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The article presents a research paper on the link between physical performance and long-term survival in a cohort of community-dwelling older people from the "Aging and Longevity in the Sirente Geographic Area" study. Topics discussed include the methods used in the study, the definition of long-term survival, and the implications of the study for assessing mortality risk in octogenarians.

Landmark articles from the peer-reviewed literature can be used to teach the fundamental principles of geriatric medicine. Three approaches were used in sequential combination to identify landmark articles as a resource for geriatricians and other healthcare practitioners. Candidate articles were identified first through a literature review and expert opinion survey of geriatric medicine faculty. Candidate articles in a winnowed list (n = 30) were then included in a bibliometric analysis that incorporated the journal impact factor and average monthly citation index. Finally, a consensus panel reviewed articles to assess each manuscript's clinical relevance. For each article, a final score was determined by averaging, with equal weight, the opinion survey, bibliometric analysis, and consensus panel review. This process ultimately resulted in the identification of 27 landmark articles. Overall, there was weak correlation between articles that the expert opinion survey and bibliometric analysis both rated highly. This process demonstrates a feasible method combining subjective and objective measures that can be used to identify landmark papers in geriatric medicine for the enhancement of geriatrics education and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To explore global changes in the prescription of analgesic drugs over time in the international long‐term care (LTC) population. Design: Systematic review. Setting: We included original research articles in English, published and unpublished, that included number of participants, country and year(s) of data collection, and prescription of analgesics (analgesics not otherwise specified, opioids, acetaminophen; scheduled only, or scheduled plus as needed (PRN)). Participants: LTC residents. Measurements: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, PsycINFO, Cochrane, Web of Science, Google Scholar, using keywords for LTC facilities and analgesic medication; hand‐searched references of eligible papers; correspondence. Studies were quality rated using an adapted Newcastle‐Ottawa scale. Pearson correlation coefficients were generated between percentage of residents prescribed an analgesic and year of data collection. If available, we investigated changes in acetaminophen and opioid prescriptions. Results: Forty studies met inclusion criteria. A moderate correlation (0.59) suggested that scheduled prescription rates for analgesics have increased over time. Similar findings were reflected in scheduled prescriptions for acetaminophen and opioids. No increase was seen when analyzing scheduled plus PRN analgesics. Use of opioids (scheduled plus PRN) appears to have increased over time. Conclusion: Worldwide, use of opioids and acetaminophen has increased in LTC residents. Research is needed to explore whether this reflects appropriate pain management for LTC residents and if PRN medication is used effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Background: As federal and state policies rebalance long‐term care from institutional settings to home‐ and community‐based settings, reliance on formal (paid) and family (unpaid) caregivers for support at home nationally has increased in recent years. Yet, it is unknown if use of formal and family care varies by rurality. Methods: Using the Health and Retirement Study, we describe patterns in receipt of combinations of formal and family home care and self‐reported expectation of nursing home use by rurality among community‐dwelling adults aged 65+ with functional limitations from 2004 to 2016. Results: Older adults residing in rural areas are more likely to receive any family care than those in urban areas. From 2004 to 2016, a higher proportion of older adults in rural areas receive care from family caregivers exclusively while a lower proportion receive care from formal caregivers exclusively. When examining older adults in urban areas, we find the opposite — a higher proportion of urban adults rely exclusively on formal care and a lower proportion rely exclusively on family care in 2016 compared to 2004. Conclusion: We find that national estimates of sources of caregiving and their changes over time mask significant heterogeneity in uptake by rurality. Understanding how older adults in rural areas are, or are not, receiving home‐based care compared to their urban peers and how these patterns are changing over time is the first step to informing supports for family and formal caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effect of years of education on the maintenance of healthy cognitive functioning may differ by race and ethnicity given historical and ongoing inequities in educational quality. Methods: We examined 20,311 Black, Latinx, and White adults aged 51–100 from the Health and Retirement Study (2008–2016). Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status‐27 data was used to measure cognitive functioning. Generalized additive mixed models were stratified by race and ethnicity and educational attainment (≥12 vs. <12 years). Selected social determinants of health, all‐cause mortality, time‐varying health and healthcare utilization characteristics, and study wave were included as covariates. Results: On average, Black and Latinx adults scored lower at baseline compared to White adults regardless of educational attainment (p < 0.001), with a significant overlap in the distributions of scores. The rate of cognitive decline was non‐linear for Black, Latinx, and White adults (p < 0.001), and a period of stability was witnessed for those with higher educational attainment irrespective of race and ethnicity. Compared to Black, Latinx, and White adults with lower educational attainment, higher‐educated White adults received the greatest protection from cognitive decline (13 years; 64 vs. 51), followed by Latinx (12 years; 67 vs. 55), and Black adults (10 years; 61 vs. 51). Latinx adults experienced cognitive decline beginning at a later age. Conclusions: The extent to which higher educational attainment protects adults from cognitive decline differs by race and ethnicity, such that higher‐educated White adults received a greater benefit than higher‐educated Black or Latinx adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite evidence that structured goals of care conversations (GoCCs) and documentation of life‐sustaining treatment (LST) preferences improve the delivery of goal‐concordant care for seriously ill patients, rates of completion remain low among nursing home residents. The Preferences Elicited and Respected for Seriously Ill Veterans through Enhanced Decision‐Making (PERSIVED) program aims to improve the consistent documentation of LST preferences among Veterans receiving care in veterans affairs (VA)‐paid community nursing homes (CNH); however, the barriers and facilitators of completing and documenting GoCCs in this unique context of care have not been described. Methods: We conducted semi‐structured, qualitative interviews with key stakeholders of the VA CNH programs located at six VA Medical Centers between July 2021 and July 2022. With a rapid approach to analysis, interview transcripts were reduced into memo templates using the Tailored Implementation for Chronic Disease Checklist and coded and analyzed using qualitative data analysis software. Results: The 40 participants consisted of nurses (n = 13), social workers (n = 25), and VA physicians (n = 2). Most participants felt confident about conducting GoCC; however, several barriers were identified. At the staff level, our results indicated inconsistent completion of GoCC and documentation due to a lack of training, confusion about roles and responsibilities, and challenging communication within the VA as well as with CNH. At the organizational level, there was a lack of standardization across sites for how LST preferences were documented. At the patient level, we found key barriers related to patient and family readiness and issues finding surrogate decision makers. While COVID‐19 brought end‐of‐life issues to the forefront, lockdowns hindered communication about the goals of care. Conclusion: Findings from this pre‐implementation evaluation revealed multi‐level barriers in conducting and documenting GoCCs with Veterans receiving VA‐paid CNH care, as well as several facilitators that can be used to inform strategies for improvement. [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: Orthopedists and other clinicians assess recovery potential of hip fracture patients at 2 months post‐fracture for care planning. It is unclear if examining physical performance (e.g., balance, gait speed, chair stand) during this follow‐up visit can identify individuals at a risk of poor functional recovery, especially mobility, beyond available information from medical records and self‐report. Methods: Data came from 162 patients with hip fracture enrolled in the Baltimore Hip Studies‐7th cohort. Predictors of mobility status (ability to walk 1 block at 12 months post‐fracture) were the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) comprising balance, walking and chair rise tasks at 2 months; baseline medical chart information (sex, age, American Society of Anesthesiologist physical status rating, type of fracture and surgery, and comorbidities); and self‐reported information about the physical function (ability to walk 10 feet and 1 block at pre‐fracture and at 2 months post‐fracture). Prediction models of 12‐month mobility status were built using two methods: (1) logistic regression with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regularization, and (2) classification and regression trees (CART). Area under ROC curves (AUROC) assessed discrimination. Results: The participants had a median age of 82 years, and 49.3% (n = 80) were men. Two‐month SPPB and gait speed were selected as predictors of 12‐month mobility by both methods. Compared with an analytic model with medical chart and self‐reported information, the model that additionally included physical performance measures had significantly better discrimination for 12‐month mobility (AUROC 0.82 vs. 0.88, p = 0.004). Conclusion: Assessing SPPB and gait speed at 2 months after a hip fracture in addition to information from medical records and self‐report significantly improves prediction of 12‐month mobility. This finding has important implications in providing tailored clinical care to patients at a greater risk of being functionally dependent who would not otherwise be identified using regularly measured clinical markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on gaps in technology usage and accessibility that promote ways to use these technologies to improve overall health and wellness. Topics include sociodemographic data of the sample of older adults, technology use frequency of the sample of older adults, and limitations of the study.

Introduction: Serious illness is a life‐limiting condition negatively impacting daily function, quality of life, or excessively straining caregivers. Over 1 million older seriously ill adults undergo major surgery annually, and national guidelines recommend that palliative care be available to all seriously ill patients. However, the palliative care needs of elective surgical patients are incompletely described. Understanding baseline caregiving needs and symptom burden among seriously ill older surgical patients could inform interventions to improve outcomes. Methods: Using Health and Retirement Study data (2008–2018) linked to Medicare claims, we identified patients ≥66 years who met an established serious illness definition from administrative data and underwent major elective surgery using Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) criteria. Descriptive analyses were performed for preoperative patient characteristics, including: unpaid caregiving (no or yes); pain (none/mild or moderate/severe); and depression (no, CES‐D < 3, or yes, CES‐D ≥ 3). Multivariable regression was performed to examine the association between unpaid caregiving, pain, depression, and in‐hospital outcomes, including hospital days (days admitted between discharge date and one‐year post‐discharge), in‐hospital complications (no or yes), and discharge destination (home or non‐home). Results: Of the 1343 patients, 55.0% were female and 81.6% were non‐Hispanic White. Mean age was 78.0 (SD 6.8); 86.9% had ≥2 comorbidities. Before admission, 27.3% of patients received unpaid caregiving. Pre‐admission pain and depression were 42.6% and 32.8%, respectively. Baseline depression was significantly associated with non‐home discharge (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2–2.1, p = 0.003), while baseline pain and unpaid caregiving needs were not associated with in‐hospital or post‐acute outcomes in multivariable analysis. Conclusions: Prior to elective surgery, older adults with serious illnesses have high unpaid caregiving needs and a prevalence of pain and depression. Baseline depression alone was associated with discharge destinations. These findings highlight opportunities for targeted palliative care interventions throughout the surgical encounter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To characterize the prevalence of functional and cognitive impairments, and associations between impairments and treatment among older patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) receiving nursing home (NH) care. Methods: We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results‐Medicare database to identify beneficiaries diagnosed with DLBCL 2011–2015 who received care in a NH within −120 ~ +30 days of diagnosis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare receipt of chemoimmunotherapy (including multi‐agent, anthracycline‐containing regimens), 30‐day mortality, and hospitalization between NH and community‐dwelling patients, estimating odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). We also examined overall survival (OS). Among NH patients, we examined receipt of chemoimmunotherapy based on functional and cognitive impairment. Results: Of the eligible 649 NH patients (median age: 82 years), 45% received chemoimmunotherapy; among the recipients, 47% received multi‐agent, anthracycline‐containing regimens. Compared with community‐dwelling patients, those in a NH were less likely to receive chemoimmunotherapy (OR: 0.34, 95%CI: 0.29–0.41), had higher 30‐day mortality (OR: 2.00, 95%CI: 1.43–2.78) and hospitalization (OR: 1.51, 95%CI: 1.18–1.93), and poorer OS (hazard ratio: 1.36, 95%CI: 1.11–1.65). NH patients with severe functional (61%) or any cognitive impairment (48%) were less likely to receive chemoimmunotherapy. Conclusions: High rates of functional and cognitive impairment and low rates of chemoimmunotherapy were observed among NH residents diagnosed with DLBCL. Further research is needed to better understand the potential role of novel and alternative treatment strategies and patient preferences for treatment to optimize clinical care and outcomes in this high‐risk population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preclinical studies have suggested potential beneficial effects of newer glucose‐lowering drugs (GLDs) including dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)‐4 inhibitors, glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RAs), and sodium glucose co‐transporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, in protecting humans against cognitive decline and dementia. However, population studies aiming to demonstrate such cognitive benefits from newer GLDs have produced mixed findings. This meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the association between newer GLDs and risk of dementia in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: Electronic databases were searched up to March 11, 2022 to include observational studies that examined the association between DPP‐4 inhibitors, GLP‐1RAs, and SGLT2 inhibitors and risk of dementia (including all‐cause dementia, Alzheimer's disease [AD], and vascular dementia [VD]) in people with T2D. We conducted a random‐effects meta‐analysis to calculate the relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for each class of newer GLD. Results: Ten studies (from nine articles) involving 819,511 individuals with T2D were included. Three studies found that SGLT2 inhibitor users had a lower risk of all‐cause dementia than non‐SGLT2 inhibitor users (RR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.39–0.97). Five studies found that users versus nonusers of GLP‐1RAs were associated with a significant reduction in the risk of all‐cause dementia (RR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.54–0.97). However, a meta‐analysis for AD and VD was unavailable for SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP‐1RAs because only one study was included for each drug. In seven studies, users vs. nonusers of DPP‐4 inhibitors were significantly associated with a decreased risk of all‐cause dementia (RR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.74–0.94) and VD (RR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.47–0.75) but not AD (RR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.63–1.08). Conclusion: Newer GLDs were associated with a decreased risk of all‐cause dementia in people with T2D. Because of the observational nature and significant heterogeneity between studies, the results should be interpreted with caution. Further research is warranted to confirm our findings. See related Editorial by He et al. in this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In persons with diabetes, annual screening for peripheral neuropathy (PN) using monofilament testing is the standard of care. However, PN detected by monofilament testing is common in older adults, even in the absence of diabetes. We aimed to assess the association of PN with risk of falls and fractures in older adults. Methods: We included participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study who underwent monofilament testing at visit 6 (2016–2017). Incident falls and fractures were identified based on ICD‐9 and ICD‐10 codes from active surveillance of all hospitalizations and linkage to Medicare claims. We used Cox models to assess the association of PN with falls and fractures (combined and as separate outcomes) after adjusting for demographics and risk factors for falls. Results: There were 3617 ARIC participants (mean age 79.4 [SD 4.7] years, 40.8% male, and 21.4% Black adults), of whom 1242 (34.3%) had PN based on monofilament testing. During a median follow‐up of 2.5 years, 371 participants had a documented fall, and 475 participants had a documented fracture. The incidence rate (per 1000 person‐years) for falls or fractures for participants with PN versus those without PN was 111.1 versus 74.3 (p < 0.001). The age‐, sex‐, and race‐adjusted 3‐year cumulative incidence of incident fall or fracture was significantly higher for participants with PN versus those without PN (26.5% vs. 18.4%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for demographics, PN remained independently associated with falls and fractures (HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.26, 1.74). Results were similar for models including traditional risk factors for falls, when falls and fractures were analyzed as separate outcomes, and after adjustment for competing risk of death. Conclusions: PN, as measured by monofilament testing, is common in older adults and associated with risk of falls and fracture. Screening with monofilament testing may be warranted to identify older adults at high risk for falls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research which assessed interprofessional learner perceptions of a brief educational intervention tailored for opioid prescribing in older adults. The study evaluated pre- and post-intervention knowledge and confidence in medication safety and non-opioid treatment strategies. Findings revealed potential improvement of communication between providers and patients or their caregivers, as well as opportunity to educate caregivers and other providers.

