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Background: Despite widespread consensus on the need to reduce benzodiazepine (BZD) use in older adults, prescription rates in the U.S. have paradoxically increased over the past few decades. Objective: We examined (1) the characteristics of the BZD adverse reaction cases in patients aged 50 and older that were admitted to a healthcare facility (HCF) and experienced major effects/death, and (2) the associations between the concomitant use of opioids and/or antidepressants and HCF admission and major effects/death among BZD cases. Methods: We used the 2015–2022 National Poison Data System (NPDS), which contained data from 55 America's Poison Centers. We fitted two multivariable logistic regression models to examine the associations between the co-use of opioids and/or antidepressants and HCF admission and major effects/death. Results: Of the BZD cases that were examined (N = 1979), 14.9% or 295 cases were admitted to healthcare facilities, and 8.5% of those who were followed up (77 out of 893 cases) experienced major effects or death. The number of co-used substances, co-use of opioids and antidepressants, atypical antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, and Gabapentin were associated with greater odds of healthcare admission. Co-use of opioids and healthcare admission were associated with greater odds of major effects/death. Conclusions: Adverse reactions and healthcare admissions are likely to be prevented when healthcare providers limit and carefully monitor BZD prescribing, especially for those who are on other medications, including prescription opioids and antidepressants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This pilot study explored whether a socially assistive robot (SAR) would have positive effects on Korean American immigrant older adults' health behaviors and emotional well-being and whether the older adults would be receptive to the SAR. A total of 30 participants (age 65+) in a large metropolitan area participated in the study, and each participant was provided a SAR named Hyodol for 4 months and interacted with it in ways that they saw appropriate. We used one-group pre- and post-test design to assess changes between baseline and follow-up in medication adherence, depressive symptoms, loneliness, and disability. Additionally, we employed in-depth qualitative interviews to explore participants' perceptions about the SAR. At post-test, participants showed improved medication adherence, reduced depressive symptoms, and a slightly and statistically nonsignificant decrease in loneliness scores. Qualitative data suggested high adoptability of this particular SAR among the participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A disproportionate number of individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have mental health and substance-use disorders (MHSUDs), and MHSUDs are significantly associated with their emergency department (ED) visits. With an increasing share of older adults among HIV patients, this study investigated the associations of MHSUDs with ED outcomes of HIV patients in four age groups: 21-34, 35-49, 50-64, and 65+ years.Methods: We used the 2012 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) dataset (unweighted n=23,244,819 ED events by patients aged 21+, including 115,656 visits by patients with HIV). Multinomial and binary logistic regression analyses, with “treat-and-release” as the base outcome, were used to examine associations between ED outcomes and MHSUDs among visits that included a HIV diagnosis in each age group.Results: Mood and “other” mental disorders had small effects on ED-to-hospital admissions, as opposed to treat-and-release, in age groups younger than 65+ years, while suicide attempts had medium effects (RRR=3.56, CI [2.69-4.70]; RRR=4.44, CI [3.72-5.30]; and RRR=5.64, CI [4.38-7.26] in the 21-34, 35-49, and 50-64 age groups, respectively). Cognitive disorders had medium-to-large effects on hospital admissions in all age groups and large effects on death in the 35-49 (RRR=7.29, CI [3.90-13.62]) and 50-64 (RRR=5.38, CI [3.39-8.55]) age groups. Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) had small effects on hospital admission in all age groups (RRR=2.35, 95% CI [1.92-2.87]; RRR=2.15, 95% CI [1.95-2.37]; RRR=1.92, 95% CI [1.73-2.12]; and OR=1.93, 95% CI [1.20-3.10] in the 21-34, 35-49, 50-64, and 65+ age groups, respectively). Drug use disorders (DUDs) had small-to-medium effects on hospital admission (RRR=4.40, 95% CI [3.87-5.0]; RRR=4.07, 95% CI [3.77-4.40]; RRR=4.17, 95% CI [3.83-4.55]; and OR=2.53, 95% CI [2.70-3.78] in the 21-34, 35-49, 50-64, and 65+ age groups, respectively). AUDs and DUDs were also significantly related to the risk of death, and DUDs had a small effect on the risk of discharge against medical advice in the 35-49 and 50-64 age groups.Conclusion: The high prevalence of MHSUDs and their significant roles in ED visit outcomes in patients with HIV provide support for integrated care for these patients outside the ED to reduce their ED visits and costly hospital admissions and institutional care that follows, especially for the increasing numbers of older adults with HIV.

Introduction: Late middle-aged and older adults’ share of emergency department (ED) visits is increasing more than other age groups. ED visits by individuals with substance-related problems are also increasing. This paper was intended to identify subgroups of individuals aged 50+ by their risk for ED visits by examining their health/mental health status and alcohol use patterns.Methods: Data came from the 2013 National Health Interview Survey’s Sample Adult file (n=15,713). Following descriptive analysis of sample characteristics by alcohol use patterns, latent class analysis (LCA) modeling was fit using alcohol use pattern (lifetime abstainers, ex-drinkers, current infrequent/light/moderate drinkers, and current heavy drinkers), chronic health and mental health status, and past-year ED visits as indicators.Results: LCA identified a four-class model. All members of Class 1 (35% of the sample; lowest-risk group) were infrequent/light/moderate drinkers and exhibited the lowest probabilities of chronic health/mental health problems; Class 2 (21%; low-risk group) consisted entirely of lifetime abstainers and, despite being the oldest group, exhibited low probabilities of health/mental health problems; Class 3 (37%; moderate-risk group) was evenly divided between ex-drinkers and heavy drinkers; and Class 4 (7%; high-risk group) included all four groups of drinkers but more ex-drinkers. In addition, Class 4 had the highest probabilities of chronic health/mental problems, unhealthy behaviors, and repeat ED visits, with the highest proportion of Blacks and the lowest proportions of college graduates and employed persons, indicating significant roles of these risk factors.Conclusion: Alcohol nonuse/use (and quantity of use) and chronic health conditions are significant contributors to varying levels of ED visit risk. Clinicians need to help heavy-drinking older adults reduce unhealthy alcohol consumption and help both heavy drinkers and ex-drinkers improve chronic illnesses self-management.

