bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BOUNDARIES, STRUCTURE, AND TURNOVER: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF OLDER ADULTS’ CORE DISCUSSION NETWORKS
Authors: Compernolle Nell , Goldman Alyssa
Published: January 2025

Decades of research have collected information about individuals’ core discussion networks as a fundamental measure of social integration, with implications for health and well-being. Growing interest in personal network dynamics—additions or losses of key social ties overtime—has sparked recent critiques of the validity and reliability of personal network measurement. Specifically: whether typically-used name generators accurately capture social ties on which individuals ultimately rely in times of need. Here, we compare findings from two longitudinal studies of older adults’ personal networks: the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP; four rounds of data collection spaced five years apart) and the Chicago Health and Aging in Real-Time (CHART; three waves spaced six months apart). Results suggest that oft-cited concerns of egocentric data collection may be less problematic than recently suggested. Regarding boundary specification, older adults in both studies report an average of 3-4 close confidants, with more than half reporting more than five and, among CHART respondents who do, an average of 1.4 additional confidants. Regarding network structure, the two studies yield near identical results in the proportion of core confidants being kin (~70%), co-residing (~20%), average frequency of interaction (a few times a week), and average closeness (very close). Last, regarding network turnover, we observe slightly fewer additions and losses between waves in the CHART study compared to NSHAP, although both show relatively little turnover. Together, findings support the utility of core discussion networks in capturing older adults’ core confidants at a given point in time.
SOCIAL CONTEXTS AND WELL-BEING IN AGING: EXPLORING NEIGHBORHOOD ENVIRONMENT, NETWORKS, FAMILY DYNAMICS, AND LONELINESS
Authors: Liu Hui , Carr Deborah
Published: January 2025

The five papers presented in this symposium utilize data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) to investigate the impact of social context, encompassing neighborhood environment, social networks, family dynamics, and social isolation, on health and well-being in later life. Ashtiani and Moorman examine the influence of neighborhood factors on loneliness, revealing that the residential environment indirectly affects loneliness through perceived social cohesion and neighborhood characteristics. Li, Wong, and Waite explore the long-term dyadic effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on later-life social participation, while considering the moderating role of spousal support and strain. Their findings demonstrate that both individual and spousal ACEs correlate with diminished social participation in later life, with spousal effects more pronounced from husbands to wives and further varied by marital quality. Choi investigates the association between marital history and the availability, quality, and stability of older adults’ social network ties to their children, uncovering significant impacts of past and present marital experiences on parent-child relationships. Additionally, two other papers employ comparative analyses, drawing from NSHAP and European datasets. Iveniuk, Schafer, and Sun assess the extent to which the link between education and cognition is mediated by social network characteristics, revealing variations in findings across the U.S. and European countries. Azar examines variations in the relationships among loneliness, social isolation, and health across different institutional exposures to defamilization policies in the U.S. and Europe over the life course.
MOVING BEYOND RESEARCH: ARCH AND POLICY
Authors: Brinkley-Rubinstein Lauren
Published: January 2025

There is clear evidence that carceral systems negatively impact health, especially for aging populations. The ARCH network has invested in and funded a series of projects that underscore this connection and have clear policy and practice implications. This includes highlighting best practices for compassionate release (both in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond), creating guidance for the provision of palliative care, optimizing the receipt of correctional health services, outlining the treatment needs of older patients with dementia, and assessing the factors that are integral to implementing a precision-gerontology approach to substance use treatment. In addition, the network has partnered with scholars and practitioners around the country to engage in a series of webinars and “work in progress” meetings to deliver information relevant to best practices, policy guidance, and to brainstorm how best to approach policy change and innovation.
ENHANCING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN QUANTITATIVE STUDIES OF AGE AND LIFE COURSE
Authors: Kelley Jessica
Published: January 2025

Despite best intentions to explore and represent the wide diversity of older adults in research, many are limited in their inquiry when utilizing secondary data sources to the the original investigators’ choices of measurement or sample inclusion. Limitations among these studies regularly include insufficient sample sizes of small groups, low statistical power, or over-aggregation in measurement. Using race/ethnicity for our examples, we highlight two key barriers to DEI initiatives in secondary data analyses and their consequences in studying aging and older adults: (1) Erasure of significant populations in aging research; and (2) Utilizing statistical logic to explain social realities. We then provide five immediate solutions that investigators can execute with the data at hand to increase diversity in aging research. These include greater attention to within-group variability, avoid over-interpreting small differences between groups, incorporating cohort membership and structural inequality into analysis, and integrating new measurement modules into ongoing studies.
STUDENT-LED INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAMS IN NURSING HOMES
Authors: Hawes Frances , Cernohous Inessah
Published: January 2025