Background: Patients with complex behavioral and mental health conditions require significant transitional care coordination. It is unclear how skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) that serve these patients engage in care transfer with hospitals, specifically whether they experience discrepancies in the type of information shared by hospital partners and/or use different approaches to secure needed information. Methods: Cross‐sectional analysis of a national 2019–2020 SNF survey that collected information on transitional care practices with referring hospitals; respondents were directors of nursing services. We used chi‐squared tests and descriptive statistics to characterize hospital information sharing practices experienced by facilities that accept complex patients (e.g., serious mental illness, substance use disorder, and/or medication assisted treatment), and to compare them to facilities that treat a less complex population. Results: A total of 215 SNFs had sufficiently complete responses for inclusion in the analysis. Of these respondents, 57% accepted two or more types of patients with complex conditions of interest; these SNFs were more likely to be urban, for‐profit, and serve more dual‐eligible patients. SNFs accepting complex patients experience information sharing on par with other facilities, and are more likely to receive information on behavioral, social, mental, and functional status (25.41% vs. 12.90%; p = 0.023). These facilities are also more likely to consistently use electronic methods (e.g., an online portal, shared electronic health record [EHR] access) to retrieve information from partner hospitals. Conclusions: SNFs accepting complex patients demonstrate some evidence of enhanced information retrieval via electronically mediated pathways. Overall, information sharing remains underdeveloped in this care context. Policymakers should continue to prioritize widespread digital infrastructure that supports post‐acute care delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Taiwan, the National Health Insurance Administration initiated the integrated home‐based medical care (iHBMC) program in 2016 to improve accessibility to health care for homebound patients. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of older people receiving iHBMC services in Taiwan as well as the relationship between patient characteristics and survival. Methods: All older adults registered in the iHBMC application dataset were enrolled between March 1, 2016, and December 31, 2018. Data on social determinants of health (income level, residential area), functional status, consciousness status, nasogastric tube or urinary catheter placement, and major diseases were retrieved from the database. Data on the frequency of multidisciplinary team members' visits were collected. The survival rate was investigated using the Kaplan–Meier method. A Cox proportional hazards univariate regression was conducted to analyze factors influencing survival rates. Results: A total of 41,079 patients aged ≥65 years were enrolled in iHBMC services. The results showed that the one‐year survival rates were 72.1%, 67.4%, and 14.7% in the home‐based primary care (HBPC), home‐based primary care plus (HBPC‐Plus), and home‐based palliative care (HBPalC), respectively. Nearly two‐thirds of the HBPC‐Plus patients underwent nasogastric tube placement. The Cox proportional hazards univariate regression analysis showed that a low urbanization level, a low income level, a low functional status, and an impaired consciousness status were significant predictors of poor survival after adjustment for confounding variables. Conclusions: Older adults receiving iHBMC services had a high mortality rate. The high rate of feeding tube use indicated that education and support for both clinical practitioners and family caregivers regarding careful hand feeding are warranted. There was a relationship between low income levels and poor survival in rural areas. Further research on whether social care could impact prognosis should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the underlying motivations and/or behavioral inhibitions of the home healthcare population to support proactive public health outreach campaigns and aid responses in future health crises. Topics include barriers to vaccination, observation on home healthcare providers in the focus groups, and limitations of the study.

