A decline in physical and/or cognitive function is a common feature of aging, and frailty has been shown to be associated with cognitive impairment and dementia. This study aimed to evaluate the association between dynapenia, sarcopenia, and cognitive impairment among community-dwelling older people in Taiwan. Data from the I-Lan Longitudinal Aging Study (ILAS) were retrieved for study. Global cognitive function was assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), whereas the Chinese Version Verbal Learning Test, Boston Naming Test, Verbal Fluency Test, Taylor Complex Figure Test, Digits Backward Test, and Clock Drawing Test were used to assess different domains of cognitive function. Association between sarcopenia and global cognitive function as well as all different dimensions of cognitive function were evaluated. Data from 731 elderly participants (mean age 73.4 ± 5.4 years, 53.8% males) were used for study analysis. The overall prevalence of sarcopenia was 6.8%, which was significantly higher in men (9.3% versus 4.1%, p < 0.05). The mean MMSE score was 23.4 ± 4.4 for all participants, and 10.3% of the study participants were cognitively impaired. Sarcopenia was not significantly associated with global cognitive function (odds ratio [OR] = 1.55, p = 0.317), but global cognitive impairment was significantly associated with low physical performance (OR = 2.31, p = 0.003) and low muscle strength (OR = 2.59, p = 0.011). Nonetheless, sarcopenia was significantly associated with impairment in the verbal fluency test (OR = 3.96, p = 0.006) after adjustment for potential confounders. Dynapenia was significantly associated with cognitive impairment in multiple dimensions and global cognitive function, but sarcopenia was only associated with an impaired verbal fluency test. Reduced muscle strength and/or physical performance related to non-muscle etiology were strongly associated with cognitive impairment. More longitudinal studies are needed.

Background/Objectives: Dynapenic abdominal obesity is characterized by reduced muscle strength and abdominal fat accumulation and is associated with adverse health outcomes in older adults. Evidence from multiple studies conducted in different countries regarding these outcomes is inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the association between dynapenic abdominal obesity and adverse health outcomes—specifically falls, disability, and mortality—among middle-aged and older adults. Methods: A comprehensive search of Embase, PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library (from inception to December 2024) identified 12 eligible prospective cohort studies. Keywords included “older adults”, “elderly”, “older people”, “dynapenic abdominal obesity”, “fall”, “disability”, and “mortality”. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects models, with subgroup analyses based on measurement methods and geographic regions. Results: Dynapenic abdominal obesity was significantly associated with increased risks of falls (hazard ratio = 1.82, 95% confidence interval: 1.04–3.17) and mortality (hazard ratio = 1.50, 95% confidence interval: 1.14–1.96). The subgroup analysis results indicated variations in outcomes across measurement criteria and countries. Dynapenic abdominal obesity was not significantly associated with disability risk (odds ratio = 0.92, 95% confidence interval: 0.18–4.54). Conclusions: Dynapenic abdominal obesity is associated with significantly increased fall and mortality risks in middle-aged and older adults. These findings underscore the need for targeted assessments and intervention strategies for high-risk groups.

Background: As societies age, the demand for high-quality, continuous elderly care rises. Traditional clinical care often struggles to address the multifaceted needs of older adults, particularly those requiring long-term care. The Continuity of Care Maturity Model (CoCMM) by HIMSS highlights the importance of integrated, patient-centered care, yet challenges such as fragmented communication, insufficient data integration, and lack of real-time records persist in Taiwan. Objective: This study aimed to design, implement, and evaluate “Life Concerto,” (御曲®) an AI-enabled integrated communication and collaboration platform, to address these gaps and improve care quality and efficiency. Methods: Life Concerto utilized a BERT-based natural language processing system for keyword and message classification, supported by expert-curated decision-support algorithms. The platform facilitated multilingual communication, real-time interaction, and structured documentation among caregivers, healthcare providers, and family members. Pilot implementation included 897 chat rooms and over 2,167 users across 35 institutions, integrating use cases for long-term care, home-based acute care, and dementia care. Results: Results showed a 5.5 times per week interaction frequency between patients and care teams, significantly higher than traditional care models. It also reduced dementia visit times by 66.4%, cutting administrative workload and improving data accuracy, as it enabled real-time sharing of patient conditions, vital signs, and episode records. Multilingual support, including Indonesian, Filipino, Vietnamese, and English, broke down language barriers and ensured inclusive communication for foreign caregivers. Discussion: Achieving HIMSS Continuity of Care Maturity Model Level 7, Life Concerto established a dynamic, interconnected, patient-centered care model. While adoption barriers such as training requirements and resistance to change were noted, the platform’s success highlights the transformative potential of AI-driven solutions in elderly care. Future efforts should focus on seamless integration with electronic health records (EHRs) and addressing implementation challenges to promote widespread adoption and enhance holistic care delivery.