Top 10 Signs and Symptoms of Psychotropic Adverse Drug Events to Monitor in Long-Term Care Residents.

OBJECTIVES: To produce a consensus list of the top 10 signs and symptoms suggestive of adverse drug events (ADEs) for monitoring in residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs) who use antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, or antidepressants. DESIGN: A 3-round Delphi study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Geriatricians, psychiatrists, pharmacologists, general practitioners, pharmacists, nurses, and caregivers from 13 Asia Pacific, European, and North American countries. METHODS: Three survey rounds were completed between April and June 2023. In Round 1, participants indicated their level of agreement on a 9-point Likert scale on whether 41 signs or symptoms identified in a systematic review should be routinely monitored. Participants considered signs and symptoms that reduce quality of life or cause significant harm, are observable or measurable by nurses or care workers, and can be assessed at a single time point. Round 1 statements were included in a list for prioritization in Round 3 if ≥ 70% of participants responded ≥7 on the Likert scale. Statements were excluded if ≤ 30% of participants responded ≥7. In Round 2, participants indicated their level of agreement with statements that did not reach initial consensus, plus amended statements based on Round 1 participant feedback. Round 2 statements were included in Round 3 if ≥ 50% of the participants responded ≥7 on the Likert scale. In Round 3, participants prioritized the signs and symptoms. RESULTS: Forty-four participants (93.6%) completed all 3 rounds. Four of 41 signs and symptoms reached consensus for inclusion after Round 1, and 9 after Round 2. The top 10 signs and symptoms prioritized in Round 3 were recent falls, daytime drowsiness or sleepiness, abnormal movements (eg, shaking or stiffness), confusion or disorientation, balance problems, dizziness, postural hypotension, reduced self-care, restlessness, and dry mouth. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The top 10 signs and symptoms provide a basis for proactive monitoring for psychotropic ADEs.

Estimating potential palliative care needs for residential aged care: A population-based retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Population-based data on the required needs for palliative care in residential aged care have been highlighted as a key information gap. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive estimate of palliative care needs among Australia's residential aged care population using a validated algorithm based on causes of death. METHODS: A population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the Registry of Senior Australians of non-Indigenous residents of residential aged care services in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia aged older than 65 years, who died between 2016 and 2017 (n = 71,677). An internationally validated algorithm was used to estimate and characterise potential palliative care needs based on causes of death. This estimate was compared to palliative care needs identified from funding-based care needs assessment data. RESULTS: Ninety two per cent (n = 65,949) were estimated to have had potential palliative care needs prior to their death. Of these, 19% (n = 12,467) were assigned an end-of-life trajectory related to cancer, 61% (n = 40,511) to organ failure and 20% (n = 12,971) to frailty and dementia. By comparison, only 6% (n = 4430) of residents were assessed as needing palliative care by the funding-based care needs assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Over 90% of individuals dying in residential aged care may have benefited from a palliative approach to care. This need is substantially underestimated by the funding-based care needs assessment, which utilises a narrow definition of palliative care when death is imminent. There is a clear imperative to distinguish between palliative and end-of-life care needs within residential aged care to ensure appropriate and equitable access to palliative care.

Person-centred medicine in the care home setting: development of a complex intervention.

BACKGROUND: Person-centred medicine is recommended in the care of older patients. Yet, involvement of care home residents and relatives in medication processes remains limited in routine care. Therefore, we aimed to develop a complex intervention focusing on resident and relative involvement and interprofessional communication to support person-centred medicine in the care home setting. METHODS: The development took place from October 2021 to March 2022 in the Municipality of Aarhus, Denmark. The study followed the Medical Research Council guidance on complex intervention development using a combination of theoretical, evidence-based, and partnership approaches. The patient involvement tool, the PREparation of Patients for Active Involvement in medication Review (PREPAIR), was included in a preliminary intervention model. Study activities included developing programme theory, engaging stakeholders, and exploring key uncertainties through interviews, co-producing workshops, and testing with end-users to develop the intervention and an implementation strategy. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and the Interprofessional Shared Decision Making Model were used. Data were analysed using a rapid analysis approach. RESULTS: Before the workshops, six residents and four relatives were interviewed. Based on their feedback, PREPAIR was modified to the PREPAIR care home to fit the care home population. In total, ten persons participated in the co-producing workshops, including health care professionals and municipal managerial and quality improvement staff. The developed intervention prototype was tested for three residents and subsequently refined to the final intervention, including two fixed components (PREPAIR care home and an interprofessional medication communication template) delivered in a flexible three-stage workflow. Additionally, a multi-component implementation strategy was formed. In line with the developed programme theory, the intervention supported health care professionals´ awareness about resident and relative involvement. It provided a structure for involvement, empowered the residents to speak, and brought new insights through dialogue, thereby supporting involvement in medication-related decisions. The final intervention was perceived to be relevant, acceptable, and feasible in the care home setting. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the final intervention may be a viable approach to facilitate person-centred medicine through resident and relative involvement. This will be further explored in a planned feasibility study.

