Reading Lists

Each month the Centre for Studies in Aging and Health (CSAH) produces a reading list of some of the most recent academic publications on a topic related to aging. The most recent reading list is shared within the monthly e-newsletter, Linkages. If there is a topic that you would like to see covered in an upcoming reading list please email info@sagelink.ca

TOPICS A - C

Active Aging
Topics include physical activity, exercise and cognition, rehabilitation, healthy aging, frailty, health behaviours, social participation and engagement. 4 pages. Last reviewed September 2019.
Advance Care Planning
Topics include difficult conversations, communication skills, supporting decision making, cultural considerations, and more. 3 pages. Last reviewed March 2022.
Aging in the Community
Topics include older adults aging actively, and safely in the community, planning and making decisions to age at home, using aids, adaptations, smart homes, supports and services challenges of older adults living with cognitive decline, multiple chronic conditions, and disabilities, racial, ethnic and minority groups. 5 pages. Last reviewed December 2021.
Ageism
This reading list includes topics that discuss and explore the determinants of ageism in society, the role that lack of knowledge, anxiety about ageism and stereotypes which influence both younger and older adults. 3 pages. Last reviewed July 2022.
Age-Friendly Communities
Topics include healthcare utilization, an ecosystem model, policy perspectives and the sustainability of impact. 2 pages. Last reviewed August 2020.
Age-Friendly & Dementia Friendly Communities
Topics include empowering older adults, health, promoting successful aging, fostering social participation and health equality, social isolation, physical environments, health care environments, communication, exemplars and toolkits. 6 pages. Last reviewed December 2019.
Supporting Aging in Place
Topics include community based models, age-friendly communities,  experiences of language minority seniors, home care, quality of life, policy, design, gerontechnology and success stories. 4 pages. Last reviewed December 2019.
Aging & Technology
Topics include assistive technology, innovation, older peoples perspectives on technology, patterns of technology use among older adults, wearable devices, dementia, falls, access to technology, safety and social isolation. 3 pages. Last reviewed March 2021.
Arthritis & the Older Adult
Topics include arthritis, osteoarthritis, fear of falling, exercise prescription, and pain. 2 pages. Last reviewed October 2020.
Behavioural & Psychological Symptoms of Dementia
Topics include assessment and management, symptoms, non-pharmacological interventions, apathy in dementia, inappropriate sexual behaviour and antipsychotic drug use. 2 pages. Last reviewed December 2019.
Bone & Joint Health in Later Life
Topics include osteoporosis, arthritis, Paget disease, pain, non-surgical treatment, osteomyelitis, estrogen and bone health, sarcopenia and nutrition. 2 pages. Last reviewed December 2019.
Breathing & Respiration in Older Adults
Topics include dyspnea, breathlessness, COPD, asthma, lung cancer, comorbidity, sleep disordered breathing, viral respiratory disease and pneumonia. 4 pages. Last reviewed December 2019.
Cannabis Use & Older Adults
Topics include efficacy and safety, evidence and recommendations, neurocognitive effects and use in those with dementia. 2 pages. Last reviewed July 2021.
Caregivers
Topics include family caregiving, impact of informal caregiving, chronic illness and caregiving, self-care needs of caregivers and technology for caregivers. 2 pages. Last reviewed June 2021.
Constipation & Older Adults
Topics include mechanisms and management, epidemiology, chronic constipation, diagnosis, complications and fecal impaction. 2 pages. Last reviewed December 2019.
Continence & Older Adults
Topics include overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, UTI, faecal incontinence, diarrhea, malabsorption and management in those with dementia. 2 pages. Last reviewed December 2019.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adults
Topics include COVID-19 associated isolation and protective measures, technology and engaging older adults virtually, coping strategies and maintaining independence, the impact of sheltering in place mental health, intergenerational conflict, social distancing vs. social interaction, and ageism. 5 pages. Last reviewed November 2022.

