bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is Childhood Disadvantage Temporary or Permanent? Evidence From the Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health in Ghana
Authors: Ayernor Paul
Published: December 2020

The paper assesses whether childhood socioeconomic status have a temporary or permanent effect on adult health status and well-being. The study uses cumulative inequality theory to explain disparity in health status and well-being at older ages in Ghana. Data comes from the 2007-2008 World Health Organization global study of ageing in Ghana (SAGE). The study utilizes wave 1 of the data, with retrospective questions about early childhood socioeconomic status. The study uses ordinal logistic regression models to assess the relationship between childhood socioeconomic status and self-report health on one hand and wellbeing on the another. The results show that father’s education is a significant predictor of health status and wellbeing at older ages. Specifically, the odds of reporting good and moderate health status and wellbeing are 1.29 and 2.22 times higher among older adults whose fathers have primary education or higher. As expected, the odds of reporting moderate or good health status and wellbeing decrease with increasing age and also for women. In terms of interaction effects, those aged 60-69 years whose fathers have primary education are less likely to report good and moderate health. In contrast, those who are aged 70-79 years old and have fathers with secondary or higher education are 2.51 times more likely to report good and moderate wellbeing. There is strong evidence of compensation among those who keep once or twice contact with social ties.
The Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of an Arabic Version of the Reminiscence Functions Scale
Authors: Khait Abdallah Abu , Shellman Juliette
Published: December 2020

The Reminiscence Functions Scale (RFS), a 43 item reliable and valid scale, measures eight specific reasons as to why individuals reminisce: (a) identity (b) death preparation; (c) problem-solving; (d) bitterness revival; (e) boredom reduction; (f) intimacy maintenance; (g) conversation; and (h) teach/Inform others. Research indicates that certain reminiscence functions have a positive impact on the mental-health and well-being of older adults. However, no known studies have been conducted in Arab countries examining the relationship between reminiscence functions and mental health outcomes due to the lack of an Arabic version of the RFS. The purpose of this study was to translate the RFS from English to Arabic (Modern Standard Arabic), back-translate from Arabic to English, and compare the two English versions for equivalence and accuracy through a multi-step translation method. A team of bilingual, bicultural, Arabic speaking experts assembled to conduct the forward, back translation and harmonization process. In the next step, professionals with expertise in linguistics communication sciences and disorders, Arabic literature, geriatric nursing, and medicine reviewed the translated documents to assess the content (relevant to the target culture) and semantic equivalencies (similarity of meaning in the target culture). Challenges that occurred during the study included finding nuanced translation equivalences for Likert scale responses, translation of idioms such as “when time is heavy on my hands”, and logistical issues such as coordinating virtual meetings for the team of experts. Lessons learned during the translation process and implications for use of the RFS-Arabic version with Jordanian older adults will be presented.
Patterns of Obligation of Care Among Urban and Rural Americans
Authors: Sosa Johanna , Esiaka Darlingtina , Nwakasi Candidus
Published: December 2020

In recent years, there is concern about the shortage of adult children who are active participants in the care of their older parents (those 65 years and above). Reviewed studies suggest that attitudes towards the provision of care for older parents differ and may depend on ecological affordances. Particularly, demographic changes due to urbanization shape constructions of obligation to provide eldercare. This study examined patterns of filial responsibility and felt obligation of adult children toward their older parents among rural and urban dwellers in the US. Participants (N= 187) responded to questionnaires assessing filial responsibility, felt obligation to parents, and additional social and demographic characteristics. Results show that rural Americans reported higher levels of filial responsibility and felt obligation to older parents. Also, filial responsibility is associated with the felt obligation for contact with parents, avoidance of conflict with parents, provision of assistance and care, self-sufficiency and independence from parents, and sharing of personal experiences with parents. Our findings indicate the existence of cultural ecological contexts that afford a sense of duty, care, and assistance to older parents. We discuss strategies that acknowledge the relevance of these factors in promoting participation in eldercare.
The Relationship Between Functional Decline of Care Recipients and Health of Caregivers
Authors: Cho Jinmyoung , Stevens Alan
Published: December 2020

Pearlin’s stress-process model (2010) depicts that functional decline in care-recipient would shape caregiving burden and impact on caregiver’s health. With this background, we explored how the changes in care-recipients’ physical and cognitive functioning are related to the caregivers’ physical health. A total of 853 care-recipients from the Rounds 1 and 5 of the National Health and Aging Trend Study (NHATS) and their 1,303 caregivers from Round 5 of National Study of Caregiving (NSOC) were included. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify correlates of self-rated health and the number of chronic conditions with the change in physical and cognitive functioning from Round 1 to 5 and multidimensional caregiver burden. Physical functioning measured by the NHATS short physical performance battery included balance stands, walking chair stands, grip strength, and peak airflow. Memory, orientation, and executive functioning measured cognitive functioning. Multidimensional caregiver burden includes four domains (emotional, psychological, relationship, and resilience) identified with factor analysis. Background factors (recipient’s age, assisting recipients for 5 years, race/ethnicity, and number of chronic conditions of recipient) were included as covariates. After controlling covariates, the data showed that 5-year change of physical functioning and caregiver’s emotional burden were negatively significant for self-rated health; and assisting care-recipients for 5 years or more was significant for more numbers of chronic conditions among caregivers. Findings highlight that caregivers’ physical health is closely associated with care-recipient’s functional decline for long-term caregiving experiences. Further investigation on caregiver’s physical health using multiple health outcomes is needed to promote physical health in long-term caregivers.
The Contribution of Eight Modifiable Risk Factors to Dementia Prevalence in Jamaica
Authors: Ashby-Mitchell Kimberly , Eldemire-Shearer Denise
Published: December 2020

The number and proportion of dementia cases in Jamaica attributable to eight modifiable lifestyle factors was calculated using factor analysis in Stata and Levin’s Attributable Risk formula (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, depression, low educational attainment, smoking, overweight, obesity and vision problems). Four sources of data were used: (1) risk factor prevalence data were obtained from the Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey, 2008, (2) relative risk data were sourced from published meta-analyses, (3) factor analysis in Stata version 15 was performed to estimate shared variance among risk factors utilising data from the Health and Social Status of Older Persons in Jamaica Study and, (4) estimated prevalence of dementia in Jamaica in 2012 was obtained from a 2018 publication by Shearer et al. Obesity was found to be responsible for the largest proportion of dementia cases (13.94%; 2508 cases) followed by hypertension (10.64%; 1917 cases), low educational attainment (7.21%; 1299 cases), overweight (6.42%; 1156 cases), smoking (3.90%; 702 cases), diabetes (3.38%; 608 cases), depression (1.00%; 181 cases) and impaired vision (0.002%; 34 cases%). Using this largely theoretical model, the eight factors examined account for approximately 46.0% of dementia cases. Dementia risk reduction programs that target even one of these factors has the potential to result in significant reduction in future dementia prevalence as they are all interrelated. In future work, as these data become available, the contribution of mid-life obesity, mid-life hypertension and physical inactivity will also be taken into consideration.
Undiagnosed Diabetes: Identifying the Community Paths to Type 2 Diabetes Diagnostic Testing
Authors: Chard Sarah , Girling Laura , Henderson Loren , Eckert J Kevin
Published: December 2020

Over seven million U.S. adults are estimated to have undiagnosed diabetes and are at heightened risk of diabetes complications and poorer long-term glycemic control. Key to addressing undiagnosed diabetes is identifying how persons encounter diabetes testing in everyday life and the contextual factors that lead to consulting a health care provider. As part of the NIA-funded Subjective Experience of Diabetes Study we examined the pathways through which community-living African-American and non-Hispanic White older adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) (N=75) received their T2D diagnosis. Systematic, thematic analyses using ATLAS.ti reveals three primary routes to diabetes diagnosis: diagnosis through continuity of primary care, diagnosis through happenstance testing, and diagnosis following the exacerbation of symptoms. While diagnosis as part of routine care was the least reported (N=13), participants’ accounts suggest diagnosis in primary care validates the patient-provider relationship and provides an occasion to calmly establish a treatment plan. More frequently, however, diagnosis occurs through fortuitous encounters with glucose tests, e.g., through work or community research projects (N=15) or after symptoms become alarming and disrupt daily life (N=47). Participants’ experiences in these latter two categories reveal the critical role of insurance and social prompts in the decision to consult a clinical provider regarding symptoms. At the same time, the abundance of over-the-counter therapies treating conditions commonly found early in the emergence of diabetes can delay clinical follow up. These findings highlight the importance of social prompts and community-based testing in the fight to reduce undiagnosed diabetes.
Health Personality, Consumer Health Activation, and Loneliness
Authors: Cone Nicholas , Martin Peter
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this study was to identify relationships between health personality traits, consumer health activation (CHAI) and loneliness. Data for these analyses were collected by a large provider of Medicare Supplemental Health Insurance. The study consisted of 3,907 participants, 65 years and older. Participants were surveyed on health personality (e.g., Health Neuroticism, Health Extraversion, Health Openness, Health Agreeableness, and Health Conscientiousness), Consumer Health Activation, and Loneliness. Structural equation modeling and mediation were conducted through Mplus. The hypothesized model fit without direct paths from health personality to loneliness was not optimal. Adding direct paths from health neuroticism, health openness, and health agreeableness to loneliness resulted in an excellent fit, □2 (5) = 0.86, RMSEA = 0.00, CFI = 1.00. Health neuroticism and health openness were negatively related to health activation, which suggests respondents were less likely to be active about their health. Alternatively, health agreeableness and health conscientiousness were positively related to health activation, indicating more health activation. Mediation was tested for pathways from health personality dispositions to loneliness through health activation. The results suggest individuals higher in health neuroticism or health openness were less activated, which in turn indicated higher loneliness. Moreover, those higher in health agreeableness or health conscientiousness were more activated and indicated less loneliness. This study provides an understanding about loneliness through health personality and health activation. Future research should explore interventions for older adults with specific health personalities, or health activation to reduce loneliness levels.
Personality Pathology and Cognitive Aging
Authors: Cruitt Patrick , Hill Patrick , Oltmanns Thomas
Published: December 2020