Recognized for fostering meaningful interactions across age groups, intergenerational programs offer numerous benefits, promoting social connections, empathy, and mutual understanding. This study compiles data from 25 intergenerational programs conducted by undergraduate students during their residency at nursing homes from 2020 to 2024. The aim is to pinpoint best practices and challenges in implementing such programs. The findings provide comprehensive summaries of the projects, detailing site contexts, methodologies, and results. We evaluate the effectiveness of these programs in various areas, including enhancing care quality, reducing social isolation, and improving the psychological well-being of nursing home residents. Furthermore, our analysis yields a consolidated understanding of both the successes and challenges encountered in intergenerational initiatives during this period, offering valuable guidance for future program development and implementation.
ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE, AND SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION INNOVATIONS FOR MOBILITY AND SAFETY AMONG OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Siren Anu , Charlton Judith
Published: January 2025

While technology holds immense promise in addressing challenges related to safety, mobility, and sustainability in older adults’ transportation, significant barriers remain, particularly concerning the acceptability, affordability, and age-friendliness of these technologies. This symposium will feature presentations and discussions highlighting the multifaceted nature of mobility among older adults and the ways in which innovative technologies can address the transportation needs. The five presentations in this symposium communicate research from Australia, Europe, and the USA, and will explore issues related to usability, accessibility, and user acceptance, highlighting the importance of designing technologies that are intuitive, inclusive, and culturally sensitive. Speakers of this symposium will delve into the importance of mobility for older adults’ physical health, mental well-being, and social connectedness. Further, the symposium will examine the potential of technology-driven solutions to address key challenges faced by older adults in transportation, including safety concerns, accessibility barriers, and environmental sustainability. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and international collaboration, the symposium seeks to create multidimensional discussions that not only acknowledge the pivotal role of technology in addressing safety, mobility, and sustainability challenges for older adults but also address the issues of acceptability, affordability, and age friendliness. Transportation and Aging Interest Group Sponsored Symposium
UNDERSTANDING TRANSPORT NEEDS OF OLDER AUSTRALIAN DRIVERS: SUSTAINABLE AND SMART INITIATIVES FOR SAFE MOBILITY
Authors: Oxley Jennie , Charlton Judith , Koppel Sjaan , Logan David , Coxon Selby
Published: January 2025

Access to adequate and appropriate transport options enables older people to continue as thriving community participants, to reach services and to maintain social connections. While transport needs are diverse, and tend to change over time, there is little information on current and future transport patterns, and the awareness, acceptance and adoption of new technologies. A national online survey was administered to current drivers in Australia. A sample of 705 drivers provided information on available travel modes and use of these modes, awareness of in-vehicle technologies and future use of vehicle technologies. The findings revealed high use of private vehicles, walking and taxis but little use of other travel modes (bicycles, motorcycles, rideshare, community services and public transport). Age, gender and residential location influenced the availability and use/potential use of some transport options. Overall awareness of in-vehicle technologies was generally low and particularly so amongst older and female participants. There was some appetite to use emerging technologies in the future. The findings inform the development of effective strategies and initiatives aligned with healthy ageing and wellbeing targets, increased sustainability, resilience and connectedness, creation of healthier travel choices and healthier environments to promote acceptance and use of a range of transport options and uptake of safer vehicles equipped with in-vehicle technologies to ultimately enhance safe and sustainable mobility of older road users. Such strategies may be particularly useful to support extended safe driving amongst older adults with chronic medical conditions, such as driver monitoring/alert systems.
EXPANDING REACH AND SCALABILITY OF EVIDENCE-BASED FALL PREVENTION PROGRAMS (ERASE FALLS)
Authors: Pappa Sara
Published: January 2025

In 2016, Marymount University was awarded the first Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Programs (EBFPP) cooperative grant by the Administration for Community Living, initiating the Northern Virginia Falls Prevention Alliance. Subsequent funding supported the Academic-Community Partnership for Falls Prevention, addressing the critical need in Northern Virginia—a diverse region with over 250,000 older adults. From 2016 to 2021, our programs reached 5,060 individuals across 75+ sites, through initiatives like Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL), A Matter of Balance (AMOB), and the Otago Exercise Program (OEP). We established the innovative MU Regional Training Office (MU-RTO) for affordable EBFPP leader training and support, and have trained over 500 lay leaders in these EBFPP. We adapted to remote delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, and founded the Northern Virginia Falls Prevention Alliance (NVFPA), growing it to over 135 members. As a founding member of the Virginia Arthritis and Falls Prevention Coalition (VAFPC), we’ve contributed majorly to regional falls prevention. Our efforts include significant research developments, such as the large data evaluation of EBFPPs, housed at the Marymount Center for Optimal Aging (MCOA). The MCOA focuses on aging research with an emphasis on minority inclusion and community-participatory approaches.
WHEN RESILIENCE BECOMES RISK: PSYCHOSOCIAL RESOURCE PROFILES AND ALLOSTATIC LOAD AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN
Authors: Tobin Courtney Thomas , Gutierrez Angela , Erving Christy , Norris Keith , Thorpe Roland
Published: January 2025

