Search

Aim Few Australian studies have examined the impact of dementia on hospital outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the relative contribution of dementia to adverse outcomes in older hospital patients. Method Prospective observational cohort study ( n = 493) of patients aged ≥70 years admitted to four acute hospitals in Queensland. Trained research nurses completed comprehensive geriatric assessments using standardised instruments and collected data regarding adverse outcomes. The diagnosis of dementia was established by independent physician review of patients' medical records and assessments. Results Patients with dementia ( n = 102, 20.7%) were significantly older ( P = 0.01), had poorer functional ability ( P < 0.01), and were more likely to have delirium at admission ( P < 0.01) than patients without dementia. Dementia ( odds ratio = 4.8, P < 0.001) increased the risk of developing delirium during the hospital stay. Conclusion Older patients with dementia are more impaired and vulnerable than patients without dementia and are at greater risk of adverse outcomes when hospitalised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: A unique radio program Silver Memories, specifically designed to address social isolation and loneliness in older people by broadcasting music (primarily), serials and other programs relevant to the period when older people grew up - the 1920-1950s, first aired in Brisbane, Australia, in April 2008. The impact of the program upon older listeners' mood, quality of life (QOL) and self-reported loneliness was independently evaluated. Method: One hundred and thirteen community-dwelling persons and residents of residential care facilities, aged 60 years and older participated in a three month evaluation of Silver Memories. They were asked to listen to the program daily and baseline and follow-up measures of depression, QOL and loneliness were obtained. Participants were also asked for their opinions regarding the program's quality and appeal. Results: The results showed a statistically significant improvement in measures of depression and QOL from baseline to follow-up but there was no change on the measure of loneliness. The results did not vary by living situation (community vs. residential care), whether the participant was lonely or not lonely, socially isolated or not isolated, or whether there had been any important changes in the participant's health or social circumstances throughout the evaluation. Conclusion: It was concluded that listening to Silver Memories appears to improve the QOL and mood of older people and is an inexpensive intervention that is flexible and readily implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of falls and fall-related injuries in older age is predicted to increase concomitantly with global population ageing, representing a serious challenge to health care systems. In spite of the availability of policy and practice guidelines for the prevention of falls and fall-related injuries, a considerable gap remains between best practice and current health service delivery. This paper describes the method and results of the implementation and evaluation of a state-wide workforce enhancement strategy to promote the uptake of evidence-based falls prevention activities for older people. The project was undertaken in Queensland, Australia in 2008 across the community, acute and residential aged care sectors. Six Falls Safety Officers (FSOs) were appointed to implement a 1-year pilot of strategies aimed at enhancing workforce capacity to deliver a coordinated approach to falls prevention across the care continuum. The project was independently evaluated for process, impact and outcome. Both quantitative and qualitative data were extracted from records maintained by the FSOs for the evaluation and additional data were obtained from interviews with key stakeholders. Considerable progress was achieved towards the project's objectives, including the wide dissemination of information and resources, as well as the establishment of working groups to continue falls prevention planning and implementation. Barriers and facilitators to the project's implementation were identified. The formal evaluation provides evidence for the development of a cross-continuum service delivery model for implementing coordinated state-wide falls prevention strategies for the prevention of falls in older people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this evaluation was to ascertain the perspectives of both carers of older people and residential care staff regarding the impact of a new radio program, Silver Memories, on the behavior and well-being of older listeners, as well as their opinions regarding the program's quality and appeal. Silver Memories is a unique radio service designed for the older listener that broadcasts music and programs from the 1920s to the 1950s. The program first aired in Brisbane, Australia, in April 2008. Nine carers of older people and 15 care staff from 11 residential aged care facilities in which Silver Memories had been introduced for a 3-month trial period were interviewed to obtain their views regarding the quality of the program and its impact on older listeners. The majority of respondents thought that listening to Silver Memories positively influenced the well-being, morale, and behavior of older listeners very much or greatly. Relaxation was the most frequently reported benefit and older listeners with dementia appeared to receive the greatest benefit. The friendliness and quality of the program were also rated highly. It was concluded that old-time music and programs such as those broadcast by Silver Memories appear to be beneficial for older people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To understand the dynamics underlying ‘bed-blocking’ in Australian public hospitals that is frequently blamed on older patients. Methods: Analysis of primary and secondary data of utilisation patterns of hospital and aged care services by older Australians. Results: A model of the dynamics at the acute–aged care interface was developed, in which the pathway into permanent high-care Residential Aged Care (RAC) is conceptualised as competing queues for available places by applicants from the hospital, the community and from within RAC facilities. The hospital effectively becomes a safety net to accommodate people with high-care needs who cannot be admitted into RAC in a timely manner. Conclusion: The model provides a useful tool to explore some of the issues that give rise to access-block within the public hospital system. Access-block cannot be understood by viewing the hospital system in isolation from other sectors that support the health and well-being of older Australians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]