by Marie Jardine  , Anna Miles  and Jacqui Allen

Received: 07 November 2020;  Published: 25 December 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2004146

Generalisations and misconceptions about ageing and swallowing can influence clinical opinion. Assumptions about swallowing function based on someone’s age risk overmedicalising or, conversely, undertreating older patients. Evidence suggests that increased prevalence of swallowing problems in older age is attributed to pathology known to affect swallowing function, or an unrelated serious illness and combination of health factors, and not ageing itself. This review highlights factors clinicians should consider when [...]

by Axel Ferreira  , Filipa Guimarães  and Paulo Simões Coelho

Received: 29 September 2020;  Published: 24 December 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2004145

We present a case of a 74-year-old woman with deep intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), probable cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), and probable antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Due to the high hemorrhagic risk, it was decided not to use anticoagulants. In a period of three months, she had two separate cerebral ischemic events and died of stroke-related complications. The use of oral anticoagulation (OAC) in this patient is neither supported nor contra-indicated by current literature, even though past medical history su [...]

by Em V. Adams  , Marieke Van Puymbroeck  , Brent L. Hawkins  and Arlene A. Schmid

Received: 19 August 2020;  Published: 22 December 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2004144

Using a qualitative approach, this study explored the perceived impacts of a therapeutic yoga intervention for individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD), and examined the beneficial components of the intervention. Eighteen individuals with PD who completed an eight-week yoga intervention participated in focus groups to determine the general effects, transference of effects, and psychosocial impact of the intervention. Additionally, programmatic aspects of the intervention were explored. A conventional content analy [...]

by Jacques De Reuck  , Florent Auger  , Nicolas Durieux  , Claude-Alain Maurage  , Vincent Deramecourt  , Charlotte Cordonnier  , Florence Pasquier  , Didier Leys  and Regis Bordet

Received: 12 October 2020;  Published: 17 December 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2004143

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is reported to be probably linked to frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). Since FTLD is characterized by severe frontotemporal degeneration along with hippocampal atrophy (HA), the present study used post-mortem 7.0-tesla magnetic resonance imaging to investigate whether a certain degree of HA occurs in the ALS brains as well. The examined post-mortem brain samples comprised 9 from the ALS cases and 17 from the age-matched controls. The hippocampus samples were examined on t [...]

by Jacques De Reuck  , Florent Auger  , Nicolas Durieux  , Claude-Alain Maurage  , Vincent Deramecourt  , Charlotte Cordonnier  , Florence Pasquier  , Didier Leys  and Regis Bordet

Received: 24 September 2020;  Published: 10 December 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2004142

The influence of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains unexplored. The present post-mortem study investigated possible differences in the degree of hippocampal atrophy (HA) between AD patients with and without CAA using 7.0-tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Also, the incidence of the hippocampal cortical micro-infarcts (HCoMIs) and hippocampal cortical micro-bleeds (HCoMBs) is compared to those in the neocortex. The examined post-mortem brains included 30 AD-CAA cases and 20 AD [...]

by Sylvie Bonin-Guillaume  and Patrice Rat

Received: 09 July 2020;  Published: 07 December 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2004141

Acute or persistent pain is a common occurrence and is often undertreated in older patients, especially those with an inability to communicate verbally (ICV). Regular comprehensive pain assessment, including self-rating and/or behavior scales, is critical but difficult to implement in routine clinical practice. The choice of the most appropriate scale for each patient is not easy, even for trained and skilled medical personnel. Indeed, the use of scales for short pain-behavior exposes to pain under-detection due to [...]

by Noorhazlina Ali  , Cai Ning Tan  , Jasmine Kang  , Aik Phon Chew  , Caroline Caroline  , Mary Lee  and Wee Shiong Lim

Received: 27 October 2020;  Published: 04 December 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2004140

A locally-adapted, multisensory, psychosocial intervention called Namaste Care program was developed to improve the daily life of persons with advanced dementia (PwAD) through arranging meaningful activities and physical interactions by healthcare staff (Namaste Carers). Congruent with Asian values, the families of PwAD were invited to participate in Namaste Care sessions. The study aimed to explore the influence of Namaste Care on cognitive status and quality of life (QOL) of PwAD, and perceptions and attitudes of [...]

by Chiara Castellani  , Emanuele Molteni  , Serena Colafrancesco  , Fabrizio Conti  , Roberta Priori  and Rossana Scrivo

Received: 13 August 2020;  Published: 18 November 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2004139

Musculoskeletal conditions represent one-third to more than one-half of all non-communicable disease multimorbidities in the elderly, worsening their disability because of pain and limited physical function, often concurring with their mental decline. Musculoskeletal conditions significantly contribute to frailty and global disability, second only to mental health conditions. Furthermore, premature mortality, generally due to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, has been documented in several rhe [...]

by Karla Caillouet  , Joshua Wludyga  and Elgin Andrews

Received: 06 May 2020;  Published: 16 November 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2004138

Research has indicated that older adult participation in resistance training provides foundational strength for performance of activities of daily living. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a six-week progressive resistance training intervention on functional fitness among community-dwelling older adults. From 2010–2015, twelve sessions of a six-week resistance training intervention included 95 community-dwelling older adult participants (37 male, 58 female; Mage=73.5+7.2). Resistance [...]

by Neha P. Gothe  and Emily Erlenbach

Received: 13 August 2020;  Published: 06 November 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2004137

Feasibility studies play a critical role in determining whether the target population is likely to engage with larger scale efficacy and effectiveness trials. Feasibility data for yoga interventions designed and conducted with older adults is limited. In this paper we present feasibility and acceptability data from an 8-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted with middle aged and older adults. Participants n=118 (Mean age: 62.0 years) were randomized to either a Hatha yoga or Stretching Control group with [...]