Association between medicare annual wellness visits and prevention of falls and fractures in older adults in Texas, USA

Fall-related injuries contribute to increased frailty, disability, and premature death in older adults (≥65 years). The US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services began reimbursing annual wellness visits (AWVs) in 2011. In the present study, we assessed the effect of AWV receipt in 2017 on fall and fracture prevention through December 31, 2018. Using Texas Medicare data for 2014-2018, we identified cohorts of Medicare beneficiaries ≥68 years, matched for the presence/absence of an AWV in 2017 by propensity score, and observed two outcomes: fracture as a primary diagnosis, and fall occurrences. Rates of each outcome were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Of the 2017 beneficiaries, 32.2% received an AWV. For the 742,494 beneficiaries in the matched cohort, conditional Cox proportional hazards models revealed that receiving an AWV in 2017 was associated with reduced risks for future falls (3.9%) and fractures (4%). The effect of the AWV was stronger on fall reduction in rural residents (HR: 0.799; 95% CI: 0.679 to 0.941) and on fracture reduction in beneficiaries with ≥4 morbidities (HR: 0.918; 95% CI: 0.867 to 0.972). Receipt of an AWV in three consecutive years (2015-2017) further lowered the risk of future falls. We conclude that the risks for future falls/fractures are lower in older adults receiving AWVs. Our study underscores the need for expanded public education programs that raise awareness about AWVs and the potential for AWV data to inform fall prevention interventions and other health promotion practices.

Práticas culturais de cuidados à saúde e doença de idosos descendentes de ucranianos

RESUMO Objetivo: Interpretar as práticas culturais de cuidados à saúde e doença dos idosos descendentes de ucranianos. Método: Pesquisa qualitativa desenvolvida com dois familiares informantes-gerais e 22 idosos informantes-chave, no período de agosto de 2017 a março de 2020, em uma comunidade rural, analisadas por meio de domínios, taxonomias e tema cultural. O tema cultural está alicerçado na Teoria da Diversidade e Universalidade do Cuidado Cultural. Resultados: Emergiram quatro domínios e taxonomias culturais e um tema cultural. No tema cultural, o termo “pureza” representa as práticas que podem ser mantidas pelos idosos, família e comunidade. O termo “face oculta de perigo” são práticas que necessitam de negociações e reestruturações, porém, ocupam um espaço valoroso de preservação cultural. Considerações finais: As práticas culturais de cuidados à saúde e doença dos idosos foram moldadas tanto pela cultura de origem ucraniana, como também pela cultura de seu pertencimento atual, a brasileira.

Using Appreciative Inquiry to Optimize a Person-Centered Care Training Program for Clinical Champions in Rural Critical Access Hospitals

Person-centered care (PCC) involves shared decision-making between the individual and provider and is widely recognized as the gold standard of care. However, not all organizations have successfully implemented PCC, especially those in rural settings with limited resources. Implementation strategies, such as clinical champions, are key to PCC uptake. The purpose of the current article is to illustrate how Appreciative Inquiry, a strengths-based framework for transformational change, can be used to optimize a successful PCC champion training program. Appreciative Inquiry employs the quality improvement processes of (a) define, (b) discover, (c) dream, (d) design, and (e) deliver/destiny. Using Appreciative Inquiry, we were able to identify three new long-term goals and add supporting features to an existing champion training program. The methods developed herein could be implemented by researchers and evidence-based practice councils to improve the care of older adults in any care setting to make it more person-centered. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 47(8), 7-12.].