Cognitive impairment is a risk factor for decreased physical performance in the elderly.

Background: This study aimed to show a 3-year trajectory of physical performance among Chinese elderly in Beijing communities and explore the associations between new adverse events during the 3-year follow-up period and decreased physical performance. Methods: A longitudinal observational study included baseline data and transitional information of physical performance from 456 community elders (mean age 67.3 ± 4.9 years, female 43.2 %) at a 3-year follow-up. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) were used to measure cognition and physical performance, respectively. The number of chronic diseases, cognitive impairment, malnutrition, depression, knee pain, falls, and frailty were the principal independent variables in multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The proportion of the elderly with poor physical performance (26.97 %) increased to 42.11 % and the proportion of those with good physical performance (44.96 %) dropped to 30.48 % after the three-year follow-up. As for physical performance transitions, 39.47 % of the elderly progressed to a worsening physical status. After adjustment for covariates, only new onset cognitive impairment (OR: 5.17; 95%CI: 2.01-14.54; P = 0.001) was associated with physical performance deterioration. Conclusion: Cognitive impairment is an independent risk factor for decreased physical performance in elderly people. Active interventions targeted at cognitive impairment could help promote healthy aging.

Association Between Community Elderly Care Services and the Physical and Emotional Burden of Family Caregivers of Older Adults: Evidence from Beijing, China.

The rate of usage of community elderly care services in China is low, and past studies about the effects of these services on caregiver burden domestically are few. This study used a large sample of Beijing census data (n = 55,634) to examine the impact of these services on caregiver burden. Logistic regression and propensity score matching were used to estimate the effects. The results showed that meal assistance, respite care, and spiritual comfort are all significantly associated with a lower likelihood of perceived emotional burden among caregivers, while only respite care is very significantly associated with a lower likelihood of feeling physically burdened. However, the effects of these services on caregiver burden also depend on the activities of daily living performance and location of residence of the care recipients. The practical implications for policy makers are discussed.

The mediating effect of nutrition on oral frailty and fall risk in community-dwelling elderly people.

BACKGROUND: Population aging is accelerating, particularly in Asian countries. Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries in the elderly over 60 years old in China. Hence, it is crucial to anticipate the risk factors associated with fall risk. We aimed to explore whether oral frailty and fall risk were reciprocally related and whether nutrition mediated their association. METHODS: From October 2022 to March 2023, a total of 409 elderly individuals from the Yangzhou community were selected using the convenience sampling method. Cross-sectional data on older adults' oral frailty, nutrition, and fall risk were collected using questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 27.0 and PROCESS macro. RESULTS: The fall risk score was 1.0 (ranging from 0 to 4.0), with 107 cases (26.2%) identified as being at risk of falling. Spearman correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between oral frailty and the risk of falls (rs = 0.430, P < 0.01). Nutrition was found to have a negative correlation with both oral frailty and fall risk (rs=-0.519、-0.457, P < 0.01). When controlling for covariates, it was observed that nutrition mediated the relationship between oral frailty and falls. The mediating effect value accounted for 48.8% of the total effect (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Oral frailty was significantly associated with fall risk, and nutrition might be a mediating factor for adverse effects of oral frailty and fall risk. Enhancing the nutrition of older individuals is a vital approach to mitigating fall risk among those with oral frailty.

Modifiable risk factors of cognitive frailty in community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To perform a meta-analysis identifying the modifiable risk factors of cognitive frailty in the elderly. METHODS: We systematically searched databases including PubMed, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform from January 01, 2017 to March 26, 2022. Quantitative, original research reporting associated factors were included. FINDINGS: 7,854 records in total were identified, of which 14 articles (1 prospective, 13 cross-sectional) with 36 factors were included. Studies on cognitive frailty included 20,390 community-dwellers (≥60 years) from three countries. Meta-analysis indicated that depression [OR = 3.60, 95%CI (2.25,5.78), p < 0.01] and sleep problems [OR = 2.36, 95%CI (1.62,3.43), p < 0.01] were associated with cognitive frailty. CONCLUSIONS: Effective interventions targeting depression and sleep problems may lower the risk of cognitive frailty in the community seniors but need further study in high-quality, prospective studies. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Building on previous work, the objectives of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to explore potential modifiable risk factors for cognitive frailty in community-dwelling older adults, which is expected to throw light on the prevention of cognitive frailty.

Evaluation of the optimal cutoff number of types of social participation activities in older people.

