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The 11th Annual NGIG Publication

The 10th Annual NGIG Publication

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Featured Student Researchers 2024

Geriatrics research is vital to continue improving the care of Canada's aging population. Check out the featured NGIG Student Researchers below that NGIG's VP Research had the opportunity to interview. If you would like your research featured or have something interesting to share, please reach out to Rachael Donnelly at ngigvpresearch@gmail.com.

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Highlighted Research in Geriatric Medicine

Cognitive functioning and falls in older people: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Sturnieks DL, Chan LL, Cerda MTE, Arbona CH, Pinilla BH, Martinez PS, Seng NW, Smith N, Menant JC, Lord SR
Arch Gerontol Geriatr, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2024

Falls in older adults can have a tremendous impact on their health and quality of life; hence, it is vital to identify risk factors for fall prevention. Older adults with cognitive impairment are known to have increased risk of falls. In a systematic review and meta-analysis done by Sturnieks et al., they assessed fall status in relation to performance in different areas of cognition.

Thirty-eight studies and a total of 37,101 participants, mean age of 65 years old or minimal age of 60, were included. The meta-analysis consisted of 28 studies. Falls were associated with poorer performances in areas of cognitive flexibility (SMD=0.21), processing speed (SMD=0.20), recall (SMD=0.15), working memory (SMD=0.12) and sustained attention (SMD=0.14). Poor cognitive flexibility measured by Trail Making Test Part B had the strongest association with falls (SMD=0.24), and it was also the most commonly used test, shared across 14 studies. Interestingly, visual perception, language, inhibitory control, and recognition memory were not related to fall risk. Overall, fall status appeared to be more associated with executive functioning as exemplified in this meta-analysis in areas of attention, working memory, and mental flexibility; this is likely because maintaining gait and balance requires more executive functions.

The implication of this study is the potential role of cognitive testing in the assessment of fall risk in older adults. Additionally, in clinical settings, clinicians may be alerted of fall risks in older adults with weaker executive functions on screening or neuropsychological tests.

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Intergenerational communities: A systematic literature review of intergenerational interactions and older adults’ health-related outcomes

Sinan Zhong, Chanam Lee, Margaret J. Foster, Jiahe Bian
Social Science & Medicine. 2020. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113374

Aging in place, “the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level” is an increasingly popular concept in response to population aging. Given the growing emphasis on enabling older adults to maintain their health and well-being, understanding factors that influence these outcomes is critical. This systematic review synthesizes 24 studies investigating correlations between intergenerational interaction and older adults’ health-related outcomes. Social interactions with young children (kindergarten to third graders) in program-based activities revealed the most significant and broadest range of health benefits for older adults, including physical health, psychosocial health, cognitive function, social relationships, physical activity, and social activity. Positive associations were also noted between interactions with youth with developmental disabilities and social ties. Some studies further support that intergenerational activities bring mutual benefits to both older and younger generations. Knowledge gaps remain, however, in identifying optimal amounts and types of social interactions desirable for individual older adults. A limitation highlighted by this review is the relatively small sample sizes in the existing literature, with 17 of the studies having fewer than 150 participants. In conclusion, there is favorable evidence supporting the significance of program-based interventions in promoting intergenerational activities and associate health benefits for older adults. Further studies with more representative samples, allowing for increased generalizability of study findings, can contribute to creating intergenerational communities with both place-based and program-based supports to better address age-related societal challenges that older adults in communities will continue to face.

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Sleep health and aging: Recommendations for promoting healthy sleep among older adults: A National Sleep Foundation reports

Koffel, Erin et al.
Sleep Health: Journal of the National Sleep Foundation, 2023. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh.2023.08.018

Optimal sleep health is essential for the aging population, enhancing overall health and wellness. As many older adults experience less than ideal sleep quality and health – due to biological, psychosocial, and environmental changes – education and counselling should be provided at both individual and system levels, using cross-disciplinary collaboration. This report aims to identify actionable recommendations, provided by The Sleep Health and Aging Conference, upon daytime and night-time behaviours to promote sleep health. It is highlighted that motivating older adults to improve and uptake healthy sleep behaviours can be emphasized by linking sleep and key health outcomes such as “brain health, pain management, and weight management.” Recommendations upon daytime routines should be directed towards regulating circadian rhythm, with daily bright light exposure, moderate to vigorous physical activity, and consistent mealtimes. At night, it is crucial to optimize factors that are under one’s control, such as maintaining consistent bed and rise times and optimal sleep environment (e.g., dark, quiet, cool). However, for many older adults, external factors like work schedules or living arrangements may limit control, necessitating interventions at the community or facility level. Therefore, healthcare providers should address sleep disorders and concerns, considering the impact of medications, and offer appropriate interventions, both nonpharmacological and pharmacological. Additionally, community support, such as peer programs, can also be of benefit. Of importance, it is noted that health messaging should be accessible; should be culturally sensitive and inclusive; and should comprise diverse representations of older adults to promote equity and distribution of information.

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Renewal Reminder

Renew your CGS membership if you haven't already by going to your member profile! Thank you for your continuous support and for being a member of the Canadian Geriatrics Society. We are looking forward to another fantastic year!