Smart technologies to enhance social connectedness in older people who live at home.

Aim: To examine the effectiveness of smart technologies in improving or maintaining the social connectedness of older people living at home.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and critical evaluation of research articles published between 2000 and 2013. Article screening, data extraction and quality assessment (using the Downs and Black checklist) were conducted by two independent researchers.

Competing frameworks in planning for the aged in the growth corridors of Melbourne.

The Ageing in the Growth Corridors Project was initiated as a partnership between the University of Melbourne and the Department of Health in the Northwest Metropolitan Region of Melbourne, Australia. It involved a research team working with six project officers appointed to stimulate development in relation to an aging population in the sprawling outer metropolitan growth corridors. This article identifies the key lessons learned in terms of project implementation relating to attitudinal and structural barriers to the development of an age-friendly environment in areas of rapid urban growth.

Integrated care facilitation model reduces use of hospital resources by patients with pediatric asthma.

This evaluation assessed a model of care for pediatric asthma patients that aimed to promote health and reduce their preventable and avoidable use of acute hospital services. Pediatric asthma patients (n=223) were allocated care facilitators who provided assistance in the promotion of carer/self-management, education and linkage to an integrated healthcare system, comprising of acute and community-based healthcare providers. Patients' use of acute hospital services (emergency department [ED] presentations, admissions, and bed-days) pre- and postrecruitment were compared using Wilcoxon signed rank tests.

The influence of the built environment and other factors on the physical activity of older women from different ethnic communities.

Inactivity has been identified as a major contributor to the burden of disease in older women. Study aims were: (a) to assess the personal, social, and environmental facilitators and impediments to physical activity in older women from ethnic communities; and (b) to determine the factors associated with physical activity participation. Older women (aged 60-84 years) were recruited from the local Italian (n = 20), Vietnamese (n = 26) and Anglo-Celtic (n = 26) communities.

Integrated care facilitation for older patients with complex health care needs reduces hospital demand.

Objective: The evaluation of a new model of care for older people with complex health care needs that aimed to reduce their use of acute hospital services.

Method: Older people (over 55 years) with complex health care needs, who had made three or more presentations to a hospital emergency department (ED) in the previous 12 months, or who were identified by community health care agencies as being at risk of making frequent ED presentations, were recruited to the project. The participants were allocated a "care facilitator" who provided assistance in identifying and accessing required health care services, as well as education in aspects of self management.