bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RECONSTRUCTING PERSON-CENTEREDNESS: WORKFORCE, SYSTEMIC, AND GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
Authors: Fazio Sam , Stratton Lauren , Zimmerman Sheryl
Published: January 2025

The concept of person-centeredness centers on knowing the person in a holistic perspective and meeting the individual’s needs and preferences. The term person-centeredness has become ubiquitous in health and supportive care, and with this there are varying definitions and understandings on how to achieve person-centeredness. This symposium focuses on reconstructing person-centeredness, specifically exploring various perspectives that are imperative in reconstructing this term. First, Efird-Green will explore the conceptualization of person-centeredness through the results of a systematic review of current definitions of person-centeredness. Second, Sloane will present on the results of interviews and think tank meetings with diverse stakeholders to better understand how and why person-centeredness varies across health care settings. Third, Stratton will discuss the results of a think tank with Alzheimer’s Association Dementia Care Provider Roundtable members that highlight how person-centeredness is integrated in the long-term care workforce and potential ways to improve and train employees on this concept. Lastly, Fazio will provide a global perspective through survey results from Alzheimer’s Disease International members on their perspectives and experiences with quality of dementia care, definitions of person-centered dementia care, and the challenges and successes of person-centered dementia care in their countries. Overall, this symposium will provide relevant perspectives to consider in the reconstruction of person-centeredness.
RESOURCE CENTERS FOR MINORITY AGING RESEARCH (RCMAR) SUCCESS AND OPPORTUNITY
Authors: Sceppa Carmen
Published: January 2025

The Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR) have been continuously funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) since 1997. The RCMAR program offers intellectual leadership, mentorship, training, career development opportunities, and pilot study funding for future leaders in aging research in the behavioral and social sciences who are at an early stage in their careers. The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) – the nation’s largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to the field of aging – was awarded a $3.9M cooperative agreement from the NIA (2023-2028) to run the RCMAR VI National Coordinating Center (NCC) with a multiple PI leadership team including Patricia M. D’Antonio, GSA vice president of policy and professional affairs, executive director of the National Center to Reframe Aging; Tamara A. Baker, professor, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Lisa L. Barnes, the Alla V. and Solomon Jesmer Professor of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine and cognitive neuropsychologist, Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center; Carmen Sceppa, dean, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, professor of health sciences, Northeastern University; and James C. Appleby, GSA chief executive officer. There are 18 RCMAR Centers in the U.S., 10 focused on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and AD-related dementias (ADRD) and 8 aging-focused. The RCMAR mission is to bolster mentorship and career development of scientists from diverse backgrounds and foster rigorous behavioral and social science research to advance aging-relevant scientific discoveries, eliminate health disparities, improve the health and well-being of older adults, per NIA’s Health Disparities Research Framework.
A SCOPING REVIEW: INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO ACHIEVE HEALTH EQUITY FOR OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Otewa Meshack , Carmiol-Rodriguez Priscilla
Published: January 2025

The purpose of this scoping review was to comprehensively examine innovative approaches proposed or implemented to achieve health equity among older adults. Health equity, defined as ensuring optimal health for all, regardless of various determinants, remains elusive among older adults, a population experiencing significant growth and associated health challenges. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, the review searched PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase for original research articles from 2013 to 2023, yielding 47 eligible articles. Findings reveal a range of innovative approaches, defined as new care models improving outcomes and value for health equity. Health disparities are escalating, particularly in chronic conditions like cancer, mental health, HIV-AIDS, pain, and nutritional issues among older adults. Approaches identified include leveraging digital health technology, ensuring access to health insurance (e.g., US Medicaid) with a focus on non-discriminatory access for individuals who identify as LGBTQI, fostering age-friendly health systems, conducting health economics research, expanding public health initiatives for older adults, integrating cultural considerations into health practices, and employing a multimodal approach to translating research into policy and practice. The need for standardized categories for these approaches emphasizes the need for systematic effectiveness assessment. The results of this scoping review suggest that while innovative approaches may be novel, incorporating new values into existing systems is crucial. As health disparities persist and expand, the timely innovation of techniques becomes critical to narrowing the gap and achieving health equity among older adults. The identified methods are a valuable foundation for future program development and system reformulation.
SOCIAL FRAILTY AMONG COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS: A SCOPING REVIEW
Authors: Carmiol-Rodriguez Priscilla , Otewa Meshack
Published: January 2025

