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Introduction Physical activity (PA) in older people is associated with improved morbidity and mortality outcomes. Increasing numbers of older people are choosing to live in retirement villages, many of which promote themselves as providing opportunities for activity. Aim To explore the characteristics of PA village residents were undertaking and the associated individual and village factors. Methods Health, functional and wellbeing information was collected from 577 residents recruited from 34 villages in Auckland, New Zealand, using an International Resident Assessment Instrument and customised survey tools containing items on self-reported PA. Managers from villages completed a survey on village characteristics and facilities. Results The mean age (s.d.) of village residents was 82 (7) years, and 325 (56%) reporting doing one or more hours of PA in the 3 days prior to assessment. Moderate exercise was performed by 240 (42%) village residents, for a mean (s.d.) of 2.7 (3.4) h per week. The most common activities provided by villages included: bowls/petanque (22, 65%) and exercise classes (22, 65%), and walking was the most common activity undertaken (348, 60%). Factors independently associated with PA included individual factors (gender, fatigue, constipation, self-reported health, number of medications, moving to village for safety and security, utilising village fitness programme, use of the internet, and satisfaction with opportunities to be active) and village-related factors (access to unit, and ownership model). Discussion PA uptake is determined by many factors at both personal (physical and psychosocial) and environmental levels. Clinicians should focus on individualised PA promotion in those with identified risk factors for low levels of PA.

Hepatitis C, and its associated life-limiting sequalae, disproportionately affect Māori. Despite availability of fully funded effective and well-tolerated oral direct-acting anti-viral agents (DAA), many in New Zealand remain untreated. This service evaluation aimed to explore the experiences of Māori who have received DAA treatment for hepatitis C, and their ideas for service improvement.This qualitative service evaluation recruited eligible participants (Māori, 18 years+, DAA treatment since February 2019) through health care providers. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken over the telephone with consenting participants. General inductive analysis was used to generate themes contextualising findings within cultural contexts for Māori, as aligned with Māori methodological research practices.Twelve participants were interviewed. The physical and mental impact hepatitis C can have, and that treatment with DAA leads to improvement in these domains, were highlighted. Proactivity by health professionals was valued, including the benefit of wrap-around services to keep people connected throughout the treatment journey, with participants articulating the ability to self-advocate when needs were not met by other services.Findings can be used to enhance the development of further hepatitis C treatment services, based on Māori experiences of treatment and self-identified solutions for improvement in hepatitis C care.

The retirement village (RV) population is a growing one, with many residents having unmet healthcare needs. Despite this, there is a relative paucity of research in the RV community. We previously performed a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of a multidisciplinary (MD) nurse-led community intervention versus usual care within 33 RVs in Auckland, New Zealand. Participant acceptability is an important aspect in assessing intervention feasibility and effectiveness. The aim of this current qualitative study was to assess the acceptability of the intervention in participating residents. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews designed around the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Thematic analysis was undertaken using a general inductive approach. Of the 199 participants in the intervention arm of the original RCT, 27 were invited to take part in this qualitative study. Fifteen participants were recruited with a median age of 89 years, 10 were female and all were of European ethnicity. Participants were generally positive about the intervention and research processes. Three themes were identified: (1) participants' understanding of intervention aims and effectiveness; (2) the importance of older adult involvement and (3) level of comfort in the research process. Despite the MD intervention being deemed acceptable across several domains, results provided learning points for the future design of MD interventions in RV residents and older adults more generally. We recommend that future intervention studies incorporate co-design methodologies which may improve the likelihood of intervention success.

In Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), ethnic inequities in health outcomes exist. Non-Māori experience better access to healthcare than Māori, including access to the quality use of medicines. Quality medicines use requires that medicines provide maximal therapeutic benefit with minimal harm. As older adults are more at risk of harm from medicines, and, because inequities are compounded with age, Māori older adults may be at more risk of medicines-related harm than younger and non-Māori populations. This narrative review examined ethnic variation in the quality use of medicines, including medicines utilisation and associated clinical outcomes, between Māori and non-Māori older adult populations in NZ. The review was structured around prevalence of medicine utilisation by medicine class and in particular disease states; high-risk medicines; polypharmacy; prevalence of potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP); and association between PIP and clinical outcomes. 22 studies were included in the review. There is ethnic variation in the access to medicines in NZ, with Māori older adults often having reduced access to particular medicine types, or in particular disease states, compared with non-Māori older adults. Māori older adults are less likely than non-Māori to be prescribed medicines inappropriately, as defined by standardised tools; however, PIP is more strongly associated with adverse outcomes for Māori than non-Māori. This review identifies that inequities in quality medicines use exist and provides a starting point to develop pro-equity solutions. The aetiology of inequities in the quality use of medicines is multifactorial and our approaches to addressing the inequitable ethnic variation also need to be.

BackgroundMāori (the Indigenous population of Aotearoa New Zealand) experience increased burden of unintentional injury and reduced access to publicly funded injury prevention and rehabilitation services, compared with non-Māori. Māori-led models of care have been shown to improve outcomes for Māori. Paeārahi navigate across sectors (including health, education, housing and employment) to advocate for the best possible outcomes for individuals and families. This study aims to (1) test the acceptability and feasibility and (2) undertake exploratory efficacy analysis of a paeārahi injury intervention for Māori older adults.MethodsA prospective non-randomised, non-comparator study with preintervention and postintervention measurements of predefined outcomes. Eligible participants who consented to participate (Māori, 55+ years, community-dwelling and enrolled in one of three study general practices) will undergo a multivisit paeārahi intervention. The intervention includes home-hazard assessment, basic health screening, teaching of strength and balance exercises, education relating to injury prevention and access to injury-related, referral and connection to other health and social services) and participants can choose to have whānau (family) involved in the intervention.OutcomesThe primary outcome of interest is participant, whānau and paeārahi acceptability of the intervention. Secondary outcomes include intervention feasibility, cost-effectiveness and exploratory efficacy (including preintervention and postintervention unintentional injury-related hospitalisation, primary care access and public injury-related claims).DiscussionThe findings of this intervention research will be used to inform injury care models for older Māori and process for Māori-led health intervention development more generally.Trial registration numberACTRN12621001691831p.

As people age, they are more likely to require support to maintain activities of daily living. Referral for formal assessment of need (assessed using the 'international Resident Assessment Instrument' [interRAI]) is the first step to access publicly funded services in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ). It is unclear whether ethnic access inequities present in other areas of the NZ health system occur in this referral process. This exploratory research aimed to explore ethnic variation in referrals for interRAI assessment, and associated factors.A retrospective cohort study of all new referrals for aged care services for those 55-plus, received in 2018 by Waitematā District Health Board (WDHB), was conducted. The primary outcome was referral outcome (assessment and no assessment). Secondary outcomes included time from referral to assessment, reason for referral, mortality and, in the assessed cohort, assessment outcome.New referrals (n = 3263) were ethnically representative of the general older adult population in WDHB. Māori were younger and more likely to be referred for higher-level care needs than non-Māori, non-Pasifika (NMNP) (p = 0.03). There was no significant difference in referral outcome, time to assessment or mortality between ethnicities. NMNP were more likely to access lower-level care services than Māori or Pasifika older adults (p = 0.002).Ethnicity was not associated with aged care service assessment access once people were referred for publicly funded services, nor was it associated with time to assessment or mortality in this exploratory study. Māori had higher care needs than NMNP at the time of referral.

Objectives: To develop and validate a frailty index (FI) from interRAI-Community Health Assessments (CHA) on older adults in retirement villages (RVs). Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of a current RV research study. A FI was generated using the cumulative deficit model. Health-care utilisation measures were acute, and all, hospitalisations 12 months before baseline assessment. Associations between FI and hospitalisations were explored using multivariable logistic regression to estimate odds ratio (OR). Results: Of 577 included residents, mean (SD) age was 81 (7) and 419 (73%) were female. Mean (SD) FI was 0.16 (0.09); 260 (45%) were mildly frail, and 108 (19%) moderate-severely frail. In multivariate-adjusted analysis, odds of acute hospitalisation for mild (OR = 3.3, P

Māori (Indigenous people of New Zealand [NZ]) experience inequitable health outcomes compared to non-Māori, across the spectrum of clinical care, including those relating to medicines. Internationally, pharmacist-facilitated medicines review services have been shown to benefit older adults. Despite national policies calling for the increased implementation of these services, NZ data relating to them remain limited, and these services may increase disparities between Māori and non-Māori. There are currently no medicines review services developed specifically for Māori older adults. The current study aims to elicit stakeholder views of current and potential pharmacist services to help inform the development of a pharmacist-facilitated medicines review service for community-dwelling Māori older adults. Kaupapa Māori theory was applied within this qualitative research. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants who were involved in providing, planning, funding developing or culturally supporting health services in Waitematā District Health Board, Auckland, NZ. Data were collected in semi-structured interviews and in a focus group and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The study was reported in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative research. Eleven participants took part in the research in one focus group (n = 4) and seven semi-structured interviews, conducted between November 2018 and March 2019. Three main themes were generated: (a) moving out of the shadows – claiming pharmacists’ unique role within a healthcare whānau (family); (b) ‘give them the power to be able to ask’ – upholding the mana (self-esteem, pride, standing) and autonomy of kaumātua (Māori older adults) and (c) rights versus realities – reimagining pro-equity Māori health services within the constraints of the colonial health system. The right of Māori to experience equitable health outcomes needs to be included in policy and also operationalised in relation to medicines review services through improved utilisation of pharmacist skills and improving Māori older adults’ autonomy and control.

