High Medicaid Nursing Homes: Contextual Factors Associated with the Availability of Specialized Resources Required to Care for Obese Residents

Obesity is an increasingly important concern in the delivery of high-quality nursing home care. Obese nursing home residents require specialized equipment and resources. As high Medicaid nursing homes have limited financial ability, they may lack the necessary resources to address the needs of obese residents. Moreover, there are variations in the availability of obesity-related specialized resources across these facilities. This study aims to investigate the organizational and market factors associated with the availability of obesity-related specialized resources in high-Medicaid nursing homes. Survey and secondary data sources for the study period 2017-2018 were utilized. The survey data were merged with Brown University's Long Term Care Focus (LTCFocus), Nursing Home Compare, and Area Health Resource File datasets. The dependent variable was the composite score of obesity-related specialized resources, ranging from 0-19. An ordinary least square regression with propensity score weights (to adjust for potential survey non-response bias), along with appropriate organizational/market level control variables were used for our analysis. Our results suggest that payer-mix (>Medicare residents) and a higher proportion of obese residents were positively associated with the availability of obesity-related specialized resources. Policymakers should consider implementing incentives, such as increased Medicaid payments, to assist high Medicaid nursing homes in addressing the specific needs of obese residents.

Relationships between anthropometric and body composition characteristics and age in Polish women over 60 as affected by their socioeconomic and health status and physical activity levels

Background: Little is known about changes in anthropometric and body composition (A&BC) characteristics during the aging process. Research indicates that body composition can be linked with socioeconomic status (SES), health status (HS), and physical activity (PA) levels. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate age-related changes in A&BC characteristics in female seniors aged 60+ in view of their SES, HS, and PA levels. Methods: The survey was conducted in November and December 2022 on a total of 661 female seniors. A questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain information about the participants' socioeconomic status (chronic diseases, health status, marital status, membership in social organizations, financial status, place of residence, education). The respondents' PA levels were assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and their A&BC characteristics were determined in a bioelectrical impedance analysis with the InBody 270 body composition analyzer. The relationships between A&BC characteristics and age were evaluated based on the values of the Pearson correlation coefficient (r). Results: The mean values of Percent Body Fat (PBF), Body Mass Index (BMI), and the waist-hip ratio (WHR) were relatively high (37.2%, 28.5 kg/m², and 0.8, respectively) and indicative of overweight and gynoid obesity. A higher number of significant negative correlations between A&BC characteristics and age were observed in seniors with lower values of SES, HS, and PA, which points to more rapid involutional changes in this group of respondents. A segmental analysis also revealed significantly lower values of fat-free mass (FFM) and body fat mass (BFM) (both indicators were calculated in percentage and kg), in particular in the upper limbs, in women with lower SES, HS, and PA levels. Conclusion: Environmental factors, including biological, physiological, environmental, psychological, behavioral, and social factors, are significantly associated with aging in women. Age-related changes in A&BC characteristics tend to proceed more rapidly in female seniors with low values of SES and HE and insufficient PA levels.

Overlooked and under-evidenced: Community health and long-term care service needs, utilization, and costs incurred by people with severe obesity

Numbers of people with severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m² ), with need for community health and long-term care (LTC) services, are increasing, but documentation is lacking. We identified individuals with severe obesity known to community health and care professionals in a representative United Kingdom region and used an investigator-administered questionnaire to record needs and use of community health and LTC services. Data were verified against health and LTC records. Local and published sources informed detailed micro-costing. Twenty-five individuals (15 women) consented, aged 40-87 (mean = 62) years, BMI 40-77 (mean = 55) kg/m² : 20 participants (80%) were housebound. Twenty-two different cross-sector community health and LTC services were used, including community equipment service (n = 23), district nursing (n = 20), occupational therapy (n = 14), and LTC (n = 12). Twenty-four (96%) participants used three or more services, with longest care episode lasting over 14 years. Total annual service costs incurred by participants varied from £2053 to £82 792; mean £26 594 (lower estimate £80 064; mean £22 462/upper estimate £88 870; mean £30 726), with greatest costs being for LTC. Individual costs for equipment (currently provided) and home adaptations (ever provided) ranged widely, from zero to £35 946. Total mean annual costs increased by ascending BMI category, up to BMI 70 kg/m² . This study provides a framework with which to inform service provision and economic analysis of weight management interventions. People with severe obesity may need sustained care from multiple community care services.