There is a well-established link between psychosocial risks and psychological health among African American (AA) men. The psychosocial sources and physical health consequences of resilience (i.e., the ability to maintain good health despite adversity) remain underexplored. Using data from 283 AA men in the Nashville Stress and Health Study, the present study investigated the links between psychosocial resilience and allostatic load (AL), a biological indicator of physiological dysregulation. Latent class analysis (LCA) identified distinct resilience profiles comprised of eight psychosocial resources across four categories: coping strategies, sense of control, racial identity, and social support. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests determined significant class differences in men’s AL scores. LCA results confirm a four-class model was the best fit: Class 1 (high resources, 32%); Class 2 (high coping but low control, 13%); Class 3 (low resources but high racial identity, 20%); and Class 4 (low resources but high mastery, 34%). Results reveal lower AL (better health) among Classes 4 (m=0.31) and 1 (m=0.35), and higher AL among Classes 2 (m=0.44) and 3 (m=0.44). Findings indicate that the “quality” rather than the “quantity” of psychosocial resources matters for physical health among AA men, as positive health outcomes were observed among both low and high resource classes. Results suggest different resource combinations produce distinct patterns of resilience among AA men and underscore the need to further elucidate complex resilience processes among this population.
INFORMAL CARE NETWORK CHARACTERISTICS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG CHINESE OLDER ADULTS
Authors: You Jin , Shen Xinyue , Dong Yue , He Ziyi
Published: January 2025

With population ageing, China is susceptible to heavy burdens related to caring for older people. With rural-to-urban migration, the availability of traditional family care has substantially declined. This study investigates the characteristics of informal care networks and their associations with mental health outcomes (i.e., depressive symptoms, life satisfaction) from social network perspective among Chinese middle-aged and older adults with care needs. Results from five waves (2011, 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2020) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study showed that, among 11,949 informal care receipts aged over 50 years, 62.83% received care from a spouse, 49.55% from children or grandchildren (with the mean size of 2.65), 3.78% from relatives (with the mean size of 3.61), and 5.13% from nonrelatives. The size of family care network (number of spouse, children or grandchildren, relatives), especially the number of children or grandchildren, predicted fewer depressive symptoms and greater life satisfaction. By contrast, care network diversity (number of care sources) predicted lower life satisfaction. Our findings suggest that Chinese older adults largely rely on and might psychologically benefit from a multiple-caregiver family network rather than on a single primary caregiver to address care needs. Further efforts should be made to understanding task sharing function, effective organization, and dynamic development of informal care network.
EXPLORING CROSS-SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS TO UNDERSTAND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS FOR OLDER AND VULNERABLE POPULATIONS
Authors: Haverhals Leah , Peterson Lindsay
Published: January 2025

As disasters continue to increase in frequency and disproportionately impact older adults and other vulnerable populations, more directed focus is needed to facilitate cross-disciplinary partnerships to better support and encourage disaster preparedness and response for these groups. Gerontologists and social scientists have opportunities to partner with engineers, geologists, demographers, epidemiologists, and other community partners to best address gaps in disaster preparation and response in research and practice. This symposium highlights current cross-sector partnerships supporting older adults before, during, and after disasters in various settings across the United States (US). Dr. Tamar Wyte-Lake will explore how interorganizational relationships between the US Department of Veterans Affairs and home health agencies can be leveraged to maintain care across providers during disasters. Emily Killian will describe the Disaster PrepWise (DPW) program, developed through community-engaged processes involving disaster management and public health agencies as well as aging service providers. Dr. Omolola Adepoju will share academic-community partnerships created to build a geospatial-photoethnography dashboard to chronicle and assess successive disaster events on affordable housing and mental health outcomes in Houston. Dr. Holly Dabelko-Schoeny will address how older adults in affordable housing experience extreme weather, and roles and experiences of service coordinators in preparedness and response. Elana Kieffer will describe how older New Yorkers and professionals working with them have demonstrated resilience since the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Lindsay Peterson will act as discussant. This is a Disasters and Older Adults Interest Group Sponsored Symposium. Disasters and Older Adults Interest Group Sponsored Symposium
USING PRE-EXISTING RELATIONSHIPS TO CREATE PIPELINES OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS SUPPORT FOR HOME HEALTH AGENCIES
Authors: Wyte-Lake Tamar , Hall Lauren , Solorzano Emily , Franzosa Emily
Published: January 2025

