Dataset Information

Enriched gardens improve cognition and independence of nursing home residents with dementia: a pilot controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Dementia is a major issue worldwide, and considerable efforts were made to design therapeutic mediation tools and evaluate their benefits on the health of patients.

Methods

Design: Multi-center cluster-controlled pilot trial.

Settings and participants

Four nursing homes that offered separated access to one conventional sensory garden (CSG) and one enriched garden (EG). The participants were residents with dementia, independent for walking and with no severe dementia or behavioural troubles. Eligible residents were divided into three groups according to the proximity of their room: close to the CSG or EG gardens for the first two groups and further from the gardens for the third (control) group.

Interventions

We asked staff members to frequently invite residents to visit the EG or the CSG depending on their group allocation. No invitation to gardens was made to the control group. We installed 12 enrichment modules in the EG that stimulated cognitive, independence and walking/balance functions.

Measures

Cognitive function (MMSE), independence for activities of daily living (ADL) and risk of falls (unipodal stance and timed up and go - (TUG)) were assessed at baseline and after 6 months.

Results

The 120 participants were 81·0 ± 3·5 years old and comprised of 83 women. Their MMSE score was 17·5 ± 2·9. Patients' characteristics were not significantly different between the three groups. Among the participants invited to visit the EG group, 6-month changes in MMSE showed improvement compared to other groups (+ 0·93 ± 0·65 vs -0·25 ± 0·71 and -0·24 ± 0·73 in the EG vs CSG and control groups, respectively, P < 0·0001). Changes in ADL, TUG and unipodal stance were significantly improved in the group visiting the EG as compared to other groups, which indicates better functioning.

Conclusions

EGs offer a new approach to therapeutic mediation for residents of nursing homes with dementia.

SUBMITTER: Bourdon E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8207740 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:Background/aimsEnsuring fidelity to a behavioral intervention implemented in nursing homes requires awareness of the unique considerations of this setting for research. The purpose of this article is to describe the goals of care cluster-randomized trial and the methods used to monitor and promote fidelity to a goals of care decision aid intervention delivered in nursing homes.MethodsThe cluster randomized trial tested whether a decision aid for goals of care in advanced dementia could improve (1) the quality of communication and decision-making, (2) the quality of palliative care, and (3) the quality of dying for nursing home residents with advanced dementia. In 11 intervention nursing homes, family decision-makers for residents with advanced dementia received a two-component intervention: viewing a video decision aid about goals of care choices and then participating in a structured decision-making discussion with the nursing home care plan team, ideally within 3 months after the decision aid was viewed. Following guidelines from the National Institutes of Health Behavior Change Consortium, fidelity was assessed in study design, in nursing home staff training for intervention implementation, and in monitoring and receipt of the intervention. We also monitored the content and timing of goals of care discussions.ResultsInvestigators enrolled 151 family decision-maker/resident dyads in intervention sites; of those, 136 (90%) received both components of the intervention, and 92%-99% of discussions addressed each of four recommended content areas-health status, goals of care, choice of a goal, and treatment planning. A total of 94 (69%) of the discussions between family decision-makers and the nursing home care team were completed within 3 months.ConclusionThe methods we used for intervention fidelity allowed nursing home staff to implement a goals of care decision aid intervention for advanced dementia. Key supports for implementation included design features that aligned with nursing home practice, efficient staff training, and a structured guide for goals of care discussions between family decision-makers and staff. These approaches may be used to promote fidelity to behavioral interventions in future clinical trials.

