Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing eNewsletter
August 2009  
Greetings!

Welcome to the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing's August 2009 eNewsletter featuring articles, reference materials, useful links, calendar of events and other best practice information on the care of older adults.

This eNewsletter is sponsored by ConsultGeriRN.org.

ConsultGeriRN.org is the authoritative geriatric clinical nursing website of the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, New York University College of Nursing and the NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders) program, (www.nicheprogram.org). ConsultGeriRN.org contains evidence-based protocols and topics for nurses and other healthcare professionals on the care of older adults. Content is updated regularly.

We would like to hear from you!

If you have a geriatric-related story, topic or an event you would like featured in our newsletter, please send your request to editor@consultgerirn.org.
 

Do You Know Enough About Mealtime Difficulties?

The adequate intake of nutrients is necessary to maintain physical and emotional health. Mealtime is an opportunity not only to ingest nutrients but also to maintain critical social aspects of life. The quality of mealtime is an indicator of quality of life and care of an individual.

Mealtime difficulties can have multiple causes from both physiological and psychological origins. Health professionals need to consider multiple etiologies and not assume that difficulties are related only to increased confusion from a cognitive decline.
Learn more about "Mealtime Difficulties" with references and resources by visiting ConsultGeriRN.org.
 

Hartford Institute Forums

Announcing a new section in our forums!

We've recently added a section called 'Geriatric News' to our forums. 'Geriatric News' will feature the latest news and articles from several journals which regularly feature geriatric related content. The journals currently featured are:

  • American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
  • Geriatric Nursing Journal
  • Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
  • Journal of American Medical Directors Association

We hope you will find this new section to be useful. If you have questions or comments concerning a specific news item in the future, you should post a thread in the General Discussion area of the forums, being sure to include a link to the news item referenced within the opening post.
View the 'Geriatric News' section!
 

How to Try This:® Series

Medication Usage

Topic Resources:
Medication Usage

View Article        View Video

Videos can be watched in their entire format, or in chapters that relate to the specific assessment skills described above. Continuing education hours are also offered.
View more information about the series and topics covered.
The Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults assessment instrument highlights specific medications whose risks to older adults may outweigh their benefits. Nurses can use the criteria to evaluate medications for risks that warrant follow-up with older adults in various settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and private homes.

The How to Try This:® series is funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation to the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing at New York University's College of Nursing in collaboration with the American Journal of Nursing (AJN). This initiative translates the evidence-based geriatric assessment tools in the Try This Assessment Series into cost-free, web-based print and video resources, for caring for older adults. This series can be viewed, downloaded, and shared without any fees. Articles may be printed and copied for educational use without copyright fees. View more information
 

Sound Off! - AGESTRONG

Deb Chyun Deborah A. Chyun, PhD, RN, FAHA
Associate Director
Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing
New York University College of Nursing

During the final round of the British Open this year, Tom Watson missed a birdie putt on the 18th hole setting in motion the end of his bid to be the oldest golfer to win a major championship. Remarkably, just days short of his 60th birthday, he would have beaten the record by 11 years! Think of Dara Torres competing in the Beijing Olympics and bringing home the Silver medal in the 50 freestyle and Lance Armstrong again competing in this year's Tour de France. Torres competes despite arthritis and Armstrong successfully beat testicular cancer. Certainly, these are elite athletes and our interest lies not in winning times and trophies, but in preventing disability and risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Should we not be doing more to promote the cognitive and physical benefits of an active lifestyle in older adults? Recent physical activity recommendations highlight the need for moderate-intensity aerobic activity in combination with resistance exercise and activities that promote flexibility and balance (1,2). Let's help everyone be a winner by aiming to reduce sedentary behavior in older adults!

  1. Nelson et al., Physical activity and public health in older adults, Circulation, 2007; 116:1094-1105.
  2. Marwick et al., Exercise training for type 2 diabetes: Impact on cardiovascular risk, Circulation, 2009;119:3224-3262.

What are your thoughts and ideas on this subject? Respond to us on our Hartford Institute forums!
  The Center for Excellence in Assisted Living Logo

The Center for Excellence in Assisted Living (CEAL) News

The Center for Excellence in Assisted Living (CEAL) celebrates its fifth year anniversary this year. To mark this important milestone, CEAL has established the Promoting Excellence in Assisted Living Awards Program. Applications will be accepted from July 1 - August 31, 2009.


One awardee will be chosen in each of the following six categories:
  • Person-Centered Care
  • Workforce
  • Dementia
  • Health and Special Care Needs
  • Environment/Design
  • Affordable Assisted Living
Submit and application for a CEAL award.

CEAL-UNC Collaborative Publishes Unique Manual

The Center for Excellence in Assisted Living (CEAL) and the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research/University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) are announcing publication of a first-of-its-kind manual to improving practices and informing policies in assisted living communities through the use of a collaborative method of research - community-based participatoryresearch (CBPR).

"The information contained in the manual is especially important for assisted living and other long-term care professions to learn about as they can initiate CBPR projects on areas to better guide their practices." - Dave Kyllo, Chair of CEAL.
Download the manual from the CEAL website homepage.
 

NICHE Clinical Organizational Models

NICHE: Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders Clinical Organizational Models are a series of modules that provide a roadmap to facilitate system-level adoption of clinical best practices. The NICHE Clinical Organizational Models utilize a four phase systematic process (described in the Overview) which guides you in research, planning, implementation, and evaluation phases of model development and implementation. Each module is written by experts in the field and supplemented by selected materials and expertise from experienced NICHE sites.
  • Chapter 1: Clinical Organizational Models Overview
  • Chapter 2: Restraint Reduction Program
  • Chapter 3: Pressure Ulcer Prevention Program
  • Chapter 4: Reducing the Risk of Fall-Related Injuries
The NICHE Clinical Organizational Models are a member-only resource.

Learn about becoming a NICHE member.

Link to ConsultGeriRN.org!
hartfordign.org   nicheprogram.org   consultgerirn.org
Email Marketing by