Home-health agencies (HHAs) provide community-based services that are a vital lifeline for older adults and can play a critical role in protecting older adults’ health and independence during disasters. Yet, HHAs are often under-resourced and disconnected from broader community emergency planning efforts, and therefore can struggle to maintain services during such events, putting clients’ health and safety at risk. Healthcare coalitions have demonstrated a variety of ways to effectively share critical resources during disasters, strategies that could be leveraged to better support community HHAs. Through interviews with 19 stakeholders from six Veterans Health Administration (VA) Medical Centers and associated, contracted HHAs, we used the VA as a case study to explore how interorganizational relationships can be leveraged to maintain continuous care across providers during disasters. VA staff demonstrated interest in partnering around emergency management and identified a range of low- and higher-effort resources, from informational bulletins to staff training and emergency plan preparations that could be shared with HHAs. Creating a pipeline of support through existing relationships can provide a model for health systems to extend available emergency resources and make clinical care teams, patients, and communities more resilient to disasters. We will focus on specific resources and strategies and how to develop and sustain those cross-sector relationships.
PREVALENCE OF SEXUAL AND GENDER MINORITY (SGM)–FRIENDLY POLICIES IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES IN MINNESOTA
Authors: Shippee Tetyana , Moone Rajean , Flatt Jason , Zhang Ziwei , Wright Morgan , Kohli Nidhi , Rosser B R Simon
Published: January 2025

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) older adults in the U.S. face increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) and are more likely to utilize long-term services and supports (LTSS) compared to their cisgender, heterosexual peers. Despite these disparities, the prevalence of SGM-affirmative policies within LTSS settings remains understudied. This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the prevalence of SGM-affirmative policies in LTSS facilities in Minnesota. These include policies in human resources, marketing, training, governance; anti-discrimination policies guiding culturally responsive care, and resident sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data collection. A policy analysis was conducted across 166 nursing homes and 267 assisted living facilities in Minnesota. Policies were assessed for their explicit inclusion of SGM-affirmative measures in various domains, and mean scores were calculated to determine the overall prevalence of such policies. The mean score of SGM-friendly policies across nursing homes and assisted living communities was 11.30. Interestingly, no significant disparities were found between ALFs and nursing homes or rural and urban facilities regarding the presence of SGM-friendly policies. However, using latent class analysis, we found that not for profit facilities and non-religious facilities were more likely to belong to a low performance group vs. high performance compared to their counterparts. Our results show the need for SGM-inclusive policies within LTSS settings. While overall prevalence was moderate, variations based on facility characteristics highlight opportunities for targeted interventions. Future efforts should focus on promoting SGM-affirmative policies across all LTSS facilities to ensure equitable and inclusive care for SGM older adults.
SEXUAL AND GENDER MINORITY EXPERIENCES AND PREFERENCES WITH LONG-TERM SERVICES AND SUPPORT PROVIDERS
Authors: Moone Rajean
Published: January 2025

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) older adults are at higher risk for complex, health related conditions as they age. Coupled with smaller social support networks they often must rely on formal long term services and support (LTSS) providers. However, due to a history of personal and systemic discrimination many SGM older adults limit access to LTSS. To gain further insight into SGM older adult experiences, a survey needs assessment consisting of 46 self-reported questions was conducted in Minnesota in 2022, replicating similar waves in 2002 and 2012. 354 respondents met the inclusion criteria. Half of the respondents (50% of sexual minority and 53% of gender minority) reported personally experiencing harassment, abuse, or violence and 75% reported knowing someone who had. At the same time, respondents overwhelmingly expressed desire for integrated services that are SGM welcoming rather than SGM exclusive. A majority (57%) had some confidence in being treated with dignity and respect by health care professionals at the end of life. Respondents also indicated they would be more inclined to utilize LTSS where staff participated in SGM training (92%). Results show need for LTSS provider education on SGM trauma-informed and age-inclusivity and targeting of SMG older adults aging alone.
FORTIFYING THE FUTURE OF GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS IN HIGHER ED: PART II—CASE STUDIES
Authors: Sadeq Nasreen
Published: January 2025

Gerontology academic programs continue to face challenges across the university setting, from low student enrollment to reduced funding and budget cuts. However, some gerontology departments are making significant changes to ensure the survival of their programs. This symposium highlights efforts to secure gerontology’s presence in higher education, including new enrollment strategies, curriculum and program changes, and interdisciplinary collaborations. First, Nasreen Sadeq and colleagues will share a case study from the University of South Florida School of Aging Studies on their efforts to increase undergraduate enrollment by developing a new Health Care Administration program. Second, Edward Miller and colleagues will describe hiring and marketing strategies that will promote growth and visibility of the Gerontology department at the University of Massachusetts Boston, such as renaming the Aging Studies major and implementing gerontology courses into the general education curriculum. Third, John Schumacher and colleagues at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and Baltimore will share new developments in their department, including a new online Gerontology master’s program and new international research programs, and address current challenges faced by the doctoral program. Fourth, Tina Newsham and Elizabeth Fugate-Whitlock from the University of North Carolina Wilmington will describe interdisciplinary campus and community partnerships that situate the gerontology program in the university’s infrastructure, facilitate recruitment, and create meaningful opportunities for experiential learning. Finally, Robert Maiden and Danielle Gagne from Alfred University will discuss strategies for increasing enrollment, including emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of their program and the addition of an aging concentration.
FOSTERING IMPROVED OUTCOMES AMONG CARE PARTNERS OF PERSONS LIVING WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS
Authors: Bybee Sara , Couch Elyse , Petrovsky Darina
Published: January 2025

