An evaluation of a walking and socialization program in long-term care: Impact on injurious falls

The effects of a walking program in long-term care (LTC) are affected by multiple comorbidities and the LTC milieu. We randomly assigned residents 60 years and older into three groups (walking, socializing and control). Interventions were delivered five days weekly up to 30 minutes daily. Measurements were performed at baseline, 8, 16, 24 and 32 weeks, and included falls, grip strength, Berg Balance Scale, Senior Fitness Test, and Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form. Survival analysis with 168 participants for time to first injurious fall showed a significant (p=0.001) interaction between age and sex, with fall risk increasing with age in females, but lowest in the oldest age group in males. The hazard ratio for first injurious fall was more than doubled by the use of an antidepressant (HR=2.198, p=0.005), decreased by the score on the Berg Balance high fall risk rating (HR=0.471, p=0.010), but not affected by the activity-socialization intervention. The increased hazard of injurious falls related to antidepressants, but not depressive symptoms, suggests that the high prevalence of antidepressants in LTC needs re-evaluation. Further research efforts will need to control for alternate physical activities. This work was supported by the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation Health Research (SHRF) Team Grant. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT0127780

The Land of Enchantment: From Pike's Peak to the Pacific

According to the book, “the deep blue skies are a miracle of color by day, and a miracle of shining firmament by night; the land offers its richly varied returns in agriculture, fruit, mining, or grazing, according to the specific locality; the inhabitants represent the best quality of American life; the opportunities and advantages already offered and constantly increasing are greater than would at first be considered possible. This entire Southwest can only be accurately defined as the Land of Enchantment.

The world beautiful in books,

As food for life -- Opening golden doors -- The rose of morning -- The chariot of the soul -- The witness of the dawn.Mode of access: Internet

Athens, the violet-crowned,

Athens, the violet-crowned.--Saunterings and suprises.--The Acropolis.--The Eleusinian mysteries.--The story of Dr. Schliemann.--The archæological schools in Athens.--Greek sculpture and philosophy.--Contemporary literature in Greece.--Ethical poetry of Greece.--The charm of Corfu.--The royal family of Greece.--The progress of Greece.--The first century of Greek independence.Mode of access: Internet

The adventure beautiful,

The adventure beautiful.--the reality of the unseen.--Twenty years in retrospect.--Some physical experiences.--Powers of the ethereal body.--The nature of the ethereal world.--Creative agencies of the spiritual life.--Make room for happiness.--Also the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.Mode of access: Internet

The world beautiful. 1st- ser.

Mode of access: Internet

They who understand,

Mode of access: Internet

After her death; the story of a summer,

Mode of access: Internet