Background There is increasing interest among older people in moving into retirement villages (RVs), an attractive option for those seeking a supportive community as they age, while still maintaining independence. Currently in New Zealand there is limited knowledge of the medical, service supports, social status and needs of RV residents. The objective of this study is to explore RV facilities and services, the health and functional status of RV residents, prospectively study their healthcare trajectories and to implement a multidisciplinary team intervention to potentially decrease dependency and impact healthcare utilization. Methods All RVs located in two large district health boards in Auckland, New Zealand were eligible to participate. This three-year project comprised three phases: The survey phase provided a description of RVs, residents’ characteristics and health and functional status. RV managers completed a survey of size, facilities and recreational and healthcare services provided in the village. Residents were surveyed to establish reasons for entry to the village and underwent a Gerontology Nurse Specialist (GNS) assessment providing details of demographics, social engagement, health and functional status. The cohort study phase examines residents’ healthcare trajectories and adverse outcomes, over three years. The final phase is a randomised controlled trial of a multidisciplinary team intervention aimed to improve health outcomes for more vulnerable residents. Residents who triggered potential unmet health needs during the assessment in the survey phase were randomised to intervention or usual care groups. Multidisciplinary team meetings included the resident and support person, a geriatrician or gerontology nurse practitioner, GNS, pharmacist and General Practitioner. The primary outcome of the randomised controlled trial will be first acute hospitalization. Secondary outcomes include all acute hospitalizations, long-term care admissions, and all-cause mortality. Discussion This paper describes the study protocol of this complex study. The study aims to inform policies and practices around health care services for residents in retirement villages. The results of this trial are expected early 2020 with publication subsequently. Trial registration Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12616000685415. Registered 25.5.2016. Universal Trial Number (UTN): U111–1173-6083.

Background Pharmacist involvement in medicines reviews for older adults can improve prescribing and reduce adverse drug reactions. Māori experience poorer health outcomes than non-Māori resulting, in part, from inequitable access to and quality of medicine-related care. Despite international data showing benefit, it is unclear whether pharmacist-led medicines review services can improve outcomes for Māori older adults. Objective This systematic review aims to describe pharmacist-led medicines review services for community-dwelling adults in New Zealand, assess effectiveness of these interventions and identify their effect on health equity for Māori and older adults. Methods The review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses – Equity (PRISMA-E 2012). Observational studies were included. The intervention in included studies had to involve a pharmacist, occur in the outpatient setting in New Zealand, and involve review of all medicines for an individual patient. At least one patient-related outcome had to be reported. Results The search identified seven observational studies with 542 total participants. Study interventions included adherence-based reviews in community pharmacies and multi-step comprehensive clinical reviews in outpatient haemodialysis units. Medicines reviews identified up to a median of 3 drug-related problems per review. The effect of interventions on medicines adherence and knowledge was not clear. Māori may have been less likely than non-Māori to benefit from improved medicines knowledge as a result of interventions. None of the studies incorporated aspects in study design or delivery to address inequities for Māori. Conclusion Further investigation is needed to understand whether the development of culturally safe pharmacist-led medicines review services, responsive to community identified needs, can help to achieve equity in health outcomes for Māori older adults.

Chronic pain is common in older people. However, little is known about how pain is experienced in residents of retirement villages ('villages'), and how pain intensity and associations are experienced in relation to characteristics of residents and village living. We thus aimed to examine pain levels, prevalence and associated factors in village residents. The current paper is a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the 'Older People in Retirement Villages' study in Auckland, New Zealand. Between July 2016 and August 2018, 578 village residents were interviewed face-to-face by gerontology nurse specialists, using interRAI Community Health Assessment (CHA) and customised survey. We used a validated pain scale and multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusted for pre-specified confounders. Residents' median age was 82 years; 420 (73%) were female; 270 (47%) exhibited/reported daily pain, and in 11% this was severe. After controlling for confounders, daily pain was positively associated with self-reported arthritis (OR = 3.88, 95% CI = 2.57-5.87), poor/fair self-reported health (OR = 3.19, 95% CI = 1.29-7.93), having no health clinic on-site (OR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.10-2.83), and minimal fatigue (diminished energy but completes normal day-to-day activities) (OR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.11-2.81). Similar associations were observed for levels of pain. We conclude that levels of pain and prevalence of daily pain are high in village residents. Self-reported arthritis, self-reported poor/fair health, no health clinic on-site and minimal fatigue are all independently associated with a higher risk of daily pain and with levels of pain. This study suggests potential opportunities for villages to better provide on-site support to decrease prevalence and severity of pain for their residents, and thus potentially increase wellbeing and quality-of-life, though as we cannot prove causality, more research is needed.