The aim of this review is to explore existing evidence concerning social frailty among older adults living in communities, encompassing definitions, protective and risk factors, health outcomes, and interventions. Social frailty, characterized by the lack of social resources and support, intersects with physical and psychological frailty, posing a substantial hazard to successful aging and escalating the likelihood of adverse health consequences. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria encompassed full-length articles from database journals published in English from October 2016 to July 2023, focusing on community-dwelling adults aged 65 and above, primarily emphasizing social frailty or its interaction with other frailty dimensions. Editorials, gray literature, and white papers were excluded. Thirty-two articles were identified, predominantly from China, Japan, and South Korea. Bunt and Makizako´s definitions (2017; 2018) of social frailty were mainly used in the papers. Social frailty is preceded by conditions such as hearing impairment, metabolic risk factors, and heart disease. It was correlated with depressive symptoms, disability, reduced life satisfaction, and heightened risk of Alzheimer’s disease and physical frailty. Interventions targeting exercise, digital literacy, and technology-assisted screening were proposed to alleviate social frailty’s impact. Addressing social frailty is crucial for enhancing the well-being of older adults in communities, as it predicts a spectrum of adverse health outcomes, impacting both the physical and psychological dimensions of their lives. Nonetheless, further research is vital to refine interventions for preventing and reversing social frailty in this demographic.
INTERVENTIONS DURING MEALTIME FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA: A SCOPING REVIEW
Authors: Wang Zih-Ling , Belza Basia
Published: January 2025

Mealtime challenges among residents living with dementia in long-term care settings are a common problem. This study presents findings from a scoping review of mealtime interventions for individuals with dementia in long-term care settings. Using a Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) Model, we categorize the effectiveness of all interventions to explore the holistic interplay of individual abilities, environmental conditions, and occupational sections in enhancing mealtime experiences for these individuals. From a total of 2,786 references identified through a three-step search strategy, 45 articles met the inclusion criteria, focusing on “eating,” “feeding,” “dementia,” and “mealtime” interventions from 2008 to 2023. The review highlights dementia-related eating challenges, such as using utensils improperly and consuming non-food items stemming from cognitive decline. Interventions span aromatherapy, music, visual and auditory aids, spaced retrieval training, the Montessori method, physical improvement programs, food service modifications, and individual assistance, targeting interpersonal, intrapersonal, and environmental transactions of eating. The PEO model categorizes these findings into person (behavioral interventions), environment (dining room layout and social interactions), and occupation (activities like the Montessori method and physical exercises). However, few interventions comprehensively address all three PEO components. This review provides insights for healthcare professionals, educators, and researchers on improving eating performance and independence in dementia care, emphasizing the need for future research to establish evidence-based protocols and implement them in care settings.
MUSIC-BASED INTERVENTION TERMINOLOGY IN ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS STUDIES
Authors: McKiddy Sarah
Published: January 2025

The surge in interest surrounding music-based interventions (MBIs) for cognitive health, particularly in Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease related dementias (AD/ADRD), has catalyzed interdisciplinary research. However, the collaborative nature of these efforts has led to discrepancies in language usage, hindering the design and interpretation of interventions. In a systematic review conducted by Robb et al. (2018) on the quality of reporting MBI research in healthcare, discordant terminology was identified as an overarching, ongoing barrier to MBI research. The primary aims of this scoping review were to: (1) identify and define the terminology employed in empirical studies describing MBIs within the context of Robb et al.’s (2011) Guidelines for MBIs and studies involving AD/ADRD, (2) elucidate how these terms were operationalized, and (3) propose implications for future research and practice. Included studies showcased a diverse array of MBI strategies in AD/ADRD research, ranging from music therapy practices to social prescribing. However, inconsistencies in terminology usage, such as interchangeably employing terms like “music therapy” and “music intervention,” were observed. This review supports the pressing need for unified terminology that translates despite interdisciplinary boundaries and specialties, facilitating collaboration and advancing both research and practice in MBIs for AD/ADRD. To enhance the clarity of the literature and foster rigor in methodologies, researchers are encouraged to consistently establish and apply clear, operationalized definitions for terminology while also referencing established concepts and seeking consensus within the MBI community.
TRENDS AND SOCIOECONOMIC INEQUALITIES IN DEMENTIA RISK IN CHINA, 2011–2020
Authors: Luo Liying , Liu Liyun
Published: January 2025

