TY - JOUR AB - Older adults in long-term care (LTC) homes experience complex nutrition-related challenges and care staff are central to supporting nutrition care, eating assistance, and positive mealtime experiences. However, nutrition care education is often inconsistently addressed in staff training. This scoping review mapped the scope, characteristics, and reported the outcome measures of nutrition care education and programs for LTC staff. This review followed JBI methodology and was reported according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Four databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, and PsycINFO) were searched from May to October 2024, with an updated search in September 2025. Grey literature and reference lists were also searched. Sixteen studies met the eligibility criteria. Programs varied in content, delivery format, duration, target staff groups, implementation supports, and outcomes. Common outcomes included staff knowledge, confidence, attitudes, eating assistance practices, mealtime environment, feasibility indicators, and selected resident nutrition outcomes. Future research should improve reporting, follow-up, outcome definitions, implementation, feasibility, and continuity. AD - Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, https://ror.org/01aff2v68University of Waterloo, Canada. https://ror.org/04syzjx81Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging Foundation, Canada. AN - 42464913 AU - Alizadehsaravi, N. AU - Liu, S. H. AU - Kirupakaran, V. AU - Keller, H. DA - Jul 17 DO - 10.1017/s0714980826100786 DP - NLM ET - 20260717 KW - aging dementia démence formation du personnel infirmier formation en nutrition long-term care homes nursing staff education nutrition education nutritional care revue de la portée scoping review soins de nutrition vieillissement établissements de soins de longue durée L1 - internal-pdf://0978028706/Nutrition Education for Long-Term Care Staff_.pdf LA - eng N1 - SEPT PY - 2026 RN - OPEN SN - 0714-9808 SP - 1-13 ST - Nutrition Education for Long-Term Care Staff: A Scoping Review to Support Older Adults' Nutritional Care T2 - Can J Aging TI - Nutrition Education for Long-Term Care Staff: A Scoping Review to Support Older Adults' Nutritional Care ID - 201 ER - TY - EJOUR AB - Background/Objectives: Malnutrition among older adults, particularly those in aged care, is a major contributor to morbidity and healthcare costs. Reduced visual contrast sensitivity, common with ageing and dementia, may impair the ability to distinguish food from tableware, potentially leading to decreased intake. This systematic review examined whether enhancing visual contrast in the dining environment improves dietary intake in older adults. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, five databases were searched from inception to March 2025. Studies were eligible if they involved adults aged ≥65 years and used visual contrast interventions (e.g., coloured tableware, lighting adjustments) aimed at improving food or fluid intake. A narrative synthesis was conducted, and study quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Results: Of 2901 records screened, four studies (five reports) met the inclusion criteria, involving a total of 64 participants. All studies implemented visual contrast enhancements, including high-contrast dishware and environmental modifications. Most reported increases in food or liquid intake, though statistical significance varied. Some studies also evaluated mealtime behaviours, functional abilities, and food waste, with mixed findings. Methodological limitations, including small sample sizes, short interventions, and inconsistent reporting limited the strength of evidence. Conclusions: Limited and low-quality evidence suggests a possible effect of modifying the dining environment to improve visual contrast for enhancing dietary intake in older adults, with visual contrast sensitivity, particularly those with dementia. However, the evidence gap is large and remains inconclusive. Future well-powered trials with standardised interventions and outcome measures are needed to determine whether these strategies can meaningfully reduce malnutrition in aged care settings. AU - Gaffney, Molly AU - Ryan, Maeve AU - Loetscher, Tobias AU - Singh, Ben AU - Murphy, Karen J. DO - 10.3390/nu18142338 IS - 14 KW - visual contrast sensitivity older age dietary intake weight loss malnutrition tableware dementia Alzheimer’s Disease L1 - internal-pdf://0097965186/Modification of Visual Contrast in the Dining.pdf N1 - SEPT PY - 2026 RN - OPEN SN - 2072-6643 SP - 2338 ST - Modification of Visual Contrast in the Dining Environment and Its Impact on Dietary Intake in Older Adults—A Systematic Review T2 - Nutrients TI - Modification of Visual Contrast in the Dining Environment and Its Impact on Dietary Intake in Older Adults—A Systematic Review VL - 18 ID - 211 ER - TY - JOUR AB - OBJECTIVES: To systematically examine the prevalence of, and factors associated with, benzodiazepine, Z-drug and melatonin use in Australian residential aged care facilities (RACFs). METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts were searched from January 2000 to February 2025 for studies reporting benzodiazepine, Z-drug and/or melatonin prevalence in Australian RACFs. Overall, regular and pro re nata (PRN) medication use was considered. Screening, data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two authors. The primary outcome was overall prevalence (regular and PRN) of benzodiazepines, Z-drugs and/or melatonin. Secondary outcomes included regular prevalence, PRN prevalence and medication class prevalence. RESULTS: Fifty-two studies (n = 658,585 residents) were included. Overall prevalence of benzodiazepines and/or Z-drugs was 33% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 30.4%-34.7%, 30 studies) when assessed over periods from point prevalence to one-year prevalence. Prevalence was highest when assessed using prescribing (35%) rather than dispensing (32%) or administration (28%) data. Findings were similar when limited to studies published in the last 10 years (31%), studies of 100 or more residents (32%) and when excluding studies conducted in subsets of residents (33%). Benzodiazepine prevalence (35% [95% CI: 32.5%-36.9%], 24 studies) was higher than Z-drug prevalence (0.4% [95% CI: 0.1%-1.1%], three studies). No published studies reported melatonin prevalence, and unpublished regular prevalence ranged 1%-9% (four studies). CONCLUSIONS: One in three Australian residents in RACFs use benzodiazepines and/or Z-drugs. Targeted interventions are needed to ensure their use is consistent with evidence-based practice and residents' clinical needs. AD - Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. AN - 42469600 AU - Liu, Y. J. AU - Bell, J. S. AU - Ea, A. M. L. AU - Cui, M. AU - Chan, H. AU - Hoda, F. AU - Cross, A. J. C1 - J.S.B. has received grant funding or consulting funds from the National Health and Medical Research Council, Medical Research Future Fund, Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services, Dementia Australia Research Foundation, Yulgilbar Foundation, Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia, GlaxoSmithKline Supported Studies Programme, Amgen, and several aged care provider organisations unrelated to this work. A.J.C. has received grant funding or consulting funds from the National Health and Medical Research Council, Medical Research Future Fund, Dementia Australia Research Foundation and Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. All grants and consulting funds were paid to the employing institution. A.J.C. also declares she is a national board director for the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. Y.J.L., A.M.L.E., M.C., H.C. and F.H. have no conflicts of interest to declare. C2 - PMC13379513 DA - Sep DO - 10.1111/ajag.70210 DP - NLM IS - 3 KW - *Melatonin/therapeutic use Humans *Benzodiazepines/therapeutic use Australia *Homes for the Aged/statistics & numerical data *Hypnotics and Sedatives/therapeutic use Nursing Home Residents Aged Prevalence *Piperazines/therapeutic use Zolpidem/therapeutic use Acetamides Pyrimidines Azabicyclo Compounds benzodiazepines long‐term care melatonin nursing homes L1 - internal-pdf://2600778224/Prevalence of Benzodiazepine, Z-Drug and Melat.pdf LA - eng N1 - SEPT PY - 2026 RN - OPEN SN - 1440-6381 (Print) 1440-6381 SP - e70210 ST - Prevalence of Benzodiazepine, Z-Drug and Melatonin Use in Australian Residential Aged Care Facilities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis T2 - Australas J Ageing TI - Prevalence of Benzodiazepine, Z-Drug and Melatonin Use in Australian Residential Aged Care Facilities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis VL - 45 ID - 199 ER - TY - JOUR AB - BACKGROUND: Relatives of nursing home residents are deeply involved in care relationships that extend far beyond visiting routines. However, their broader personhood is often overlooked, with existing research focusing on functional roles. This meta-synthesis aims to explore how relatives experience "being relative" within institutional long-term care, highlighting the complexity of their identity beyond institutional expectations. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative meta-synthesis of 59 per-reviewed studies using Thomas and Harden's thematic synthesis approach. We systematically searched four databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Emcare, and PsycInfo) from inception to 17. In January 2024 and conducted citation tracking. Grounded in a social constructionist perspective, we conceptualised "being relative" as a relational identity co-constructed through everyday interactions with staff in an institutional context. RESULTS: Four interconnected themes characterise relatives: (i) Managing Ambiguity (navigating emotional complexity between gratitude and criticism), (ii) Fluid and Overlapping Roles (continuously shifting between advocacy, observation, and mediation), (iii) Dynamic Relationship Development (evolving connections with staff through recognition and challenge cycles), and (iv) Negotiating Care Responsibility (ongoing adaptation of involvement patterns). These themes form a cyclical model illustrating how relatives continuously navigate between institutional expectations and authentic experiences. Rather than inhabiting static roles, relatives engage in dynamic positioning processes, constantly adapting and reinterpreting their place within care settings. CONCLUSIONS: "Being relative" represents a dynamic process of continuous adaptation and meaning-making within institutional constraints, extending beyond functional role assignments. Our cyclical model challenges reductionist approaches and emphasises the need for person-centred care that recognises relatives as whole persons with complex identities and emotional needs. By acknowledging the person behind the institutional "mask," care facilities can improve relatives' experiences, enhance care quality for residents, and increase staff satisfaction-demonstrating the potential of truly person-centred approaches in long-term care. AD - Department of Nursing Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, St. Gallen, Switzerland. Department of Nursing Science, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems, Austria. Pragmatic Evidence Lab, Research Centre for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel, University Hospital Basel and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. Institute of Health and Nursing Science, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany. AN - 42432861 AU - Brenner, R. AU - Clement, T. AU - Hirt, J. AU - Mayer, H. AU - Gattinger, H. C1 - The authors declare no conflicts of interest. C2 - PMC13354822 DA - Sep DO - 10.1111/scs.70278 DP - NLM IS - 3 KW - *Nursing Home Residents/psychology Humans *Family/psychology Qualitative Research *Nursing Homes Female institutional long‐term care meta synthesis personhood person‐centred care relatives L1 - internal-pdf://0939693760/Behind the Mask_ Recognising the Person in Rel.pdf LA - eng N1 - SEPT PY - 2026 RN - OPEN* SN - 0283-9318 (Print) 0283-9318 SP - e70278 ST - Behind the Mask: Recognising the Person in Relatives of Nursing Home Residents-A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis T2 - Scand J Caring Sci TI - Behind the Mask: Recognising the Person in Relatives of Nursing Home Residents-A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis VL - 40 ID - 202 ER - TY - JOUR AB - AIM: To examine the impact of social participation interventions on the quality of life of older adults in residential aged care home settings. DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: The inclusion criteria were articles published in English language between 2015 and 2025, peer-reviewed articles, availability of full-text, and conducted in residential aged care home settings, aged 65 years and over. Quality appraisal of articles was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, PsycINFO, and CINAHL. RESULTS: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. Four studies showed correlations between quality of life scores and social participation engagement during activities involving virtual reality tourism, resistance training, Sinaki exercises, and combined person-centred care with social interaction. Improvements in quality of life were associated with six interventions including virtual reality tourism, resistance training, Sinaki exercises, tai chi exercise, and two distinct multicomponent person-centred care programmes involving pain management, communication, organisation of activities and medication review. Quality appraisal showed studies were of moderate to high quality. CONCLUSIONS: The review identified several social participation interventions that were associated with enhanced quality of life for older adults in residential aged care homes. Adoption of these interventions, including a multi-component approach, is recommended to optimise resident outcomes. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No Patient or Public Contribution was involved in this study. IMPACT: Evidence on the effectiveness of social participation interventions on quality of life in aged care homes remains limited and fragmented. This review identified six key interventions that improve aged care residents' quality of life, offering valuable insights for policies and practices aimed at enhancing the quality of life of residents in residential aged care homes. REPORTING METHOD: This systematic review followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was reported according to the SWiM (Synthesis Without Meta-analysis) reporting guideline recommended by the EQUATOR Network. TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/myprospero; identifier: CRD420250646145. AD - Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. St Vincent's Clinical Campus, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia. AN - 42552251 AU - Habibian, S. AU - Huang, G. AU - Wabe, N. AU - Westbrook, J. I. AU - Nguyen, A. D. DA - Aug 4 DO - 10.1111/jocn.70483 DP - NLM ET - 20260804 KW - older adults quality of life residential aged care home social participation L1 - internal-pdf://4206724763/The Impact of Social Participation Interventio.pdf LA - eng N1 - SEPT PY - 2026 RN - OPEN* SN - 0962-1067 ST - The Impact of Social Participation Interventions on Quality of Life of Older Adults in Residential Aged Care Facilities: A Systematic Review T2 - J Clin Nurs TI - The Impact of Social Participation Interventions on Quality of Life of Older Adults in Residential Aged Care Facilities: A Systematic Review ID - 217 ER - TY - JOUR AB - OBJECTIVES: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of group reminiscence therapy (GRT) on psychosocial outcomes among nursing home residents with intact cognition and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: PubMed, Embase, EBSCO, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Wanfang, CNKI, SinoMed, VIP, and Google Scholar were searched from inception to September 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies investigating GRT among nursing home residents aged ≥60 years with intact cognition and MCI were included. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 and Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tools, and meta-analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.4. RESULTS: Nineteen studies involving 925 nursing home residents were included, comprising 4 RCTs and 15 quasi-experimental studies. GRT significantly reduced depression (SMD = -1.38; 95 %CI: -1.72, -1.05; P < 0.001) and death anxiety (SMD = -1.09; 95 %CI: -1.57, -0.62; P < 0.001), while significantly improving life satisfaction (SMD = 0.94; 95 %CI: 0.34, 1.54; P = 0.002), self-esteem (SMD = 1.21; 95 %CI: 0.59, 1.83; P < 0.001), and happiness (SMD = 0.91; 95 %CI: 0.32, 1.50; P = 0.002). However, the effect on loneliness was not statistically significant (SMD = -1.98; 95 %CI: -4.01, 0.06; P = 0.060). Subgroup analyses showed variations in intervention effects across studies. Sensitivity analyses indicated good stability of the pooled results, and no significant publication bias was detected for the main outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: GRT may improve psychosocial well-being among nursing home residents with intact cognition and MCI by reducing depression and death anxiety and enhancing life satisfaction, self-esteem, and happiness. However, the evidence regarding loneliness remains inconclusive. Further high-quality RCTs with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are needed to confirm the long-term effectiveness of GRT among nursing home residents. AD - Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; School of Medicine, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang, China. Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address: mcchong@um.edu.my. Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. School of Medicine, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang, China. Department of Gastroenterology, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, China. AN - 42521387 AU - Li, S. AU - Chong, M. C. AU - Che, C. C. AU - Zhang, X. AU - Li, L. AU - Deng, J. C1 - Declaration of competing interest The authors have declared no conflict of interest. C2 - PMC13424732 DA - Jul DO - 10.1016/j.ijnss.2026.06.010 DP - NLM ET - 20260624 IS - 4 KW - Humans *Nursing Home Residents/psychology *Cognitive Dysfunction/psychology/therapy *Cognition *Nursing Homes *Psychotherapy, Group Aged Depression Group reminiscence Meta-analysis Mild cognitive impairment Nursing home residents Psychosocial well-being L1 - internal-pdf://0753147970/Effects of group reminiscence on psychosocial.pdf LA - eng N1 - SEPT PY - 2026 RN - OPEN* SN - 2096-6296 (Print) 2352-0132 SP - 371-379 ST - Effects of group reminiscence on psychosocial outcomes among nursing home residents with intact cognition and mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis T2 - Int J Nurs Sci TI - Effects of group reminiscence on psychosocial outcomes among nursing home residents with intact cognition and mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis VL - 13 ID - 219 ER - TY - JOUR AB - BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE: Current research identifies a large proportion of urinary antimicrobial prescribing in aged care as being non-concordant, however, the efficacy of interventions targeted at reducing these prescriptions in aged care remains unclear. This review summarises effective interventions targeting non-concordant urinary antimicrobial prescriptions in aged care. METHODS: This review follows PRISMA reporting guidelines and includes studies published up to June 2024. The search aimed to capture interventional studies and included studies that examined urinary tract infections in the aged care setting. All hospital-based studies and non-interventional studies were excluded. The search was conducted in 6 databases: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, PsychInfo, CINAHL Ultimate, and AgeLine. All studies were assessed against the ROBINS-I