To study healthcare utilization and trajectories, and associated factors, in older adults in retirement villages (RVs), also known as continuing care retirement communities.Prospective cohort study of 578 cognitively intact residents from 34 RVs in Auckland, New Zealand (NZ).InterRAI-Community Health Assessment (includes core items that may trigger functional supplement (FS) completion in those with higher needs, and generates clinical assessment protocols (CAPs) in those with potential unmet needs).time to acute hospitalization, long-term care (LTC), and death during average 2.5 years follow-up.Three hundred seven (53%) residents had acute hospitalizations, 65 (11%) moved to LTC, and 51 (9%) died over a mean of 2.5 years. Factors associated with increased risk of acute hospitalization included CAP-falls (high risk) triggered, number of comorbidities, not having left RV in 2 weeks prior, moderate/severe hearing impairment, CAP-cardiorespiratory conditions triggered, acute hospitalization in year prior and age, with significant hazard ratios (HR) ranging between 1.03 and 2.90. Factors associated with reduced risk of hospitalization included other (non-NZ) European ethnicity (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.55-0.98, p = 0.04), presence of on-site clinic (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.45-0.85, p = 0.003), no influenza vaccination (HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.38-0.83, p = 0.004). Factors associated with LTC transition included FS triggered (HR 3.84, 95% CI 1.92-7.66, p 0.001), CAP-instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) (HR 2.62, 95% CI 1.22-5.62, p = 0.01), CAP-social relationship triggered (HR 2.00, 95% CI 1.13-3.55, p = 0.02), and age (HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.07-1.18 p 0.001). Factors associated with mortality included number of comorbidities (HR 3.75, 95% CI 1.54-9.10, p = 0.004 for 3-5 comorbidities), CAP-IADL triggered (HR 3.05, 95% CI 1.30-7.16, p = 0.01), and age (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.05-1.18, p 0.001).A large proportion of cognitively intact RV residents are admitted to hospital in mean 2.5 years of follow-up. Multiple factors were associated with acute hospitalization risk. On-site clinics were associated with reduced risk and should be considered in RV development.

BACKGROUND Retirement villages (RVs), also known as continuing care retirement communities, are an increasingly popular housing choice for older adults. The RV population has significant health needs, possibly representing a group with needs in between community-dwelling older adults and those in long-term residential care (LTC). Our previous work shows Gerontology Nurse Specialist (GNS)-facilitated multidisciplinary team (MDT) interventions may reduce hospitalizations from LTC. This study tested whether a similar intervention reduced hospitalizations in RV residents. METHODS Open-label randomized controlled trial in which 412 older residents of 33 RVs were randomized (1:1) to an MDT intervention or usual care. SETTING RVs across two District Health Boards in Auckland, New Zealand. Residents were eligible if considered high risk of health/functional decline (triggering ≥3 interRAI Clinical Assessment Protocols or needing special consideration identified by GNS). INTERVENTION GNS-facilitated MDT intervention, including geriatrician/nurse practitioner and clinical pharmacist, versus usual care. Primary outcome was time from randomization to first acute hospitalization. Secondary outcomes were rate of acute hospitalizations, LTC admission, and mortality. Twelve residents died before randomization; all others (n = 400: MDT intervention = 199; usual care = 201) were included in intention-to-treat analyses. RESULTS Mean (SD) age was 82.2 (6.9) years, 302 (75.5%) were women, and 378 (94.5%) were European. Over median 1.5 years follow-up, no difference was found in hazard of acute hospitalization between the MDT intervention (51.8%) and usual care (49.3%) groups (Hazard ratio [HR] = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.77-1.34). No difference was found in the incidence rate of acute hospitalizations between the MDT intervention (0.69 per person-year) and usual care (0.86 per person-year) groups (incidence rate ratio = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.59-1.10). Similar results were seen for the proportion of residents with LTC transition (HR = 1.18, 95% CI = 0.65-2.11) and mortality (HR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.36-1.35). CONCLUSION Further studies are needed to assess the effects of other patient-centered interventions and outcomes with adequate primary care integration.

