Masha Remskar, from the University of Bath in the United Kingdom, and colleagues conducted a systematic literature review to examine the impact of interventions that combined physical activity and mindfulness on mental health and well-being outcomes.

Based on 35 included studies, the researchers found that most studies had pilot or feasibility designs (19 studies; 54%) or small sample sizes. Compared with passive controls, combined interventions were feasible to deliver and improved psychological health (25 of 33 outcome comparisons reported across trials). Compared with active controls, the effects on psychological health outcomes were mixed. Twelve of 38 comparisons favored combination over physical activity only, while five of 18 favored combination over mindfulness only.

“Although research into the combined impact of these behaviors is in its infancy, the evidence base offers promise that such interventions are feasible to administer and evaluate, are well adhered to, and point to favorable psychological health outcomes,” the authors write.

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Many have fancifully wished for a mirror that could look beyond the surface and deep into one’s heart. 

One new tech company has taken this concept literally and created a “smart mirror” device that can accurately assess vital signs such as blood pressure and even risk of heart disease. 

The MagicMirror, developed by NuraLogix, currently is being marketed to senior living and care operators and others, the company announced this week. 

“Gathering health data in this method without requiring tedious multiple manual inputs provides ease of use, especially for those with mobility issues and elderly populations,” the company said in a statement.

The mirror, which was showcased at this week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, works by analyzing facial blood flow. In addition to analyzing a variety of heart conditions, including risk of disease or stroke, the mirror also can make an assessment about a user’s stress or mental health condition. 

Since artificial intelligence capabilities have blossomed over the past year, developers have tried to train AI tools to interpret a large body of data, and images, to make useful health predictions.

Many older adults who have heart conditions are not currently using tools to appropriately monitor their symptoms, so any tool that could make it easier to do so could help prevent health emergencies. 

Although the NuraLogix mirror appears to be connected to a proprietary screen device, other developers have introduced AI-aided diagnostics that can be used via smartphones. 

One AI app, Together, interprets selfies to record blood pressure and heart rate, the McKnight’s Tech Daily reported over the summer. 

Collectively, those innovative tools underscore the value of AI to skeptical seniors. Because of these innovations, more older adults not only are accepting but also expressing enthusiasm for incorporating AI into their healthcare routines, a recent report showed. 

K. John McConnell, PhD, from Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, and colleagues assessed the association of the transition to integrated managed care in Washington Medicaid with health services use, quality, health-related outcomes and measures associated with social determinants of health. Analysis included about 1.45 million Medicaid enrollees in Washington state between 2014 and 2019.

The researchers found that financial integration was not associated with changes in claims-based measures of utilization and quality. While enrollees with mild or moderate mental illness experienced a slight decrease in cardiac events (−0.8%), most claims-based measures of outcomes were also unchanged. Enrollees with serious mental illness experienced small decreases in employment (−1.2%) and small increases in arrests (0.5%). Financial integration was perceived by key informants as an administrative change and did not have substantial implications for how practices delivered care. Behavioral health agencies reported lacking guidance on how to integrate care in behavioral health settings and struggled with new contracts and regulatory policies that may have inhibited the ability to provide integrated care.

“There was a hope that this would be a significant catalyst,” McConnell said in a statement. “The idea was that integrating care within managed care organizations would drive positive changes at the clinical level, and that didn’t really happen — at least not yet.”

One author disclosed personal fees from Omada Health.

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The 2023 Practitioner Pulse Survey was emailed to a random sample of licensed psychologists in the United States from Aug. 30 to Sept. 29, 2023. The analysis included a total of 561 responses.

According to the survey, more than half of psychologists (52%) say they are seeing an increase in severity of symptoms among their patients, with 41% saying they are seeing an increase in the number of sessions spent treating each patient, which may reduce their capacity to accept new patients. Further, more than half (56%) say they have no openings for new patients. Among psychologists who maintain wait lists, more than two-thirds (69%) say the average wait is up to three months for a first appointment, but 31% report wait times longer than three months. Increased demand for treatment was seen among patients with anxiety disorders (68%) and trauma- and stressor-related disorders (50%).

