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Objectives: This study examined differences in physical function, delirium, depressive symptoms, and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in hospitalized African American and white older adults with dementia. Methods: This secondary data analysis using baseline data from an ongoing trial testing family-centered function-focused care included African American ( n = 159) and white persons ( n =135) with dementia. Results: A multivariate analysis of covariance showed that controlling for relevant demographic and health characteristics, African Americans with dementia had lower physical function, more delirium, and more depressive symptoms upon admission than white participants. There were no significant differences in BPSD between African American and white persons. Discussion: To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine racial differences in admission symptoms of hospitalized persons with dementia. While the findings are preliminary, they can be used to inform the design of future research, including identifying the causes of disparities.

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Nursing homes (NHs) are challenged to consistently deliver person-centered care (PCC), or care based on residents' values and preferences. NH staff associate certain resident preferences with risk. However, there are limited evidence-based person-centered risk management strategies to assist NH staff with risky resident preferences. The purpose of the current study was to explore NH staff perceptions of health and safety outcomes associated with honoring NH residents' risky preferences to inform intervention development. This descriptive, qualitative study used sequential focus groups and content analysis, revealing that nursing staff perceive negative and positive outcomes for staff and residents when seeking to honor residents' risky preferences. This finding is supported by three themes: Potential Harms to Staff , Potential Harms to Residents , and Positive Shared Outcomes . These results contribute a set of nurse-driven quality of life and quality of care outcomes for NH staff and residents associated with PCC delivery in NHs. [ Research in Gerontological Nursing, 15 (6), 271–281.]

Hospitalized persons with dementia are at higher risk for functional decline and cognitive loss related to delirium. Family-centered, function-focused care (Fam-FFC) engages the family care partner in education and active participation in function-focused goal setting, implementation, and evaluation to support delirium prevention and abatement and return to baseline physical function. The purpose of the current study was to examine the association of function-focused goal attainment with two discharge outcomes, return to baseline physical function and delirium severity at discharge, in hospitalized persons with dementia. In the ongoing Fam-FFC clinical trial, the majority of goals ( N = 433) developed by 134 care partner/patient dyads and nurses address mobility, cognitive stimulation, and self-care. Regression techniques demonstrated that goal attainment was significantly associated with return to baseline function ( B = 0.826, Wald = 4.17 [1], p = 0.041) and lower delirium severity at discharge ( B = 0.175, t = 2.239, p = 0.027). Results support the contribution of family engagement in promoting functional recovery of hospitalized persons with dementia. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 47 (9), 13–20.]