Comparison of polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults with and without dementia receiving residential medication management reviews.

OBJECTIVES: Among residents who had a residential medication management review (RMMR), there is a lack of studies assessing exposure to polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in people with dementia. This study compared the exposure to polypharmacy and PIMs in residents with dementia and without dementia receiving RMMR. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed using data of 16,261 residents living in 343 Australian residential aged care facilities who had an RMMR in 2019. Medication use was assessed as polypharmacy (defined as ≥9 medications) and use of ≥1 PIMs using the 2019 updated Beers criteria. Dementia diagnosis was determined with ICD-10 coding from medical records. Descriptive analyses reported resident demographics and patterns of medication use. Pearson's χ2 tests and logistic regression analysis were conducted to compare medication exposure between residents with and without dementia. RESULTS: Among 16,261 residents, 6781 (42%) had dementia. Residents with dementia were significantly more likely to be exposed to polypharmacy and PIMs, compared to those without dementia (74% vs. 70% and 83% vs. 73%, p < .001 respectively). Residents with dementia had 1.31 times the odds of exposure to polypharmacy (adjusted OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.22-1.41, p < .001) and 1.88 times the odds of being prescribed ≥1 PIMs than people without dementia (adjusted OR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.73-2.04, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: In a study of residents receiving RMMR, polypharmacy and PIMs were highly common, and those with dementia were more likely to be exposed to inappropriate polypharmacy. There is a need for targeted deprescribing strategies to immediately address inappropriate prescribing in residents, particularly those living with dementia.

Adverse impacts in residential aged care facilities: The resident perspective.

OBJECTIVES: Inclusion of consumer perspectives is a key component to person-centred health-care approaches. While current residential aged care systems focus on recording adverse events to meet the requirements of regulatory reporting, little is known about the views of residents. The aim of this research was to explore residents' responses on the types of incidents that have an adverse impact on them and how they are affected by these incidents. METHODS: The study used a qualitative, inductive approach to derive themes from interviews with 20 permanent residents of aged care facilities in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. RESULTS: Four main themes surrounding adverse incidents emerged: (i) social relationships and the adverse impacts of lack of meaningful interactions, (ii) adjustment to life in the residential aged care facility and the loss of residents' former life and self-determination, (iii) the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns which meant that residents were not able to go out or interact with others and (iv) acceptance, resignation and resilience in coping with adverse incidents. CONCLUSIONS: This research highlights the difference between health-care definition, used for incident management reporting and quality indicators, and the way residents respond when asked to describe an incident that has affected them. Resident responses discuss situations having an adverse effect on them in contrast to the way adverse events and incidents are reported and monitored. The findings suggest that within adverse event and incident management systems and resident governance systems, there is scope for incorporating periods of transitions and well-being measures that capture elements that matter to older people.

Lessons Learned from Cross-Systems Approach to COVID-19 Pandemic Response in Juvenile Justice System, Colorado, USA.

