ABSTRACT
Background: loneliness is one of the most widespread complaints of elders that has serious consequences on their mental health, so present study is done in Sabzevar to examaine the effects of group reminiscence on loneliness in elders.
Materials and Methods: the present experimental study is examined 73 of male elders who visited sabzevar rehabilitation clinic of elders and retirement centers. These people was selected according to input criterions and devided to interval group [36 persons] and control group [37 persons] by random. To control the effect of pretest on post test results, every group was devided into two groups, one with pretest and the other without it. First of all, loneliness was held for interval groups [8 sessions, 1 session perweek for an hour], at the end loneliness was measured in all groups and data analyzed by spss 20. Loneliness was measured by standard lonliness questionnaire. Here the statistical testes was included analyzed of variance; ANOVA, analyzed of covariance; ANCOVA, Independent Samples Test, Paired Samples Test.
Results: the mean of loneliness after intervention in groups with pretest was: interval group: 10/15 +/- 1/63, control group: 13/84 +/- 3/30 Independent Samples Test shows meaningful difference. The mean of loneliness after intervention in groups without pretest was: interval group: 12 +/- 3/09, control group: 13/56 +/- 3/92 Independent Samples Test shows meaningful difference.
Conclusion: according to the present study 8 session of group reminiscence had posetive effects on reducing loneliness in.
ABSTRACT
Background: To identify the prevalence of polypharmacy [concurrent use of 5 or more medications] and the most frequent medications and medication groups used by the elderly residents of Kahrizak Charity Foundation [KCF]
Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study of 237 elderly residents of KCF [134 female], aged 60 or more, who have been taking care since the spring of 2010. A randomized cluster sampling was done. Polypharmacy was defined as concurrent use of 5 or more medications, prescribed or non-prescribed, excluding locally effective and [PRN] drugs. Classification of medication groups was based on the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical [ATC] system. The SPSS software was applied for descriptive analysis
Results: Mean number of drugs used for any resident was 5.10 [ +/- 3.22]. Prevalence of polypharmacy was 52.3%. The most frequent used medications among attendants were Calcium- Vit.D, Nitrocantin [Glyceryl Trinitrate], and Atenolol, and in polypharmacy group were Calcium-Vit.D, Nitrocantin, and Aspirin. The most frequent medication groups used by both, the attendants and polypharmacy groups, were Cardiovascular drugs, Nervous system drugs, and Alimentary/Metabolism drugs
Results: The mean number of drugs used for any resident and prevalence of polypharmacy was high among the elderly residents of KCF
Conclusion: More pharmaco-epidemiological studies should be conducted to assess drug use status in Iranian elderly people, specially nursing homes residents, and guidelines should be presented for decreasing the incidence and prevalence of polypharmacy in this population
ABSTRACT
Stroke is one of the most common neurologic disorders with the highest mortality, morbidity, and loss of activity. Its crude annual incidence rate in Iran is 113-149 per 100,000 population. Due to the relatively young population of our country and their aging in the near future, the stroke incidence will rise significantly. Despite prominent advances in neuroscience and the existence of some effective medications for controlling stroke in the hyperacute phase, one of the most promising therapeutic approaches for these patients is rehabilitation. In this review, we try to outline the principles of stroke rehabilitation, new advances, our experiences, opportunities, and obstacles in Iran, hoping to improve the level of knowledge and quality of care for one of the most demanding and disabled segments of the population
ABSTRACT
The burden of diseases in later life is high and the elderly are affected by multiple illnesses, frequently leading to hospitalization. The purpose of this study was to draw an overall picture of the clinical situation in elderly patients hospitalized for acute care. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study performed in a three-month period in 2010 in Ahvaz Petroleum Hospital. Two hundred consecutive elderly patients admitted to the hospital were assessed for medical history, BMI, CBC, blood chemistry, and ECG, and were tested by Geriatric Depression Scale, Abbreviated Mental Test Score, Activities of Daily Living, and Informant Questionnaire of Cognitive Decline in Elderly questionnaires. Mean age of patients was 71 +/- 8 years, and 67% were female. There was a history of depression in 9%, sleep disturbance in 70%, hearing problems in 23%, vision problems in 59%, memory impairment in 20%, overweight/obesity in 74%, cancer in 9%, and pain in 36% of patients. Ischemic ECG changes, abnormal Hb, positive CRP, and abnormal BUN/Creatinine ratio were seen in 30%, 34%, 20%, and 25% of patients, respectively. Forty-nine percent were on more than five drugs and 17% were ADL-dependent. Seventy-eight percent had normal GDS score. Abnormal AMTS scores suggestive of cognitive impairment were seen in 10%. Sixty-six percent were transferred to medical wards, while 34% were transferred to surgical wards. The existence of multiple simultaneous disturbances in hospitalized elderly patients necessitates proper training of physicians and medical staff for acute care services in the field of geriatric medicine