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.

283 PAPERS · PAGE 4 OF 6 · NEWEST FIRST

• RNSystematic Review2025Video Conversation Aids to Assist in Goals-Of-Care Discussions With Older Adults in a Medical Setting: A Systematic Review.The American journal of hospice & palliative careVideo aids were often acceptable to older adults and sometimes improved goals-of-care knowledge or shifted preferences toward comfort care, but effects were inconsistent and did not always change documented decisions.
• RNQualitative2026A Qualitative Inquiry Into Sarcopenia Among Formerly Homeless Older Thais.Nursing openFormerly homeless older adults in Thai supportive housing and staff described sarcopenia risk as related to poor knowledge, inadequate protein, tooth loss, little exercise, and no on-site nurses, plus too much rice and rest. These themes identify care gaps, not tested fixes.
• PTOTRNCohort2026Lagged effects of risk factors on the disability of older adults: A distributed lag non-linear model approach.International journal of nursing sciencesRisk factors for disability in older adults follow three distinct timelines. Functional limitations like walking difficulty cause immediate harm within one year, while conditions like depression and hospitalization exert a cumulative burden over three to four years.
• RNNarrative Review2026A Reflection on Current Definitions of Critical Care and Critical Illness-A Narrative Review of the Literature.Nursing in critical careDefinitions of critical care, critical illness and chronic critical illness vary widely. The review found 13, eight and 12 definitions, with differences in timing, setting and complications, and almost no mention of patient experience.
• RNSurvey2026Development of the Indonesian Version of the Consumer Access, Appraisal, and Application of Services and Information for Dementia Instrument into Indonesian and Validation on a Sample of Older Adults.The journal of nursing research : JNRThe Indonesian dementia literacy questionnaire gave consistent answers in older adults, but some parts may overlap. Use it to ask patients and families about confidence finding and using dementia information and services.
• RNCohort2026Living Space Mobility and Liberty Deprivation Measures Among Residents With Dementia in Long-Term Inpatient Care: A Longitudinal Study.Nursing openResidents with dementia stayed closer to their room and living area than residents without dementia. Liberty-depriving measures were linked to more restricted movement, regardless of dementia.
• OTRNSystematic Review2026How Housing Influences Nursing Home Utilization in the United States: An Integrative Review.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationHousing cost, ownership, and accessibility were associated with long-term nursing home use in U.S. studies. Renters were more likely to enter nursing homes than homeowners. Affordable housing and home modifications were associated with community transitions.
• RNOther2026The Sense of Security and Associated Factors Among Older Home Care Clients: A Register Study.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesAmong 5,759 older Finnish home care clients, 23% lacked a sense of security. Younger age, male gender, no recent falls, no housing deficiencies and strong family support were linked to feeling more secure.
• RNSystematic Review2026Beyond Satisfaction: Person-Centred Care and the Physical Environment Revisited-An Integrative Review.Nursing openHospital design often adds comfort and satisfaction. Safety and staff workflow can override autonomy. Clinicians should look for layouts that support shared decisions, family presence, and equal access to information.
• RNOther2026Caregiver outcomes related to sleep disturbances in persons living with cognitive impairment.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)Caregivers of people with cognitive impairment had more depression when they reported poorer sleep quality in the person they cared for. Reported sleep-related impairment was linked to worse mastery, and less daytime sleepiness to more burden.
• RNSystematic Review2026Patient Engagement Interventions to Improve Medication Management of Older Patients Across Transitions of Care: A Mixed Methods Systematic Review.Journal of clinical nursingMedication support interventions for older adults during transitions of care reduced readmissions in pooled trials, but most interventions only informed patients rather than involving them as partners.
• RNQualitative2026Lived Experiences of Thai Children Applying Five Love Languages to Promote Emotional Well-Being of Rural Bedridden Older Adults: A Phenomenological Study.International journal of community based nursing and midwiferyChildren described becoming more aware of bedridden older adults' loneliness, offering comfort through touch, presence, and small gestures, and feeling valued through repeated visits. These are their experiences, not evidence that love languages improve older adults.
• PTOTSLPRNSystematic Review2026Geriatric Models of Surgical Care: A Scoping Review.Journal of advanced nursingMost models shortened hospital stays, but mortality results were inconsistent. Nurse practitioners performed comprehensive geriatric assessments and coordinated care in 38% of studies. Allied health input appeared in 58% of models, yet functional outcomes and quality of life were rarely measured.
