Geriatric Nursing RSS feed: Articles in Press. Geriatric Nursing is a comprehensive source for clinical information and management advice relating to the care of older adults. The journal's peer-reviewed articles report the latest developments in the management of acute and chronic disorders and provide practical advice on care of older adults across the long term continuum. Geriatric Nursing addresses current issues related to drugs, advance directives, staff development and management, legal issues, client and caregiver education, infection control, and other topics. The journal is written specifically for nurses and nurse practitioners who work with older adults in any care setting. Geriatric Nursing is the official journal of the American Assisted Living Nurses Association, National Gerontological Nurses Association, Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association and is indexed in Medline, ISI and CINAHL.http://www.gnjournal.com//inpress?rss=yesElsevier Inc.en © 2010 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. Geriatric Nursing0197-45722010-06-07 © 2010 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved. healthpermissions@elsevier.comhttp://www.gnjournal.com/article/PIIS0197457210002144/abstract?rss=yesTai Chi and Qigong (TCQG) show promise for improving many health outcomes and are recommended for dissemination to older adults. A simplified, easy-to-replicate version of TCQG, “Tai Chi Easy,” was tested using a train-the-trainer method to demonstrate feasibility of dissemination to a widespread population of older adults through community sites and achievement of perceived outcomes. Nonexpert facilitators known as “practice leaders” were trained to implement Tai Chi Easy sessions at 18 sites across the United States. Outstanding facilitator (100%) and participant (94%) adherence was achieved. With 330 completers, mean age 73 years, significant improvements were found for participants' perceived stress levels (P = .003). Sleep quality and energy/vitality were markedly improved. Eighty-nine percent enjoyed the program, 91% were committed to continue, and 67% stated that they had increased their weekly levels of physical activity. A train-the-facilitator model for Tai Chi Easy is easily disseminated to older adults and may promote a sustainable alternative exercise, yielding favorable quality of life benefits.Dissemination and Benefits of a Replicable Tai Chi and Qigong Program for Older Adults - Corrected ProofRoger A. Jahnke, Linda K. Larkey, Carol Rogers10.1016/j.gerinurse.2010.04.012Geriatric Nursing (2010)2010-06-07Geriatric Nursing2010-06-07FEATURE ARTICLEhttp://www.gnjournal.com/article/PIIS0197457210002132/abstract?rss=yesIn the United States, approximately 26% of women and approximately 4% of men aged over 65 years have been diagnosed with osteoporosis. Many more may meet diagnostic criteria than are detected. According to the 2004 Surgeon General's Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis, 12% of women aged 75 to 84 years reported having a diagnosis of osteoporosis, yet 32% met the criteria for osteoporosis when examined. Men aged 75 to 84 years also followed this pattern, with 1.3% reporting a prior diagnosis of osteoporosis, and 6.4% met the diagnostic criteria for osteoporosis.The Effect of the Addition of Osteoporosis Education to a Bone Health Screening Program for Older Adults - Corrected ProofJean M. Gaines, Matthew Narrett, John M. Parrish10.1016/j.gerinurse.2010.04.011Geriatric Nursing (2010)2010-05-31Geriatric Nursing2010-05-31FEATURE ARTICLEhttp://www.gnjournal.com/article/PIIS0197457210001898/abstract?rss=yesThis article examines the current evidence on models of acute care for hospitalized older people. The 3 models examined were Acute Care for Elders (ACE), Hospitalized Elder Life Program (HELP), and Nurses Improving Care for Health-System Elders (NICHE). Thirteen research reports examining these models of care were assembled from online search engines and used for this integrative literature review. Preliminary evidence suggests that all 3 programs may be effective at improving outcomes for hospitalized older people. However, more rigorous research is needed to determine which programs are most effective at improving clinical geriatric outcomes in different settings. Recommendations for additional research, use of the models in clinical nursing practice, and nursing implications of the models.Current Evidence Regarding Models of Acute Care for Hospitalized Geriatric Patients - Corrected ProofJulia S. Steele10.1016/j.gerinurse.2010.03.003Geriatric Nursing (2010)2010-05-24Geriatric Nursing2010-05-24FEATURE ARTICLEhttp://www.gnjournal.com/article/PIIS0197457210001874/abstract?rss=yesThe purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) to improve depressive mood status among elders in a nursing home in Taiwan. This was an experimental, pre- and posttest study with 2 groups. Nine subjects in the experimental group received TEAS for 15 minutes, 5 times a week for 1 month. Seven subjects in the control group received social visits for 15 minutes, 5 times a week for 1 month. Results indicated that the posttest depression scores significantly