed lower maximal occlusal force compared with the psychological robustness group (unstandardized regression coefficients = −72.7, 95% confidence interval: −126.3 to −19.1). Conclusions: Maximal occlusal force was associated with a reduced prevalence of psychological frailty among Japanese community‐dwelling older adults participating in our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients over 70 years old represent a substantial proportion of the COVID‐19 ICU population and their mortality rates are high. The aim of this study is to describe the outcomes of patients ≥70 years old admitted to Dutch ICUs with COVID‐19, compared to patients ≥70 years old admitted to the ICU for bacterial and other viral pneumonias, with adjustments for age, comorbidities, severity of illness, and ICU occupancy rate. Methods: Retrospective cohort study including patients ≥70 years old admitted to Dutch ICUs, comparing patients admitted with COVID‐19 from March 1st 2020 to January 1st 2022 with patients ≥70 years old admitted because of a bacterial and other viral pneumonia, both divided in a historical (i.e., January 1st 2017 to January 1st 2020) and current cohort (i.e., March 1st 2020 to January 1st 2022). Primary outcome is hospital mortality. Results: 11,525 unique patients ≥70 years old admitted to Dutch ICUs were included; 5094 with COVID‐19, 5334 with a bacterial pneumonia, and 1312 with another viral pneumonia. ICU‐mortality and in‐hospital mortality rates of the patients ≥70 years old admitted with COVID‐19 were 39.7% and 47.6% respectively. ICU‐ and hospital mortality rates of the patients who were admitted in the same or in an historical time period with a bacterial pneumonia or other viral pneumonias were considerably lower (19.5% and 28.6% for patients with a bacterial pneumonia in the historical cohort and 19.1% and 28.8% in the same period, for the patients with other viral pneumonias 20.7% and 28.9%, and 22.7% and 31.8% respectively, all p < 0.001). Differences persisted after correction for several clinical characteristics and ICU occupancy rate. Conclusions: In ICU‐patients ≥70 years old, COVID‐19 is more severe compared to bacterial or viral pneumonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Social isolation is a key public health concern and has been associated with numerous negative health consequences. Technology is increasingly thought of as a solution to address social isolation. This study examines the longitudinal association between the access and use of technology and social isolation in older adults 65 and older, living in the United States. Methods: This observational cohort study included community‐dwelling older adults (N = 6704) who participated in the National Health and Aging Trends Study. Regression analyses were conducted using data from 2015 to 2019. Information about technology access and use was ascertained using self‐reported questionnaires. The primary outcome was the risk of social isolation. Results: At baseline, the majority of older adults that were not socially isolated had a working cell phone (88%) or computer (71%) and used email or text messaging (56%). Older adults that had access to (cell phone‐ incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.62 [95% CI 0.48–0.81]; computer‐ IRR 0.63 [95% CI 0.51–0.78]), and used technology (email or text messaging‐ IRR 0.64 [95% CI 0.51–0.80]) in the year prior had a lower risk of social isolation than older adults who reported they did not access or use technology. Additionally, over four years, older adults who reported that they had access to a computer had a lower risk (0.69 [0.57, 0.84]) for social isolation than their counterparts. Conclusion: In this cohort study, technology access was associated with a lower risk for social isolation among community‐dwelling older adults. These findings suggest that technology has an important role in approaches that seek to prevent social isolation among older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Understanding changes in nursing home (NH) resident pain over time would provide a more informed perspective, allowing opportunities to alter the course of illness, plan care, and set priorities. Therefore, the purpose of this analysis was to identify and characterize clinically meaningful, dynamic pain trajectories in NH residents. Methods: Retrospective longitudinal analysis of NH resident pain scores with a length of stay >100 days (N = 4864). Group‐based trajectory modeling was applied to Minimum Data Set 3.0 assessments to identify pain trajectories. Trajectories were then characterized using unadjusted and adjusted cross‐sectional associations between residents' demographic and clinical characteristics and their pain trajectory. Results: We identified four distinct trajectories: (1) consistent pain absence (48.9%), (2) decreasing‐increasing pain presence (21.8%), (3) increasing‐decreasing pain presence (15.3%), and (4) persistent pain presence (14.0%). Demographics of younger age and living in a rural area were associated with the persistent pain presence trajectory. Clinical variables of obesity and intact cognition were associated with being in the persistent pain presence trajectory. A smaller proportion of residents with moderately or severely impaired cognition were in any of the trajectory groups with pain. Conclusions: We identified and characterized four pain trajectories among NH residents, including persistent pain presence which was associated with demographic characteristics (younger, female, rural) and clinical factors (obese, fracture, contracture). Moreover, residents with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or dementia were less likely to be in any of the three trajectories with pain, likely representing the difficulty in evaluating pain in these residents. It is important that NH staff understand, recognize, and respond to the factors associated with the identified pain trajectories to improve mitigation of potentially persistent pain (e.g., hip fracture, contracture) or improve proxy pain assessment skills for residents at risk for under reporting of pain (e.g., Alzheimer's Disease). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite possible major adverse cognitive, physical, social, and behavioral consequences, little is known about how persons living with dementia perceive satisfaction with life, a key component of well‐being. We sought to examine (i) whether persons living with dementia perceive a lower level of satisfaction compared to their peers without dementia and (ii) whether the associations between individual characteristics and life satisfaction are different between persons living with and without dementia. Methods: Using a nationally representative sample of community‐dwelling older adults aged ≥70 years in the U.S. from the Health and Retirement Study, we compared scores on the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), a self‐reported 5‐item scale ranging from 1 to 7 (more satisfaction), between persons with probable dementia (n = 341) and those without (n = 5530), adjusting for individual characteristics. We also tested whether the associations between the individual characteristics and SWLS differ by dementia status. Results: Scores on SWLS did not differ between persons with probable dementia and those without when adjusting for individual characteristics including limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) (adjusted difference, −0.09; 95% CI, −0.33 to +0.15; p‐value, 0.45). However, dementia status was associated with lower life satisfaction through the mediation of limitations in ADL (total effect, −0.29; bootstrapped 95% CI, −0.47 to −0.12). Most individual characteristics associated with lower life satisfaction were similar in the two groups, including younger age, more limitations in ADL, and depression. Less wealth was associated with lower satisfaction among persons without dementia but not among those with probable dementia. Conclusions: Dementia status was only modestly associated with lower life satisfaction through the mediation of limitations in ADL among participants who were able to provide response. Future research is warranted to determine whether life satisfaction can be used as a meaningful outcome when evaluating well‐being among persons living with dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Racial inequality in functional trajectories has been well documented in the U.S. civilian population but has not been explored among Veterans. Our objectives were to: (1) assess how functional trajectories differed for Black and White Veterans aged ≥50 and (2) explore how socioeconomic, psychosocial, and health‐related factors altered the relationship between race and function. Methods: We conducted a prospective, longitudinal analysis using the 2006–2016 Health and Retirement Study. The study cohort included 3700 Veterans who self‐identified as Black or White, responded to baseline psychosocial questionnaires, and were community‐dwelling on first observation. We used stepwise and stratified linear mixed effects models of biannually assessed functional limitations. The outcome measure was as a count of functional limitations. Race was measured as respondent self‐identification as Black or White. Demographic measures included gender and age. Socioeconomic resources included partnership status, education, income, and wealth. Psychosocial stressors included exposure to day‐to‐day and major discrimination, traumatic life events, stressful life events, and financial strain. Health measures included chronic and mental health diagnoses, smoking, rurality, and use of Veterans Affairs services. Results: Black Veterans developed functional limitations at earlier ages and experienced faster functional decline than White Veterans between the ages of 50 and 70, with convergence occurring at age 85. Once we accounted for economic resources and psychosocial stressors in multivariable analyses, the association between race and the number of functional limitations was no longer statistically significant. Lower wealth, greater financial strain, and traumatic life events were significantly associated with functional decline. Conclusions: Health systems should consider how to track Veterans' function earlier in the life course to ensure that Black Veterans are able to get timely access to services that may slow premature functional decline. Providers may benefit from training about the role of economic resources and psychosocial stressors in physical health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Asymptomatic diabetes testing may be of limited value for older nursing