An oral health baseline of need at a predominantly African American Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE): Opportunities for dental-nursing collaboration.

This descriptive study sought to establish an oral health baseline of need for enrollees at a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and identify opportunities for nursing interventions. The Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) was applied to a random sample of 120 enrollees, 64 of whom met inclusion criteria, agreed to participate to assess their oral health status, and were included in the analysis. The mean OHAT score was 4.4 (SD = 2.6; range 0-12). Higher scores indicate poorer oral health. The oral conditions found needing the most attention were gums, saliva, natural teeth, dentures, and oral cleanliness. Oral cleanliness scored the worst on the OHAT, highlighting opportunities for nursing interventions and the necessity for oral hygiene routines. This study also identifies the need for nurses to address enrollees' oral health and relay information back to the PACE interdisciplinary team (IDT) to initiate referrals to the dentist as needed.

Recruitment and retention strategies among older African American women enrolled in an exercise study at a PACE program.

PURPOSE: This study examined employment of specific recruitment and retention strategies in a study evaluating outcomes of a moderate activity exercise program for older African American women with functional impairments attending a Program for All-Inclusive Care of Elders (PACE). DESIGN AND METHODS: Recruitment and retention strategies focused on (1) partnership between researchers and participants, (2) partnership between researchers and clinicians, (3) overcoming administrative issues, and (4) reducing burden on clinicians and participants. The exercise protocol consisted of strength and endurance activity 2 to 3 times per week for 16 weeks. RESULTS: Fifty-two African American women (61.2% of target) were enrolled and 37 (71.2%) completed the 16-week exercise program. Fifteen did not complete due to non-descript reasons and/or preference for other program activities (n = 11), medical problems (n = 2), or need for physical therapy (n = 2). IMPLICATIONS: Success in recruitment and retention included use of a PACE program, hiring an advanced practice nurse to improve retention, and integration with site activities and sustaining the exercise program at the site. Challenges for recruitment and retention remain to engage older, frail adults in exercise as a life habit, and availability of time and place to do so.