The global COVID-19 pandemic illustrates the importance of a close partnership between public health and juvenile justice systems when responding to communicable diseases. Many setting-specific obstacles must be navigated to respond effectively to limit disease transmission and negative health outcomes while maintaining necessary services for youth in confinement facilities. The response requires multidisciplinary expertise and collaboration to address unique considerations. Public health mitigation strategies must balance the risk for disease against the negative effects of restrictions. Key aspects of the COVID-19 response in the juvenile justice system of Colorado, USA, involved establishing robust communication and data reporting infrastructures, building a multidisciplinary response team, adapting existing infection prevention guidelines, and focusing on a whole-person health approach to infection prevention. We examine lessons learned and offer recommendations on pandemic emergency response planning and managing a statewide public health emergency in youth confinement settings that ensure ongoing readiness.

Development and Evaluation of Surveillance System for Identifying Jail-Associated COVID-19 Cases in Minnesota, USA, 2022.

Confinement facilities are high-risk settings for the spread of infectious disease, necessitating timely surveillance to inform public health action. To identify jail-associated COVID-19 cases from electronic laboratory reports maintained in the Minnesota Electronic Disease Surveillance System (MEDSS), Minnesota, USA, the Minnesota Department of Health developed a surveillance system that used keyword and address matching (KAM). The KAM system used a SAS program (SAS Institute Inc., https://www.sas.com) and an automated program within MEDSS to identify confinement keywords and addresses. To evaluate KAM, we matched jail booking data from the Minnesota Statewide Supervision System by full name and birthdate to the MEDSS records of adults with COVID-19 for 2022. The KAM system identified 2,212 cases in persons detained in jail; sensitivity was 92.40% and specificity was 99.95%. The success of KAM demonstrates its potential to be applied to other diseases and congregate-living settings for real-time surveillance without added reporting burden.

Exploring occupational therapy practice in Australian residential aged care facilities: A cross-sectional survey.

INTRODUCTION: Occupational therapy in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) can enhance residents' occupational engagement and wellbeing. However, industry reports suggest that occupational therapists in Australian RACFs have mostly provided physical therapies such as pain management via massage and not addressed residents' occupations. There is limited literature on what constitutes occupational therapists' practice in RACFs to inform policy and practice. The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to explore practice patterns of occupational therapists working in Australian RACFs and influences on their practice. METHODS: Occupational therapists working in Australian RACFs were invited from July 2019 to March 2020 to complete a self-report online questionnaire via email and advertisements on industry websites, newsletters, and social media. The questionnaire asked therapists about their caseload, referrals, assessments, and interventions. Data were analysed descriptively and presented as frequencies and percentages. RESULTS: A total of 214 occupational therapists completed the survey. Occupational therapists' daily practice largely focussed on pain management; other areas of practice included falls prevention, pressure care, and mobility. The Aged Care Funding Instrument in place at the time of the survey was identified as the leading factor influencing therapists' choice of assessments and interventions. Organisational policies and procedures were also perceived as key factors influencing occupational therapy practice. CONCLUSION: This paper highlights the influence of government funding and organisational policies in limiting occupational therapists' scope of practice and their ability to fully address the occupational needs of residents. Occupational therapists and the profession in general should be aware of factors in aged care funding models, and their application, that restrict occupational therapy practice and inhibit residents' function and advocate for change where needed. With the introduction of the Australian National Aged Care Classification funding model replacing Aged Care Funding Instrument, future research should explore potential changes to therapists practice following the implementation of the new funding model.