Background: The use of cannabis among older adults is increasing in the United States. While cannabis use has been suggested to help alleviate chronic symptoms experienced by older adults, its potential adverse effects may lead to unintended consequences, including increased acute healthcare utilization related to its use. The objective of this study was to examine trends in cannabis‐related emergency department (ED) visits in California. Methods: Using data from the Department of Healthcare Access and Information, we conducted a trend analysis of cannabis‐related ED visits from all acute care hospitals in California from 2005 to 2019. For each calendar year, we determined the cannabis‐related ED visit rate per 100,000 ED visits for adults aged ≥65 utilizing primary or secondary diagnosis codes. We estimated the absolute and relative changes in overall cannabis‐related visit rates during the study period and by subgroup, including age (65–74, 75–84, ≥85), race/ethnicity, sex, payer/insurance, Charlson comorbidity index score, and cannabis‐related diagnosis code. Results: The cannabis‐related ED visit rate increased significantly for adults aged ≥65 and all subgroups (p < 0.001). The overall rate increased from 20.7 per 100,000 visits in 2005 to 395.0 per 100,000 ED visits in 2019, a 1804% relative increase. By race/ethnicity, older Black adults had the highest ED visit rate in 2019 and the largest absolute increase while older males had a higher ED visit rate in 2019 and a greater absolute increase than older women. Older adults with a higher Charlson score had a higher ED visit rate in 2019 and a larger absolute increase during the study period. Conclusion: Cannabis‐related ED visits are increasing among older adults in California and are an adverse effect of cannabis use. Asking about cannabis use and providing education about its use should be a part of routine medical care for older adults. [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]

A letter to the editor is presented which is concerned with research which investigated the two year anemia incidence and causes in older individuals with near normal baseline hemoglobin levels.

The article presents a study which examined the association between social isolation and incident dementia over nine years in large and nationally representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries in the U.S. Topics include criteria for participants to be classified as having probable dementia, distribution of baseline participant characteristics, and characteristics of baseline participants for the total sample and by social isolation status.

The article presents a study which compared acute delirium incidence, length of hospital stay, and weight loss outcomes between persons with dementia (PWD) and older adults without dementia who were hospitalized with COVID-19. Topics discussed include primary and secondary outcomes, association between dementia status and increased odds of acute delirium during COVID-19 hospitalization, and potential of routine outpatient management to help mitigate acute cognitive problems.

Background: CT head is commonly performed in the setting of delirium and altered mental status (AMS), with variable yield. We aimed to evaluate the yield of CT head in hospitalized patients with delirium and/or AMS across a variety of clinical settings and identify factors associated with abnormal imaging. Methods: We included studies in adult hospitalized patients, admitted to the emergency department (ED) and inpatient medical unit (grouped together) or the intensive care unit (ICU). Patients had a diagnosis of delirium/AMS and underwent a CT head that was classified as abnormal or not. We searched Medline, Embase and other databases (informed by PRISMA guidelines) from inception until November 11, 2021. Studies that were exclusively performed in patients with trauma or a fall were excluded. A meta-analysis of proportions was performed; the pooled proportion of abnormal CTs was estimated using a random effects model. Heterogeneity was determined via the I² statistic. Factors associated with an abnormal CT head were summarized qualitatively. Results: Forty-six studies were included for analysis. The overall yield of CT head in the inpatient/ED was 13% (95% CI: 10.2%–15.9%) and in ICU was 17.4% (95% CI: 10%–26.3%), with considerable heterogeneity (I2 96% and 98% respectively). Heterogeneity was partly explained after accounting for study region, publication year, and representativeness of the target population. Yield of CT head diminished after year 2000 (19.8% vs. 11.1%) and varied widely depending on geographical region (8.4%–25.9%). The presence of focal neurological deficits was a consistent factor that increased yield. Conclusion: Use of CT head to diagnose the etiology of delirium and AMS varied widely and yield has declined. Guidelines and clinical decision support tools could increase the appropriate use of CT head in the diagnostic etiology of delirium/AMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Assessing activity limitations is central to aging research. However, assessments of activity limitations vary, and this may have implications for the populations identified. We aim to compare measures of activities of daily living (ADLs) and their resulting prevalence and mortality across three nationally-representative cohort studies: the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), the Health and Retirement Survey (HRS), and the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS). Methods: We compared the phrasing and context of questions around help and difficulty with six self-care activities: eating, bathing, toileting, dressing, walking inside, and transferring. We then compared the prevalence and 1-year mortality for difficulty and help with eating and dressing. Results: NHATS, HRS, and MCBS varied widely in phrasing and framing of questions around activity limitations, impacting the proportion of the population found to experience difficulty or receive help. For example, in NHATS 12.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 11.5%–13.4%] of the cohort received help with dressing, while in HRS this figure was 6.4% [95% CI 5.7%–7.2%] and MCBS 5.3% [95% CI 4.7%–5.8%]. When combined with variation in sampling frame and survey approach of each survey, such differences resulted in large variation in estimates of the older population of older adults with ADL disability. Conclusions: In order to take late-life activity limitations seriously, we must clearly define the measures we use. Further, researchers and clinicians seeking to understand the experience of older adults with activity limitations should be careful to interpret findings in light of the framing of the question asked. [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]

