An interactive technology approach to educate older adults about drug interactions arising from over-the-counter self-medication practices

An interactive computer program (Personal Education Program [PEP]) designed for the learning styles and psychomotor skills of older adults was used to teach older adults about potential drug interactions that can result from self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) agents and alcohol. Subjects used the PEP on notebook computers equipped with infrared sensitive touchscreens. Subjects were recruited from senior centers. Those who met age, vision, literacy, independence, and medication use criteria were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) PEP plus information booklet; (2) information booklet only; or (3) control. A repeated measures (three time periods 2 weeks apart), three-group design was used. Users of PEP had significantly greater knowledge and self-efficacy scores than both the conventional and control groups at all three time points. The PEP group reported fewer adverse self-medication behaviors over time. Reported self-medication behaviors did not change over time for either the conventional or control groups. Subjects indicated a high degree of satisfaction with the PEP and reported their intent to make specific changes in self-medication behaviors.     

Access to computers for older adults: problems and solutions.

Activity that involves a personal computer is a valuable modality for the rehabilitation of older adults. The therapist without specialized training, however, may have difficulty integrating computer use with adults with chronic health problems that impede such use. The purpose of this paper was to describe positioning, visual access, and input problems that may interfere with computer access and to identify solutions for use by the occupational therapist. Through a review of occupational therapy and adaptive computer literature, resources for adaptive computer hardware, software, and positioning devices are identified. Examples of how computer activities can be integrated into existing nursing home, day-care, and home-care programs are provided. Recommendations are made for training for the occupational therapist with limited experience with personal computers and adaptive computer technology.     

Online health information use by participants in selected senior centres in Korea: current status of internet access and health information use by Korean older adults

chung j., gassert c.a. & kim h.s. (2010) Online health information use by participants in selected senior centres in Korea: current status of internet access and health information use by Korean older adults. International Journal of Older People Nursing 6 , 261–271
doi: 10.1111/j.1748‐3743.2010.00238.x Aims and objectives. The purpose of this research was to describe how older adult internet users from senior centres in Korea accessed and used health information on the internet and the perceived barriers that prevented internet use. Background. Increasingly, patients are using health‐related information available on the internet. Internet based health information has influenced patient knowledge and expectations regarding healthcare. However, there are few studies about the use of internet for health information by older adults, and even less is known about older adults in Korea. Design. Based on the Access to Information framework developed by McCreadie and Rice, this quantitative study with a qualitative adjunct explored the older adults’ use of internet for health information. Methods. A convenience sample of 91 community‐dwelling older adults in Korea was recruited from 10 randomly selected senior centres, using the modified Kaiser Family Foundation Survey as the basis for structured interview. Results. Half of older internet users (n = 13) had used online health information and found it was helpful. Barriers to internet use were: no interest (90.8%); too complicated (75%); no experience in using internet (～50%); too expensive (～50%); or disability (10%). Qualitative findings revealed that the prime reason for non‐use of the internet was related to literacy and level of education due to historical background. Conclusions. The results of quantitative and qualitative analysis supported that the internet users were relatively younger, more educated, male, had a higher income, received more support from others and all from large senior centres. Implications for practice. This study is important because the results can provide valuable insights into the potential for health education and health communication for older adults in Korea using the internet. It could affect health promotion, policy and education for older adults in Korea.     

The use of Tai Chi to improve health in older adults

Tai Chi is a slow and gentle exercise that is suitable for older adults with chronic illness. This exercise offers the benefits of flexibility, muscle strengthening, and endurance training. Tai Chi has the capability of improving the health of elders without exacerbating existing impairments. Therefore, older adults may be more inclined to participate in and maintain an exercise program. The purpose of this article is to (1) compare Tai Chi to muscle-strengthening and aerobic exercise, (2) describe possible mechanisms for the effects of Tai Chi on factors that contribute to disability, and (3) identify nursing interventions to promote the use of Tai Chi.     

Internet health information education for older adults: A pilot study

This study aimed to develop internet health information education program, and to explore the program's feasibility and preliminary effects. We made use of an intervention mapping approach and adopted as conceptual framework the information-motivation-behavioral skills model to develop the program. We evaluated the feasibility and the impact of the education program using a single-group pretest-posttest design using generalized equation estimation. Eleven older adults participated in the classes from January 25 to February 22, 2019. Each outcome of the behavioral theory-based components of the program—computer/Web knowledge (p < .001), attitude toward internet-based health information (p = .002), eHealth literacy score (p < .001), searching performance scores (p < .001), and level of understanding of internet-based health information (p = .002)—showed significant improvement immediately after the intervention. This pilot study reveals that a behavior theory-based education program for utilizing internet-based health information is an effective way to increase older adults’ eHealth literacy.     

