scholarly journals Translation, adaptation and pilot testing of the Pictorial Fit-Frail Scale (PFFS) for use in Malaysia – The PFFS-Malay version (PFFS-M)

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-36
Author(s):  
Sally Suriani Ahip ◽  
Sazlina Shariff-Ghazali ◽  
Sabrina Lukas ◽  
Azah Abdul Samad ◽  
Ummu Kalsum Mustapha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Elderly ◽  
Face Validity ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Adverse Health Outcomes ◽  
Health Domains ◽  
Important Health ◽  
The Face ◽  
Important Health Issue

Background: Frailty is an important health issue in an aging population; it is a state of vulnerability that renders the elderly susceptible to adverse health outcomes, including disability, hospitalization, long-term care admission and death. Early frailty stages are recognizable through screening and are reversible with targeted interventions. To date, however, there is no screening tool for use in Malaysia. The English Pictorial Fit-Frail Scale (PFFS) is a visual tool that assesses a person’s fitness-frailty level in 14 health domains, with higher scores indicating higher frailty. Objective: The aim was to translate and adapt the English PFFS for use in Malaysian clinical settings. Methods: The original English PFFS underwent forward and backward-translation by two bilingual translators to and from the Malay language. A finalized version, the PFFS-Malay (PFFS-M), was formed after expert reviewers’ consensus and was pilot tested with 20 patients, 20 caregivers, 16 healthcare assistants, 17 nurses and 22 doctors. Score agreement between patients and their caregivers and among healthcare professionals were assessed. All participants rated their understanding of the scale using the feasibility survey forms. Results: A total of 95 participants were included. There were high percentages of scoring agreements among all participants on the scale (66.7% to 98.9%). Overall feedback from all respondents were positive and supported the face validity of the PFFS-M. Conclusion: The PFFS-M reflects an accurate translation for the Malaysian population. The scale is usable and feasible and has face validity. Reliability and predictive validity assessments of the PFFS-M are currently underway.

scholarly journals A Scoping Review and Thematic Classification of Patient Complexity: Offering a Unifying Framework

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexis K. Schaink ◽  
Kerry Kuluski ◽  
Renée F. Lyons ◽  
Martin Fortin ◽  
Alejandro R. Jadad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Modern Medicine ◽  
Complex Chronic Conditions ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Payment Schemes ◽  
Important Health ◽  
The Face ◽  
Patient Complexity ◽  
Important Health Issue

The path to improving healthcare quality for individuals with complex health conditions is complicated by a lack of common understanding of complexity. Modern medicine, together with social and environmental factors, has extended life, leading to a growing population of patients with chronic conditions. In many cases, there are social and psychological factors that impact treatment, health outcomes, and quality of life. This is the face of complexity. Care challenges, burden, and cost have positioned complexity as an important health issue. Complex chronic conditions are now being discussed by clinicians, researchers, and policy-makers around such issues as quantification, payment schemes, transitions, management models, clinical practice, and improved patient experience. We conducted a scoping review of the literature for definitions and descriptions of complexity. We provide an overview of complex chronic conditions, and what is known about complexity, and describe variations in how it is understood. We developed a Complexity Framework from these findings to guide our approach to understanding patient complexity. It is critical to use common vernacular and conceptualization of complexity to improve service and outcomes for patients with complex chronic conditions. Many questions still persist about how to develop this work with a health and social care lens; our framework offers a foundation to structure thinking about complex patients. Further insight into patient complexity can inform treatment models and goals of care, and identify required services and barriers to the management of complexity.

Public Policy Issues Affecting the Homeless in America

1989 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-21
Author(s):  
Margaret Boone ◽  
Thomas Weaver
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The United States ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Educational Preparation ◽  
Income Gap ◽  
The Face ◽  
Multiple Issues

The issue of homelessness symbolizes and incorporates some of the most urgent public concerns in the United States today, and for the next several decades. Homelessness represents an intersection of five major public policy areas: first, the issue of growing poverty in the face of industrial prosperity, a widening income gap between rich and poor, and the disparity between educational preparation and occupational requirements; second, the issues raised by lifestyle-related health epidemics such as drug addiction and multi-substance abuse; third, the issue of mental health, which stubbornly remains one of America's major unrecognized health problems, with literally millions of organic, cognitive, personality, and affective disorders left untreated; fourth, the issue of housing, and whether and how the provision of dwellings is central to American requirements for "a human community" and a basic right to "the pursuit of happiness"; and fifth, the multiple issues raised by aging and long-term care, because as the nation's population ages, more and more of the elderly will be at risk for becoming homeless and will exert enormous pressure on government to provide long-term care.