risk of bias tool. Meta-analyses for effects on urinary prescribing and hospitalisations were conducted on eligible studies and pooled risk ratios were calculated using DerSimonian and Laird random effects modelling. RESULTS: Twenty studies were included and interventions from four eligible randomised controlled trials were selected for the meta-analysis. The meta-analyses indicate that educational interventions coupled with routine audits were effective at reducing urinary prescribing (RR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.49 - 0.83) and does not increase the risk of hospitalisations (RR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.70 - 1.49). The review found that while effective interventions were heterogeneous in design, the majority included a combination of educational material(s) with routine audits and feedback for clinicians. DISCUSSION: Educational interventions coupled with routine audits and feedback are effective at reducing inappropriate urinary prescribing in aged care and do not increase risk of hospitalisation. The synthesis of evidence in this review is limited by the heterogeneity of these tailored interventions and the lack of consistent reporting of changes in prescribing. However, the studies pooled in the meta-analysis can give some confidence in the efficacy and safety of some of these interventions. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: This review is registered with the International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (CRD42024569226). AD - School of Public Health, Adelaide University, Level 4 Rundle Mall Plaza, 50 Rundle Mall, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia. Maria.lin@adelaide.edu.au. School of Public Health, Adelaide University, Level 4 Rundle Mall Plaza, 50 Rundle Mall, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia. School of Public Health, Adelaide University, Level 4 Rundle Mall Plaza, 50 Rundle Mall, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia. jaklin.eliott@adelaide.edu.au. Department of Health and Wellbeing, SA Health, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia. AN - 42174682 AU - Lin, A. M. AU - Hillock, N. AU - Turnidge, J. AU - Eliott, J. AU - Spurrier, N. C1 - Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: As this study is a systematic review and meta-analysis, no ethical approval was sought, and no active participation or recruitment of participant data was used. Consent for publication: N/A. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. C2 - PMC13374228 DA - May 22 DO - 10.1186/s13643-026-03177-y DP - NLM ET - 20260522 IS - 1 KW - Humans *Urinary Tract Infections/drug therapy *Antimicrobial Stewardship *Inappropriate Prescribing/prevention & control *Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data *Homes for the Aged L1 - internal-pdf://3685285664/Implementation of antimicrobial stewardship in.pdf LA - eng N1 - SEPT PY - 2026 RN - OPEN* SN - 2046-4053 ST - Implementation of antimicrobial stewardship interventions on prescribing rates for urinary tract infections in residential aged care facilities: a systematic review and meta-analysis T2 - Syst Rev TI - Implementation of antimicrobial stewardship interventions on prescribing rates for urinary tract infections in residential aged care facilities: a systematic review and meta-analysis VL - 15 ID - 192 ER - TY - JOUR AB - Background Although there is a growing body of research indicating that Personal Robot/Social Robot could be used in various aspects of care for individuals with dementia, little is known about how well these types of interventions work in an actual hospital setting in Australia. Aims & Objectives The objective of the present systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the effectiveness of PARO-based socially assistive robotic intervention in terms of its effectiveness outcomes towards the reduction of dementia-related behavioural and psychological symptoms in Australian based healthcare settings. Methods A systematic search was conducted across five electronic databases, including MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library, to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating PARO-based socially assistive robotic interventions for dementia in Australian healthcare settings. This review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD420251251916) and followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. In addition, the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (RoB 2) was used to evaluate the risk of bias across all studies. Pooled standardised mean differences (SMD) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for agitation, anxiety, and depression. Heterogeneity across studies was evaluated using the I2 statistic. Results Six RCTs involving 1444 participants were identified for inclusion in this review. AI-enabled socially assistive robotic interventions, specifically the PARO therapeutic robot, significantly reduced agitation and anxiety when compared to standard treatment or control conditions. The pooled analysis showed that agitation [SMD = -0.44 (95 % CI: −0.70, −0.18) p = 0.0008] and anxiety [SMD = -0.59 (95 % CI: −0.91, −0.27) p = 0.0003] were reduced significantly, while the decrease in depression [SMD = -0.44 (95 % CI: −0.95, −0.07) p = 0.09] scores was non-significant among dementia patients receiving PARO-based socially assistive robotic interventions as compared to the control. The overall risk of bias across all six studies was considered low to moderate. Conclusion PARO-based socially assistive robotic interventions may provide preliminary evidence of effectiveness in reducing agitation and anxiety in individuals with dementia in Australian healthcare, but the evidence regarding the reduction of depression remains unclear. Therefore, additional high-quality trials with consistent methodology and extended follow-up will be necessary to determine both the short-term and long-term clinical efficacy and practicality of implementing these interventions into practice. AU - Omar, Syed Haris AU - Ghani, Ahsan AU - Sanober, Adla AU - Umar, Abdullah DA - 2026/11/01/ DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2026.106627 KW - Dementia Artificial Intelligence Personal Robot/Social Robot Healthcare Australia L1 - internal-pdf://0629049047/Artificial intelligence enabled social robotic.pdf N1 - SEPT PY - 2026 RN - OPEN* SN - 1386-5056 SP - 106627 ST - Artificial intelligence enabled social robotic interventions (PARO) in Australian dementia care: A systematic review and meta-analysis T2 - International Journal of Medical Informatics TI - Artificial intelligence enabled social robotic interventions (PARO) in Australian dementia care: A systematic review and meta-analysis UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1386505626003679 VL - 220 ID - 213 ER - TY - JOUR AB - ABSTRACT Objectives Communities of Practice (CoPs) offer staff an opportunity to learn with and from one another, and to explore and advance practice. This study aimed to identify the frameworks that underpin the development, operation and evaluation of CoPs, and barriers and enablers to implementing this social learning approach in long term care (LTC). Methods This systematic review comprehensively searched four databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycInfo and Embase) from inception to August 2025, identifying studies focused on supporting LTC staff implementing evidence-based practice, best practice or quality improvement. Inclusion screening, data extraction and quality assessment using the Quality Assessment with Diverse Studies tool (QuADS) were completed independently. Findings were mapped to the Values Creation Framework. Results Fifteen papers represented eight CoP programs ranging from small, standalone groups to large national collaboratives. Frameworks or specific CoP definitions underpinned planning for seven programs. Two programs drew on stakeholder input in development; however, none described formal co-design. Seven programs were multidisciplinary. Evaluation was qualitative (n?=?8), mixed methods (n?=?4) or quantitative (n?=?3), with limited application of evaluation frameworks. A wide range of enablers and barriers was identified, with structural and cultural challenges affecting sustained CoP engagement and implementation of CoP learning outcomes. Conclusions Despite 20?years of CoP implementation in LTC, there are few comprehensive evaluations to guide practice. Community of Practice participation delivers individual learning and peer support; however, system and organisational barriers affect sustained staff participation and translation. Consistent application of existing frameworks and enhanced CoP reporting will better support future CoP development and implementation in LTC. AU - Smith, Robyn A. AU - Peters, Sanne AU - Bennett, Noleen AU - Lim, Wen K. AU - Tropea, Joanne DA - 2026/09/01 DO - https://doi.org/10.1111/ajag.70207 IS - 3 KW - Community of Practice evidence-based practice homes for the aged implementation science long-term care L1 - internal-pdf://1793644968/Communities of Practice in Long-Term Care—Expl.pdf N1 - SEPT PY - 2026 RN - OPEN* SN - 1440-6381 SP - e70207 ST - Communities of Practice in Long-Term Care—Exploring Frameworks, Barriers and Enablers: A Systematic Review T2 - Australasian Journal on Ageing TI - Communities of Practice in Long-Term Care—Exploring Frameworks, Barriers and Enablers: A Systematic Review UR - https://doi.org/10.1111/ajag.70207 VL - 45 Y2 - 2026/07/26 ID - 214 ER - TY - JOUR AB - PURPOSE: This scoping review explores perceptions of care home residents, staff and family members on the use of wearable devices-e.g. smartwatches, fall-detection devices, sensor-enabled clothing-in care homes, on the acceptability, perceived value, and implementation considerations. METHODS: We searched six databases. Two reviewers independently screened studies. Eligible studies reported stakeholders' perceptions wearable devices used by older adults (65 +)§ in care homes. We followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Protocol registered on Open Science Framework ( https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/EJZ3S ). Key data were extracted and narratively summarised, then analysed using a deductive and inductive framework based on the research aims. RESULTS: Of 620 studies, 12 were included. Studies were mostly qualitative and varied in size (n = 4-178) using a wide range of wearables: activity/sleep trackers (N = 4); wireless monitoring (N = 3); incontinence pad sensors (i = 2); posture-improving sensors (N = 1); pressure injury prevention (N = 1); contact tracing (N = 1).Familiarity and aesthetics, including the potential of stigmatisation, influenced acceptability for residents and passive devices were deemed more suitable in cognitive impairment. Perceived value included reassurance for residents and family members. Devices could improve quality of life. Staff considered the potential impact on workload, and cost as potential implementation considerations. CONCLUSION: There is limited literature on wearable device use in care homes, despite the rapid expansion of technology in this setting. Future research should focus on familiar devices that are not stigmatising, and are easy to use, with co-creation approaches and longer evaluation. AD - Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. NHS Grampian, Summerfield House, 2 Eday Road, Aberdeen, AB15 6RE, UK. ENRICH Scotland, NHS Research Scotland, Glasgow, UK. Ageing and Health, and Advanced Care Research Centre, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. ENRICH Scotland, NHS Research Scotland, Glasgow, UK. maria.drummond2@nhs.scot. AN - 42432337 AU - Swain-Velasco, A. AU - Hynes, K. AU - Shenkin, S. D. AU - Drummond, M. C1 - Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest relevant to this work. Data availability: The data underlying this study are available in the findings section and online supplementary material. DA - Jul 10 DO - 10.1007/s41999-026-01550-7 DP - NLM ET - 20260710 KW - Care home Perceptions Scoping review Technology Wearables L1 - internal-pdf://0735864266/Perceptions of care home residents, families a.pdf LA - eng N1 - SEPT PY - 2026 RN - OPEN* SN - 1878-7649 (Print) 1878-7649 ST - Perceptions of care home residents, families and staff about wearable devices: a scoping review T2 - Eur Geriatr Med TI - Perceptions of care home residents, families and staff about wearable devices: a scoping review ID - 203 ER - TY - JOUR AB - BACKGROUND: Older adults, particularly those residing in long-term care, experience disproportionate rates of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD). While isolated nutrient supplementation has demonstrated limited clinical efficacy, comprehensive whole-food dietary patterns may offer significant neuroprotective benefits through complex nutrient synergy. This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of the Mediterranean, Nordic, Okinawan, and plant-based dietary approaches in mitigating cognitive decline and reducing dementia risk in older populations. METHODS: The study protocol was prospectively registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under the registration ID CRD420261349593. Conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and ScienceDirect was performed to identify peer-reviewed articles published between January 2021 and the present. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials (RCT), prospective cohort studies, and longitudinal studies evaluating the impact of whole-food dietary patterns on cognitive outcomes in adults aged 60 and older. RESULTS: Out of 622 initial records, 16 articles met all inclusion criteria. The synthesized evidence demonstrates that high adherence to these comprehensive dietary patterns is consistently associated with improved memory, enhanced executive function, and a reduced incidence of AD. These cognitive improvements are driven by interconnected physiological mechanisms, including reduced systemic inflammation, improved vascular integrity, favorable shifts in the gut microbiome, and optimized circulating endocannabinoid profiles. Additionally, the magnitude of these benefits is frequently modulated by individual biological factors, such as sex and APOE genotype. CONCLUSION: Whole-food dietary patterns provide an effective, evidence-based framework for preserving cognitive resilience compared to single-nutrient interventions. Integrating these nutrient-dense diets into public health initiatives and long-term care settings offers a powerful strategy for neuroprotection, highlighting the need to advance personalized nutrition strategies in future clinical trials. AD - School of Health Administration, College of Health Professions, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, United States. AN - 42494770 AU - Woolsey, B. AU - Sen, K. C1 - The author(s) declared that this work was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. C2 - PMC13391264 DO - 10.3389/fnut.2026.1869091 DP - NLM ET - 20260709 KW - alzheimer's disease dementia dietary interventions healthy aging personalized nutrition L1 - internal-pdf://1476011890/Dietary approaches to support cognition in old.pdf LA - eng N1 - SEPT PY - 2026 RN - OPEN* SN - 2296-861X (Print) 2296-861x SP - 1869091 ST - Dietary approaches to support cognition in older adults: a systematic review T2 - Front Nutr TI - Dietary approaches to support cognition in older adults: a systematic review VL - 13 ID - 195 ER - TY - JOUR AB - BACKGROUND: Palliative care is increasingly recognised as a core component of healthcare delivery in residential aged care (RAC) homes, yet its economic implications remain unclear. Understanding costs and cost-effectiveness is essential for guiding resource allocation decisions in these settings. OBJECTIVE: To map the evidence on the costs and cost-effectiveness of palliative care delivered in RAC homes, and to identify gaps in the evidence base. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. Searches were conducted in the PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, CINAHL and CENTRAL databases. Studies reporting on quantitative economic outcomes of palliative care in RAC settings were included. Findings were summarised using narrative synthesis. RESULTS: Of the 3182 items identified, 15 studies were included. Three categories of economic outcomes were identified: care delivery costs (n = 3), healthcare system costs (n = 10) and cost-effectiveness outcomes (n = 2). Studies examining care delivery costs reported additional costs associated with palliative care. Among studies assessing healthcare system costs, six reported reduced costs, one reported increased costs and three reported mixed findings varying by time horizon and care continuity. Two full economic evaluations reported favourable cost-effectiveness findings compared with usual care, although the statistical significance of findings varied. CONCLUSION: Economic evidence on palliative care in RAC remains limited and methodologically heterogeneous, constraining robust conclusions regarding its economic value. Future research should prioritise rigorous economic evaluations that comprehensively capture healthcare and social care costs while incorporating patient-centred outcomes to better assess the value of palliative care in RAC homes. AD - Queensland University of Technology, Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, 88 Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Queensland 4059, Australia. Queensland University of Technology, Centre for Healthcare Transformation, School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, N Block, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Queensland 4059, Australia. AN - 42497095 AU - Yang, X. AU - Liu, F. AU - MacAndrew, M. AU - White, N. AU - Carter, H. E. C1 - None declared. C2 - PMC13398384 DA - Jul 2 DO - 10.1093/ageing/afag217 DP - NLM IS - 7 KW - *Palliative Care/economics Humans Cost-Benefit Analysis Cost-Effectiveness Analysis *Health Care Costs *Homes for the Aged/economics *Nursing Homes/economics Aged cost-effectiveness end-of-life care healthcare costs nursing home older people palliative care L1 - internal-pdf://2077383153/Costs and cost-effectiveness of palliative car.pdf LA - eng N1 - SEPT PY - 2026 RN - OPEN* SN - 0002-0729 (Print) 0002-0729 ST - Costs and cost-effectiveness of palliative care in residential aged care homes: a scoping review T2 - Age Ageing TI - Costs and cost-effectiveness of palliative care in residential aged care homes: a scoping review VL - 55 ID - 186 ER - TY - JOUR AB - BACKGROUND: Advance care planning (ACP) implementation in NHs is inconsistent and often hindered by systemic challenges. Prior reviews have largely focused on ACP outcomes or discrete implementation factors, with limited attention to the overall implementation process. AIM: To identify elements that can shape ACP implementation quality in NHs using Donabedian's model of quality of care. DESIGN AND DATA SOURCE: A systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, which was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42024561386). Search terms covering ACP, implementation processes, and assessment were applied across four databases (CINAHL, PsycInfo, SocINDEX, and Medline [Ovid]) in June 2024. Nineteen studies met inclusion criteria, confirmed through independent review and consensus by two researchers. RESULTS: A deductive thematic analysis, guided by Donabedian's model, identified 11 subthemes under two major themes: (1) NH structural support in ACP, including regulations incorporating ACP into admission, role clarity, and resource availability (e.g., dedicated time and training for ACP, particularly among people with impaired decision-making capacity), and (2) standardized implementation processes, emphasizing resident and family engagement, trust building, discussions of care options and residents' preferences, documentation of ACP in a standardized place, sharing ACP-related information among an interdisciplinary team, and reviewing ACP regularly. CONCLUSION: The findings highlighted the need for enhancing NH buy-in for ACP and standardized implementation processes, providing a framework for future NH ACP quality improvement initiatives. AD - School of Social Work, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA. School of Social Work, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. School of Social Work, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Maryland, USA. School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. AN - 42482392 AU - Zhang, P. AU - Davitt, J. AU - Kusmaul, N. AU - Sacco, P. AU - Unroe, K. T. AU - Noh, H. AU - Cagle, J. G. DA - Jul 21 DO - 10.1177/10966218261470490 DP - NLM ET - 20260721 KW - Nh advance care planning implementation quality systematic review L1 - internal-pdf://2532349704/Systematic Review of Advance Care Planning Imp.pdf LA - eng N1 - SEPT PY - 2026 RN - OPEN* SN - 1557-7740 SP - 10966218261470490 ST - Systematic Review of Advance Care Planning Implementation in Nursing Homes T2 - J Palliat Med TI - Systematic Review of Advance Care Planning Implementation in Nursing Homes ID - 196 ER - TY - JOUR AB - In long-term residential care, power imbalances and care-related stressors may create conditions for violence, which occurs in multiple directions and can take various forms. Both residents and staff may be affected as victims or perpetrators, particularly in contexts shaped by cognitive impairment, organizational constraints, or interpersonal stress. Despite its prevalence and complexity, systematic evidence on structured, institution-level risk assessment approaches remains limited. This scoping review therefore investigates recommendations for facility-specific risk assessments to prevent violence and identifies risk factors for violence in residential long-term care settings. Searches were conducted in MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL via EBSCO, and the Cochrane Library. Grey literature was also included. Eligible publications addressed institutional risk factors or described the validation or application of risk assessment tools in long-term care settings. The search adhered to Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, with data extraction and analyses based on consensus among three reviewers. A total of 64 articles were included, with 3 focusing on the validation of risk assessments and 61 describing risk factors for violence in long-term care. Eleven risk analyses from major residential long-term care providers were identified, of which four domains for risk factors were deduced: (a) work organization and facility structures, (b) residents, (c) staff, and (d) building aspects. There is a need for evidence-based risk assessment strategies in long-term care settings. These should address identified risk factors through staff training, organizational support, and resident care strategies. AD - University of Cologne and University Hospital Cologne, Germany. ZQP, Center for Quality in Care, Berlin, Germany. AN - 42481047 AU - Bremer, L. AU - Haeger, M. AU - Eggert, S. AU - Köpke, S. AU - Bergmann, A. DA - Jul 21 DO - 10.1177/15248380261462170 DP - NLM ET - 20260721 KW - elder abuse violence prevention workplace violence LA - eng N1 - SEPT PY - 2026 RN - SUB SN - 1524-8380 SP - 15248380261462170 ST - Risk Factors and Risk Assessments for Violence in Residential Long-Term Care: A Scoping Review T2 - Trauma Violence Abuse TI - Risk Factors and Risk Assessments for Violence in Residential Long-Term Care: A Scoping Review ID - 198 ER - TY - JOUR AB - BACKGROUND: The growing global population of older adults necessitates more nurses with positive attitudes, competence, and willingness to provide gerontological and long-term care. However, research indicates that many nursing students lack these attributes. Simulation-based learning (SBL) is proposed as a promising teaching method to address this issue. Aim This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of SBL in improving nursing students' attitudes, willingness, and performance in gerontological nursing and long-term care-related competencies. METHODS: This study is a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Embase, CNAHL, ERIC, and PubMed were the four databases that were searched. Studies that examined how SBL affects students' attitudes, willingness, and performance with respect to gerontological-related skills were included. The Cochrane RoB 2 risk of bias assessment tools were used to evaluate the quality of the included studies. RESULTS: The study examined eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving a total of 692 participants. The results show that SBL had no significant effect on improving nursing students' attitudes toward older adults (SMD = 0.22, 95% CI [-0.4048], P = 0.10) or their willingness to work with this population group (SMD = 0.31, 95% CI [-0.15, 0.78], P = 0.19). However, SBL had a statistically significant effect on improving students' performance in gerontological and long-term care-related competencies (SMD = 1.48, 95% CI [0.67, 2.28], P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: SBL effectively enhances gerontological and long-term care competency among nursing students, but its effects on attitudes and willingness remain inconclusive. Further research is needed to integrate SBL comprehensively into gerontological nursing education. AD - International PhD Program in Gerontology and Long-Term Care, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: d452113002@tmu.edu.tw. College of Nursing, Gachon University, South Korea. Electronic address: drjoo@gachon.ac.kr. Post-Baccalaureate Program in Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Cochrane Taiwan, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: keehsin@tmu.edu.tw. School of Gerontology and Long-Term Care, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan. Electronic address: fangliu@tmu.edu.tw. AN - 42418856 AU - Chiona, B. C. AU - Joo, J. Y. AU - Chen, K. H. AU - Liu, M. F. C1 - Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this manuscript. DA - Jul 8 DO - 10.1016/j.nedt.2026.107261 DP - NLM ET - 20260708 KW - Gerontological nursing Long-term care Meta-analysis Nursing education Nursing students Simulation LA - eng N1 - SEPT PY - 2026 RN - SUB SN - 0260-6917 SP - 107261 ST - Effects of simulation-based learning on nursing students' attitudes and gerontological care competencies: A meta-analysis T2 - Nurse Educ Today TI - Effects of simulation-based learning on nursing students' attitudes and gerontological care competencies: A meta-analysis VL - 167 ID - 205 ER - TY - JOUR AB - BACKGROUND: As global populations age, health care systems face mounting pressure to provide accessible, efficient, and patient-centered care. Digital health technologies offer promising solutions for supporting older adults' independence and chronic disease management; however, adoption remains inconsistent due to barriers related to perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), and attitudes toward technology (ATT). PURPOSE: This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized existing evidence on digital health technology acceptance among older adults, identifying key determinants of behavioral intention (BI) and examining moderating effects of culture, age, and technology type. METHODS: A comprehensive search across PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCOhost identified 59 eligible studies. Of these, 19 studies with quantitative data were included in a meta-analysis using random-effects modeling. Correlation coefficients were converted to standardized path coefficients (β) for comparability. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses assessed heterogeneity and moderator effects across cultural regions, age groups, and technology categories. RESULTS: Perceived usefulness emerged as the strongest predictor of adoption (PU → BI: β = 0.72, 95% CI: .70-.73), followed by attitude (ATT → BI: β = 0.53, 95% CI: .50-.56). Perceived ease of use exerted an indirect influence through usefulness (PEOU → PU: β = 0.60), highlighting the interdependence between usability and perceived benefits. Substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 57.5%-99.7%) reflected genuine contextual diversity. Moderation analyses revealed stronger relationships in Western cultures and among younger-old adults (60-70 years). Technology-specific differences showed that digital health platforms benefited most from usefulness-driven adoption, while assistive technologies depended heavily on usability. CONCLUSIONS: Acceptance of digital health technologies among older adults is shaped by perceived usefulness, ease of use, and contextual moderators such as culture, age, and technology type. The findings underscore that technology adoption in aging populations is not universal but deeply context-dependent. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Health care administrators and designers should prioritize interventions that enhance perceived usefulness and usability through evidence-based, context-specific strategies such as outcome-driven feedback systems, intuitive interfaces, and culturally tailored digital literacy programs. Policy efforts should support iterative evaluation frameworks that adapt to diverse user needs to ensure equitable and sustainable technology adoption in health and aged care. AN - 42378384 AU - Dondapati, A. AU - Dehury, R. K. AU - Acharyulu, G. AU - Kandamuthan, S. AU - Ayaluri, S. DA - Jul-Sep 01 DO - 10.1097/hmr.0000000000000486 DP - NLM ET - 20260702 IS - 3s KW - Humans Digital Health Aged *Patient Acceptance of Health Care *Attitude to Computers Digital Media aged care behavioral intention meta-analysis perceived usefulness systematic review technology acceptance model LA - eng N1 - SEPT PY - 2026 RN - SUB SN - 0361-6274 SP - S42-s55 ST - Acceptance of digital health technologies in health and aged care: A systematic review and meta-analysis T2 - Health Care Manage Rev TI - Acceptance of digital health technologies in health and aged care: A systematic review and meta-analysis VL - 51 ID - 210 ER - TY - JOUR AB - BACKGROUND: Generative artificial intelligence (GAI) has rapidly expanded into health and social care, offering new opportunities for communication, clinical support, and personalized interventions. Long-term care (LTC) represents a critical application area for improved health related quality of life (HRQoL) due to workforce shortages, increasing care complexity, and the need for scalable, person-centered solutions. A systematic assessment of current evidence is needed to inform safe, effective, and ethical implementation. METHODS: A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted using searches of major academic databases and literature sources. Twenty-three studies met inclusion criteria. Data was analyzed using narrative synthesis, to evaluate the current evidence base on the use, benefits, risks, and implementation considerations of GAI for older adults HRQoL in LTC services. RESULTS: GAI applications included conversational agents, virtual companions, decision-support systems, documentation tools, and training platforms. Reported benefits included enhanced emotional engagement, cognitive stimulation, improved communication, and reduced administrative burden for caregivers. However, studies were early stage, with small samples, short implementation periods, and limited evaluation of clinical outcomes of fall risk prevention, medical adherence, hydration, and nutrition for improved HRQoL. Ethical and practical concerns were prominent, including data privacy, transparency, algorithmic bias, and potential erosion of human interaction. CONCLUSIONS: GAI shows promise as an emerging technology that may enhance quality, efficiency, and personalization in LTC. However, substantial evidence gaps remain regarding effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, safety, and organizational impact. Robust evaluation frameworks and participatory design processes are essential to guide responsible adoption and ensure that GAI complements the human-centered foundation of LTC. AD - School of Health Sciences, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL, USA. Electronic address: xiaoli.li@siu.edu. Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA. Electronic address: cheyin@iu.edu. Rehabilitation and Health Services, University of Norh Texas, Denton, USA; School of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Educational Psychology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa. Electronic address: elias.mpofu@unt.edu. College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO, USA. Electronic address: xiaoyu.liu@slu.edu. AN - 42497596 AU - Li, X. AU - Yin, C. AU - Mpofu, E. AU - Liu, X. C1 - Declaration of competing interest No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s). DA - Jul 23 DO - 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2026.104195 DP - NLM ET - 20260723 KW - Ethics Generative artificial intelligence Long-term care services Resident health related quality of life LA - eng N1 - SEPT PY - 2026 RN - SUB SN - 0197-4572 SP - 104195 ST - Applications of generative artificial intelligence in long-term care services: A systematic review of the evidence on efficacy for improving resident health related quality of life T2 - Geriatr Nurs TI - Applications of generative artificial intelligence in long-term care services: A systematic review of the evidence on efficacy for improving resident health related quality of life VL - 72 ID - 193 ER -