TOPIC

Older adults research

Everything we have read on older adults. Each paper is summarised from the full article rather than its abstract, so the limitations are in there too, and the funding wherever the paper declares it.

61 PAPERS · PAGE 1 OF 2 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPRNRCT2026Supporting Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Older Adults with Coronary Heart Disease: Development of a Web-Based Nursing Intervention.The Canadian journal of nursing research = Revue canadienne de recherche en sciences infirmieresOlder adults recovering from coronary surgery described fear of triggering symptoms and uncertainty about safe exercise as key barriers to being active. They asked for clear, personalized guidance and regular encouragement from a nurse to build confidence.
• RNSurvey2026Beyond Age: Exploring Health Literacy, Well-Being, and Stress Management Among the Elderly.Western journal of nursing researchOlder adults with higher traditional and digital health literacy reported better stress management and well-being. Stress management was linked to the relationship between health literacy and well-being. This single-time survey does not prove that improving literacy causes better well-being.
• PTOTRNOther2026Health Outcomes Following the Health-Promoting "Reflective STRENGTH-Giving Dialogue" Intervention Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesParticipants reported lower impact of health problems on daily life and higher well-being after each dialogue on average. Over 14 weeks, no significant within-group changes were found.
• RNOther2026Factors associated with osteoporosis in older adult women treated at a referral center.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PIn older women referred for bone density testing, being 80 or older and having a BMI below 27 were associated with osteoporosis. Other habits and conditions were not identified as associated.
• RNSystematic Review2026Interventions to Reduce Loneliness in Informal Caregivers of People With Dementia: A Systematic Review.Journal of clinical nursingMost psychosocial interventions for informal dementia caregivers did not show clear loneliness improvement. One engaged coaching study reported improvement and some stress results were positive, but evidence is small and mixed.
• OTRNQualitative2026Experiences of older people in Long-Term Care Institutions in light of the theory of Liquid Modernity.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S POlder people in long-term care often described institutionalization as imposed by family, with lost autonomy, loneliness, and rigid routines. They also valued safety, basic care, and staff attention. This reports their experiences, not tested interventions.
• RNSystematic Review2026Comparative efficacy of group versus individual reminiscence therapy for depression in older adults: A network meta-analysis stratified by severity.International journal of nursing sciencesIndividual and group reminiscence therapy work equally well for reducing depression in older adults overall. Group therapy ranked highest for mild cases, while individual therapy ranked higher for moderate-to-severe cases and showed greater benefits for anxiety and cognition.
• RNQualitative2026'A Moment for Me': The Role of Respite in Sustaining Mental Health Carers.International journal of mental health nursingCarers of adults with mental illness said respite was only restful when the person they cared for came home safe, happy and well supported. Guilt, cost, poor access and untrained staff kept them mentally on duty.
• RNOther2026Overburden of informal caregivers of older adults with Post-COVID Syndrome.Revista brasileira de enfermagemMost caregivers of older adults with post-COVID syndrome reported burden. Burden was linked to frailty or depression in the older adult and depressive symptoms in the caregiver. These were associations in 75 pairs, not proof of cause.
• PTOTRNOther2026The Moderating Effect of Physical Activity on the Association Between Cognitive Function and Fear of Falling in Low-Income Community-Dwelling Older Adults.Research in gerontological nursingCognitive function was not linked to fear of falling in low-income community-dwelling older adults without measured cognitive impairment, and physical activity did not appear to change this link. More sitting time was linked to more fear; more moderate-to-vigorous activity was linked to less fear.
• RNCohort2026A Retrospective Analysis of Deep Tissue Pressure Injury Prevalence and Incidence Using a Large-scale Wound Care Database in Long-term Care Settings Across North America.Advances in skin & wound careIn skilled nursing facilities in the United States and Canada, deep tissue pressure injury prevalence rose to 7.16% in 2021 and stayed at 6.20% in 2022 and 2023; rates were highest in the 81 to 90 age group and slightly higher in females.
• RNMeta-Analysis2026Association Between Frailty and Cognitive Impairment in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of nursing scholarship : an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of NursingFrail patients with chronic kidney disease had a 213% increase in likelihood of cognitive impairment compared with robust patients. Prefrail patients also had higher likelihood. The review found an association, not proof of cause or prevention.
• RNQualitative2026Qualitative Analysis of Community Dwelling Older Adults' Advance Care Planning Interviews: Patients Want a Chance.The American journal of hospice & palliative careOlder adults facing serious illness often chose full treatment and CPR because they wanted a chance to return to normal, even after acknowledging their illness was not curable and hearing that recovery after CPR was unlikely.
• RNQualitative2026Experiences of older adults who have lost a child: reflections on grief and for nursing.Revista brasileira de enfermagemOlder adults bereaved by a child’s death described grief as lasting and unlike other losses. They relied on faith, prayer, cemetery visits, and private mourning. These supports may matter to how nurses assess bereavement.
• PTOTSLPRNOther2026Patient-Driven Grouping Model and Home Health Use Among Traditional Medicare Beneficiaries.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationHome health visits and episode length fell after PDGM, especially for beneficiaries with dementia. Therapy visits drove much of the decline, and the largest reductions appeared in advanced dementia. This is service use, not proof of harm.
• RNOther2026Trajectories of Medication Use Prior to Death in US Nursing Home Residents With Dementia.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationMost deprescribing happened in the last three months of life. Hospice enrollment and severe functional decline predicted stopping medications. However, chronic drugs like anticoagulants and diuretics were rarely stopped, while symptom relief drugs like anxiolytics and antibiotics were often started.
• RNSystematic Review2026Utilization of electrodermal activity in nursing research: A mapping review.Japan journal of nursing science : JJNSNursing articles using electrodermal activity included 91 mostly small studies, with healthy adults the largest group, and mostly used skin conductance. This mapping review does not show it is a clinical tool for patient assessment.
• RNSystematic Review2026Challenges and Strategies of Informal Caregivers in Medication Management for Older Adults: A Mixed Method Systematic Review.International journal of older people nursingInformal caregivers often took over older adults' medication tasks after decline or acute events. One study of 100 caregivers found almost 40% reported medication burden; another of 685 found 57% reported mistakes. They used pill boxes, alarms and lists.
• RNCohort2026Potential Drug-Drug Interactions With Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir Among Long-Term Care Facility Residents.Journal of the American Medical Directors Association85.9% of long-term care residents given nirmatrelvir/ritonavir also received a potentially interacting medication on the same day. Atorvastatin (28.1%), amlodipine (21.6%), and apixaban (15.9%) were common. This supports medication review, but does not show harm.
• PTOTSLPRNCohort2026Applying the Brief Interview for Mental Status in a Diverse Home Health Patient Population.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationMost home health patients score as cognitively intact on the BIMS, but non-English speakers and minority patients score lower regardless of actual ability. This tool misses mild impairment and should not be used alone to judge a patient's cognition.
• RNSurvey2026The Effect of Caregiver Burden on Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours of People Caring for Patients With Alzheimer's Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesHigher caregiver burden was linked to lower healthy lifestyle behaviours in caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease. Social burden was the clearest burden dimension linked to lower health habits. The study cannot show cause.
• RNCohort2026Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Depressive and Behavioral Symptoms in US Nursing Home Residents.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationLockdown did not produce clinically meaningful worsening in nursing home residents’ overall depression or behavior scores. Some residents with mild depression were more likely to worsen, and those with severe behavior symptoms were more likely to improve.
• RNSystematic Review2026Behind the Mask: Recognising the Person in Relatives of Nursing Home Residents-A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesRelatives of nursing home residents move between conflicting emotions like gratitude and guilt, and shift between roles such as advocate and observer, rather than occupying fixed positions. Their experience is a continuous negotiation of identity within institutional constraints.
• RNCohort2026Experiences and Perceptions of Patient Watch, a Rural Telehealth Case Management Model, for Frequent Presenters to the Emergency Department: A Longitudinal Mixed Methods Study.The Australian journal of rural healthFrequent ED presenters made fewer ED presentations after rural telehealth case management, but without a control the reduction cannot be attributed to the programme. Participants valued monitoring and coordination; some found calls repetitive, and quality of life did not improve.
• RNOther2026Delirium-Related Distress of Hospitalised Older Adults Within the Framework of the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms: A Scoping Review of Qualitative Literature.International journal of mental health nursingHospitalised older adults recalled delirium as frightening, lonely and confusing, with fear, shame and distrust. Family presence, calm validation and hand holding were described as easing distress, while rushed or critical staff communication was linked to more distress.
