bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A MULTIPRONGED STRATEGY FOR GROWING THE GERONTOLOGICAL WORKFORCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS BOSTON
Authors: Miller Edward , Song Qian , Stokes Jeffrey , Birchander Ellen
Published: January 2025

The University of Massachusetts Boston is a public research university serving approximately 16,000 students. It is the most diverse university in New England and third most diverse university in the nation. The Gerontology Department is committed to growing the size and diversity of the workforce in aging services, policy, practice, and research. This presentation describes the multipronged approach taken to achieve this objective, while identifying associated facilitators and challenges. Departmentwide initiatives include prioritizing work in disparities in faculty hiring, implementing curriculum self-assessment and climate survey tools, and engaging in substantial marketing and outreach and collaborations with both internal and external constituencies. Doctoral program initiatives include expanding scholarship and training opportunities. Undergraduate program initiatives include changing the name of the major to “Aging Studies” to make the content clearer and more accessible, implementing a minor in Aging Studies to make it possible for students from across the University to earn a valuable credential, having all courses meet requirements in general education, and expanding the number and attractiveness of course offerings. The Department also implemented an initiative where undergraduates receive paid internships at local-area aging agencies with potential for continued employment post-graduation. Promoting diversity is closely connected to growing program enrollment with positive benefits for older adults and their families, caregivers, and communities.
GERONTOLOGY DOCTORAL EDUCATION: RELEVANCE AND CHALLENGES AT UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE AND BALTIMORE COUNTY
Authors: Schumacher John , Gruber-Baldini Ann
Published: January 2025

The joint University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) & Baltimore’s (UMB) Doctoral Program in Gerontology celebrated the milestone of its 50th graduate in 2024. Yet, like our peer doctoral programs, gerontology education remains undervalued in society and higher education. Recent ways we highlight our relevance include: 1) Launch of an Online Masters in Gerontology. Sustainability may lie in universities sharing enrollment across online courses; 2) Created Global Experiences i) Costa Rican Fellowship. External donor funded program for gerontology students and faculty for an extended, bi-directional scholarly exchange. ii) Global Aging Gerontology in Japan. Immersive interdisciplinary course held in Japan as a super-aging society; 3) Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) in Gerontology Education & Research. Training faculty and students to participate in an AI infused work environment. Challenges to doctoral education abound including: 1) Funding graduate research assistantships (GRAs); decreasing GRA allocations and both increasing cost and pressures to exclusively fund GRAs on external grants; 2) Engaging faculty effort to move beyond a voluntary, gerontology affiliate faculty model. Ever increasing demands on faculty time are leading to less service availability to gerontology programs. New faculty affiliate models are needed that may involve compensation and recognition for interdisciplinary faculty effort and revenue sources. Overall, degree programs in gerontology must continue to promote their relevance while meeting continuing challenges.
FORTIFYING GERONTOLOGY PROGRAMS: HARNESSING COLLABORATIONS ACROSS CAMPUS
Authors: Newsham Tina , Fugate-Whitlock Elizabeth
Published: January 2025

Having joined the Age Friendly University Global Network and continuing the transition to an R2 institution, the University of North Carolina Wilmington is poised for strengthening its graduate program in gerontology. The program, like others, was once on the low productivity list and considered for dissolution, has only two full-time faculty members making collaborative efforts vital. To facilitate recruitment into the MS in Applied Gerontology and to situate the program firmly in the university’s infrastructure, we have initiated a variety of collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts. A set of five pathways known as “4 + 1” or “combined programs” allowing qualified undergraduate students to take a portion of their coursework at the graduate level. These students explore their interest in gerontology, become invested in gerontology education, and meet undergrad and graduate requirements simultaneously. Students are then able to complete their MS in Applied Gerontology in as little as one more year. In addition, new pathways have been created through combining teaching research, and scholarship endeavors. GRN faculty partner with colleagues (affiliated faculty) from Applied Health programs, Nursing, Social Work, Sociology/Criminology, Dance, and more to write grants, develop community engagement projects, and create meaningful opportunities for campus and community members to learn about gerontology. These efforts also provide opportunities to highlight careers in aging creating further interest in gerontology education. Such collaborations have created a steady stream of students into the graduate program, yet create their own challenges (as well as new opportunities).
THE EVOLUTION OF THE GERONTOLOGY PROGRAM AT ALFRED UNIVERSITY
Authors: Maiden Robert , Gagne Danielle
Published: January 2025