Research on the relationship between normal-range personality and cognitive aging has demonstrated consistent, but modest, effects. The current investigation seeks to increase our understanding of unhealthy cognitive aging by examining the maladaptive extremes of personality. Borderline and avoidant personality disorder (PD), but not obsessive-compulsive PD, were hypothesized to show prospective associations with cognitive aging. The current investigation tested this hypothesis in two longitudinal studies of older adulthood: the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center cohort (ADRC, N = 434, Mage = 69.95, 56% women) and the St. Louis Personality and Aging Network study (SPAN, N = 1,058, Mage = 65.92, 54% women). The ADRC study administered a battery of neuropsychological tests to assess cognitive ability/memory. Borderline PD was measured with a composite derived from the NEO Five Factor Inventory. The SPAN study administered self-, informant, and interview measures of the three PDs, a free recall memory task, and an informant report measure of cognitive problems. Borderline PD features exhibited cross-sectional correlations with memory (ADRC: r = -.11; SPAN: all rs = -.08), general cognitive ability (ADRC: r = -.11), and informant reported cognitive problems (rs ranged from .15 to .39). These features also prospectively predicted changes in cognitive problems (Std. bs = .13 and .15), but not in memory or cognitive ability. Avoidant and obsessive-compulsive PD exhibited little association with cognitive aging. These findings suggest that borderline PD features may interfere with cognitive maintenance interventions. Furthermore, they argue for the development of PD treatments adapted for the context of later life.
Intersectionality: Mapping Critical Relations for Quality in Long-Term Care Research
Authors: Aubrecht Katie , Bourgeault Ivy , Daly Tamara
Published: December 2020

Intersectionality is a useful method (Lutz, 2015) for interdisciplinary long-term care (LTC) research to advance a more critical understanding of how experiences of quality are shaped by mutually reproducing social divisions, identities and relations of power that shape LTC. This paper discusses insights from the “Mapping Care Relationships” stream of the Seniors – Adding Life to Years (SALTY) project, a pan-Canadian program of research examining clinical, social and policy perspectives on quality in LTC. “Mapping Care Relationships” mapped how promising approaches to care relationships are organized and experienced in LTC. From January 2018-August 2019 our team of nine researchers conducted rapid ethnographies in eight nursing homes, two in each of four provinces across Canada. We purposively observed and interviewed workers from a wide variety of positions and backgrounds, informed by an intersectionality approach. We traced how promising approaches in person-centred dementia care (PCDC) in particular may reify the subordinated status of care workers (some more than others) and reinforce inequities within LTC systems. In multiple LTC homes, front-line care workers described experiencing physical and emotional harm in care relationships with residents which caused them distress. However, consistent with a PCDC approach, the harm was attributed to ‘behaviours’ clinically symptomatic of dementia. In framing power differentials from a medical perspective, PCDC makes it possible to interpret harmful experiences as 'part of the job’ and something workers should know to expect, prevent, avoid, redirect, or ignore. Lutz, H. (2015). Intersectionality as method. DiGeSt. Journal of diversity and gender studies, 2(1-2), 39-44.
Sport Involvement Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults With Arthritis: Motivations and Constraints to Participation
Authors: Janke Megan , Son Julie , Naar Jill , West Stephanie , Liechty Toni , Wong Jen
Published: December 2020