• RNCohort2026An Updated Mortality and Community Discharge Prognostic Model for Older Adults Admitted to Skilled Nursing Facilities for Post-Acute Care.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationAdding skilled nursing facility assessment data to Medicare claims improved prediction of death within six months and return to the community without rehospitalization or death within 30 days. The model applies to patients still in the facility on day seven.
• RNQualitative2026Exploring the Relationship Between Palliative Care Knowledge, Health Concerns, and Education Among Seriously Ill Older Adults and Their Family Caregivers Using Survey and Interview Data: A Novel Approach.The American journal of hospice & palliative carePeople who declined palliative care often understood it could help stress but still worried. Those who did not know it could help stress were all worried and had less education. Ask about stress and side effects before explaining what palliative care can do.
• RNSurvey2026Informal Caregivers' Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on the Prevention, Care, and Healing of People With Pressure Injuries: A Cross-Sectional Study in China.Advances in skin & wound careFamily caregivers of pressure injury patients in China scored 0.5% of the maximum for knowledge, 86.90% for attitude, and 41.87% for practice.
• RNCohort2026Factors Associated With Initial Type of Long-Term Services and Supports Among Dual-Eligible Beneficiaries.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationAmong older adults starting long-term care, half began with home services and half in nursing homes. Black adults and women were more likely to start at home. ADRD, prior hospitalization, older age, and higher education were associated with starting in nursing homes.
• RNMeta-Analysis2026Standards for Hospital Falls Prevention and Management: An International Comparative Analysis.Journal of advanced nursingHospital falls standards varied widely. Many mentioned falls rarely and omitted key evidence-based details, such as screening timing, injury data and patient education. Do not assume a local standard reflects current falls guidelines.
• PTRNCohort2026Unique contributions of heart failure and chronic pain on physical function and quality of life in older adults.Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)After accounting for age, sex, race, comorbidities, depression and fatigue, heart failure alone was not associated with higher chronic pain prevalence. Older adults with both heart failure and chronic pain had worse quality of life and physical function than those with either or neither.
• RNSystematic Review2026Models of Care and Interventions to Improve Person-Centred Care for Older People in Long-Term Care Facilities: A Mixed Methods Systematic Review.Journal of advanced nursingPerson-centred care programmes in long-term care often improved residents' quality of life and reduced agitation, but effects were inconsistent and staff shortages limited them.
• RNOther2026Nursing Home Profit Status and Pain Among Residents Living With Dementia.Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management NursesNursing home profit status was not shown to be associated with observed pain in residents with dementia. Higher nursing home quality rating was linked to lower likelihood of observed pain, and lower cognitive scores were linked to lower likelihood of observed pain.
• RNCohort2026State POLST Program Maturity Status and Dying in the Nursing Home or Hospice in the United States: An Event Time Study.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationNursing home residents were more likely to die in the nursing home or hospice after state POLST programs developed. Five years after development, it was 5.6 percentage points higher than the year before development. Formal endorsement alone did not show a clear change.
• RNCohort2026Disparities in the Setting of Initial Dementia Diagnosis: Influence of Race, Ethnicity, and Primary Care Use.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationIn newly diagnosed dementia, Black Medicare beneficiaries were more likely than White beneficiaries to first receive diagnosis in hospital or nursing home. Recent primary care visits were associated with more community diagnoses and a smaller Black and White gap.
• RNQualitative2026The Work of Faith Care: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis on the Role of Spirituality and Religion in Diabetes Self-Management Among Black Older Adults in the Greater Toronto Area.The science of diabetes self-management and careBlack older adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes described faith, prayer, worship music, and family-centered spiritual practices as helping them manage stress and carry out daily diabetes care.
• RNQualitative2026Navigating prognostic uncertainty with H.O.P.E.: Caring for elderly patients with chronic kidney disease.Patient education and counselingOlder adults with advanced kidney disease wanted clinicians to ask how much prognostic information they wanted, not assume. Some wanted direct early talk; others wanted delay until they asked. Nurses can offer support, plain language, and hope without forcing disclosure.