Alfred University instituted its major and minor in gerontology in 1980. At that time, it was one of two bachelor’s degrees in gerontology offered in the State of New York. It was established to meet the burgeoning need of competent service providers for older Americans. The need is clear. It is projected that there will be 89 million older Americans by 2050, which will increase twice as fast as the underage 50 population. Although there is growing need for competent service providers and myriad potential career opportunities for undergraduates, there has been a declining interest in the gerontology program. The gerontology program at Alfred University has not had any majors or minors for the past two years. Many reasons have been proffered for this decline, including that many students do not understand the word “gerontology” or have misconceptions and negative stereotypes regarding aging. To increase enrollment in gerontology, we propose two changes: 1) adding aging as a concentration to our psychology major with an interdisciplinary component; and 2) changing the name to “Aging Studies” or “Adult Development & Aging.” Moreover, students in this concentration can minor in business administration and become eligible for our 4 + 1 program, in which they can earn an MBA at Alfred University in one year post baccalaureate instead of the usual two.
ADVANCE CARE PLANNING (ACP) CONCORDANCE ASSOCIATED WITH RELATIONSHIP QUALITY AND GRIEF AMONG DEMENTIA DYADS
Authors: Bybee Sara , Clayton Jordana , Aruscavage Nancy , Utz Rebecca , Iacob Eli , Dassel Kara
Published: January 2025

Advance care planning (ACP) is linked to enhanced physical and mental well-being, fewer unwanted hospitalizations, and improved quality of life for individuals and their care partners. We investigated the impact of the Life-Planning in Early Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias (LEAD) Guide on ACP concordance—the mutual understanding and agreement on ACP values and preferences—among persons living with dementia (PLWD) and their care partners, and its impact on relationship quality and grief. Dyads (N=48) participated in a discussion of each partner’s answers to the LEAD Guide, addressing any discrepant responses. Participants completed open-ended survey questions (n=43) regarding their: discussion, confidence in their partner’s understanding of their end-of-life wishes, confidence in their partner’s ability to make decisions aligning with their end-of-life wishes, and any additional comments. An interpretive descriptive approach to qualitative analysis revealed four themes: 1) Relationship quality between partners (high versus strained relationship quality, 2) Advance care planning process and discussion (ACP concordance versus discordance), 3) Engagement in ACP, and 4) The grief process associated with dementia disease trajectory. Dyads with more ACP concordance codes demonstrated more codes related to high relationship quality (versus strained relationship quality) and fewer grief codes. Conversely, dyads with more ACP discordance codes had more strained relationship quality and grief codes. Our findings suggest that the LEAD guide may enhance ACP concordance, contributing to improved relationship quality and reduced grief. Clinicians may consider additional support for dyads demonstrating greater ACP discordance given its co-occurrence with strained relationship quality and grief.
USING CO-DESIGN TO DEVELOP A SCHOOL-BASED ORAL HYGIENE INTERVENTION LINKING YOUTH AND OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Shen Lingyi , Jin Liangyi , Xu Hanzhang
Published: January 2025

The prevalence of oral health problems is high among Chinese older adults, which was attributed to limited oral health knowledge and poor oral hygiene behaviors. One key strategy to achieve optimal oral health is through health education. School settings are ideal to disseminate and implement public health interventions to a large group at a relatively low cost. As more than half of the Chinese older adults provide care to at least one grandchild, mobilizing these strong, existing intergenerational ties that Chinese older adults share has great potential to enhance the effect of school-based oral health promotion programs across generations. This study aimed to describe an older adult-grandchild co-design process that will lead to the development of a school-based oral health education intervention to improve oral hygiene behavior for both youth and older adults. A mixed-methods two-step sequential design was used. Step 1: focus groups among older adults (n=12), their grandchildren (n=12), and elementary school teachers (n=8) were conducted and analyzed to describe their knowledge and attitude towards oral hygiene behaviors. Step 2: vignettes were designed based on focus group results and presented to older adults, their grandchildren (5 dyads) and 2 elementary school teachers to co-design interventions to address needs. Three key themes were identified: perceived importance, power dynamic in the family, and limited time and resources. A few potential intervention strategies were produced, including leveraging school assignments to promote oral hygiene behaviors, building a rewarding mechanism, enhancing teacher-grandparents communications, and building oral health awareness in the community.
ORAL SYMPTOMS, TYPE OF MEDICAL INSURANCE, AND DENTAL CARE UTILIZATION AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN SHANGHAI
Authors: Qu Xiaomin , Zhen Zhihong , Qi Xiang , Wu Bei
Published: January 2025

This study assessed the prevalence of dental care utilization among older adults in Shanghai, China. It examined the relationship between oral symptoms, the type of medical insurance, and the frequency of dental visits. Using data from the 2022 Lifelong Education for Aging Productively Survey, we analyzed responses from 1,482 participants aged 60–84. Our analysis, adjusted for complex sampling weights, reveals that only 28.93% of participants had visited a dentist in the past year. Findings from multivariable logit regression models showed that participants with oral symptoms, including toothache (OR = 2.156, 95% CI: 1.698–2.737, p < 0.01), tooth sensitivity (OR = 1.745, 95% CI: 1.375– 2.216, p < 0.01) and gum bleeding (OR = 1.275, 95% CI: 0.994–1.636, p < 0.1) were more likely to have a dental visit within the last year. The presence of multiple oral symptoms further increased this likelihood. Margins post-estimation model results demonstrated disparities in the predicted probability of visiting a dentist by the types of medical insurance. Specifically, older adults with medical insurance of less coverage were significantly less likely to seek dental care unless they exhibited multiple oral symptoms. The study concludes dental care utilization among Shanghai’s older adults is notably low and predominantly treatment-focused. Our findings underscore the urgent need for expanded dental care programs and services and broader medical insurance coverage that includes dental care to address the socioeconomic disparities in dental care access.
MARKET DAYS: INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAMMING TO SUPPORT HEALTHY AGING AMONG LOW-INCOME OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Brothers Allyson , Luxton India , Noble Cheryl , Timmerman Christa
Published: January 2025

The Market Days for Older Adults program provides fresh produce to food-insecure older adults at the downtown farmers’ Market. As part of an ongoing university-community service partnership, undergraduate internships and service-learning projects enhance older adults’ social connections while training gerontology students about health disparities and aging. The program addresses two Age-Friendly University (AFU) principles: #4: to promote intergenerational learning; and #6: to ensure the research agenda is shaped by needs of older adults. A 2023 program evaluation of Market Days (MD) in 2023 employed a pre-post mixed methods design (N=59) to examine process and outcome variables. We found evidence for high satisfaction and usage of the program, plus multiple perceived benefits to participants, including improved sense of health (61%), new ways for preparing fresh produce (31%), and higher connection to the community. We did not find evidence of significant improvements in food insecurity or social isolation. Students reported an increased understanding of the role of community programs in promoting healthy aging, and appreciation of food insecurity as a risk factor for aging. Results indicated that this subpopulation of older adults is particularly vulnerable with regard to chronic illness, low preparations for aging, low community resource awareness, mental health symptoms, and negative views on aging. The results will inform future steps of our community-engaged research program. Viewing social isolation as a pressing social determinant of health in low-income older adults, we will develop a formal intergenerational programming component to further strengthen social connections, while also enhancing undergraduate gerontology student training opportunities.
WHAT’S AGE, SEX, AND FRAILTY GOT TO DO WITH IT? USING DESIGN AND ANALYSIS TO PROVIDE POWERFUL ANSWERS
Authors: Allore Heather
Published: January 2025

Designs of animal experiments to disentangle the heterogeneity associated with age, sex and frailty will be shared. These range from cross-sectional to longitudinal and cross-over designs (where treatment may be started and stopped). Matching the analytic models to the design should be determined a prior at the design stage. Considerations in longitudinal designs including within animal correlation across repeated measures. Hypotheses need to be written a priori clearly identifying the main effect and whether interactions between effects are potentially important, such as sex by frailty status. Batch effects of birth cohorts or caging may also need to be models as sources of variation to have the most accurate and precise effect estimates. Examples of such designs and analyses will be presented, as well as sample size considerations. Properly designed animal experiments area key element in translational gerontology and geroscience. Planning for the factors in animal experiments that are known or suspected risk factors for geriatric outcomes in humans allows for testing whether the animal model may appropriately model the human conditions under study.
INCREASING THE VISIBILITY OF OLDER ADULTS IN RESEARCH: THE IMPORTANCE OF AGE, SEX, AND FRAILTY CONSIDERATIONS
Authors: Rochon Paula , Li Joyce
Published: January 2025

Older adults are often considered as a single group with differences between women and men across age groups overlooked. Taking account of sex, age, and their intersection throughout the research process is crucial in minimizing inequities, and to improve the health and wellbeing of the aging population. Age and sex disaggregated data are data separated and analyzed by female, male and age categories, revealing important differences between the sexes and across the life course. This is often missing in research and can result in the oversimplification of study results. As men and women age, they can experience different health conditions, and levels of frailty, leading to the need for tailored treatments. One illustration of this is exploring the burden of disease in Canada, where disaggregating data by sex and age makes key differences in many diseases impacting older adults visible, that may otherwise be missed (for example, heart disease and dementia). Age, sex, and frailty considerations are important throughout the entire continuum of the research process, from question development to dissemination of results to ensure they are accounted for. This presentation will explore why incorporating sex, age, frailty and their intersection are important in health research, how this consideration adds value, and applications of this approach in practice to increase the visibility of older women and men in research, contributing to the ‘fortitude factor’.
LESSONS FROM THE PAST, VISIONS FOR TOMORROW: GERONTOLOGY AND GSA IN RETROSPECT
Authors: Lee Soomi , Lee Soomi
Published: January 2025