China faces a rapidly aging population. However, there lacks evidence about if the prevalence of dementia risk increased over the past decade and what biopsychosocial factors may have contributed to the trends. Using the 2011-2020 data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), this study finds the first evidence of significant decreases in the prevalence of high dementia risk—determined as scoring 4 or lower on 25 items of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status—in China between 2011 and 2020. The decrease was more pronounced among older Chinese women. We then use the Kitagawa-Oaxaca-Blinder method to quantify the contributions of a set of socioeconomic and health variables to the differences in the prevalence of high dementia risk between the periods 2011-2013 and 2018-2020. The decomposition results suggest that for both Chinese men and women, the compositional reductions in illiteracy and low education are a major driver of the decline in dementia risk between the two time points. Changes in other socioeconomic and health risk factors play a relatively smaller role, although for males, the heightened risk of dementia due to smoking exerts an upward pressure on dementia risk trends. Our findings extend the literature by providing evidence that increasing education is an effective strategy for reducing dementia risk at the population level.
STATE POLICY AND POLITICAL LANDSCAPES: IMPLICATIONS FOR COGNITIVE AND FUNCTIONAL HEALTH
Authors: Garcia Marc , Kemp Blakelee , Tarraf Wassim
Published: January 2025

There is considerable state-level variation in the percent of adults with cognitive and functional limitations. However, it is unclear how state policy contexts and changes in these contexts are associated with cognitive and functional health. We used BRFSS data (2015/16 and 2019/20) linked to the State Policy & Politics Data (SPPD) from the Center for Aging and Policy Studies (CAPS) at Syracuse University to examine how overall political ideology, Medicaid generosity, and three health behavior (Tobacco excise taxes, opioid laws, and clean-air indoor laws) policies and change in those policies over time (2000-2014) are linked to levels of perceived cognitive decline and functional limitations among individuals 45-years and older. We found considerable variability in both levels of perceived cognitive decline and functional limitations, as well as policy adoption and change in adoptions over time across states. Adjusting for individual-level sociodemographic indicators and change in state ideology/policy over time, higher levels of political liberalism, Medicaid generosity, Tobacco taxes, and more restrictive clean indoor air policies in 2014 were largely associated with lower levels of perceived cognitive decline and lower levels of functional limitations. However, greater change in political ideological and policy measures was inconsistently linked to higher prevalence of the considered impairment outcomes. As the U.S. ages and the landscape of state policies continues to diversify, policymakers are increasingly urged to conscientiously consider the cognitive and functional health implications associated with these varied policy environments.
PROMOTING DIGITAL HEALTH EQUITY THROUGH COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH CHINESE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES
Authors: Li Jingyi , Xie Jinchen , Liang Yanjing , Dong Jingyi , Yuwen Weichao
Published: January 2025

Despite overwhelming and disparate needs, the use of supportive healthcare programs is lower among Chinese American caregivers, in large part due to the lack of accessible and culturally and linguistically appropriate care. Digital health tools have the potential to support caregivers’ needs. In collaboration with community partners, we conducted a qualitative study to identify opportunities using digital health tools to address caregiving needs among families caring for Chinese American older adults. Four focus groups with 21 staff from four local community-based organizations serving Chinese American families were conducted to explore staff’s experience supporting Chinese American families and discuss their perspectives on opportunities to use digital health tools to support caregiving needs. Inductive thematic analysis revealed that digital health tools have the potential to support Chinese American families caring for older adults by (1) offering real-time and trustworthy informational support on caregiving, (2) guiding caregivers through system navigation and service discovery, (3) sharing caregiving stories for scenario-based learning, (4) suggesting communication strategies for adult children caregivers, and (5) enabling family check-ins before or between case manager consultations. Additionally, staff raised concerns regarding digital health tools’ capacity to offer culturally sensitive emotional support, alongside skepticism about its potential to substitute valuable human social interactions. The findings from this study lay the foundation for future research on culturally adapting digital health tools for promoting the mental health and well-being of Chinese American family caregivers.
RECOGNIZING CAREGIVING NEEDS OF CHINESE AMERICAN OLDER ADULTS AND EXPLORING CHATBOTS UTILIZATION
Authors: Liang Yanjing , Xie Serena Jinchen , Li Jingyi , Xu Jingjing , Yuwen Weichao
Published: January 2025

