Mediterranean diet, cognitive function, and dementia – A systematic review of the evidence
Source: Advances in Nutrition
A growing body of evidence suggests that adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD)
may protect against cognitive decline and dementia. Many epidemiologic studies and several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have found positive effects of the MD on cognitive function, but findings remain inconsistent. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an update on the current knowledge of the effects of the MD on cognitive function, cognitive impairment, Alzheimer disease (AD), and all-type dementia.
Motivators and barriers for older people participating in resistance training – A systematic review
Source: Journal of Aging and Physical Activity
Regular participation in resistance training is important for older people to maintain their health and independence, yet participation rates are low. The study aimed to identify motivators and barriers to older people participating in resistance training.
read moreOlder peoples’ unmet needs result in lower quality of life
Source: University of Auckland
Older New Zealanders with unmet needs have a lower quality of life, according to new research from the University of Auckland.
Research that examined socioeconomic and cultural profiles and correlates of quality of life in non-Māori New Zealanders of advanced age, found that despite these challenges, a higher proportion of women reported they can count on someone to help with daily tasks, (83 percent vs 77 percent in men).
read moreNZ needs radical overhaul on dementia care
Source: NewsHub
A global report warns that countries like New Zealand are unprepared for a surge in dementia cases.
The latest World Alzheimer Report says half of dementia cases go undiagnosed and there’s not enough focus on services and support.
The report makes key recommendations, including:
- Continuous, holistic and integrated healthcare for people with dementia;
- Increasing the role of primary care services to increase diagnosis and continuing care;
- Introducing care pathways to improve standards and tackle the lottery dementia patients and their carers experience in accessing care and support;
- More investment into research on cost-effective care;
- Prioritising the search for new treatments.
Talkin’ ’bout my generation
Source: INsite Magazine
Jude Barback looks at the benefits, challenges,
practicalities and limitations of intergenerational activities.
It was “Poppa Jim” Battersby who inspired the agreement between Metlifecare and the Auckland Kindergarten Association (AKA). Ninety-one-year-old Jim Battersby, a resident at Metlifecare’s Hillsborough Heights, has been a friend of nearby Roskill South Kindergarten for the past four years. He was walking past the kindergarten one day when he heard children laughing over the fence. He asked for an introduction and head teacher Karen Ramsey took him on for a ‘trial’ period. He has been visiting the kindy every Tuesday since then. He is such a special visitor that he even has his own special chair at the kindy, where he reads stories to the children.
read moreEvents to celebrate International Day of Older Persons
1 October 2016 is International Day of Older Persons – a day to celebrate all older people, to highlight the value of all older people and to promote dignity and respect.
The 2016 international theme is ‘Stand against Ageism’ and WHO challenge everyone to identify and question internalised ageist attitudes, and to understand the serious impact that these attitudes have.
To find out more about International Day of Older Persons please visit the WHO website.
Events to celebrate International Day of Older Persons:
- AUT Centre for Active Ageing – 29 September 2106, 5-7pm, Auckland
- Auckland Libraries – 1 October 2016, Auckland
- Age Concern New Zealand – 5 October 2016, 3-5pm, Wellington
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2016 AAG Conference
The 2016 AAG Conference is less than 8 weeks away, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring together over 200 of the industry’s leading International and Australian experts, from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, at Australia’s largest evidence-based, multidisciplinary Conference on ageing.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
A diverse conference program featuring:
- 6 Pre-Conference Workshops, facilitated by experts from a wide range of backgrounds in ageing with a wealth of experience.
- 20+ Internationally recognised gerontology thought leaders
- 200+ presentations and discussions led by fellow gerontology leaders, practitioners, professionals, students and emerging stars of the field
- 5 concurrent streams
- 10+ Symposia
- A variety of innovative and traditional presentation styles, including Tabletop Presentations and for the first time at the AAG Annual Conference, the program will feature Rapid Fire Poster Presentations
- 400+ delegates
- AAG Knowledge Hub and Trade Exhibition
- Australasian Journal on Ageing 2016 Photography Competition
Plus much more…
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT
Calling all Nurses and Nursing Students: Help set future directions by contributing to the AAG Position Paper on the Ageing Research Agenda
AAG, in partnership with AAG’s Gerontological Nurses Special Interest Group and ACT Health, are pleased to announce the addition of a new pre-conference workshop to the program:
Re-Imagining the future of Nursing Gerontology in Australia: Contributions to the Ageing Research Agenda
With Associate Professor Christine Stirling (University of Tasmania), Dr Marguerite Bramble (School of Health Sciences) and Dr Danny Hills (Monash University)
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS – LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE
AAG’s Pre-Conference workshops provide attendees with the opportunity to learn new skills and enhance professional development, working directly with gerontology leaders to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of ageing.
- Unequal Ageing – Presented by Paul Cann, Ian Yates and Helen Kimberley in partnership with AGE UK, COTA and Brotherhood of St Laurence
- Critical Success Factors for an Academic Career (from the Thesis Whisperer) – Presented by Dr Inger Mewburn in partnership with Emerging Researchers in Ageing (ERA) and AAG’s Student and Early Career Researcher/Practitioner Group
- Older LGBTI Australia MasterClass – Presented by Dr Catherine Barrett; Hosted by AAG’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Ageing Special Interest Group (LGBTI SIG)
- Aboriginal Cultural Diversity workshop – Presented by Mark Elliott; Hosted by AAG’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ageing Advisory Group (ATSIAAG)
- Publish Before You Perish! Writing for Scholarly Journals: How to ‘get published’ – Presented by Professor Lynne Parkinson and Associate Professor Stephen Neville in partnership with Australasian Journal on Ageing (AJA)
Visit the conference page to find out more >
Reducing Harm from Falls programme evaluation
Source: Health Quality and Safety Commission
The Reducing Harm from Falls Programme is a national programme led
by the Health Quality & Safety Commission. The programme was established in mid-2012 and was one of the first focus areas of the national patient safety campaign Open for better care. The New Zealand Triple Aim was one of the programme’s founding principles.
In November 2015, Synergia was commissioned to evaluate whether the programme was meeting its objectives and intended results; and to assist in determining what the sector needs from the Commission, to support a sustained focus on reducing harm from falls across care settings.
read moreHearing the voices of older people in Wales -what helps and hinders us as we age?
Source: Social Services Improvement Agency
Drawing on interviews and focus groups with 135 older people living in urban and rural areas in Wales this report looks at what helps and what gets in the way of wellbeing for older people and those caring for them.
read moreKnitting group helps North Shore Hospital’s delirium patients
Source: Stuff.co.nz
Crafty knitters are helping nurses at Auckland’s Waitemata District Health Board with a special project.
North Shore Hospital’s gerontology nurse specialists Elaine Docherty and Catherine Mounsey are hoping to raise more awareness about delirium.
The condition, also known as acute brain failure, is a state of altered consciousness that occurs suddenly as a result of physical illness or in response to treatment.
It is different to dementia in that it is generally reversible and more likely affects older people or people who are physically frail, on multiple medications, or unwell.
Docherty and Mounsey have found a way to help ease anxiety and provide distractions for delirium patients by providing them with colourful knitted hand mitts.
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