GSA is approaching its 80th anniversary, prompting us to reflect on the origins and rich history of gerontology. Gerontology’s roots trace back to the early 1900s, an era where older age was often perceived solely as a period of physical and mental decline. However, over time, our understanding of aging has significantly evolved. Despite this progress, a noticeable gap persists in inter-generational knowledge exchange, hindering the opportunity to build upon previous theories and extend seminal work. This year’s theme, “fortitude,” underscores the importance of sustaining good science of aging across generations and disciplines. In response, our symposium provides an educational and scholarly exchange platform rooted in historical perspectives. Three esteemed panelists who have played pivotal roles in shaping GSA’s trajectory will share their insights and experiences, with each presentation followed by comments by other panelists. Dr. Steven H. Zarit, recipient of the 2019 Robert W. Kleemeier Award, will discuss how the field of gerontology has evolved. Dr. David Chiriboga, recipient of the 2010 Hiram J. Friedsam Outstanding Mentorship Award, will share his memorable mentorship stories. Dr. Kathleen Wilber, recipient of the 2023 Donald P. Kent Award, will address key values and challenges of the field. The moderator, Dr. Soomi Lee, will facilitate discussions with the panelists and audience. This session offers an opportunity for the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) and the wider GSA community to reflect on the lasting impact of gerontology and discuss collective visions for tomorrow as we navigate the evolving landscape of the field. Generativity and Aging Interest Group Sponsored Symposium
FOSTERING GENERATIVITY: MENTORSHIP AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE IN GERONTOLOGY
Authors: Chiriboga David
Published: January 2025

In this presentation, Dr. David Chiriboga will lead a panel discussion sharing his invaluable experiences and insights on mentorship within the field of gerontology. Dr. Chiriboga’s impactful work spans diverse research areas, including studies on health disparities, family-centered interventions for Alzheimer’s disease, and barriers to healthcare among older Korean immigrants. Renowned for his role as a mentor, Dr. Chiriboga has nurtured numerous researchers, shaping the landscape of aging studies. His dedication to fostering talent extends beyond academia, evidenced by his mentorship in initiatives like the American Society on Aging’s New Ventures in Leadership program. Acknowledged for his exceptional mentorship, Dr. Chiriboga has received prestigious awards such as the Hiram J. Friedsam Mentorship Award from the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education and the Minority Mentorship Award from the Gerontological Society of America (GSA). In his presentation, Dr. Chiriboga will illuminate the significance of mentorship and the culture surrounding it, drawing from his wealth of experience. The panel discussion will further explore mentorship and generativity development in gerontology. Following the moderated discussion, the audience will engage in an interactive question-and-answer session. By emphasizing the importance of mentorship and inter-generational knowledge exchange, this presentation aims to illuminate strategies for retaining the legacy of successful mentoring within the GSA and advancing the field through collaborative learning and development.
EMBRACING CONNECTIVITY: TANGIBLE, CUSTOMIZED CHECK-INS FOR OLDER ADULTS TO COMBAT SOCIAL ISOLATION
Authors: Bhowmick Pallabi , Huber Lesa
Published: January 2025

Increasing social isolation among older adults poses significant concerns for health and well-being. While older adults consider families as their strongest bonds, friends and neighbors often play a pivotal role as the primary support network. This study investigates the efficacy of leveraging peer support through a tangible, customized daily check-in to prolong independent living. The study engaged 15 older adults aged 70-90 in a 3-hour, recorded co-design session with the objective of ensuring their needs were considered early in the design process. Transcripts were coded and thematically analyzed to reveal three key findings. Firstly, 80% of participants lived alone and strongly acknowledged the need for a daily check-in. They noted, neighbors and peers in close proximity often serve as the first line of support. Secondly, 87% emphasized the importance of a customized interface aligned with their personal routine, (e.g. checking-in by making tea), affirming it would enhance usability. Additionally, tangible user interfaces integrate digital information into everyday objects, providing familiar, intuitive user interfaces. Participants concurred this could address sensory-motor challenges and mitigate the learning curve associated with digital interfaces. Thirdly, all participants strongly opposed one-way passive monitoring, advocating for a peer-to-peer check-in system that allows older adults to take care of each other instead of always being on the receiving end of care. This promotes reciprocity, inclusivity, and reduces stigma. Tangible, customized, peer-based check-in systems have the potential to improve social connection, address ageism in technology design, and encourage technology acceptance and adoption among the older adult population.
VARIATION IN STATE APPROACHES TO DEMENTIA CARE TRAINING IN ASSISTED LIVING
Authors: Carder Paula , Smith Lindsey , Dys Sarah , Jutkowitz Eric , Thomas Kali
Published: January 2025

Assisted living (AL) communities increasingly serve individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD); an estimated 50% of AL residents have ADRD, and more AL have designated memory care than do nursing homes. State AL regulations vary on almost every provision that affects resident safety and quality, including staffing levels, building design, safety features, admission and discharge criteria, and social-recreational programming. Nearly every state requires that direct care workers receive training in dementia care. Our prior research described the presence of within-state variation in memory care regulations, with the majority of states requiring such training only in designated “memory care” settings rather than all AL licenses (Smith et al., 2022). This paper extends that research by examining staff dementia care training requirements in detail, including the number of training hours, specificity of dementia care topics, and the presence of social aspects of care (e.g., family involvement, person-centered care). The 43 states that require direct care workers to receive training in dementia care have a total of 93 license types, with some applied to settings that are designated as “memory care.” Of the 43 states and 93 licenses, 23 states and 34 licenses specify the number of training hours that direct care workers must receive in the first year, ranging from 2 to 75 hours (average 15.7). Examples of highly specific staff training requirements are provided as a resource for states and AL professionals, and to inform consumers who might expect that all memory care settings have similar requirements.
END-OF-LIFE CARE PROCESSES IN ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITIES SPECIALIZING IN MEMORY CARE
Authors: Belanger Emmanuelle , Rosendaal Nicole , Wang Xiao (Joyce) , Thomas Kali , Teno Joan , Clark Melissa
Published: January 2025

Assisted living (AL) is a common site of death. Many AL communities offer specialized memory care (MC), yet we know little about how their end-of-life (EoL) care practices might differ. We conducted a nationally representative survey of 2,084 AL administrators (43% response rate) about EoL care between 2021-2023. Over half offered MC, with 41.7% of AL communities offering both general AL and MC (combined AL), and 9.3% MC only. Combined ALs were larger (44.7% had 100+ beds, compared to 2.3% in MC only and 14.1% in general AL). ALs offering MC were more likely to report having residents who died in the prior 12 months (88.4% combined AL, 90.0% MC only, 68.9% general AL), which is consistent with a majority reporting a policy of retaining residents in need of EoL care (82.9% combined ALs, 84.6% MC only, and 58.1% general AL only). AL communities offering MC were more likely to have staff available 24/7 to administer subcutaneous injections (67.3% combined AL, 71.1% MC only, 55.8% general AL). Similar opportunities to improve hospice care were reported, with only 32.0% of administrators answering “all of the time” when asked if residents referred to hospice were assessed within 24 hours. Important differences in key processes of care exist between AL offering MC and those providing general AL. Future research is needed to examine how these impact the quality of end-of-life care.
MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH OF OLDER ADULTS: INSIGHTS FROM CROSS-NATIONAL CONTEXTS
Authors: Ailshire Jennifer , Choi Eunyoung , Nichols Emma
Published: January 2025

Comparing the aging experience across country contexts offers a unique opportunity to determine whether observed differences in mental and physical health of older adults reflect a universal aging process or if they depend on the unique social and economic contexts in which older adults live. The HRS-family of surveys consists of nationally-representative, longitudinal studies of aging conducted in many countries around the world that have data and measures that have been harmonized within the Gateway to Global Aging data platform. This resource provides remarkable opportunities for cross-national comparative analyses of social and economic determinants of health and well-being among older adults. The papers in this session use these harmonized data to compare the aging experience across different social and economic exposures in multiple countries from around the world, including examinations of: 1) the role of exposure to recession and workplace security on psychological stress of older adults in the US and Korea; 2) the importance of resources and social status in mental health among widowed older adults in the US and India; 3) how caregiving relates to depression among informal family caregivers across 19 countries; and 4) the importance of migration status and country of residence for multimorbidity among Mexican Older adults in the US and Mexico. This symposium provides a comprehensive examination of how workplace, family, caregiving, and migration experiences contribute to health and well-being among older adults around the world.
MARITAL STATUS AND CHANGES IN FINANCIAL SATISFACTION DURING THE RETIREMENT TRANSITION: SOUTH KOREA AND THE US
Authors: Jang Jeein , Stokes Jeffrey , Burr Jeffrey
Published: January 2025

This study examines the impact of the transition to full retirement on the long-term financial satisfaction trajectories in two countries with different socioeconomic and health settings, and whether this relationship differs by marital status. Two harmonized, nationally representative cohorts of adults aged 51 and over are used: the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging for South Korea and the Health and Retirement Study for the United States, with sample sizes of 31,900 and 33,356 individuals, respectively, followed up for a period of 11 years. The outcome is financial satisfaction measured as a composite score, and the predictor is the transition from full-time work to becoming fully retired (relative to remaining in full-time work). Linear Mixed-effect models show that retirement is associated with lower financial satisfaction at baseline and over time in both countries. Men have higher financial satisfaction than women in both studies. The magnitude of the effect of retirement on financial satisfaction is greater in South Korea than in the United States. This relationship is buffered by marital status in the United States, but no interaction term reaches statistical significance in South Korea. These findings suggest that cultural, social, or economic factors may influence the financial well-being of individuals during the transition to full retirement, given cross-national differences.
KOREAN VERSION OF PUBLIC STIGMA OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE SCALE: DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION AMONG KOREAN AMERICANS
Authors: Hong Michin , Lee Sang
Published: January 2025

This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Korean version of the public stigma of Alzheimer’s diseases scale (KPS-ADS). Stigma toward Alzheimer’s disease (AD) prevents the early diagnosis of AD, causing the delayed treatments. To our knowledge, there is no proper measure to assess AD public stigma among the Korean-speaking population. We used a community survey dataset with 268 Korean Americans. We translated the 19 items of the layperson’s stigma, a dimension of the Family Stigma in AD scale, using Brislin’s method. After randomly dividing the sample into two sub-groups, we conducted exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with one group to explore the factor structure of the KPS-ADS, and then performed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with the other group to validate its identified factor structure. Additionally, we performed reliability tests. EFA identified three factors: negative emotions, empathetic response, and social behaviors. Using this three-factor model, we performed CFA with the highest loading items loaded on each factor, but it showed a poor model fit. After removing three items, the revised model showed an excellent model fit (χ2 = 185.788, df = 97, p = 0.000, CFI = 0.955, TLI = 0.944, RMSEA = 0.081[90% CI: 0.063–0.099, p ≤ 0.05 = 0.003]). All loadings were significant. The KPS-ADS demonstrated excellent internal consistency reliability (α=.87), with each domain demonstrating excellent internal consistency. Our study presents a psychometrically sound, multifaceted KPS-ADS that contribute to better understanding the nature and magnitude of AD public stigma and reducing it in this population.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN LATER LIFE: USING THE GERONTOLOGICAL IMAGINATION TO DEVELOP RESEARCH ON MIGRANTS
Authors: Torres Sandra , Agard Pernilla
Published: January 2025

Social gerontologists that have brought attention to the knowledge gaps that exist in research on late-life-civic engagement have already proposed that this research has not yet exploited the theorizing potential embedded in migratory life-courses. In a similar fashion research on migrants’ civic engagement has not yet envisioned that aging and old age offer interesting vantage points from which that research can be expanded. This presentation taps into both of these states of affairs by bringing attention to what characterizes the scholarly imagination on migrants’ civic engagement, the taken-for-granted assumptions about this engagement that this literature makes, and the areas of research that have yet to receive attention. Through the systematic coding of the peer-reviewed literature that focuses on migrants’ civic engagement this presentation aims to offer insights into, among others, the kinds of research questions that this literature is preoccupied with, the angles of investigation and methodological approaches that it relies on as well as the types of civic engagement, and the taken-for-granted assumptions about them, that the literature never problematizes. In doing so, we will argue that the gerontological imagination (especially if combined with migrancy-astuteness) could expand the ways in which migrants’ civic engagement have been conceived and measured thus far.
FINDINGS FROM ASSESSING AGE-FRIENDLY BARRIERS, STRENGTHS, AND AREAS OF OPPORTUNITY AT WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY
Authors: Cannon Melissa
Published: January 2025

This presentation showcases the work that has been done at Western Oregon University (WOU) as an Age-Friendly University (AFU) member related to assessment and identifying action items for increasing age-friendliness and lifelong learning opportunities. First, attendees will learn about a multi-method case study that explored barriers, facilitators, and opportunities for WOU to engage older community members and advance age-friendliness in preparation for joining the AFU network in 2019. This case study involved survey data collection and participatory action research with older adults, revealing opportunities for the university to implement the AFU principles through efforts such as strengthening the senior center partnership, developing a lifelong learning center, and removing accessibility barriers. Next, this presentation will delve into findings from WOU’s “Age-Friendly University Campus Report” (Silverstein et al., 2021), which helped WOU identify strengths, weaknesses and areas of opportunity related to lifelong learning. For example, the report found a lack of resources and information for campus community members who identify as informal or unpaid family caregivers at WOU, which can particularly impact non-traditional students with family caregiving responsibilities. Findings will also be shared from the latest AFU-related study at WOU which explored caregiving issues for campus community members (e.g., physical demands, time demands, financial stress, social and emotional health) using a campus-wide online survey and mixed-method analysis by a research team. After providing this overview, next steps will be explored as to how WOU and similar universities may take action to implement changes that enhance opportunities for lifelong learning on campus.
SHARING THE CARE: PAID AND FAMILY CAREGIVERS WORKING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT OLDER ADULTS AT HOME
Authors: Reckrey Jennifer , Shih Regina
Published: January 2025

Collaboration between paid caregivers (e.g., home care workers) and family caregivers (e.g., spouses, adult children) is essential to ensure that functionally impaired older adults can thrive at home. However, there are few evidence-based practices and policies to support collaboration and paid and family caregivers are frequently left to navigate shared care on their own. In this symposium, we describe ongoing efforts to identify, understand, and promote collaboration within the paid and family caregiving team. First, Scales et al. describe the development and evaluation of a caregiving policy agenda that brings together diverse partners to support both paid and family caregivers. Miller et al identify trajectories of paid and family care among older adults in the last years of life and describe increased reliance on family caregivers among those living in rural areas. Fabius et al characterize notable role-sharing between paid and family caregivers, particularly among individuals with dementia or enrolled in Medicaid. Reckrey et al share national data that describes the growing prevalence of family members who are themselves paid to provide care, frequently to older adults with high care needs. Finally, Ornstein et al. outline the conceptualization and development of a large caregiving study that draws from the principles of relational coordination to simultaneously examine paid and family care among a multisite cohort of 4,000 older adults. Taken together, these abstracts underscore how research inclusive of both paid and family caregivers lays the foundation for stronger, more collaborative care for older adults at home. Paid Caregiving Interest Group Sponsored Symposium
TRAJECTORIES OF PAID AND FAMILY CARE TO SUPPORT ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES BY RURALITY
Authors: Miller Katherine , Yang Yang , Reckrey Jennifer , Ornstein Katherine , Wolff Jennifer
Published: January 2025

