AGEC

From the Director’s Desk

Summer 2024 Newsletter

By Robin McAtee, PhD, RN, FACHE – Director

Arkansas Geriatric Education Collaborative (AGEC), a Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging (DWR IOA)

As I write this summer edition of the AGEC newsletter, I am thrilled to let you know that we have successfully written for and received a new HRSA grant award for the AGEC for the next 5 years beginning July of 2024. I will highlight the new grant components in my fall Director’s Letter to you, but for now I will end this current grant with a final note about the 4M’s Age-Friendly framework.

First, I want to first thank you all for reading last year’s articles here regarding the 4M’s of age-friendly care in general. I enjoyed writing those and being able to discuss those concepts in a framework that embraces older adults and puts what Matters to them in the very center of their care.

This quarter, I just want to let you know that the 4M’s framework has also been translated to include environments outside of just the primary care clinical visit or acute care hospital stay. Research has been completed on the application of these concepts to nursing home residents, surgical hospitals, emergency departments, and convenient or urgent care clinics. There are also guides to help with implementation to each of these settings as well as implementation guides to assist with the implementation or incorporation of the concepts into electronic health records. There are also videos, workbooks, case studies, and media assistance available. The link below is the general link to the IHI’s plethora of resources on the 4M’s framework. It is free to use!

Thank you for reading and if you need information about the 4M’s, please contact us at the AGEC. I look forward to telling each of you all about our new grant in our Fall newsletter! Until then, stay cool and hydrated this summer and have some fun!!

https://www.ihi.org/Engage/Initiatives/Age-Friendly-Health-Systems/Pages/Resources.aspx

Students at Arkansas Colleges of Health Education Engage in Geriatric-Focused Education and Training

Summer 2023 Newsletter

Jennifer Moore, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, CLA – Dean, School of Occupational Therapy

Through the generous subaward granted, students from the Schools of Occupational and Physical Therapy – ACHE OT and ACHE PT at the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education were able to engage in a geriatric-focused education and training.

Specifically, an evidence-based curriculum that includes quality physical, mental, and emotional care while infusing cultural, ethical, patient-centered concepts that focus on what matters most to the older adult was incorporated in ACHE OT and ACHE PT doctoral curricula. The learning activities focused on the Age-Friendly Health System’s 4 M’s (Mentation, Mobility, Medication & What Matters). The following learning experiences and activities were carried out:

The components of the 4M’s Age-Friendly Care Curriculum were created and embedded into occupational therapy’s Productive Aging course and physical therapy’s Geriatric Physical Therapy course. The learning activities will be implemented in the courses during the Fall 2023 semester. Examples of learning activities:
- Interprofessional Fall Risks and Home Evaluation assignment – students from occupational therapy, physical therapy, and nursing will collaborate to conduct a fall risks assessment and home evaluation, analyze the results of the assessments, and design a program to ensure the safety of the older adults living in their homes. This face-to-face collaboration will help students learn how to work effectively as an interprofessional team to provide best practice for the older adults served.
- Intraprofessional assignment with occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant students (ACHE OT and Delaware OTA programs). This virtual collaboration will help students learn how to work effectively as an intraprofessional team to provide best practice for the older adults served.
- Fall prevention program – led by trained Matter of Balance faculty, occupational therapy students will engage/help facilitate in the Matter of Balance Fall Prevention Program with community dwelling older adults in Sebastian County.
- Assistive Technology assignment – students from ACHE OT will design, train/educate older adults from the community in the use of assistive technologies to enhance independence with self-care activities, home and community mobility, health management (medication management, exercise, etc.), leisure, and social participation. This assignment will help students incorporate knowledge and skills learned from the Optimizing Occupations Through Technology course in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program.
- Walkability assignment – students from ACHE OT will engage in a walkability study. The purpose of this assignment is for students to gain competency in evaluating and designing solutions for older adults to enhance community mobility.
- CarFit – students from ACHE OT will engage in a CarFit experience. The purpose of this assignment is for students to gain competency in evaluating the needs of older adults to enhance community mobility and driving safety.
- Dementia assignment – students from ACHE OT will engage in a dementia simulation through the use of technology and experience. The purpose of this assignment is for students to gain a better understanding of the challenges of patients with dementia and their family experiences to be a better healthcare provider.
Acting Creates Therapeutic Success (ACTS) – the subaward funds provided resources to support the ACTS program for older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) in the community. ACTS is a community based program designed to provide opportunities for participation in the performing arts. The program is led by occupational therapy faculty and students, is held weekly throughout the year, and culminates in a public performance. In addition, students have the opportunity to engage with older adults with ID/DD in the program; thereby developing knowledge and skills in best practice as they work with this population.
The public is invited to attend The Great Diamond Heist that will be held on August 29, 2023 at 6:00 at the AR Colleges of Health Education Research Institute Health and Wellness Center, 1000 Fianna Way, Fort Smith, AR. For more information, please contact Jennifer Moore at jennifer.moore@achehealth.edu