Trends in Obesity Prevalence among US Older Adults in the Last Two Years of Life, 1998-2018

CONTEXT

The prevalence of obesity has grown in the US over the decades. The temporal trends of body mass index categories in the last two years of life are poorly understood.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the trends in body mass categories in the last two years of life over the past two decades controlling for other demographic changes.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional study of prospectively collected survey data from the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study (HRS) among decedents who died between 1998 and 2018. We categorized BMI into five categories and calculated the proportion of decedents with each BMI category during each four epochs (1998-2003, 2004-2008, 2009-2013, 2014-2018). We examined trends in regression models with survey wave groupings modeled as an orthogonal polynomial and adjusted for factors commonly associated with BMI: sex, age, race, ethnicity, education, and tobacco use.

RESULTS

The analytic cohort included 14,797 decedents. From 1998-2003 to 2014-2018 time periods, those categorized as having mild-to-moderate obesity in the last two years of life increased from 12.4% to 14.8% (linear trend P < 0.001), a 19% increase. Severe obesity increased from 1.9% to 4.3%, a 126% increase (linear trend P < 0.001). Underweight decreased from 9.9% to 5.9%, a 40% decrease (linear trend P < 0.001), adjusted for demographic factors. Adjusted quadratic temporal trends for BMI category were nonsignificant, except for in mild-to-moderate obesity.

CONCLUSION

Severe obesity has increased greatly while underweight has decreased. As obesity increases in the final years of life, it is critical to assess how the existing and future palliative services and end of life care system address body size and weight.

An exploration of the challenges of providing person-centred care for older care home residents with obesity

The aim of this study was to explore care home staff's views on the prevalence of obesity in older people and how well prepared they were for any rise in applications for placements. Thematic analysis was used to analyse focus group interview data collected from seven care homes/33 participants in N.E. England. Findings revealed rises in demand by older people with obesity for care home admittance, consistent with rising prevalence of obesity in this demographic nationally. Findings also highlight implications of rising prevalence of obesity in older people, particularly care home staff's ability to deliver person-centred care (PCC) and the importance of appropriate support/recognition of this as an emergent issue to be addressed at a higher executive level and by health/social care authorities. Ways of ensuring PCC are discussed. Given continuing trends towards rising prevalence of obesity in this population, the findings possess broader translational potential.

Nursing home directors of nursing experiences regarding safety among residents with obesity

The prevalence of nursing home (NH) residents with obesity is rising. Perspectives of NH Directors of Nursing (DONs) who oversee care trajectories for residents with obesity is lacking. This study aimed to describe the experiences of NH DONs regarding care and safety for NH residents with obesity. An adapted version of Donabedian's structure-process-outcome model guided this qualitative descriptive study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 DONs. Data were analyzed using directed content analysis, and findings are presented under the model's constructs. We learned that admission decisions for NH referrals of patients with obesity are complex due to reimbursement issues, available space and resources, and resident characteristics. DONs described the need to coach and mentor Certified Nursing Assistants to provide safe quality care and that more staff education is needed. We identified novel findings regarding the challenges of short-term residents' experience transitioning out of care due to limited resources.

Obesity among Nursing Home Residents: Association with Potentially Avoidable Hospitalizations

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Studies show that in nursing homes (NHs), the prevalence of moderate-to-severe obesity has doubled in the last decade and continues to increase. Obese residents are often complex and costly, and this increase in prevalence has come at a time when NHs struggle to decrease hospitalizations, particularly those that are potentially avoidable. This study examined the association between obesity and hospitalizations.

DESIGN

We linked 2011-2014 national data using Medicare NH assessments, hospital claims, and the NH Compare.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Individuals aged ≥65 years, newly admitted to NHs, who became long-term residents between July 1, 2011 and March 26, 2014. The analytical sample included 490,086 residents.

METHODS

NH-originating hospitalization was the outcome; a categorical variable defined as no hospitalization, potentially avoidable hospitalization (PAH), and other hospitalization (non-PAH). The main independent variable was body mass index (BMI) defined as normal weight (30 >BMI ≥18.5 kg/m2), mildly obese (35 >BMI ≥30 kg/m2), or moderately-to-severely obese (BMI ≥35 kg/m2). Covariates included individual and NH characteristics. Multinomial models with NH random effects and state dummies were estimated.