home residents, but most diabetes guidelines lack upper-age cutoffs for screening cessation. We evaluated patterns of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and serum blood glucose (SBG) testing among older residents without diabetes in Ontario, Canada. Methods: This population-based retrospective cohort study used provincial health administrative data from ICES to identify older nursing home residents in Ontario without diabetes between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2018. We examined HbA1c and glucose testing rates overall, by age, sex, and near end-of-life. The number of tests needed to identify one case of diabetes (using HbA1c thresholds of 6.5% and 8.0%) were also calculated. Results: Among 102,923 older nursing home residents (70.3% women; average age 85.6 ± SD 7.7 years), 46.1% of residents received ≥1 HbA1c test over an average follow-up period of 2.15 (± SD 1.49) years, and 18.2% of these tested residents received ≥4 HbA1c tests. The crude HbA1c testing rate was 52.6 tests/100 person-years (95% CI 52.3–52.9). Testing rates among residents aged ≥80 years was 50.7 HbA1c tests/100 person-years (95% CI 50.4–51.0), and 47.8 tests/100 person-years (95% CI 46.5–49.0) among residents near end-of-life. The number of tests to identify a case of diabetes (HbA1c ≥ 6.5%) was 44, while the number of tests to identify a case of actionable diabetes (HbA1c ≥ 8%) was 310. Less than 1% of residents with an HbA1c test met criteria for actionable diabetes. Conclusions: Nursing home residents without diabetes receive frequent diabetes testing, with high testing rates even in residents over 80 years old and residents near end-of-life. The high number of tests needed to identify a case of actionable diabetes highlights the urgent need to re-evaluate diabetes testing practices in nursing homes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent long‐term care facility (LTCF) policy has focused on transitioning nursing home (NH) residents back to community settings, yet we lack recent descriptions of this phenomenon and how it compares in assisted living (AL). Methods: Using the National Health and Aging Trends Study, we studied adults over age 65 who had moved from community living into an LTCF between 2011 and 2018. Persons or their proxies reported residence in annual interviews. NH was defined by facility staff. ALs were multi‐unit buildings helping with activities of daily living. We excluded temporary short‐stay NH patients and independent AL residents. Our primary outcome was cumulative incidence of return to community living, with death as co‐primary outcome and modeled as a competing risk, stratified by NH versus AL entry. We identified covariates (age, gender, race/ethnicity, dementia, activity limitations, and prior living arrangement) associated with return to community living through bivariate and multivariable logistic regression. Results: Among 739 participants, weighted mean age was 84 years (SD 7.5), 66% were women, 13% were non‐White, 57% had dementia, and 41% entered NH. At 1, 2, and 4 years, the cumulative incidence of return to community living was 2.9% (95% CIs: 1.9%–4.3%), 6.4% (4.7%–8.4%), and 7.4% (5.5%–9.8%); the cumulative incidence of death was 28% (95% CIs: 24%–31%), 44% (40%–48%) and 66% (61%–70%). Outcomes were similar in persons entering NH versus AL. Older persons (aOR 0.88, 95% CI 0.83–0.94), those with dementia (aOR 0.33, 95% CI 0.12–0.88), and those previously living alone (aOR 0.39, 95% CI 0.17–0.89) were less likely to return. Conclusions: Few returned to community living after entering either NH or AL. Mortality was similar. Results highlight limits in transitioning persons out of LTCFs and the need to observe AL use to ensure policies do not merely displace persons between institutional care sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To perform an updated systematic review and meta‐analysis of postoperative delirium (POD) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases from the time of the first human TAVR procedure in 2002 until December 24, 2021, which was supplemented by manual searches of bibliographies. Data were collected on incidence rates, risk factors, and/or associated mortality of POD after TAVR. Pooled analyses were conducted using random effects models to yield mean differences, odds ratios, hazard ratios, and risk ratios, with 95% confidence intervals. Results: A total of 70 articles (69 studies) comprising 413,389 patients were included. The study heterogeneity was substantial. The pooled mean incidence of POD after TAVR in all included studies was 9.8% (95% CI: 8.7%–11.0%), whereas that in studies using validated tools to assess for delirium at least once a day for at least 2 consecutive days after TAVR was 20.7% (95% CI: 17.8%–23.7%). According to the level of evidence and results of meta‐analysis, independent preoperative risk factors with a high level of evidence included increased age, male sex, prior stroke or transient ischemic attack, atrial fibrillation/flutter, weight loss, electrolyte abnormality, and impaired Instrumental Activities of Daily Living; intraoperative risk factors included non‐transfemoral access and general anesthesia; and acute kidney injury was a postoperative risk factor. POD after TAVR was associated with significantly increased mortality (pooled unadjusted RR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.79–2.71; pooled adjusted RR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.25–2.10), particularly long‐term mortality (pooled unadjusted HR: 2.84, 95% CI: 1.91–4.23; pooled adjusted HR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.30–2.73). Conclusions: POD after TAVR is common and is associated with an increased risk of mortality. Accurate identification of risk factors for POD after TAVR and implementation of preventive measures are critical to improve prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Antiepileptics are commonly prescribed to nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) but there is little scientific support for their use in this population. It is unclear whether different antiepileptics are targeting different indications. Methods: Using the Minimum Data Set and Medicare data, including Part D pharmacy claims, we constructed annual cohorts of residents with ADRD with long‐term stays in nursing homes from 2015 to 2019. For each year, we measured the proportion of residents with ADRD in nursing homes nationwide with at least one antiepileptic prescription. We also measured trends in valproic acid, gabapentin, antipsychotic, and opioid prescribing. Finally, we examined how prescribing rates differed based on whether residents with ADRD had disruptive behaviors or reported pain. Results: Our study sample includes 973,074 persons living with ADRD who had a long‐term stay in a nursing home, which was defined as at least 3 months. The proportion of residents with ADRD with at least one antiepileptic prescription increased from 29.5% in 2015 to 31.3% in 2019, which was driven by increases in the rate of valproic acid and gabapentin prescribing. Conversely, antipsychotic prescribing rates declined from 32.1% to 27.9% and opioid prescribing rates declined from 39.8% to 31.7%. The risk of valproic acid prescribing was 10.9 percentage points higher among residents with ADRD with disruptive behaviors, while the risk of being prescribed gabapentin was 13.9 percentage points higher among residents with ADRD reporting pain. Conclusions: Antiepileptic prescribing among nursing home residents with ADRD is increasing, while antipsychotic and opioid prescribing is declining. Examining antiepileptic prescribing to residents with ADRD who had disruptive behaviors and/or reported pain suggests that two of the most common antiepileptics, valproic acid and gabapentin, are being used in clinically distinct ways. Antiepileptic prescribing of questionable risk–benefit for dementia care warrants further scrutiny. See related editorial by Carnahan et al. in this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A limited number of studies have analyzed prescribing among Medicare‐enrolled adults at risk for opioid overdoses. The objectives of this study were to evaluate prescribing for naloxone and central nervous system (CNS) active medications and to determine the relationships of patient characteristics with exposure to these medications. Methods: This was a retrospective cross‐sectional analysis of a Medicare‐enrolled medication therapy management eligible cohort. Patients were stratified into two cohorts, individuals with a mean daily morphine milligram equivalent (MME) dose <50 and individuals with MME ≥50. Medications assessed included benzodiazepines, skeletal muscle relaxants (SMR), hypnotics, gabapentanoids, selective‐serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI), tricyclic antidepressants (TCA), antipsychotics, barbiturates, other antiepileptics, hydroxyzine, and naloxone. Chi‐square with odds ratios and logistic regressions determined the relationships of medications and patient characteristics with mean daily MME ≥50. Relationship between medications and opioid dose was adjusted for age and sex. Results: There were 3452 patients with a daily MME <50 and 1116 with a daily MME ≥50. After adjusting for age and sex, patients with a daily MME ≥50 were more likely to be prescribed hypnotics (OR: 1.41, 95% CI 1.17–1.70), SNRIs (OR: 1.39, 95% CI 1.17–1.64), and naloxone (OR: 3.21, 95% CI 2.49–4.12) (p < 0.001). Nine percent of eligible patients received naloxone. Age groups of persons <85 years of age had 1.58–4.04 (p ≤ 0.004) times the odds of being prescribed a mean daily MME ≥50. Conclusion: Nearly one‐fourth of patients were prescribed a mean daily opioid therapy of MME ≥50. These patients were more likely to be prescribed hypnotics, SNRIs, and naloxone. Patients receiving chronic high‐dose opioid therapy were more likely to be in age groups of persons <85 years. Naloxone may be underprescribed among eligible adults. Targeted medication services may ensure optimal prescribing among Medicare patients with chronic opioid therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Polypharmacy may result from inappropriate prescribing of medications to treat adverse drug reactions (ADRs), i.e., "prescribing cascade." A potentially harmful prescribing cascade affecting those with severe dementia can result when anticholinergics are prescribed to manage side effects of cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs). We investigated 1) factors associated with co‐prescribing of anticholinergics and ChEIs and 2) whether discontinuation of ChEIs was associated with subsequent discontinuation of anticholinergics—a potentially beneficial reversal or "deprescribing cascade." Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of linked Medicare Part A/B/D claims, Master Beneficiary Summary File, Minimum Data Set, Area Health Resource File, and Nursing Home Compare from 2015 to 2016. Subjects were Medicare beneficiaries residing in nursing homes, ≥65 years old with severe dementia admitted for non‐skilled stays, who were prescribed ChEIs. Cross‐sectional analysis evaluated factors associated with co‐prescribing of anticholinergics with ChEIs. Longitudinal Cox proportional hazards regression examined whether discontinuation of ChEIs was associated with subsequent discontinuation of anticholinergics over a 1‐year period. Results: We found 15% of our sample experienced co‐prescribing of anticholinergics and ChEIs. Several resident and facility‐level factors were associated with co‐prescribing anticholinergics. Advancing age, minority race or ethnicity, end‐stage renal disease, heart failure, and poor appetite were associated with a decreased likelihood of co‐prescribing. Female sex, polypharmacy, and non‐geriatric prescriber‐type were associated with a higher likelihood of co‐prescribing. In longitudinal analyses, we observed that discontinuation of ChEIs was associated with a reduced likelihood (HR 0.58 [95% CI, 0.47–0.71]) of discontinuing any medications with anticholinergic properties, except for bladder antimuscarinics (HR 1.32 [95% CI, 0.83–2.09]). Conclusions: Younger, healthier older adults with dementia were more likely to experience co‐prescribing anticholinergics and ChEIs. Discontinuation of anticholinergics was infrequent. Further research is needed to understand prescribers' ability to recognize and reverse potential prescribing cascades through deprescribing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postoperative delirium is a common postsurgical complication in older patients and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to determine whether a digital cognitive assessment and patient characteristics could identify those at‐risk. Methods: Patients 65 years and older undergoing spine surgeries ≥3 h were evaluated as part of a single‐center prospective observational cohort study at an academic medical center, from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020. Of 220 eligible patients, 161 were enrolled and 152 completed the study. The primary outcome of postoperative delirium was measured by the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit or the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale, administered by trained nursing staff independent from the study protocol. Baseline cognitive impairment was identified using the tablet‐based TabCAT Brain Health Assessment. Results: Of the 152 patients included in this study, 46% were women. The mean [SD] age was 72 [5.4] years. Baseline cognitive impairment was identified in 38% of participants, and 26% had postoperative delirium. In multivariable analysis, impaired Brain Health Assessment Cognitive Score (OR 2.45; 95% CI, 1.05–5.67; p = 0.037), depression (OR 4.54; 95% CI, 1.73–11.89; p = 0.002), and higher surgical complexity Tier 4 (OR 5.88; 95% CI, 1.55–22.26; p = 0.009) were associated with postoperative delirium. The multivariate model was 72% accurate for predicting postoperative delirium, compared to 45% for the electronic medical record‐based risk stratification model currently in use. Conclusion: In this prospective cohort study of spine surgery patients, age, cognitive impairment, depression, and surgical complexity identified patients at high risk for postoperative delirium. Integration of scalable digital assessments into preoperative workflows could identify high‐risk patients, automate decision support for timely interventions that can improve patient outcomes and lower hospital costs, and provide a baseline cognitive assessment to monitor for postoperative cognitive change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is growing interest in identifying factors associated with healthy aging. This cross‐sectional study evaluated associations of psychological resilience with factors associated with aging in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Participants were 3199 adults (72.2 ± 6.2 years of age, 61% female, 61% White, body mass index [BMI] = 34.2 ± 8.2 kg/m2) with T2DM enrolled in Look AHEAD (a multi‐site randomized clinical trial comparing an intensive lifestyle intervention for weight loss to diabetes education and support). Participants were followed observationally after the 10‐year intervention was discontinued. The following items were assessed approximately 14.4 years post‐randomization in a cross‐sectional analysis: Brief Resilience Scale; overnight hospitalizations in past year; physical functioning measured objectively (gait speed, grip strength) and via self‐report (Pepper Assessment Tool for Disability; physical quality of life [QOL; SF‐36]); a measure of phenotypic frailty based on having ≥3 of unintentional weight loss, low energy, slow gait, reduced grip strength, and physical inactivity. Depressive symptoms (PHQ‐9) and mental QOL (SF‐36) were also measured. Logistic/linear/multinomial regression was used to evaluate the association of variables with resilience adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, and gender. Results: Greater psychological resilience was associated with lower BMI, fewer hospitalizations, better physical functioning (i.e., lower self‐reported disability, better physical QOL, faster gait speed, greater grip strength, lower likelihood of frailty), fewer depressive symptoms, and greater mental QOL (all p < 0.05). Psychological resilience moderated the relationship of number of hospitalizations in the past year with self‐reported disability and grip strength. Conclusions: Psychological resilience is associated with better physical function and QOL among older adults. Results should be interpreted cautiously given cross‐sectional nature of analyses. Exploring the clinical benefits of resilience is consistent with efforts to shift the narrative on aging beyond "loss and decline" to highlight opportunities to facilitate healthy aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Enrollment criteria are routinely utilized in patient selection in SEER‐Medicare but little is known about how this may be impacting research outcomes. This study evaluated demographics and survival among pancreatic cancer patients who are included and excluded from SEER‐Medicare analyses. Methods: Patients ≥66 years old with pancreatic cancer were identified (SEER‐Medicare, 2008–2015). Two patient cohorts were compared: included (continuous enrollment in Medicare Parts A and B and no enrollment in Medicare Advantage), and excluded. Mortality was assessed using a Standardized Mortality Ratio. Results: Among 49,017 patients with pancreatic cancer, 59.5% were in the included cohort. The excluded cohort was younger (median age 74 vs. 77) with more male (49.9% vs. 47.8%), non‐white (33.0% vs. 21.3%) and urban‐dwelling patients (91.0% vs. 85.0%). Those excluded had a higher mortality risk (SMR 1.06, 95%CI 1.04–1.07). Conclusions: There are significant differences in patient demographics and mortality among those who are and are not routinely included in SEER‐Medicare analyses and our study provides a critical opportunity to quantify this potential bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hospitals may provide less positive patient experiences for older than younger patients. Methods: We used 2019 HCAHPS data from 4358 hospitals to compare patient‐mix adjusted HCAHPS Survey scores for 19 experience of care items for patients ages 75+ versus 55–74 years and tested for interactions of age group with patient and hospital characteristics. We contrasted the age patterns observed for inpatient experiences with those among respondents to the 2019 Medicare CAHPS (MCAHPS) Survey of overall experience. Results: Patients 75+ years (31% of all HCAHPS respondents) reported less‐positive experiences than those 55–74 (46% of respondents) for 18 of 19 substantive HCAHPS items (mean difference −3.3% points). Age differences in HCAHPS top‐box scores were large (>5 points) for 1 of 3 Nurse Communication items, 1 of 3 Doctor Communication, 2 of 2 Communication about Medication items, 1 of 2 Discharge Information items, and 2 of 3 Care Transition items. In contrast, for MCAHPS, those 75+ reported similar experiences to younger adults. The magnitude of age differences varied considerably across hospitals; some hospitals had very large age disparities for older patients (age 75+ vs. ages 55–74), while others had none. These age differences were generally smaller for patients in government and non‐profit than in for‐profit hospitals, and in the Pacific region than in other parts of the United States. This variation in age disparities across hospitals may help to identify best practices. Conclusions: Patients ages 75+ reported less‐positive experiences than patients ages 55–74, especially for measures of communication. These differences may be specific to inpatient care. Further study should investigate the effectiveness of hospital staffs' communication with older patients. Hospital protocols designed for younger patients may need to be adjusted to meet the needs of older patients. There may also be opportunities to learn from outpatient interactions with older patients. See related editorial by Aanand D. Naik in this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The longitudinal associations of sleep timing and time in bed (TIB) with dementia and cognitive decline in older adults are unclear. Methods: This population‐based cohort study used data from 1982 participants who were aged ≥60 years, free of dementia, and living in rural communities in western Shandong, China. At the baseline (2014) and follow‐up (2018) examinations, sleep parameters were assessed using standard questionnaires. Cognitive function was measured using the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE). Dementia was diagnosed following the DSM‐IV criteria, and the NIA‐AA criteria for Alzheimer disease (AD). Data were analyzed using restricted cubic splines, Cox proportional‐hazards models, and general linear models. Results: During the mean follow‐up of 3.7 years, dementia was diagnosed in 97 participants (68 with AD). Restricted cubic spline curves showed J‐shaped associations of sleep duration, TIB, and rise time with dementia risk, and a reverse J‐shaped association with mid‐sleep time. When sleep parameters