The Schools of Occupational and Physical Therapy from the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education thank Arkansas Geriatric Education Collaborative for providing the generous funds to support these activities and opportunities that enhance the learning of healthcare students and enrich the lives of older adults.

Updated AGS Beers Criteria® of 2023

Summer 2023 Newsletter

Mohamad Salamah

Lisa C. Hutchison, Pharm.D., MPH, BCPS, BCGP

Every few years, a panel is assigned by the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) to update the AGS Beers Criteria^® for Potentially Inappropriate Medications (PIM) for older adults (65 years or older). In 2023, the criteria was updated with a revised list of medications that can be harmful to older adults. Since most older adults are on at least one or more prescription medications, it’s important to identify possible drug-drug interactions or any harm medications can cause in chronic conditions that are often associated with older adults. The goal of the 2023 AGS Beers Criteria^® is to minimize the possible exposure of older adults to PIMs by educating clinicians and patients about evaluating if the risks of certain medications are justified in the use of older adults.¹

The AGS Beers Expert Panel divides the list into 5 different categories:

1. Medications considered as potentially inappropriate in all older adults

2. Medications potentially inappropriate in patients with certain diseases or syndromes

3. Medications to be used with caution

4. Potentially inappropriate drug-drug interactions

5. Medications whose dosages should be adjusted based on renal function.²

The 5-category system is similar to the 2019 Beers Criteria^®.³ The 2023 panel consisted of 12 experts that were involved in different healthcare fields such as nursing, medicine, and pharmacy. They investigated evidence on individual drugs published between 2017 to 2022 to determine how to update the 2019 AGS Beers Criteria^® which was based on previous evidence. Both lists used the Delphi method to cast their opinion and reach a final decision regarding the drugs to include.^1,3

Notable changes are seen in the 2023 AGS Beers Criteria^® following the recent update from the panel. For example, aspirin, which was previously used regularly in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease, was moved from the “use with caution” table and is now deemed as category 1, which is a PIM not recommended for use in all older adults. Older adults who are already on aspirin as primary prevention of cardiovascular disease are recommended to stop taking it as the risk outweighs the benefit.^1,3 Key changes in anticoagulants are likely the biggest headline of the new update (See Box 1). Warfarin is now listed as a medication to be avoided unless direct oral anticoagulants like apixaban are contraindicated when an initial therapy is needed for venous thromboembolism (VTE) or nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Rivaroxaban is now considered a medication to avoid in older adults for long-term treatment of nonvalvular AF and VTE due to risk for bleeding; before this update it was listed as a ‘use with caution’ medication for older adults.

Adapted from Reference 1; DOAC = Direct Oral Anticoagulant; INR= International Normalized Ratio

Changes also occurred in the class of anticholinergics, which should be avoided in older adults to reduce the cumulative anticholinergic burden that can cause an increased risk of falls, constipation, delirium and possibly dementia. In the 2019 criteria, all anticholinergics were listed together, but are now split up into the categories of Antihistamines, Central Nervous System (antiparkinson anticholinergics), and Gastrointestinal (antispasmodics).^{1, 3}

There were also changes in medications used for the treatment of diabetes. All sulfonylureas are now recommended to avoid in favor of newer antidiabetic agents to decrease the risk of prolonged hypoglycemia, cardiovascular death and stroke, which are more likely to occur with sulfonylureas. However, of the newer agents, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors are recommended to be used with caution due to the increased risk of euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis and urogenital infections in older adults.¹

The 2023 AGS Beers Criteria^® can aid practicing clinicians as well as other healthcare professionals in deciding appropriate therapies for older adults; however, it should be noted that the criteria does not apply in the case of hospice. Additionally, the criteria are focused on medications that are available in the U.S. rather than worldwide.² This is important to address since there are other medications worldwide that can also prove to be more harmful than helpful to older adults which the AGS Beers Criteria^® may not cover. The goal for the 2023 AGS Beers Criteria^® remains to improve the quality of care and life for older adults by guiding healthcare professionals in selecting optimal medications for treating older adults.