Background: Despite an aging population, little is known about racial disparities in aging‐specific functional impairments and mortality among older adults hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: We analyzed data from patients aged 75 years or older who were hospitalized for AMI at 94 US hospitals from 2013 to 2016. Functional impairments and geriatric conditions were assessed in‐person during the AMI hospitalization. The association between race and risk of mortality (primary outcome) was evaluated with logistic regression adjusted sequentially for age, clinical characteristics, and measures of functional impairment and other conditions associated with aging. Results: Among 2918 participants, 2668 (91.4%) self‐identified as White and 250 (8.6%) as Black. Black participants were younger (80.8 vs 81.7 years; p = 0.010) and more likely to be female (64.8% vs 42.5%; p < 0.001). Black participants were more likely to present with impairments in cognition (37.6% vs 14.5%; p < 0.001), mobility (66.0% vs 54.6%; p < 0.001) and vision (50.1% vs 35.7%; p < 0.001). Black participants were also more likely to report a disability in one or more activities of daily living (22.4% vs 13.0%; p < 0.001) and an unintentional loss of more than 10 lbs in the year prior to hospitalization (37.2% vs 13.0%; p < 0.001). The unadjusted odds of 6‐month mortality among Black participants (odds ratio [OR] 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4–2.8) attenuated to non‐significance after adjustment for age, clinical characteristics (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.7, 1.2–2.5), and functional/geriatric conditions (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.0–2.2). Conclusions: Black participants had a more geriatric phenotype despite a younger average age, with more functional impairments. Controlling for functional impairments and geriatric conditions attenuated disparities in 6‐month mortality somewhat. These findings highlight the importance of systematically assessing functional impairment during hospitalization and also ensuring equitable access to community programs to support post‐AMI recovery among Black older adults. [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: We sought to determine the population‐level associations between persistent pain and subsequent changes in physical function, cognitive function, and well‐being, outcomes important to older adults. Methods: We used data from National Health Aging Trends Study (NHATS) of community‐dwelling Medicare beneficiaries age 65+ from 2011 to 2019. We defined "persistent pain" as being bothered by pain in the last month in both the 2011and 2012 interviews and "intermittent" pain including those reporting bothersome pain in one interview only. We used competing risks regression to estimate the association between persistent pain and the development of clinically meaningful declines in physical function, cognitive function, and well‐being, adjusting for age, sex, race, education, and marital status at baseline. Results: Of the 5589 eligible NHATS participants, 38.7% reported persistent pain and 27.8% reported intermittent pain. Over one‐third described pain in five or more sites. Over the subsequent 7 years, participants with persistent pain were more likely to experience declines in physical function (64% persistent pain, 59% intermittent pain, 57% no bothersome pain; aHR 1.14, 95% CI 1.05–1.23) and well‐being (48% persistent pain, 45% intermittent pain, 44% no bothersome pain; aHR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01–1.21), but were not more likely to experience cognitive decline (25% persistent pain, 24% intermittent pain, 23% no bothersome pain; aHR 1.02, 95% CI 0.90–1.16). Conclusions: Persistent pain is common in older adults and occurs in multiple body sites. Persistent pain contributes to meaningful declines in physical function and well‐being over 7 years and warrants proactive interventions to mitigate pain. [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: The presence of treatment limitations in patients with frailty at intensive care unit (ICU) admission is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the presence and predictors of treatment limitations in patients with and without COVID‐19 pneumonitis in those admitted to Australian and New Zealand ICUs. Methods: This registry‐based multicenter, retrospective cohort study included all frail adults (≥16 years) with documented clinical frailty scale (CFS) scores, admitted to ICUs with admission diagnostic codes for viral pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) over 2 years between January 01, 2020 and December 31, 2021. Frail patients (CFS ≥5) coded as having viral pneumonitis or ARDS due to COVID‐19 were compared to those with other causes of viral pneumonitis or ARDS for documented treatment limitations. Results: 884 frail patients were included in the final analysis from 129 public and private ICUs. 369 patients (41.7%) had confirmed COVID‐19. There were more male patients in COVID‐19 (55.3% vs 47.0%; p = 0.015). There were no differences in age or APACHE‐III scores between the two groups. Overall, 36.0% (318/884) had treatment limitations, but similar between the two groups (35.8% [132/369] vs 36.1% [186/515]; p = 0.92). After adjusting for confounders, increasing frailty (OR = 1.72; 95%‐CI 1.39–2.14), age (OR = 1.05; 95%‐CI 1.04–1.06), and presence of chronic respiratory condition (OR = 1.58; 95%‐CI 1.10–2.27) increased the likelihood of instituting treatment limitations. However, the presence of COVID‐19 by itself did not influence treatment limitations (odds ratio [OR] = 1.39; 95%‐CI 0.98–1.96). Conclusions: The proportion of treatment limitations was similar in patients with frailty with or without COVID‐19 pneumonitis at ICU admission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research which examined the frequency, timing and association of advance care planning (ACP) billing codes in fee-for-service Medicare patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with adverse TAVR outcomes. The study analyzed the correlation of billed ACP with complication or death after surgery. It attributes the low uptake of ACP billing codes to ethical concerns, lack of resources, and health system incentives not aligned with ACP conversations.