BackgroundSafer prescribing in general practice may help to decrease preventable adverse drug events (ADE) and related hospitalisations.AimTo test the effect of the Safer Prescribing and Care for the Elderly (SPACE) intervention on high-risk prescribing of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and/or antiplatelet medicines and related hospitalisations.Design & settingA pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial in general practice. Participants were patients at increased risk of ADEs from NSAIDs and/or antiplatelet medicines at baseline. SPACE comprises automated search to generate for each GP a list of patients with high-risk prescribing; pharmacist outreach to provide education and one-on-one review of list with GP; and automated letter inviting patients to seek medication review with their GP.MethodThe primary outcome was the difference in high-risk prescribing of NSAIDs and/or antiplatelet medicines at 6 months. Secondary outcomes were high-risk prescribing for gastrointestinal, renal, or cardiac ADEs separately, 12-month outcomes, and related ADE hospitalisations.ResultsThirty-nine practices were recruited with 205 GPs and 191 593 patients, of which 21 877 (11.4%) were participants. Of the participants, 1479 (6.8%) had high-risk prescribing. High-risk prescribing improved in both groups at 6 and 12 months compared with baseline. At 6 months, there was no significant difference between groups (odds ratio [OR] 0.99; 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 0.87 to 1.13) although SPACE improved more for gastrointestinal ADEs (OR 0.81; 95% CI = 0.68 to 0.96). At 12 months, the control group improved more (OR 1.29; 95% CI = 1.11 to 1.49). There was no significant difference for related hospitalisations.ConclusionFurther work is needed to identify scalable interventions that support safer prescribing in general practice. The use of automated search and feedback plus letter to patient warrants further exploration.

INTRODUCTION: te Tiriti o Waitangi guarantees Māori the right to: self-determination, equitable health outcomes, be well informed, health care options, including kaupapa Māori and culturally safe mainstream services, and partnership in the health care journey. Despite integration of these principles into policy, there remains a lack of application in health service development, and health inequities remain. AIM: We aimed to use te Tiriti o Waitangi to structure the development of a culturally safe health intervention, using as an exemplar pharmacist-facilitated medicines review for Māori older adults. METHODS: Previous research undertaken by our group (a systematic review, and interviews with stakeholders including Māori older adults) was used to inform the aspects to include in the intervention. Kaupapa Māori theory was used to underpin the approach. Intended outcomes, requirements for change, and outcome measures to assess change were mapped to te Tiriti o Waitangi principles as a way to structure the pharmacist-facilitated medicines review intervention and research processes. RESULTS: Findings from our previous research identified 12 intended intervention outcomes, including that the intervention be flexible to adapt to diverse needs in a way that is acceptable and culturally safe for Māori and that it supports Māori older adults to control and have confidence in their medicine treatment and wellbeing. DISCUSSION: We present an approach to the development of a pharmacist-facilitated medicines review intervention for Māori older adults, structured around the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi, to support the implementation of a culturally safe, pro-equity intervention.

Background Pharmacist-facilitated medicines review services have been postulated as a way to address current inequities in health outcomes between Māori and non-Māori. These interventions have been shown internationally to improve the appropriate use of medicines but remain underutilised in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ). By reviewing the literature and engaging with key stakeholders, we developed an intervention, which included collaborative goal-setting, education and medicines optimisation, for testing in a feasibility study. Objective To determine the feasibility (recruitment, intervention delivery, and data collection methods) of a pharmacist-facilitated medicines review intervention for Māori older adults, and proposed intervention outcomes. Methods This study was reported in accordance with the CONSORT 2010 statement: extension to randomised controlled pilot and feasibility trials and the Consolidated criteria for strengthening reporting of health research involving indigenous peoples: the CONSIDER statement. Participant eligibility criteria were: Māori; aged 55-plus; community-dwelling; enrolled in a general practice in Waitematā District Health Board (Auckland, NZ). Consented participants engaged in a medicines education component (participant and pharmacist) and an optional medicines optimisation component (participant, pharmacist and prescriber). Outcomes measures included: the feasibility of data collection tools and methods, time taken to conduct the intervention and research processes; medicines knowledge, medicines appropriateness and quality of life (QoL); pharmacist recommendations and prescriber acceptance rate. Results Seventeen consented participants took part in the intervention from December 2019–March 2020 with the majority (n = 12) recruited through general practice mail-outs. Data collection was feasible using the predetermined outcome measure tools and was complete for all patient participants. Pharmacist intervention delivery was feasible. A mean of 9.5 recommendations were made per participant with a prescriber acceptance rate of 95%. These included non-medicine-related recommendations. Conclusion The feasibility testing of pharmacist-facilitated medicines review intervention developed for (and with) community-dwelling Māori older adults allows for intervention refinement and can be utilised for further studies relating to pharmacist services in primary care.

Objectives The development of frailty tools from electronically recorded healthcare data allows frailty assessments to be routinely generated, potentially beneficial for individuals and healthcare providers. We wished to assess the predictive validity of a frailty index (FI) derived from interRAI Community Health Assessment (CHA) for outcomes in older adults residing in retirement villages (RVs), elsewhere called continuing care retirement communities. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting and participants 34 RVs across two district health boards in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ). 577 participants, mean age 81 years; 419 (73%) female; 410 (71%) NZ European, 147 (25%) other European, 8 Asian (1%), 7 Māori (1%), 1 Pasifika ( Methods interRAI-CHA FI tool was used to stratify participants into fit (0–0.12), mild (>0.12–0.24), moderate (>0.24–0.36) and severe (>0.36) frail groups at baseline (the latter two grouped due to low numbers of severely frail). Primary outcome was acute hospitalization; secondary outcomes included long-term care (LTC) entry and mortality. The relationship between frailty and outcomes were explored with multivariable Cox regression, estimating hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs). Results Over mean follow-up of 2.5 years, 33% (69/209) of fit, 58% (152/260) mildly frail and 79% (85/108) moderate-severely frail participants at baseline had at least one acute hospitalization. Compared to the fit group, significantly increased risk of acute hospitalization were identified in mildly frail (adjusted HR = 1.88, 95%CI = 1.41–2.51, p Conclusions and implications The FI derived from interRAI-CHA has robust predictive validity for acute hospitalization, LTC entry and mortality. This adds to the growing literature of use of interRAI tools in this way and may assist healthcare providers with rapid identification of frailty.

