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Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impacted life for older adults living in residential settings, affecting their psychosocial well-being. Risk for COVID-19 is associated with increasing age and pre-existing health conditions. The current study aimed to describe the challenges of COVID-19 and post-traumatic growth (PTG) for residents of a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in South Florida. Method: A parallel mixed methods approach was used to explore the experience of older adults with PTG. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis to identify emergent themes. Results: Ninety-eight older adults living in a single CCRC completed a survey. Age ranged from 67 to 99 years (mean age = 86 years), with >90% identifying as non-Hispanic White and female (78%). Using the PTG theoretical framework, experiences were categorized into five dimensions: new possibilities, relating to others, personal strength, spiritual growth, and appreciation for life. Conclusion: The current study focused on the challenges and growth experienced by older adults, as framed by PTG theory. Findings shed light on the capacity of this demographic, with an average age of 86 years, to overcome obstacles and achieve PTG. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50(6), 25–33.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cannabis remains one of the most widely used illicit substances globally, with 188 million users in 2017. In the United States, nearly 50 million people are reported to have used cannabis in 2020. More research is needed because of the dramatic increase in cannabis use and the perception that its use has minimal risk. Design: The researchers used a retrospective design for this study. Methods: We used the Florida Department of Law Enforcement data from 2014 to 2020 for this study. We used descriptive statistics to report the characteristics of decedents whose cause of death (COD) was associated with cannabinoid (CB) and synthetic cannabinoid (SC) use. We used a general linear model with repeated measures to examine CB and SC death rate trends. Results: A total of 386 decedents' COD in Florida was associated with CB and SC use. Nearly 28% of decedents were 45–54 years, male (87.8%), and non‐Hispanic whites (65.3%). One hundred percent of CB‐related decedents died in urban counties. In rural counties, SC decedents accounted for 28.3% of deaths. Of decedents in rural counties, 39.9% were African American. Most decedents (with CB and SC use) died from accidents (98.7%), with 12.6% of cases involving cardiovascular‐related illnesses. Conclusion: CBs and SCs as a COD pose a legitimate health problem to society. More people ages 45–54 died from CBs and SCs. Drug intoxications (from CBs and SCs) and motor vehicle collisions accounted for most of the accidents reported while under the influence of CBs and SCs. While most decedents from both CBs and SCs were non‐Hispanic whites, a substantial proportion of African Americans died from SCs as a COD in rural counties. It is important that the public become aware of the risks for adverse effects of CB and SC. The public needs to be aware that CB and SC use can exacerbate cardiac‐related conditions. Clinical Relevance: This study has clinical relevance to patient safety. CB and SC use contributes to motor vehicle accidents and can cause adverse effects including death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the role of nurses in addressing climate change and highlights their contributions in promoting environmentally friendly practices, educating communities, and advocating for policies related to climate change and public health. It emphasizes the significance of cultural dimensions in understanding and responding to climate change, with different cultures influencing people's perceptions, values, and behaviors in dealing with environmental challenges.

Understanding the process of making living arrangement decisions among older adult immigrants is essential to developing and optimizing health promotion strategies. The purpose of this study was to discover how older adult Taiwanese immigrants made decisions about their living arrangements. Fourteen Taiwanese older adult immigrants were recruited from a large Northeastern metropolitan city in the United States. A grounded theory approach was used for data collection and analysis. The process by which participants make decisions about living arrangements is best described with the metaphor of Paradise Lost. The process had three phases: Seeking Paradise, Loosing Paradise and Reconsidering Paradise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polypharmacy is a major concern in the care of older adults. People over 65 years of age frequently have multiple medical conditions and may have cancer, which requires multiple medications for treatment. The use of multiple medications increases the risk of drug-drug interactions, non-adherence, and adverse drug reactions. Polypharmacy is a term that refers to a high number of prescribed medications, usually five and above, or the use of more medications than is clinically justified. Although medications are an important factor in improving and maintaining the quality of life of older adults, polypharmacy increases the risks of morbidity and mortality, loss of functional independence, and a multiplicity of cognitive and physical problems in this population. This article examines issues related to polypharmacy in older adults and identifies nursing strategies and interventions to detect and prevent polypharmacy. Nursing strategies discussed include: (1) increasing patient knowledge of pharmacological issues, (2) increasing patient medication management competency, (3) promoting safe patient medication practices, and (4) enhancing patient education. Nurses must be familiar with medicine regimens, understand the primary factors that affect adherence, and participate in continuing education to enhance their ability to safeguard older adult patients.