The article presents a study which reported the proportion of frail older adults on medications despite having strictly-controlled disease. Topics include percentage of older adults with a frail phenotype and strictly-controlled disease remaining on medication for their cardiometabolic disease, limitations of the study, and rationale for studying how de-escalation of medications in older adults with frailty and strictly-controlled cardiometabolic disease affects outcomes and satisfaction.

Background: As the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system seeks to expand access to comprehensive geriatric assessments, evidence‐based models of care are needed to support community‐dwelling older persons. We evaluated the VA Geriatric Resources for Assessment and Care of Elders (VA‐GRACE) program's effect on mortality and readmissions, as well as patient, caregiver, and staff satisfaction. Methods: This retrospective cohort included patients admitted to the Richard L. Roudebush VA hospital (2010–2019) who received VA‐GRACE services post‐discharge and usual care controls who were potentially eligible for VA‐GRACE but did not receive services. The VA‐GRACE program provided home‐based comprehensive, multi‐disciplinary geriatrics assessment, and ongoing care. Primary outcomes included 90‐day and 1‐year all‐cause readmissions and mortality, and patient, caregiver, and staff satisfaction. We used propensity score modeling with overlapping weighting to adjust for differences in characteristics between groups. Results: VA‐GRACE patients (N = 683) were older than controls (N = 4313) (mean age 78.3 ± 8.2 standard deviation vs. 72.2 ± 6.9 years; p < 0.001) and had greater comorbidity (median Charlson Comorbidity Index 3 vs. 0; p < 0.001). VA‐GRACE patients had higher 90‐day readmissions (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.55 [95%CI 1.01–2.38]) and higher 1‐year readmissions (aOR 1.74 [95%CI 1.22–2.48]). However, VA‐GRACE patients had lower 90‐day mortality (aOR 0.31 [95%CI 0.11–0.92]), but no statistically significant difference in 1‐year mortality was observed (aOR 0.88 [95%CI 0.55–1.41]). Patients and caregivers reported that VA‐GRACE home visits reduced travel burden and the program linked Veterans and caregivers to needed resources. Primary care providers reported that the VA‐GRACE team helped to reduce their workload, improved medication management for their patients, and provided a view into patients' daily living situation. Conclusions: The VA‐GRACE program provides comprehensive geriatric assessments and care to high‐risk, community‐dwelling older persons with high rates of satisfaction from patients, caregivers, and providers. Widespread deployment of programs like VA‐GRACE will be required to support Veterans aging in place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which described the variation in the prevalence of antipsychotic and benzodiazepine prescribing among beneficiaries enrolled in hospice across states. Topics discussed include adjusted state-level prescribing rates for antipsychotics and benzodiazepines, variation in prescribing of antipsychotics and benzodiazepines between states among hospice enrollees in 2017, and limitations of the study.

The article presents a study which examined whether physical restraint, antipsychotic or sedative-hypnotic use differed by language preference in hospitalized medical patients with delirium. Topics discussed include most common non-English preferred languages, relative risk of study outcomes by preferred language, and limitations of the study.

Background: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common reason for spine surgery in which ligamentum flavum is resected. Transthyretin (TTR) amyloid is an often unrecognized and potentially modifiable mechanism for LSS that can also cause TTR cardiac amyloidosis. Accordingly, older adult patients undergoing lumbar spine (LS) surgery were evaluated for amyloid and if present, the precursor protein, as well as comprehensive characterization of the clinical phenotype. Methods: A prospective, cohort study in 2 academic medical centers enrolled 47 subjects (age 69 ± 7 years, 53% male) undergoing clinically indicated LS decompression. The presence of amyloid was evaluated by Congo Red staining and in those with amyloid, precursor protein was determined by laser capture microdissection coupled to mass spectrometry (LCM‐MS). The phenotype was assessed by disease‐specific questionnaires (Swiss Spinal Stenosis Questionnaire and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire) and the 36‐question short‐form health survey, as well as biochemical measures (TTR, retinol‐binding protein, and TTR stability). Cardiac testing included technetium‐99m‐pyrophosphate scintigraphy, electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, and cardiac biomarkers as well as measures of functional capacity. Results: Amyloid was detected in 16 samples (34% of participants) and was more common in those aged ≥ 75 years of age (66.7%) compared with those <75 years (22.3%, p < 0.05). LCM‐MS demonstrated TTR as the precursor protein in 62.5% of participants with amyloid while 37.5% had an indeterminant type of amyloid. Demographic, clinical, quality‐of‐life measures, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and biochemical measures did not differ between those with and without amyloid. Among those with TTR amyloid (n = 10), one subject had cardiac involvement by scintigraphy. Conclusions: Amyloid is detected in more than a third of older adults undergoing LSS. Amyloid is more common with advancing age and is particularly common in those >75 years old. No demographic, clinical, biochemical, or cardiac parameter distinguished those with and without amyloid. In more than half of subjects with LS amyloid, the precursor protein was TTR indicating the importance of pathological assessment. See related Editorial by Cyrille‐Superville et al. in this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which characterized the frequency and nature discrepancies on medication lists provided by the referring clinicians during asynchronous virtual care (AVC). Topics discussed include sample size determination, patient demographics, comorbidities, medications and outcomes, and data analysis.