TOPICS D - F

Delirium and Older Adults
Topics include strategies for different health care settings, risk factors, recovery, post-operative delirium, prevention, diagnosis and management, antipsychotic medication, delirium at the end of life, delirium and agitation, delirium in dementia, non-pharmacological interventions, comorbidity and mortality. 4 pages. Last reviewed March 2023.
Dementia in Older Adults
Topics include diagnosis and treatment, clinical imaging, pathology, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, pharmacological management, mild cognitive impairment, risk factors, considerations for Indigenous peoples, hoarding, dual sensory loss,  brain injury, comorbidity, agitation, pain, sleep and suicide. 4 pages. Last reviewed November 2019.
Depression in Older Adults
Topics include assessment and treatment, pharmacotherapy, non-pharmacological treatments, comorbidity and suicidal behaviour. 2 pages. Last reviewed November 2019.
Supporting Care Partners of Those with Dementia
This reading list features resources intended to educate and support care partners of people with dementia. 4 pages. Last reviewed December 2019
Diabetes in Older Adults
Topics include therapy, guidelines, nutrition, risk of fractures, polypharmacy and prevention. 2 pages. Last reviewed December 2019
Disability in Later Life
Topics include aging with disability, frailty, home modifications, environmental considerations, intersectional considerations, discrimination, caregiver issues and more. 3 pages. Last reviewed March 2020.
Diversity & Inequality Considerations for Older Adults
Topics include minorities, equity and social determinants of health, culture and palliative care. 2 pages. Last reviewed December 2019
Driving & Older Adults
Topics include medication use, safety, stroke, cognition, dementia and neurodegenerative disorder. 2 pages. Last reviewed December 2019
Dual Sensory Loss in Older Adults
Topics include screening, rehabilitative strategies, participation experiences, comorbidity, quality of life, dementia, mobility and assistive technology. 4 pages. Last reviewed December 2019
Dysphagia in Older Adults
Topics include diagnosis, management, nutritional considerations, comorbidities, feeding tubes, preventing aspiration, risk for pneumonia, rehabilitation strategies, end-of-life and dementia. 3 pages. Last reviewed December 2019
Elder Abuse
Topics include abuse, neglect, COVID-19 pandemic impacts, intervention and prevention, vulnerability, caregiver-associated factors, help-seeking behaviours, stereotypes, screening, rural areas, risk and resliliency factors, 2SLGBTQIA+ older adults, depression, and barriers to help. 4 pages. Last reviewed May 2023.
End-of-Life
Topics include advance care planning, decision making, communication, hospice, palliative care, palliative sedation, euthanasia and assisted suicide, caregiver experiences, socio-cultural considerations and delirium at end-of-life. 4 pages. Last reviewed January 2020.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion of Older Adults
Topics include interventions to reduce ageism, digital health technologies, inter-relationship of diversity principles, health equity, unmet needs of older adults, cultural diversity, successful aging, meaningful engagement of older adults, and health-related quality of life among older adults. 3 pages. Last reviewed December 2022.
Exercise & Older Adults
Topics include physical activity, exercise adherence, the effectiveness of exercise, exercise interventions, resistance exercise, functional capacities, home-based exercise programs, barriers and motivators of physical activity, prevention of frailty, successful aging, healthy aging, and the quality of life among older adults. 5 pages. Last reviewed May 2022.
Falls & Older Adults
Topics include balance training, fear of falling, falls in neurodegenerative disease, traumatic brain injury, orthostatic hypotension, osteoporosis, diabetes, Tai Chi and more. 4 pages. Last reviewed October 2019.
Function & Quality of Life in Older Age
Topics include physical and cognitive functions, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, sleep problems, obesity, dementia, environmental considerations, spirituality, COVID-19 restrictions, effective clinicians’ counseling, and their impact on quality of life of older adults. 4 pages. Last reviewed November 2021.
Frailty & Older Adults
Topics include screening, prognostic markers, comorbidities, physical activity, fractures and more. 2 pages. Last reviewed December 2020.