The decline in cognitive and functional abilities due to Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) increases the reliance of persons living with dementia (PLWD) on care partners. These care partners, who can be spouses, children, friends, or others, often experience high levels of stress and burden, leading to poor physical and psychological health outcomes. This symposium will feature five speakers who studied ADRD care partner outcomes using various methods across diverse populations. Dr. Darina Petrovsky will discuss findings from the 2017 National Study of Caregiving and National Health and Aging Trends Study, focusing on the relationship between care partner sleep quality, burden, and perceived caregiving benefits. Dr. Shandra Burton will explore cultural factors and resilience among Black/African American care partners using narrative inquiry. Dr. Samantha Shune will present a multiple regression analysis examining the link between PLWD’s dysphagia (swallowing difficulty) and care partner burden. Dr. Elyse Couch will describe a mixed-methods study investigating the impact of care partners receiving PLWD’s positron emission tomography (PET) scan results on their burden. Lastly, Dr. Bybee will review results from an interpretive descriptive analysis of dementia dyads’ open-ended survey responses regarding advance care planning. Dr. Petrovsky will then synthesize the symposium findings and moderate audience questions. Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Interest Group Sponsored Symposium
CULTURAL AND POSITIVE ADAPTIVE FACTORS INFLUENCING DIVERSE PARTNER CAREGIVERS THROUGH A RESILIENCE FRAMEWORK
Authors: Burton Shandra , Paun Olimpia , Ruppar Todd , Mohr lynn , Emezue Chuka , Szanton Sarah
Published: January 2025

Collectively, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) are the 5th leading cause of death for Americans aged 50 years and older and remains a critical public health issue for partner caregivers (i.e., committed, married, or cohabiting individuals). ADRD partner caregivers often face high levels of stress and burden contributing to their poor physical and psychological health outcomes. Research on positive adaptive factors (PAFs) among caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) is scarce. PAFs refer to traits, actions, or assets that caregivers utilize to manage and conquer difficulties, pressures, or unfavorable situations in their caregiving role. Resilience is a common topic of interest, however there is less understanding of its significance in Black/American caregivers of individuals with ADRD. This qualitative study used narrative inquiry to explore cultural factors related to resilience among Black/African American ADRD partner caregivers. An adapted Resilience Framework informed this study and in-depth interviews with 10 Black/African American ADRD partner caregivers. Four major themes emerged: (1) Process of ADRD discovery, (2) Resilience in the caregiving process, (3) Challenges & facilitators to caregivers’ resilience, and (4) Race, ethnicity, cultural impact on caregivers’ resilience. The major themes include a total of 18 subthemes. Data from this study were compared to data from a previous pilot study that used similar questionnaire with a predominantly White sample of ADRD partner caregivers. Findings from this study contribute to our understanding of how race, ethnicity, and cultural factors influence resilience among diverse ADRD partner caregivers.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ORAL HYGIENE BEHAVIORS AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION
Authors: Zhu Zheng , Yang Zhongfang , Qi Xiang , Mao Weiyu , Pei Yaolin , Wu Bei
Published: January 2025

Background

Improving oral hygiene behaviors may offer a novel approach to delay cognitive decline; however, there is limited data available on its effectiveness in affecting cognitive function. This review aims to examine whether oral hygiene behaviors would be an effective strategy to improve cognitive function. Method: A search of 11 literature databases were searched from inception through January 6, 2024. Interventional trials or cohort studies aiming to examine the effectiveness of oral hygiene behaviors in affecting cognitive function in adults were included. Oral hygiene behaviors included, but were not limited to, toothbrushing, mouthwashing, flossing, using toothpicks, and cleaning dentures. The primary outcome was the changes in global cognitive function. The meta-analysis was carried out using random-effects models.

Results

A total of 8 studies met inclusion criteria, including 261,772 participants. Toothbrushing was associated with a significantly higher level of global cognitive function (Mean Difference [MD], 0.65 [95% CI, 0.19-1.10]; I2=2%). There was no significant difference between the effectiveness of toothbrushing performed by professionals (MD, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.20-1.67]; I2=6%) and caregivers (MD, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.39 to 1.62]; I2=3%) (P > 0.05). Other oral hygiene behaviors including dental flossing, using mouthwash, using toothpicks, and cleaning dentures, were not associated with the risk of dementia.

