JOURNAL OF GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS

The Dementia Caregiver Toolbox: a synchronous video pilot intervention to boost role preparedness and self-efficacy

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Most dementia caregivers receive no formal training. Although dementia caregivers want information to help them prepare for their new role, they often have difficulty finding the information they seek. The Dementia Caregiver Toolbox, a structured, synchronous 10-week telehealth intervention, was designed to boost dementia caregiver role preparedness and self-efficacy by providing broad education about dementia, introduction to skills to help caregivers provide care, and information about available dementia caregiver resources. In this pilot study, we evaluated feasibility, acceptability, and benefits of The Dementia Caregiver Toolbox using a single-arm design. Of 48 eligible dementia caregivers, 32 enrolled in the intervention and 22 completed all data collection sessions. Self-reported satisfaction was high for all aspects of the caregiver experience. Role preparedness and self-efficacy increased from baseline to post-treatment, with medium to large effect sizes (d = 0.74 and d = 0.94, respectively). The current results provide preliminary support for a synchronous video intervention for dementia caregivers.

Older adults’ perception and Readiness Toward Telepharmacy Services: a crosssectional study from Malaysia

Muhammad Eid Akkawi, Husnul Khatimah Natasha Tajul Arifin — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 10:29:32 +0000

Introduction. Despite a growing trend in Malaysians using telepharmacy, older adults’ knowledge and perception on telehealth remains unexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the Malaysian older adults’ perception, knowledge and preparedness concerning telepharmacy services.
Method. A cross-sectional study was conducted among Malaysian citizens ≥ 60 years, living in Kuantan with chronic diseases and at least three months of medication history. A questionnaire was developed, translated to Malay language and then validated before being used. Mann Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis test and multiple regression analysis were performed using SPSS version 22.
Results. The study involved 332 participants with a median age of 66.5 years. The study revealed gaps in knowledge and experience about telepharmacy services. While most participants expressed positive perceptions, concerns regarding effectiveness and social aspects of the services were noted. Despite high willingness to utilize all telepharmacy services, only 36.4% were willing to pay for the services. On the other hand, the majority (78.6%) owned technology devices, and 58.4% had advanced online experience, indicating readiness for telepharmacy use. Age and education level significantly influenced perceptions, with higher education levels and younger age positively impacting perception.
Conclusions. Older adults have an overall positive perception about telepharmacy with willingness to use its services. However, most of them still believe that traditional method is more effective and safer than telepharmacy. Future research should aim to develop targeted interventions to increase knowledge and understanding of telepharmacy services. Also, implementing affordable pricing telepharmacy services may enhance the accessibility of these services.

Aerobic training versus mobile application based cognitive training: impact on cognition, aerobic capacity, and quality of life of older adults – An experimental study

Dhara Sharma, Megha Sheth, Disha Dalal — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 10:36:05 +0000

Objective. India is undergoing population ageing, with 7.7% of its population being more than 60 years old. Ageing brings age related degenerative changes which can bring cognitive impairments. Aerobic exercise is an effective intervention. Cognitive rehabilitation through mobile phone application is relatively unexplored. This study is carried out to compare the effect of aerobic exercise and mobile application training on cognition, aerobic capacity and quality of life of older adults.
Methods. 32 participants, 60-75 years of age, eligible to perform aerobic activities and having smart phone were enrolled. Those who had associated neurological conditions, or problem with vision and hearing, were excluded. ACE-III, NCPT, 6MWT and QoL-AD were analysed and those with Mild Cognitive Impairments were randomly allocated to two groups. Group one was given moderate intensity aerobic training for 30 minutes, five days/week, for eight weeks. Group two was given cognitive training through mobile application Lumosity. Participants were asked to achieve daily targets and were made to play it for eight weeks. Follow up of all the outcome measures was taken after eight weeks.
Results. All four outcomes show significant improvement for within group analysis (p < 0.05). In between group analysis, no significant difference between the groups for cognition (p = 0.42) and quality of life (p = 0.92). Aerobic capacity showed significant difference in between group analysis (p < 0.01).
Conclusions. Both aerobic capacity and mobile app training are equally effective for improving cognition and quality of life in older adults with MCI. Aerobic training group showed more improvement compared mobile training application group.

Fall-related mortality in older persons during the COVID-19 pandemic

Camilla Mattiuzzi, Fabian Sanchis-Gomar, Giuseppe Lippi — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 10:40:33 +0000

Backgrounds and purpose. The indirect effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on human health have gone beyond direct biological injury. We have hence investigated whether the fall-related mortality rate among older people may have been amplified during the early phase of the pandemic.
Methods. We conducted an electronic search of the US CDC Wonder online database to determine the fall-related mortality of older persons in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic, using the specific ICD-10 codes W01, W03, W05, W06, W07, W08 and W10.
Results. A consistent trend toward an increase in fall-related mortality was found for the three age groups we examined (65-74; 75-84; ≥ 85 years) between 2018 and 2021, with the largest increase observed in persons aged 85 years or older.
Conclusions. The increased risk of dying from falls recorded after the first year of the pandemic requires social and health interventions aimed at halting or even reversing physical and mental decline in the elderly.