differed between the 2 groups. Subjects in the experimental group showed a statistically significant improvement in depressive mood status, but changes in the depressive mood status of subjects in the comparison group were not statistically significant. In conclusion, TEAS can be a safe, easy, and noninvasive technique for nursing home staff to improve the depressive mood status of elders.Effectiveness of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation for Improving Depressive Mood Status among Nursing Home Elders in Taiwan: A Pilot Study - Corrected ProofSu-Hsien Chang, Miao-Chun Fang, Ya-Shu Yang10.1016/j.gerinurse.2010.03.001Geriatric Nursing (2010)2010-05-10Geriatric Nursing2010-05-10FEATURE ARTICLEhttp://www.gnjournal.com/article/PIIS0197457210000972/abstract?rss=yesHospitalized elders frequently experience disturbed sleep related to environmental factors. To determine relationships between sleep and environmental noise and light, a descriptive exploratory study was conducted with 48 hospitalized older adults. Participants aged 70 years or older were monitored for sleep via wrist actigraphy, and noise and light levels were measured the first night of hospitalization. Sleep time was brief (mean, 3.75 hours) and fragmented (mean, 13 awakenings per night). The sleep environment was noisy with a median sound level of 49.65 dB(A). There was an average of 3 periods of elevated light levels (mean, 64 lux) lasting an average of 1.75 hours each night. No significant correlation was found among sleep and age, light, and sound. Recommendations include light and sound reduction measures and dedicated “do not disturb” times to allow for a full 90-minute sleep cycle.Sleep in Hospitalized Elders: A Pilot Study - Corrected ProofKathy Missildine, Nancy Bergstrom, Janet Meininger, Kathy Richards, Marquis D. Foreman10.1016/j.gerinurse.2010.02.013Geriatric Nursing (2010)2010-04-26Geriatric Nursing2010-04-26FEATURE ARTICLEhttp://www.gnjournal.com/article/PIIS0197457210000844/abstract?rss=yesHip fracture, a significant health issue for older adults, is an acute event in which older adults can recover their prefracture functional abilities. The recovery phase is often difficult for older adults, and the role of informal caregivers is particularly important. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore informal caregivers' experiences with providing care to older adults over the first 6-month trajectory of hip fracture recovery and their support needs. Participants (N = 10) were interviewed twice at 0–2 and 5–6 months. Analyses of the verbatim transcripts revealed multiple shared themes. Some themes were consistent across phases, such as hip fracture as a turning point toward a frailer state, feeling tired, frustration with communication issues in health care delivery, and lack of information about caregiving-related activities. Certain themes were phase-specific. For instance, in the early phase, management of hospital bills and transitions between care settings were especially burdensome. The caregiving situation, however, was viewed as an opportunity to spend more time with their loved ones. Findings from this study revealed unmet support needs expressed by caregivers of older adult hip fracture patients. Ongoing research and clinical interventions are needed to establish effective methods to empower these caregivers.Exploration of Informal Caregiving Following Hip Fracture - Corrected ProofEun-Shim Nahm, Barbara Resnick, Denise Orwig, Jay Magaziner, Mary DeGrezia10.1016/j.gerinurse.2010.01.003Geriatric Nursing (2010)2010-03-25Geriatric Nursing2010-03-25FEATURE ARTICLEhttp://www.gnjournal.com/article/PIIS0197457210000832/abstract?rss=yesThe purpose of this study was to identify the impact of the behavioral, psychological, and functional symptoms of dementia on the burden of formal caregivers. A cross-sectional study was conducted among formal caregivers caring for residents with dementia in Japan. The Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZBI) personal strain items, the Personal Self-Maintenance Scale (PSMS), and the Troublesome Behavior Scale (TBS) were used to assess the level of formal caregiver burden, activities of daily living (ADL), and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), respectively. The data from 445 respondents were analyzed using multiple linear regression analyses to predict the burden on formal caregivers. Disruptive behaviors, such as aggression, screaming, and a low ADL levels among residents with dementia were significantly correlated with higher formal caregiver burden. The results of this study support a positive relationship between BPSD, low ADL levels, and formal caregiver burden in caring for residents with dementia. These results illustrate the various characteristics of the burdens on staff members compared with those faced by individuals who provide informal care.Formal Caregiver Burden in Dementia: Impact of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia and Activities of Daily Living - Corrected ProofYuki Miyamoto, Hisateru Tachimori, Hiroto Ito10.1016/j.gerinurse.2010.01.002Geriatric Nursing (2010)2010-03-08Geriatric Nursing2010-03-08FEATURE ARTICLE