Effect of a digital two-dimensional animation program on attitude toward walking aids, performance, and fall avoidance behaviors among older adults in assisted living facilities.

The study investigated the impact of a two-dimensional animation program on attitudes towards walking aids, performance, and fall avoidance behaviors among older adults in assisted living facilities. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group study was conducted on 128 older adults aged 60 years and above. The intervention group showed more favorable attitudes towards walking aids, improved cane and walker use, and reduced fall concerns. The 2D animation program proved to be an innovative teaching strategy that positively influenced attitudes, performance, and fall-related concerns among elderly residents. Integration into care settings could enhance mobility, reduce fall risks, and contribute to overall well-being.

Knowledge, familiarity, and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on barriers to seeking mental health services among older people: a cross-sectional study.

AIM: The COVID-19 pandemic caused drastic changes in older people's daily activities with a negative impact on their mental health, yet older people are less likely to seek mental health services. This study aims to explore the relationship between knowledge of and familiarity with mental health services, along with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and barriers to seeking mental health services among older people. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample of 352 older people, recruited among community-dwelling adults who attended randomly selected postal offices and pension outlets. Three tools were used: a structured interview schedule for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of older people, the revised version of the Knowledge and Familiarity of Mental Health Services Scale (KFFMHS-R), and the Barriers to Mental Health Services Scale Revised (BMHSS-R). RESULTS: All participants reported experiencing mental health distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Intrinsic barriers had a higher mean score than extrinsic barriers, and 27.4% of the variance of overall barriers to seeking mental health could be explained through regression analysis by familiarity, knowledge of mental health services, and age. Overall barriers explained 24.4% of the variance of older people's perceived distress as an impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (F = 22.160, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of mental health services was the most significant predictor of barriers to seeking mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Higher barriers predicted higher distress as an impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the study suggest the need for a multidisciplinary mental health team for older people.