RESULTS

After adjusting for individual level covariates, the risk of non-PAH for the mildly and moderate/severely obese was not different from normal weight residents. But the risk of PAH remained significantly higher for the moderate/severely obese (relative risk ratio = 1.055; 95% confidence interval 1.018, 1.094). Several NH-level factors also influenced hospitalization risk.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Obese residents are more likely to experience PAH but not non-PAH. Efforts to improve care for these residents may need to broadly consider the ability of NHs to commit additional resources to fully integrate care for this growing segment of the population.

Obesity and Nursing Home Care in the United States: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Obesity is increasing among people residing in nursing homes, and resident obesity substantially affects services needed, equipment and facilities provided, and morbidity in this setting. The purpose of this article is to describe the scope and depth of evidence regarding the impact of obesity among nursing home residents in the United States.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A systematic literature review was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases as well as additional hand-searched documents. Included articles were published from 1997 to March 2017. The characteristics and content of the included articles were systematically reviewed and reported.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight studies met inclusion criteria for review. The median study size was 636 residents (interquartile range 40-11,248); 18 (64%) studies were retrospective and 10 (36%) were prospective in nature. Ten (36%) studies examined medical and functional morbidity, 10 (36%) examined health system effects, and 5 (18%) examined the risk of admission to nursing homes. Most studies found that obesity poses serious issues to resident health and the provision of health care, as well as broad health system and nursing challenges in the provision of high-quality nursing home care and services.

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Although obesity affects about one in four nursing home residents in the United States, relatively limited evidence exists on the complex challenges of obesity for their residents and their care. A continued focus on resident quality of life, health system improvement, and nursing best practices for properly caring for individuals with obesity is needed.

The Increasing Prevalence of Obesity in Residents of U.S. Nursing Homes: 2005–2015

Background

Obesity prevalence has been increasing over decades among the U.S. population. This study analyzed trends in obesity prevalence among long-stay nursing home residents from 2005 to 2015.

Methods

Data came from the Minimum Data Sets (2005–2015). The study population was limited to long-stay residents (ie, those residing in a nursing home ≥100 days in a year). Residents were stratified into body mass index (BMI)-based groups: underweight (BMI < 18.5), normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25), overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30), and obese (BMI ≥ 30); residents with obesity were further categorized as having Class I (30 ≤ BMI < 35), Class II (35 ≤ BMI < 40), or Class III (BMI ≥ 40) obesity. Minimum Data Sets assessments for 2015 were used to compare clinical and functional characteristics across these groups.

Results

Obesity prevalence increased from 22.4% in 2005 to 28.0% in 2015. The prevalence of Class III obesity increased from 4.0% to 6.2%. The prevalence of underweight, normal weight, and overweight decreased from 8.5% to 7.2%, from 40.3% to 37.1%, and from 28.9% to 27.8%, respectively. In 2015, compared with residents with normal weight, residents with obesity were younger, were less likely to be cognitively impaired, had high levels of mobility impairment, and were more likely to have important medical morbidities.

Conclusions and Relevance

There was a steady upward trend in obesity prevalence among nursing home residents for 2005–2015. Medical and functional characteristics of these residents may affect the type and level of care required, putting financial and staffing pressure on nursing homes.

Higher Level of Obesity Is Associated with Intensive Personal Care Assistance in the Nursing Home

OBJECTIVES

To examine whether higher obesity level was associated with extensive staffing assistance (from 2 or more persons) for completing activities of daily living (ADL) among older nursing home residents.

DESIGN

Retrospective cross-sectional study.

SETTING

US government-certified nursing homes.

PARTICIPANTS

Medicare beneficiaries residing in a nursing home on April 1, 2015. Exclusion criteria were age less than 65 years and body mass index (BMI) below 18.5 (underweight).

MEASURES

Residents were divided by obesity level according to established BMI cutoffs, as follows: nonobese (BMI = 18.5-29.9) or mild (BMI = 30.0-34.9), moderate (BMI = 35.0-39.9), or severe (BMI ≥40) obesity. Level of staffing assistance for completing each of 10 ADL (bed mobility, transfer, walking in room, walking in corridor, on- and off-unit locomotion, dressing, eating, toileting, and personal hygiene) was dichotomized as below 2 and 2 or more. Robust Poisson regression was used to test whether obesity conferred excess risk for needing 2 or more staff to complete each ADL. Adjusted models included individual-level covariates and nursing home fixed effects.

