This collection of SIG 15 articles provides valuable information on clinical practice in the elderly. First, Atsushi Toda, Jitsuro Yano, and Jun Tanemura discuss the relationship between physical frailty and cognitive functioning in older adults by studying performance on physical measures such as the Timed Up and Go test; hand grip strength; lower leg circumference on both sides and one leg standing; and cognitive measures such as the Mini-Mental State Examination, Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices, and the Trail Making Test. Second, Sara K. Mamo, Kara A. Wheeler, Vicki L. Plano Clark, and Cynthia S. Jacelon utilize a mixed methods approach comprising qualitative and quantitative measures to identify communication challenges in older adults in group care settings such as the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly Day Health Center settings. The authors then provide a conceptual framework for the potential factors that contribute to meaningful interactions and engaged communication in these settings. Finally, Amanda Stead, Monica Vinson, Paul Michael, Sara Henry, Melissa Fryer, Caitlin Fitzgerald, and Frankie Dow highlight the importance of providing opportunities to graduate students in effective clinical communication through simulated learning experiences to prepare students, prior to clinical entry, in skill development for end-of-life situations.

Learning Outcomes
You will be able to:

• recognize the relationship between physical frailty and cognitive function in older adults
• discuss the factors that contribute to engaged communication in group care settings for older adults
• describe the utility of simulated learning experiences in preparing students to improve clinical communication in addressing end-of-life situations

Assessment Type
Self-assessment—Think about what you learned and report on the Completion Form how you will use your new knowledge.

Articles in This Course

1. Association Between the Onset of Physical Frailty and Executive Function in Community-Dwelling Elderly People by Atsushi Toda, Jitsuro Yano, and Jun Tanemura , published in SIG 15, Volume 7, Issue 2, April 2022
2. A Mixed Methods Study of Hearing Loss, Communication, and Social Engagement in a Group Care Setting for Older Adults by Sara K. Mamo, Kara A. Wheeler, Vicki L. Plano Clark, and Cynthia S. Jacelon , published in SIG 15, Volume 7, Issue 2, April 2022
3. Simulating an End-of-Life Care Conference Using Standardized Patients: Examining Students' Professional Communication by Amanda Stead, Monica Vinson, Paul Michael, Sara Henry, Melissa Fryer, Caitlin Fitzgerald, and Frankie Dow , published in SIG 15, Volume 8, Issue 1, February 2023