Evidence-based Medication knowledge Brokers in Residential Aged CarE (EMBRACE): protocol for a helix-counterbalanced randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical practice guidelines recommend against the routine use of psychotropic medications in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). Knowledge brokers are individuals or groups who facilitate the transfer of knowledge into practice. The objective of this trial is to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of using knowledge brokers to translate Australia's new Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Appropriate Use of Psychotropic Medications in People Living with Dementia and in Residential Aged Care. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The Evidence-based Medication knowledge Brokers in Residential Aged CarE (EMBRACE) trial is a helix-counterbalanced randomised controlled trial. The 12-month trial will be conducted in up to 19 RACFs operated by four Australian aged care provider organisations in Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland. RACFs will be randomised to receive three levels of implementation strategies (knowledge broker service, pharmacist-led quality use of medications education activities and distribution of the Guidelines and supporting materials) across three medication contexts (antipsychotics, benzodiazepines and antidepressants). Implementation strategies will be delivered by an embedded on-site aged care pharmacist working at a system level across each participating RACF. All RACFs will receive all implementation strategies simultaneously but for different medication contexts. The primary outcome will be a composite dichotomous measure of 6-month RACF-level concordance with Guideline recommendations and good practice statements among people using antipsychotics, benzodiazepines and antidepressants for changed behaviours. Secondary outcomes will include proportion of residents with Guideline concordant use of antipsychotics, benzodiazepines and antidepressants measured at the RACF-level and proportion of residents with psychotropic medication use, hospitalisation, falls, falls with injury, polypharmacy, quality of life, activities of daily living, medication incidents and behavioural incidents measured at the RACF-level. DISCUSSION: The EMBRACE trial investigates a novel guideline implementation strategy to improve the safe and effective use of psychotropic medications in RACFs. We anticipate that the findings will provide new information on the potential role of knowledge brokers for successful and cost-effective guideline implementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12623001141639. Registered 6 November 2023 - retrospectively registered, https://www.anzctr.org.au/TrialSearch.aspx .

Medication incidents associated with the provision of medication assistance by non-medical care staff in residential care facilities.

The shift towards community-based care in Japan has led to increased medication assistance for older people by non-medical care staff. These staff members help take pre-packaged medications, apply patches, and administer eye drops. This study assessed the risks associated with such assistance by reviewing medication-related incidents across 106 residential care facilities between April 1, 2015, and March 31, 2016. An analysis of incident reports showed that all incidents were minor, with no serious outcomes. The incidents were categorized into four types: dropped drugs, misdelivery/misuse of medicines, forgetting to take medicines, and loss of medicines, with dropped drugs being the most frequent. Most incidents occurred in the morning and primarily involved residents with intermediate nursing care needs. These findings indicate a low risk of serious incidents because of medication assistance from non-medical staff. However, the frequency and nature of the incidents were influenced by the timing of medication administration and the care needs of the residents. These insights highlight the need for customized approaches to medication assistance, considering the residents' care levels and potentially optimizing medication administration times to improve safety in residential care settings.

Being used for the greater good while fighting on the frontline: care staff's experiences of working with older people during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden.

BAKGROUND: Worldwide, older people were more severely affected during the COVID-19 pandemic than others. In Sweden, those living in residential care facilities had the highest mortality rate, followed by those receiving home care services. The Swedish and international literature on the working environment for assistant nurses and care aides during the pandemic shows an increase in stress, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress syndromes. Care organisations were badly prepared to prevent the virus from spreading and to protect the staff from stress. In order to be better prepared for possible future pandemics, the health and well-being of the staff, the care of older people and the experiences of the staff both during and after a pandemic are important aspects to take into account. Therefore, this study aims to describe the experiences of assistant nurses and care aides working in the care of older people during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden, their working conditions and the impact all this had on their lives. METHODOLOGY: The study has a qualitative, descriptive design. The data was collected in four focus group interviews with 21 participants and analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The results revealed the theme, Being used for the greater good while fighting on the frontline, which was then divided into three categories: portrayed as a risk for older people, not being valued and being burnt out. The worsening working conditions that the pandemic contributed to resulted in a high degree of stress and risk of burnout, with staff members both wanting to and actually leaving their employment. After the pandemic they felt forgotten again and left to cope in an even worse situation than before. CONCLUSIONS: The pandemic had a major effect on assistant nurses and care aides in terms of their working environment and their private lives. To be better prepared for future pandemics or disasters, organisations with responsibility for the care of older people will need to ensure that their staff have the necessary competencies and that there is adequate staffing in place. This also means that adequate government funding and multiple interventions will be needed.

Current situation, future vision and enablers of nursing home oral healthcare in Singapore: Dentists' perspectives.