Discussion

Regular toothbrushing is not only linked to improvements in global cognitive function and a reduced risk of dementia but also improve specific cognitive function subdomains such as visual attention and task-switching ability.
EXPLORING THE GENERATIVITY OF A MENTORING PROGRAM FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS AND OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Waters Leland , Arnette Shannon , McIntyre Madeline , Tompkins Catherine , Marrs Sarah
Published: January 2025

The Virginia Geriatric Education Centers’ Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program partners with the Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Medicine to provide a Mentoring Program required for all first-year medical students. Two students are paired with independent, community-dwelling older adult mentors and are required to meet with their mentor three times over the course of two semesters. The students are required to make initial contact and meet the mentor at a time and place of the mentor’s convenience. Mentor volunteer retention was a challenge faced due to pandemic protocols, therefore, limiting the in-person relationships built throughout the program. However, by allowing for both in-person and virtual mentoring experiences, volunteer retention has increased post-pandemic. The students have reading assignments and guided interview questions, which are used as a starting point for conversations with their mentors. The first assignment on aging and health introduces the processes of normal aging, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and functional status that is determined by looking at both physical and cognitive actions. The second assignment is a life-space assessment and interview about quality of life. The third assignment focuses on generativity, an evidence-based, psychosocial concept, which is defined as a desire by older adults to nurture and guide upcoming generations, to make meaning of their own lives. This presentation will provide qualitative analysis supporting a generative experience in which the mentors provide their wisdom and the students have an opportunity to develop underlying human relationships that contribute to person-centered care.
TALK OF AGES AND EMPTY BOWLS: A RECIPROCAL APPROACH TO INTERGENERATIONAL SERVICE
Authors: Montepare Joann
Published: January 2025

Contemporary age-inclusive campus initiatives in higher education (Age-Friendly University/AFU, Age Inclusivity Domains of Higher Education/AIDHE) advocate for promoting intergenerational exchange to facilitate the reciprocal sharing of expertise between learners of all ages. This presentation will describe these initiatives as background for the symposium. In addition, it will describe how Lasell University’s “Talk of Ages” program, which takes a “common ground” approach for bringing younger and older learners together in the beyond the classroom, offers a pedagogical philosophy for intergenerational exchange. To demonstrate the value of this approach, we will describe a campus-wide “Empty Bowls” project in which students and older adult community members worked together to craft bowls and to raise money in the mission to fight hunger in the local community. Logistics will be discussed about mounting intergenerational activities as part of this intergenerational service project including offering intergenerational classes in Ceramics, organizing sessions for bowl crafting and glazing, and hosting an intergenerational event where community members come together to enjoy a simple meal of soup and bread in a bowl they select and buy with the proceeds benefitting the local community food pantry. In addition to demonstrating the value of intergenerational collaboration and service as part of being an age-inclusive campus, challenges will be discussed so that educators are better prepared to design related efforts.
MEMORY CARE IN ASSISTED LIVING: REGULATIONS, ACCESS, AND CARE DELIVERY
Authors: Carder Paula , Pace Doug
Published: January 2025

Assisted living (AL) is the largest residential care provider of long-term care. Of the nearly one million people who reside in AL, up to 70% have some form of cognitive impairment and 40% have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease or related dementia (ADRD). AL staff provide services including help with dressing and meals, and nearly 25% of ALs provide specialized care for people living with ADRD (also known as “memory care”). This symposium will include four presentations, each focused on different dimensions of memory care. The first presenter will share findings from a state regulatory review in which the team profiled the presence and content of memory care-related regulations - identifying extreme variability within and across states. The second speaker will present an innovative approach for identifying memory care ALs, and describe their availability across the country. The third presenter will share findings from a recent nationally-representative survey of ALs related to the provision of end of life care in memory care ALs. The fourth speaker will present findings from a national retrospective study in which end of life care outcomes among residents with dementia in memory care will be compared to those in general AL. Finally, our discussant, a national leader in dementia care advocacy and former chair of the Center for Excellence in Assisted Living, will contextualize findings highlighting the perspectives of consumers, AL providers, and policymakers. Assisted Living Interest Group Sponsored Symposium
DO END-OF-LIFE OUTCOMES DIFFER BY ASSISTED LIVING MEMORY-CARE DESIGNATION?
Authors: Wang Xiao (Joyce) , Cornell Porita , Belanger Emmanuelle , Thomas Kali
Published: January 2025

