The changes in DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for dementia (Major neurocognitive disorder (NCD)) and mild cognitive impairment (mild NCD) mandate a re-evaluation of screening instruments. This study attempted to validate screening instruments, identify optimum threshold, and describe their indices of efficacy.

Consecutive people above the age of 65 years attending the outpatient department of a general hospital were recruited. They were assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Vellore Screening Instruments for Dementia and were evaluated against the DSM-5 standard. Bivariate and multivariate statistics were obtained. Receiver-operating-characteristic curves were drawn, optimum thresholds obtained, sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values calculated.

One hundred and thirty four older people were recruited. The majority were women, married, with low levels of education, not employed, living with family, and had medical co-morbidity. A minority satisfied DSM-5 criteria for major (1.5%) and mild NCD (36.5%). The factors associated with NCD were older age, fewer years of education, and lower socio-economic status. MMSE, VSID patient, and VSID informant scores were significantly associated with NCD. The indices of efficacy for the MMSE and VSID patient version were modest for identifying Mild NCD. However, their performance in identifying major NCD was better. Nevertheless, optimal thresholds for recognition differed markedly from their originally recommended cut-offs.

The DSM-5 standards, with new and different cognitive domains, mandate a revaluation and recalibration of existing screening instruments. Ideally, new screening instruments, which match the cognitive domains and DSM-5 standard should be developed.

Social support networks for older persons have been related to health outcomes including differences in psychological wellbeing (PWB). However, the specifics of this relationship remain unclear especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigates the (1) relationship between aspects of social support and PWB among older persons in Ghana and (2) the extent to which this relationship is moderated by their education levels and locational characteristics.

The study included 1,200 community-residing individuals aged 50 years and older who participated in an Aging, Health, Psychological Wellbeing and Health-seeking Behavior Study (AHPWHB) conducted between July 2016 and February 2017. Logistic regression models evaluated the associations of social support and their interactions with education and locational variables in PWB.

Several aspects of meaningful social support: family/friends contacts ( β = 0.958, p < 0.05), couple focused ( β = 0.887, p < 0.001), emotional bonds ( β = 0.658, p < 0.005), attending social events ( β = 0.519, p < 0.001) and remittances from children ( β = 0.394, p < 0.005) significantly related to improved PWB in later life. These associations remained robust and largely strengthened after accounting for respondents’ background and health-related factors. Education and locational characteristics substantially influenced the associations between social support and PWB.

These findings suggest that especially in terms of PWB, aspects of meaningful social support networks are critical elements in later life. Strengthening opportunities for closer interpersonal relations with older persons may enhance their mental health, quality of life and independence.

To compare cognitive function among frail and prefrail older adults.

Cross-sectional clinical study.

Fifty-one non-institutionalized older individuals participated in this study.

Cognitive functions were evaluated through Mini-Mental State Examination (Global Cognition), Digit Span Forward (short-term memory), Digit Span Backward (working memory), Verbal Fluency Test (semantic memory/executive function). Data were compared using parametric and non-parametric bivariate tests. Binary logistic regression was used to test a frailty prediction model. Statistical significance was defined as p ≤ 0.01 to compare groups. In the regression model, the p value was set to be ≤0.05.

Statistically significant differences were observed in global cognition, and short-term memory between frail and prefrail individuals (p ≤ 0.01). Global cognition explained 14–19% of frailty's model.

According to our findings, the evaluation of cognitive functions among older persons with frailty and prefrailty provides important complementary information to better manage frailty and its progression.

To provide additional data concerning the safety, effectiveness and local prescribing trends of clozapine in elderly patients.

Retrospective observational case-series analysis.

Data were collected from the medical files of 167 patients prescribed clozapine.

All patients prescribed clozapine in the last 15 years by the psychogeriatric service in Christchurch, New Zealand. The subjects were mostly aged over 65; however, patients under 65 are also accepted into the service on a case by case basis if they have an age-related health condition.

Twenty-five (15.0%) patients had their clozapine stopped due to a significant adverse reaction, including eleven who developed significant neutropenia. Seventy-four (44.3%) of the patients had no recorded side effects at all. Sixty-five (38.9%) of our elderly patients died while taking clozapine, though none of these deaths was felt to be related to clozapine use. Several patients safely initiated clozapine in either their own home or a nursing home without requiring hospital admission. Only two patients ceased clozapine due to ineffectiveness, and one hundred, forty-two (86.1%) of the patients had positive comments in their medical record regarding the benefits of clozapine for their particular case.

We found clozapine could be used safely and effectively in our patient group, for a wider range of indications and at lower doses than younger patients. Data collection regarding cause of death in elderly patients who were ever prescribed clozapine was problematic, and more research into this area is required.

To examine the longitudinal risk of vision loss (VL) or hearing loss (HL) for experiencing suicidal ideation in older adults.

The Three-City study, examining data from three waves of follow-up (2006–2008, 2008–2010, and 2010–2012).

Community-dwelling older French adults.

N = 5,438 adults aged 73 years and over.

Suicidality was assessed by the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Major Depressive Disorder module. Mild VL was defined as Parinaud of 3 or 4 and severe VL as Parinaud >4. Mild HL was self-reported as difficulty understanding a conversation and severe HL as inability to understand a conversation.

Severe VL was associated with an increased risk of suicidal ideation at baseline (OR = 1.59, 95% CIs = 1.06–2.38) and over five years (OR = 1.65, 95% CIs = 1.05–2.59). Mild and severe HL were associated with an increased risk of suicidal ideation, both at baseline (OR = 1.29, 95% CIs = 1.03–1.63; OR = 1.78, 95% CIs = 1.32–2.40) and over five years (OR = 1.47, 95% CIs = 1.17–1.85; OR = 1.97, 95% CIs = 1.44–2.70).

Sensory losses in late life pose a risk for suicidal ideation. Suicidality requires better assessment and intervention in this population.

Despite the benefits of being active for people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) on cognition and the acknowledgement that MCI is a critical period for intervening to prevent dementia, little is known about the actual sedentary levels in people with MCI. This study investigates correlates of sedentary behavior (SB) in people with MCI.

This was a cross-sectional study.

Data from the World Health Organization’s Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health were analyzed.

Individuals aged ≥50 years with MCI were included.

SB was assessed by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Associations between SB levels and the correlates were examined using multivariable linear and logistic regressions.

4,082 individuals aged ≥50 years with MCI (64.4 ± 17.0 years; 55.1% female) were included. The prevalence of high SB (i.e., ≥8 hours/day) was 14.0% (95%CI = 12.2%–16.0%), while the time spent sedentary was 262 ± 290 minutes/day. Correlates significantly associated with being sedentary ≥8 hours/day and time spent sedentary per day were, older age, being unemployed, depression, sleep problems, obesity (vs. normal weight), diabetes, stroke, poor self-rated health, and lower levels of social cohesion.

Future research exploring interventions to reduce SB in people with MCI should target the identified sociodemographic and mental and physical health correlates, while the promotion of social cohesion may have the potential to increase the efficacy of future public health initiatives.