Asian Americans encounter unique challenges in caring for older adult family members due to language barriers, cultural preferences, and difficulty in accessing healthcare resources. Family caregivers of Chinese-speaking older adults in the U.S. reported high levels of emotional stress more often compared to English-speaking caregivers. Digital health tools such as chatbots have the potential to offer affordable and accessible support. This qualitative study examined data from 12 in-depth interviews of families caring for Chinese American older adults and provided insights into caregiving challenges, self-care practices, cultural values, and perceptions of using chatbots for support. Participants faced challenges, including barriers to accessing resources due to language, limited understanding of social support, and stigma. The high-power distance of Chinese culture (Hofstede cultural value theory) alongside ‘familism’ and ‘filial piety’ exacerbated challenges in intergenerational communication. We discovered that the psychological aspect of self-care among Chinese American caregivers is often undervalued, influenced by the culture of self-restraint and endurance. Participants anticipated chatbots providing lifelike support and comprehensive caregiving resources by integrating functions such as health information guides. While caregivers appreciated chatbots as a judgment-free channel for seeking help, they had reservations about chatbots’ capacity to comprehend users’ emotions and embody cultural nuances such as sayings and references, which would make chatbots relatable and encourage engagement. The effectiveness of chatbots may be limited by constraints in empathy and cultural sensitivity. The findings reveal both the promise and challenges of developing culturally sensitive chatbots to address emotional needs and offer comprehensive support.
MIXED METHODS INTERVENTION DEVELOPMENT OF A TELEREHABILITATION PROGRAM FOR OLDER VETERANS
Authors: Rauzi Michelle , Stevens-Lapsley Jennifer
Published: January 2025

Mixed methods approaches add value during the development of complex interventions, increasing chances of program success. As such, we employed multi-stage mixed methods study designs to develop a MultiComponent TeleRehabilitation (MCTR) program for older Veterans with multiple chronic conditions. The four stages included 1) exploratory sequential, 2) explanatory sequential, 3) embedded convergent, and 4) exploratory sequential designs. Results from stage 1 provided valuable information to support the program’s initial implementation and evaluation. Stage 2 results supported the program’s feasibility for Veterans ≥50 years with at least 3 medical conditions. Stage 2 also provided key insights to improve recruitment and enrollment procedures, adapt the intervention, and modify technology integration. The resulting adaptations were implemented and evaluated during a randomized feasibility study, which involved stage 3. The primary results supported the MCTR program’s feasibility and safety in an older (≥60 years) and physically impaired population. Secondary results demonstrated some improvement of patient level outcomes including physical function. The mixed methods findings identified salient participant differences related to how and why participants chose to engage or not engage with the technological supports used during the MCTR program. These technology engagement findings were important because the higher technology engagement group showed greater improvements in physical activity. Thus, by understanding reasons why people did not engage with the technology, we can adapt the MCTR program during stage 4 to address engagement barriers and improve patient outcomes. In conclusion, using mixed methods approaches for intervention development accelerated our research and will help enhance future implementation efforts.
REMOTE MONITORING IN MULTISITE CLINICAL TRIALS: USING VIRTUAL TECHNOLOGY FOR RELIABILITY AND FIDELITY
Authors: Stevens-Lapsley Jennifer , Hinrichs-Kinney Lauren , Pontiff Mattie , Tran Melissa , Westlake Frances
Published: January 2025