were categorized into tertiles, the multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of incident dementia was 1.69 (95%CI 1.01–2.83) for baseline sleep duration >8 hours (vs. 7–8 h), 2.17 (1.22–3.87) for bedtime before 9 p.m. (vs. 10 p.m. or later), and 2.00 (1.23–3.24) for mid‐sleep time before 1 a.m. (vs. 1–1.5 a.m.). Early bedtime and mid‐sleep time were significantly associated with incident AD (HR range: 2.25–2.51; p < 0.05). Among individuals who were free of dementia at follow‐up, baseline long TIB, early bedtime and mid‐sleep time, early and late rise time, and prolonged TIB and advanced bedtime and mid‐sleep time from baseline to follow‐up were associated with a greater decline in MMSE score (p < 0.05). These associations with cognitive decline were statistically evident mainly among men or participants who were aged 60–74 years. Conclusions: Long TIB and early sleep timing are associated with an increased risk of dementia, and the associations with greater cognitive decline are evident only among older people aged 60–74 years and men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence‐based multifactorial fall prevention interventions in clinical practice have been less effective than expected. One plausible reason is that older adults' engagement in fall prevention care is suboptimal. Methods: This was a post‐hoc analysis of 2403 older adults' engagement in a multifactorial fall prevention intervention in the Strategies to Reduce Injuries and Develop Confidence in Elders (STRIDE) pragmatic trial. Based on the direct clinical care level of the Patient and Family Continuum of Engagement (CE) framework, three indicators of progressively interactive engagement were assessed: (1) Consultation (receiving information), (2) Involvement (prioritizing risks), and (3) Partnership (identifying prevention actions). Drop off at each step was determined as well as predictors of engagement. Results: The participants' engagement waned with increasingly interactive CE domains. Although all participants received information about their positive fall risk factors (consultation) and most (51%–96%) prioritized them (involvement), fewer participants (33%–55%) identified fall prevention actions (partnership) for most of their risk factors, except for strength gait or balance problems (95%). More participants (70%) identified home exercises than other actions. Finally, fall prevention actions were identified more commonly among participants who received two visits compared to one (OR = 2.33 [95% CI, 2.06–2.64]), were ≥80 years old (OR = 1.83 [95% CI, 1.51–2.23]), and had fewer fall risk factors (OR = 0.90 [95% CI, 0.83–0.99]). Conclusions: The drop‐off in participants' engagement based on the level of their interaction with clinicians suggests that future multifactorial fall prevention interventions need to be more focused on interactive patient‐clinician partnerships that help older adults increase and maintain fall prevention actions. Our analyses suggest that more frequent contact with clinicians and more monitoring of the implementation and outcomes of Fall Prevention Care Plans could potentially improve engagement and help older adults maintain fall prevention actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health systems have developed automated telephone call programs to screen and triage patients' post‐hospital discharge issues and concerns. The aims of our study were to determine whether and how older adults engage with automated post‐hospital discharge telephone programs and to describe the prevalence of patient‐reported post‐discharge issues. Methods: We identified all telephone calls made by an urban academic medical center as part of a post‐hospital discharge program between May 1, 2018 and April 30, 2019. The program used automated telephone outreach to patients or their caregivers that included 11 distinct steps 3 days post‐discharge. All adults discharged home from the hospital, were included, and we categorized patients into ≤64 years, 65–84 years, and ≥85 years age groups. We then compared call reach rate, completeness of 11‐step calls and patient‐reported issues between age groups. Results: Eighteen thousand and seventy six patients were included. More patients 65–84 years old were reached compared to patients ≤64 years old (84.3% vs. 78.9%, AME 5.52%; 95%CI: 3.58%–7.45%). Completion rates of automated calls for those ≥85 years old were also high. Patients ≥85 years old were more likely to have questions about their follow‐up plans and need assistance scheduling appointments compared to those ≤64 years old (19.0% vs. 11.9%, AME 7.0% (95%CI: 2.7%–11.3%). Conclusion: Post‐hospital automated telephone calls are feasible and effective at reaching older adults. Future work should focus on improving discharge communication to ensure older adults are aware of their follow‐up plan and appointments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Prior studies on the association of glaucoma and cognitive function have reported mixed results. Methods: The Health and Retirement Study (HRS) is a nationally representative panel survey of Americans age ≥ 51 years. HRS‐linked Medicare claims data were used to identify incident glaucoma cases (by glaucoma type). Cognitive function was measured using the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS), administered in each wave (every 2 years). Separate linear mixed models were fitted with either prevalent or incident glaucoma as a predictor of TICS trajectories and adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, gender, and medical history. Negative model estimates indicate associations of glaucoma with worse cognitive function scores or steeper per‐year declines in cognitive function scores. Results: Analyses of prevalent glaucoma cases included 1344 cases and 5729 controls. Analyses of incident glaucoma included 886 cases and 4385 controls. In fully‐adjusted models, those with prevalent glaucoma had similar TICS scores to controls (β = 0.01; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: −0.15, 0.18; p = 0.86). However, in those with incident glaucoma, we detected a statistically significant association between glaucoma and lower TICS scores (β = −0.29; 95% CI: −0.50, −0.08; p = 0.007). However, there was no statistically significant association between either prevalent or incident glaucoma and per‐year rates of change in TICS scores. When categorizing glaucoma by type (primary open angle glaucoma, normal tension glaucoma, or other glaucoma), no significant associations were detected between either prevalent or incident glaucoma and levels of or rates of change in TICS scores in fully covariate adjusted models. Conclusion: The observed associations between glaucoma and cognitive function were small and unlikely to be clinically meaningful. Compared to prior studies on this topic, this investigation provides robust evidence based on its larger sample size, longitudinal follow‐up, and repeated measures of cognitive function in a population‐based sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article, the authors present their study on the prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test among older adults aged at least 65 years old in the U.S. using the 2019 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data. Other topics include the recommendations by the Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) on age-based CRC screening, and the various screening methods like colonoscopy and stool testing.

Background: Although it is well known that women have higher risk of frailty, mechanisms are not clear. Reproductive history may be related to the sex difference in frailty. Methods: A total of 1249 community‐dwelling women aged ≥60 in England were examined for associations between age at menopause and risk of developing frailty. Frailty defined by the frailty phenotype was measured at baseline and 4 years later. Age at menopause was used as a continuous variable and categorical groups: premature/early (10–45 years), normal (46–55 years), and late (56 years or older). Men with comparable conditions from the same cohort were also used as a comparison. Results: Earlier age at menopause was significantly associated with higher risk of incident frailty. One year later menopause age was associated with a 3% decrease in incident frailty risk (Odds ratio [OR] = 0.97, 95%CI = 0.95–1.00, p = 0.02). Women with premature or early menopause had a significantly higher risk of developing frailty compared with those with normal menopause (OR = 1.90, 95%CI = 1.28–2.81, p = 0.001), while those with late menopause did not. In a supplementary analysis with older men, older women with premature or early menopause were more likely to develop frailty compared with older men (OR = 2.29, 95%CI = 151–3.48, p < 0.001), however, there was no significant difference between women with normal or late menopause. Conclusions: Earlier menopause was significantly associated with higher risk of developing frailty. Our findings suggest that menopause or its related factors, such as decline in estrogen after menopause, potentially play an important role in the sex difference in frailty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Duration of post‐vaccination protection against COVID‐19 in nursing home (NH) residents is a critical issue. The objective of this study was to estimate the duration of the IgG(S) response to the mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine in NH residents with (COV‐Yes) or without (COV‐No) history of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Methods: A 574 COV‐Yes and COV‐No NH residents were included in 2 cohorts: Main (n = 115, median age 87 years) or Confirmatory (n = 459, median age 89 years). IgG(S) quantification was carried out at three different time points following the BNT162b2 vaccine: three (1st) and seven (2nd) months after the 2nd dose, and 1 month after the 3rd dose (3rd quantification) in the Main cohort, and twice (2nd and 3rd) in the Confirmatory cohort. The seroneutralization capacity according to COVID‐19 history was also measured in a subgroup of patients. Results: Neutralization capacity was strongly correlated with IgG(S) levels (R2:76%) without any difference between COV‐Yes and COV‐No groups for the same levels of IgG(S). After the 2nd dose, duration of the assumed robust protection (IgG(S) >264 BAU/ml) was two‐fold higher in the COV‐Yes vs. COV‐No group: 12.60 (10.69–14.44) versus 5.76 (3.91–8.64) months, with this advantage mainly due to the higher IgG(S) titers after the 2nd dose and secondary to a slower decay over time. After the 3rd dose, duration