OBJECTIVES: To address the following research questions: (i) What is the current situation and future vision on oral healthcare service in nursing homes (NHs) in Singapore? (ii) What are the enablers to achieve the future vision? (iii) How do views differ between dentists with and without clinical experiences in NHs? BACKGROUND: Oral healthcare services in NHs need to reflect the perspectives of a diverse range of stakeholders and establish shared goals, however there is scarce evidence of in-depth dentists' insights. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Dentists were purposively recruited. Focus group discussions with 4-5 participants each were conducted via teleconferencing. Data were analysed thematically. RESULTS: The participants (n = 19, median 36.0 years) recognised the need of comprehensive reform of the oral healthcare paradigm in NHs: symptomatic care to preventive care, disease-oriented care to person-centred care and more active collaborative care. Overall, five domains of enabling factors emerged: (1) to improve general system of oral healthcare in NHs, (2) to increase the number of dentists engaging in NHs, (3) to improve the quality of dental practice, (4) to improve the quality of daily oral care and (5) to promote seniors' cooperative attitude to oral healthcare. There was a noticeable difference in the perception on how to encourage dentists to serve in NHs. CONCLUSION: There is a need for a comprehensive reform of the oral healthcare paradigm for seniors in NHs in Singapore. A multi-tiered strategy using both top-down and bottom-up approaches is required.

The reported experiences of internationally qualified nurses in aged care: A scoping review.

AIM: To examine the experiences of internationally qualified nurses, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, transitioning to and working in the aged care sector of high-income countries. DESIGN: A scoping review. DATA SOURCES: CINAHL, MEDLINE and PSychINFO databases were searched to find eligible literature published from January 2010 onwards. REVIEW METHODS: This scoping review was based on the framework by Arksey and O'Malley and the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The literature search was conducted by the first author, and all three authors reviewed the retrieved studies for eligibility and inclusion. RESULTS: Fourteen articles were eligible. Data was categorized into three broad themes: stress of migration and transition; miscommunication, racism and discrimination; and aged care specific challenges which included two sub-themes 'shock of aged care' and 'bottom care'. CONCLUSION: Internationally qualified nurses, particularly if they are culturally and linguistically diverse, face unique stresses and challenges in aged care and face barriers in the recognition of skills and qualifications. The under-utilization of skills is not only a loss in terms of patient care but is linked to fears of de-skilling, losing professional development and opportunities for career progression. IMPACT: Internationally qualified nurses are positioned as a solution to aged care shortages in high-income countries; however, there is a scarcity of research exploring their experiences. In the context of the global aged care staffing crisis, an understanding of the stresses and challenges faced by internationally qualified nurses will further strengthen efforts to recruit, support and retain skilled nurses in aged care.

Working alliance in treating staff and patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder living in Residential Facilities.

OBJECTIVES: Working Alliance (WA) is important in the care of patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSD). This study aims to determine which sociodemographic and clinical factors are associated with WA, as assessed by patients and staff members in Residential Facilities (RFs), and may predict WA dyads' discrepancies. METHODS: Three hundred and three SSD patients and 165 healthcare workers were recruited from 98 RFs and characterized for sociodemographic features. WA was rated by the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI) for patients (WAI-P) and staff members (WAI-T). SSD patients were assessed for the severity of psychopathology and psychosocial functioning. RESULTS: Pearson's correlation revealed a positive correlation (ρ = .314; p < .001) between WAI-P and WAI-T ratings. Linear regression showed that patients with higher education reported lower WAI-P ratings (ß = -.50, p = .044), while not being engaged in work or study was associated with lower WAI-T scores (ß = -4.17, p = .015). A shorter lifetime hospitalization was associated with higher WAI-P ratings (ß = 5.90, p = .008), while higher psychopathology severity negatively predicted WAI-T (ß = -.10, p = .002) and WAI-P ratings (ß = -.19, p < .001). Better functioning level positively foresaw WAI-T (ß = .14, p < .001) and WAI-P ratings (ß = .12, p < .001). Regarding discrepancies, staff members' age was associated with higher dyads discrepancy in Total scale and Agreement subscale scores, which were also associated with more severe negative symptoms, while patients' age was negatively correlated to Relationship subscale discrepancy. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides insight into the factors that influence WA in SSD patients and health workers in RFs. The findings address interventions to improve WA and ultimately patient outcomes.

Practices countering resident-to-resident aggression and promoting wellness care for older adults in congregate residential facilities: results from a systematic review.

