by Renata Mancopes  , Pooja Gandhi  , Sana Smaoui  and Catriona M. Steele

Received: 24 November 2020;  Published: 19 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2101153

Research suggests there are age-related changes in swallowing that do not constitute impairment (“presbyphagia”). The goal of this study was to explore the influence of age on quantitative measures of healthy swallowing by controlling for the effects of sex and sip volume in order to determine the specific characteristics of presbyphagia. Videofluoroscopy recordings of thin liquid swallows from 76 healthy adults (38 male), aged 21-82 were analysed. Blinded duplicate ratings of swallowing safety, efficiency, kinemat [...]

by Hansa Patel  , Hayley Denison  , Sana Zafar  , Paul Teesdale-Spittle  and Elaine Dennison

Received: 27 July 2020;  Published: 11 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2101152

Osteoporosis is a major public health problem through its association with fragility fracture. Low peak bone mass (PBM) is a major contributor to later osteoporosis risk. Despite this, most studies concentrate on older people when the window of opportunity to impact PBM has passed. This study aimed to understand what adolescents and young adults understand about PBM, the risk of osteoporotic fracture and how lifestyle factors impact PBM. Such information may inform educational interventions to reduce future risk of [...]

by Barbara L. Fischer  , Allison J. Midden  , Aundrea Hoffmann  , Deborah Urben  , Lynn DeWitt  , Kathryne Kohlman  , Katherine Sherman  , Shannon Myers  , Lindy Clemson  and Jane E. Mahoney

Received: 14 September 2020;  Published: 08 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2101151

Cognitive impairment significantly increases the risk of accidental falls in older adults, and falls outcomes are more severe in this population. However, few interventions exist to reduce falls among individuals with cognitive impairment. To address this gap, we developed Stepping Out, by modifying the evidenced-based falls prevention program, Stepping On, tailoring it to meet the cognitive needs of individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who are at risk for falls. Our objectives were to determine whether [...]

by Carol Krucoff  , Kimberly Carson  and Mitchell Krucoff

Received: 13 August 2020;  Published: 07 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2101150

Teaching yoga to seniors is often considered an entry-level job for a yoga instructor since older adults are unlikely to attempt complicated, “advanced” postures. Unfortunately, this ill-informed attitude puts the most vulnerable students with the least-trained instructors who may unknowingly put their students at risk. Even experienced yoga instructors often do not understand the vulnerabilities of older adults, and many commonly taught yoga poses may present risks for seniors. This could explain why participants [...]

by OBM Geriatrics Editorial Office

Received: 04 January 2021;  Published: 06 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2101149

The editors of OBM Geriatrics would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2020. We greatly appreciate the contribution of expert reviewers, which is crucial to the journal's editorial process. We aim to recognize reviewer contributions through several mechanisms, of which the annual publication of reviewer names is one. Reviewers receive a voucher entitling them to a discount on their next LIDSEN publication and can download a certificate of recognition dire [...]

by Em V Adams  , Marieke Van Puymbroeck  , Brandi M Crowe  , Cynthia LS Pury  , Claire K Allison  and Arlene A Schmid

Received: 19 August 2020;  Published: 04 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2101148

The purpose of this convergent mixed methods study was to explore the feasibility of implementing a chair yoga intervention in assisted living facilities (ALFs), evaluating reach, demand, acceptability, practicality, treatment fidelity, and safety. A yoga intervention was implemented twice a week for eight weeks at four different ALFs. Feasibility data were collected in the form of observational data, reflective field notes, and focus groups. Quantitative and qualitative data strands were compared to determine if r [...]

by Melanie J. Chandler  , Michelle Graff Radford  , Pauline Lucas  , Dona E.C. Locke  , Julia Crook  , Colleen Ball  , Maria Caselli  , Angela Lunde  , Vaishali Phatak  and Glenn E. Smith

Received: 30 August 2020;  Published: 04 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2101147

Physical exercise has been demonstrated to help maintain cognition in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (pwMCI). We previously demonstrated yoga’s benefit in maintenance of memory related activities of daily living in pwMCI. Our research also has shown yoga helps sustain positive psychological well-being of care partners at 12 months. In this analysis, we sought to examine the impact of yoga training on physical performance in pwMCI and their care partners. In this multisite, randomized clinical trial, we enrol [...]

by Marie Jardine  , Anna Miles  and Jacqui Allen

Received: 07 November 2020;  Published: 25 December 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2004146

Generalisations and misconceptions about ageing and swallowing can influence clinical opinion. Assumptions about swallowing function based on someone’s age risk overmedicalising or, conversely, undertreating older patients. Evidence suggests that increased prevalence of swallowing problems in older age is attributed to pathology known to affect swallowing function, or an unrelated serious illness and combination of health factors, and not ageing itself. This review highlights factors clinicians should consider when [...]

by Axel Ferreira  , Filipa Guimarães  and Paulo Simões Coelho

Received: 29 September 2020;  Published: 24 December 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2004145

We present a case of a 74-year-old woman with deep intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), probable cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), and probable antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Due to the high hemorrhagic risk, it was decided not to use anticoagulants. In a period of three months, she had two separate cerebral ischemic events and died of stroke-related complications. The use of oral anticoagulation (OAC) in this patient is neither supported nor contra-indicated by current literature, even though past medical history su [...]

by Em V. Adams  , Marieke Van Puymbroeck  , Brent L. Hawkins  and Arlene A. Schmid

Received: 19 August 2020;  Published: 22 December 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2004144

Using a qualitative approach, this study explored the perceived impacts of a therapeutic yoga intervention for individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD), and examined the beneficial components of the intervention. Eighteen individuals with PD who completed an eight-week yoga intervention participated in focus groups to determine the general effects, transference of effects, and psychosocial impact of the intervention. Additionally, programmatic aspects of the intervention were explored. A conventional content analy [...]