Journal of the American Medical Directors Association
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To examine home care service-related and person-based factors associated with time to entry into permanent residential aged care. ⋯ Greater volume of home care services was associated with significantly delayed entry into permanent residential care. This study provides much-needed evidence about service outcomes that could be used to inform older adults' care choices.
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Multicenter Study
An Even Distribution of Protein Intake Daily Promotes Protein Adequacy but Does Not Influence Nutritional Status in Institutionalized Elderly.
Although it has been established that sufficient protein is required to maintain good nutritional status and support healthy aging, it is not clear if the pattern of protein consumption may also influence nutritional status, especially in institutionalized elderly who are at risk of malnutrition. Therefore, we aim to determine the association between protein intake distribution and nutritional status in institutionalized elderly people. ⋯ Meeting protein requirements is required before protein distribution may influence nutritional status in institutionalized elderly. Achieving adequate protein and energy intakes is more likely when protein is distributed evenly throughout the day. Provision of high protein foods especially at breakfast, and in the evening, may support protein adequacy and healthy aging, especially for institutionalized elderly.
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Observational Study
Frailty, Polypharmacy, and Health Outcomes in Older Adults: The Frailty and Dependence in Albacete Study.
To investigate if polypharmacy modifies the association between frailty and health outcomes in older adults. ⋯ Polypharmacy is associated with mortality, incident disability, hospitalization, and emergency department visits in frail and prefrail older adults, but not in nonfrail adults. Polypharmacy should be monitored in these patient subgroups to optimize health outcomes.
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To assess the validity and responsiveness of the FRAIL scale in middle-aged women, who are a group at high risk of developing frailty. ⋯ The FRAIL scale is valid for use in longitudinal studies of middle-aged women. Studying trajectories of frailty from the middle-age to older-age population may yield insights into risk factors for poorer health in this population.