of robust protection was estimated at 11.87 (9.88–14.87) (COV‐Yes) and 8.95 (6.85–11.04) (COV‐No) months. These results were similar in both cohorts. Conclusions and Relevance: In old subjects living in NH, history of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection provides a clear advantage in the magnitude and duration of high IgG(S) titers following the 2nd dose. Importantly, the 3rd dose induces a much more pronounced IgG(S) response than the 2nd dose in COV‐No subjects, the effect of which should be able to ensure a prolonged protection against severe forms of COVID‐19 in these subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The emergency department (ED) is a critical juncture in the care of persons living with dementia (PLwD), as they have a high rate of hospital admission, ED revisits, and subsequent inpatient stays. We examine ED disposition of PLwD compared with older adults with non‐dementia chronic disease as well as healthcare utilization and survival. Methods: Medicare claims data were used to identify community‐dwelling older adults 66+ years old from 34 hospitals with either Alzheimer's disease/Alzheimer's disease related dementias (AD/ADRD) or a non‐AD/ADRD chronic condition between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2018. We compared ED disposition at the index visit, as well as healthcare utilization and mortality in the 12 months following an index ED visit, and adjusted for age, gender, and risk of mortality. Results: There were 29,626 patients in the AD/ADRD sample, and 317,046 in the comparison sample. The AD/ADRD sample was older (82.4 years old [SD: 8.2] vs. 76.0 years old [SD: 7.7]) and had more female patients (59.9% vs. 54.7%). The AD/ADRD sample was more likely to experience ED disposition to acute care (OR 1.039, p < 0.001, 95% CI 1.029–1.050), to have an ED revisit (OR 1.077, p < 0.001, 95% CI 1.066–1.087), and an inpatient stay in the subsequent 12 months (OR 1.085, p < 0.001, 95% CI 1.075–1.095). ED disposition to hospice was low in both samples (0.2%). AD/ADRD patients had a higher risk of mortality (OR 1.099, p < 0.001, 95% CI 1.091–1.107) and high short‐term mortality (31.9% within 12 months) than those without AD/ADRD (15.3% within 12 months). Conclusions: PLwD who visit the ED have high short‐term mortality. Despite this, disposition to acute care, ED revisits, and inpatient stays, rather than hospice, remain the predominant mode of care delivery. Transition directly from the ED to hospice for PLwD is rare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was gather pilot data from informal caregivers regarding the potential for a training program to assist current or past caregivers in reentering the job market, and thus offering a pathway to economic resilience. In an effort that could foster a sustainable and competent caregiving market to help meet the needs of an aging America, whether training informal caregivers might help them transition into a paid caregiving or other health service role was explored. Caregivers (N = 55) of a chronically or terminally ill family member or friend in a suburban county near Chicago were interviewed. The interview guide addressed household economic effect of illness, emotional burden, and training program interest. Fifty-six percent of caregivers were interested in training to work outside the home, caring for people in other households, 84% indicated a desire to learn more about health care, and 68% reported a desire to explore job possibilities in health care. Eighty-two percent were experienced in working with an individual aged 50 and older. Informal caregivers' interest in a training program to bolster their qualifications for a role in the healthcare workforce, including the option of a formal caregiver position, supports the demand for such a program. Considering the need for healthcare workers to serve the growing elderly population and the desire of informal caregivers to find gainful employment, these informal caregivers could provide the impetus to invest in informal caregiver training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objective of this study was to determine associations between use of oral anticoagulation (OAC) and stroke and bleeding‐related outcomes for older people ≥80 years with atrial fibrillation (AF), and to determine trends over time in prescribing of OAC for this population. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. People aged ≥80 years with AF receiving (1) no OAC; (2) warfarin; or (3) a non‐vitamin‐K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) between 2011 and 2019 were included. Propensity score matching was used to balance cohorts (no OAC, warfarin or a NOAC) on characteristics including age, sex, ethnicity, and co‐morbidities. Cox proportional hazard models were used to derive hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The proportion of people aged ≥80 years receiving any OAC increased from 32.4% (n = 27,647) in 2011 to 43.6% (n = 110,412) in 2019. After propensity score matching, n = 169,067 individuals were included in the cohorts receiving no OAC or a NOAC. Compared to no OAC, participants receiving a NOAC had a lower risk of incident dementia (hazHR 0.68, 95% CI 0.65–0.71), all‐cause mortality (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.48–0.50), first‐time ischaemic stroke (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.83–0.91), and a higher risk of major bleeding (HR 1.08, 95% CI 1.05–1.11). Compared to participants receiving warfarin, participants receiving a NOAC had a lower risk of dementia (HR 0.90, 95% CI: 0.86–0.93), all‐cause mortality (HR 0.74, 95% CI: 0.72–0.76), ischaemic stroke (HR 0.86, 95% CI: 0.82–0.90) and major bleeding (HR 0.88, 95% CI: 0.85–0.90). Similar results were observed when only including people with additional bleeding risk factors. Conclusions: The proportion of people aged ≥80 years receiving OAC has increased since the introduction of NOACs, but remains low. Use of a NOAC was associated with improved outcomes compared to warfarin, and compared to no OAC, except for a small but statistically significant higher risk of major bleeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inadequate treatment of high blood pressure (BP) can lead to preventable adverse events in nursing home residents, while excessive treatment can lead to associated harms. Methods: Data were extracted from the VA electronic health record and Bar Code Medication Administration system on 40,079 long‐term care residents aged ≥65 years from October 2006 through September 2018 (FY2007‐2018). Hypertension prevalence at admission was identified by ICD code(s) in the year prior, and antihypertensive medication use was defined as administration ≥50% of days. BP measures were averaged over 2‐year epochs. Results: The age‐standardized prevalence of hypertension diagnosis at admission increased from 75.2% in FY2007‐2008 to 85.1% in FY2017‐2018 (p‐value for trend <0.001). Rates of BP treatment and control among residents with hypertension at admission declined slightly over time (p‐values for trend <0.001) but remained high (80.3% treated in FY2017‐2018, 80.1% with average BP <140/90 mmHg). The age‐adjusted prevalence of chronic low BP (average <90/60 mmHg) also declined from 11.1% in FY2007‐2008 to 4.7% in FY2017‐2018 (p‐value for trend <0.001). Persons identified as Black race or Hispanic ethnicity and those with a history of diabetes, stroke, and renal disease were less likely to have an average BP <140/90 mmHg. Conclusions: Hypertension is well controlled in VA nursing homes, and recent trends of less intensive BP control were accompanied by a lower prevalence of chronic low BP. Nonetheless, some high‐risk populations have average BP levels >140/90 mmHg. Future research is needed to better understand the benefits and harms of BP control in nursing home residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The HEART Pathway is a validated protocol for risk stratifying emergency department (ED) patients with possible acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Its performance in different age groups is unknown. The objective of this study is to evaluate its safety and effectiveness among older adults. Methods: A pre‐planned subgroup analysis of the HEART Pathway implementation study was conducted. This prospective interrupted time series accrued adult ED patients with possible ACS who were without ST‐elevation across three US sites from 11/2013–01/2016. After implementation, providers prospectively used the HEART Pathway to stratify patients as low‐risk or non‐low‐risk. Patients were classified as older adults (≥65 years), middle‐aged (46–64 years), and young (21–45 years). Primary safety and effectiveness outcomes were 30‐day death or MI and hospitalization at 30 days, determined from health records, insurance claims, and death index data. Fisher's exact test compared low‐risk proportions between groups. Sensitivity for 30‐day death or MI and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for hospitalization and objective cardiac testing were calculated. Results: The HEART Pathway implementation study accrued 8474 patients, of which 26.9% (2281/8474) were older adults, 45.5% (3862/8474) middle‐aged, and 27.5% (2331/8474) were young. The HEART Pathway identified 7.4% (97/1303) of older adults, 32.0% (683/2131) of middle‐aged, and 51.4% (681/1326) of young patients as low‐risk (p < 0.001). The HEART Pathway was 98.8% (95% CI 97.1–100) sensitive for 30‐day death or MI among older adults. Following implementation, the rate of 30‐day hospitalization was similar among older adults (aOR 1.25, 95% CI 1.00–1.55) and cardiac testing increased (aOR 1.25, 95% CI 1.04–1.51). Conclusion: The HEART Pathway identified fewer older adults as low‐risk and did not decrease hospitalizations in this age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Older adults represent a disproportionate share of severe COVID‐19 presentations and fatalities, but we have limited understanding of the differences in presentation by age and the association between less typical emergency department (ED) presentations and clinical outcomes. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used the RECOVER Network registry, a research collaboration of 86 EDs in 27 U.S. states. We focused on encounters with a positive nasopharyngeal swab for SARS‐CoV‐2, and described their demographics, clinical presentation, and outcomes. Sequential multivariable logistic regressions examined the strength of association between age cohort and outcomes. Results: Of 4536 encounters, median patient age was 55 years, 49% were women, and 34% were non‐Hispanic Black persons. Cough was the most common presenting complaint across age groups (18–64, 65–74, and 75+): 71%, 67%, and 59%, respectively (p < 0.001). Neurological symptoms, particularly altered mental status, were more common in older adults (2%, 11%, 26%; p < 0.001). Patients 75+ had the greatest odds of ED index visit admission of all age groups (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 6.66; 95% CI 5.23–8.56), 30‐day hospitalization (aOR 7.44; 95% CI 5.63–9.99), and severe COVID‐19 (aOR 4.26; 95% CI 3.45–5.27). Compared to individuals with alternate presentations and adjusting for age, patients with typical symptoms (fever, cough and/or shortness of breath) had similar odds of ED index visit admission (aOR 1.01; 95% CI 0.81–1.24), potentially higher odds of 30‐day hospitalization (aOR 1.23; 95% CI 1.00–1.53), and greater odds of severe COVID‐19 (aOR 1.46; 95% CI 1.12–1.90). Conclusions: Older patients with COVID‐19 are more likely to have presentations without the most common symptoms. However, alternate presentations of COVID‐19 in older ED patients are not associated with greater odds of mechanical ventilation and/or death. Our data highlights the importance of a liberal COVID‐19 testing strategy among older ED patients to facilitate accurate diagnoses and timely treatment and prophylaxis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Guidelines discourage sliding scale insulin (SSI) use after the first week of a nursing home (NH) admission. We sought to determine the prevalence of SSI and identify factors associated with stopping SSI or transitioning to another short‐acting insulin regimen. Methods: In an observational study from October 1, 2013, to June 30, 2017 of non‐hospice Veterans Affairs NH residents with type 2 diabetes and an NH admission over 1 week, we compared the weekly prevalence of SSI versus two other short‐acting insulin regimens – fixed dose insulin (FDI) or correction dose insulin (CDI, defined as variable SSI given alongside fixed doses of insulin) – from week 2 to week 12 of admission. Among those on SSI in week 2, we examined factors associated with stopping SSI or transitioning to other regimens by week 5. Factors included demographics (e.g., age, sex, race/ethnicity), frailty‐related factors (e.g., comorbidities, cognitive impairment, functional impairment), and diabetes‐related factors (e.g., HbA1c, long‐acting insulin use, hyperglycemia, and hypoglycemia). Results: In week 2, 21% of our cohort was on SSI, 8% was on FDI, and 7% was on CDI. SSI was the most common regimen in frail subgroups (e.g., 18% of our cohort with moderate–severe cognitive impairment was on SSI vs 5% on FDI and 4% on CDI). SSI prevalence decreased steadily from 21% to 16% at week 12 (p for linear trend <0.001), mostly through stopping SSI. Diabetes‐related factors (e.g., hyperglycemia) were more strongly associated with continuing SSI or transitioning to a non‐SSI short‐acting insulin regimen than frailty‐related factors. Conclusions: SSI is the most common method of administering short‐acting insulin in NH residents. More research needs to be done to explore why sliding scale use persists weeks after NH admission and explore how we can replace this practice with safer, more effective, and less burdensome regimens. This article comments on an article by Lederle et al. and an editorial by Lega et al. in this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Morbidity and death due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) experienced by older adults in nursing homes have been well described, but COVID‐19's impact on community‐living older adults is less studied. Similarly, the previous ambulatory care experience of such patients has rarely been considered in studies of COVID‐19 risks and outcomes. Methods: To investigate the relationship of advanced age (65+), on risk factors associated with COVID‐19 outcomes in community‐living elders, we identified an electronic health records cohort of older patients aged 65+ with laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19 with and without an ambulatory care visit in the past 24 months (n = 47,219) in the New York City (NYC) academic medical institutions and the NYC public hospital system from January 2020 to February 2021. The main outcomes are COVID‐19 hospitalization; severe outcomes/Intensive care unit (ICU), intubation, dialysis, stroke, in‐hospital death), and in‐hospital death. The exposures include demographic characteristics, and those with ambulatory records, comorbidities, frailty, and laboratory results. Results: The 31,770 patients with an ambulatory history had a median age of 74 years; were 47.4% male, 24.3% non‐Hispanic white, 23.3% non‐Hispanic black, and 18.4% Hispanic. With increasing age, the odds ratios and attributable fractions of sex, race–ethnicity, comorbidities, and biomarkers decreased except for dementia and frailty (Hospital Frailty Risk Score). Patients without ambulatory care histories, compared to those with, had significantly higher adjusted rates of COVID‐19 hospitalization and severe outcomes, with strongest effect in the oldest group. Conclusions: In this cohort of community‐dwelling older adults, we provided evidence of age‐specific risk factors for COVID‐19 hospitalization and severe outcomes. Future research should explore the impact of frailty and dementia in severe COVID‐19 outcomes in community‐living older adults, and the role of engagement in ambulatory care in mitigating severe disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Antipsychotics and sedatives are used to treat agitation in the emergency department (ED) but carry significant risk in older adults. Our objective was to determine factors associated with their administration to older ED patients. Methods: This was an observational study using data from the 2014–2017 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. We identified ED visits for patients aged ≥65 years and determined whether an antipsychotic or sedative was administered. Visits related to substance use/withdrawal, other psychiatric complaints, and intubation were excluded. We performed multivariable logistic regression to identify risk factors for antipsychotic or sedative administration. Results: Of the 78.7 million ED visits that met inclusion criteria, 3.5% involved at least one dose of antipsychotic or sedative medication; 13% involved an antipsychotic and 92% a sedative. Factors associated with antipsychotic administration included nursing home residence (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.67; 95% CI: 1.05–6.80), dementia (aOR: 5.62; 95% CI: 2.44–12.94), and delirium (aOR: 7.33; 95% CI: 2.21–24.32). Sedative administration was positively associated with CT or MR imaging (aOR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.42–2.43), urbanicity of ED (aOR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.02–2.08), and female gender (aOR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.08–1.99) and negatively associated with older age (age: 75–84; aOR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.49–0.91; age: 85+; aOR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.45–0.88; reference age: 65–74 years). Antipsychotic and sedative administration were associated with prolonged ED lengths of stay and hospital admission. Conclusion: We identified patient‐ and facility‐level factors associated with sedative and antipsychotic administration in older ED patients. Antipsychotic and sedative administration were associated with prolonged ED lengths of stay and hospital admission. See related editorial by Lee. in this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Age‐Friendly Health Systems (AFHS) aims to improve the experience of care for adults aged 65 years and older through the 4Ms framework, an evidence‐based approach to care planning that emphasizes what matters most to the older person, mentation, mobility, and medication. The aim of this study was to examine clinicians' attitudes, knowledge, and practices concerning AFHS and the 4Ms. Methods: We surveyed U.S.‐based health care providers randomly identified from the Medscape database. The sample was weighted based on sex, U.S. Census region, and ethnic diversity of health occupations. We examined the differences between cohorts using proportions tests and logistic regression models. Results: More than 90% of clinicians (n = 1684) agreed that "older patients require a different approach to care than younger patients." Fifty percent of clinicians "always" take the age of their patient into consideration when determining care. A majority of clinicians said they discuss each of the 4Ms with older patients and/or their family caregivers. Screening for depression and review of high‐risk medication use are among the leading types of age‐friendly care that clinicians provide to older patients. A minority of clinicians are asking older adults about and aligning the care plan with What Matters. Conclusions: A majority of clinicians acknowledged the benefits of providing care via AFHS but reported limited knowledge of the specificities of the 4Ms framework and are not necessarily taking the age of their patients into consideration when determining the best form of care. Health care settings that have implemented the 4Ms framework appear to be doing so in an incomplete way. Our study reinforces the case for training primary care providers on how to adopt the evidence‐based 4Ms framework in clinical practice effectively and consistently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent literature suggests that the gap in prevalence of binge drinking between men and women is closing, but little is known about sex‐specific differences in trends and correlates of binge drinking among older Americans. Methods: A total of 18,794 adults, aged 65 years and older were surveyed in the 2015–2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. We estimated trends in prevalence of past‐month binge drinking (≥5 drinks on the same occasion for men and ≥4 drinks for women), stratified by sex. Correlates of binge drinking were estimated for men and women separately, focusing on demographic characteristics, chronic diseases, past‐month tobacco and cannabis use, depression, and emergency department use. Multivariable generalized linear models using Poisson and log link were used to examine associations stratified by sex. Results: Binge drinking among older men increased from 12.8% in 2015 to 15.7% in 2019 (p = 0.02) but remained stable among older women (7.6% to 7.3%, p = 0.97). In adjusted models, having a college degree was associated with