Family and friends are the dominant source of home-based care for older adults with disabilities (i.e., family caregivers). However, a growing share of older adults are receiving paid care (i.e., from a direct care worker such as a personal care aide). Differences in how paid and family care intersect by rurality are not well understood in the years immediately prior to death. We describe trajectories of paid and family care use in the five years prior to death using group-based multiple trajectory models stratified by rurality. We use a sample of community-dwelling National Health and Aging Trends Study respondents living with functional or cognitive limitations (n=2,549, rural n=481, urban n=2068). We examine the share of total hours of care provided by family versus paid caregivers. In both rural and urban cohorts, we find a 2-group model best fit our data: (a) “consistently high family care” (75% of the sample) and (b) “primarily paid care”. In both groups, the share of family caregiving decreases in concert with growth in paid care, but this shift was more pronounced among urban than rural residents (-5.2% vs. -3.6%). In the five years prior to death, rural residents have greater reliance on family caregivers relative to their urban peers. Notably, our findings that both rural and urban decedents rely primarily on family for care highlight the critical need to support family caregivers throughout the end-of-life trajectory.
SHARING ROLES IN HOME CARE BETWEEN FAMILY CAREGIVERS AND PAID CAREGIVERS: A NATIONALLY REPRESENTATIVE STUDY
Authors: Fabius Chanee , Gallo Joseph , Wolff Jennifer
Published: January 2025

Little is known about whether paid caregivers “role-share” with family caregivers in home care, which reflects situations in which members from both groups assist with the same tasks. Home care is often Medicaid-financed, and many care recipients live with dementia. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the 2015 National Health and Aging Trends Study. Our sample included 440 community-living older adults receiving paid help with self-care (eating, dressing, bathing, toileting), mobility (getting around inside/outside of the home, getting in/out of bed), or medical care tasks (medication administration, doctors visits). Analyses included Pearson’s chi-square tests and logistic regression models to examine associations between dementia and Medicaid status and experiencing role-sharing or receiving paid care only across individual tasks. Nearly 1.7 million older adults received paid help, of whom half (53%) experienced role-sharing. Older adults whose caregivers shared roles more often lived with dementia but were less often Medicaid-enrolled. In logistic regression models, those living with dementia more often experienced role-sharing in eating (aOR 3.9, p<0.001), bathing (aOR 2.7, p<0.001), dressing (aOR 2.1, p=0.02), toileting (aOR 2.7 p=0.02), and getting around inside the house (aOR 2.8, p<0.01). Those enrolled in Medicaid had greater odds of receiving paid help only in dressing (aOR 2.1, p=0.03), getting around outside (aOR 2.4, p<0.01), and inside (aOR 4.4, p<0.001), as well as doctor visits (aOR 2.8, p<0.01). Findings lay the foundation for interventions that align with national recommendations to increase understanding of and strengthen relationships between family caregivers and paid caregivers.
THE OBESITY BILL OF RIGHTS: A FRAMEWORK FOR HEALTH EQUITY AND SELF-ADVOCACY
Authors: Tanbonliong Gretchen
Published: January 2025

When combined with common aging-related challenges, obesity, which is now recognized as a chronic condition, can create complex clinical situations. A particularly challenging factor is the issue of stigma from weight bias and ageism, both of which are significant barriers to meeting the individual needs of the person with obesity/overweight. The Obesity Bill of Rights (OBOR) was created in response to the urgent need to pave the way for a more equitable landscape where every person is respected and guaranteed unbiased, comprehensive management and treatment of obesity. This symposium will present multiple stakeholder viewpoints that led to the research and development of the OBOR; how it is operationalized in health care delivery settings; and how providers and patients may work collaboratively to achieve the research-informed principles articulated in the OBOR.
OLDER ADULT ANIMAL FARMERS’ EVACUATION EFFORTS DURING THE 2021 PACIFIC NORTHWEST FLOODS IN CANADA
Authors: Wu Haorui
Published: January 2025