Multi-site clinical studies often involve time consuming and resource intensive in-person monitoring of reliability and fidelity. An innovative solution provided by Swivl technologies holds tremendous potential to enhance remote monitoring options to reduce the need for costly in-person, onsite monitoring. The technology has enabled seamless and dynamic tracking of individuals undergoing Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) assessments, as well as specific rehabilitation interventions that are part of an ongoing 34 site clinical trial (NCT05492240) in skilled nursing facilities. The Swivl camera’s ability to video moving subjects while also using capturing conversations within a busy clinic environment uniquely enhances the quality of remote monitoring. Our team has used this technology to perform 190 SPPB reliability assessments and 65 rehabilitation fidelity assessments at 34 skilled nursing facility (SNF) clinics. This approach has allowed for real-time, remote observation of participants as they perform sit-to-stand, walking speed, and balance assessments within the SPPB. Similarly, the research team can remotely monitor fidelity of a high-intensity rehabilitation program focusing on dosing of specific rehabilitation exercises to ensure prescribed interventions are executed as intended. This virtual monitoring not only enhances the capacity to conduct remote reliability and fidelity assessments, but it also provides a valuable tool for continuous feedback and adjustment, optimizing the overall effectiveness of rehabilitation protocol fidelity. In essence, the Swivl camera brings forth a new era of remote monitoring that overcomes previous barriers (e.g. storage and transfer of large video files, inability to hear audio from an individual in a busy clinic setting).
THE GERMAN TRANSFER CLUSTER OF ACADEMIC NURSING INSTITUTIONS IN LONG-TERM CARE (TCALL)
Authors: Wolf-Ostermann Karin , Preuss Benedikt , Rothgang Heinz , Darmann-Finck Ingrid , Wolf Karsten , Stolle-Wahl Claudia , Zuendel Matthias
Published: January 2025

Considering the demographic shift, ensuring high-quality care emerges as a central future challenge in Germany. This can only be overcome by enhancing the attractiveness of the nursing profession through improved working conditions, introducing technological innovations comprehensively into long-term care, and adapting internal workflows through personnel and organizational development, as well as evolving educational content and structures accordingly. Currently in Germany such transfer and innovation structures are lacking. Therefore, TCALL establishes a sustainable framework to enable the implementation of technical and organizational innovations in regular operations similar to the Living Lab in Ageing and Long-Term Care (Netherlands) or Teaching Nursing Homes (US). This approach facilitates a direct pathway for research findings to transfer from academia through education into healthcare practice, with reciprocal influences from healthcare practice back into research and education. We will present the concept of TCALL which is up to now implemented in three nursing homes in the federal state of Bremen, Germany and will be further developed into a cluster of academic nursing institutions through the addition of personnel and the establishment of a decentralized learning infrastructure. TCALL thus constitutes a conceptual space for innovative transfer activities and simultaneously provides a permanent physical environment for recursive innovation development, testing, and implementation. This structure enables the close integration of research, education, and practice, contributing directly to the rapid and process-oriented development of the state-of-the-art through innovative insights and products.
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN ACADEMIA AND PRACTICE: THE DUTCH LIVING LAB IN AGEING AND LONG-TERM CARE
Authors: Hamers Jan , Verbeek Hilde
Published: January 2025

There is a strong need in long-term care for scientific research, so older people and their families, health care professionals, policy makers, and educators can benefit from new advancements and best available evidence in everyday care practice. The model of a sustainable and successful interdisciplinary collaboration between scientists, care providers and educators in long-term care will be presented: the ‘Limburg Living Lab in Ageing and Long-Term Care’. It is a structural collaboration between academia, educational institutions, long-term care providers and clients. It covers approximately 185 long-term care facilities (e.g., nursing homes, assisted and group living facilities) as well as professional home care, and includes about 50,000 clients and more than 27,000 staff. Their mission is to contribute with scientific research to improving i) quality of life of older people and their families; ii) quality of care and iii) quality of work of those working in long-term care. Key working mechanisms are the scientific and practice-based Linking Pins and interdisciplinary partnership using a team science approach, with great scientific and societal impact. For more than 25 years this structural collaboration has served as an infrastructure that drives scientific research in long-term care in co-creation with end-users, including older people and their relatives, health care professionals, policy makers and educators. This model was established by Maastricht University in the Netherlands, and more recently, the model of the living lab is replicated in other countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany and Austria.
BED ALARMS FOR THE PREVENTION OF FALLS IN HOSPITALS: A THREE-ARM, DISINVESTMENT NONINFERIORITY TRIAL
Authors: Haines Terry , Pu Debbie , Stephen Kelly , Shorr Ronald
Published: January 2025