Resident-to-resident aggression (RRA) is an important issue in congregate residential facilities (CRFs) for older adults and has devastating effects. This study aimed to provide an inventory and content analysis of the practices used to counter RRA and promote wellness care for older adults in CRFs. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, original, peer-reviewed research and systematic reviews published in 14 electronic databases and two gray literature sources were examined. Of the 6196 articles identified, 28 met the inclusion criteria. Practices aimed to prevent, track or intervene in RRA, mostly in long-term care centers, but few were evidence-based and ready for widespread implementation. It emerges that continuous training of staff is necessary and that it should prioritize a person-centered approach. CRFs' managers must promote a culture of wellness care and policymakers should consider the prevention practices to improve the quality of life of older adults in CRFs.

Clarity and adaptability of instructions preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus and its association with individual and organisational factors regarding the psychosocial work environment: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: In Sweden, older people in residential care had the highest mortality rates, followed by those who received home care, during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Staff working in the care of older people assumed responsibility for preventing the spread of the virus despite lacking the prerequisites and training. This study aimed to investigate the psychosocial work environment during the COVID-19 pandemic among staff in the care of older people and examine the factors associated with staff's perceptions of the clarity of instructions and the ability to follow them. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was employed using a web survey. The staff's perceptions of their psychosocial environment were analysed using descriptive statistics. The association between organisational and individual factors, as well as the degree of clarity of the instructions and the staff's ability to follow them, were assessed using multivariate (ordinal) regression analysis. RESULTS: The main findings show that perceptions of the clarity and adaptability of the instructions were primarily correlated with organisational factors, as higher responses (positive) for the subscales focusing on role clarity, support and encouragement in leadership at work were associated with the belief that the instructions were clear. Similarly, those indicating high job demands and high individual learning demands were less likely to report that the instructions were clear. Regarding adaptability, high scores for demands on learning and psychological demands were correlated with lower adaptability, while high scores for role clarity, encouraging leadership and social support, were associated with higher adaptability. CONCLUSIONS: High job demands and individual learning demands were demonstrated to decrease the staff's understanding and adoption of instructions. These findings are significant on an organisational level since the work environment must be prepared for potential future pandemics to promote quality improvement and generally increase patient safety and staff health.

Typology of Dementia-Specific Care Units: A Nationwide Survey Study in Germany.

Background and Objectives: Dementia-specific care units vary in their organizational characteristics and are difficult to compare in empirical studies. Based on a representative sample of care units in German nursing homes, we present a typology of organizational characteristics focusing on dementia-specific care structures. We also examine the relationships between organizational types and the provision of nonpharmacological interventions for people with dementia. Research Design and Methods: Data were collected in a Germany-wide survey of a stratified randomized sample of 134 care units using a standardized questionnaire administered during telephone interviews with nursing home administrators or their representatives. The typology was developed based on a factor analysis of mixed data and a hierarchical cluster analysis. Results: We identified 4 types of care units: Dementia Care Units (DCUs; n = 40), Dementia Special Care Units (DSCUs; n = 17), Usual Separated Care Units (n = 58), and Usual Incorporated Care Units (n = 19). All care unit types clearly differed in their organizational characteristics. The specialization of DSCUs was agreed upon with cost bearers and included admission criteria, higher costs, and better staff conditions. Dementia Care Units without specialization did not have these characteristics. Three of seven nonpharmacological interventions were associated with the DSCUs and two with DCUs, but not with the other care unit types. Discussion and Implications: Researchers can use the typology to define and describe care units in empirical studies and improve the understanding and comparability of the context. A clear definition of care units also improves international comparisons.

Family visits and depression among residential aged care residents: An integrative review.