“This paints a clear picture of psychologists operating at the brink of their capacity,” Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, chief executive officer of the American Psychological Association, said in a statement. “To better meet demand, it is essential that we develop comprehensive public health strategies that reach people throughout their lifespan and robustly address behavioral health alongside physical health.”

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Anne C. Fernandez, PhD, from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and colleagues used data from the January 2021 National Poll on Healthy Aging, which asked 2,023 US adults ages 50 to 80 years about past-year cannabis use, to identify demographic characteristics associated with cannabis use.

The researchers found that 12.1% reported cannabis use in the past year. Among those who reported cannabis use, more than one-third (34.2%) reported using cannabis products four or more days per week. Cannabis use was found to be less likely among people who identified as Hispanic ethnicity or as “other” races versus non-Hispanic white participants, while cannabis use was found to be more likely among unmarried/unpartnered and unemployed respondents. Alcohol consumption was also associated with an increased likelihood of cannabis use.

“As the stress of the pandemic and the increased legalization of cannabis by states converged, our findings suggest cannabis use increased among older adults nationally,” Fernandez said in a statement. “Older adults represent a vulnerable age group for cannabis use due to interactions with medications, risky driving, cannabis-related mental health impacts and increased possibility of falls and memory issues.”

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Understanding the effects loneliness can have, Arrow Senior Living first launched its Holiday Cheer initiative in 2020, when COVID-19 forced many senior communities across the country into lockdown. Back then, social media was one of the best ways residents could connect with family and friends, so Arrow initiated a 38-day photo challenge starting on Dec. 1. Today, Holiday Cheer continues to evolve, with daily events scheduled across every Arrow community, beginning Thanksgiving Day and running through Orthodox Christmas on Jan. 7.

This year’s 46 Days of Holiday Cheer enlivens the spirit while encouraging the pursuit of new knowledge. Residents have been invited to observe traditional religious holidays, including Christmas and Hanukkah, attending both tree-lighting ceremonies and the lighting of the menorah. The opportunity to find moments of joy sweeps over each community, bringing both nostalgia for the past and hope for the future.

Arrow has scheduled plenty of fun, creative events to engage in all season long. From cookie-baking and wreath-making to festive door decorating contests and caroling, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Even the Grumps, Grinches and Bah Humbugs who seem just a little annoyed by all the holiday cheer soon find themselves immersed in community merrymaking too. Those less enthused about the festivities can celebrate Festivus on Dec. 23.

Holiday Cheer easily is a favorite among residents and employees, as the team recognizes that the holiday season is also the perfect time to explore lifelong learning and appreciation for different cultures and traditions. In addition to all the fun events and traditions residents experience during this year’s 46 Days of Holiday Cheer, they also have an opportunity to gather at other cultural and educational events to learn about the land they occupy; to break bread with their neighbors while celebrating Las Posadas; and to discover the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Those shared learning experiences are designed to help Arrow Senior Living continue to cultivate more inclusive communities and reinforce our core values — listening to understand and believing kindness can drive change in the world.

It’s not too late for senior living providers to think about their own holiday initiatives for this year and future years. Start by building on the existing calendar to include holiday traditions from around the world. Celebrations don’t have to be overwhelming or hosted on a large scale; smaller gatherings easily can include opportunities for residents to learn and share their own experiences. Partner with local historians or other experts to host fun, intergenerational celebrations and activities, and if they are open to it, ask residents to contribute by sharing the unique ways they celebrate their cultural traditions.

The absence of human connection can have devastating effects on mental health and well-being, and the Department of Health and Human Services has labeled loneliness as an epidemic. Senior living providers have an opportunity to offer solutions, cultivating communities where residents are not just surrounded by their peers — they are building meaningful relationships with one another, too.

