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Thirteen percent of Hispanic households provide care to an adult aged 50 or older, but given their dramatic population growth, an increasingly large number of families will soon be placed in a caregiving role. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Hispanic caregivers could be accessed through local provider groups, with the goal of generating interventions to decrease caregiver burden. Study findings raise Anglo nurses' awareness of the need for staff who share the values and language of diverse subgroups. Second, they confirm the presence of male caregivers, sons who alone provide personal care to a parent. Lastly, the effect of empathetic, informal interactions and personal stories in communication with Hispanics cannot be overstated. We believe that our findings are of interest to clinicians who help Hispanic families access community care agencies and, conversely, will help community agencies identify families who need assistance and clinical researchers who are seeking study participants.

Some individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) experience not only cognitive deficits but also a decline in motor function, including postural balance. This pilot study sought to estimate the feasibility, user experience, and effects of a novel sensor-based balance training program. Patients with amnestic MCI (mean age 78.2 yr) were randomized to an intervention group (IG, n = 12) or control group (CG, n = 10). The IG underwent balance training (4 wk, twice a week) that included weight shifting and virtual obstacle crossing. Real-time visual/audio lower-limb motion feedback was provided from wearable sensors. The CG received no training. User experience was measured by a questionnaire. Postintervention effects on balance (center of mass sway during standing with eyes open [EO] and eyes closed), gait (speed, variability), cognition, and fear of falling were measured. Eleven participants (92%) completed the training and expressed fun, safety, and helpfulness of sensor feedback. Sway (EO, p = 0.04) and fear of falling (p = 0.02) were reduced in the IG compared to the CG. Changes in other measures were nonsignificant. Results suggest that the sensor-based training paradigm is well accepted in the target population and beneficial for improving postural control. Future studies should evaluate the added value of the sensor-based training compared to traditional training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]