Social Isolation/loneliness and Mobility Disability Among Older Adults
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review was to investigate how mobility disabilities are related to the current problems of social isolation and loneliness among older adults. Additionally, this review aimed to suggest important perspectives that should be considered in the field of rehabilitation when considering preventive strategies for social isolation and loneliness among older adults.Recent FindingsSocial isolation and loneliness lead to major health problems and serious socioeconomic issues. Therefore, the establishment of strategies to understand the mechanisms of social isolation and loneliness and to ...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - April 13, 2024 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Pain Management Considerations in the Geriatric ED Patient: Start Low, Go Slow, But Get Somewhere
AbstractPurpose of ReviewSafely treating pain in older adults can be a daunting undertaking. The authors sought clarity in available analgesic choices and dosing recommendations.Recent FindingsThere is limited current research into this topic, there is a range of medications and dosing suggested in the literature. The 2023 American Geriatrics Society updated Beers Criteria represents the most up to date expert panel guidance on a wide variety of medications including analgesics. There is an opportunity in the literature to provide a more concrete framework for treating pain in older adults.SummaryIn this paper, medication ...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - April 13, 2024 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Managing Delirium in the Emergency Department: An Updated Narrative Review
We present a narrative review of recent literature of delirium prevention and treatment programs in the ED. We aim to describe the components of successful delirium management strategies to be used by EDs in building delirium management programs.Recent FindingsWe reviewed 10 studies (2005-2023) that report delirium interventions in the ED, and describe the different components of these interventions that have been studied. These interventions included: optimizing hemodynamics and oxygenation, treating pain, hydration and nutrition support, avoiding sedative hypnotics, antipsychotics and anticholinergics, promoting sleep, s...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - April 3, 2024 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Patient Centered Outcomes After Surgery in the Older Adult
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo report on recent evidence regarding patient centered outcomes relevant for older adult patients undergoing surgery.Recent FindingsRecent research has targeted several patient centered outcomes in older adults addressing issues of physical and psychosocial function, and overall health related quality of life. This data is augmented by direct reports from patients through widespread incorporation of patient reported outcomes.SummaryPatient-centered outcomes are being increasingly applied to measure the effects of surgery on older adults. These outcomes offer valuable targets for further research a...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - March 8, 2024 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Geriatric Emergency Departments: Emerging Themes and Directions
AbstractPurpose of the ReviewGlobally, emergency departments are recognizing their rapidly growing number of older adult patients and some have responded with care models and associated processes broadly described under the umbrella of geriatric emergency departments (Geriatric EDs). This review seeks to identify emerging themes in the Geriatric ED literature from the period 2018 –2023 to provide a synthesis of concepts and research to assist emergency medicine healthcare professionals and policymakers in improving the delivery of emergency medical care to older patients.Recent FindingsEmerging themes in Geriatric EDs in...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - March 4, 2024 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Elder Abuse in the Emergency Department
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review focuses on the demographics of elder victims of maltreatment frequently seen in the Emergency Department and differentiates the types of abuse and neglect. It teaches emergency clinicians how to recognize and screen for this life-threatening diagnosis through the use of validated screening tools and summarizes technological advances, patterns of abuse and approaches to treatment to guide physicians through the management of these challenging cases.Recent findingsElder abuse and neglect (EAN) is under-recognized and under-reported in the Emergency Department (ED). Failure to diagnose thi...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - February 28, 2024 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Postoperative Neurologic Complications in the Older Adult
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe older patient population is at increased risk of postoperative neurologic complications. With an ever-increasing proportion of older adults requiring advanced surgical interventions, surgeons should be knowledgeable in contemporary diagnostic and management paradigms. In this review, we detail neurologic complications common encountered in elderly populations, reviewing relevant literature and practices.Recent FindingsCommon postoperative neurologic complications in the elderly include delirium, cerebrovascular accidents, and seizures. The mainstay of treatment of postoperative delirium is non-...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - February 23, 2024 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Unrepresented Older Adults: A Critical Review and Future Agenda in the Context of the Quintuple Aim