• RNSurvey2026Associations of dietary patterns, dietary motivations, and nutritional status with skeletal muscle mass in Chinese older adults: A structural equation modeling study.International journal of nursing sciencesStronger eating motivation was associated with better nutrition and higher muscle mass in rural Chinese older adults. A fruit, vegetable and rice pattern aligned with better nutrition, while an oil and condiment pattern clustered with poorer nutrition.
• RNQualitative2026Care Partner Perspectives on Hypertension Management in Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias in an Online Forum: Qualitative Thematic Analysis.JMIR nursingFamily caregivers of people with dementia and high blood pressure described changing medications without provider input, interpreting home readings without guidance, and managing refusal of care. Some also reported developing high blood pressure themselves.
• RNOther2026The Effect of a Peer-Led Non-Pharmacological Pain-Management Program on Chronic Pain Intensity and Pain-Related Self-Efficacy in Older Adults with Osteoarthritis: A Quasi-Experimental Study.International journal of community based nursing and midwiferyPain intensity did not clearly decrease in the peer-led group, but pain self-efficacy scores rose from 36.99 to 54.45 on a 0-60 scale at two months.
• RNOther2026Predictors of Long COVID: older adults, women, and an incomplete COVID-19 vaccination schedule.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemIn adults with long COVID in Brazil, older people reported more shortness of breath, women more hair loss, and people with no vaccine doses more chest pain. These are associations from records, not proof these factors caused symptoms.
• RNOther2026Physical literacy in older adults: An evolutionary concept analysis.International journal of nursing sciencesOlder adult physical literacy was mapped as body-based experience, multiple domains, resilience to aging and disease, and competence for ongoing activity. It is a concept analysis, not evidence that any programme works.
• RNSystematic Review2026Effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for older adults with dementia: An umbrella review.International journal of nursing sciencesNon-drug dementia care approaches produced small, consistent reductions in agitation, depression and anxiety, with modest cognitive gains. Quality of life did not show a clear improvement, so choose interventions for specific symptoms rather than overall wellbeing.
• RNMeta-Analysis2026Effects of group reminiscence on psychosocial outcomes among nursing home residents with intact cognition and mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis.International journal of nursing sciencesNursing home residents with intact cognition or mild cognitive impairment took part in group reminiscence and showed less depression and higher life satisfaction, self-esteem and happiness. Loneliness evidence was inconclusive.
• RNSystematic Review2026Private Equity Ownership in Hospice Care: A Systematic Review (2012-2026).The American journal of hospice & palliative careHospice care experiences were worse in private equity-owned agencies than in nonprofit and other for-profit hospices, especially communication with families and timely care. Emotional and religious support did not differ. Evidence is limited to six studies.
• RNSystematic Review2026Best Evidence Summary for the Management of Frailty in Elderly Patients in Emergency Department-Integrative Review.Nursing openNurse-led frailty screening, assessment, medication review, exercise, nutrition, and discharge planning is recommended for older adults in emergency departments, based on 13 studies.
• RNQualitative2026Perceived experiences of long-term care services among long-term care insurance beneficiaries and their family members: A qualitative interview study in Hunan Province, China.International journal of nursing sciencesBeneficiaries and family members found applications smooth and costs eased, but described unclear disability assessments, uneven caregiver quality, basic care lacking medication management, monitoring, and rehabilitation support, and still paid more than 30% out of pocket.
• RNOther2026Symptom Clusters and Frailty Among Older Adults With and Without Cancer: Insights From Two Cross-Sectional Studies.Nursing & health sciencesIn older adults, depressive symptoms were associated with frailty, and sleep disturbance was linked to part of that association. Pain interfering with daily life was linked to variation in the depression-sleep association in nursing home residents, but not in cancer outpatients.
• RNSurvey2026Frailty and Social Isolation of Elderly Prostate Cancer Patients: A Chain Mediating and Network Analysis of Illness Perception and Acceptance.Nursing openOlder men with prostate cancer who were more frail also reported more negative illness views, lower acceptance, and greater social isolation. The study did not test whether changing these factors reduces isolation.
• RNOther2026Unsupervised Learning Identifies Sleep Disturbance Subtypes Among Dementia Caregivers.Nursing research143 dementia caregivers split into three sleep groups: efficient sleep, trouble falling and staying asleep, and too little sleep. The too little sleep group was 72.0% male, 64% reported no support, and 100% reported a non-English primary language.