Although participation in physical activity is recommended for adults with arthritis, research indicates individuals often stop participating in sports and physically active leisure due to the pain and symptoms associated with arthritis (Wilcox et al., 2006). Examining a group of older adults with arthritis, the present study examines motivations and constraints related to participating in sport and physically active leisure as well as how they negotiate constraints. Data (N=1203) were collected through an online questionnaire of adults aged 50 and older in the United States. This study includes individuals reporting a diagnosis of some form of arthritis (n=288; M age = 64.8, SD = 8.08). Approximately 32% self-reported participation in sport in the past 12 months. Descriptive statistics were conducted to explore motivations and constraints to sport involvement. Regressions were run to determine whether constraints and motivations explained adults’ functional mobility and social wellbeing. The most commonly identified motivation for participation was for health purposes (80.2%). Constraints to participation included not being in good enough shape (51.9%) and not having others their age with whom to participate (47.4%). The most commonly identified constraint negotiation was to budget money (51.4%); this is not surprising since sport participation was perceived as expensive (41.3%). Motivations (p<.01) and constraints (p<.001) significantly predicted functional mobility; constraints significantly predicted some aspects of social wellbeing (i.e., coherence, contribution, actualization; p<.05) while constraint negotiation predicted social acceptance (p<.05) and integration (p<.001). Discussion will include implications and strategies for agencies and professionals who work with adults who have arthritis.
Daily Relationships Between Physical Activity and Sleep: Differences Between Subjective and Objective Measures
Authors: Bisson Alycia , Lachman Margie , Bisson Alycia Sullivan
Published: December 2020

Although there is evidence that physical activity (PA) and sleep are related, it is unclear which aspects of these multidimensional constructs are involved. Many have examined differences in PA and sleep between persons, but few have tested daily associations within persons. The present study examined sleep (duration; hours spent asleep, WASO; wake after sleep onset, latency; time to fall asleep) and PA (total and intensity) over 7 days, using both a self-reported diary (subjective) and an ActiWatch (objective). Healthy adults between 34 and 83 came to University of Wisconsin, Madison to participate in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Biomarker study (N=436, Mage: 56.92, SDage: 11.5). Subjective and objective measures showed differential relationships; subjective duration was higher, and latency was lower than objective measures. Some age differences were also found; older adults reported more WASO than middle-aged adults, but their WASO was similar according to actigraphy. Multilevel models revealed that total PA and intensity significantly predicted subjective and objective sleep measures, controlling for age, sex, and other demographic variables. More active participants had shorter sleep durations, WASO, and latency. Within-person analyses revealed that on days one is more active than average, sleep duration is shorter with less WASO across age. Although the negative relationship between PA and sleep duration was unexpected, it is possible that because more active individuals wake less during the night, they may need fewer hours of sleep because their sleep is more restful. Discussion will focus on possible mechanisms involved in linking PA and sleep.
Silver Finance—Asset Management of Elderly People in the Modern Era
Authors: Yang Frances , Hin Ka , Cheung Edward , Lou Vivian
Published: December 2020

This study aims to explore the elderly people’s knowledge, attitude, and understandings toward financial management, and how they behave in using IT-supported financial services. Mixed methodologies, including quantitative street survey and qualitative focus group interviews, are used. The result shows an active involvement with investment market of the mature segments despite claiming safe and stable returns as the paramount principle of asset management. They also have a substantial knowledge on some of the technological-enabled financial services, particularly the younger groups (age 50-59). Cybersecurity is their major concern and barrier on whether to use them or not. Besides, their value and behaviors of buying mature adult financial products should be understood within a context of traditional family culture value. Based on the above analysis, the elderly can be categorized into three major types in using IT-supported financial products and services, including proactive users, passive followers and hard opposition. On the one hand, this research breaks up the outdated stereotype of technology use among elderly people; on the other hand, aged people are facing the challenges of cognitive and physical decline led by ageing. As such, it is essential to conduct specific financial literacy intervention. This project brings new insights into the financial education which is appropriate to the elderly.
Development and Validation of the Age Integration Scale: Measuring Older Adults’ Intergenerational Attitudes
Authors: Roman Carly , Zelinski Elizabeth , Beam Christopher
Published: December 2020

Opportunities for age integration (i.e., more intergenerational connections) are increasing among older adults, as a greater number live longer and are capable of interacting with younger individuals. Attitudes toward other generations can be considered a barrier that promotes or discourages intergenerational connections. While existing measures tend to focus on attitudes toward aging or older adults, they do not evaluate older adults’ attitudes toward younger individuals. Item response theory (IRT) was used to create an attitude scale evaluating older adults’ perceptions of their own age integration with younger individuals. Convenience sampling was used to recruit 100 older adults (55+ years old) who completed a 30-item age integration survey assessing their agreement (on a 5-point Likert scale) with statements about intergenerational beliefs and intentions to have intergenerational connections. IRT analyses supported a 10-item age integration scale indicating a unidimensional construct. The scale consists of items with moderate discrimination and difficulty levels on a 4-point Likert scale. Composite reliability of the 10-item scale was 0.83, which is considered substantial. Tests of convergent validity demonstrated that the total scale score correlated 0.68 with generativity. Discriminant validity tests suggest that the scale does not correlate strongly with satisfaction with life, purpose, depression, need for cognition, or considerations for future consequences, as the correlations ranged from -0.01 to 0.38. This novel measure provides an important, less-considered perspective of intergenerational relationships by assessing older adults’ attitudes toward younger individuals. Future studies will validate this scale in a larger, more generalizable sample.
Inconsistent Capacity Assessment Access for Adult Protective Services: National Survey Results
Authors: Sivers-Teixeira Theresa , Sadamitsu Kelly , Stevens Gregory , Penate Christina , Olsen Bonnie
Published: December 2020