Background:Pharmacist-facilitated medicines reviews are effective at identifying medicines-related problems and can improve the appropriate use of medicines in older adults. Current services in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) are not developed specifically for Māori (Indigenous people of NZ) and may increase health disparities between Māori and non-Māori. We developed a medicines review intervention for and with Māori older adults, and tested it in a feasibility study.Objective:To assess patient acceptability of a pharmacist-facilitated medicines review intervention for Māori older adults.Methods:The intervention consisted of a medicines education session (pharmacist and participant) and an optional medicines optimisation session (pharmacist, participant, and prescriber). Participant acceptability was assessed post-intervention using a structured telephone interview developed specifically for this study. Participants responded to statements using a five-point Likert scale (strongly agree-strongly disagree; numerical analysis/reporting) which focused on the topics of power/control, support mechanisms, intervention content and delivery, and perceived usefulness. Open-ended questions relating to the intervention value and suggestions for improvement were analysed using general inductive analysis.Results:Seventeen participants took part in the feasibility study from December 2019–March 2020 and all completed the acceptability interview. Participants perceived the intervention content and mode of delivery to be appropriate, and that their power and control over their medicines and health improved and as did their confidence in self-management. Five themes were generated: medicines knowledge from a trusted professional, increased advocacy, ‘by Māori, for Māori’, increased confidence and control, and financial and resource implications.Conclusion:A pharmacist-facilitated medicines review intervention for Māori older adults developed by Māori, for Māori, was acceptable to patient participants. Participants valued the clinical expertise and advocacy provided by the pharmacist, and the increase in medicines knowledge, control and autonomy. Participants wanted the service to continue on an ongoing basis.

OBJECTIVES Retirement villages are semi-closed communities, access usually being gained via village managers. This paper explores issues recruiting a representative resident cohort, as background to a study of residents, to acquire sociodemographic, health and disability data and trial an intervention designed to improve outcomes. METHODS We planned approaching all Auckland/Waitematā District villages and, via managers, contacting residents ('letter-drop'; 'door-knocks'). In 'small' villages (n ≤ 60 units), we planned contacting all residents, randomly selecting in 'larger' villages. We excluded those with doubtful or absent legal capacity. RESULTS We approached managers of 53 of 65 villages. Thirty-four permitted recruitment. Some prohibited 'letter-drops' and/or 'door-knocks'. Hence, we recruited volunteers (23 villages) via meetings, posters, newsletters and word-of-mouth, that is representative sampling obtained from 11/34 villages. We recruited 578 residents (median age = 82 years; 420 = female; 217:361 sampled:volunteers), finding differences in baseline parameters of sampled vs. volunteers. CONCLUSION Due to organisational/managers' policy, and national legislation restrictions, our sample does not represent our intended population well. Researchers should investigate alternative data sources, for example electoral rolls and censuses.

ObjectivesRetirement villages (RV) have expanded rapidly, now housing perhaps one in eight people aged 75+ years in New Zealand. Health service initiatives might better support residents and offer cost advantages, but little is known of resident demographics, health status or needs. This study describes village residents—their demographics, socio-behavioural and health status—noting differences between participants who volunteered and those who were sampled.DesignCross-sectional study of village residents. The cohort formed will also be used for a longitudinal study and a randomised controlled trial. Village managers (sometimes after consulting residents) decided if representative sampling could be undertaken in each village. Where sampling was not approved, volunteers were sought.Setting33 RV were included from a total of 65 villages in Auckland, New Zealand.ParticipantsResidents (n=578) were recruited either by sampling (n=217) or as volunteers (n=361) during 2016–2018. Each completed a survey and an International Resident Assessment Instrument (interRAI) health needs assessment with a gerontology nurse specialist.ResultsMedian age of residents was 82 years, 158 (27%) were men; 61% lived alone. Downsizing (77%), less stress (63%) and access to healthcare assistance (61%) were most common reasons for entry. During the 2 weeks prior to survey, 34% received home supports and 10% personal care. Hypertension, heart disease, arthritis and pain were reported by over 40%. Most common unmet needs related to managing cardiorespiratory symptoms (50%) and pain (48%). Volunteers and sampled residents differed significantly, mainly in socio-behavioural respects.ConclusionsCommon conditions including hypertension, arthritis and atrial fibrillation, are recorded in interRAI as text, and thus overlooked in interRAI reports. Levels of unmet need indicate opportunities to improve health services to better manage chronic conditions. Healthcare service providers and village operators could cooperate to design and test service initiatives that better meet residents’ needs and offer cost benefits.Trial registration numberACTRN12616000685415.