Technology in the Face of the Challenges of the Long-Term Care System for the Elderly in Spain

2021 ◽  
pp. 371-379
Author(s):  
Luis López-Lago Ortiz ◽  
Sara Arroyo Chacón ◽  
Carmen Cipriano Crespo ◽  
Jerónimo Luengo Polo ◽  
Beatriz Muñoz González
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Care ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Term Care ◽  
The Face ◽  
Care System

scholarly journals Application of Artificial Sunlight for the Elderly as a Possible Environmental Nursing Practice

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shigeru Goto ◽  
Toshiaki Nakano ◽  
Chao-Long Chen ◽  
King-Wah Chiu ◽  
Li-Wen Hsu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Nursing Practice ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Medical Expenditure ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Aged People ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Healthy Longevity ◽  
Aged Person

Aging and aged societies have arrived in many countries where significant development of medicine and the economy has been achieved. Japan is a highly aged society with a shortage of carers both at home and in long-term care settings. In fact, more persons of advanced age who do not need intensive care in hospitals strongly desire health care to be delivered in their own home with their family. Environmental nursing practice, which means that nurses improve the environment of patients or the elderly properly in accordance with healthcare considerations, is currently playing a more important role, not only to prevent the elderly from contracting various diseases, but also to provide a facility for supporting an aged person to live a fulfilling life, preferably one that includes independence. This approach will lead to a reduction in medical expenditure by increasing the number of aged people with healthy longevity without the need for hospitalization or intensive care. This short communication focuses on healthy lighting for the elderly based on our research and experience regarding the beneficial effects of artificial sunlight on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), asthma and food allergy, and ulcerative colitis in experimental animal models and clinical settings. Then, we review other studies and discuss how artificial sunlight would be useful for the elderly as one of the environmental nursing practices. Keywords: Artificial Sunlight, Phototherapy, Elderly People, Environmental Nursing, Vitamin D

IS THE LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN FOOD SECURITY SCALE AN APPROPRIATE INSTRUMENT FOR MEXICAN URBAN OLDER ADULTS?

2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
M. VILAR-COMPTE ◽  
A. BERNAL-STUART ◽  
D. ORTA-ALEMAN ◽  
T. OCHOA-RIVERA ◽  
R. PEREZ-ESCAMILLA
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Face Validity ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Face ◽  
Latin American And Caribbean

Background: Older adults in Mexico are a growing share of the population and are a largely vulnerablegroup with increased risk of food insecurity and potential detrimental health effects stemming from it.Objectives:This study assesses the face validity of the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale(ELCSA) among Mexican urban older adults of low socioeconomic status. Design: Qualitative study based on 4focus groups. Setting: The focus groups were conducted in community organizations for the elderly in an areaof Mexico City with a high proportion of poverty. Participants: The focus groups included a total of 36 olderadults aged 65 and over who consented to participate. Measurements:Two initial focus groups were conductedto assess how older adults understood the food security construct and each of the ELCSA items. Based on thesefindings, ELCSA was modified and retested for face validity through two additional focus groups. Results:Theinitial focus groups suggested that several of the scale items were not well understood, leading to editorialmodifications of the scale. The final focus groups indicated that the modified version of the scale improvedsubstantially ELCSA’s face validity in this sample. Conclusions: The modified ELCSA led to a greaterunderstanding of most scale items. Further qualitative research is needed to improve food insecuritymeasurements among older adults in Latin America.