• OTRNSystematic Review2026Caregivers' Perceptions of End-of-Life Care in Brazil: A Qualitative Systematic Review.Revista brasileira de enfermagemBrazilian end-of-life caregivers valued easy team access, family support, and clear talk about death. They also reported overload, financial strain, distrust of palliative care, and reliance on faith and resilience.
• RNCohort2026Drug-Drug Interactions in Nursing Home Residents With vs Without Dementia.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationMore than half (56.6%) of nursing home residents were exposed to at least one clinically important drug-drug interaction. Residents with dementia had higher exposure to any interaction (58.0% vs 53.3%) and often longer durations.
• OTRNSystematic Review2026Views on Everyday Life and Reflections on Future Death and Dying Among Older Persons Residing in Nursing Homes: A Meta-Ethnographic Synthesis.International journal of older people nursingNursing home residents described everyday life as loss of home, body, routines and relationships, while actively trying to maintain identity and dignity. They saw death as close, valued choices and social contact, and many wanted a painless death surrounded by relatives.
• RNSurvey2026Sociodemographic characteristics and comorbidities of older adults associated with Primary Health Care quality.Revista brasileira de enfermagemOlder adults in Brazil rated essential primary care as satisfactory overall, 7.5 of 10. But first-contact accessibility and available services scored low. Men, higher income, and people with chronic conditions rated some aspects better.
• RNQualitative2026Care Practices Supporting Older Adult Mobility in Institutional Long-Term Care: An Ethnographic Study.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesCare workers in one Finnish long-term care unit often balanced residents' mobility against routines and other care tasks. They supported autonomy by allowing time, choices and small environmental changes, but scheduled care could delay movement.
• RNCohort2026Clinical Frailty in Intensive Care Units: Prevalence and Associated Factors.Nursing in critical careIn 149 adult ICU patients, 82.6% were frail within 24 hours. Frailty was linked to older age, male sex, higher APACHE II and nutritional risk, and death. This helps ICU nurses flag high-risk patients, but it is not a tested intervention.
• RNCohort2026Oral Anticoagulant Use Among Residents in VA Long-Term Care With Atrial Fibrillation After the 2014 ACC/AHA Guideline.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationAnticoagulant use, adjusted for age, rose from 31.2% in 2013 to 2014 to 46.6% in 2019 among high-risk VA nursing home residents with AF, but use was lower in older, Black, Hispanic, and functionally or cognitively impaired residents.
• RNRCT2026Exploring a Facilitator-Enabled Flexible iSupport for Dementia Program: An Internal Pilot Mixed-Methods Study.Nursing openFacilitator-supported dementia program for 84 carers was feasible but hard to recruit: only 10% of eligible carers joined, and 20% dropped out by 6 months. Early outcome trends were mixed and not proof of benefit.
• PTOTRNQualitative2026Community-Dwelling Older Adults' Experience With Activity Trackers: Effects of Monitoring Physical Activity.Journal of gerontological nursingOlder adults in a community exercise program said tracking with a Fitbit helped them set goals, feel more active, manage fear of falling, and describe changes in memory, social connection, and function. These were self-reported experiences, not proof the tracker caused change.
• RNOther2026Exposure to Drugs Related to Injurious Falls Risk and to Bisphosphonates in Nursing Home Residents With Recent Fracture.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationNursing home residents with recent fracture rarely used oral bisphosphonates, only 4.2%, while 72.8% used at least one medication linked to injurious falls. Residents on bisphosphonates did not have fewer high-risk medications.
• RNSystematic Review2026Self-compassion interventions for family caregivers of people with dementia: a scoping review.Revista brasileira de enfermagemSome mindfulness, compassion, yoga, ACT, or mentalization programs for family caregivers of people with dementia were associated with better emotional well-being, quality of life, or lower anxiety. Self-compassion improved in only some studies.
• RNCohort2026A One-Year Study Using Digital Biomarkers From Sensing Technologies to Assess Changes in Physical Activity Levels and Sleep Quality in Nursing Home Residents With Dementia: Observational Study.JMIR nursingIn 9 nursing home residents with dementia, contactless radar sleep measures tracked changes over a year, but wrist activity readings were not reliable over time. Device wear was high.