An understanding of patients' healthcare experiences and perceptions is essential for developing new health services. In Aotearoa New Zealand, inequities in health outcomes exist, with Māori experiencing worse health outcomes than non-Māori. This includes poorer access to, and quality of, prescribed medicines. This study aims to explore kaumātua (Māori older adults') experiences of medicines and medicine-related services in New Zealand.This qualitative research applied kaupapa Māori theory and explored Māori older adults' experiences of medicines and medicine-related services in New Zealand. Ten kaumātua from Auckland, New Zealand participated in semi-structured interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse data.Three themes were generated: 1. diverse, multi-dimensional realities of medicine-taking for Māori with ageing; 2. medicines supply as a business transaction; and 3. self-determined agency of kaumātua supported by authentic healthcare partnerships. Kaumātua expressed their ability to retain power and control over their medicine therapy and their desire for this to occur within a supportive, authentic partnership model that involves them and their multiple healthcare providers.Māori older adults have the ability, desire and right to control their medicines journey in a way that is relevant to their experiences of medicines. They value support from authentic healthcare partnerships in enabling this.

Objectives:The number of older people choosing to relocate to retirement villages (RVs) is increasing rapidly. This choice is often a way to decrease social isolation while still living independently. Loneliness is a significant health issue and contributes to overall frailty, yet RV resident loneliness is poorly understood. Our aim is to describe the prevalence of loneliness and associated factors in a New Zealand RV population.Design:A resident survey was used to collect demographics, social engagement, loneliness, and function, as well as a comprehensive geriatric assessment (international Resident Assessment Instrument [interRAI]) as part of the “Older People in Retirement Villages Study.”Setting:RVs, Auckland, New Zealand.Participants:Participants included RV residents living in 33 RVs (n = 578).Measurements:Two types of recruitment: randomly sampled cohort (n = 217) and volunteer sample (n = 361). Independently associated factors for loneliness were determined through multiple logistic regression with odds ratios (ORs).Results:Of the participants, 420 (72.7%) were female, 353 (61.1%) lived alone, with the mean age of 81.3 years. InterRAI assessment loneliness (yes/no question) was 25.8% (n = 149), and the resident survey found that 37.4% (n = 216) feel lonely sometimes/often/always. Factors independently associated with interRAI loneliness included being widowed (adjusted OR 8.27; 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.15–16.48), being divorced/separated/never married (OR 4.76; 95% CI 2.15–10.54), poor/fair quality of life (OR 3.37; 95% CI 1.43–7.94), moving to an RV to gain more social connections (OR 1.55; 95% CI 0.99–2.43), and depression risk (medium risk: OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.53–4.35; high risk: OR 4.20, 95% CI 1.47–11.95).Conclusion:A considerable proportion of older people living in RVs reported feelings of loneliness, particularly those who were without partners, at risk of depression and decreased quality of life and those who had moved into RVs to increase social connections. Early identification of factors for loneliness in RV residents could support interventions to improve quality of life and positively impact RV resident health and well-being.

Background Pharmacists have a role to play in supporting the optimal use of medicines to ensure older adults receive therapeutic benefit whilst minimising medicines-related harm. In Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), Māori (Indigenous people of NZ) experience inequities in the determinants of health, including access to medicines, resulting in increased morbidity, earlier onset of chronic conditions and reduced life expectancy. This study aims to test the feasibility of a pharmacist-led medicines review intervention in community-dwelling Māori older adults. Method This is a non-randomised, non-controlled feasibility study undertaken within a kaupapa Māori methodological framework which supports the right of Māori to be included throughout the research process and seeks to potentiate transformational, positive change for Māori. The research pharmacist will recruit 30 participants (Māori; 55 years or older; community-dwelling). Participants will undergo a medicines education session with the pharmacist (medicines reconciliation, medicines information, well-being goal setting), with the option to proceed to a medicines optimisation session that includes the participant, pharmacist and primary prescriber (review of potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP); medicines management plan development). Primary outcomes: participant and prescriber acceptability of intervention. Secondary outcomes include baseline and post-intervention medicines knowledge, PIP and quality of life scores, and number of changes made to the medicines regimen. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval was granted by the Northern B Health and Disability Committee (9/NTB/106). Study results will be disseminated to various stakeholders including Māori communities, health practitioners and providers, and researchers through meetings and conference presentations, lay summaries and peer-reviewed journals. This study is an example of health service design, delivery and evaluation, informed by Indigenous knowledge and methodology, developed explicitly to address inequities in health outcomes for, and with, Māori and will inform the decision to proceed to a randomised controlled trial to test the effect of this intervention. Trial registration number ACTRN12619001070123.