Bed alarms are commonly used to prevent falls in hospitals. However, the evidence supporting their effectiveness indicates they may be ineffective. Disinvestment from routine but low-value care is important, however carries the risk that unanticipated harms to patients may arise with this change of practice. We undertook a 3-arm, non-inferiority, stepped-wedge randomised trial with concurrent parallel cluster randomised trial to investigate whether reducing the frequency of bed alarm use from >6% of beds to between 3% and 1%, or completely eliminating use of bed alarms had an impact on rates of in-hospital falls. We recruited n=18 wards at hospitals in Melbourne, Australia, and collected data over 10 calendar months. Wards were paired based on type and randomly allocated to month of transition in the stepped-wedge design, and then allocated to either “reduced” or “eliminated” conditions in a two-stage process. Alarm use was monitored through 3x weekly visual audits. Hospital falls data were collected through hospital incident reporting and administrative data systems with weekly auditing from site research assistants. A non-inferiority margin of an increase in rate of falls by 2 falls per 1000 patient days was set in pre-trial stakeholder consultation. The difference between “control (high use of alarms)” and “reduced” conditions was 0.29 falls/1000 patient-days (95%CI: -2.41 to 3.00) favouring the control. The difference between “control” and “eliminated” conditions was 1.13 falls/1000 patient-days (95%CI: -1.58 to 3.83) favouring the control. Non-inferiority of the “reduced” and “eliminated” conditions was not shown, though use of bed alarms was not superior.
THE ROLE OF APPRAISAL IN CAREGIVER CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH ELDER NEGLECT
Authors: Batista-Malat Eleanor , Gassoumis Zachary , Wilber Kathleen , Olsen Bonnie , Mosqueda Laura
Published: January 2025

Elder neglect occurs when a caregiver fails to meet a need, compared to elder abuse which involves specific abusive actions. Despite this, neglect and abuse are typically studied together as elder mistreatment. We investigated the characteristics associated with neglectful behaviors of caregivers of people living with dementia (PLWD). California dementia caregivers (N=92) completed a cross-sectional anonymous online survey about their caregiving experience and mistreatment of the PLWD from any source. 44.6% of caregivers were caring for a parent, 51.1% were Hispanic/Latino, and 68.1% were female. Eighteen (19.6%) caregivers reported at least one neglectful behavior in the last year, defined as leaving the PLWD alone inappropriately, not providing them with needed medical care, food, or water, or being impaired in caregiving due to alcohol or drugs. Of these, 11 (61.1%) also reported abuse in the last year: nine psychological, five financial, and five physical abuse. Bivariate tests comparing characteristics of caregivers with and without neglectful behaviors showed no difference in time spent caregiving, outside caregiving help, or social support and loneliness. Those who reported neglectful behaviors were significantly more likely to live with the PLWD (X2 =7.2, p=.028), believe the PLWD could “do better if they tried” (X2 =9.0, p=.029), and have higher burden scores (t=-2.61, p=.011). Our findings suggest that caregiver neglect may be associated with the caregivers’ perceived experiences rather than objective measures. Service providers should be attentive to caregivers’ understandings of their experiences, which may be related to neglectful behaviors, and reducing neglectful behavior may reduce overall mistreatment.
LIPID METABOLISM CONTROLS CELL FATE DECISIONS BETWEEN CELLULAR SENESCENCE AND FERROPTOSIS
Authors: Wiley Christopher
Published: January 2025

Recent advances have identified cellular senescence as a bona fide driver of aging and several age-associated pathologies in response to various forms of stress or damage. Primary phenotypes associated with cellular senescence include a stable proliferative arrest and secretion of a mélange of biologically active molecules collectively known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), but senescent cells also display other key phenotypic alterations. Key among these is survival in the face of stress and damage. We recently identified multiple alterations in lipid metabolism, especially those associated with polyunsaturated fatty acids, that favor survival of senescent cells over a form of cell lytic death known as ferroptosis. Interventions that target these pathways, including inhibition of the lipid peroxidation antagonist Gpx4 or elevation of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA), result in lytic death of senescent cells. Elimination of senescent cells using these pathways improves phenotypic outcomes in aged mice. Finally, obese human males carrying a genetic variant with low DGLA desaturation rates are protected from accumulation of senescent cells in adipose tissue, suggesting that these interventions could be translatable to patients. Together, our results provide a new set of targets for intervening in senescence and its associated outcomes.
N6-METHYLDEOXYADENOSINE (N6MEDA) IS ASSOCIATED WITH AGING
Authors: Tretyakova Natalia
Published: January 2025