Throughout the country, access to professional capacity assessments is inconsistent. Capacity assessments are often a critical factor in case management of elder abuse investigations. This unmet need for many Adult Protective Services (APS) programs hampers their ability to protect older adults from mistreatment and preserve self-determination when appropriate. In June 2019, electronic surveys regarding access to capacity assessments were sent to APS leadership in all 58 California counties. A similar survey is planned for each US state in June 2020. In California, with 100% response rate, 53% of counties had no access to assessments and 56.1% had no funding for assessments. Most assessments were completed by physicians or psychologists. Seventy-three percent of counties reported that primary care physicians complete requests for capacity declarations less than half the time. Physicians decline to complete capacity declarations because they don’t know how to do the assessments (22.4%) and are concerned about being called into court (28.5%). Findings from the national survey will be presented along with maps illustrating capacity assessment accessibility. Factors that appear to influence accessibility positively (forensic centers) and negatively (lack of funding and lack of trained evaluators) will be discussed along with policy implications.
Enhancing Access to Home Modification for Older Adults: Research Results of a National Survey of State Units on Aging
Authors: Overton Julie , Pynoos Jon , Nabors Emily , Terzaghi Damon , Steinman Bernard
Published: December 2020

With aging populations and cost constraints, state home and community-based care (HCBC) systems are increasingly being challenged to support older adults at home. Home modifications (HMs), changing the home environment to support health, safety and independence, has been found to be cost effective, improve quality of life, and help prevent falls. While the passage of the Older Americans Act in 1965 made State Units on Aging (SUAs) the designated state-level agencies responsible for developing and administering assistance to older adults, little is understood about the extent to which they prioritize, implement, and fund HM services. In the last decade, new developments have elevated HM on the public agenda, yet the creation of policies and programs depends on a solid knowledge base. Funded by the Administration for Community Living, the University of Southern California and ADVancing States conducted a survey of the 56 SUAs to ascertain HM efforts, targeting, Older Americans Act fund allocation for HMs, collaboration with other state entities, needs and challenges, legislation, and accomplishments. With a response rate of 91% SUAs (N = 51), the survey revealed: 88% of SUAs engage in HM efforts with most (61%) integrating HMs within HCBC and long term care programs; 74% work with their State Medicaid Office on including and delivering HMs via waivers; and the most pressing needs as funding and more HM providers. Analysis showed great variation of SUA involvement in HMs based on the state size, SUA location within the state government, and connections with other state agencies.
Drexel University’s Age-Friendly Strategy: Starting With Purposeful and Existing Engagement Mechanisms
Authors: Clark Katherine , Gitlin Laura , DiMaria-Ghalili Rose Ann , Yutzey Elizabeth
Published: December 2020

In 2019, Drexel University became the first Age-Friendly University (AFU) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The College of Nursing and Health Profession’s AgeWell Collaboratory (a center without walls that aims to disrupt the healthcare system’s traditional approach to aging) is leading the Age-friendly Drexel Steering Committee, which is composed of leadership throughout the university. The Collaboratory purposefully connected the committee to four key mission-driven efforts in order to ensure sustainability: 1)Strategic planning, both at the university and college level 2)The institution’s research agenda 3)Existing programming and work groups (ie. The University Committee on Accessibility and the School of Professional Development and Institutional Advancement’s efforts to engage more older adults),4) Community engagement efforts, such as the City of Philadelphia’s Age-friendly initiative and the university’s community outreach hub, the Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships. This presentation will discuss how to leverage the AFU movement through mission-driven efforts among senior leadership, faculty, staff and students.
From Ad Hoc to Association to Academy: Developmental Milestones Over 48 Years for AGHE
Authors: Hollis-Sawyer Lisa , Manning Lydia
Published: December 2020

The Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education began as the Ad Hoc Committee on the Development of Gerontology Resources in 1972. The next year the name Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) was selected. In 1974 AGHE held a general meeting of its membership in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America in Portland Oregon. The first annual meeting was held in 1975 in Madison, Wisconsin. The relationship with GSA has evolved over the last four decades leading to the present Academy. The first presentation will focus on the issues of gerontology and higher education that emerged in the early years and continue to be a challenge today. The second presentation will look at the future of AGHE in its new relationship with GSA. The third presentation will focus on the Academy in the present discussing current challenges facing academic gerontology in today’s world including the development of AGHE’s basic-competency guidelines and the emergence of measuring student learning outcomes and their role in program review and evaluation. The fourth presentation will examine the evolving discussion of standards in evaluating gerontological and geriatric programming. Geriatric Education Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.
The Double Standard of Aging for Men and Women: Evidence From Across Europe, 2006–2018
Authors: Settersten Richard , Day Jack , Hagestad Gunhild
Published: December 2020