Background Retirement Villages (RVs) for older people represent a burgeoning industry. However, we know little about residents’ demographics and health/disability issues - information which could inform health planning, facilitate independence and reduce service demand. RVs are semi-closed communities: access for researchers is most conveniently gained via RV managers. We are studying RV residents in Auckland, New Zealand (NZ) to acquire demographic, health, disability and social data, with a randomized-controlled-trial of a multidisciplinary intervention aimed to reduce adverse outcomes. We here describe recruitment problems we encountered. Methods We planned to approach all RVs in Auckland/Waitemata Districts, with random sampling of residents in each village using unit/apartment lists as the sampling frame. Exclusions: Refusal of/inability to consent (complying with NZ legislation; ACER

Aim To compare the prevalence in residential aged care (RAC) of preventative and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in those who died within 12 months versus those alive after 12 months. Methods Firstly, a cross-sectional survey of 6196 people living in RAC in Auckland. Secondly, a research physician searched electronic hospital records in one District Health Board for a sub-sample (n = 222) of these residents. Classes of medications and dates of death were obtained from the Ministry of Health databases. Those who died versus those alive at 12 months were compared. Results Over half of the 6196 participants received antihypertensives and/or antiplatelet agents. Cardiovascular preventative medications were significantly more common in those who died within 12 months. Seventy percent in high-level care received psychotropics. PIMs were commonly used. Conclusions Use of preventative medications is common in RAC, especially during the last year of life. Psychotropics are very commonly used, despite being potentially inappropriate.

Background and Aim: Medical treatment of steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) is limited to either cyclosporine or infliximab. Studies comparing cyclosporine with either placebo or intravenous methylprednisone showed promise for cyclosporine, but associated it with significant toxicity. There is conflicting, but increasingly positive evidence for using infliximab. There are no studies directly comparing these two treatments. Our aim was to compare the outcomes of patients with steroid-refractory UC treated with either intravenous cyclosporine or infliximab. Methods: We carried out a retrospective review of inpatients with steroid-refractory UC, treated with either intravenous cyclosporine or infliximab, at Waitemata District Health Board, between January 2001 and February 2010. The primary end-points were time to colectomy, and colectomy rates at 3 and 12 months. Secondary end-points were time to discharge from initiation of treatment, steroid dependence at 12 months, and reported adverse events. Results: The total study population was 38, with 19 in the infliximab group. Follow up to 12 months was complete in all patients. At 3 months, the colectomy rate was 63% for cyclosporine, compared to 21% (P = 0.0094). By 12 months the rate was 68% and 37% for cyclosporine and infliximab, respectively (P = 0.06). Patients in the cyclosporine group required an additional 5 days in hospital (P = 0.0086). Steroid dependence at 12 months was 50% for cyclosporine versus 25% for infliximab (P = 0.36). Cyclosporine caused more adverse events (P = 0.17). Conclusions: Infliximab improved clinical outcomes compared to the previous use of intravenous cyclosporine in patients admitted with steroid-refractory acute severe UC.

Medical treatment of steroid-refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) is limited to either cyclosporine or infliximab. Studies comparing cyclosporine with either placebo or intravenous methylprednisone showed promise for cyclosporine, but associated it with significant toxicity. There is conflicting, but increasingly positive evidence for using infliximab. There are no studies directly comparing these two treatments. Our aim was to compare the outcomes of patients with steroid-refractory UC treated with either intravenous cyclosporine or infliximab.We carried out a retrospective review of inpatients with steroid-refractory UC, treated with either intravenous cyclosporine or infliximab, at Waitemata District Health Board, between January 2001 and February 2010. The primary end-points were time to colectomy, and colectomy rates at 3 and 12 months. Secondary end-points were time to discharge from initiation of treatment, steroid dependence at 12 months, and reported adverse events.The total study population was 38, with 19 in the infliximab group. Follow up to 12 months was complete in all patients. At 3 months, the colectomy rate was 63% for cyclosporine, compared to 21% (P = 0.0094). By 12 months the rate was 68% and 37% for cyclosporine and infliximab, respectively (P = 0.06). Patients in the cyclosporine group required an additional 5 days in hospital (P = 0.0086). Steroid dependence at 12 months was 50% for cyclosporine versus 25% for infliximab (P = 0.36). Cyclosporine caused more adverse events (P = 0.17).Infliximab improved clinical outcomes compared to the previous use of intravenous cyclosporine in patients admitted with steroid-refractory acute severe UC.