Residential care/assisted living (RC/AL) is an increasingly common place of end-of-life care for persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD). Understanding how end-of-life outcomes differ by memory care among residents with ADRD could facilitate aging/dying in place for this population. The objective of this paper is to examine if end-of-life outcomes (i.e. mortality, hospice use, number of days receiving hospice in the last month of life) differ between residents with ADRD who moved to RC/ALs with specialized memory care service (memory-care RC/AL), compared with residents with ADRD who moved to RC/AL without memory care (general RC/AL). We created a prospective cohort of 15,152 fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries with ADRD who moved to large RC/AL (>=25 beds) between 2016 and 2018. We used inverse probability treatment weighting to account for observable differences between memory-care and general RC/AL residents. Two-part models estimated the difference by memory care in the number of days receiving hospice in the last months of life among decedents. The adjusted difference in mortality rate was 1.3 percentage points higher in memory care (p=0.04). Additionally, memory-care residents had a higher rate of hospice use (1.4 percentage points, p=0.01). Decedents in memory-care RC/AL spent about 1.4 more days receiving hospice care in the last month of life (p=0.02). The higher mortality rate and higher rate of hospice use in memory care suggest that memory-care RC/AL may attract residents closer to the end of life and/or promote hospice use at the end of life.
MIGRATION STATUS, COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE, AND MULTIMORBIDITY AMONG MEXICAN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Bishop Nicholas , Chen Siting , Samper-Ternent Rafael , Quiñones Ana
Published: January 2025

Cross-national data including measures of health and migration status allow investigation of how selection mechanisms may contribute to observed immigrant health advantages. Focusing on Mexican adults aged 50 and older, we drew observations from the 2012 and 2018 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) to examine variation in multimorbidity (≥ 2 chronic conditions) across four groups: U.S. born HRS respondents who identify as Mexican (n=674), immigrant HRS respondents who identify as Mexican (n=814), Mexican MHAS respondents who never worked/lived in the U.S. (n=7,833), and Mexican MHAS respondents who worked/lived in the U.S. (n=920). Multimorbidity was defined as the sum of seven self-reported doctor-diagnosed conditions (hypertension, diabetes, cancer, lung disease, heart attack, stroke, and arthritis). Linear regression models were used to predict multimorbidity in 2012 and changes in multimorbidity from 2012–2018 were modeled using an autoregressive approach. Harmonized covariates were measured in 2012 (age, sex, partnership status, BMI, rural residence, # doctor visits in past year). Predicted multimorbidity values for U.S. born Mexicans (y ̂=1.65, CI:1.55-1.75) were significantly greater than those for immigrant Mexicans living in the U.S. (y ̂=1.35, CI:1.26-1.45), return migrants living in Mexico (y ̂=1.35, CI:1.26-1.43), and non-migrants living in Mexico (y ̂=1.35, CI:1.30-1.40). Country of residence and migration status were not associated with change in multimorbidity. These results suggest that U.S. born Mexican adults are uniquely affected by multimorbidity and multimorbidity burden among migrants who return to Mexico is similar to immigrant Mexicans who reside in the U.S.
NAVIGATING AGING ACROSS CULTURES: THE FORTITUDE IN PERSPECTIVES FROM KOREANS AND BEYOND
Authors: Hong Michin , Kim Kyungmin
Published: January 2025

The symposium aims to provide a multifaceted examination about aging related issues within different cultural contexts with a particular focus on the Korean population. The first study conducted a cross-cultural examination on financial satisfaction during the retirement transition period between South Kore and the U.S., highlighting the needs for culturally tailored interventions to support individuals’ financial wellbeing in retirement. The second study focused on Korean middle-aged adults’ residential preferences after retirement, emphasizing the importance of understanding evolving housing needs and their impacts on health and social interactions in later life. Third study conducted a comparative analysis of long-term care policies between South Korea and Singapore, examining the emergence of Community Care services as a potential solution for aging-in-place and providing valuable insights into the compatibility of such services with different cultural and welfare system framework. The last study introduced a psychometrically sound scale to measure public stigma associated with Alzheimer’s disease among Korean-speaking populations, contributing to a better understanding of the nature and magnitude of Alzheimer’s disease stigma, with implications for stigma reduction efforts within this population. The symposium offers an excellent opportunity to examine various aspect of aging issues among Koreans, encompassing financial wellbeing, housing preference, long-term care, and public perception of an age-related disease. By examining these topics, the symposium will contribute to informing policy and practice in addressing various needs of aging populations from a more culturally tailored perspective. Korean/Korean American and Aging Interest Group Sponsored Symposium
TWO PATHS TO COMMUNITY CARE FOR OLDER ADULTS: KOREA AND SINGAPORE’S LONG-TERM CARE EVOLUTION
Authors: Lim-Soh Jeremy , Chan Angelique , Yoo Aejung , Kim Dahye , Eo Yugyeong , Choi Jae Woo , Graham Wan Chen , Wong Loong Mun
Published: January 2025

