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To explore the relationship between walking activity and sleep quality among elderly. A cross-sectional, correlation study with purposive sampling was conducted on participants with a walking habit but not regular moderate-intensity exercise. Data were collected by structured questionnaires, including the Walking Activity Questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The total walking time per week and frequency of walking per day were significant predictors of sleep quality. Walking can help older community-dwelling adults improve their sleep quality. Walking more than once per day and total walking time per week ≥210 minutes were associated with good sleep quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older ICU survivors are often challenged with clusters of geriatric syndromes and functional decline. The purpose of this study was (a) to assess patterns of geriatric syndromes and functional status from admission to 6 months post discharge and (b) to examine the predictors of longitudinal functional status. This is a prospective cohort study. Demographic information, clinical variables, geriatric syndromes, and functional status were collected longitudinally. A total of 192 medical ICU older adult survivors were included in the analysis. Factors associated with reductions in functional status over 6 months were (a) institutionalized prior to hospitalization, (b) pressure sore before admission, (c) existing delirium, (d) impaired mobility at baseline, (e) increased APACHE II score upon ICU admission, and (f) use of mechanical ventilation during the ICU stay. Importantly, overweight was the only factor that was associated with increased functional level over 6 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purposes of the study were to explore the differences in perceived exercise barriers across three age groups of Taiwanese rural women (30–50, 51–70, and >70 years old) and to examine the associations between perceived exercise barriers and regular exercise behavior. A total of 227 women completed the Self-Reported Exercise Behavior and the Perceived Exercise Barrier Scale. Women older than 70 reported higher physical and psychological barriers and lower administrative barriers than did the younger group. Women who did not exercise regularly tended to have a higher perception of exercise barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives To explore the incidence, associated factors and adverse outcomes for initial inappropriate use of urinary catheters in hospitalised older patients. Background Urinary catheters can lead to substantial complications. The related factors and adverse outcomes associated with initial inappropriate urinary catheter use among hospitalised older patients have not been studied. Design Prospective cohort study. Methods A total of 321 older patients admitted to the hospital in southern Taiwan having urinary catheters placed within 24 hours of admission were recruited. Demographic factors, voiding function history, health conditions and care conditions of catheter placement were collected through a review of medical records, interviewing participants or their primary caregivers. Catheter-associated urinary tract infection during hospitalisation, transfer to a nursing home, length of hospital stay and change in activities of daily living determined as outcomes. Criteria for urinary catheter placement were developed to identify inappropriate use. Results The incidence of initial inappropriate use of urinary catheters among hospitalised Taiwanese older patients was 38·3%. The rationale most often reported for initial inappropriate use was 'convenience of care' (49·6%). Factors associated with initial inappropriate use were, chronic constipation, urinary tract infection history, medical treatment diagnosis, cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms and independence in activities of daily living and, insertion of catheter during evening and night shifts and lack of nursing documentation of the rationale for catheterisation. Patients with initial inappropriate use showed greater decline in activities of daily living function between admission and discharge. Conclusion Older patients with greater care needs may become the victims of initial inappropriate use of urinary catheters. Inappropriate use may devastate the activities of daily living in older patients. Nurses' awareness of indications for urinary catheters may prevent inappropriate use. Relevance to clinical practice A policy to strengthen nurses' awareness of the use of urinary catheters is needed in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the relationships between types of activity and quality of life (QOL) for older men and women at different ages. Based on cross-sectional data that included 220 community-dwelling elderly persons aged 65 and older in southern Taiwan, the results showed that the participation rates in many activities declined with age for both genders. Social activity and solitary leisure activity were significantly associated with QOL for old-old men, but not for young-old men. Only social activity was significantly associated with QOL for young-old women, but there was no significant association between any activity and QOL for old-old women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. This study examines the relationship between transitions in volunteering activity and physical and psychological health outcomes among older adults in Taiwan. Method. We used 3 waves of a longitudinal survey from Taiwan (1999, 2003, and 2007) including 1,847 older adults aged 58–74. We categorized volunteer activity over time into 5 categories and used generalized estimating equations to examine the relationship between volunteer transition group membership and health outcomes. Results. Approximately, 3% of older volunteers kept volunteering and 7% stopped or started their volunteering over time. Engaging in any volunteering, including continuous volunteering, discrete volunteering, active-to-inactive volunteering, and inactive-to-active volunteering, was significantly associated with better self-rated health and higher life satisfaction when compared with the nonvolunteering group. Only those in the continuous volunteer group and those who shifted from inactive-to-active volunteering showed a positive association with better physical function and less depression, compared with the nonvolunteering group. Discussion. The results suggest that the positive relationship between volunteering and health may decline when older adults discontinue or withdraw from volunteering. More research is needed to explore the mechanism behind older people’s desistance from, persistence in, and resumption of volunteer engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aims and objectives This study presents a discussion of the physiological and psychological efficacy of a self-regulation protocol in lowering acute exacerbation symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Background Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are often troubled by acute exacerbation and must learn how to prevent this. Design A two-group, pretest-post-test experimental design was used in this study. Methods Data were collected between January- July 2008. Sixty-four participants were randomly assigned either to an intervention ( n = 33) or to a comparison ( n = 31) group. Both groups were assessed on four separate occasions, namely pretest, post-test 1 (5th week), post-test 2 (9th week) and post-test 3 (13th week). The intervention group received a four-week self-regulation protocol. The comparison group received the self-regulation guidebook only. The Borg Dyspnea Scale, the Symptom Distress Scale, the Pulmonary Functional Status Scale, the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Self-Efficacy Scale and the peak expiratory flow were used to measure differences between pretest and post-test values. Results On the 5th, 9th and 13th weeks after the self-regulation protocol intervention, we found significantly better scores in the four scales in the intervention group compared to those in the comparison group. On the 9th and 13th weeks, there was a significantly greater peak expiratory flow in the intervention group. The intervention group also showed a lower rate of unscheduled physician visits because of acute exacerbation than the comparison group. Conclusion The findings indicate that the self-regulation protocol developed in this study could significantly assist participants to control their individual symptoms and avoid acute exacerbation. Relevance to clinical practice Healthcare professionals could apply the protocol developed in this study to assist patients to learn the strategies of self-regulation to prevent their acute exacerbation symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]