Is there a “double standard” (i.e., a harsher judgment) in the perceived ages at which women and men reach old age, and have these judgments changed over time? We use European Social Survey data from 23 countries in 2006 and newly released data from 16 of those countries in 2018. In both 2006 and 2018, men typically assign women substantially earlier ages than women themselves do. In some places, however, men also give themselves lower ages than women give them. With respect to when women become old, the differential views of men and women are persistent. So is the fact that women differentiate less between the sexes¬–though men differentiate less in 2018 relative to 2006. We use multilevel modeling to examine variation explained by both individual characteristics and country indicators of demographic and policy contexts. Findings underscore the significance of the double standard in cultural constructions of aging.
The Story of Us: Older and Younger Couples’ Language and Emotional Responses to Jointly Told Relationship Narratives
Authors: Wilson Stephanie , Malarkey William , Kiecolt-Glaser Janice
Published: December 2020

Social-emotional well-being is said to improve with age, but evidence for age differences in couples’ behavior and emotions—studied primarily during marital conflict—has been mixed. Characteristics of jointly told relationship stories predict marital quality among newlyweds and long-married couples alike, yet younger and older couples’ accounts have never been compared. To examine age differences in couples’ emotional responses and in their I/we-talk, emotion word use, and immediacy (i.e., self-focused, present-tense style), 42 married couples ages 22–77 recounted their relationship’s history then rated the discussion and their moods. Compared to younger couples, older couples used more we than I language, more positive than negative words, and less immediacy. Partners in older pairs shared more similar language patterns. In turn, lower immediacy mediated links between older age and less negative mood, and explained husbands’ more positive appraisals. Indeed, relationship accounts reveal novel insights into age differences in marriage and well-being.
Improving Dementia Clinical Research Participation: Strategies From a Portland, Oregon, Pilot Study
Authors: Bouranis Nicole , Gelmon Sherril , Waddell Elizabeth Needham , Richardson Dawn , Woo Hyeyoung , Lindauer Allison
Published: December 2020

The NIA’s strategy to improve ADRD clinical research participation emphasizes local community collaboration. Literature that focuses on a person with dementia’s decision to participate in research does not speak to specific state or local factors nor the effects of local efforts. This study aimed to develop strategies to improve dementia research participation in the Portland, OR metropolitan area. A community advisory board comprised of clinicians, researchers, advocates, people with dementia, family caregivers, and older African Americans was established for this project. Thirty-three interviews were conducted with clinicians, researchers, advocates, people with ADRD, and family caregivers. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Culture of Health Action Framework was used to conceptualize motivation strategies and reflect elements that describe research participation among people with dementia. Strategies were identified to improve dementia clinical research participation: 1) Identify and promote local champions for ADRD clinical research participation; 2) Promote policies and processes that incentive cross-sector collaboration; 3) Recognize caregivers as full research participants; 4) Include people with ADRD and caregivers in the research design process; 5) Offer alternative options to reduce participation burden; 6) Evaluate and improve relationships between healthcare/research staff and patients/participants. These strategies can be used in conjunction with the Culture of Health Action Framework as a roadmap to form organization-community partnerships, facilitate motivation and empowerment, give decision-making power to people with ADRD and promote a local culture of research. Studies should be conducted in a larger context or as pilots in other communities to determine contextual relevance and generalizability for other areas.
The Modifiability of the Stereotype Content Model Toward Older Adult Men and Women
Authors: Bisconti Michael Vale Toni , Sublett Jennifer
Published: December 2020

Older adults are often stereotyped in a paternalistic manner (warm, but incompetent), deserving of assistance regardless of their need. We have examined the veracity and malleability of this paternalistic stereotype using an experimental vignette with both male and female targets. Younger adults (N = 717) deemed it more necessary and appropriate to offer unnecessary help to older adults in a grocery store scenario. Additionally, competence was malleable for both older adult male and female targets if the older adults denied the offer of help. Interestingly, older women were viewed as warm, which did not change as a function of their response, whereas older men were initially viewed as colder, but their warmth ratings increased. In light of these findings, we will discuss the intersection of age and gender when considering the malleability of the warmth and competence dimensions of the paternalistic older adult stereotype.
Contemporary Approaches to the Study of Cognitive Aging
Authors: Hueluer Gizem , Stine-Morrow Elizabeth A L
Published: December 2020

