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Introduction: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is characterized by subtle deficits that functional assessment via informant-report measures may not detect. Sensors can potentially detect deficits in everyday functioning in MCI. This study aims to establish feasibility and acceptability of using sensors in a smart home for performance-based assessments of two instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Methods: Thirty-five older adults (>65 years) performed two IADL tasks in a smart home laboratory equipped with sensors and a web camera. Participants’ cognitive states were determined using published criteria including measures of global cognition and comprehensive neuropsychological test batteries. Selected subtasks of the IADL assessmentwere autonomously captured by the sensors. Total time taken for each task and subtask were computed. A point scoring system captured accuracy and number of attempts. Acceptability of the smart home setup was assessed. Results: Participants with MCI (n=21) took longer to complete both tasks than participants with healthy cognition (HC; n = 14), with significant time differences observed only in "Cost calculation." Completion time for IADL tasks and scores correlated in the expected directionwith global cognition. Over 95% of the participants found the smart home assessment acceptable and a positive experience. Discussion: We demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of the use of unobtrusive commercially available sensors in a smart home for facilitating parts of the objective assessment of IADL in older adults. Future studies need to identify more IADLs that are suitable for semi-automated or automated assessments through the use of simple, low-cost sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Poor sleep quality is highly prevalent among older adults and is associated with poor quality of life, cognitive and physical decline, depression, and increased mortality. Medication options commonly used are not ideal, and alternative treatment strategies are needed. We evaluate a community‐based psychosocial intervention program and its effect on sleep quality in older adults. Method: Elderly participants aged 60 and above were included. Those with Geriatric Depression Scale and Geriatric Anxiety Inventory scores above 5 and 10, respectively, were excluded. The community program included tai chi exercise, art therapy, mindfulness awareness practice, and music reminiscence therapy. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Geriatric Anxiety Inventory were administered at baseline and at 1 year. Results: A hundred and eighty‐nine subjects (44 men, 145 women; mean age = 69 years, SD = 5.7, range = 60‐89) participated. The proportion of participants with good sleep quality had increased from 58.2% to 64.6%. Sleep disturbance was significantly reduced (baseline, 1.04; postintervention, 0.76; mean difference 0.28; P < .01); men experienced greater improvement (P < .001). Improvements were independent of changes in depressive and anxiety symptoms. Conclusion: Participation in this community program led to positive effects on sleep disturbances after a year. Psychosocial interventions have potential as a nondrug intervention approach for sleep problems, and further research is needed to understand its mediating mechanisms [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research looking at the association between sleep and psychiatric symptoms in elderly Asian populations is lacking. The present study examines the sleep correlates of depression and anxiety in a sample of cognitively healthy older adults. Methods: The Geriatric Depression Scale, Geriatric Anxiety Inventory, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were administered to a community sample of elderly participants (n = 107; 81 women; Mage = 71.3 years, SD = 5.7) Results: Geriatric Depression Scale and Geriatric Anxiety Inventory scores are both significantly correlated with sleep disturbance. Geriatric Depression Scale scores are uniquely associated with daytime dysfunction, and Geriatric Anxiety Inventory scores are uniquely associated with perceived sleep quality, sleep latency, and global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores. Conclusions: Depression and anxiety in a cohort of elderly Asian subjects are associated with a number of sleep‐related issues; both are related to a somewhat different profile of sleep problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Subsyndromal depression ( SSD) and subsyndromal anxiety ( SSA) are common in the elderly and if left untreated, contributes to a lower quality of life, increased suicide risk, disability and inappropriate use of medical services. Innovative approaches are necessary to address this public health concern. We evaluate a community-based psychosocial intervention program and its effect on mental health outcomes in Singaporean older adults. Method Elderly participants with SSD and SSA, as assessed on the Geriatric Depression Scale and Geriatric Anxiety Inventory, were included. Intervention groups include Tai Chi exercise, Art Therapy, Mindfulness Awareness Practice and Music Reminiscence Therapy. The program was divided into a single intervention phase and a combination intervention phase. Outcomes were measured with the Zung Self- Rating Depression Scale ( SDS) and Zung Self- Rating Anxiety Scale ( SAS) at baseline, 4 weeks, 10 weeks, 24 weeks and 52 weeks. The program had ethics board approval. Results A hundred and one subjects (25 males, 76 females; mean age = 71 years, SD = 5.95) participated. There were significant reductions in SDS and SAS scores in the single intervention phase ( P < 0.05), and these reductions remained significant at week 52, after completion of the combination intervention phase, relative to baseline ( P < 0.001). Conclusion Participating in these psychosocial interventions led to a positive improvement in SSD and SSA symptoms in these elderly subjects over a year. This simple, inexpensive and culturally acceptable approach should be adequately studied and replicated in other communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case study is presented of a 68 year-old man presented with frontal variant of Alzheimer's dementia (AD). Montreal Cognitive Assessment score showed 16/30; after the dose of citalopram drug patient's behaviors worsened such as increased apathy and reduced motivation; further neuropsychological testing revealed mild impairment of attention and concentration. He was not diagnosed of co-occurring frontal variant AD and carrier of huntington's disease allele with reduced penetrance.