ABSTRACT
The current randomized controlled trial investigated the effect of a robotic pet on social and physical frailty in community-dwelling older adults. The intervention group (n = 107) received a robotic pet and the control group (n = 113) received usual care following hospital discharge. Social and physical frailty were measured using the Questionnaire to Define Social Frailty Status and the FRAIL questionnaire. Cognitive function and depression were assessed using the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire and Geriatric Depression Scale, respectively. Continuous outcomes were compared between groups using t tests or Wilcoxon rank sum tests, as appropriate. Categorical outcomes were compared between groups using chi-square tests or Fisher's exact tests, as appropriate. Main findings showed the robotic pet positively impacted cognitive status in participants who reported they enjoyed engaging with their pet. This finding supported the theoretical premise of the current study that greater engagement with the robotic pet would yield greater improvement in study outcomes. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 15(5), 229-237.].
Subject(s)
Frailty , Robotic Surgical Procedures , Aged , Frail Elderly/psychology , Frailty/psychology , Geriatric Assessment , Humans , Independent Living/psychologyABSTRACT
Falls are a common, yet serious complication for hospitalized patients. The Ruby Red Slipper Program is an interdisciplinary fall management program that includes development and education of unit-based fall management teams. Initial outcomes demonstrated significant reductions in falls.
Subject(s)
Accidental Falls/prevention & control , Academic Medical Centers , Accidental Falls/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Community Health Services , Female , Humans , Life Style , New York City , Patient Care Team , Patient Education as Topic , Risk AssessmentABSTRACT
Numerous web-based resources are available to improve the knowledge of undergraduate students in assessing and providing care to older adults. These resources can be helpful to nurse educators regardless of the learning environment and to students and nurses who are working with older adults. This article describes some of the widely available online resources for teaching geriatric content to students and how to use them. The purpose of this article is to promote use of websites as teaching tools for nurse educators and as a resource to students and nurse clinicians.