Project description:ObjectivesImproving function is an important outcome of postacute care in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), but cognitive impairment can limit a resident's ability to improve during a postacute care stay. Our objective was to examine the association between residents' cognitive status on admission and change in self-care and mobility during a Medicare-covered SNF stay.DesignRetrospective analysis of Medicare beneficiaries who had a new SNF stay between January and June 2017.SettingSNFs in the United States.ParticipantsNewly admitted residents with Medicare-covered SNF stays between January and June 2017 (n = 246 395).MeasurementsResidents' self-care and mobility at SNF admission and discharge were determined using items from Section GG (eating, oral hygiene, toileting hygiene, sit to lying, lying to sitting, sit to stand, chair/bed transfer, and toilet transfer) of the Minimum Data Set. Residents were classified as cognitively intact, mildly impaired, moderately impaired, or severely impaired, according to the Cognitive Function Scale. Multivariable regression models controlling for residents' demographic and clinical characteristics and SNF fixed effects were used to identify residents whose discharge scores for self-care and mobility were better or the same as expected according to their cognitive status on admission.ResultsResidents who were cognitively impaired on admission had lower functional status on admission and were less likely to improve in self-care and mobility compared with residents who were cognitively intact. Approximately 63% of residents who were cognitively intact had discharge scores for self-care and mobility that were better or the same as expected compared with 45% of residents with severe cognitive impairment.ConclusionsCognitive impairment is associated with poorer self-care and mobility function among SNF residents. These findings have important implications for clinicians, who may need additional support when caring for residents with cognitive impairment to make the same improvements in functional status as residents who are cognitively intact. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:553-557, 2019.

Project description:Clinicians struggle with whether to prescribe osteoporosis medications for fracture prevention for older nursing home (NH) residents with dementia, given the lack of evidence in this population. To better understand real-world clinical practice, we conducted a retrospective cohort study examining patterns of fracture prevention medication use for older NH residents with dementia and high fracture risk. Data sources included 2015-16 Medicare claims, Part D prescriptions, and Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments. Among NH residents aged 65+ with dementia and prior fracture or high fracture risk based on the MDS FRAiL (Fracture Risk Assessment in Long-term care), we assessed medications for fracture prevention using prescription data from 1 year prior through 90 days after the first MDS assessment. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with receiving treatment. Most of the sample (n = 72,639) was >80 years (78%), female (82%), and white (88%); 63% had moderate/severe dementia and 60% had an osteoporosis diagnosis. Only 11.6% received fracture prevention medications. In adjusted analyses, treated residents were more likely to be female, Hispanic or other non-black minority, <90 years old, and newly admitted to the NH. Other associated factors included osteoporosis diagnosis, walker or wheelchair use, bone disorders (eg, Paget disease), >5 medications, steroid or proton pump inhibitor use, and regions outside of the Northeast. Resident characteristics suggestive of comorbidity burden and worsening dementia were associated with reduced likelihood of treatment. Low use of fracture prevention medications for NH residents with dementia may reflect an attempt by prescribers reconcile medication use with changing goals of care, or inappropriate underuse in patients who still have high fracture risk. Additional research is needed to help clinicians better evaluate when to use these medications in this heterogeneous and vulnerable population.

Project description:Nursing home residents with advanced dementia commonly experience burdensome and costly hospitalizations that may not extend survival or improve the quality of life. Fragmentation in health care has contributed to poor coordination of care for acutely ill nursing home residents.To compare patterns of care and quality outcomes for nursing home residents with advanced dementia covered by managed care with those covered by traditional fee-for-service Medicare.Choices, Attitudes, and Strategies for Care of Advanced Dementia at the End-of-Life (CASCADE) was a prospective cohort study including 22 nursing homes in the Boston, Massachusetts, area that monitored 323 nursing home residents for 18 months to better understand the course of advanced dementia at or near the end of life. Data from CASCADE and Medicare were linked to determine the health insurance status of study participants.The health insurance status of the resident, either managed care or traditional fee for service.The outcomes included survival, symptoms related to comfort, treatment of pain and dyspnea, presence of pressure ulcers, presence of a do-not-hospitalize order, treatment of pneumonia, hospital transfer (admission or emergency department visit) for an acute illness, hospice referral, primary care visits, and family satisfaction with care.Residents enrolled in managed care (n = 133) were more likely to have do-not-hospitalize orders compared with those in traditional Medicare fee for service (n = 158) (63.7% vs 50.9%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.4), were less likely to be transferred to the hospital for acute illness (3.8% vs 15.7%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.1-0.5), had more primary care visits per 90 days (mean [SD], 4.8 [2.6] vs 4.2 [5.0]; adjusted rate ratio, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1-1.6), and had more nurse practitioner visits (3.0 [2.1] vs 0.8 [2.6]; adjusted rate ratio, 3.0; 95% CI, 2.2-4.1). Survival, comfort, and other treatment outcomes did not differ significantly across groups. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Medicare managed-care programs may offer a promising approach to ensure that nursing homes are able to provide appropriate, less burdensome, and affordable care, especially at the end of life.