• PTOTRNCohort2026Weekly Walking Attenuates the Association Between Frailty and Depressive Symptoms in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.Research in nursing & healthIn adults with rheumatoid arthritis, frailty was linked to more depressive symptoms. Walking at least 3.5 days per week appeared to break this link. The association between frailty and depression was no longer significant in those who walked more frequently.
• RNCohort2026Impact of invasive mechanical ventilation support on renal function in critically ill patients.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PIn 51 ICU patients on invasive ventilation, acute kidney injury was common and severe; those with AKI had higher organ-failure and nursing-workload scores. Longer ventilation went with higher ventilator pressure and stay, not more deaths.
• RNCohort2026Care Needs for Patients Screened Positive for Cognitive Impairment and Delirium: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.Journal of advanced nursingOn one audit day, 42.1% of hospitalised adults had possible cognitive impairment or delirium. Those with higher 4AT scores had more documented need for help with washing, dressing, toileting, eating and moving, and more incontinence, falls, pressure injury and nutrition risks.
• RNCohort2026The Association Between Home-Visit Nursing Use and the Incidence of Potentially Avoidable Hospitalisation and Its Duration Among Community-Dwelling Older People: A 12-Month Prospective Cohort Study.International journal of older people nursingAfter accounting for differences, home-visit nursing use was associated with lower chance of hospital stays that might have been avoided with home care. It was not associated with fewer hospital days.
• RNQualitative2026Family Caregiver Perspectives on Advance Care Planning Discussions for Residents With Dementia Led by Trained Nursing Home Staff: Insights From the APPROACHES Project.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationCaregivers of nursing home residents with dementia often described advance care planning as mainly code status. They valued staff who listened, explained clearly, did not push, and followed through, but vague information and uncertainty made decisions hard.
• PTOTSLPRNQualitative2026Adapting to a Shrunken World: A Grounded Theory of Resident Adaptation to Life in Residential Aged Care.Journal of advanced nursingResidents who accepted their need for care viewed the move as a trade-off for safety, allowing them to focus on remaining abilities. Those who resisted saw every assistance as a loss of self, leading to resentment and withdrawal.
• OTRNSurvey2026Dignity Among Older Persons in Long-Term Care Institutions in Taiwan and Related Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study.The journal of nursing research : JNR48.9% of 188 older residents in southern Taiwan long-term care institutions reported low dignity. Fewer or no children, lower daily living independence, inability to walk, higher education, and depression were associated with low dignity.
• PTOTRNCohort2026Identifying Risk Factors for Fall-Related Injuries Among Inpatients at a Tertiary Hospital in China: A Retrospective Cohort Study.Nursing openAmong 145 inpatient falls, improper footwear had higher injury rates (68.10% vs 51.00%), and toileting caused 35.43% of falls. Patients with full mobility had the highest injury rate (66.10%).
• RNOther2026Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic violence, 2019-2022.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemReported domestic violence in Maputo fell 42% during the pandemic, but authors warn this likely reflects underreporting, not safer homes. Adult women had the highest rates; girls showed sexual violence and older women abuse.
• RNOther2026A Point Prevalence Study of the Provision of Palliative Care for Adult Inpatients With Mental Health Issues.Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses AssociationMost adult mental health inpatients identified as potentially benefiting from palliative care had no evidence of referral or care provision. Older adult wards contained most of the patients with potential palliative care needs.
• RNCohort2026Concordance Between the Minimum Data Set Kidney Impairment I1500 Item and eGFR Records in Nursing Homes.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationThe MDS kidney impairment item agreed with eGFR below 60 in only 60.3% of nursing home assessments. It identified 25.8% of assessments with eGFR below 60. Use lab eGFR for kidney monitoring and medication safety.
• RNCohort2026Influence of alcohol on the worsening of COVID-19 and the occurrence of long COVID.Revista latino-americana de enfermagemAlcohol use before infection did not directly cause long COVID, but it was associated with hospitalization, which was directly related to long COVID. Nurses should screen for alcohol use to identify patients at higher risk of severe acute disease requiring admission.
• RNCohort2026Accidents from falls among hospitalized patients in Emergency Units: a multicenter study.Revista brasileira de enfermagemMost emergency-unit falls happened from stretchers (68.2%), and admission fall-risk assessment was documented in only 42.7% of records. Among documented harm categories, 50.0% had no harm, but 5.6% died. Nurses should treat older, confused, agitated patients on stretchers as high risk.