N6-methyldeoxyadenosine (N6medA) is a recently discovered DNA mark that has been proposed to be involved in epigenetic regulation, DNA repair, and memory formation. N6medA is dynamically regulated in the mouse brain following environmental stress and plays a role in the formation of fear extinction memories, immune response, and in neuroblastoma. However, the biological roles of N6medA as an epigenetic mark have been questioned due to it extremely low abundance in the genome and conflicting information regarding its origins. We have developed an ultrasensitive isotope dilution nanoLC-methodology for N6medA in genomic DNA and investigated the potential roles of N6medA in human aging and in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). We found that the global genomic N6medA in prefrontal cortex is positively correlated with human’s chronological age, and there is an increasing trend for N6medA levels in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease. Genome wide mapping of N6medA in DNA isolated from human prefrontal cortex indicated that increased adenine methylation in AD was preferentially found in genes associated with neurological function and neurological diseases. Mass spectrometry-based affinity proteomics experiments identified several protein readers of N6medA as well as proteins that are prevented from binding to DNA in the presence of methylated adenine. Taken together, our results suggest that N6medA mediates protein binding to DNA, accumulates in genomic DNA of the brain during aging and could contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s Disease
MEASURING AND MANIPULATING YOUTHFUL FACTORS IN EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES THROUGH ENGINEERING AND EXERCISE
Authors: Ambrosio Fabrisia
Published: January 2025

Numerous studies employing heterochronic blood exchange have demonstrated the crucial age-dependent role of circulating factors in regulating the function of multiple tissues. To date, investigations into the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effect of young blood on healing cascades have primarily focused on circulating proteins. However, accumulating evidence suggests that circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) may play a previously unappreciated role in the regulation of tissue health. EVs are membrane-enclosed paracrine mediators that traffic between anatomically remote sites to regulate physiological function and pathologic processes in target cells. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms guiding age-related alterations in EV cargoes may pave the way towards the development of novel therapeutics that can promote a more youthful phenotype in older individuals. In her presentation, Dr. Ambrosio will summarize recent work from her laboratory identifying an age-related disruption in the transfer of information from circulating EVs to target cells and the impact of this this disrupted communication flow on tissue maintenance and regenerative potential over time. Towards the development of novel EV-based therapeutic strategies to counteract these declines, Dr. Ambrosio will share ongoing studies employing engineering and rehabilitative strategies designed to promote tissue function in an elderly population.
TRAJECTORIES OF REAL-WORLD VERSUS PERCEIVED MOBILITY AND LOCOMOTOR CAPACITY IN OLDER FRACTURE PATIENTS
Authors: Jansen Carl-Philipp , Klenk Jochen , Vereijken Beatrix , Blain Hubert , Helbostad Jorunn , Becker Clemens
Published: January 2025

Hip fracture is the most frequent non-intentional injury of older persons leading to hospital admission in North America and Europe. Hip fracture rehabilitation follows the overall goal to get older persons back on their feet and mobile again, up to the point of functional and mobility-related independence in everyday life. This primary outcome, however, is measured in various forms using different methods and assessments. Oftentimes, a singular view is taken, mainly based on repeated physical and locomotor capacity measures without knowledge of the actual mobility behaviour of patients after hospital care and in real life. Cross-sectional data has shown that the relationship between perceived mobility, locomotor capacity, and real-world mobility is not straightforward, however, it remains unclear how all three aspects evolve over time. For a better understanding of this relationship in hip fracture patients, this talk will address respective data of n=566 participants of the hip fracture cohort in the Mobilise-D project. All three aspects of mobility were assessed at baseline and after 12 months. Based on the results, it will be made clear which aspects should be prioritized in both research and clinical practice to obtain a comprehensive picture and clinically useful understanding of mobility of older hip fracture patients.
ASSESSING REAL-WORLD WALKING IN OLDER ADULTS LIVING WITH COPD
Authors: Delgado-Ortiz Laura , Becker Clemens , Troosters Thierry , Garcia-Aymerich Judith
Published: January 2025