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to provide a critical summary and analysis of the literature published over the past five years regarding unrepresented older adults, with emphasis on five essential themes: 1) terminology; 2) demographics and risk factors; 3) approaches to decision making; 4) adverse outcomes; and 5) preventive interventions.FindingsThe term “unrepresented” has become increasingly favored in the medical literature to describe incapacitated older adults who lack an advance directive and surrogate decision maker. Considerable gaps exist in the literature regarding demographics and r...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - February 17, 2024 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Failure to Rescue in the Geriatric Surgical Population: A Literature Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewOlder surgical patients present with unique attributes that can ultimately influence post-operative outcomes, including rates of failure to rescue (FTR), defined as the proportion of patients experiencing complications that ultimately die. This paper aims to review the recent literature with regards to FTR specific to the geriatric surgical population.Recent FindingsThere are independent predictors of FTR in the geriatric surgical population including frailty, comorbidities, and do-not-resucutiate (DNR) status. FTR rates in the geriatric population have been studied in a variety of surgical special...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - February 14, 2024 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Cultural Considerations for Comprehensively Assessing Foreign Born Older Adults in the United States
AbstractPurpose of ReviewAs demographic patterns in the United States (US) shift rapidly toward an increased prevalence of older adult residents from diverse ethnoracial backgrounds, it is especially important for healthcare practitioners to familiarize themselves with the unique attitudes, beliefs, and practices of their patients. The life stories of foreign-born older adult patients are individually unique, and they can intimately impact their bio-phyco-social profiles and needs that may not be captured in full by the traditional domains of the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). This review paper attempts to descr...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - February 13, 2024 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Care of Geriatric Trauma Patients
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe older adult population is increasing and with growth in this demographic, there is a rise in the number of geriatric trauma patients requiring care. Older adults with traumatic injuries deserve special attention as their presentation, diagnostic evaluation for traumatic injuries and treatment of said injuries are distinct from that of younger trauma patients.Recent FindingsGeriatric trauma patients have some of the highest rates of morbidity and mortality of all trauma patients. The under-triage of these patients and failure to recognize significant injury patterns is common, in part due to bio...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - February 6, 2024 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Pain Management for Older Adults Across the Cognitive Trajectory
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review investigated current research on the relationship between chronic pain and cognitive performance, subjective cognitive decline, and dementia. In addition, we reviewed current research on pain management in older adults across the cognitive trajectory.Recent FindingsChronic pain remains a common problem in older adults. A new, international classification system highlights the complexity of chronic pain syndromes. Research supports relationships between chronic pain and changes in cognitive performance in generally healthy adults. Evidence also supports associations between pain and subj...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - November 6, 2023 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Caregiver Burden and its Limitations in Describing Black Caregivers ’ Experience
AbstractPurpose of ReviewFor Black caregivers, existing literature suggests that caregiving experience is complex. The purpose of this review is to synthesize the literature on popular conceptual models of and instruments used to measure caregiver burden and highlight the existing gaps in our understanding of caregiver burden, with a focus on Black caregivers.Recent FindingsAlthough the definition of caregiver burden has undergone several iterations throughout the years, it primarily centers on the effect of stressors. From a conceptual perspective, the existing caregiver burden models tend to focus on the characteristics ...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - November 4, 2023 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Community-Based Strategies to Reduce Alzheimer ’s Disease and Related Dementia Incidence Among Rural, Racially/Ethnically Diverse Older Adults
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this paper was to address the research question “What recent advances in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) risk reduction strategies can be tailored for rural, racially/ethnically diverse populations?” A rural resident’s life story that grounded the work is shared. Next, a brief description is provided regarding ADRD risk f actors of importance in rural, multicultural settings. Gaps in U.S.-based research are highlighted. Policy actions and interventions that may make a difference in alleviating rural, ADRD-related disparities are offered.Recent FindingsMore th...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - October 20, 2023 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Insomnia and Its Non-Pharmacological Management in Older Adults
AbstractPurpose of ReviewInsomnia, a sleep disorder involving difficulty falling, maintaining, or obtaining good quality sleep, is a common health complaint in older adults. The purpose of this review is to summarize the prevalence, risk factors, and consequences of insomnia, introduce available non-pharmacological interventions, provide implications for promoting sleep health in the older adult population, and provide guidance for clinical practice and future research.Recent FindingsRecent systematic reviews and meta-analyses have found that non-pharmacological interventions, such as physical exercise and music therapy, c...
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - September 29, 2023 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
