Effectiveness of a multimodal information technology-based hand hygiene strategies on reducing healthcare-associated infections in nursing homes: A cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Aim: To assess the effectiveness of a multimodal information technology-based hand hygiene strategy in improving knowledge, compliance, accuracy, and healthcare-associated infections density in Taiwan's nursing homes.

Background: Hand hygiene is the most effective and cost-efficient method for preventing healthcare-associated infections. However, compliance rates among healthcare workers in Taiwan remain low (3.

Development of Core Health Indicators and Integrated Health Assessment Toolkit for Older Adults With Dementia.

Background: The interaction between dementia and changes in health status accelerates the progression of dementia and health deterioration. Although health indicators exist for older adults, comprehensive ones for dementia are lacking.

Objective: To (1) establish core health indicators for older adults with dementia, (2) develop an integrated health assessment toolkit for older adults with dementia, and (3) test the feasibility and applicability of the integrated health assessment toolkit.

The Effects of Training on Older Volunteers' Skill Competency, Volunteer Motivation, Self-Efficacy, and Work Satisfaction: A Cluster Randomized Trial.

This longitudinal cluster-randomized trial investigated older volunteers' changes following a 3-month training program. A total of 156 older Taiwanese volunteers in the community care centers participated in this study (  = 80,  = 76).   Older volunteers' skills/competency and psychosocial variables were assessed at baseline, one and three months.

Inequality in Older Volunteering: Association Between Volunteer Competency and Demographic Profiles.

The present survey research investigated older people's volunteering competency relating to social inequality by exploring the latent ability profile and demographic correlates of 1,000 older volunteers in 73 community care centersin southern Taiwan. Older volunteers were classified into advanced (n = 509), basic (n = 214), and novice (n = 277) groups. Demographics examined included: individualistic characteristics (religious beliefs), resources (education; number of chronic diseases), andsocial factors (serving area and spoken language, volunteering duration, marital status, and gender).

Comparing the effects of different acupoint-stimulating therapies in mitigating post-stroke spasticity and motor dysfunction in older stroke survivors: A network meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Acupoint-stimulating therapies have often been used to manage stroke-related spasticity and motor dysfunction. However, the effects of different acupoint-stimulating therapies in older stroke survivors have been unclear. This systematic review and network meta-analysis compared the effects of different acupoint-stimulating therapies in managing spasticity and motor dysfunction in older stroke survivors.

Social Skill Abilities and Demographic Correlates of Older Volunteers.

Older age is associated with reduced social networks while social skill abilities are important assets for older people to cope with these situations. To better understand older people's social skill ability and important demographic correlates, the present cross-sectional survey research interviewed 1000 Taiwanese older volunteers from 73 community care centers. Findings of a mixed model indicated that education and serving area outweighed other demographic factors significantly correlated with older volunteers' social skill ability.

Establishing psychometric properties of the older volunteer competency scale in the community.

Aim(s): To investigate the factorial structure, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency of the Older Volunteer Competency Scale and establish its psychometric properties.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Methods: A total of 1,000 older volunteers were recruited through random sampling and asked to complete the Older Volunteer Competency Scale.

Effects of Different Mind-body Exercises in Managing Chronic Pain of Older Adults: A Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Trials.

Introduction: Mind-body exercises (MBEs) were shown to be effective in managing chronic pain among older adults in several recent studies. However, the differences in the effects of different MBEs remained unclear.

Objective: To compare the effects of different MBEs in managing chronic pain in older adults.

Effects of Temperature, Duration, and Heating Height of Foot Thermal Therapy on Sleep Quality of Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Sleep disturbances, which are common problems in older adults, often lead to cognitive decline and depression and may even increase mortality risk. Foot thermal therapy is a simple and safe approach for improving sleep and is associated with relatively few side effects. However, the effect of different operations of foot thermal therapy on sleep quality in older adults is inconclusive.

Comparing Different Stretching Exercises on Pain, Stiffness, and Physical Function Disability in Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis.

Objective: To assess and compare the effects of different stretching exercise programs on pain, stiffness, and physical function disability in older adults with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Data Sources: This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline for network meta-analysis (NMA). Relevant randomized controlled trials were identified by searching 7 databases up to December 2022.