BACKGROUND: Depression in older people living in residential aged care is a serious and highly prevalent health issue, with loneliness and social isolation being major contributors. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the harm visiting restrictions have on the mental wellbeing of older people in residential aged care. However, there is a need to systematically review the relationship between family visits and depression in this population. OBJECTIVE: This literature review seeks to explore the association between family visits and depression among those living in residential aged care. METHODS: An integrative review was conducted in March 2022, based on a search of seven databases from inception to 2022. Papers were included if the studies were situated in a residential aged care facility and explored the impact of in-person family visits on depression of residents. Those that examined impact of family visits on community-dwelling older people and papers examining virtual family visits were excluded. The quality of the included papers was assessed using appropriate critical appraisal tools. Guided by the aim of this study, the included papers were narratively synthesised and presented thematically (PROSPERO ID CRD42022325895). RESULTS: Ten papers, published between 1991 and 2022, were included in the final synthesis. Multiple categorisations of frequency of visits and different scales were used to assess depression. Depression among residents in aged care facilities varied from 20 % to 58.7 % with 40 % of studies showing a positive association between the frequency of family visits and lower rate of depression. Three themes influencing the association between family visits and depression in residential aged care were identified. These were: (i) intersection of culture, filial values, and depression; (ii) resident-related factors including whether admission was voluntary and presence of functional impairment; and (iii) non-resident-related factors such as social activities for residents and staff involvement. CONCLUSION: Family visits ameliorated loneliness and depression among residents in aged care however, other factors such as culture, comorbidities and functional impairment, opportunities for socialisation and the social involvement of facility staff also influenced depression. Whilst the low number of studies reviewed limited comparison and generalisation of results, the review highlighted the broader and crucial role of healthcare staff in facilitating socialisation and promoting mental wellbeing of residents especially those who are not visited by families. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Family visits ameliorate depression in institutionalised older people but may not be the "silver bullet" as depression is multifactorial.

Factors associated with entry to residential care in frail older inpatients.

OBJECTIVE: To examine factors that may influence the risk of discharge to a residential aged care facility (RACF) in a population of frail older inpatients. METHODS: We analysed data from 5846 inpatients aged over 60 years from 27 hospitals in Queensland, Australia, admitted from independent living and referred for geriatric consultation. Patients underwent an interRAI Acute Care Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment by trained nurses. Frailty was assessed using a 52-item frailty index (FI). Risk/protective factors were determined a priori. Logistic regression assessed the relationship between factors and discharge destination, adjusted for FI, age, sex and hospital. Frailty × risk/protective factor interactions were performed. RESULTS: Patients had a mean (SD) age of 79.7 (8.2) years and a mean (SD) FI of 0.44 (0.14). Twenty-nine per cent (n = 1678) of patients were discharged to an RACF. Each 0.1 increment in FI increased the risk of discharge to an RACF by 54% (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.40-1.68, p < 0.01). Being married or in a de facto relationship had protective effects up to an FI of 0.7, whereas behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) increased the risk of RACF discharge up to an FI of 0.7. Female sex, faecal incontinence and living alone did not influence the relationship between frailty and discharge destination. CONCLUSIONS: The association between frailty and discharge to RACF has previously been recognised but here we found that risk and protective factors can influence this association. Whether early identification and management of mutable factors can reduce discharge to RACF should be addressed in future studies.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Psychiatric Rehabilitation in Residential Facilities: Perspectives of Staff and Residents.

The coronavirus pandemic imposed significant changes in the care of patients in psychiatric residential facilities, especially during lockdown periods. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the pandemic on patients and staff of psychiatric residential facilities (RFs). This cross-sectional survey was conducted between 30 June and 30 July 2021 and involved 31 RFs located in the province of Verona (Italy). In total, 170 staff members and 272 residents participated in this study. Staff showing clinically significant symptoms of anxiety, depression and burnout were, respectively, 7.7%, 14.2% and 6%. Staff were concerned about the risk that COVID-19 infection might spread among residents (67.6%) and that residents could not receive an acceptable service due to service reconfiguration because of the pandemic (50.3%). Residents found it very unpleasant not to be permitted to attend family members (85.3%), and not to be allowed to engage in outdoor activities due to the restrictions (84%). Both staff and residents agree that the main problematic areas for the residents was the interdiction to meet family members or friends and the interdiction to outdoor activities, whereas problems related to the COVID-19 infection were considered by the staff members as more frequently problematic than reported by residents. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the rehabilitation care and recovery journeys of the residents of psychiatric RFs. Therefore, sustained, and careful attention is needed to ensure that the rehabilitation needs of people with severe mental disorders are not neglected in time of pandemics. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40737-023-00343-6.