RESULTS

A total of 1,063,383 nursing home residents were identified, including 309,263 (29.0%) with obesity. Adjusted relative risks (95% confidence intervals) for 2-person assistance with bed mobility associated with mild, moderate, and severe obesity were 1.17 (1.15, 1.18), 1.28 (1.25, 1.31), and 1.40 (1.36, 1.43), respectively. Adjusted relative risks for 2-person assistance with transferring associated with mild, moderate, and severe obesity were 1.15 (1.13, 1.17), 1.24 (1.22, 1.27), and 1.36 (1.33, 1.39), respectively. Obesity was associated with 2-person assistance for all other ADL except for eating.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher obesity level was significantly associated with assistance from 2 or more staff for completing 9 of 10 ADL. Given increasing obesity rates in nursing homes, payment mechanisms that do not adjust for obesity or comprehensively account for excess ADL assistance may need revision to prevent adverse impacts on the long-term care system.

Obesity and intensive staffing needs of nursing home residents

The objective of this study is to examine how increasing body mass index (BMI) among nursing home residents affects the amount of staffing assistance needed for activities of daily living (ADL). We analyzed 1,627,141 US nursing home residents reported in the 2013 Minimum Data Set in seven BMI categories, from underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m²) to obesity Class IIIB (≥50 kg/m²). Logistic regression models estimated the odds of nursing home-reported need for extensive (≥2 staff member) assistance needed for ADLs. The adjusted odds increased from 1.07 (95% Confidence Interval (95%CI) 1.06-1.08) for Class I, 1.16 (95%CI 1.14-1.17) for Class II, 1.33 (95%CI 1.31-1.35) for Class IIIA, and 1.90 (95%CI 1.86-1.95) for Class IIIB obesity residents compared to residents of normal weight. As a nursing home resident's BMI increases, especially for BMI ≥40 kg/m², the need for extensive staffing assistance with ADLs also increases substantially.

Effect of Obesity on Postacute Outcomes of Skilled Nursing Facility Residents with Hip Fracture

OBJECTIVES

To examine the effect of obesity (body mass index (BMI)≥30.0 kg/m² ) on outcomes of older adults admitted to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) for hip fracture postacute care (PAC).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

U.S. Medicare- and Medicaid-certified SNFs from 2008 to 2015.

PARTICIPANTS

Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries discharged to a SNF after hospitalization for hip fracture (N=586,683; n=82,768 (14.1%) meeting obesity criteria). Exclusion criteria were aged younger than 65, being underweight (BMI<18.5 kg/m² ), and SNF use in the year prior to index hospitalization.

MEASUREMENTS

Residents were divided into 4 BMI categories according to cutoffs that the World Health Organization has established: not obese (BMI 18.5-29.9 kg/m² ), mild obesity (BMI 30.0-34.9 kg/m² ), moderate obesity (BMI 35.0-39.9 kg/m² ), and severe obesity (BMI≥40.0 kg/m² ). Robust Poisson regression was used to compare differences in average nursing facility length of stay (LOS) and rates of 30-day hospital readmission, successful discharge to community, and becoming a long-stay resident (LOS>100) according to obesity level. Models were adjusted for individual-level covariates and facility fixed effects.

RESULTS

Residents with mild (adjusted relative risk (aRR)=1.16, 95% CI=1.12-1.19), moderate (aRR=1.27, 95% CI=1.20-1.35), and severe (aRR=1.67, 95% CI=1.54-1.82) obesity were more likely to be readmitted within 30 days than those who were not obese. The average difference in LOS between residents without obesity and those with mild obesity was 2.6 days (95% CI=2.2-2.9 days); moderate obesity, 4.2 days (95% CI=3.7-5.1 days); and severe obesity, 7.0 days (95% CI=5.9-8.2 days). Residents with obesity were less likely to be successfully discharged and more likely to become long-stay nursing home residents.

CONCLUSION

Obesity was associated with worse outcomes in postacute SNF residents with hip fracture. Efforts to provide targeted care to residents with obesity may be essential to improve outcomes. Obesity may be an overlooked risk adjuster in quality-of-care measures and in payment reforms related to PAC for individuals with hip fracture.

CXCL-16, IL-17, and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) are associated with overweight and obesity conditions in middle-aged and elderly women

BACKGROUND

The current concept of overweight/obesity is most likely related to a combination of increased caloric intake and decreased energy expenditure. Widespread inflammation, associated with both conditions, appears to contribute to the development of some obesity-related comorbidities. Interventions that directly or indirectly target individuals at high risk of developing obesity have been largely proposed because of the increasing number of overweight/obese cases worldwide. The aim of the present study was to assess CXCL16, IL-17, and BMP-2 plasma factors in middle-aged and elderly women and relate them to an overweight or obese status. In total, 117 women were selected and grouped as eutrophic, overweight, and obese, according to anthropometric parameters. Analyses of anthropometric and circulating biochemical parameters were followed by plasma immunoassays for CXCL-16, IL-17, and BMP-2.