FRAILTY AND NUTRITION: WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED FROM RESEARCH AND CLINICAL PRACTICE ON THE MINI NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT

2012 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Y. GUIGOZ
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Assessment ◽  
Mini Nutritional Assessment ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Critical Conditions ◽  
Preventive Action ◽  
Early Screening ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Increased Risk

In this short communication, we review the relationship between frailty and malnutrition risk in the elderly. Frailty is a term used for elderly at increased risk of adverse outcomes, including disability, falls, hospitalization, need for long-term care, and mortality. The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was designed and validated in a series of studies to assess nutritional status of elderly, as integral part of the comprehensive geriatric assessment, with a 2-steps screening process; when the MNA-SF classify a person at risk, the full MNA should be completed. The MNA and MNA-SF are sensitive, specific, and accurate in identifying nutrition risk. Increased risk of malnutrition, a common condition in the elderly, is closely associated with many potential contributors of frailty. The maintenance of optimal physical and cognitive performances depends on the early screening of critical conditions to develop preventive targeted interventions; the MNA supports such preventive action.

scholarly journals Role of liquid foods and beverages to prevent dehydration especially in elderly people

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 01-02
Author(s):  
Judit Molnár ◽  
Mahendra Pal
Keyword(s):  
Elderly People ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The Body ◽  
Fluid Loss ◽  
Daily Diet ◽  
Important Health ◽  
Important Health Issue ◽  
Milk And Dairy Products

Dehydration is an important health issue and is more commonly observed in older people than younger ones. Dehydration occurs when there is excess fluid loss of fluid from the body, as a result of exposure to high temperatures, sickness, inadequate fluid intake and use of diuretic medicines. The symptoms of dehydration can range from simple dizziness and confusion to seizures and death. Elderly people should avoid coffee, tea, and alcohol in large quantizes, and also must get enough fruits and vegetables in their daily diet. It is imperative that water and healthy drinks should be made easily available to the elderly at all times. In addition to water, fruit and juice, syrups, vegetables, vegetable juice and pottages, tea, milk, and dairy products, plant-based beverages and also soups should be given to the elderly people. It is advised that elderly must consume more fluid during the summer season.

Pharmacology Issues Related to Dementia Syndrome of Depression in Elderly Residents of Long-Term Care Settings

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-69
Author(s):  
Angel L. Ball ◽  
Adina S. Gray
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Environmental Communication ◽  
Pharmacological Intervention ◽  
Team Approach ◽  
Discussion Paper ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Anticholinergic Medications ◽  
Inappropriate Treatment ◽  
Dementia Syndrome

Pharmacological intervention for depressive symptoms in institutionalized elderly is higher than the population average. Among the patients on such medications are those with a puzzling mix of symptoms, diagnosed as “dementia syndrome of depression,” formerly termed “pseudodementia”. Cognitive-communicative changes, potentially due to medications, complicate the diagnosis even further. This discussion paper reviews the history of the terminology of “pseudodementia,” and examines the pharmacology given as treatment for depressive symptoms in the elderly population that can affect cognition and communication. Clinicians can reduce the risk of misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment by having an awareness of potential side effects, including decreased attention, memory, and reasoning capacities, particularly due to some anticholinergic medications. A team approach to care should include a cohesive effort directed at caution against over-medication, informed management of polypharmacology, enhancement of environmental/communication supports and quality of life, and recognizing the typical nature of some depressive signs in elderly institutionalized individuals.

The Unusual Cruelty of Nursing Homes Behind Bars

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 264-271
Author(s):  
Rachel E. López
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Human Dignity ◽  
Prison Population ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The United States ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Trained Staff ◽  
State Prisons ◽  
The Cost

The elderly prison population continues to rise along with higher rates of dementia behind bars. To maintain the detention of this elderly population, federal and state prisons are creating long-term care units, which in turn carry a heavy financial burden. Prisons are thus gearing up to become nursing homes, but without the proper trained staff and adequate financial support. The costs both to taxpayers and to human dignity are only now becoming clear. This article squarely addresses the second dimension of this carceral practice, that is the cost to human dignity. Namely, it sets out why indefinitely incarcerating someone with dementia or other neurocognitive disorders violates the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. This conclusion derives from the confluence of two lines of U.S. Supreme Court precedent. First, in Madison v. Alabama, the Court recently held that executing someone (in Madison’s case someone with dementia) who cannot rationally understand their sentence amounts to cruel and unusual punishment. Second, in line with Miller v. Alabama, which puts life without parole (LWOP) sentences in the same class as death sentences due to their irrevocability, this holding should be extended to LWOP sentences. Put another way, this article explains why being condemned to life is equivalent to death for someone whose neurodegenerative disease is so severe that they cannot rationally understand their punishment.

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