TOPICS H - L

Having Difficult Conversations with Older Adults
Topics include communication regarding diagnosis and sensitive subjects, end-of-life, serious illness, treatment options and LGBTQ considerations. 2 pages. Last reviewed December 2019.
Health Literacy and Older Adults
Topics include healthy aging, patient satisfaction and healthcare utilization, programs, challenges in older populations, medication adherence, disease specific resources and other considerations. 5 pages. Last reviewed December 2019.
Hearing & Vision in Aging
Topics include comorbidities related to hearing and vision impairment and age-related considerations. 2 pages. Last reviewed December 2019.
Heart Health in Older Adults
Topics include heart health, heart failure, cardiovascular disease, cardiac rehabilitation, home-based rehabilitation, virtual cardiac rehabilitation, exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation, anxiety, depression, Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS), The Family-Centered Empowerment Model (FCEM), User-centered design (UCD), caregiver burden, mHealth, mobile health, health literacy, social support, and the quality of life among older adults. 3 pages. Last reviewed September 2022.
Hip Fractures & Older Adults
Topics include epidemiology, prevention and management, predicting outcomes, risks and comorbidities. 2 pages. Last reviewed December 2019.
Later Life Hoarding & Diogenes Syndrome
Topics include risk factors and predictors of hoarding severity, comorbidity, screening, assessment and treatment. 4 pages. Last reviewed December 2019.
Housing & Assisted Living for Seniors
Topics include memory enriched environments, housing for people with dementia, perceptions of long-term care, innovative models, outdoor environments, home modifications, gerontechnology and neighbourhood considerations. 6 pages. Last reviewed December 2019.
Health & Indigenous Elders
Topics include culturally sensitive care, dementia, palliative care, health inequity, nutrition, fall prevention and abuse. 6 pages. Last reviewed December 2019.
Infections & Older Adults
Topics include urinary tract infections, pneumonia, respiratory tract infections, herpes zoster, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis and antimicrobials. 3 pages. Last reviewed December 2019.
Living with Renal Disease
Topics include chronic kidney disease, diabetes, comorbidities, screening and treatment considerations. 3 pages. Last reviewed February 2022.
Caring for LGBTQ2S+ Elders
Topics include social strengths, health knowledge, cultural awareness, elder abuse and neglect, caregiving outcomes, long-term care needs, experiences of ethnic minorities, mental health care and dementia complexities of LGBTQ2S+ elders. 3 pages. Last reviewed June 2021.
The Older Adult & Liver Health
Topics include physiology, aging, comorbidities, chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, hepatitis, hepatocellular carcinoma. 4 pages. Last reviewed December 2019.

TOPICS M - O

Memory & Cognition in Later Life
Topics include nutrition, lifestyle behaviours, hormones, hypothyroidism, quality of life, education, social isolation, sleep and health literacy. 6 pages. Last reviewed January 2020.
Mental Health Considerations for the Older Adult
Topics include ageism, special considerations for LGBT elders, comorbidities, self-harm, grief, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, dementia, anxiety disorder, anorexia, personality disorder, delirium, depression and non-pharmacological treatment options. 4 pages. Last reviewed December 2019.
Mobility in Later Life
Topics include physical activity, aging, activities of daily living, disability, accessible environments and transportation. 4 pages. Last reviewed January 2020.
Multiple Sclerosis in Older Adults
Topics include epidemiology, diagnosis, management, aging, disability, mobility, physical activity, and more. 4 pages. Last reviewed January 2020.
Nutrition & Oral Health for Older Adults
Topics include appetite, malnutrition, supplementation, assessment, undernutrition, eating disorders, anorexia of aging, high risk populations, weight loss and more. 4 pages. Last reviewed February 2021.
Care of the Older Offender
Topics include dementia in prison, complex chronic medical care, psychological distress, mental illness, disability in prison, cancer, end-of-life care, aging and dying in prison and gender differences. 4 pages. Last reviewed December 2019.
Optimizing Medications in Older Adults
Topics include safety, inappropriate prescribing and deprescribing. 2 pages. Last reviewed December 2019.
Oral Health & Older Adults
Topics include prevention, aging, periodontal considerations, dry mouth and more. 2 pages. Last reviewed March 2023.
Orthostatic Hypotension in Older Adults
Topics include epidemiology, prognosis, treatment, falls, cognitive impairment, frailty and diabetes. 2 pages. Last reviewed December 2019.
Osteoporosis, Falls and Factures in Older Adults
Topics include clinical practice guidelines for prevention, current evidence for screening, diagnosing, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments of osteoporosis in older adults, in addition to nutrition, physical activity, fractures and falls prevention.. 4 pages. Last reviewed October 2021.