INTRODUCTION: Social participation activities have a close association with health aging. However, the clinical significance of numbers of social participation activities and its cutoff value has not been defined. METHODS: We recruited 516 people aged ≥55 years. Twelve social participation behaviors modified according to Taiwanese culture were investigated, and the adequacy of cutoff number was determined by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) according to the results of cluster analysis of individual activities and scores of the Brief Symptom Rating Scale-5 (BSRS-5) and the Chinese Happiness Inventory (CHI). Demographic, BSRS-5 and CHI data were then compared according to the candidate cutoff numbers. RESULTS: The distribution of the numbers of social activities suggested that the highest partition of numbers of social activities was 3 in women and 4 in men. The AUC regarding the cluster of activity types was 0.917, with the highest Youden's J value located between 3 and 4. The AUC regarding the cluster of activity types and scores of the BSRS-5 and the CHI was 0.929, with similar cutoffs. If 3 and 4 were used as cutoffs, the between-group differences of both the CHI and the BSRS-5 were significant. More types of social activities had a different engaging frequency with the 3 and 4 cutoffs. CONCLUSION: Our findings found an adequate cutoff with better differential power in the psychopathology and happiness of older people that provided a basis for application in intervention and policy formation.

Insomnia among Elderly People in a selected urban Community.

BACKGROUND: Insomnia affects both physical and mental well-being of elderly people, also increasing risks of psychological problems such as depression and decreases quality of life. We assessed the proportion of elderly people with insomnia and associated factors in a selected community. METHODS: We carried out a cross sectional study interviewing 110 elderly people residing in Shankarapur-7, Sankhu, Kathmandu using convenient sampling technique. We used a structured questionnaire and included Insomnia Severity Index to identify level of insomnia. We analysed insomnia as clinically significant and non-significant and present the results as proportion and further bivariate analysis. RESULTS: About one third (29.1%) of the elderly had clinically significant insomnia. About half (53%) of the participants suffered from co-morbid disease conditions, mainly hypertension and diabetes mellitus. About 2 in 5 (38%) participants performed regular exercise for more than 15 minutes. Similarly, the proportion of clinically significant insomnia was higher among older age groups (50% among 70+ years & 21% among below 70 years), females 40% (males 19%), widowed 56% (currently married 21%), illiterate 42% (literate 13%). These were found to be significant during bivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: We found a substantial proportion of participants with clinically significant insomnia. Promoting the physical and mental health of elderly people is important for them to lead a quality life. Health promotion approaches with targeted interventions for elderly are important to cater the need of elderly population and this might help improve the quality of life of the elderly people.

[Relationship between the subjective age, higher-life function, and new certification as needing long-term care in community-dwelling older adults: The KAGUYA project longitudinal survey of older adults].

AIM: To determine the relationship between the subjective age, higher-life function, and new certification for the need for long-term care among older adults in the community. METHODS: A mail survey was conducted in 2016 among community-dwelling older adults, and the 2,323 participants who were available for follow-up in 2019 were included in the analysis. Subjective age was evaluated using the following three items in response to the question "Please answer how old you feel you are": "Same as actual age," "Feel younger," and "Feel older." Other assessments included an evaluation of the higher-life function, Geriatric Depression Scale scores, general self-efficacy, and exercise adherence. In addition, at follow-up, we investigated whether or not participants required new certification for the need for long-term care. RESULTS: At baseline, participants who felt "older than their actual age" had a significantly lower life function and general self-efficacy and were less likely to exercise at least once a week than the other groups. Furthermore, those who felt "older than their actual age" was more likely than the other groups to be newly certified as needing long-term care, while those who felt "younger than their actual age" were less likely to receive new certification. A logistic regression analysis revealed that "feeling older" was a risk factor for being certified as needing long-term care, even after adjusting for other factors (odds ratio= 3.33, 95% confidence interval: 1.02-10.94, p=0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Among community-dwelling older adults, those with a subjective age exceeding their chronological age were expected to show a decreased life function in the future and an increased risk of needing long-term care.

