Atypical symptoms, SARS-CoV-2 test results and immunisation rates in 456 residents from eight nursing homes facing a COVID-19 outbreak
ConclusionThis study supports a strategy based on (i) testing residents with typical or unexplained atypical symptoms for an early identification of the first SARS-CoV-2 cases, (ii) rT-PCR testing for identifying COVID-19 residents, (iii) repeated wide-facility testing (including asymptomatic cases) as soon as a resident is tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and (iv) implementing SARS-CoV-2 infection control measures in rRT-PCR-negative residents when they have unexplained typical or atypical symptoms. (Source: Age and Ageing)
Source: Age and Ageing - February 23, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Delayed health consequences of COVID-19 lockdown in an older adult
We report a case of a retired school teacher who presented with rapid cognitive and functional decline following the COVID-19 lockdown period that was diagnosed as worsening depression by referring physician. This highlights the potentially life-threatening consequences of delayed diagnosis and management of delirium, an often reversible syndrome, due to lockdown restrictions. As the pandemic outlives its initial projections, its downstream impact on an already vulnerable population continues to emerge. (Source: Age and Ageing)
Source: Age and Ageing - February 23, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Mass testing after a single suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in London care homes, April –May 2020: implications for policy and practice
ConclusionsWe found extensive but variable rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection among residents and staff in care homes reporting a single case of COVID-19. Although routine whole-home testing has now been adopted into practice, care homes must remain vigilant and should be encouraged to report a single suspected case, which should trigger appropriate outbreak control measures. (Source: Age and Ageing)
Source: Age and Ageing - February 23, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
A classification tree to assist with routine scoring of the Clinical Frailty Scale
Conclusionsa classification tree for scoring the CFS can help with reliable scoring by relatively inexperienced raters. Though an incomplete remedy, a classification tree is a useful support to decision-making and could be used to aid routine scoring of the CFS. (Source: Age and Ageing)
Source: Age and Ageing - February 19, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
How quality improvement collaboratives work to improve healthcare in care homes: a realist evaluation
ConclusionsThese findings outline what needs to be in place for health and social care staff to work together to effect change. Further research needs to consider ways to work alongside staff to incorporate measurement for change into QI. (Source: Age and Ageing)
Source: Age and Ageing - February 16, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Mortality risk associated with combinations of loneliness and social isolation. Findings from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA)
ConclusionWe found that social asymmetry predicted mortality over a 7-year follow-up period. Our results confirm that a mismatch between subjective loneliness and objective social isolation, as well as the combination of loneliness and social isolation, were associated with an increased all-cause mortality risk. (Source: Age and Ageing)
Source: Age and Ageing - February 11, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Patterns of multimorbidity trajectories and their correlates among Korean older adults
This study aims to identify distinct patterns of 10-year multimorbidity trajectory among Korean older adults and examine factors associated with the patterns.MethodsData were drawn from the six waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA, 2006 –2016). We examined trajectories of multimorbidity of 1,705 older adults aged 65 and older using Growth Mixture Modeling. Then, the identified patterns were used as dependent variables to examine the correlates of multimorbidity trajectories. Explanatory variables considered were sociodemographic, psychological, health behavioural and interpersonal factors at baseline.R...
Source: Age and Ageing - February 11, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
The ‘Wish to Die’ in later life: prevalence, longitudinal course and mortality. Data from TILDA
ConclusionsWTD amongst community-dwelling older people is frequently transient and is strongly linked with the course of depressive symptoms and loneliness. An enhanced focus on improving access to mental health care and addressing social isolation in older people should therefore be a public health priority, particularly in the current context of the Covid-19 pandemic. (Source: Age and Ageing)
Source: Age and Ageing - February 11, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
List of Reviewers 2020
We would like to acknowledge the support of the following people who contributed to peer review of articles in 2020. (Source: Age and Ageing)
Source: Age and Ageing - February 8, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Age and frailty are independently associated with increased COVID-19 mortality and increased care needs in survivors: results of an international multi-centre study
ConclusionAge and frailty are independently associated with adverse outcomes in COVID-19. Risk of increased care needs was also increased in survivors of COVID-19 with frailty or older age. (Source: Age and Ageing)
Source: Age and Ageing - February 5, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
‘Real world’ effectiveness of the Falls Management Exercise (FaME) programme: an implementation study
ConclusionsThere is modest translation of FaME efficacy into effectiveness, but not all effects persist after completion. Strategies to aid adherence and exercise maintenance are important to maximise benefits. (Source: Age and Ageing)
Source: Age and Ageing - February 3, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Perceived versus objective sleep quality in long-stay hospitalised older adults —a mixed methods study
ConclusionsWe found high levels of sleep problems and identified substantial discrepancies between the validated sleep questionnaire and qualitative response data. Our findings indicate that standard assessment tools, such as PSQI, may not be suitable to assess sleep in hospitalised older adults and call for further investigations to build more appropriate methods. Further exploring psychological factors and expectations could potentially lead to novel interventions to improve sleep in this setting. (Source: Age and Ageing)
Source: Age and Ageing - February 2, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Frailty is associated with in-hospital mortality in older hospitalised COVID-19 patients in the Netherlands: the COVID-OLD study
ConclusionsThe in-hospital mortality of older hospitalised COVID-19 patients in the Netherlands was 38%. Frailty was independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality, even though COVID-19 patients with frailty presented earlier to the hospital with less severe symptoms. (Source: Age and Ageing)
Source: Age and Ageing - January 30, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Mary Godfrey 1953 –2020
(Source: Age and Ageing)
Source: Age and Ageing - January 28, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
A medical history of arterial thrombosis is a strong predictor of post-operative myocardial infarction and stroke in patients with hip fractures —a nationwide cohort study
ConclusionMI and stroke after hip fractures are overlooked and serious complications. Persons with elevated risk can be identified at admission, based on their medical history. (Source: Age and Ageing)
Source: Age and Ageing - January 28, 2021 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