Suicides among older women have received little research attention. In this study based on the 2017–2019 National Violent Death Reporting System data, we examined the prevalence of depression in older female suicide decedents (N = 3,061), associations between depression and other suicide precipitants, and the associations between suicide methods and depression. Descriptive statistics and generalized linear models (GLM) for a Poisson distribution with a log link were used to examine the research questions. Of the decedents, 15.0% had depressed mood without a reported diagnosis and 41.8% had a depression diagnosis. Nearly one-half of the decedents with reported depression were receiving mental health/substance use treatment at the time of injury. The likelihood of depression was lower among those who were age 85 and older compared to those were age 65–74, but higher among those who had anxiety disorder (IRR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.33–1.69), history of suicidal ideation (IRR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.10–1.35), history of suicide attempt (IRR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.14–1.41), and bereavement problems (IRR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.27–1.65). Those who had depression were less likely to have used firearms (IRR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.75–0.97) but more likely to have used hanging/suffocation (IRR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.13–1.67). The findings show that gun ownership was likely an important factor for firearm use. The high prevalence of depressed mood and/or depression diagnosis among older female suicide decedents at the time of their fatal injury underscores the importance of assessing depression and providing evidence-based depression treatment as an essential suicide prevention approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the 2018-2021 National Health Interview Survey data, we examined the associations between healthcare cost burden and depressive/anxious feelings in older adults. Nearly12% reported healthcare cost burden and 18% daily/weekly depressive/anxious feelings. Healthcare cost burden was higher among women, racial/ethnic minorities, those with chronic illnesses, mobility impairment, and those with Medicare Part D, but lower among individuals with Medicare-Medicaid dual eligibility, Medicare Advantage, VA/military insurance, and private insurance. Daily/weekly depressive/anxious feelings was higher among healthcare cost burden reporters. The COVID-19 pandemic-related medical care access problems were also associated with a higher risk of reporting healthcare cost burden and depression/anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, based on the 2022 National Health and Aging Trend Study (N = 5,593, age 65+), we examined direct associations between moderate and vigorous physical exercise (PE) and depressive/anxiety symptoms as well as bothersome pain and sleep problems. We then examined if the association between PE and depressive/anxiety symptoms would be partially mediated by the effects of PE on bothersome pain and sleep problems. Results from a path model showed that controlling for sociodemographic and health statuses, PE was negatively associated with depressive/anxiety symptoms and bothersome pain, but it was not significantly associated with sleep problems. The mediation analysis showed that 10% of the total effects of PE on depressive/anxiety symptoms was indirect effects of PE on bothersome pain. This study is important as it examined the associations among PE, pain, sleep, and depression/anxiety in community-dwelling older adults in their natural environments. Healthcare and social service providers for older adults need to emphasize the importance and benefits of PE for older adults' physical and mental health. Easy access to venues for PE is also important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundThe number of older adults with vision impairment (VI) is growing. As health care services increasingly call for patients to use technology, it is important to examine internet/health information technology (HIT) use among older adults with VI. ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine (1) the rates of internet/HIT use among older adults with VI compared with a matched sample of their peers without VI, (2) associations of VI with internet/HIT use, and (3) association of HIT use with psychological distress, assessed with the Kessler-6 screen. MethodsData were obtained from the 2013 to 2018 US National Health Interview Survey. Older adults (aged ≥65 years) with self-reported VI were matched with older adults without VI, in a 1:1 ratio, based on age, sex, number of chronic medical conditions, and functional limitations (N=2866). Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models, with sociodemographic factors, health conditions, health insurance type, and health care service use as covariates, were used to examine the research questions. ResultsIn total, 3.28% of older adults (compared with 0.84% of those aged 18-64 years) reported VI, and 25.7% of them were aged ≥85 years. Those with VI were significantly more socioeconomically disadvantaged than those without VI and less likely to use the internet (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.64, 95% CI0.49-0.83) and HIT (aOR 0.74, 95% CI 0.56-0.97). However, among internet users, VI was not associated with HIT use. HIT use was associated with lower odds of mild/moderate or serious psychological distress (aOR 0.62, 95% CI 0.43-0.90), whereas VI was associated with greater odds of mild/moderate or serious distress (aOR 1.84, 95% CI 1.36-2.49). Health care provider contacts were also associated with higher odds of internet or HIT use. ConclusionsCompared with their matched age peers without VI, older adults with VI are less likely to use HIT because they are less likely to use the internet. Socioeconomically disadvantaged older adults experiencing a digital divide need help to access information and communication technologies through a fee waiver or subsidy to cover internet equipment and subscription and ensure continuous connectivity. Older adults with VI who do not know how to use the internet/HIT but want to learn should be provided instruction, with special attention to accessibility features and adaptive devices. Older adults with a low income also need better access to preventive eye care and treatment of VI as well as other health care services.