Background: Hospitalization in older adults with cognitive impairment is a seminal event that often leads to iatrogenic complications and exacerbation of behavioral disturbances that require a higher level of observation to ensure the patient’s safety. Our study aimed to determine whether an innovative model, using Patient Engagement Specialists (PES) improves care for hospitalized older adults [...]

Background: Hospitalization in older adults with cognitive impairment is a seminal event that often leads to iatrogenic complications and exacerbation of behavioral disturbances that require a higher level of observation to ensure the patient’s safety. Our study aimed to determine whether an innovative model, using Patient Engagement Specialists (PES) improves care for hospitalized older adults [...]

Background: Use of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) tubes among patients with dementia is controversial, with multiple studies showing no clear benefit in terms of risks of aspiration, survival or quality of life. Despite this growing evidence, studies analyzing the trends of use of PEG tube among demented patients are lacking. We aimed to use a [...]

Background: The number of individuals with dementia in the U.S., currently estimated at 5.3 million, is projected to triple by 2050. For patients with cognitive impairment, the unfamiliar and stressful hospital environment often requires constant observation (CO) to ensure patient safety. The use of constant observation (CO) in the hospital setting, while originating in patients [...]

Background: Oropharyngeal dysphagia affects up to 86% of hospitalized patients with dementia. Texture-modified food and thickened fluids are the mainstay of dysphagia management in patients with dementia, yet data on whether these diets improve clinical outcomes is lacking. Using a mixed methods approach, this study aimed to evaluate the following: 1) adherence to dysphagia diets [...]

Background: Dysphagia is prevalent in older adults with dementia, particularly in the acute care setting. The objective of this study was to use an innovative approach to extract a more representative sample of patients with dysphagia from the electronic health record (EHR) to determine patient characteristics and outcomes associated with dysphagia in hospitalized persons with [...]

Background: The number of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) in the U.S is projected to reach 16 million by 2050. Currently, they account for 3.2 million hospital admissions per year and over 75% of hospitalized persons with ADRD display Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD). The study aimed to evaluate management [...]

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, studies have shown a possible association between dementia and adverse outcomes, with mortality rates reportedly as high as 2.4 times greater than compared to patients without dementia. Despite these preliminary findings, the relationship has not been conclusively established. Management of patients with dementia is complex, including a higher risk of [...]

Background: Physical restraint use among patients hospitalized with dementia and behavioral disturbances has not been studied on a national level in the United States. We aimed to determine rates of physical restraint use among hospitalized patients with dementia and behavioral disturbances and to characterize associations with mortality and utilization metrics. Methods: National Inpatient Sample database [...]

Background: Persons living with dementia (PLWD) have two times more hospitalizations than persons without cognitive impairment. For PLWD, the unfamiliar environment of the hospital setting results in behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and consequently, increased use of psychoactive medications and enhanced nursing supervision. The objective of this quality improvement project was to evaluate [...]