Multiple mediating effects of social participation and social support on the physical and mental health of the community-dwelling elderly / 中华全科医师杂志

Objective:To investigate the status and influencing factors of activities of daily living (ADL), anxiety and depression of the community-dwelling elderly, and to explore the mediating effect of social support and social participation on ADL, anxiety and depression.Methods:A questionnaire survey was conducted from July to October 2022, among 637 residents over 60 years old registered in the Community Health Service Center of Taiyuan Economic and Technological Development Zone selected by simple random sampling method. The general information questionnaire, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale, Anxiety Self-assessment Scale, Depression Self-assessment Scale, Social Support Scale, and Social Participation Scale were used in the survey. The dichotomous logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of disability, anxiety, and depression of the elderly. Structural equation modeling was used to verify the mediating effects of social participation and social support on the ADL and mental health status in the elderly.Results:The disability rate of the elderly in the community was 42.9%(258/602). Age( OR=2.87-4.91), acute disease attack in the last three months( OR=2.03),poor economic status( OR=2.39), impaired social participation ability( OR=4.07, 11.75) and low level of social support( OR=2.37) were risk factors for disability of the elderly in the community. The incidence of anxiety symptoms was 22.7%(137/602). The risk factors of anxiety were having more than one chronic disease ( OR=2.24), poor economic status ( OR=2.27), mild and intermediate impairment of social participation ability( OR=6.97, 180.43)and low level of social support( OR=2.04). The incidence of depressive symptoms was 19.4%(117/602). The risk factors of depression were acute disease attack in the past three months ( OR=1.90), loneliness in the past three months ( OR=2.17), impaired social participation ( OR=4.17) and low level of social support ( OR=3.90). The direct effect of ADL on mental health was 0.204 (Bootstrap 95% CI:0.081-0.330), accounting for 34.58% of the total effect. The mediating effects of social participation and social support on ADL and mental health were 0.343 (Bootstrap 95% CI:0.274-0.418) and 0.042 (Bootstrap 95% CI:0.015-0.075) respectively, accounting for 58.13% and 7.12% of the total effect. Conclusions:Social support and social participation are not only the common influencing factors of ADL, anxiety and depression of the community-dwelling elderly, but also have a mediating effect on ADL and mental health. Promoting the social participation of the community-dwelling elderly and increasing social support can improve both ADL and mental health for them.

Current Status and Associated Factors of Health Information Literacy Among the Community Elderly in Central China in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: COVID-19 posed a threat to the public's physical and mental health, and under outbreak control, the opportunities to go outside of the elderly have been reduced and making it more difficult to access health information and detrimental to their health management. This study aims to assess the current status of health information literacy (HIL) among older adults in the community in the context of COVID-19 and to identify its associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from April to July, 2021, for which 617 community elderly members were recruited in Chenzhou, China. Data were collected through a general information questionnaire, The Chinese residents' HIL self-rated scale and a reliability evaluation form. Results: The average score of HIL was 75.87 ± 9.85, and after processed by the 100-point system, we found 84.12% (519/617) of the participants scored less than 60 points, which indicates that the overall level of HIL among the community elderly is low. Multiple linear regression showed that age, gender, education, annual family Income, living arrangement, and chronic disease status (ß = -0.341, -0.296, 0.384, 0.327, 0.296, 0.356, respectively; all P < 0.001) were significantly associated with the level of HIL found among the community elderly, out of which education was the most important associated factor. Conclusion: The overall HIL level among the community elderly was low in Central China during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results further prove the need for tailor-made health education programs for this group, with particular attention paid to the low-educated and low-income among them. Those measures must highlight on three aspects of health information search, evaluation, and application skills to offer useful experiences that improve the HIL level of the elderly and strengthen their ability to cope with emerging public health events.

The Dose-Response Efficacy of Physical Training on Frailty Status and Physical Performance in Community-Dwelling Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

PURPOSE: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to explore the effect of physical training on frailty status and physical performance in the community dwelling elderly. METHODS: We set keywords and used the Boolean operator to search the CEPS, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases from inception to 10 August 2021. The search was limited to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted within a five-year period. The Cochrane Collaboration bias assessment tool was used to assess article quality, and RevMan 5.4.1. software (Cochrane Training site based in London, UK) was used to conduct the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Physical training was found to improve frailty status, physical performance, lower limb strength and balance. The best dose-response for physical training was 60 min per time, 2-3 times per week, for 3 months. CONCLUSION: Designing an appropriate physical training program can decrease the frailty score and increase physical performance in frail elderly in the community.

Evolutionary game analysis of community elderly care service regulation in the context of "Internet +".

Background: As an upgraded form of the elderly care service industry, "Internet + Community Elderly Care" integrates information technology, artificial intelligence, Internet thinking, and the construction of community elderly care service mechanisms. Research on "Internet + Community Elderly Care" has become a focus. Methods: The four-party evolutionary game model of elderly service regulations was presented, which consists of the government, providers, platforms, and elderly people. By using Lyapunov stability theory, the stability of each player's strategy selection was analyzed. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis of the key parameters was discussed in detail using system dynamics. Results and discussion: Online evaluations of elderly people have more positive effects on the regulatory system than offline evaluations. Both the penalties on providers and subsidies on platforms given by the government have thresholds. Moreover, government penalties for providers and subsidies for platforms could curb their speculative behavior and enable effective steering of providers and platforms. Conclusion: The Omni-feedback mechanism for elderly people can effectively curb the speculative behavior of elderly care service providers and elderly care service information platforms. The government should dynamically adjust penalties and subsidy policies.

Development, Validation and Acceptability of a Newly Developed Nutrition Resource Kit for At-Risk and Malnourished Elderly in Health Clinics Setting

@#Introduction: The elderly population is highly vulnerable to malnutrition, including those in the community. The use of nutrition education as part of nutrition intervention is able to improve their nutritional status. Hence, provision of a nutrition resource kit addressing the needs of at-risk and malnourished elderly would be advantageous. This research aimed to develop, validate and evaluate the acceptance of a newly developed nutrition resource kit, which served as an educational material among at-risk and malnourished elderly in Malaysian health clinics. Methods: This study was conducted in three phases: Phase I comprised of qualitative needs assessment to identify the types of nutrition resource kit needed; Phase II was the development and validation of the nutrition resource kit; while Phase III was acceptance evaluation, which involved individual in-depth interview and triangulation. Results: An A5-sized booklet with incorporation of an educational video in a QR code was developed. Both printed material and educational video had excellent content and face validity. Suggestions by experts and elderly from validation were considered and revision was done accordingly. Acceptance evaluation revealed four themes: 1) positive acceptance, 2) elderly-friendly, 3) valuable, and 4) individual preference. Triangulation data revealed that all elderly positively evaluated both resources. Additional suggestions given by elderly were considered for improvement. Conclusion: This newly developed nutrition resource kit, both in the printed and electronic format, was well-accepted among the at-risk and malnourished elderly. It could be used as an important reference for the elderly, especially those attending health clinics, in treating and preventing malnutrition.

A study on the relationship between frailty and nutritional status of the elderly in communities / 中华临床营养杂志

Objective:To explore the relationship between frailty and nutritional status of the elderly in communities.Method:Using the convenience sampling method, 458 elderly people in the community were investigated with the general data questionnaire, frailty phenotype, Mini-Nutritional Assessment, Mini-Mental State Examination, Self-Rating Depression Scale and Instrumental Activity of Daily Living.Results:The prevalence of frailty, pre-frailty and non-frailty in the elderly of the community was 9.2%, 60.0%, and 30.8% respectively, and 10.5% were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. Logistic analysis showed that malnutrition increased the risk of frailty in the elderly ( OR=9.534, P=0.001). Conclusion:Malnutrition is a risk factor of frailty in the elderly in communities. Improving the nutritional status of the elderly in communities can help delay the development of frailty.

Sarcopenia and lower limb pain are additively related to motor function and a history of falls and fracture in community-dwelling elderly people.

OBJECTIVES: To clarify the prevalence and characteristics of pain associated with sarcopenia and to verify the usefulness of evaluation of pain for sarcopenia. METHODS: In total, 759 community-dwelling people (aged 65-79 years) with or without sarcopenia and lower limb pain were classified into 4 groups (NSp, nonsarcopenia; NSpP, nonsarcopenia with pain; Sp, sarcopenia; and SpP, sarcopenia with pain). Body composition, motor function, history of fractures since age 50 years, and number of falls in the past 1 year were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Participant proportions by group were: NSp, 53.9%; NSpP, 42.8%; Sp, 1.3%; and SpP, 2.0%. Participants with lower limb pain showed low single leg standing, walking speed, and 2-step value scores and high 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Functional Scale (GLFS-25) score after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and presence of sarcopenia. The SpP group showed lower functional reach test and higher GLFS-25 scores than the Sp group. Regarding the history of fractures since 50 years of age and falls in past 1 year, a high retention rate of fracture was noted in the NSpP group. They also experienced significantly more falls in the past 1 year than those in the NSp group. The SpP group noted more falls and fractures although it was insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that participants with lower limb pain showed declining motor function and a high risk for falls and fractures. Sarcopenia could escalate this risk. Therefore, evaluating patients for both pain and sarcopenia may be useful for risk assessment and treatment.

Sarcopenia and lower limb pain are additively related to motor function and a history of falls and fracture in community-dwelling elderly people

OBJECTIVES: To clarify the prevalence and characteristics of pain associated with sarcopenia and to verify the usefulness of evaluation of pain for sarcopenia. METHODS: In total, 759 community-dwelling people (aged 65–79 years) with or without sarcopenia and lower limb pain were classified into 4 groups (NSp, nonsarcopenia; NSpP, nonsarcopenia with pain; Sp, sarcopenia; and SpP, sarcopenia with pain). Body composition, motor function, history of fractures since age 50 years, and number of falls in the past 1 year were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Participant proportions by group were: NSp, 53.9%; NSpP, 42.8%; Sp, 1.3%; and SpP, 2.0%. Participants with lower limb pain showed low single leg standing, walking speed, and 2-step value scores and high 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Functional Scale (GLFS-25) score after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and presence of sarcopenia. The SpP group showed lower functional reach test and higher GLFS-25 scores than the Sp group. Regarding the history of fractures since 50 years of age and falls in past 1 year, a high retention rate of fracture was noted in the NSpP group. They also experienced significantly more falls in the past 1 year than those in the NSp group. The SpP group noted more falls and fractures although it was insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that participants with lower limb pain showed declining motor function and a high risk for falls and fractures. Sarcopenia could escalate this risk. Therefore, evaluating patients for both pain and sarcopenia may be useful for risk assessment and treatment.

Neurocognitive profiles and related factors of subjective cognitive decline / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the neurocognitive characteristics and related factors in the elderly with subjective cognitive decline.@*Methods@#Among the 1 850 elderly volunteers aged over 50, 377 cognitive normal elderly (NC group), 234 subjective cognitive decline (SCD Group) and 291 patients with mild cognitive impairment (aMCI Group) were screened with the brief elderly cognitive screening questionnaire and the elderly rapid cognitive screening scale.They were all received clinical interview and examination and core neurocognitive test.@*Results@#(1) There were statistically significant differences in the three groups on the age, education, occupation, HAMD, low density lipoprotein and blood pressure (P<0.01). (2) The score of the picture-symbol association in SCD group(8.94±4.05)was lower than that in NC group(9.83±4.18)and higher than that in aMCI group (7.12±4.17)(all P<0.05), while the scores of the other neuropsychological tests were higher than those in aMCI group.There were no statistically significant difference between SCD group and NC group on the other neuropsychological tests(P>0.05). (3)The SCD was mainly influenced by age(β=0.063, OR=1.065, 95%CI=1.033-1.099), depression(β=0.182, OR=1.199, 95%CI=1.084-1.327)and hypertension(β=0.473, OR=1.604, 95%CI=1.185-2.171)(all P<0.01). And the aMCI was mainly influenced by age(β=0.078, OR=1.081, 95%CI=1.048-1.115), education(β=-0.174, OR=0.840, 95%CI=0.778-0.907), occupation(β=-0.406, OR=0.666, 95%CI=0.535-0.830)and low density lipoprotein(β=-0.451, OR=0.637, 95%CI=0.497-0.816)(all P<0.01 ).@*Conclusion@#Objective neurocognitive function of the elderly with subjective cognitive decline is basically normal.Age, depression and hypertension are risk factors of subjective cognitive decline.

Neurocognitive profiles and related factors of subjective cognitive decline / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To investigate the neurocognitive characteristics and related factors in the elderly with subjective cognitive decline. Methods Among the 1 850 elderly volunteers aged over 50,377 cognitive normal elderly (NC group),234 subjective cognitive decline ( SCD Group) and 291 patients with mild cognitive impairment (aMCI Group) were screened with the brief elderly cognitive screening question-naire and the elderly rapid cognitive screening scale. They were all received clinical interview and examina-tion and core neurocognitive test. Results ( 1) There were statistically significant differences in the three groups on the age,education,occupation,HAMD,low density lipoprotein and blood pressure (P<0. 01). (2) The score of the picture-symbol association in SCD group( 8. 94 ± 4. 05) was lower than that in NC group (9. 83±4. 18)and higher than that in aMCI group (7. 12±4. 17)(all P<0. 05),while the scores of the other neuropsychological tests were higher than those in aMCI group. There were no statistically significant differ-ence between SCD group and NC group on the other neuropsychological tests(P>0. 05). (3) The SCD was mainly influenced by age( β=0. 063, OR=1. 065,95% CI=1. 033-1. 099), depression ( β=0. 182,OR=1. 199,95%CI=1. 084-1. 327) and hypertension(β=0. 473,OR=1. 604,95% CI=1. 185-2. 171) ( all P<0. 01). And the aMCI was mainly influenced by age(β=0. 078,OR=1. 081,95%CI=1. 048-1. 115),educa-tion(β=-0. 174,OR=0. 840,95%CI=0. 778-0. 907),occupation( β=-0. 406,OR=0. 666,95%CI=0. 535-0. 830)and low density lipoprotein(β=-0. 451,OR=0. 637,95%CI=0. 497-0. 816)(all P<0. 01 ). Conclu-sion Objective neurocognitive function of the elderly with subjective cognitive decline is basically normal. Age,depression and hypertension are risk factors of subjective cognitive decline.