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: In Canada, mortality due to SARS‐CoV‐2 disproportionately impacted residents of nursing homes (NH). In November 2021, NH residents in the Canadian province of Manitoba became eligible to receive three doses of mRNA vaccine but coverage with three doses has not been universal. The objective of this study was to compare the protection from infection conferred by one, two, and three doses of COVID‐19 mRNA vaccine compared to no vaccination among residents of nursing homes experiencing SARS‐CoV‐2 outbreaks. Methods: Infection Prevention and Control reports from 8 rural nursing homes experiencing outbreaks of SARS‐CoV‐2 between January 6, 2022, and March 5, 2022, were analyzed. Attack rates and the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) were calculated. Results: SARS‐CoV‐2 attack rate was 65% among NH residents not vaccinated, 58% among residents who received 1–2 doses of mRNA COVID‐19 vaccine, and 28% among residents who had received 3 vaccine doses. The NNV to prevent one nursing home resident from SARS‐CoV‐2 infection during an outbreak was 3 for a vaccination with 3 doses and 14 for 1–2 doses of COVID‐19 mRNA vaccine. The superiority of receiving the third dose was statistically significant compared to 1–2 doses (Chi‐Squared, p < 0.00001). Conclusions: Nursing home residents who received three doses of COVID‐19 mRNA vaccine were at lower risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection compared to those who received 1–2 doses. Our analyses lend support to the protective effects of the third dose of mRNA vaccine for NH residents in the event of a SARS‐CoV‐2 outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Falls are common in older adults and can lead to severe injuries. The Strategies to Reduce Injuries and Develop Confidence in Elders (STRIDE) trial cluster‐randomized 86 primary care practices across 10 health systems to a multifactorial intervention to prevent fall injuries, delivered by registered nurses trained as falls care managers, or enhanced usual care. STRIDE enrolled 5451 community‐dwelling older adults age ≥70 at increased fall injury risk. Methods: We assessed fall‐related outcomes via telephone interviews of participants (or proxies) every 4 months. At baseline, 12 and 24 months, we assessed health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) using the EQ‐5D‐5L and EQ‐VAS. We used Poisson models to assess intervention effects on falls, fall‐related fractures, fall injuries leading to hospital admission, and fall injuries leading to medical attention. We used hierarchical longitudinal linear models to assess HRQOL. Results: For recurrent event models, intervention versus control incidence rate ratios were 0.97 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.93–1.00; p = 0.048) for falls, 0.93 (95% CI, 0.80–1.08; p = 0.337) for self‐reported fractures, 0.89 (95% CI, 0.73–1.07; p = 0.205) for adjudicated fractures, 0.91 (95% CI, 0.77–1.07; p = 0.263) for falls leading to hospital admission, and 0.97 (95% CI, 0.89–1.06; p = 0.477) for falls leading to medical attention. Similar effect sizes (non‐significant) were obtained for dichotomous outcomes (e.g., participants with ≥1 events). The difference in least square mean change over time in EQ‐5D‐5L (intervention minus control) was 0.009 (95% CI, −0.002 to 0.019; p = 0.106) at 12 months and 0.005 (95% CI, −0.006 to 0.015; p = 0.384) at 24 months. Conclusions: Across a standard set of outcomes typically reported in fall prevention studies, we observed modest improvements, one of which was statistically significant. Future work should focus on patient‐, practice‐, and organization‐level operational strategies to increase the real‐world effectiveness of interventions, and improving the ability to detect small but potentially meaningful clinical effects. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02475850. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the results of the health, aging and body composition study on the link between thyroid hormone use and the diagnosis of dementia. Topics mentioned include the distribution of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) by thyroid hormone use and dementia status, the risk of isolated TSH elevation for iatrogenic thyrotoxicosis resulting to accelerating cognitive decline, and the association of thyroid hormone supplementation with increased risk of both over and under-treatment.