Mental health for older adults and benzodiazpine use

Benzodiazepine (BZD) drug use among community-dwelling seniors is a significant health issue. Although long-term use of BZDs by seniors is a recognized problem, little is known about the mental health of the consumers. Better knowledge of their mental health would help nurses in identifying the psychological needs of this population. The goals of this longitudinal study1 (n = 138) were to describe the mental health status of long-term users of BZDs and to compare it with the mental health of seniors who have either begun or stopped consuming BZDs over a 1-year period (from Phase 1 to Phase 2). Results showed that one third of long-term users of BZDs do not present any mental health problem. Furthermore, no differences were observed between the mental health statuses of new users of BZDs, individuals who stopped using BZDs, and long-term users of BZDs. In conclusion, at least one third of long-term users of BZDs should stop using these drugs, and nurses should play a leading role in helping these seniors withdraw from BZD consumption.     

Measuring incentives to health promotion in older adults. Understanding neglected health promotion in older adults.

Health promotion increases longevity and allows older persons to maintain an independent and satisfying life. Determining reasons why an older person participates in health promotion activities through incentives may allow further insight into ways to promote health. As deeper understanding of motivation is gained by health professionals, successful influences to health behavior may be clarified. A nurse's role in health promotion could be to assist in planning a health promotion program, especially after incentives have been identified for a particular person. The Incentive-Health Promotion Scale revealed that the major incentives to health promotion in study sample were "feel good" and "fitness and health".     

Use of the Internet for health information by older adults with arthritis

BACKGROUND: Despite the information available on the Internet and the increasing number of older adults who use the Internet, little is known about Internet use for health information by elders with arthritis. PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were (1) to examine the use of computers and the Internet by elders with arthritis and (2) to describe demographic and illness-related characteristics of elders who use the Internet to find health information. SAMPLE: Seventy-one elders with arthritis completed survey questionnaires. FINDINGS: Twenty-eight percent had a computer in their home, of whom 95% had Internet access. Thirty-nine percent sought arthritis information on the Internet. People with more education were more likely to use the Internet. However, age and functional disability resulting from arthritis were not associated with Internet use. IMPLICATIONS: Health professionals need to be aware of Internet resources and assist elders in finding appropriate Internet-based arthritis information.     

A path analysis of Internet health information seeking behaviors among older adults

The Internet has emerged as an innovative tool that older adults can use to obtain health-related information. However, the relationships among predictors of Internet health information seeking behaviors (IHISB) in this population are not well understood. To fill this gap, this study examined the direct and indirect pathways of potential predictors of IHISB among older South Korean adults, using the modified Technology Acceptance Model 3. Participants were 300 older South Korean adults who had used the Internet to obtain health information within the past month. Data were collected via a self-report questionnaire and were analyzed through structural equation modeling. Two variables—prior experience and behavioral intention to use—had positive direct effects on IHISB. These findings imply that health care providers promoting IHISB among older adults should consider these individuals' prior experience with the Internet and their willingness to use the Internet as a source of health information.     

Access to mental health care among older adults

Many older adults experience common mental health problems that can have a negative impact on physiological health, functional status, and quality of life. Lack of access to mental health care for community-dwelling older adults is a significant problem. Busy primary care practices, few mental health professionals, inadequate problem recognition, and flaws in the health care system all contribute to restricted access to mental health care. As the population of adults 65 and older continues to grow, the need for mental health care for this group will increase. Strategies to improve access to mental health care must be targeted at the individual level, the provider level, and the system level.     

The impact of information on health behaviors of older adults with urinary incontinence

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of education about urinary incontinence on the subsequent help-seeking behaviors of older adults. Forty-five community-dwelling seniors were randomized to two groups. One group received individualized instruction supported by written information, the other received written information alone. All participants received a list of local health care professionals specializing in the assessment and treatment of urinary incontinence. Seventeen participants sought professional help following the intervention; however, there was no significant difference in help-seeking behaviors between intervention groups, chi2 = 1.42, alpha = 0.05. The most common reasonfor lack of help-seeking postintervention was a preference for self-care. Eighty-eight percent of those who initiated self-help behaviors reported a subjective improvement in the frequency or volume of their incontinence. Results emphasize the important role registered nurses should play in the dissemination of complete and accurate information about urinary incontinence.     

Cognitive health in older adults

This article addresses both the theoretical and practical issues associated with cognitive aging, including the implications of neurophysiological changes in the brain as well as practical ways of screening for changes that may be problematic or may actually enhance healthy cognitive adaptations.     

Changing health behaviors of older adults

1. Changing lifelong unhealthy habits can have a positive effect on health for older adults. 2. The Transtheoretical Model of behavior change proposes people move through a series of five stages and use a variety of processes as they attempt to change a behavior. 3. Research has shown that tailoring interventions to a individual's stage of change is most effective in promoting behavior change. 4. Specific stage-based strategies are recommended for nurses to use with both individuals and groups of older adults.