Journal of applied gerontology : the official journal of the Southern Gerontological Society
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Research suggests that baby boomers entering older adulthood may possess unique alcohol use patterns over time. Using the life course perspective as a guiding framework, this empirical study sought to examine correlates of alcohol use disorders among baby boomers by examining representative data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health at two points in time, 1998 (N = 6,213) and 2010 (N = 5,880). ⋯ Risk factors for alcohol use disorders among baby boomers may include concurrent unprescribed pain reliever use, p < .01, while protective factors such as income, p < .01, and social supports, p = .01, may be of increased importance. Based on the findings of this study, practice implications and future research are discussed.
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The traditional model of emergency care no longer fits the growing needs of the over 20 million older adults annually seeking emergency department care. In 2007 a tailored "geriatric emergency department" model was introduced and rapidly replicated among hospitals, rising steeply over the past 5 years. This survey examined all U. ⋯ It was guided by the recently adopted Geriatric Emergency Department Guidelines and examined domains including, GED identity, staffing, and administration; education, equipment, and supplies; policies, procedures, and protocols; follow-up and transitions of care; and quality improvement. Results reveal a heterogeneous mix of GED staffing, procedures, physical environments and that GEDs' familiarity with the GED Guidelines is low. Findings will inform emergency departments and gerontologists nationwide about key GED model elements and will help hospitals to improve ED services for their older adult patients.