The animal farming communities in the Fraser Valley were devastated by the 2021 Pacific Northwest floods. The community residents, community-based service and professional agencies, and government emergency responders were engaged in the evacuation. Through qualitative interviews of animal farm owners, community-based service agencies, and governmental emergency responders, this project discovers that during the decision-making stage of the disaster evacuation, the older adult animal farmers’ their long-term engagement with their natural, built, and social environments enabled them to develop the initiatives for evacuation strategies help the governmental officials better allocate resources and support community-based service and professional organizations to coordinate different community-based services and resources to improve the evacuation process. This collaboration shed light on an innovative approach for leverage older adult animal farmers’ expertise to facilitate effective emergency decision-making.
SOCIAL SUPPORT, HEALTH BEHAVIORS, SELF-ESTEEM, AND SUCCESSFUL AGING IN A SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN SAMPLE OF OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Chukwuorji JohnBosco , Igbokwe Chima , Ome Blessing , Chidebe Runcie , Igbokwe Beatrice , Nwoke Mary , Obioha Chidiebere , Okechi Benard
Published: January 2025

Previous research demonstrates that social support facilitates successful aging across all cultures. However, the factors that potentially mediate the link between social support and successful aging remain unclear. This study examined whether a healthy lifestyle and self-esteem mediate the association between social support and successful aging. It was hypothesized that the relationship between social support and successful aging would be serially mediated by both healthy lifestyle and self-esteem. Participants were 479 Nigerian retirees (53.4% female; Mean age = 64.81, SD = 6.86). They provided information on relevant demographic variables and completed the following measures: Fantastic Lifestyle Checklist (Fitness Appraisal), Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, Multi-dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Scale, and Successful Ageing Inventory. Three separate regression models (family; friends; and significant other dimensions of social support) were conducted using the Hayes PROCESS macro for SPSS with 5,000 bootstrap estimates. Controlling for age and sex, family support, significant other support, friends support, healthy lifestyle and self-esteem were directly associated with successful aging. The association between family support and successful aging was mediated by healthy lifestyle; and this was also seen for friends’ support and significant other support. The sequential path from social support to successful aging through healthy lifestyle, and then via improved self-esteem, was significant for family support and significant other support, but not friends support. Middle-aged to older adults who have strong support from their families and significant others may be more likely to engage in healthy behaviors and, in turn, experience higher levels of self-esteem, thereby aging well.
A SOFT DEATH: PERCEPTION AND ATTITUDES TOWARD PALLIATIVE CARE IN SENEGAL
Authors: Silverstein Hannah , Sahawneh Fursan , Carpenter Brian
Published: January 2025

Palliative care (PC) is a specialty medical service that addresses the bio-psycho-social-spiritual needs of patients with serious illnesses and their care partners. Despite the value of PC, its expansion has been underdeveloped in sub-Saharan Africa due to variability in access to training resources and funding. This study sought to understand the current landscape of PC services in Senegal and the barriers and opportunities in its growth. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six PC clinicians, four caregivers, one driver for a PC service, and one public health professor, all native to Senegal. Questions addressed their experiences delivering or receiving PC and future recommendations. Interviews were translated and transcribed from French into English. Transcripts were qualitatively coded for themes using open and focused coding. Five themes were identified: 1) the current landscape of PC, 2) barriers to implementing PC, 3) strategies and philosophies in care, 4) unique features of Senegalese culture affecting PC, and 5) the future of PC. Our findings demonstrate that PC in Senegal remains an under-resourced and underutilized specialty medical service, but PC is being implemented by personally committed clinicians. Results also highlight the importance of cultural factors influencing care in Senegal and the need to expand training opportunities for clinicians, increase education of other medical providers and the public, integrate PC into the healthcare system, and expand research to evaluate the impact of these resources. PC has the potential to be an important force for improving the quality of life for Senegalese patients and their care partners.
EXPERIENCES OF MUSIC LISTENING AMONG OLDER ADULTS WITH MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT
Authors: Wang Claire , Li Mengchi , Li Junxin
Published: January 2025

Emerging research highlights the cognitive benefits of music listening for older adults. The nuances of these effects, particularly concerning musical features like tempo, memorability, lyrics, and genre, remain underexplored especially among those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This mixed-methods study, nested within a randomized controlled crossover trial, explored these features through assessments of participants’ musical experience (Assessment of Personal Abductive Preference and Goldsmiths Musical Sophistication Index) at baseline and semi-structured interviews following a 4-week personalized music intervention (~30 self-selected songs, 1 hour/day, ≥5 days/week). Participants (n=25) were on average aged 68.0 ± 7.1 years (min: 55.0, max: 81.0), predominantly female (68%) and Black (68%). Almost half of the participants had some college or above education (44%), and about 36% of participants lived in extreme poverty. The findings highlight the significant value of music with 56.5% of participants reported routinely listening to music attentively for at least an hour each day; 42.9% described music’s role in their lives as ‘very important,’ while 47.6% rated it as ‘moderately important’; and 43.5% considered music as an indispensable part of their existence. The most popular genres reported were religious music (27.0%), followed by country/western/jazz/rock (14.8%), blues (11.1%), classical (7.4%), and folk/cultural music (3.7%). Interviews identified music essentialism, affective engagement, and feasibility as central themes, with participants preferring music that resonates with their moods or early life memories. Our findings underscore the deep-seated value of music, offering a foundation for tailoring music interventions to enhance the well-being of those with MCI.