Biomedical subjects

Arlene Horner

Publications and source records attributed to Arlene Horner.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Better Bones Buddies: an osteoporosis prevention program.

Although osteoporosis typically surfaces in later life, peak bone mass attained before age 20 is a key factor in its prevention. However, most American children's diets lack sufficient calcium during the critical growth periods of preadolescence and adolescence to achieve peak bone mass. Better Bones (BB) Buddies is an educational program targeting children ages 9-15 years in an effort to improve their knowledge of bone health and to increase their intake of calcium-rich foods, thereby reducing the risk for osteoporosis later in life. In the 1998-1999 school year, Better Bones Buddies was given to more than 2,200 school children in southeastern South Dakota and southwestern Minnesota. Posttest results (N = 900) indicate participants improved in their knowledge of osteoporosis, and half reported modifications in their dietary habits to increase calcium consumption. Implications of the Better Bones Buddies program are discussed, with recommendations for future use of this program to increase children's knowledge about bone growth and osteoporosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

The challenge of assessing a patient with dementia and head injury.

Alzheimer's disease is emerging as a major health challenge for the 21st century. The reported case study discusses a 74-year-old woman with dementia of the Alzheimer type who sustained a head injury when she fell down the basement stairs. Differentiating the head injury from the preexisting dementia was complicated and required creative and astute assessment. Objective assessment tools discussed include the Mini-Mental State Examination, a delirium guide, and the Tinetti assessment tool. Predisposition to delirium is significant because of the comorbidities associated with cognitive impairment and head injury. Interventions to prevent delirium are recommended.

Accidental Falls↗

PubMed2002

A team approach in palliative care: enhancing outcomes.

While most Americans envision a "good death" as one occurring quickly and painlessly at home surrounded by loved ones, many people do not die in this fashion. Palliative care focuses on holistic treatment of patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment, and strives to improve quality of life for patients and families at end-of-life (EOL). This hospital-based study examines the extent to which a palliative care consultant team makes a difference in EOL for patients and families. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 50 hospitalized patients referred to an interdisciplinary palliative care consulting team at a South Dakota tertiary hospital during 2001. Various palliative care interventions were introduced during the course of hospitalization, and data were collected two days later to see if quality of life had improved. Statistically significant improvements were found in pain levels, non-pain symptom management, numerous psychosocial measures of quality of life, change in code status, and perceptions of communication and treatment during hospitalization. The study demonstrates that consultations with a palliative care team are beneficial and enhance the EOL experience for patients and families.

Adult↗