TOPICS P - Z

 

Pain Management in Older Adults
Topics include acute pain, chronic pain, nutrition, pharmacological treatment, pain assessment, neuropathic pain and psychosocial interventions. 3 pages. Last reviewed October 2022.
Parkinson’s Disease in Older Adults
Topics include impulsiveness and executive function, cognition, depression and apathy, falls, urinary disturbance, drug-induced Parkinsonism, deep brain stimulation and more. 4 pages. Last reviewed January 2020.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Older Adults
Topics include prevalence, assessment, treatment considerations, disability, cognitive function, dementia, medication and nonpharmacological therapy. 4 pages. Last reviewed January 2020.
Prostate Cancer & Older Adults
This reading list includes links to and summaries of a variety of resources including considerations regarding prostate cancer screening, surgical, pharmacological and non-pharmacological types of treatment, rehabilitation and lifestyle choices during and after treatment, under treatment of rural and racial minority residents, and burden of prostate cancer on Canadian society. 3 pages. Last reviewed September 2021.
Safety in the Home
Topics include safety in the home, falls and mobility, technology and devices, social isolation and alcohol-medication interaction. 3 pages. Last reviewed January 2021.
Sensory Impairment
Topics include risk of cognitive impairment, frailty, social connection and participation, dementia, vision, hearing, taste, smell and touch. 2 pages. Last reviewed April 2021.
Sexuality & Sexual Health in Later Life
Topics include sexual activity and aging, stereotypes and ageism, sexual function, discussing sexual well-being with patients, considerations for health care professionals, sexually transmitted infections, LGBT considerations, intimacy in long-term care, capacity and consent in dementia . 6 pages. Last reviewed December 2019.
Skin & Wound Care in Later Life
Topics include risk assessment and prevention of pressure ulcers, skin tears, age-associated skin conditions and disease, hygiene, moisture management, bacteria, infection, pruritus, antimicrobials, phototherapy and wound healing disorders. 3 pages. Last reviewed December 2019
Sleep & Older Adults
Topics include sleep assessment, non-pharmacological interventions, pharmacological treatment, insomnia, comorbidity, disordered breathing, sleep apnea and more. 4 pages. Last reviewed December 2019.
Social Capital in Older Age
Topics include social participation, engaging older adults, age-friendly communities and more. 2 pages. Last reviewed December 2019.
Social Isolation, Older Adults and Covid-19
Topics include social isolation and loneliness, ageism, strategies to enable connections, rurality, and bereavement. 3 pages. Last reviewed July 2020.
Social Isolation and Mood Disorders
Topics include social isolation in older adults living with or developing the variety of mood disorders, including depression, anxiety, bipolar, seasonal affective disorder, particularly during pandemic, assessment, recommendations, non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment strategies. 3 pages. Last reviewed January 2022.
Speech, Language and Hearing in Older Age
Topics include Efficacy and effectiveness of advanced hearing aid technologies, Neural processing, Hearing-related changes in oral adults, Hearing loss and depression, Cognitive outcomes of older adults with hearing loss, Health outcomes associated with hearing loss and hearing aid use and Speech comprehension. 3 pages. Last reviewed April 2023.
Stroke and Older Adults
Topics include stroke prevention, stroke management, stroke in older adults, risks of developing stroke, stroke recurrence, shared decision-making, cognitive rehabilitation, transitional care, home care, informal caregiving, caregiver burden, and quality of life perceptions among older adults with stroke. 3 pages. Last reviewed April 2022.
Substance Misuse in Older Adults
Topics include guidelines on opioid use, benzodiazepine use, alcohol use, assessment and age-specific considerations for addiction. 2 pages. Last reviewed November 2020.
Suicide Ideation and Prevention
Topics include risk, antidepressants and suicidal behaviour, predictors of suicidal ideation, medical illness and risk of suicide, screening and assessment, prevention and more. 3 pages. Last reviewed August 2022.
Thyroid Function in Later Life
Topics include prevalence and risk factors, hormone therapy, diagnosis and management, cancer and other considerations. 4 pages. Last reviewed January 2020.
Urinary Tract Infections in Older Adults
Topics include diagnosis and management. 2 pages. Last reviewed December 2019.
Vaccinations & Older Adults
Topics include considerations regarding vaccinations for influenza, pertussis, varicella and herpes zoster. 2 pages. Last reviewed November 2020.
Volunteerism & Older Adults
Topics include considerations regarding volunteerism. 3 pages. Last reviewed January 2023.