References:

American Geriatrics Society 2023 updated AGS Beers Criteria^®for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2023;1‐30. DOI: 10.1111/jgs.18372
Meyer K. Mook H. What’s on tap: 2023 Beers Criteria update. Pharmacy Today July 2023. www.pharmacist.com › DesktopModules › EasyDNNNewsWhat’s on tap: 2023 Beers Criteria update – pharmacist.com (Accessed August 16, 2023)

Palliative Care: What Older Adults and Caregivers Should Know

Summer 2023 Newsletter

Addie Fleming, MNSc, RN, CCRN, CNE, ACUE – Assistant Professor

Sarah Dearing, MSN, RN – Chair, AASN Programs

Arkansas State University, School of Nursing

The worldwide population is getting older due to advances in medical care. However, the needs of the aging population differ greatly from the needs of the younger population. Compared to younger adults, older adults often live with multiple complex medical diagnoses, functional dependency, cognitive decline, and increased frailty. As a result of the differences, the needs of the older adults, caregivers, and their families are often unmet due to the complexity associated with older adults’ medical care. Palliative care can be used to provide the needed support in all aspects of the older adults’ medical care (Schelin, et al., 2023).

Palliative care is derived from the word “palliate”, which means to comfort. More specifically, palliative care is a clinical approach of providing comfort to a person by identifying and addressing the physical, psychological, social, and existential suffering of the person related to an illness, injury, or disease process (Tolchin et al., 2022). Palliative care focuses on providing the best quality of life for a person through treatment and management of the symptoms they experience. All persons receiving palliative care experience an increase in communication from the physician and care team specific to care, decrease in health-care utilization (including hospital stays), and improved satisfaction with their quality of life (Schelin, et al., 2023). Palliative care can be basic (primary) or complex (specialty) depending on the needs of the older adult. Basic palliative care can be provided by any clinician and is typically used for a general approach. However, for those requiring a more specific treatment plan can receive care from a specialist trained in hospice and palliative medicine (Tolchin et al., 2022). An older adult or caregiver can find a palliative care provider by visiting the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (2023) at https://www.nhpco.org/find-a-care-provider/.

Palliative care is often mistaken for hospice care because both healthcare services focus on patient needs and quality of life, however, the two services are not interchangeable. Both services focus on the person’s needs and quality of life, but hospice care focuses on the period closest to death. Hospice care is specifically reserved for persons at the end of life who are expected to have less than six months to live and allows for limited treatments. Palliative care focuses on managing the person’s treatments and other needs to maintain the highest quality of life for the person with the illness, injury, or disease (CaringInfo, 2023).

The World Health Organization (2020) estimates that globally about 14% of patients who need palliative care are receiving it – meaning an estimated 56.8 million people are in need of palliative care. Older adults and their caregivers often are not aware of the services and benefits associated with palliative care. The following bullet points summarize some services and benefits of this ‘extra layer of support’ as highlighted by CaringInfo, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (2023):

Focuses on managing symptoms of the illness, injury, or disease to provide the highest quality of life possible (pain control, stress reduction, etc.)
Curative and therapeutic treatments can continue (dialysis, chemotherapy, surgery, etc.)
Available to persons in any care setting (home, nursing home, hospital, etc.) usually by a team of specially trained doctors, nurses, and other specialists
Medicare, Medicaid, and many insurance plans often cover the medical portions, including the Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans.
Non-medical services include help with insurance forms, help with options for care and housing, help with advance directives, and spiritual care.
All services (medical and non-medical) provided for as long as they are needed and can change based on the person’s need.

As you can see, palliative care is a resource for anyone living with an illness, injury, or disease that causes distressing symptoms. Older adults and caregivers benefit from palliative care through improved management and treatment of the symptoms they experience. A higher quality of life is often the result of palliative care for both the caregiver and the older adult (World Health Organization, 2020) – so everyone can focus on enjoying their lives and not managing an illness, injury, or disease.

