Student Research
1. Published Research
I. Substance Use and Misuse among Older Adults: A Scoping Review. (2025) Substance Use & Misuse, 1–11. Lana Alhalaseh , Leen Abushams, Rahaf Qudah, Marie Claire Van Houtc and Mayyada Wazaifyhttps://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2025.2513525 ABSTRACTBackground: With the global aging population projected to double by 2050, issues surrounding the misuse and abuse of prescription and over-the-counter medications among older adults are becoming increasingly critical. Substance use and misuse in this demographic are often underdiagnosed and understudied, despite the rising prevalence of multimorbidity and polypharmacy.Objectives: This scoping review aimed to systematically map the existing literature on medication misuse and substance use among older focusing on the types of substances most frequently involved, prevalence rates, contributing factors, screening & diagnostic strategies, and the associated consequences.Methods: The design for this scoping review was guided by Arksey and O'Malley's framework, scanning six bibliographic databases for English works, including original research, reviews, theses, books and book chapters, interviews, toxicology screens, websites, and commentaries published between 1977 and 2025. 88 articles, independently reviewed by two reviewers, were charted, synthesized, and assessed for common themes.Results: Alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines are reported to be the most abused and misused substances in this group, with polypharmacy and psychological factors contributing significantly to misuse. The consequences of such misuse are significant and encompass various physical, psychological, and social ramifications, including increased risks of falls, cognitive decline, hospitalization, and mortality.Conclusion: This study highlights the main factors influencing the surge of inappropriate use of substances and medications, the need for age-sensitive screening tools, and tailored treatment interventions. In conclusion, there is an urgent need for increased awareness, improved diagnosis, and prevention strategies to address this growing public health concern. II. The Current Status of Health Care Indices and Functional Independence among Older Adults: Data from HelpAge International- Jordan Study. Aging Clin Exp Res 36, 124 (2024).
Mohammad Abufaraj, Lana Alhalaseh, Mohammed Q. Al-sabbagh, Zaid Eyadat, Walid Al Khatib, Osama A Samara, Immanuel Azaad Moonesar, Lee Smith & Raeda Al qutob
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-024-02738-2
ABSTRACT
Background Health services should anticipate the changing pattern of illnesses associated with population aging to promote healthy aging. Aim We aimed to evaluate health indices and chronic illnesses and their relationship with functional independence in community Syrian refugees & Jordanian elderly.
Methods A stratified sample of 1,718 community older adults aged≥60-year-old from four major Jordanian governorates was interviewed in this cross-sectional study. Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living was utilized to assess functional status. Data were analyzed using STATA 15.
Results Despite the similarities in baseline function, Syrian refugees had more multimorbidities but less active health insurance, accessibility to healthcare services and availability of medications and medical devices than Jordanians. Two-thirds had multimorbidities; with heart diseases, musculoskeletal conditions, hypertension, and diabetes being the most commonly reported chronic illnesses. Females had significantly more multimorbidities, and functional dependence, yet less education, income and accessibility to healthcare services. The mean Katz Index score was 4.99±1.61. Significant predictors of functional dependence included increasing age, lower level of education, and some chronic illnesses.
Conclusion National inclusive plans to support vulnerable older adults especially refugees and older women, provide health insurance, enhance access to health care facilities, and manage chronic medical illnesses comprehensively are urgently needed to improve independence of community-living older adults and to promote healthy aging.
III. Functional Status in Relation to Common Geriatric Syndromes and Sociodemographic Variables – A Step Forward Towards Healthy Aging. Clin Interv Aging. 2024;19:901-910. Lana Alhalaseh, Hala Makahleh, Bashayer Al-Saleem, Farah Al-Omran, Birgitte Schoenmakers https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S462347 ABSTRACTPurpose: Geriatric syndromes (GS) are prevalent in the older population, with an impact on morbidity and disability. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of functional dependence and ten GS in community older adults and to examine the different associations between these syndromes and sociodemographic variables and their impact on functional dependence.Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 342 outpatients seen at the geriatric clinic in the period 2015–2023.Results: The mean age was 75±7.4. One-third had functional dependence and 96.2% had at least one GS. The mean number of GS was 3.11±1.74, ranging from 2.56±1.67 in the 60s to 3.55±1.70 in octogenarians. The most common GS found were polypharmacy (79.5%), musculoskeletal pain (49.7%), and Major Neurocognitive Disorder (MND) (32.7%). Polypharmacy was significantly associated with female sex and chronic pain, whereas sensory impairment was associated with male sex. MND, dizziness, and urinary incontinence were the only GS that significantly predicted functional dependence and were typically associated with increasing age.Conclusion: Functional dependence increases as individuals age, paralleled by increases in MND, urinary incontinence, dizziness, sensory impairment, and constipation. Notably, only MND, incontinence, depression, and dizziness were significant predictors of functional dependence. Consequently, it is imperative to screen older adults presenting with these syndromes for early signs of functional decline to optimize their function and avert subsequent dependence, morbidity, and mortality.
IV. Loneliness and Depression Among Community Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A cross-sectional study". Psychogeriatrics 2022; 22: 493–501
Lana Alhalaseh, Farah Kasasbeh, Mariam Al-Bayati, Lubna Haikal, Kinan Obeidat, Abdallah Abuleil, Iain Wilkinson
https://doi.org/10.1111/psyg.12833 . TOP CITED ARTICLE 2022/2023
ABSTRACT
Background: Social isolation has been recommended for reducing older
adults' mortality and severe cases of COVID illness. That has resulted in
unavoidable consequences of mental ill-health. This study aimed to examine the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the development of loneliness and depression and to analyse the factors associated with these conditions among community-dwelling older adults in Jordan.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a random sample
of 456 community older adults contacted by telephone three weeks after
the first pandemic lockdown in April 2020. The study instrument included
the screening three-item UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Geriatric Depression
Scale, and relevant medical and functional history.
Results: The mean age was 72.48 ! 6.84 years, and 50.2% were women.
41.4% were lonely, and of those 62% had a positive screen for depression.
The mean UCLA score was significantly higher during the lockdown than before. Loneliness was significantly associated with being unmarried, having never worked previously, and being functionally dependent. Lonely participants were 1.65 times more likely to have depression. Likewise, a previous history of depression and cognitive impairment, multimorbidity, poor self-perceived health, and concern about contracting COVID infection were significant predictors of depression.
Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a heavy toll on older adults'
mental health, particularly those with multimorbidity, baseline functional dependence, and those with a previous history of depression and cognitive impairment. Targeting these high-risk groups is important in order to minimize loneliness, depression, and subsequent increased morbidity. Using all-inclusive language might minimize ageism and the fear of catching an infection.
2. Research Underway: