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.

502 PAPERS · PAGE 8 OF 11 · NEWEST FIRST

• RNCohort2025Implementation of a Continuous Video Monitoring Program to Decrease Inpatient Falls in a Long-Term Acute Care Hospital Setting: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.The American journal of nursingIn a long-term acute care hospital, inpatient falls declined from 4.9 to 3.8 per 1,000 patient-days after a continuous video monitoring program with technicians and nurse supervisor workflows. The paper does not show that any single part caused the change.
• RNOther2025Effectiveness of the Comprehensive-Humanized Care Model in nursing consultation: a case study with older adults.Revista brasileira de enfermagemIn six older adults receiving nursing consultation, nutrition and family scores changed, spirituality rose, and anxiety increased from 6.8 to 13.8. Gait and social resources were reported as unchanged. This is not proof the model works.
• PTRNMeta-Analysis2025Evidence-Based Pathways to Healthy Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Lifestyle Interventions for Longevity and Well-Being.Investigacion y educacion en enfermeriaOlder adults who followed Mediterranean diet, exercised, slept well, and stayed socially active showed better cardiovascular fitness, strength, balance, mood, and cognition. These are broad lifestyle effects, not a single proven treatment.
• RNQualitative2025Elderly Medical Patients' Experience of an Acute Readmission to the Emergency Department-An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.Scandinavian journal of caring sciencesOlder adults readmitted to an emergency department felt trapped by fragmented care. They needed a clear explanation, someone who believed them, and support from family or one trusted clinician. Missing these made them doubt symptoms and lose trust.
• RNSurvey2025Examining Social Support and Digital Literacy Among Caregivers of People Living With Dementia Receiving Hospice Services.The American journal of hospice & palliative careCaregiving stressors were associated with depressive symptoms. Social support and digital literacy did not explain that link, so support-focused or tech-focused help alone may not protect caregivers.
• PTOTRNOther2025Functionality and cognition of older adults hospitalized in a university hospital.Revista brasileira de enfermagemHospitalized older adults commonly had probable cognitive deficit and partial dependence in instrumental activities. Those aged 80 or older had more basic-activity dependence and probable cognitive deficit; age group did not show an association with instrumental activity dependence.
• RNOther2025Burden, coping strategies, and family caregivers of older people with clinical frailty in the COVID-19 context.Revista brasileira de enfermagemFamily caregivers of frail older adults in Brazil reported emotional and financial burden, health worsening, and reliance on family support and religious coping. Nurses can ask caregivers about burden and support gaps.
• PTOTRNCohort2026Healing at Home: Receipt of Home Health Care and Patient-Centered Outcomes Among Older Adults After Acute Myocardial Infarction.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationHome health care after AMI made no significant difference to days not at home in older adults. It was linked to a lower chance of a 5-point or greater physical health status decline.
• OTRNQualitative2025Experiences and Perceptions of Functional Recovery in Late-Life Depression: A Qualitative Study.International journal of mental health nursingOlder adults recovering from depression described functional recovery as pushing through low motivation, accepting changed abilities, managing pain and fatigue, and relying on routines, family, pets and feeling understood.
• RNOther2025Myocardial Infarction and Traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Older Patients in Primary Care.Revista brasileira de enfermagem10.5% of 1,322 older primary-care patients in northern Brazil had myocardial infarction. MI was more frequent with hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity and kidney disease; smoking was not.
• RNSurvey2025Factors associated with oral frailty in elderly stroke patients in Eastern China.Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da U S PHalf of 300 hospitalized elderly stroke patients met oral frailty criteria. Older age, smoking, prior stroke, few teeth, chewing difficulty, poor oral health and low social support were linked. Nurses can screen with the Oral Frailty Index-8.
• PTRNCohort2025Cognitive and physical functions among Chinese community-dwelling older adults with motoric cognitive risk syndrome: A prospective cohort study.International journal of nursing sciencesIn 4,217 Chinese older adults, those with motoric cognitive risk syndrome had lower cognition and physical function, and both groups declined over follow-up. Adults without it showed better global cognition and repeated chair stand performance, but worse visuospatial ability.
• RNQualitative2025Interface between falls and perceptions of quality of life of older adults: a qualitative study.Revista brasileira de enfermagemOlder adults who had fallen often treated falls as normal, then reduced church, market and supermarket visits because fear of another fall. They wanted home changes, support networks and acceptance of limits to stay independent.
• RNSurvey2025Informal Caregiving in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Multimorbidity: A Cross-European Study of Caregiver Burden, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Caregiver Engagement.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingInformal caregivers of people with atrial fibrillation and other long-term conditions reported moderate burden and anxiety, but typical self-rated health was 80 out of 100. Higher engagement was linked with less burden and better health.
• RNOther2025Factors associated with death in severe patients with COVID-19/diabetes mellitus in Brazil.Revista brasileira de enfermagemIn severe COVID-19 cases with diabetes, older age, kidney disease, respiratory distress, low oxygen saturation, and ventilatory support were associated with higher death risk, not proof they caused death.
• RNOther2026The Use of Nonpharmacologic Approaches to Pain Management Among Nursing Home Residents.Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management NursesMost nursing home residents with dementia received at least one nonpharmacologic pain approach; positioning was the most common. More approaches were associated with more oral pain medicines, diabetes, and less cognitive impairment. The study did not show these approaches reduced pain.
• RNRCT2025Cognitive Training Intervention Adherence in Older Women with Cardiovascular Disease: A Secondary Analysis of the MindMoves Trial.The Journal of cardiovascular nursingOlder women with cardiovascular disease completed an average of 1.6 of 3 prescribed weekly cognitive training sessions, dropping to 0.7 later. Higher income, education, and having a partner were associated with better adherence; health, technology, and loneliness were not.
• RNRCT2026Investigating the effectiveness of mobilisation alarms to prevent hospital falls using disinvestment: A randomised clinical trial.International journal of nursing studiesReducing mobilisation alarms on hospital wards did not increase falls beyond an agreed limit, but eliminating them did not meet that limit. Patients in eliminated wards reported less sleep disturbance. Reduce carefully rather than remove.
• RNSurvey2026Resource Factors Associated With Avoidable Transfers in Nursing Homes.Journal of the American Medical Directors AssociationNursing home transfers were more often judged avoidable when staff were uncomfortable with the resident's change in condition or an advanced practice registered nurse or RN was unavailable. Onsite clinician and equipment gaps were more often linked to transfers judged unavoidable.
• 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.