Linking Social Cohesion to Biological Markers of Aging: Evidence From the National Health and Aging Trends Study.

Social cohesion, a measure of community belonging, and inflammatory biomarkers, like interleukin-6 (IL-6) and c-reactive protein (CRP), have emerged as significant factors influencing age-related chronic conditions and functional decline among older adults. Understanding the link between social cohesion and inflammation is particularly relevant in aging populations, as with age, social networks often diminish, and the prevalence of inflammatory conditions increases. Using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), we assessed the relationship between low social cohesion and IL-6 and CRP.

A pilot, randomized, feasibility study to improve health self-management behaviors in older adults with multiple chronic conditions and functional limitations: Protocol for the Behavioral Activation and Occupational Therapy Trial (BA+OT).

Background: Approximately 45% of older adults in the U.S. have 2 or more chronic health conditions (e.

The Relationship between Personal and Contextual Factors and Participation Restriction in Mid-Life Caregivers.

Objectives: Mid-life family caregivers (CGs) are at risk for participation restriction, which can worsen quality of care for care recipients (CR) and increase CG burden and poor health. We aimed to identify factors associated with participation restriction in mid-life CGs.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of CGs aged 40-64 years ( = 1100) from the 2015 cohort of the National Study of Caregiving (NSOC)/National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS).

The Roles of Busyness and Daily Routine in Medication Management Behaviors Among Older Adults.

Busyness (the density of activities) and daily routine (patterns of organizing time) are two understudied factors that likely impact medication-taking behaviors. We examined the association between busyness and routine with medication adherence (MA) in 405 older adults with adequate cognition using multivariable models. The final model included an interaction term between daily routine and busyness.

Key recommendations from the 2021 "inclusion of older adults in clinical research" workshop.

Older adults are often underrepresented in clinical research, even though older adults are major consumers of novel therapies. We present major themes and recommendations from the 2021 "Inclusion of Older Adults in Clinical Research" Workshop, convened by the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Inclusion of Older Adults as a Model for Special Populations Workgroup and the Research Centers Collaborative Network (RCCN). The goal of this workshop was to develop strategies to assist the research community in increasing the inclusion of older adults in clinical research.

Chronic condition clusters and associated disability over time.

Objectives: Recent evidence shows that more complex clusters of chronic conditions are associated with poorer health outcomes. Less clear is the extent to which these clusters are associated with different types of disability (activities of daily living (ADL) and functional mobility (FM)) over time; the aim of this study was to investigate this relationship.

Methods: This was a longitudinal analysis using the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) ( = 6179).

The experience of type 2 diabetes: Application of the Model of Human Occupation.

Introduction: Integrating type 2 diabetes (T2DM) self-care behaviors into daily life is complex and poorly understood. Occupational therapists, as experts in life context, habits, roles, and routines, can foster new ways of understanding and promoting daily engagement in T2DM self-care. The Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), a conceptual practice model, may have applicability to better understanding the experience of living with T2DM and engaging in necessary self-care behaviors.

Exploring Occupational Therapists' Experiences in U.S. Primary Care Settings: A Qualitative Study.

Importance: Occupational therapy's scope of practice aligns with the goals of comprehensive primary care set forth by the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Pub. L. 111-148).

Multimorbidity groups based on numbers of chronic conditions are associated with daily activity.

Objective: Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) are important for managing multiple chronic conditions (MCC) and maintaining independence while aging. Using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), we answered the question: are there differences in ability and performance of IADL among groups of older adults with 0-1 (no MCC), 2-4 (low MCC), and 5+ chronic conditions (multisystem morbidity: MM)?

Methods: Cross-sectional study using Poisson regression and incidence rate ratios. Participants were 6,019 community-dwelling older adults who regularly take medications.

Depression and polypharmacy are risk factors for activity limitation in type 2 diabetes.

Objectives: Individuals with type 2 diabetes are at risk for deficits in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL: e.g., managing medication, preparing healthy meals).

Health-related quality of life changes after the merging yoga and occupational therapy for Parkinson's disease program: A mixed-methods study.

Background: To understand changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after the Merging Yoga and Occupational Therapy for Parkinson's Disease (MY-OT for PD) program.

Materials And Methods: We used a mixed-methods convergent design and administered the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-8 (PDQ-8), a measure of HRQoL, with 17 participants. We considered scores 8 weeks before MY-OT for PD, just before, and upon completion.

The Relationship between Quality of Life, Activity and Participation among People with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

The cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between quality of life, activity, and participation in 93 adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus at a primary care center. Moderately strong correlations were found between quality of life and leisure/work, outdoor and social activities, but not with domestic activities. Leisure/work, outdoor, and social activities accounted for 18% of the variance in the quality of life variables.

Relating Activity and Participation Levels to Glycemic Control, Emergency Department Use, and Hospitalizations in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes.

Participation in domestic, leisure, work, and community-based activities may relate to glycemic control, emergency department use, and hospitalizations in individuals with type 2 diabetes and low socioeconomic status. This study sought to determine how such role-related activity levels relate to A1C, emergency department use, and hospitalizations.

Yoga improves quality of life and fall risk-factors in a sample of people with chronic pain and Type 2 Diabetes.

Objective: Assess pre to-post outcomes for people with chronic pain and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) randomized to an 8-week yoga intervention or usual care.

Methods: Participants were included if they self-reported: chronic pain; T2DM; >18 years old; no exercise restrictions or consistent yoga; and consented to the study.

Results: After yoga, there were significant improvements in: Brief Pain Inventory pain interference (49 ± 15.