Zap

This vivid first-person account leaves us with an understanding of the setbacks, uncertainty, and resilience in living through an all-consuming neck/back injury. This piece serves as a personal reflection as well as an inspiring message to those who have suffered through pain

Undergraduate M-STEM student perceptions of careers in aging

Dr. Alvina Brueggemann received $6,281 to examine underrepresented undergraduate M-STEM students\u27 attitudes towards aging research careers. We will study perceptions of older adults, aging careers, and STEM persistence, to inform an NIA grant application

Identifying Fall Prevention Content in Graduate Healthcare Curricula

ISSUE: An interprofessional team-based approach to fall prevention is advocated to address the public health issue of fall-related injuries. The purpose of this study was to analyze fall-related curricular content across graduate physician assistant, nursing, occupational therapy, and physical therapy healthcare programs. METHODS: The research team conducted a qualitative thematic analysis of fall risk, assessment, and intervention content in graduate program textbooks, curricular narrative, and course objectives. OUTCOME: The four curricular themes identified were universal fall risks, varied assessments, discipline-based interventions, and minimal interprofessional approaches. All curricula universally covered fall risks. Curricular coverage of fall assessment varied by discipline. The physician assistant and nursing curricula focused on assessing fall risk and safety, while the occupational and physical therapy covered standardized functional assessments. The disciplines of physical and occupational therapy provided curricular instruction in restorative or compensatory interventions. All curricula included the interventions of patient and caregiver education and environmental modifications. Curricular coverage of an interprofessional approach to fall prevention was minimal. CONCLUSION: This study identified universal fall risks, varied fall assessments, and discipline-based fall interventions across four graduate healthcare curricula. There was minimal evidence of education in an interprofessional approach to fall prevention

Knowledge and clinical dialogues about complementary health approaches among nurse practitioners specialized in geriatrics.

Background: In the United States, people over the age of 65 years will account for 20% of the population by 2030, and these elders are more likely to have chronic comorbid complex health problems. Sixty-three percent use complementary health approaches (CHAs) but less than half disclose their use to their health care providers. Nurse practitioners (NPs) are the fastest growing population of primary care health providers.Purpose: This study identifies to what degree NPs with specialized training in geriatrics understand CHAs, use them themselves, encourage their patients to access them, and engage in CHA clinical dialogue.Methods: Cross-sectional online survey collecting quantitative and narrative data; US NPs with specialized training in geriatrics (n = 170, mean age 52 years, SD: 9.0, range: 29–73).Results: Although NPs are knowledgeable about some CHA and believe they are beneficial for older adults to use, they want more education to help understand the effects of a variety of CHA, be more aware of possible treatment interactions, and to integrate CHA into the current health care system. Patient factors (impaired cognitive function, acute health problems, and not open to CHA), provider factors (inadequate CHA knowledge, limited referral paths and resources), and system factors (limited accessibility and availability of CHA in in-patient setting, CHA not covered by insurance, and limited clinical time) disrupt NPs from assessing and discussing CHA with their patients.Implications for practice: There is a need to develop and implement NP practice guidelines for CHA clinical management for older adults and provide educational opportunities to incorporate CHA into clinical practice

Exploring assisted-living older adults’ experience and perceived psychosocial benefits of compassionate presence sessions during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: The prevalence of severe loneliness among older people living in care homes is about 22% to 42% compared to 10% for the community population. The social distancing measure instituted to lower COVID-19 spread fuels the loneliness epidemic among older adults in care settings. Purpose: This study explored assisted-living older adults\u27 experience and perceived psychosocial benefits of compassionate presence sessions facilitated by college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study is an exploratory qualitative study that took place in two assisted-living facilities in the Twin Cities. Twenty-four older adults participated in 10-week virtual compassionate presence sessions. Participants were interviewed at the end of the intervention. Results: Results show that participants benefitted emotionally, socially, mentally, and spiritually from the CP sessions. Participants reported a decreased feeling of loneliness, improved mood, and increased feeling of self-worth. The deep connection between student facilitators and older adults seemed to enhance older adults\u27 sense of meaning in life, easing their feeling of loneliness and isolation during this pandemic. The CP program created opportunities for participants to interact with people other than their fellow residents. A few participants reported improved memory. Implications: This study\u27s findings may inform administrators of assisted-living facilities of the need to support and promote programs that allow older adults to empty their hearts. Such an opportunity can help them dig deeper into their inner resources and discover the meaning beneath their life experiences or suffering. The study also highlights the need to offer compassionate presence training sessions to people entrusted with older adults\u27 care in long-term care facilities