• RNSurvey2026Pathways to self-management among older adults with multimorbidity in rural China: A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis.International journal of nursing sciencesIn 487 rural older adults with multiple chronic conditions, high self-efficacy sat at the centre of good self-management. Social support, resilience and resource access shaped different pathways, while low self-efficacy marked poor self-management.
• RNQualitative2026Addressing Older Adults' Sexual Health Needs in Regional Primary Care: A Qualitative Study of Barriers and Enablers.The Australian journal of rural healthSexual health is important to older adults in regional Australia, but conversations with clinicians remain rare and ad-hoc. Patients and clinicians both prefer GPs over nurses for these discussions. Barriers include stigma, lack of privacy in small towns, and time constraints.
• RNOther2026Defining diagnostic disclosure in the acute care setting: A concept analysis.International journal of nursing studiesFull diagnostic disclosure in acute care means a clinician names the diagnosis and explains it to the hospitalized adult. Partial or euphemistic talk is not enough. Nurses can check patient awareness and advocate for a clear disclosure conversation.
• RNCohort2026Triggers, Responses, and Outcomes for Patient Related Violence and/or Aggression Events During Acute Hospitalisation: A Documentary Analysis.Journal of clinical nursingAcute ward Code Grey calls for patient aggression were often triggered by agitation, wanting to leave, wandering and confusion. Physical and chemical restraint were common responses, while reported injuries were few.
• RNOther2026Association of dietary energy and protein intake with frailty among patients with cirrhosis and implications for nursing practice.International journal of nursing sciencesHigher energy, protein, and animal-protein intake were linked to lower frailty in patients with cirrhosis. Thresholds were 30 kcal/(kg·d) energy and 0.83 g/(kg·d) protein. This is association only, not proof diet prevents frailty.
• RNQualitative2026Responding to Older Adult Maltreatment: Interdisciplinary Geriatric Care Provider Experiences and Training Needs.The Canadian journal of nursing research = Revue canadienne de recherche en sciences infirmieresProviders recognized abuse well but hesitated to report it due to fear of being labeled whistleblowers or losing jobs. They lacked clear knowledge of where to report and felt unsupported by supervisors and large caseloads.
• RNCase-Control2026Predicting Falls With the Morse Fall Scale: A Retrospective Assessment at the Veterans Health Administration.Clinical nursing researchThe Morse Fall Scale poorly identified Veterans who would fall in hospital. Adding comorbidity and mortality scores improved prediction only slightly and still did not separate fallers well.
• RNNarrative Review2026Implementing Pain Management Approaches Among Patients With Dementia in an Acute Hospital Setting: A Scoping Review.Nursing openValid pain assessment tools exist for dementia, but using them alone does not reduce pain. Nurses often miss pain-related agitation despite high knowledge scores. Effective care requires embedding assessment in person-centred protocols with training and managerial support.
• OTRNQualitative2026Self-Care Experiences and Support Needs of Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Multimorbidity: A Qualitative Study Informed by the Caring Life-Course Theory.Journal of clinical nursingEighteen older adults with multimorbidity said self-care was learned through trial and error, not clinic education. They felt emotional needs were overlooked in healthcare and relied on family, peers and online groups.
• RNCohort2026Patterns of Daily Administration of Psychoactive Drug Classes for Distress Behavior in Dementia.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationIn nursing home residents with dementia, antipsychotic and benzodiazepine administration rose sharply around documented distress behavior incidents and persisted 30 days; antidepressant and anti-epileptic classes did not show the same pattern.
• RNRCT2026Exploring older adults' tolerance of uncertainty in colorectal cancer screening decisions.Patient education and counselingNeither tolerance of ambiguity nor tolerance of complexity was linked to older adults' intentions to follow through with colorectal cancer screening. Higher ambiguity tolerance was linked to greater perceived benefit, and tolerance of both types was linked to lower concern about harms.
• RNOther2026Using Natural Language Processing to Improve Fall Documentation in VA Nursing Home Residents.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationIn VA nursing homes, a text-mining tool found more falls and exact dates than MDS reports, and found chart-documented falls that MDS missed. Use MDS fall counts cautiously.