Cognitive aging research is gaining societal and practical importance because of population aging. Current research is focused on describing age differences and age-related changes in cognitive performance, understanding potential causes underlying these differences and changes, and identifying factors that promote maintenance of cognitive functioning in old age. The goal of this research group is to showcase new developments in research studying age differences in cognitive performance and longitudinal cognitive change in the second half of life. Hülür et al. examine associations between midlife occupational factors and trajectories of cognitive change using data from the German Interdisciplinary Longitudinal Study of Adult Development and Aging (ILSE). Luo et al. use 12-year longitudinal data from 499 older participants in ILSE to study bidirectional associations between social relationships and cognitive performance. Small et al. examine the correspondence between objective and subjective cognitive performance, and measures of fatigue and depressed mood in experience sampling data from breast cancer survivors. Haas et al. compare laboratory and at-home online assessments of cognitive status and prospective memory over the adult lifespan and evaluate the quality of self-administered tests. The discussion by Elizabeth Stine-Morrow will focus on how these approaches contribute to our understanding of processes of cognitive aging and how they can be utilized to promote maintenance of cognitive functioning in old age.
Coping Mechanisms and Resilience in Later Life: The Role of Family and Friendship Ties in Diverse Settings
Authors: Chen Feinian , Gupta Rashmi , Zhang Zhenmei
Published: December 2020

The papers in this symposium explore different aspects of social ties and how they act as critical coping mechanisms in the face of negative circumstances in later life. Using data from diverse settings, including China, Singapore, and the U.S., these papers underscore the importance of strong family and friendship ties, as they offer older adults with strong protection against social isolation and adverse health outcomes. Gupta and Pilai explore the similarity and differences in coping strategies/resilience among a diverse group of 30 U.S. older adults. Results point to the saliency of support from friends, regardless of race/ethnicity. Visaria addresses the relationship between the expression of loneliness and objective measures of social networks among older adults in Singapore. The findings shed light on how meaningful companionship and desired social connection offer powerful buffers against isolation in later life. Ruan and Chen explore which types of social ties offer the strongest protection when Chinese older adults are coping with the aftermath of negative life events. Findings point to the need to look beyond filial obligations and to consider the interplay among various forms of social support, including family, friends and the broader community. Zhang et al. examine the role of family and friendship ties in a rural Chinese community where many older adults were left behind by migrant children. The results suggest that those who are isolated from friends experience more depressive symptoms while those with close-knit friendship ties are the most resilient.
Negative Life Events, Social Ties, and Depressive Symptoms for Older Adults in China
Authors: Ruan Hangqing , Chen Feinian
Published: December 2020

Negative life events are considered important risk factors of depression among older adults. An overwhelming amount of literature suggests that individuals with the most supportive social relations tend to make a better recovery from stressful life events. As for which types of ties matter the most, whether being family, relatives, friends or the broader community, existing literature is much less consistent and has documented varying effects across different contexts. This study is set in China, which traditionally relies on family systems and filial obligations for old-age support. Using two waves of data from China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey, we examine the protective effect of different types of social relations on depressive symptoms, including those who are living in the household, children who live close by or far away, as well as their ties with family, relatives, and friends.
Greater Subjective Well-Being Associated With Lower Inflammatory Proteins in an Older Adult Sample From the NHATS
Authors: Hladek Melissa , Chung Shang-En , Cudjoe Thomas K M , Samuel Laura , Szanton Sarah , Roth David
Published: December 2020

Subjective well-being (SWB), comprised of cognitive and affective evaluations of life, is associated with better health outcomes and lower mortality, but mechanisms are poorly understood. We examine the associations between SWB and its subscales with two biomarkers: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP), both common inflammatory indicators associated with mortality and increased cardiovascular disease. Dried blood spot data collected from 4,648 older adults NHATS participants in 2017 was used. After adjustment for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, tobacco, body mass index and chronic disease, we found greater SWB and greater scores on subscales including positive affect, self-realization and personal mastery were all significantly associated with decreased IL-6 and CRP. Conversely, increases in negative affect was significantly associated with increased IL-6 and CRP values. This study adds evidence of a potential mechanistic mind-body connection pathway.
You Can’t Just Hope for the Best: VA and Non-VA Home-Based Long-Term Care in Puerto Rico Following Hurricane Maria
Authors: Haverhals Leah
Published: December 2020

This research describes how home-based long-term care settings in Puerto Rico, connected to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and in non-VA settings, prepared for and secured the safety and wellbeing of elderly and disabled persons during and after Hurricane Maria, which struck Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017. I collected data via in-person interviews, home visits, and field observations between January-March 2019. Guided by a social vulnerability and health model, I interviewed a multitude of people connected to and/or caring for elderly and disabled populations in these settings. Results emphasize importance of disaster preparedness, incorporating lessons learned from hardships, and how Puerto Rico’s colonial status and economic realities influenced recovery. VA’s interconnected nature provided a stronger support network compared to non-VA settings that were often independently or family run. Regardless of setting, the resilience and collaborative spirit of Puerto Ricans proved instrumental in recovery and disaster management.
Preparedness and Response Activities of the VA Home-Based Primary Care Program Around the Fall 2017 Hurricane Season
Authors: Wyte-Lake Tamar , Der-Martirosian Claudia , Dobalian Aram
Published: December 2020

