by Bruce Walmsley  and Lynne McCormack

Received: 23 June 2018;  Published: 08 October 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1804013

Background: Minimal research investigates negative and positive perspectives of wellbeing in families, when a member with dementia is limited in their speech, or speech is absent. Methods: Seeking to explore this phenomenon further, semi-structured interviews sought negative and positive subjective interpretations from 27 family carers (mild to profound dementia). Interviews explored the participants' experience of changing relational and social engagement when a family member lives with dementia. Data were analyse [...]

by Tiffany Field

Received: 28 April 2018;  Published: 25 September 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1803012

This narrative review is based on literature searches of PubMed and PsycINFO using the terms online dating in older adults. The papers that met inclusion criteria include content analyses of online dating profiles and interviews with online dating individuals. The issues that emerged from this literature included online versus off-line advantages and disadvantages, online profile characteristics that differ by age and gender and online use problems. Online versus off-line dating older adults have reputedly experien [...]

by Kevin T Ong

Received: 15 May 2018;  Published: 03 September 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1803011

Amyloid positron emission tomography (PET), fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are three modalities in the imaging of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This article reviews the experience and data obtained from AD research using these techniques to understand the natural history of AD and to enhance therapeutic trials. It is now realised that their use can improve early detection of AD, and has opened a new corridor which may lead toward successful treatment.

by Ezekiel Ijaopo  and Ruth Ijaopo

Received: 26 April 2018;  Published: 27 August 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1803010

With increased life expectancy coupled with falling birth rate, issues concerning population ageing have vital outcomes and effects for all aspects of human life particularly as it relates to older people’s health and health care. Among these issues are oral health diseases which present as major public health concerns and constitute significant burden to all regions of the world. FDI World Dental Federation in 2018, states that 90% of the entire world’s population will be afflicted by oral health problems in their [...]

by Loren Pickart  and Anna Margolina

Received: 08 June 2018;  Published: 14 August 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1803009

Background: Stem cell technology is a promising research area with a potential to create effective therapies for many degenerative diseases. However, to apply stem cell technology, we need to be able to identify and understand mechanisms that distinguish healthy regeneration processes from processes, which may result in chronic inflammation, scarring, fibrosis or cancer. GHK-Cu (glycine-L-histidine-lysine) is a small copper-binding peptide, which has a remarkable and well-documented ability to improve wound healing [...]

by James S. Powers  , Michelle Moseley  , Lovely Abraham  , Jennifer Buckner  , Nkechi Azubike  and Catherine Xie

Received: 21 May 2018;  Published: 13 August 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1803008

Background: A Veterans Health Administration (VHA) patient centered medical home, the Geriatric Patient- Aligned Care Team (GeriPACT). Methods: Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles regarding strategy, resource development, patient and caregiver experience of care, and clinical care process improvement. Stakeholder engagement for half-time operation with initial grant support for personnel who also had collateral duties. Tracking of operations data. Results: The clinic population grew from 200 to 627 over a 7-year period [...]

by Kazushige Kimura  , James F. Reichert  , Omid Ranjbar Pouya  , Ahmad Byagowi  , Xikui Wang  , Debbie M. Kelly  and Zahra Moussavi

Received: 25 May 2018;  Published: 09 August 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1803007

Background: In this paper, we describe the design of a virtual environment (VE) using Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) to scan and replicate a real environment (RE) in a virtual domain. Compared to using a CAD software, SLAM allows for the replication of an RE quite easily and quickly. Methods: To test the user’s performance in a SLAM-based VE, we developed an immersive virtual reality setup using a specialized wheelchair (VRNChair) and a head mounted display (Oculus Rift DK2), and employed a knowledge [...]

by Shoshana H. Bardach  , Christina Moore  , Sarah D. Holmes  , Richard R. Murphy  , Allison Gibson  and Gregory A. Jicha

Received: 15 June 2018;  Published: 26 July 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1803006

Background: Given the stigma and fear associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), combined with the progressive nature of the disease, the diagnosis of AD or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is often very difficult; yet, there may still be ways to experience some positive outcomes following diagnosis. We aim to assess the psychological impact of a diagnosis of MCI or early dementia on positive well-being. Methods: Individuals with a diagnosis of MCI or AD were mailed surveys with the Silver-Lining Questionnaire. Resul [...]

by Florence Durand  , Noomane Bouaziz  , Sonia Braha-Zeitoun  , Clémence Isaac  , Palmyre Schenin-King Andrian  and Dominique Januel

Received: 12 March 2018;  Published: 11 June 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1802005

Background: Mild Cognitive Impairment [MCI] is a transition stage between normal aging and dementia. It seems to be useful to treat MCI before the onset of early dementia, though no pharmacological treatment is recommended [1]. These case studies aimed to assess the efficacy of long-term repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation [rTMS] treatment on cognition, and clinical changes, in elderly MCI patients. Methods: Three patients with MCI were treated by rTMS with different parameters of stimulation, targeting th [...]

by Michael Fossel

Received: 20 March 2018;  Published: 28 March 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1801004

All of us are intuitively aware, and many of us explicitly aware as well, of the meaning of geriatrics as a specialty. After all, most of us practice geriatrics or we have been intimately involved with this area and we are know the reality of geriatrics. Or do we? Geriatrics is an oddly ill-defined specialty when you look at it more carefully. Some of us practice medicine, some of us practice in the social sciences, and many of us simply do our jobs day-to-day and try to get by. What we share, however, is the heart [...]