References

CaringInfo. (2023). What is palliative care? https://www.caringinfo.org/types-of-care/palliative-care/

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. (2023). Find a care provider. https://www.nhpco.org/find-a-care-provider/

Schelin, M. E., Fürst, G. C., Rasmussen, B. H., & Hedman, C. (2023). Increased patient satisfaction by integration of palliative care into geriatrics: A prospective cohort study. PLOS ONE, 18(6), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0287550

Tolchin, D. W., Brooks, F. A., & Knowlton, T. (2022). The state of palliative care education in United States physical medicine and rehabilitation residency programs: Heterogeneity and opportunity for growth. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 101(12), 1156-1162. https://doi.org/10.1097/PHM.0000000000002072

World Health Organization. (2020, August 5). Palliative care. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/palliative-care

From the Director’s Desk

Summer 2023 Newsletter

By Robin McAtee, PhD, RN, FACHE – Director

Arkansas Geriatric Education Collaborative (AGEC), a Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging (DWR IOA)

This quarter I will be continuing my writing about the 4M’s framework of Age-Friendly care. We have reviewed the overall concept of the 4M’s framework, the first “M” of “what Matters” (the cornerstone of the framework) and last quarter we reviewed Medication. This summer quarter we will move on to Mobility.

As you can guess, “mobility” involves a LOT! It is critical to what matters and can be greatly impacted by medications! Here we can see how all of these “M’s” intertwine and are co-dependent. So, when reviewing Mobility, we need to first assess, recognize and document limitations. First, some factors that increase the mobility risk factors include; aged 65+, female, obesity, chronic physical conditions such as arthritis, diabetes and other joint conditions or injuries. Risk factors also include mental conditions such as depression, dementia, delirium, to just name a few. The main goal is to ensure that the older adult moves safely in every day circumstances to maintain function and do “What Matters” to them. So next, one would screen for mobility limitations and then work to create safe everyday environments including the use of adaptive equipment when appropriate.

We also need to work with the entire geriatric team to consider the other 4 M’s such as assessing any medications that may sedate the older adult, cause postural hypotension, cause dizziness, or contribute to other factors that might impair mobility and therefore decrease their ability to do what Matters. In addition, other appropriate measures might include a consult to physical and or occupational therapy.

Mobility is vital for us all to do what Matters, it is no different for an older adult. However, with older adults, there are many more contributing factors and information that must be considered.

This was just a quick overview of “Mobility”, and there is a lot more to learn and apply with this “M”, but I hope it helps to inform and remind us to use the 4 M’s and to always consider each “M” within the context of What Matters Most. If you want to learn more, additional information can be found at

https://www.ihi.org/Engage/Initiatives/Age-Friendly-Health-Systems/Pages/default.aspx

If you would like more information or training regarding the 4M’s of Age-Friendly care, please contact the AGEC.

From the Director’s Desk

Spring 2023 Newsletter

By Robin McAtee, PhD, RN, FACHE, Director, Arkansas Geriatric Education Collaborative (AGEC), a Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging (DWR IOA)

Hello everyone, and I hope I can say Happy Spring and it sticks around! As you know, for the past couple of quarters I have been discussing the 4M’s framework of Age-Friendly care. We have reviewed the overall concept of the 4M’s framework and the first “M” of “what Matters” which is the cornerstone of the framework. This quarter, we will move on to another “M”, Medication. As well all know, older adults take more prescribed medications than any other age group in the United States. Many take medications to treat multiple chronic illnesses and others to help prevent certain illnesses or to improve function.

Therefore, the “M” of medication first means that as the practitioner, you must have a complete list of all the medications that your patients are taking; over, behind, and around the counter! Examining their medications to increase their awareness about potential side effects and drug to drug interactions, while also identifying ways to potentially reduce the number of medications they are taking when possible. Practitioners, patients, caregivers, and family members all need to know and understand that as our bodies change with age, our bodies also process medications differently. In addition, older adult bodies react to drugs differently than younger bodies, even if they have been on that medication for decades.

Medications used to treat one condition may also make another condition worse. For example, older adults with memory problems may have worsening symptoms caused by medicines used to treat another symptom or condition. Therefore, it is important that all providers who prescribe medications know about all of the medical conditions and medications that their patient is taking.