Analysis on influencing factors of the frailty of the elderly / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To explore influencing factors of the elderly's frailty. Methods Eight communities were randomly selected from Dalang Town, Dongguan City, and all the eligible elderly people were investigated using the self-developed frailty index. Univariate analysis was performed using the 2 test, and multivariate analysis was performed by ordinal multi-class Logistic regression. Results Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in the distribution of frailty conditions among different demographic characteristics, family relationships, economic situation and lifestyle (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that younger age (OR=0.13, P<0.001), male (OR=0.65, P=0.012), and daily exercise (OR=0.76, P=0.049) were protective factors for frailty of the elderly. Illiterate (OR=2.42, P<0.001), fewer times to see children per month (OR=1.82, P=0.035), pension funds as the main economic source (OR=1.59, P<0.001), low level of physical activity (OR=2.18, P<0.001) and none social participation (OR=1.41, P=0.004) were risk factors of frailty. Conclusion Age, gender, education level, times to see children per month, economic source, exercise frequency, physical activity level and social participation are the influencing factors of frailty of the elderly.

The Effects of Welfare Center's Cognitive Improvement Program on the Community Elderly Provided by Nursing Student Volunteers and Social Welfare / 의료커뮤니케이션

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate effects of welfare center's cognitive improvement program on the community elderly provided by nursing student volunteers and social welfare.METHODS: A quasi-experimental with non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was implemented. The participants were the community elderly with or without mild cognitive impairments (experimental group: 17, control group: 15). The experimental group participated in the cognitive improvement program for four months based on the demonstration program of the special grade of dementia in long-term care insurance for the elderly.RESULTS: After the intervention, the satisfaction with perceived social support (F=9.30, p=.005) was improved statistically between the experimental group and the control group, but there was no significant difference in MMSE-K, IADL, depression, EQ-VAS, and EQ-5D variables.CONCLUSION: These results indicated that a multidisciplinary approach or a variety of manpower is needed, in order to prevent the dementia of the elderly. However, in order to provide a systematic cognitive-based intervention, it was once again recognized that the training of relevant experts and the quality planning on them were very important.

Prevalence and effect factors of dementia among the community elderly in Chongqing, China.

BACKGROUND: China is an ageing society, with around 150 million people aged 60 years or older. The prevalence of dementia will increase by more than 100% in the coming 20 years. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and effects of dementia among the community elderly in Chongqing, China. METHODS: Cluster sampling was adopted. A sample of elderly individuals aged 60 years and older was extracted as research subjects from three counties within Chongqing, China. One-on-one interviews were conducted through a general information questionnaire, and the Mini-Mental State Examination, Instrumental Activity of Daily Living Scale, and Geriatric Depression Scale were administered. The investigated data were tested by χ2 , and the effect factors of dementia were analyzed by multiple logistic regression analysis. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: We distributed 1850 questionnaire, and the response rate was 100%. However, only 1781 questionnaires were able to be used in the study. Of the 1781 elderly respondents, 186 (10.44%) presented with dementia. Our findings revealed that differences in regions, age, marital status, education level, occupation, tobacco consumption, alcohol consumption, freshwater fish consumption, exercise, intensive labour, mah-jong- and chess-playing habits, media consumption (i.e. watching TV, listening to the radio, or reading the newspaper), body mass index, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and depression were statistically significant in the prevalence of dementia (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to multiple logistic regression analyses, living in a rural area, older age, being single, obesity, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and depression are risk factors for dementia. In contrast, cessation of smoking, freshwater fish consumption, moderate or frequent exercise, intensive labour, daily housework, outdoor activities, media consumption, and social activities are protective factors against dementia among community elderly in Chongqing, China.