Changes in Mood in New Enrollees at a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

Efficacy of Government-Sponsored Community Health Programs for Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Published Evaluation Studies

Objective: Population aging is an ongoing challenge for global health policy and is expected to have an increasing impact on developing economies in years to come. A variety of community health programs have been developed to deliver health services to older adults, and evaluating these programs is crucial to improving service delivery and avoiding barriers to implementation. This systematic review examines published evaluation research relating to public and community health programs aimed at older adults throughout the world.

Methods: A literature search using standardized criteria yielded 58 published articles evaluating 46 specific programs in 14 countries.

Results: Service models involving sponsorship of comprehensive facilities providing centralized access to multiple types of health services were generally evaluated the most positively, with care coordination programs appearing to have generally more modest success, and educational programs having limited effectiveness. Lack of sufficient funding was a commonly-cited barrier to successful program implementations.

Conclusion: It is important to include program evaluation as a component of future community and public health interventions aimed at aging populations to better understand how to improve these programs.

Reported Needs and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults Entering Long-Term Services and Supports

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Long-term services and supports (LTSS) are vital for older adults with physical and cognitive disabilities. LTSS can be provided in settings such as nursing homes, assisted living, or via community-based services. During the transition to LTSS, older adults are at risk of increased depressive symptoms. In addition, older adults may identify unmet needs despite having access to new LTSS resources. The goal of this study was to examine the factors associated with increased depressive symptoms among a pool of older adults, with a focus on change in reported needs after starting LTSS.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This cross-sectional analysis of a cohort study included 352 older adults new to LTSS (R01AG025524). The outcome of depressive symptoms was measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form. Reported needs included supportive equipment, devices, transportation, and social activities. Bivariate and linear regression modeling using change in needs 3 months later were performed.

RESULTS

Depressive symptoms were present among 40% of the LTSS recipients at enrollment and 3 months. At baseline, 29% of LTSS recipients reported a need for supportive equipment, 30% for transportation, and 23% for social activities. After 3 months, an average of 12% of LTSS recipients' needs were met, 13% of LTSS recipients' needs persisted, and 11% of LTSS recipients reported new needs. Depressive symptoms 3 months later were higher for those who reported persistent unmet needs compared with those who reported no needs at all, controlling for functional status and LTSS type.

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS

The transition to LTSS is a vulnerable time for older adults. Assessing the need for equipment, transportation, and social activities during this period may identify opportunities to improve the lives and emotional status of this population.

Implementation of a pharmacist-led pharmacogenomics service for the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PHARM-GENOME-PACE)

OBJECTIVES

To determine the feasibility of implementing a pharmacist-led pharmacogenomics (PGx) service for the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).

SETTING

A national centralized pharmacy providing PGx services to community-based PACE centers.

PRACTICE DESCRIPTION

Individuals 55 years of age and older enrolled in PACE who underwent PGx testing as part of their medical care (n = 296).

PRACTICE INNOVATION

Pharmacist-led PGx testing, interpreting, and consulting.

EVALUATION

Implementation processes and roles were ascertained by reviewing policies and procedures for the PGx service and documented observations made by pharmacists providing the service. Genetic variants and drug-gene interactions (DGIs) were determined by interpretations of PGx test results. Types of recommendations provided by pharmacists were ascertained from PGx consultations. Prescribers' acceptance of recommendations were ascertained by documented responses or drug changes made after PGx consultations.

RESULTS

Challenges to implementation included lack of systems interoperability, limited access to medical electronic health records, determining prescribers' responses, and knowledge and competency gaps in PGx. Pharmacist roles most essential to overcoming challenges were interpreting and applying PGx data, determining how to disseminate those data to prescribers, advocating for appropriate PGx testing, and educating about the application of test results to clinical practice. Participants frequently used drugs posing DGI risks, with the majority (73.6%) reporting more than 1 interaction. The overwhelming majority (89.0%) of pharmacists' recommendations to mitigate risks were accepted by referring prescribers.

CONCLUSION

Implementing a pharmacist-led PGx service for PACE is feasible. Implementation of this service highlights the leadership role of pharmacists in moving PGx from research to practice.