Background: Graduating US medical students must build strong skills in caring for older adults, necessitated by shifting population demographics. Little is known, however, about current medical student exposure to geriatrics on a national scale. This systematic website review characterizes geriatrics opportunities at US medical schools, seen through the lens of publicly available information online. Methods: Reviewers searched for 18 online Geriatrics Elements, in the domains of Information Prevalence, Geriatrics Environment, and Geriatrics Education, for all 191 US medical schools accredited as of January 2020. Latent Class Analysis was used to classify schools according to their publicly visible geriatrics opportunities. Results: Schools had a median of 7 Geriatrics Elements identified online [IQR 4–10]. Optional geriatrics clinical activity was the most prevalent (76%), while fewer than half of all schools had online evidence of required geriatrics clinical activity (45%). A profile of the three groups of schools identified by Latent Class Analysis, termed Geriatrics Online‐Visibility groups (High n = 39, 20%; Medium n = 90, 47%; Low n = 62, 32%), is presented. Online evidence of geriatrics‐specific funding was the greatest distinguishing factor among the groups. Conclusions: Examining US medical school websites collectively and comparatively across Geriatrics Online‐Visibility groups can ground discussions of geriatrics education in current national data. Though many school websites present optional geriatrics activities, far fewer specify geriatrics requirements. High Geriatrics Online‐Visibility schools present an array of both optional and required geriatrics opportunities on their websites, but this cohort comprises only 20% of schools. Recommended next steps are proposed to guide schools inspired to enhance their Geriatrics Online‐Visibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Growing evidence suggests that impairment in rest‐activity rhythms may be a risk factor for cognitive decline and impairment in the aging population. However, previous studies included only a limited set of rest‐activity metrics and produced mixed findings. We studied a comprehensive set of parametric and nonparametric characteristics of rest‐activity rhythms in relation to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and probable dementia in a cohort of older women. Methods: The prospective analysis included 763 women enrolled in two ancillary studies of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI): the WHI Memory Study‐Epidemiology of Cognitive Health Outcomes and Objective Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health studies. The association between accelerometry‐based rest‐activity parameters and centrally adjudicated MCI and probable dementia were determined using Cox regression models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities. Results: Overall, the results support a prospective association between weakened rest‐activity rhythms (e.g., reduced amplitude and overall rhythmicity) and adverse cognitive outcomes. Specifically, reduced overall rhythmicity (pseudo F statistic), lower amplitude and activity level (amplitude/relative amplitude, mesor, and activity level during active periods of the day [M10]), and later activity timing (acrophase and midpoint of M10) were associated with a higher risk for MCI and probable dementia. Women with lower amplitude and mesor also exhibited faster cognitive decline over follow‐up. Conclusion: Weakened rest‐activity rhythms may be predictive markers for cognitive decline, MCI, and dementia among older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To model the relative contributions of driver data and clinical judgments to clinical ratings of driver capability for a state licensing authority and to compare ratings with on-road test results. Design Retrospective, logistic regression. Setting Missouri Driver License Bureau. Participants Adults aged 60 and older (N = 652; 52% male) evaluated by a physician of their choosing and a portion subsequently road tested (n = 286). Measurements Clinical data from an evidence-based physician statement (Form 1528). A three-level rating (likely capable, unclear, not capable) was collapsed into two outcomes (0 likely capable; 1 unclear, not capable) as the dependent variable. Independent variables (predictors) were age, sex, driving exposure, recent crash or police action, number of medical conditions, medication side effects, driver insight, and disease functional severity rating for driving. Results Three variables in the model (Nagelkerke coefficient of determination = 0.64; P < .001) were significant in the expected direction: disease functional severity for driving (odds ratio (OR = 6.65), insight (OR = 2.35), and age (OR = 1.06). Proportionately more drivers rated likely capable (73%) passed the road test than those rated unclear or not capable (62%). Conclusion Judgments of disease severity, decrements in driver insight, and older age influenced clinician ratings of driving capability. Correspondence of physician ratings to on-road test outcomes was imperfect, highlighting the complexities in translation of clinical judgments to on-road performance. Both means of assessment have important and additive roles in driver licensing. [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]

The article discusses research which aimed to train non-clinical observers to consistently identify behavioral symptoms of dementia (BSD) in nursing home (NH) residents with dementia using the Agitated Behavior Mapping Instrument (ABMI). Topics covered include a brief background on the training program that observers when through, the inter-rater reliability achieved by lay observers as recorded using the ABMI, and the consistency in the total overall ABMI behavioral score among the observers.

Background: Evidence‐based models for providing effective and comprehensive care for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias exist but have yet to be successfully implemented at scale. The Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Program (ADC Program) is an effective comprehensive dementia care model that is being disseminated across the United States. This qualitative study examines barriers and facilitators to implementing the model among early adopting sites. Methods: This study included semi‐structured interviews with a total of 21 clinical site leaders and Dementia Care Specialists from a total of 11 sites across the US. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded using Dedoose qualitative analysis software. Coding scheme development and data interpretation were informed by Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations framework. Results: Key themes are organized in line with Rogers' framework. These include: the innovation‐decision process, implementation and characteristics of the innovation, and sustainability. Conclusions: Across the three overarching themes presented in this manuscript, the importance of engagement from site leaders, the multifaceted nature of the dementia care specialist role, and the value of technical assistance from qualified experts are apparent. However, for this work to continue to be successful, there needs to be more appropriate payment to cover needed services and a mechanism for supporting comprehensive dementia care over time. See related article by Reuben et al. and Editorial by Callahan et al. in this issue. [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: The medication‐related death of a hospitalized older adult elucidated the inappropriateness of medication default doses in our electronic health record (EHR) for older adults. In response, we created and implemented the Geriatric Prescribing Context (GPC), an EHR‐based set of age‐specific dose and frequency defaults for patients 75 years and older, in July 2017. Inpatient medication orders aligned with GPC defaults and showed significant dose decreases at one year for nine of ten most commonly used medications. This follow‐up investigation examined GPC alignment of dose and frequency over the 42‐month time period after its implementation. Methods: Order data for the ten most commonly used medications at OHSU Hospital were collected retrospectively from July 2016 through December 2020. We used Statistical Process Control charts to assess the proportion of medication orders aligning with the GPC's recommendations. Signals of special cause were evaluated to identify time periods when shifts in process averages likely occurred and suspected shifts were assessed using binomial proportion tests. We used RStudio (RStudio, Inc., version 1.2.5001) and Microsoft Excel (2016) to perform statistical analyses and control charts, respectively. Results: The preimplementation phase of all medications displayed no special causes. After significant initial improvement in 2017, control charts revealed three different patterns of performance. Eight medications maintained the initial improvement with one medication displaying a second significant improvement at a later date. Two medications showed a subsequent decline in performance not statistically different from baseline. Overall, eight of the ten medications were prescribed at more age‐friendly doses and frequencies compared to baseline after 42 months. Conclusions: The GPC is an effective method to support safer prescribing for hospitalized older patients, but long‐term impacts may be medication‐specific. Further investigation is needed to ensure appropriate prescribing across drug classes and understand the GPC's impact on patient outcomes like adverse drug events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]