This season, as Arrow celebrates its fourth annual Holiday Cheer initiative, our team is more dedicated than ever to ensuring residents have an amazing experience and something exciting to look forward to through the new year. No one should feel the sting of loneliness or social isolation, especially when surrounded by community. Arrow’s events are focused on bringing people together in an environment that encourages purpose and intentional connection.

So, whether residents are sipping gourmet hot cocoa by the fire, recording their own rendition of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” at local recording studios, building the most epic gingerbread houses or learning about Icelandic folklore and the mischievous Yule lads, our team expects this year’s 46 Days of Holiday Cheer to have been our most joyous celebration yet.

Amanda Tweten is chief operating officer at Arrow Senior Living.

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Older adults don’t need to have spent decades in show-business to benefit from a late-stage softshoe routine. 

One recent music and movement intervention program designed for seniors combines several different technologies, including augmented reality, to help them combat depression and anxiety from their condition, researchers say. 

Music, and music therapy, have been recognized as a way to help enrich life for senior living community residents.

So although the concept is not new, the idea behind the recent program, Music With Movement, is to make it easier for caregivers to learn, and teach, the intervention to the residents they serve, particularly residents in memory care, the researchers said.

The program can be run on a tablet or smartphone and combines several different concepts, including augmented reality and games, the Music With Movement developers explained.

The program not only improved the mental health of older adults who used it; it also strengthened the relationship between them and their caregivers, according to published research.

The program, designed by experts at Honk Kong Polytechnic University, won a Consumer Electronics Show 2024 Innovation Award, it was announced earlier this month.

“Music is a medium of communication when one’s verbal ability is diminished,” said Daphne Cheung, PhD, Music With Movement project leader. “Technology is not for replacing human interaction but facilitating the implementation of meaningful human-to-human interaction through activities.”

One of the more popular tools that involves multisensory sounds and games for memory care residents has been the ToverTafel, which runs via an overhead projector.

Beyond dementia, another recent music therapy program uses software to help stroke victims with their physical rehabilitation, the McKnight’s Tech Daily reported earlier this year.

When announcing the new drug application (NDA) filing on Tuesday, MAPS Public Benefit Corp. noted it has been studying the drug for this use for years. The FDA has 60 days to decide whether MDMA will be accepted for review and whether it will be fast-tracked through the approval process, the company said. The drug would be given in concert with talk therapy.

“The filing of our NDA is the culmination of more than 30 years of clinical research, advocacy, collaboration and dedication to bring a potential new option to adults living with PTSD, a patient group that has experienced little innovation in decades,” MAPS CEO Amy Emerson said in a company news release. “If approved, MDMA-assisted therapy would be the first psychedelic-assisted therapy, which we hope will drive additional investment into new research in mental health.”

Back in 2017, the FDA granted MDMA-assisted therapy a breakthrough therapy designation. The MDMA application included data on two studies, with 90 and 104 participants, respectively, that showed MDMA significantly reduced symptoms and impairment associated with PTSD when compared with a placebo. MAPS added that it has now completed a total of six late-stage clinical trials testing MDMA for PTSD.

If the FDA approves MDMA for this purpose, it would need to be rescheduled, MAPS noted, because it is a schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, which the US Drug Enforcement Administration defines as having no accepted medical use.

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Angus C. Burns, PhD, from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, and colleagues examined associations between daytime and nighttime light exposure with the risk for psychiatric disorders and self-harm. The analysis included 86,772 adults (57% women). 

The researchers found that greater nighttime light exposure was associated with an increased risk for major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychosis, bipolar disorder and self-harm behavior. Greater daytime light exposure was associated with a reduced risk for major depressive disorder, PTSD, psychosis and self-harm behavior, independent of nighttime light exposure. When adjusting for sociodemographics, photoperiod, physical activity, sleep quality and cardiometabolic health, the findings persisted.

“Avoiding light at night and seeking light during the day may be a simple and effective, nonpharmacological means of broadly improving mental health,” the authors write.

Several authors disclosed ties to industry.

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