Types of Voluntary Work and Influence of Participation for Older Volunteers: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies.

This systematic review synthesized findings on socio-demographic characteristics of older adults who engaged in formal volunteering, types of voluntary work for engagement, and the outcomes resulting from different types of voluntary work participation. Studies published in peer-reviewed journals were identified from six electronic databases. Studies were included if they: (1) involved a study sample of adults aged 65 and older or had a mean age of 65 , (2) reported any type of formal voluntary work at any setting, and (3) reported at least one influence of voluntary work on volunteers.

Acupunch Exercise Improved Muscle Mass, Hand Grip Strength, and Sleep Quality of Institutional Older Adults with Probable Sarcopenia.

This study tested the effectiveness of a 6-month vitality acupunch (VA) exercise program on muscle mass, hand grip strength, and sleep quality in institutional older adults with probable sarcopenia. A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 103 older adults were assigned to the experimental group ( = 52) and control group ( = 51) according to the institution they inhabited.

VR exergame interventions among older adults living in long-term care facilities: A systematic review with Meta-analysis.

Background: To improve the motivation toward exercise in older adults, exergames have shifted from entertainment to rehabilitation.

Objectives: To review the training focus of exergames and analyze the effectiveness of exergame training on physical, psychological, or cognitive outcomes among older adults in long-term care facilities (LTCFs).

Methods: This review followed the PRISMA guidelines.

Effects of Tabletop Games on Cognition in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Studies have shown that leisure activities, such as tabletop games, not only increase social interactions and reduce depression among older adults, but also help improve their cognitive function. However, the effects of tabletop games on cognition in older adults are yet to be comprehensively analyzed. The purpose of this study was to review and examine the effects of tabletop games on cognition in older adults.

Physical fitness and frailty status of frail older adults in long-term care facilities after acupunch exercises: A cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Background: Frailty is a complex geriatric syndrome and serves as an indicator for functional degradation in older adults. Regular exercise intervention could reduce the level of frailty and improve general physical fitness. The aim of this study was to test the effects of the Vitality Acupunch (VA) exercise on the promotion of physical fitness and the improvement of frailty status among frail older adults in long-term care facilities.

The effect of music interventions on chronic pain experienced by older adults: A systematic review.

Purpose: To synthesize results from multiple studies to determine the effects of music interventions on chronic pain in older adults.

Design: This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline to identify and select studies.

Methods: Relevant studies were identified from nine electronic databases.

Psychometric Properties of the High-Need Community-Dwelling Older Adults Screening Scale.

This study aimed to verify the factorial structure, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and discriminant validity of the High-need Community-dwelling Older Adults Screening Scale (HCOASS). A 20-item HCOASS covering five domains was used with a systematic random sample of 818 community-dwelling older adults. After the analyses, the Exploratory Factor Analysis suggested a removal of two items, resulting in 5 domains with 18 items, and the Confirmatory Factor Analysis yielded satisfactory results with Goodness of Fit Index of .

Polypharmacy and pattern of medication use in community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review.

Aim: To synthesise current study findings on the diseases and the corresponding medications that are potentially associated with polypharmacy in community-dwelling older adults.

Background: Polypharmacy is receiving increased attention as a potential problem for the older population. Although several scientific investigations have studied polypharmacy, most of them were carried out in long-term care facilities or mixed settings rather than in community settings solely.

Dietary patterns and depression risk in older adults: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Context: Diet may be one of the modifiable environmental factors that could reduce depressive symptoms or abate the development of depression without side effects. However, previous reviews mainly focused on general adult populations.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to explore the association between healthy dietary patterns and depression risk in older adults.

Rural gifted students who are deaf or hard of hearing: how electronic technology can help.

Electronic technology can be used to overcome many of the barriers and other factors that restrict delivery of services to rural schools; it can also expand the world of rural gifted students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Online college and high school Web sites that offer courses are listed, as well as a Web site for tutoring and one offering help for teachers of rural gifted students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Recommendations are made for ways that legislatures and rural school districts can make Internet resources and assistive technology more widely available in rural educational settings.