Publications by authors named "Basia Belza"

Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to evaluate a coaching program designed to enhance the implementation of Dementia Care Practice Recommendations (DCPR) in care communities.
  • A 6-month intervention focused on improving policies, training, and care practices was conducted in 36 care communities across Washington and Montana.
  • Results indicated that staff found the coaching program beneficial, leading to higher job satisfaction and greater use of person-centered care, although further research with a larger sample is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Urinary concerns increase with age impacting health and quality of life. The aims of this study were to describe: (1) urinary concerns as an age-related change (ARC); (2) the challenges of urinary concerns; (3) adaptation strategies used to manage urinary concerns; and (4) the value of engaging with aging (EWA) as a framework to promote self-management of urinary concerns.

Methods: Data was used from semi-structured interviews with 29 older adults (mean age 77 years).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The rising prevalence of Alzheimer's disease necessitates better training for primary care providers (PCPs) to detect cognitive issues.
  • A new program called the Cognition in Primary Care Program was developed, focusing on web-based training and integrated tools for easier cognitive evaluation in a health system.
  • The implementation of this program showed that PCPs felt more confident in assessing cognition and significantly increased the number of cognitive assessments and diagnoses of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aims: To analyse the concept of eating experiences in people living with dementia.

Design: Rodgers' evolutionary method of concept analysis was used as a framework for the paper.

Data Sources: The literature was searched using electronic databases PubMed, Google Scholar, CINHAL, PsycInfo, Web of Science, Embase and Elsevier databases.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Burden of dementia is expected to substantially increase. Early dementia is underdiagnosed in primary care. Given the benefits of active management of dementia, earlier detection in primary care is imperative.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The current study examined the associations between perceptions of the social and physical neighborhood environments and cognitive function in older adults. This cross-sectional study analyzed 821 adults aged ≥65 years from the Adult Changes in Thought study. Perceived neighborhood attributes were measured by the Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Scale.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The Dementia Friends program trains "dementia champions" to educate their communities about dementia, aiming to reduce stigma.
  • A study evaluated the pilot program in Washington State, revealing that participants’ attitudes improved after attending sessions and were maintained a month later.
  • Participants and champions suggested that enhancing logistical support during recruitment could make the program more effective and sustainable for volunteers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The aim of this study was to examine the role of walking in explaining associations between perceived and objective measures of walkability and cognitive function among older adults. The study employed a cross-sectional design analyzing existing data. Data were obtained from the Adult Changes in Thought Activity Monitor study.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background And Objectives: In the context of global aging, there is a need to better understand how older adults adapt to their changing health status. Engaging with aging (EWA) is an emerging framework proposed by Carnevali, which provides a new lens to understand an active, conscious daily-living process of managing age-related changes (ARCs) taken on by older adults. Study aims were to (a) describe the ARCs experienced by community-dwelling older adults and (b) identify the strategies and resources used by older adults to accommodate the daily-living challenges caused by the associated ARCs.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: To examine the patient outcomes of a comprehensive health education plus village health volunteer monitoring support program on older adults with knee osteoarthritis who are overweight and have type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Quasi-experimental, two-group, pretest-posttest design was applied. Using random geographic cluster sampling, older adults who met the inclusion criteria were assigned to two groups, 62 in the intervention group and 71 in the control group.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Older adults who are Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) represent one of the fastest growing populations in the United States and face a significant burden of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Little is known about ADRD among AAPI subgroups. The current study aimed to: (a) explore perceptions and beliefs of memory loss and dementia among Korean, Samoan, Cambodian, and Chinese older adults in the United States; and (b) identify culturally relevant facilitators and barriers of participation in a brain health program among four AAPI subgroups.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Most older adults do not meet recommended guidelines for physical activity. Referrals from physical therapists (PTs) to community- and evidence-based physical-activity programs like Enhance®Fitness have potential to address this gap. We tested an intervention intended to increase referrals of older adults to Enhance®Fitness programs offered at YMCAs.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aims And Objectives: To identify and compare frailty instruments used with hospitalised orthopaedic patients aged over 65.

Background: Frailty predicts clinical events in orthopaedic patients aged over 65. However, the strengths and limitations of different approaches to measuring frailty in this population are rarely discussed.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Evidence-based programs (EBPs) are used across disciplines to integrate research into practice and improve outcomes at the individual and/or community level. Despite widespread development and implementation of EBPs, many programs are not sustained beyond the initial implementation period due to many factors, including workforce turnover. This scoping review summarizes research on the impact of workforce turnover on the sustainability of EBPs and recommendations for mitigating these impacts.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Bearing witness in oncology nursing is a critical practice for supporting patients with cancer, and yet it is an understudied phenomenon most described at the end of life. A literature review was performed to better understand the importance of bearing witness across the cancer care trajectory and to elucidate how the practicing oncology nurse can operationalize this skill in the clinical setting. Studies suggest that oncology nurses who successfully bear witness in their practice not only assist patients and families in meaning-finding, but also sustain themselves for the difficult work of oncology through the deeply gratifying gift they receive from the experience.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background And Objectives: Identifying the experience of people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may help develop research agendas, interventions, and other supports to better match individuals' needs. The purpose of this study was to explore the subjective experience of a "typical week" living with MCI to document (a) important activities, (b) barriers to usual activities, and (c) facilitators and supports.

Research Design And Methods: We conducted remote individual photo-elicitation interviews with 11 community-dwelling adults aged 55 years or older with MCI.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aims And Objectives: To test the ability of the Reported Edmonton Frail Scale-Thai version to predict hospital outcomes compared with standard preoperative assessment measures (American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification and the Elixhauser Comorbidity Measure) in older Thai orthopaedic patients.

Background: Frailty is a common geriatric condition. No previous studies have assessed frailty among orthopaedic patients in Thailand.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Dementia is a growing public health concern, and African Americans and Latinos are disproportionately affected compared to White Americans. Improving cognitive health outcomes and reducing disparities requires a diverse, interdisciplinary workforce. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Healthy Brain Research Network (HBRN) Scholars Program trained racially/ethnically and gender-diverse scholars through mentored, collaborative research.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF