Delirium Instruments
The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) is a comprehensive, evidence-based, patient care program that provides optimal care for older persons in the hospital. Dr. Sharon Inouye and her colleagues at Yale University School of Medicine originally designed HELP to prevent delirium among hospitalized older persons. This site requires establishing an account to access the free materials.
STOPP/START criteria for potentially inappropriate prescribing in older people: version 2
The STOPP/START Toolkit Supporting Medication Review, arranged by physiological systems, assists in the review of older adults' prescriptions (STOPP) and includes guidelines to alert the practitioner to the right treatment (START). It also has references to drug class duplication, drug-drug, and drug-disease interactions. The START tool highlights under-prescription or omission of clinically indicated, evidence-based medications. The Supplementary Material file has the full set of STOPP/START guidelines.
Obesity in Older Adults: Succeeding in a Complex Clinical Situation
Obesity in older adults provokes serious problems. In this report from The Gerontological Society of America (GSA), the evaluation, consequences, and clinical management of obesity and overweight are reviewed with focus on the unique challenges of this condition in older adults with other chronic diseases, mobility defects, and other compromises in activities of daily living.
Medical Use of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Older Adults: A Focused Discussion on Safety
To create clarity around use and safety of cannibidiol (CBD) for medical purposes in older adults, The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) convened a panel of experts in various relevant disciplines (pharmacy, clinical medicine and research, law and policy) and stakeholders in both the patient and professional arenas. This white paper summarizes presentations on pertinent topics and ideas for consideration developed by stakeholders.
Moving Toward What Matters Most
Nexus Summit 2021 Blog:
Moving Toward What Matters Most
Christine Arenson, MD, Co-Director, National Center
Barbara Brandt, PhD, Director, National Center
The Impact of the Older Adult Mental Health Workforce Shortage on the Public Mental Health System
This paper created by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors discusses the impact of the older adult mental health workforce shortage on the public mental health system. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the current landscape and to offer recommendations on how the public mental health system can respond to the behavioral health needs of older adults while addressing the workforce shortage to the extent possible.
TAC Assessment Working Paper: Improving Community Options for Older Adults
This paper created by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors discusses a variety of ways to improve community care facilities and options for older adults. It describes the relationship between two federal programs: the Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) program and the Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs).
Promoting Emotional Health and Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for Senior Centers
This toolkit created by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) helps senior centers integrate suicide prevention into activities that support well-being. It describes activities that increase protective factors, and explains how to recognize and respond to the warning signs of suicide and a suicide attempt or death. Several tools for providers along with fact sheets for older adults.
Promoting Emotional Health and Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for Senior Living Communities
This toolkit created by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) equips senior living staff with resources to promote mental health, suicide prevention, and encourages active participation among residents. It includes guidelines for integrating suicide prevention into ongoing programs, hands-on tools, and training manuals.