Aging populations pose significant challenges to institutional Long-Term Care systems. Community Care services, which provide professional support for functional limitations, chronic diseases, or cognitive impairment to community-dwelling older adults, have emerged as a potentially cost-effective solution that can support aging-in-place. However, differing implementations of Community Care across societies can affect older adults’ health and quality of life. We conduct a comparative case study of the evolution of Long-Term Care policy in Korea and Singapore towards Community Care. Both societies exhibit similar demographic trends—rapid aging, ultra-low fertility, and declining old-age support ratios—coupled with Confucian cultural ideals. However, their welfare systems differ historically; Korea took a welfare state approach emphasizing institutional care, and Singapore leaned towards neoliberalism with a reliance on informal care. While both societies are developing various Community Care programs including home-based nursing, day care centers, and assisted living, we find significant differences in the way that Community Care is planned, funded, and implemented. Moreover, the challenges faced depend on cultural context and welfare system. Based on these insights, we discuss the compatibility of Community Care with different sociocultural settings and policy ecosystems, concluding with potential implications for other societies struggling with population aging and LTC sustainability.
OLDER MIGRANTS’ EXPERIENCES OF AGING IN PLACE IN HOSTILE AND AUSTERE TIMES
Authors: Kilkey Majella , Tawodzera Obert , Lingham Jayanthi
Published: January 2025

Drawing on data from in-depth qualitative interviews with 20 aging-in-place migrants, we explore how they are impacted by the combination of the austerity in welfare state provision and the hostility in migration policy that characterize English society. Informed by the feminist political economy concept of social reproduction, understood as reproducing the population, physically and affectively, in and outside their ‘productive’ working lives (Laslett and Brenner 1989), we find that our research participants are experiencing a ‘crisis of social reproduction’ (Fraser 2016), which strains their social reproductive capacities to breaking point. Our participants are a mix of people who arrived in the post-WW11 era from the British colonies as labor migrants, and people more recently arrived as refugees from conflict-affected parts of Africa. Despite those different migration histories, their current experiences are very similar; a finding we explain through a colonial lens. People who joined England’s ‘productive’ workforce from across the British Empire decades ago are now facing unmet social reproductive needs later in their lives. Meanwhile, others have been driven to the UK due to postcolonial conflict, and as older refugees outside of the ‘productive’ workforce, scant regard is paid to their social reproductive needs. Our findings challenge the dualism prevalent in European research between migration and refugee studies, and suggest the potential of a historically situated colonial lens to understanding older migrants’ experiences. They also highlight the value of analysis of the intersection between migration and welfare policies for deepening understandings of the drivers of ‘crises of social reproduction’.
EXPLORING THE ROLE OF FAMILISMO IN DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT AMONG LATINO OLDER ADULTS WITH DIABETES
Authors: Reyes Jimmy
Published: January 2025

The purpose of this study was to explore the role of familismo in diabetes self-management among first- and second-generation Latino older adults with diabetes mellitus type 2 and who reside in rural communities. In addition, this study aimed to identify how cultural beliefs and values influence daily diabetes self-management behaviors, experiences, and attitudes within the context of familismo among Latino older adults. A focused health ethnographic methodology was utilized using semi-structured interviews and participatory observation in two rural Iowa Latino communities. The 20 participants included first- and second-generation Latino older adults with diabetes mellitus type 2. The study used ethnographic data analysis methodology and 20 major codes emerged that were collapsed into three major themes. The themes were clustered around the importance of culture, the value of support systems, and the immigration experience. An important implication of this study derives from the notion that familismo is a multifaceted construct that involves protective and antagonistic elements in the management of diabetes. In addition, it is important to recognize the degree to which acculturation and generational differences may play a role in how much family and social support is needed. Researchers should explore the level and degree of familial and social support needed during initial and follow-up visits with the implementation of family involvement plans.
PRESIDENTIAL SYMPOSIUM: RESILIENCE IN OLDER ADULTS: A MULTIDIMENSIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Sin Mo-kyung , Cacchione Pamela
Published: January 2025

In alignment with the theme of this year’s conference “The Fortitude Factor”, this symposium focuses on multidimensional perspectives of resilience in older adults. Resilience in older age is the ability to stand up to adversity and to bounce back to a state of equilibrium following individual adverse events. Maintaining physical, psychological, and cognitive resilience is an integral component for quality life and well-being in older adults. Whereas, conceptualizing and properly operationalizing resilience is essential for advancing research to achieve well-being of older adults. Our first presenter will discuss the psychometrics of the physical resilience scale in older adults living with dementia. Our second presenter will discuss psychological evaluation of resilience and provide insights gained from her research on the protective effects of psychological resilience across stressors and outcomes. Our last presenter will share factors associated with cognitive reserve from the BIOCARD study. Given the association between resilience and wellbeing in older adults, this HS section Presidential Symposium is sure to challenge and enhance our thinking to advance science.