Search

Background: Population aging leads to change of population structure and increase care needs. Lack of proper planning in this field will lead to occur increasing problems. In this paper, the review of the elderly care plans at various levels in some European and Asian countries, comparing these countries with Iran with the goal of using their experiences to enhance elderly plans have been done. Methods: This research was a review study of library documents and resources and systematic search. Data were collected using the resources, databases, scientific databases and websites of the Ministry of Health and Welfare of the studied countries. Results: Based on this research in the studied countries, the care services of the elderly is based on the important principle of coordination between different organs of the country, followed by the creation of LTC insurance and provision of health and social services for the elderly and mainly the type of home care. In Iran country, providing appropriate services and cares for the elderly with existing plans and policies is not possible and the need to provide appropriate service packages based on the different systems of successful countries and applying the experiences of these countries is essential. Conclusion: Given the current status of the Iranian elderly population in terms of policies and plans and the types and methods of providing services, quality, access and financial resources allocated to this age group, compared to the studied countries, there is a well and integrated plan is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: As the aging population increases steadily, the demands for specialized nurses and geriatricians willing to work in geriatric settings will probably explode. Accordingly, the medical sciences students' attitude toward older adults and their willingness to work with them must be determined. This study aims to determine the medical sciences students' attitude toward older people and its relationship with their willingness to work with this population. In addition, it sought to determine the variables that could predict students' attitudes toward the elderly. Design/methodology/approach: A cross-sectional design using a stratified random sampling method was used to recruit a sample of 305 Iranian medical sciences students with a response rate of 97.4%. The instruments for data collection were composed of three parts: socio-demographic characteristics of participants, Kogan's Attitudes toward Old People Scale and the Willingness to Work with Elderly People Scale (WEPS). Data were analyzed in SPSS version 23 (IBM SPSS statistics 23.0). Findings: The participants' mean (SD) age was 22.95 (2.53). Most of them (69%) were women, and 51% were nursing students. The findings showed that 70% of students had a slightly positive attitude toward the elderly and only 12.8% of them declared geriatric setting as their workplace preference in the future. Experience of volunteering activities with elders, WEPS score, workplace preference after graduation and gender were the predictors of medical science students' attitudes toward the elderly. Originality/value: This paper further develops previous research on the attitudes of Iranian medical sciences students toward older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iran will encounter rapid population aging, resulting from increased life expectancy and fluctuating fertility rates during its eight-year war with Iraq (1980–1988). The need for long-term care in Iran is expected to increase dramatically. The purpose of this paper is to examine Iran's health care system and informal care upon discussing its demographic profile. Scant attention of policymakers on the country's demographic transformation has resulted in limited resources for quality elder care as well as budget constraints for relevant research. In this demographic and political context, the costs of formal care, the shortage of health workforce and infrastructures (i.e., long-term care facilities), and the continuation of traditional cultural values are the most significant reasons for heavy reliance on informal elder care. In addition to inadequate systemic support, the prevalence of domestic violence, abuse, and infantalization are largely attributable to insufficient knowledge among informal elder carers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The notable growth of the senior citizens population has caused problems and concerns in areas like healthcare, social care, and participation in society. The present paper is aimed at validating a Farsi version of the "International classification of functioning, disability, and health" for assessing elderly care needs in Kermanshah, Iran. Methods: The original version of the tool was translated into Farsi using forward-backward method. The study group consisted of 301 senior citizens who were selected through cluster sampling. Validity of the tool was examined using Waltz and Basel's content validity index, face validity, and confirmatory factor analysis. The reliability of the tool was examined using Cronbach's alpha and internal correlation. Data analyses were performed in SPSS-25 and Amoss-16. Results: Following confirmatory factor analysis, the number of factors decreased from nine to eight. The R2 index in the above model was estimated equal to 0.99; this indicates that 99% of the dependent variable changes (total score of ICF) are explained by the independent variables (eight items). All the indices were above 0.9, which indicates significance of the model (χ2/DF=2.7, CFI, NFI, GFI, TLI=0.9, REMSEA=0.078, R2=0.99). In addition, using internal correlation, the reliability of the tool obtained was equal to 0.77 for the whole tool and 0.7– 0.87 for the sub-scales. Conclusion: The Farsi version of ICF had acceptable and applied specifications to assess the care needs of senior citizens and it can be used as a valid tool in different areas of nursing performance and elderly health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Hypertension is the most common chronic disease throughout the world. Self-care is the key criteria in determining the final course of the disease. However, the majority of elderly people do not observe self-care behaviors. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the experiences of elderly people with hypertension in order to understand the barriers of their self-care behaviors.Design/methodology/approach This is a qualitative study with a conventional content analysis approach conducted in Tehran, Iran in 2017. Data collection was done among 23 participants – 14 elderly people; 6 cardiologists, geriatric physicians and nurses working in the cardiovascular ward; and 3 caregivers – who were selected by purposeful sampling. Using semi-structured, face-to-face interviews, data collection was continued until data saturation.Findings Three main categories, including attitude limitations, inefficient supportive network and desperation, all showed barriers to self-care by the experiences of elderly people with hypertension.Originality/value Lack of knowledge of the disease and its treatment process is one of the main barriers to self-care in elderly people with hypertension. Deficient supportive resources along with economic and family problems exacerbate the failure to do self-care behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Healthy aging is one of the essential aspects of a health promotion program in the elderly. Aim: Exploring ethical challenges in healthy elderly care from the perspective of nurses, older adults, and families in the Iranian context. Research Design: This qualitative study was conducted using a content analysis approach in 4 health centers in northeastern Iran from 2017 to 2019. Semi-structured interviews, observation, review of elderly files, and focus groups were used to collect data. Ethical considerations: The ethics committee of the university approved this study in Iran. This study adhered to the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. Ethical principles autonomy, confidentiality, and anonymity were considered for the participants. Participants were informed about the purpose of the study and submitted written informed consent regarding their participation. Findings: The central theme was: An unfair approach to caring for healthy older adults. The three categories were as follows: Forgotten human care, disrespect, and lack of a meaningful and trustworthy relationship. The 14 subcategories highlighted the ethical challenges of healthy aging care in health centers. Discussion: The findings showed that due to nurses' unfamiliarity with the concept of healthy aging, older adults are discriminated against in care centers. Creating a standard care program for healthy older adults ensures that ethical principles are followed for these clients. Conclusion: Various individual and organizational factors lead to an unfair approach to caring for healthy elderly in health centers. The following factors can help improve the care of healthy aging and reduce ethical challenges in this area: Introducing nurses to the concept of healthy old age and its dimensions, creating a community-based approach in health centers, prioritizing health issues over health issues, Involvement of families and older adults in needs assessment-goal setting-implementation and evaluation of health services, and design of home visit programs to provide services to healthy elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Sleep disorders are prevalent in the geriatrics. Any disorder in its natural flow causes psychological problems and decreases the efficiency of a person. Paying attention to the spiritual forces in the elderly is a need that gives them peace and vitality; therefore, spiritual health can improve the quality of sleep in the geriatrics by promoting general health, which is a requirement for comfortable sleep. Therefore, we examined the correlation between spiritual health and sleep quality in geriatrics. Methods: This research was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study conducted on 161 elderly in Jahrom City, Iran, in 2017. The standard spirituality wellbeing scale (SWBS) by Palutzian and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were used. After collecting data, they were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test by SPSS software, version 16. Results: The results showed that 54% of the participants in the research were male and the average age of the participants was 62.96±2.5 years. The average scores of spiritual health and sleep quality in the participants were 79.62±5.1 and 6.53±3.5, respectively. Also, no significant relationship was observed between spiritual health score and sleep quality in the elderly (P=0.43). Conclusion: Considering that the spiritual health of most elderly was at an average level and most of them had sleep disorders, it is recommended that the factors related to improving the spiritual health and quality of sleep in this segment of society be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study focuses on the adoption of wearable technologies in a context where care-providing organizations can offer, in collaboration with caregivers, better care. Drawing on dual-factor theory and from the caregiver perspective, this study identifies and examines factors of technology adoption in four developing countries. Design/methodology/approach: This study was undertaken using a quantitative approach. A survey was distributed among 1,013 caregivers in four developing countries in Asia including Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Iraq and collected quantitative data for model validation and hypotheses analysis. Building on the technology adoption literature, we identified six constructs that impact the behavioral intention of caregivers to use wearable technologies in aged care-providing organizations. Findings: Our dual-factor model was successfully validated, and all hypotheses were supported. However, different results were found in the selected countries within the cross-country analysis. Originality/value: This study has significant implications for the study of emerging technologies in aged care service operations. It provides a theoretical framework that may be adapted for future research, enabling practitioners in aged care to better understand the crucial role of technology adoption in service operations. Less attention was paid to the adoption of wearable technologies in aged care, particularly in developing countries, where healthcare services in aged care impose heavy costs on care providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) provides protocols based on factors for reducing delirium. Due to the lack of geriatric wards and aged care teams in Iran, it seems that some of the original HELP interventions need to be modified through a trial study. Hence, this study was conducted to determine whether the Iranian modified HELP could reduce delirium in geriatric hospitalized patients.Methods: This double-blind randomized controlled trial was designed and conducted in a hospital at Kashan University of Medical Sciences in Iran. A total of 195 hospitalized patients aged ≥70 years, were 84 in the Intervention Group (IG) and 111 in the Control Group (CG). After assessing delirium risk factors, participants in the IG group received interventions based on the cognitive, vision/hearing, sleep, mobility, feeding, and hydration protocols by nursing students and the CG group received routine care. Delirium incidence was assessed by the Confusion Assessment Method. Delirium incidence, cognitive and functional abilities, frailty, fall, and length of stay were outcomes.Results: The mean age of the patients was 78.53(Standard Deviation = 5.87) years. Delirium incidence was higher in the CG comparing to IG (14.71% vs 3.66%).Significant reduction observed in risk incidence of delirium because of interventions [Odds Ratio:0.124, Confidence Interval: 0.03-0.48].Conclusion: The modified HELP effectively reduced delirium rates in geriatric hospitalized patients.Trial Registration: This study was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20180910040995N1 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the mental health of elderlies is treated as a world concern. Since coping strategies are effective in mental health by mitigating stress and depression, they also have an impact on the mental health of elderlies. This study aimed at examining the impact of teaching coping skills on the health of elderlies, as well as the effectiveness of teaching these skills in reducing emotional conflicts and mental stresses among elderlies. This study was conducted using a descriptive method within a convenient sampling method and two experimental and control groups throughout pretest and posttest. The statistical sample comprises 70 elderlies referring to Old People Association (OPA) in Jahrom, Iran. The selected subjects received four 1.5-hour sessions (per week (four weeks)) of teaching positive coping strategies. To collect data, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) was used. T-test and paired t-test were employed for data analysis. To compare mean scores before, and after intervention in experimental and control groups, a correlation test was used, and then the relationship between mean scores of mental health and demographic variables was determined through SPSS11.5 software. The results indicated a significant difference between pretest and posttest scores regarding indicators of mental health, including somatic health, anxiety, depression, and social function. Also, mental health improvement was observed in elderlies after they received the intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As the number of elderly people referred to hospitals increases, so does the number of discrimination reports in the care of the elderly, compared with younger people. This study aimed to investigate the status of ageism in caring for elderly patients from nurses' perspective. Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study that was conducted in three selected hospitals of Ardabil province, Iran, in 2019. A total of 482 nurses were recruited by convenience sampling. The data were collected using a demographics questionnaire and the Ageism Scale in Hospital Care and analyzed using descriptive (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (the Pearson correlation coefficient, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Scheffe post hoc test) in SPSS V. 20. Results: The mean age of the participants was 33 years. Most nurses showed moderate ageism when providing care to older adults. The level of ageism was significantly associated with age (P=0.002), gender (P=0.001), work experience (P=0.032), and the ward in which the nurses worked (P=0.001). Conclusion: The findings revealed that the study hospitals suffered ageism. Also, the level of ageism was associated with the age, gender, admission ward, and work experience of the nurses. Thus, it is suggested to consider appropriate interventions to prevent ageism, when designing and planning care for older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Population ageing has been steadily rising in Iran and in the over 60-year-old population, the ratio increased from 5.4% in 1986 to 8.6% in 2016 which represents an increase of 4.3 million over the past three decades. The inevitable impacts of a growing elderly population on the demand-side of the health care provision (HCP) equilibrium call for an urgent revision of the current arrangements of the Iran's National health care system (INHS). The main aim of this study was to scrutinize the best available scientific evidence on the international integrated elderly health care governance (HCG) models to revamp health care practice and policy-making processes in Iran. Materials and Methods: This multiphasic study consists of a scoping review of existent HCP modalities for the elderly population worldwide, and the disposition of an optimal HCP scheme for the elderly population and its application for the detection of the gaps in Iran. The final stage includes a Delphi-based consultation and consensus process which was reciprocated in three rounds and the key subjects were requested to give their judgment on the eventuated HCP layout designed to serve the ageing Iranian population. Results: The yielded model (IEHCG-IR) included four dimensions consistent with the four levels of prevention along with social support services. The structure and feasibility of the preliminary framework were approved by 83.6% of the study participants. Conclusion: The study findings could have important implications for future policy making in the INHS and the suggested healthcare framework for the elderly Iranian population could be a preliminary model for health system re-engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drug-Drug Interaction (DDI) among the elderly is one of the major healthcare challenges worldwide. The present study assessed the rates of DDI and inappropriate drug prescription among the elderly in Kashan City, Iran. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was designed, conducted, and reported according to the guideline of Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE). A random sample of 368 elderly who lived in Kashan City, Iran, was selected through cluster sampling technique. Data collection tools were a demographic questionnaire and a drug checklist. The obtained data were analyzed by the Chi-squared test, logistic regression analysis, and Odds Ratio (OR) in SPSS. Results: In total, 308 (88%) participants used at least one drug. The Mean±SD scores of daily consumed drugs and the number of inappropriate drugs taken daily by the study participants were 6.21±3.52 and 0.28±0.62, respectively. Most of the study participants were taking more than two drugs (n=267, 86.68%) and more than four drugs (n=200, 64.9%) per day. The OR of DDI among the study participants who were taking =2 drugs per day was 2.49 times greater than those who were taking one or two drugs (OR=2.49, 95% confidence interval=1.20-5.18). The most frequent DDIs were between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and beta-blocker agents (n=84, 18.22%) and between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and nitrates (n=46, 9.9%). Conclusion: The rate of inappropriate drug use among the elderly living in Kashan, Iran, is low, however, polypharmacy and DDIs are highly prevalent among them. To reduce the rates of DDI and polypharmacy, educational programs for different healthcare providers are required to improve their knowledge. Moreover, further studies are needed to assess the effects of polypharmacy and DDI preventive measures, like drug history cards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and loss of the quality of bone microarchitecture. These changes increase the probability of bone fracture. This study aimed to determine the effect of an empowerment program based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) on the self-efficacy of older adults to prevent osteoporosis. Methods: It was a randomized controlled trial with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design. The participants were selected by convenient sampling method and randomly assigned to the intervention (n=38) and control (n=38) groups. The data collection tools were the Osteoporosis Self-efficacy Scale (OSEB) and Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale (OHBS). The intervention program was performed over a consecutive 4-week group education, and a 4-week individual follow up. The study questionnaires were completed before, immediately after the last session, and one month after the completion of the study. The obtained data were analyzed by the Chisquare, Independent t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA in SPSS V. 13. Results: There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of the mean scores of OSEB and its subscales (P<0.05) and the OHBS (P<0.05) after the intervention. These differences were not significant in the control group in all domains (P=0.05) except "perceived barriers of calcium intake" (P=0.04) and "health motivation" (P=0.02). Conclusion: Education based on HBM is effective in promoting self-efficacy and osteoporosis preventing behaviors. Therefore, this kind of education is suggested for older adults to prevent osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: The incidence rate of elderly misbehavior increased in the past two decades. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of elderly misbehavior in northern Iran. Method: This descriptive - analytic study was done on 247 more than 60 years old (137 males, 110 females) in north of Iran during 2012. In order to determine misbehavior, an elderly questionnaire was filled for each subject. Results: The mean age of subjects was 68.8±7.08 years. The prevalence of lack of attention, care, financial, authentic was 34.8%, 33.6%, 29.1% and 22.3%, respectively. The prevalence of psychological, physical, isolation and financial misbehavior were 26.7%, 26.7%, 2.6% and 21.9%, respectively. There was a significant relationship between income and marital status with misbehavior maner (P<0.05). Conclusion: Elderly misbehavior particularly lack of attention and care are more perevlant in northern Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]