Individuals aged seventy-five or older, who often present with multiple comorbidities and decreased functional status, typically prefer to age in their homes. Additionally, as in-home medical equipment evolves, more medically vulnerable individuals can receive care at home. Concomitantly, large-scale natural disasters disproportionally affect both the medically complex and the older old, two patient groups responsible for most medical surge after a disaster. To understand how to ameliorate this surge, we examined the activities of the nine US Department of Veterans Affairs Home-Based Primary Care programs during the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season. These and similar programs under Medicare connect the homebound to the healthcare community. Study findings support early implementation of preparedness procedures and intense post-Hurricane patient tracking as a means of limiting reductions in care and preventing significant disruptions to patient health. Engaging with home-based primary care programs during disasters is central to bolstering community resilience for these at-risk populations.
Findings From the Virginia Cognitive Aging Project: Individual Differences, Well-Being, and Cognition
Authors: Siedlecki Karen
Published: December 2020

The Virginia Cognitive Aging Project (VCAP) is a cross-sectional and longitudinal study of cognitive functioning in a large sample of healthy community-dwelling adults between the ages of18-99 years (Salthouse,2009). Data are collected on several domains of cognitive functioning and subjective ratings of cognition, as well as a myriad of individual difference characteristics including self-reports of physical activity, cognitive activity, social support, personality, well-being, and affective measures. This symposium focuses on findings from VCAP that examine cross-sectional and longitudinal links between individual difference characteristics, indicators of well-being, and objective and subjective cognition. These topics include the cross-sectional assessment of >5,000 participants on the mediating role of Need for Cognition on the relationship between cognition and well-being (Yazdani & Siedlecki) and the relationship between social support and ratings of subjective cognition (Mueller & Minahan). Jung uses cross-lagged analyses to assess temporal relationships between physical and cognitive activity and cognition. Falzarano et al. present findings regarding the longitudinal relationship between subjective and objective measures of cognition. Finally, Minahan and Siedlecki present findings examining the temporal relationship between ratings of loneliness and depression over time. The symposium provides insights into the complex role of individual differences characteristics and cognitive functioning across the adult lifespan.
Early Life Circumstances and Cognitive Aging: Longitudinal Evidence From China Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Lin Zhuoer , Chen Xi
Published: December 2020

Objectives: This study examines the long-term relationship between early life circumstances and later life cognitive aging. In particular, we differentiate the long-term effects of early life circumstances on level of cognitive deficit and rate of cognitive decline. Methods: Cognitive trajectories were measured using three waves of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Surveys (CHARLS 2011-2015). Linear mixed-effect model was used to decompose the individual level of cognitive deficit and rate of cognitive change in a sample of Chinese middle-aged and older adults 45-90 years of age (N=6,700). These two dimensions of cognition were matched to four domains of early life circumstances using CHARLS Life History Survey (2014), including childhood socioeconomic status, neighborhood environment, social relationships and health conditions. Their associations were examined by linear regressions. Stratification analysis was further conducted to investigate the mediating effect of education on early life circumstances and cognitive aging. Results: Childhood socioeconomic status, childhood friendship and early life health conditions were significantly associated with both the level of cognitive deficit and rate of decline. In contrast, the community environment, including childhood neighborhood safety and social cohesion, only affected the baseline level of cognitive deficit; and childhood relationship with parents only affected the rate of cognitive decline. Moreover, education was found to be a mediating factor of these relationships. Conclusion: Exposure to disadvantaged early life circumstances have significant negative effects on later life cognitive deficit as well as rate of cognitive decline. Nevertheless, these long-term impacts can be partially ameliorated by higher educational attainment.
What Thinking Like a Bioethicist Can Bring to Dementia Research
Authors: Berlinger Nancy , de Medeiros Kate , Girling Laura
Published: December 2020

Bioethics is an interdisciplinary field that uses critical and empirical tools to explore and make recommendations concerning uncertainty about duties to others, including socially marginalized populations. In the context of social science or biomedical research involving people living alone with dementia, practical challenges in conducting research with capacity-impaired participants have ethical dimensions concerning informed consent and other aspects of research conduct. The underrepresentation in dementia research of the voices and perspectives of people living at home with dementia raises normative questions. Using data from a recent National Institute on Aging bioethics supplemental grant, this paper explores how thinking like a bioethicist can strengthen gerontological research. This paper examines areas such as precarity of housing, poverty and social interactions from a bioethicist’s critical analysis/perspective and provides a framework for others to apply to their own research.