"Understanding dementia together": The design, delivery and evaluation of a collaborative, inter-professional dementia workshop for healthcare students.

Background: A collaborative, multi-disciplinary team input is crucial for the optimal management of the older adult with complex care needs such as dementia. Interprofessional learning (IPL) at undergraduate level can lead to improved collaborative knowledge and skills. The aim of this study was to develop, deliver and evaluate an IPL dementia workshop for healthcare students across 11 disciplines.

Wearable-Enabled Algorithms for the Estimation of Parkinson's Symptoms Evaluated in a Continuous Home Monitoring Setting Using Inertial Sensors.

Motor symptoms such as tremor and bradykinesia can develop concurrently in Parkinson's disease; thus, the ideal home monitoring system should be capable of tracking symptoms continuously despite background noise from daily activities. The goal of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of detecting symptom episodes in a free-living scenario, providing a higher level of interpretability to aid AI-powered decision-making. Machine learning models trained on wearable sensor data from scripted activities performed by participants in the lab and clinician ratings of the video recordings of these tasks identified tremor, bradykinesia, and dyskinesia in the supervised lab environment with a balanced accuracy of 83%, 75%, and 81%, respectively, when compared to the clinician ratings.

Staff perspectives on fall prevention activities in long-term care facilities for older residents: "Brief but often" staff education is key.

Introduction: Falls are a serious health problem in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), affecting more than 50% of residents. A key role of LTCF staff is to assess fall risks and implement fall prevention activities. Understanding the barriers and facilitators is key to successful implementation.

Delirium Incidence and Predictors in SARS-CoV-2 Vaccinated Residents in Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF): Insights from the GeroCovid Vax Study.

Objective: SARS-CoV-2 vaccination can bring an important benefit for older people in terms of reduction of mortality and hospitalization; however, reports of rare adverse effects like altered consciousness and delirium among this demographic have raised concerns. This study aimed to assess delirium incidence post-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and its predictors in older residents across 60 Italian long-term care facilities (LTCFs).

Design: This is a prospective cohort study considering data from GeroCovid Vax, a multicenter cohort study jointly performed by the Italian Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics (SIGG) (Florence, Italy) and the Italian National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità-ISS, Rome, Italy), and sponsored by the Italian Medicines Agency (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco-AIFA).

People with dementia and family carers are welcoming of a model of dementia palliative care, but sceptical of its implementation.

Introduction: A palliative care approach can improve quality-of-life for people with dementia. It is the preference of many people with dementia to remain living at home until death, with the appropriate care. To develop a successful model for dementia palliative care in the community, it is essential to assimilate the perspectives and experiences of those affected.

Screening for Cognitive Impairment in Movement Disorders: Comparison of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Quick Mild Cognitive Impairment Screen in Parkinson's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia.

Background: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is recommended by the Movement Disorder Society for cognitive testing in movement disorders including Parkinson's disease (PD) and lewy body dementia. Few studies have compared cognitive screening instruments in these diseases, which overlap clinically.

Objective: To compare the MoCA and Quick Mild Cognitive Impairment (Q screen in this population.

"Exercise… to Me, It's Freedom": Motivation, Support, and Self-Management to Keep Physically Active with Parkinson's Disease: A Qualitative Study.

The benefits of exercise have been widely explored among people with Parkinson's (PwP). Exercise can improve non-motor (fatigue, pain, sleep, etc.) and motor features (balance, muscle strength, gait speed, etc.

Navigating the future of Alzheimer's care in Ireland - a service model for disease-modifying therapies in small and medium-sized healthcare systems.

Background: A new class of antibody-based drug therapy with the potential for disease modification is now available for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the complexity of drug eligibility, administration, cost, and safety of such disease modifying therapies (DMTs) necessitates adopting new treatment and care pathways. A working group was convened in Ireland to consider the implications of, and health system readiness for, DMTs for AD, and to describe a service model for the detection, diagnosis, and management of early AD in the Irish context, providing a template for similar small-medium sized healthcare systems.

Delirium care in hospitals in Ireland on World Delirium Awareness Day 2023.

Background: Acute, transient, but sometimes persistent, delirium is characterized by a sharp disruption in attention, consciousness, and cognitive function, and can be caused by many medications and disorders. Delirium occurrence and negative consequences, such as falls and functional decline, can be decreased with multifactorial prevention and timely detection.

Aims: To describe current clinical practice in relation to the prevention, assessment, and management of delirium in Irish hospitals; awareness-raising and educational activities; and barriers to good practice.

Behavioural change for Parkinson's Disease: A randomised controlled feasibility study to promote physical activity and exercise adherence among people with Parkinson's: study protocol.

Background: Parkinson's is a common progressive neurological condition characterized by motor and non-motor deficits. Physical activity and exercise can improve health, but many people with Parkinson's (PwP) have trouble reaching the recommended dosage. Our recent literature review found improvements in exercise adherence with behavioural change interventions, but it remains unclear which are most effective.

Dissonance in the face of Alzheimer's disease breakthroughs: clinician and lay stakeholder acceptance, concerns and willingness to pay for emerging disease-modifying therapies.

Background: Introducing new disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for Alzheimer's disease demands a fundamental shift in diagnosis and care for most health systems around the world. Understanding the views of health professionals, potential patients, care partners and taxpayers is crucial for service planning and expectation management about these new therapies.

Aims: To investigate the public's and professionals' perspectives regarding (1) acceptability of new DMTs for Alzheimer's disease; (2) perceptions of risk/benefits; (3) the public's willingness to pay (WTP).

A systematic review of Behaviour Change Interventions to improve exercise self-efficacy and adherence in people with Parkinson's disease using the Theoretical Domains Framework.

Physical activity and exercise can limit the development of sarcopenia in Parkinson's Disease. This review aims to evaluate the potential effects of behavioural change (BC) interventions on exercise self-efficacy and adherence in people with Parkinson's. We searched nine databases and included randomised and non-randomised studies reporting exercise self-efficacy, quality of life (QoL), physical function and/or exercise adherence.

Core requirements of frailty screening in the emergency department: an international Delphi consensus study.

Introduction: Frailty is associated with adverse outcomes among patients attending emergency departments (EDs). While multiple frailty screens are available, little is known about which variables are important to incorporate and how best to facilitate accurate, yet prompt ED screening. To understand the core requirements of frailty screening in ED, we conducted an international, modified, electronic two-round Delphi consensus study.

Priorities for developing stroke care in Ireland from the perspectives of stroke survivors, family carers and professionals involved in stroke care: A mixed methods study.

Introduction: Increasing numbers of people are living with stroke, due to population ageing and improved survival, leading to a need for evidence to inform future policy decision-making. This study aimed to engage with stakeholders in Ireland to identify priorities for stroke services development.

Methods: A sequential mixed methods design was used.

Staff's insights into fall prevention solutions in long-term care facilities: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Falls are one of the most common and serious health issues in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), impacting not just residents, but staff and the healthcare system. This study aimed to explore LTCF staff's current practices around falls prevention, and their suggested solutions for better falls prevention.

Methods: In the southwest of Ireland, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 13 LTCF sites, across a range of provider types and facility sizes.

Experiences of health service access: A qualitative interview study of people living with Parkinson's disease in Ireland.

Background: People with Parkinson's disease (PD) do not always access specialist outpatient services in a timely manner in Ireland. The perspectives of people living with PD, relating to service access, are largely absent in the existing literature.

Aim: To explore experiences of PD service access for people living with PD, using a qualitative approach.

A comparison of four dementia palliative care services using the RE-AIM framework.

Background: Living with a life-limiting illness, people with dementia benefit from palliative care which considers the holistic needs of the person and their family. However, little is known about how palliative care may be best provided to people living with dementia at home in the community. We examined four exemplary dementia palliative care services for people with dementia in the community, to see what activities they were providing, what were the commonalities and differences, and what lessons could be learned.

Postgraduate education in healthy and active ageing: learning needs, curriculum and expected outcomes: a scoping review protocol.

As the European population ages, it becomes increasingly important to promote and facilitate healthy and active ageing and age-friendly societies. Professionals across a range of disciplines and sectors need knowledge and skills to support both. This scoping review aims to identify and map the literature on learning needs, learning outcomes and respective curricula in healthy and active ageing and age-friendly society concepts.

Frailty Knowledge, Use of Screening Tools, and Educational Challenges in Emergency Departments in Ireland: A Multisite Survey.

Background: Recognizing frailty and providing evidenced-based management in busy emergency departments is challenging. Understanding the knowledge and educational needs of ED staff is important to design training that might improve patient outcomes.

Objective: This study aimed to explore frailty knowledge of ED staff, use of frailty screening instruments in Irish emergency departments, and educational challenges in the emergency department.

Staff knowledge, attitudes and confidence levels for fall preventions in older person long-term care facilities: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Falls are the most common health problem affecting older people in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), with well-recognised adverse psychological and physical resident outcomes, and high staff burden and financial cost. LTCF staff knowledge and skills can play a vital role in providing and promoting fall prevention care.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey study was conducted across 13 LTCF sites in the Southwest of Ireland; a sampling frame facilitated inclusion of a range of provider types and facility sizes.

Rehabilitation Nurses' Knowledge About Pain in Older Adults in Malta.

Purpose: Rehabilitation nurses require adequate knowledge about pain to improve patient experience and quality of care. We explored nurses' knowledge and attitudes towards pain in older adults in a large rehabilitation hospital in Malta.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Learning needs in healthy and active aging according to key stakeholders: A multinational survey.

Healthy and active aging and age-friendly society frameworks attempt to address the well-documented challenges and opportunities of population aging. To meet the needs of an increasingly older society, there is a demand for professionals with appropriate age-related knowledge and skills. To this end, a master's in active aging is in development.