RESULTS

Plasma mediators increased in all overweight and obese individuals, with the exception of BMP-2 in the elderly group, whereas CXCL16 levels were shown to differentiate overweight and obese individuals. Overweight and/or obese middle-aged and elderly individuals presented with high LDL, triglycerides, and glycemia levels. Anthropometric parameters indicating increased-cardiovascular risk were positively correlated with CXCL-16, BMP-2, and IL-17 levels in overweight and obese middle-aged and elderly individuals.

CONCLUSION

This study provides evidence that CXCL-16, IL-17, and BMP-2 are potential plasma indicators of inflammatory status in middle-aged and elderly women; therefore, further investigation of obesity-related comorbidities is recommended. CXCL16, in particular, could be a potential marker for middle-aged and elderly individuals transitioning from eutrophic to overweight body types, which represents an asymptomatic and dangerous condition.

Barriers in Transitioning Patients With Severe Obesity From Hospitals to Nursing Homes

This cross-sectional, descriptive study explored perspectives of discharge planners regarding transitions of hospitalized patients who are severely obese seeking discharge to a nursing home. Attention has been focused on care transitions regarding high hospital readmission rates, yet specific needs of patients who are severely obese have been largely overlooked. Ninety-seven (response rate 39.8%) discharge planners returned surveys addressing frequency of, and issues encountered when, arranging placements. Community and hospital characteristics were also collected. One third of the respondents from Pennsylvania and Arkansas reported inability to transfer patients; barriers included reimbursement, staffing, and equipment. Respondents perceiving nursing homes to have equipment concerns were nearly 7 times more likely to report patient size as a barrier ( p = .001). Given increasing obesity rates, health care delivery systems must be prepared to provide necessary resources and all levels of care, including transitions for hospitalized patients who are severely obese needing nursing home care post-discharge.

Challenges in the Management of Geriatric Obesity in High Risk Populations

The global prevalence of obesity in the older adult population is growing, an increasing concern in both the developed and developing countries of the world. The study of geriatric obesity and its management is a relatively new area of research, especially pertaining to those with elevated health risks. This review characterizes the state of science for this “fat and frail” population and identifies the many gaps in knowledge where future study is urgently needed. In community dwelling older adults, opportunities to improve both body weight and nutritional status are hampered by inadequate programs to identify and treat obesity, but where support programs exist, there are proven benefits. Nutritional status of the hospitalized older adult should be optimized to overcome the stressors of chronic disease, acute illness, and/or surgery. The least restrictive diets tailored to individual preferences while meeting each patient’s nutritional needs will facilitate the energy required for mobility, respiratory sufficiency, immunocompentence, and wound healing. Complications of care due to obesity in the nursing home setting, especially in those with advanced physical and mental disabilities, are becoming more ubiquitous; in almost all of these situations, weight stability is advocated, as some evidence links weight loss with increased mortality. High quality interdisciplinary studies in a variety of settings are needed to identify standards of care and effective treatments for the most vulnerable obese older adults.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: coagulation anomalies and treatment with continuous positive airway pressure

INTRODUCTION

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a highly prevalent sleep disorder associated with severe cardiovascular events, morbidity and mortality. Recent evidence has highlighted OSAS as an independent risk factor for an excessive platelet activation and arterial thrombosis, but the underlying mechanisms have not yet been determined. Studies in cell culture and animal models have significantly increased our understanding of the mechanisms of inflammation in OSAS. Hypoxia is a critical pathophysiological element that leads to an intense sympathetic activity, in association with systemic inflammation, oxidative stress and procoagulant activity. While platelet dysfunction and/or hypercoagulability play an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular disease, there are limited studies on the potential role of blood viscosity in the development of vascular disease in OSAS.

CONCLUSION

Further studies are required to determine the precise role of hypercoagulability in the cardiovascular pathogenesis of OSAS, particularly its interaction with oxidative stress, thrombotic tendency and endothelial dysfunction. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP), the gold standard treatment for OSAS, not only significantly reduced apnea-hypopnoea indices but also markers of hypercoagulability, thus representing a potential mechanisms by which CPAP reduces the rate of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in OSAS patients.