Medication Regimen Complexity and Low Adherence in Older Community-Dwelling Adults With Substantiated Self-Neglect.

Objective: Determine whether medication regimen complexity predicts medication adherence levels in a sample of community-dwelling adults 65 years and older with Adult Protective Services-substantiated self-neglect.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of baseline data ( N = 31 participants) from a pilot intervention to increase medication adherence among the target group was performed. The Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI) and the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8)™ were the primary independent and dependent measures, respectively.

Five-year all-cause mortality rates across five categories of substantiated elder abuse occurring in the community.

Elder abuse increases the likelihood of early mortality, but little is known regarding which types of abuse may be resulting in the greatest mortality risk. This study included N = 1,670 cases of substantiated elder abuse and estimated the 5-year all-cause mortality for five types of elder abuse (caregiver neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial exploitation, and polyvictimization). Statistically significant differences in 5-year mortality risks were found between abuse types and across gender.

Prevention and early identification of elder abuse.

Elder abuse is a public health problem growing more pervasive despite being grossly underreported and underdetected. Annually, many vulnerable older adults suffer various forms of abuse threatening their overall health, quality of life, and survival. To better protect our aging population, we must overcome obstacles such as ageism, lack of geriatric health professional training, and low screening practices in clinical settings.

Anticipatory stress response in PTSD: extreme stress in children.

Topic:   Anticipatory stress chronically activates the stress response in children with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Effects of the allostatic load may begin even before birth in a stressful environment.

Purpose:   The purpose of this paper is to discuss the anticipatory stress response in children with PTSD.