That’s why expert attention to Medications—one of the “Ms” of age-friendly care—is such a critical part of an older adult’s care. Therefore, we can now add this to the cornerstone of age-friendly care, What Matters. So, when you are reviewing and/or prescribing medications, not only should you consider all that we have discussed here, but make sure to consider What Matters to the older adult. One medication may improve a condition or symptom they have, but how do the side effects, financial effects, or other “effects”, affect What Matters most to them?

This was just a quick overview of “Medication”, and there is a lot more to learn and apply with this “M”, but I hope it helps to inform and remind us to use the 4 M’s and to always consider each “M” within the context of What Matters Most. If you want to learn more, additional information can be found here.

If you would like more information or training regarding the 4M’s of Age-Friendly care, please contact the AGEC.

Do You Know About Medication Reconciliation?

Spring 2023 Newsletter

Trinity Pullam, MSN, RN, CNE
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Arkansas State University

What is Medication Reconciliation?

Medication reconciliation is the process of obtaining, assessing, and managing a current list of all medications that a patient is taking. (Institute for Healthcare Improvement, 2023). When a patient is admitted to a hospital, they will be asked about their current medications. The patient will be asked to provide the names of medications, the dose, how often medications are taken, and the route the medication is delivered. This list provides the physician and healthcare staff important information about a client’s medication routine. The physician can assess currently ordered medications and choose which medications the patient should be on. This process should happen at admission, anytime a patient moves from one level of care to another, and at discharge. The goal of medication reconciliation is to provide the patient with the correct medications throughout the hospital stay (Institute for Healthcare Improvement, 2023).

Why is It Important?

This list will be used on admission by the physician for evaluation and to assist in choosing the correct medications. This is especially important for older patients as they are more likely to have multiple medications and health issues, and thus, are at increased risk for an adverse drug event. An adverse drug event is unexpected harm caused by medication (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.). The use of medication reconciliation at any care transition is an effective way to reduce adverse drug events (Institute for Healthcare Improvement, 2023). Patients in the hospital often need adjustments to their medication routine based on their current conditions. This process may continue if home care is provided or at the primary provider’s office. Despite the importance of making correct medication choices, if a physician does not have access to a current and accurate medication list, the patient is at risk for adverse medication events ( Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2019).

How Can I Improve the Process?

To ensure that healthcare providers are able to choose the best medications for you, it is important for them to have access to an up-to-date list. Here are some strategies that you can follow to ensure that this is possible.

Carry a list of medications

Include all herbs, supplements, and over the counter medication
- Keep this with you in your purse or wallet so it is always available
- Update your list any time a medication is changed
- This will ensure an accurate medication list is always available.

Make sure that your primary provider is informed of any medication changes

As you age and may need to see multiple providers, it is important to inform your primary physician of any changes made by your specialists
- This ensures that your medication history is available to you or other providers

Use the same pharmacy for all prescriptions.

The pharmacists will have access to all current medications and medication allergies
- A list can be obtained from the pharmacy of all medication orders
- When new medications are ordered, the pharmacist can identify any potential issues, contraindications, or interactions.

References

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2019, September 19). Medication reconciliation. https://psnet.ahrq.gov/primer/medication-reconciliation

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010, September 28.). Medication safety basics. Medication Safety Program. https://www.cdc.gov/medicationsafety/basics.html

Institute for Healthcare Improvement. (2023). Medication reconciliation to prevent adverse drug events. https://www.ihi.org/Topics/ADEsMedicationReconciliation/Pages/default.aspx

Addressing the Arkansas opioid crisis through pain education

Spring 2023 Newsletter

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By Darshon Reed, Ph.D., Kalista Pettus, & Deanna Rumble, Ph.D.
College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
University of Central Arkansas

Opioid addictions and chronic pain have increased dramatically in the state of Arkansas over the past 5 years. Arkansas is number 2 in the nation for over-prescribing opioid medications according to Arkansas Take Back, which provides a secure way for Arkansans to monitor and dispose of their unused prescription medications (State of Arkansas Office of Drug Director, 2023). This is likely due to the impact of chronic pain on both the physical and mental health of patients. Chronic pain is defined as any pain that lasts longer than three months after the initial injury or stressor (Lunde & Sieberg, 2020). According to the Centers for Disease Control (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021), 27.1% of Arkansans suffer from arthritis which is a main leader in chronic pain. Chronic pain, such as arthritis, can now likely be linked to stress and other psychological factors thanks to new research insights on the topic. With this information, it is critical that health professionals understand how to treat and manage pain to avoid further opioid addictions, overdoses, and other opioid-related tragedies.

The UCA College of Health and Behavioral Sciences is taking the initiative to train future healthcare professionals in knowledge of pain, pain experience, and pain education in order to understand different pain manifestations across populations. Specific courses and training experiences were offered over the 2022-2023 academic year to implement pain education. A few example experiences are included below.

The Occupational Therapy Department offers specialized courses such as Holistic Interventions: Adult to End of Life and Occupational Therapy in Rehabilitation and Disability in their graduate program where students learn pain science and regularly run pain assessments and interventions. Students from the program will utilize these skills by conducting pain assessments alongside physical therapy and nursing students for individuals 50 and older at an upcoming community health fair hosted by the UCA College of Health & Behavioral Sciences in Conway on Saturday, April 15th.
The Psychology and Counseling Department offers an elective course in health psychology and research courses that students are required to take as their capstone experience that include exposure to pain assessment tools and pain education. Dr. Deanna Rumble is a key faculty member that includes pain education in the capstone course. In her research lab students study pain, discuss the different pain rating scales, learn about clinically relevant pain populations, and theories behind why people experience pain. Dr. Rumble’s lab allows students to do a basic cold water pressor task that is frequently used in conditioned pain modulation. Students also conduct tactile filaments and use TENS units to simulate pain. Some of the research questions students have addressed in the lab include: “Does physical discomfort impact cognitive challenges?” and “Can online induction of mood affect self-reported pain expectations?”. Dr. Rumble’s students will present the findings of these research questions at the upcoming Arkansas Symposium for Psychology Students on Saturday, April 22, 2023.
The School of Nursing invited Nisa Khan, APRN, FNP-C, to talk with third-year BSN to DNP Nurse Practitioner Students about alternative treatments for pain and when to refer for other types of treatment rather than increasing opioids. Students from the nursing program will utilize this knowledge when assisting occupational and physical therapy students with pain assessments and education at an upcoming community health fair hosted by the UCA College of Health & Behavioral Sciences in Conway on April 15th.
The Physical Therapy department hosted a special lecture by Dr. Adriaan Louw, PT, Ph.D. for students, faculty, and the public on November 3, 2023. Dr. Louw completed his doctorate in pain neuroscience education and is a Certified Pain Specialist. Dr. Louw talked about how science is changing our approach to pain and the incorporation of pain science in undergraduate and graduate degrees. Students from the physical therapy program will utilize this knowledge when conducting pain assessments and education with occupational therapy and nursing students for individuals 50 and older at an upcoming community health fair hosted by the UCA College of Health & Behavioral Sciences in Conway on April 15th.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, September 23). Arthritis Statistics by State. https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/state-data-current.htm

Lunde, C.E., & Sieberg C.B. (2020). Walking the Tightrope: A Proposed Model of Chronic Pain and Stress. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 14(270). doi: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00270

State of Arkansas Office of Drug Director. (2023, April 4). The Arkansas Opidemic. Arkansas Take Back. https://artakeback.org/opioid-education/arkansasopidemic/

Hendrix Teams up with AGEC to Engage Low-Income Older Arkansans in Social Technology

Spring 2023 Newsletter

By Dr. Jennifer Peszka, Professor, Psychology
Dr. Anne Goldberg, Professor, Sociology/Anthropology
and Dr. Pete Gess, Professor, Psychology
Hendrix College

During Spring 2021, in collaboration with AGEC, Hendrix faculty and students collected data on loneliness and satisfaction with social interactions in older Arkansans. Three major findings were identified: 1) there had been a reduction in group interactions and satisfaction with social interactions accompanying the pandemic for many older Arkansans, 2) online social interactions did lead to some satisfaction fulfilling lost in-person interactions, and 3) older Arkansans with financial strain were not as likely to utilize technology to supplement their social interactions. During the Spring of 2022, our group tried to address those findings by providing technology access, events to attend, and technical support to a group of low-income older Arkansans.

Using AGEC funding, 21 Chromebooks were purchased and delivered to 3 low-income housing facilities for older adults in Conway, Arkansas for 1 month.We worked with one staff person at each housing facility to schedule the events and to check the Chromebooks out to residents upon their request at any time to use on their own for events such as online AGEC events. Each Tuesday at Noon for 1 month, we produced online Memory Cafés (social interactions with a craft or activity as the theme) designed and led by Hendrix students (Food memories, Pencil Painting, Trivia, and Fun with Clay). For each café, one or two Hendrix students and/or faculty members set up the Chromebooks in a common area at three older-adult housing facilities and assisted residents using the Chromebooks to Zoom across the three older-adult housing facilities and to engage in the planned activity.

About the participants

Four students and 15 older Arkansans participated in the program.

Assessment

Pre and post whole program assessments were designed and given to the contact staff person from each housing facility and kept with the Chromebooks to encourage completion. Post café assessments were also designed for each individual café. The goal of the assessment measures was to understand happiness, loneliness, comfort socializing online, and subjective well-being before and after events. Only 8 participants completed the pre-program data and only 1-2 completed the post-program data. Therefore, the results reported below should be taken with caution as the N is very small and unequal in the pre- and post-groups.

What they told us

Before and after the program, participants reported their comfort in using computers to socialize online and their enjoyment in using computers to socialize online on a scale from 1 – 7 where 1 meant not at all and 7 meant a great deal. The program increased comfort and enjoyment of socializing online using computers. They also reported an increased sense of belongingness on a belongingness scale with scores ranging from 4-28 (See Figure 1).

Summary: In person social interactions can decrease with aging. Providing online social interaction availability (technology, support, etc.) could help to offset this loss and protect from loneliness. A second iteration of our program will take place during Spring 2023 addressing the limits in the current program with assessment completion. Making sure that technology interactions are accessible to all older Arkansans is a worthwhile goal.

Figure 1. Comfort and Enjoyment using computers to socialize and feelings of belongingness before and after intervention program.

From the Director’s Desk

Winter 2023 Newsletter

Happy New Year! Can you all believe it is 2023 and we have been enduring COVID and all that has entailed for almost three years? However, we are all learning to live with it better and getting out and enjoying things again. The AGEC programs are thriving and our community partners are busy once again. It is wonderful to see older adults congregating and enjoying each other’s company again! We are also having full classes where programs based on evidence are being taught and activities being enjoyed. In addition, as we begin this new year, our academic partners are working with health professions students to ensure many complete their degrees this spring. We can all look forward to having more healthcare professionals begin their careers knowing more about how to appropriately care for older adults.

This quarter, I want to talk to you a little more about what we started discussing last quarter, the 4M’s of Age-Friendly Care. I introduced that concept last quarter and this time I want to delve into one of those 4M’s a little more and subsequently discuss one more in-depth in each quarter this year. The first one we will review here is “What Matters”. This is what all the other “M’s” focus around. As I mentioned in the last Directors Desk, this is where the conversation with the patient, family, and caregiver(s) begins. The healthcare team should discuss the older adult’s health outcome goals and care preferences, including end-of-life care, across all settings. Their goals and preferences then direct the overall plan of care. Ideally, this should be asked at almost every visit, just to ensure priorities haven’t changed. What matters most to someone certainly changes with time, age, and of course life events. This month it might be caring for a disabled spouse, but if that spouse passes away, then what matters also changes, so as healthcare professionals, we need ask.

What matters should be inclusive, individualized, holistic, person-centered, patient-centered, respectful, prognosis-centered, collaborative, responsive, integrative, and of course, achievable. It also helps clinicians to build trust, treat older adults with humility and respect, maintain a patient-centered approach, create effective and actionable healthcare conversations, and frequently decreases unwanted care and treatments. Knowing what matters drives patient care goals. So just ask: what matters, what is most important to you in this stage of your life, and how can I, as a healthcare professional, help you achieve your goals?

This was just a quick overview of “What Matters”, but I hope helps to inform and remind us all of why we are healthcare professionals and why we should always ask and listen to our patients first. If you want to learn more, additional information can be found here.

If you would like more information or training regarding the 4M’s of Age-Friendly Care, please contact the AGEC.