higher risk of binge drinking among women (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.13–2.50), but lower risk among men (aPR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.56–0.85). Men who are separated or divorced were also at higher risk (aPR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.05–1.50), but women were not. Both men and women reporting past‐month use of tobacco (men aPR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.61–2.17, women aPR = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.71–2.60) and cannabis (men aPR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.63–2.58, women aPR = 2.77, 95% CI 2.00–3.85) were at higher risk of binge drinking. Conclusions: Binge drinking has increased among older men whereas it has remained stable among older women in the United States. Interventions should consider that although tobacco and cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of binge drinking among both older men and women, demographic correlates tend to differ by sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many physical functions decline with aging, but it is not known whether oral functions vary according to sex or decline with aging, as it occurs with physical functions. The present study aimed to examine the association of sex, age, and elapsed years with occlusal force and tongue pressure using a generalized linear mixed‐effect model (GLMM) over a 3‐year period among old‐old Japanese adults. Methods: Participants were community‐dwelling older adults who participated in a survey (June 2014–March 2017) and a follow‐up survey (July 2017–December 2019) after 3 years (n = 951: 70‐year group, n = 466; 80‐year group, n = 391; 90‐year group, n = 94). Dental examinations including the number of teeth, occlusal force, and tongue pressure were conducted, and a GLMM was used to estimate the association of sex, age, and elapsed years with occlusal force and tongue pressure, adjusting for the number of teeth. Results: The GLMM showed that occlusal force was significantly associated with sex (reference; male, non‐standardized coefficient: B = −66.9 [female], p < 0.001), age (reference; 70‐year group, B = −81.7 [80‐year group], p < 0.001, B = −87.2 [90‐year group], p < 0.001), and the number of teeth (B = 13.8, p < 0.001), but did not significantly decrease with elapsed years. Tongue pressure was significantly associated with sex (reference; male, B = −0.94 [female], p = 0.034) and age (reference; 70‐year group, B = −1.78 [80‐year group], p < 0.001, B = −5.47 [90‐year group], p < 0.001). Tongue pressure decreased significantly with elapsed years (B = −0.82, p < 0.001). Conclusions: These findings suggest that tongue pressure significantly decreased over time, but occlusal force did not. Tongue‐related muscles may be more susceptible to aging than masticatory muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) can lead to an increased fall risk in older adults. Therefore, we examined the influence of age on the effectiveness of canalith‐repositioning procedures (CRPs) for the treatment of BPPV. Methods: Pubmed, Web of Science, and the bibliographies of selected articles were searched for studies conducted before September 2020 that examined the effectiveness of treatments for BPPV in various age groups. Meta‐analyses were performed to compare treatment effectiveness and recurrence rates for younger and older adults. Odds ratios were calculated in a random‐effects model. Mean differences were calculated using a fixed‐effects model. A significance level of p < 0.05 (95% confidence interval) was set. The risk of bias and the methodological quality of all included articles were examined. Results: Forty‐five studies were retrieved after full‐text screening, of which 29 studies were included for a qualitative review. The remaining 16 studies were eligible for inclusion in the meta‐analysis (3267 participants with BPPV). The success rate of a single CRP was higher in the younger group (72.5% vs. 67%, p < 0.001). An average of 1.4 and 1.5 CRPs was needed for complete recovery in the younger and older groups, respectively (p = 0.02). However, global treatment success did not differ between these groups (97.5% vs. 94.6%, p = 0.41). The recurrence rate was higher in the older population (23.2% vs. 18.6%, p = 0.007). Conclusions: Although more CRPs are needed, the rate of complete recovery in older adults is similar to that observed in younger adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physical function worsens with older age, particularly for sedentary and socially isolated individuals, and this often leads to injuries. Through reductions in physical activity, the COVID‐19 pandemic may have worsened physical function and led to higher fall‐related risks. Methods: A nationally representative online survey of 2006 U.S. adults aged 50–80 was conducted in January 2021 to assess changes in health behaviors (worsened physical activity and less daily time spent on feet), social isolation (lack of companionship and perceived isolation), physical function (mobility and physical conditioning), and falls (falls and fear of falling) since March 2020. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess relationships among physical activity, social isolation, physical function, falls, and fear of falling. Results: Among respondents, 740 (36.9%) reported reduced physical activity levels, 704 (35.1%) reported reduced daily time spent on their feet since March 2020, 712 (37.1%) reported lack of companionship, and 914 (45.9%) social isolation. In multivariable models, decreased physical activity (adjusted risk ratio, ARR: 2.92, 95% CI: 2.38, 3.61), less time spent on one's feet (ARR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.62, 2.34), and social isolation (ARR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.30, 1.74) were associated with greater risks of worsened physical conditioning. Decreased physical activity, time spent daily on one's feet, and social isolation were similarly associated with worsened mobility. Worsened mobility was associated with both greater risk of falling (ARR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.35, 2.15) and worsened fear of falling (ARR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.30, 3.13). Worsened physical conditioning and social isolation were also associated with greater risk of worsened fear of falling. Conclusion: The COVID‐19 pandemic was associated with worsened physical functioning and fall outcomes, with the greatest effect on individuals with reduced physical activity and social isolation. Public health actions to address reduced physical activity and social isolation among older adults are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Frailty is known to affect how people admitted with traumatic injuries recover during their inpatient stay and shortly after discharge. However, few studies have examined the effect of frailty on long‐term mortality when adjusted for significant factors including age. We aimed to determine the effect of frailty on 1‐year morality in older adults admitted with traumatic injuries. Methods: We undertook an observational study at the Severn Major Trauma Network's major trauma centre based in South West England. Patients ≥65 years old admitted between November 2018 and September 2019 with traumatic injuries were included. Isolated hip fractures and inpatient injuries were excluded. A geriatrician assessed all patients for frailty using the Clinical Frailty Scale. Follow‐up occurred at 1 year. A multivariable Cox proportional baseline hazards model assessed the effect of frailty on time‐to‐mortality. The adjusted model included age, sex, multimorbidity, surgery, most injured site, injury severity, postinjury complications, and geriatrician review. Results: Five hundred and eighty‐five patients were included. Median age was 81 years old (IQR 74–88), and median injury severity score was 13 (IQR 9–25). At 1 year 147 (25.1%) patients had died. Living with frailty was associated with mortality. The risk of dying increased with frailty severity. Compared to CFS 1–3: CFS 4 aHR = 1.73 (95% CI 0.89–3.36, p = 0.11); CFS 5 aHR = 3.82 (95% CI 2.11–6.93, p < 0.001); CFS 6 aHR = 4·05 (95% CI 2.21–7.45, p < 0.001); CFS 7–8 aHR = 6.57 (95% CI 3.43–12.59, p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study is the first to demonstrate a consistent effect of frailty, at all levels of severity and independent of age, on older peoples' survival 1 year after traumatic injury. These data support performing an admission frailty assessment to aid long‐term management decisions and provide opportunity to modify frailty to improve outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Long‐term prognostication is important to inform preventive care in older adults. Existing prediction indices incorporate age and comorbidities. Frailty is another important factor in prognostication. In this project, we aimed at developing life expectancy estimates that incorporate both comorbidities and frailty. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we used data from a 5% sample of Medicare beneficiaries with and without history of cancer from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registry areas. We included adults aged 66–95 years who were continuously enrolled in fee‐for‐service Medicare for ≥1 year from 1998 to 2014. Participants were followed for survival until 12/31/2015, death, or disenrollment. Comorbidity (none, low/medium, high) and frailty categories (low, high) were defined using established methods for claims. We estimated 5‐ and 10‐year survival probabilities and median life expectancies by age, sex, comorbidities, and frailty. Results: The study included 479,646 individuals (4,128,316 person‐years), of whom most were women (58.7%). Frailty scores varied widely among participants in the same comorbidity category. In Cox models, both comorbidities and frailty were independent predictors of mortality. Individuals with high comorbidities (HR, 3.24; 95% CI, 3.20–3.28) and low/medium comorbidities (HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.34–1.39) had higher risks of death than those with no comorbidities. Compared to low frailty, high frailty was associated with higher risk of death (HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.52–1.58). Frailty affected life expectancy estimates in ways relevant to preventive care (i.e., distinguishing <10‐year versus >10‐year life expectancy) in multiple subgroups. Conclusion: Incorporating both comorbidities and frailty may be important in estimating long‐term life expectancies of older adults. Our life expectancy tables can aid clinicians' prognostication and inform simulation models and population health management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although opioids are initiated on hospital discharge in millions of older adults each year, there are no studies examining patient‐ and prescribing‐related risk factors for opioid‐related adverse drug events (ADEs) after hospital discharge among medical patients. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of a national sample of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older, hospitalized for a medical reason, with at least one claim for an opioid within 2 days of hospital discharge. We excluded patients receiving hospice care and patients admitted from or discharged to a facility. We used administrative billing codes and medication claims to define potential opioid‐related ADEs within 30 days of hospital discharge, and competing risks regression to identify risk factors for these events. Results: Among 22,879 medical hospitalizations (median age 74, 36.9% female) with an opioid claim within 2 days of hospital discharge, a potential opioid‐related ADE occurred in 1604 (7.0%). Independent risk factors included age of 80 years and older (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.05–1.33); clinical conditions, including kidney disease (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.08–1.37), dementia/delirium (HR 1.38, 95% CI 1.22–1.56), anxiety disorder (HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.06–1.36), opioid use disorder (HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.03–1.39), intestinal disorders (HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.15–1.49), pancreaticobiliary disorders (HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.09–1.61), and musculoskeletal and nervous system injuries (HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.17–1.54); red flags for opioid misuse (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.04–1.80); opioid use in the 30 days before hospitalization (HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.08–1.34); and prescription of long‐acting opioids (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.06–1.70). Conclusions: Potential opioid‐related ADEs occurred within 30 days of hospital discharge in 7.0% of older adults discharged from a medical hospitalization with an opioid prescription. Identified risk factors can be used to inform physician decision‐making, conversations with older adults about risk, and development and targeting of harm reduction strategies. See related editorial by Gurwitz in this issue [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a paucity of data on older adults (age ≥65 years) undergoing surgery who had an inpatient do‐not‐resuscitate (DNR) order, and the association between timing of DNR order and outcomes. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 1976 older adults in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program geriatric‐specific database (2014–2018). Patients were stratified by institution of a DNR order during their surgical admission ("new‐DNR" vs. "no‐DNR"), and matched by age (±3 years), frailty score (range: 0–1), and procedure. The main outcome of interest was occurrence of death or hospice transition (DoH) ≤30 postoperative days; this was analyzed using bivariate and multivariable methods. Results: One in 36 older adults had a new‐DNR order. After matching, there were 988 new‐DNR and 988 no‐DNR patients. Median age and frailty score were 82 years and 0.2, respectively. Most underwent orthopedic (47.6%), general (37.6%), and vascular procedures (8.4%). Overall DoH rate ≤30 days was 44.4% for new‐DNR versus 4.0% for no‐DNR patients (p < 0.001). DoH rate for patients who had DNR orders placed in the preoperative, day of surgery, and postoperative setting was 16.7%, 23.3%, and 64.6%, respectively (p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, compared to no‐DNR patients, those with a new‐DNR order had a 28‐fold higher adjusted odds of DoH (odds ratio [OR] 28.1, 95% confidence interval: 13.0–60.1, p < 0.001); however, odds were 10‐fold lower if the DNR order was placed preoperatively (OR: 5.8, p = 0.003) versus postoperatively (OR: 52.9, p < 0.001). Traditional markers of poor postoperative outcomes such as American Society of Anesthesiologists class and emergency surgery were not independently associated with DoH. Conclusions: An inpatient DNR order was associated with risk of DoH independent of traditional markers of poor surgical outcomes. Further research is needed to understand factors leading to a DNR order that may aid early recognition of high‐risk older adults undergoing surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: After hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), older adults may be at increased risk for falls due to deconditioning, new medications, and worsening health status. Our primary objective was to identify risk factors for falls after AMI hospitalization among adults over age 75. Methods: We used data from the Comprehensive Evaluation of Risk Factors in Older Patients with AMI (SILVER‐AMI) study, a prospective cohort study of 3041 adults age 75 and older hospitalized with AMI at 94 community and academic medical centers across the United States. In‐person interviews and physical assessments, as well as medical record review, were performed to collect demographic, clinical, functional, and psychosocial data. Falls were self‐reported in telephone interviews and medically serious falls (those associated with emergency department use or hospitalization) were determined by medical record adjudication. Backward selection was used to identify predictors of fall risk in logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 554 (21.6%) participants reported a fall and 191 (6.4%) had a medically serious fall within 6 months of discharge. Factors independently associated with self‐reported falls included impaired mobility, prior fall history, longer hospital stay, visual impairment, and weak grip. Factors independently associated with medically serious falls included older age, polypharmacy, impaired functional mobility, prior fall history, and living alone. Conclusions: Among older patients hospitalized for AMI, falls are common in the 6 months following discharge and associated with demographic, functional, and clinical factors that are readily identifiable. Fall risk should be considered in post‐AMI clinical decision‐making and interventions to prevent falls should be evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To compare the effects of 4 years of intensive lifestyle intervention on weight, fitness, and cardiovascular disease risk factors in older and younger individuals. Design Randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting Sixteen U. S. clinical sites. Participants Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus: 1,053 aged 65 to 76 and 4,092 aged 45 to 64. Interventions An intensive behavioral intervention designed to promote and maintain weight loss through caloric restriction and increased physical activity was compared with diabetes mellitus support and education. Measurements Standardized assessments of weight, fitness (based on graded exercise testing), and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Results Over 4 years, older individuals had greater intervention-related mean weight losses (6.2%) than younger participants (5.1%; interaction P = .006) and comparable relative mean increases in fitness (0.56 vs 0.53 metabolic equivalents; interaction P = .72). These benefits were seen consistently across subgroups of older adults formed according to many demographic and health factors. Of a panel of age-related health conditions, only self-reported worsening vision was associated with poorer intervention-related weight loss in older individuals. The intensive lifestyle intervention produced mean increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (2.03 mg/dL; P < .001) and decreases in glycated hemoglobin (0.21%; P < .001) and waist circumference (3.52 cm; P < .001) over 4 years that were at least as large in older as in younger individuals. Conclusion Intensive lifestyle intervention targeting weight loss and increased physical activity is effective in overweight and obese older individuals to produce sustained weight loss and improvements in fitness and cardiovascular risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine if older age (>70 years) should be a relative contraindication for heart transplantation, we evaluated the characteristics and outcomes of patients with age ≥70 years listed for heart transplantation; and whether post‐transplantation survival was inferior to younger counterparts. Design Retrospective cohort analysis. Setting: The scientific registry of transplant recipients (SRTR). Participants: Adults (≥18 years) listed for heart transplantation in the SRTR between 2000 and 2018. Interventions: Heart transplantation. Measurements Characteristics and outcomes were compared for adults ≥70 years and <70 years. We evaluated waitlist mortality and post‐transplant 1‐year and 5‐year survivals. Results: The study included 57,285 patients (age range 18–79 years) listed for heart transplantation; 1203 (2.1%) age ≥70 years. Of these, 37,135 patients underwent heart transplantation; 806 (2.2%) were age ≥70 years. Yearly listing of those age ≥70 years has consistently increased from 2.5% (n = 30) in 2000 to 11% (n = 132) in 2017 (p < 0.01). As compared with the age <70 years group, those ≥70 years had a similar risk of death while waiting (sub‐hazard ratio [SHR] 0.86, 95% confidence interval [HR] 0.68–1.08; p = 0.19) but were more likely to be transplanted (SHR 1.36, 95% CI 1.26–1.48; p < 0.01). Among the older patients, the overall post‐transplant 1‐ and 5‐year mortality rate was 10.4% and 19.2%, respectively. Older recipients had lower unadjusted survival compared with younger recipients (log‐rank p = 0.03). However, after adjustment for relevant covariates, there was no significant difference in 5‐year mortality between both groups (HR 1.06, 95% CI 0.91–1.254; p = 0.43). Conclusions: Post‐transplant survival up to 5 years among patients of age ≥70 years was similar to that of younger recipients. Older patients who received heart transplantation appear to have lower risk features but receive hearts from higher risk donors. Chronologic age alone should not constitute a contraindication for heart transplantation, although careful patient selection criteria should be applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]