Walking is crucial for active and healthy ageing, but changes with age and in the presence of chronic conditions. In the field of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – a highly prevalent chronic condition at older ages - extensive research has been done on physical activity limitation, but little is known about the patterns of walking during daily life (i.e., real-world). We aimed to assess the levels and distribution of real-world walking in people with COPD compared with healthy adults, and across disease severity; and to identify domains of walking in COPD, using digital technology. We studied cross-sectionally 550 older adults with COPD and 19 healthy older adults from ten cities across eight countries. We derived twenty-five digital mobility outcomes (DMOs) that assess different characteristics of walking activity and gait (e.g., walking duration, number of walking bouts of different durations, walking speed, cadence, stride length variability) from a single device worn at subjects’ lower back for one week. Participants also answered validated questionnaires, and conducted lung function and exercise capacity tests. Most DMOs were reduced in older adults with COPD compared to healthy adults, and according to COPD severity. Differences remained statistically significant after adjusting for age, sex, height and comorbidities in multivariable analyses. Factor analysis identified six distinct walking domains: Amount of walking, Patterns of walking, Pace, Rhythm, Pace variability and Rhythm variability. Real-world walking in older adults with COPD can be characterised in multiple dimensions, is impaired in relation to their healthy peers, and worsens as disease progresses.
MULTISENSOR APPROACHES FOR COMPREHENSIVE MEASUREMENT OF REAL-WORLD MOBILITY IN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Van Ooteghem Karen
Published: January 2025

Despite the potential for collecting precise and accurate mobility data over extended periods of time, the use of body-worn sensors as an approach to mobility monitoring is at a crossroads. The broad use of consumer smartwatches has led to a focus on single sensor approaches with simple to digest outcomes (e.g., step counts) however, this approach can limit our ability to capture details about how, where and when people are moving which are necessary to guide intervention. In this talk, we will provide evidence for the feasibility and value of a multi-sensor approach to mobility measurement that optimizes a’benefit-to-burden’ ratio for older adult participants. Specifically, we will provide examples to highlight how the use of multiple sensors can improve fidelity, reduce uncertainty, and provide important context to the data in order to maximize our understanding of real-life mobility. We will also share lessons learned from several multisensor-based studies of mobility across a spectrum of older adults (healthy, neurodegeneration, exceptional cognitive aging) that have contributed to successful implementation of a multi-sensor approach. The principles presented will inform future work aimed at developing validated standards for multi-sensor derived digital mobility outcomes that would provide comprehensive information on mobility for risk identification, early intervention, and monitoring of disease progression and treatment efficacy.
DRAG AS PERFORMANCE, THERAPY, ACTIVISM, AND PERSONAL EXPRESSION: WHAT OLDER DRAG ARTISTS TEACH US
Authors: Donorfio Laura , Chapman Brian , Chapman Brian
Published: January 2025

Drag artists (also described as drag performers, drag queens, and drag kings) have contributed to world cultures for centuries. Drag artistry, as tied to sexual and gender minority (SGM) communities and aging, is the focus of this presentation. The 20th and 21st centuries have been a poignant time for drag artists in the United States, as they have emerged as national and community leaders, been subject to political attack and violence, and contributed to mainstream and sexual and gender minority cultures. Older adult drag artists hold rich lived experiences and collectively share in episodic events that can be seen as traumatic, unifying, and celebrative. However, this population of older adults is grossly underrepresented in the literature. This symposium includes four presentations bridging behavioral science (individual development and wellbeing), social policy, and practice (drama therapy) of older drag artists. The first presentation frames current anti-drag policies aimed broadly at SGM communities in the United States. The second presentation provides a feminist, gender, and queer theoretical lens for examining the experiences of older drag artists, particularly the topics of homophobia, and ageism. The third presentation presents findings from a mixed methods study examining the intersection of aging, drag artistry, and individual wellbeing. The final presentation details a study on coping mechanisms of older drag artists through the lens of drama therapy clinical assessment. Collectively these papers highlight theory and qualitative and quantitative analysis illuminating themes of resilience, coping, commitment, and conscientiousness that illustrate fortitude within this population of influential artists.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EVACUATION AND HEALTH CARE OUTCOMES AMONG ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENTS AFTER HURRICANE IRMA
Authors: Hua Cassandra , Patel Sweta , Thomas Kali , Jester Dylan , Peterson Lindsay , Dobbs Debra , Andel Ross , Dosa David
Published: January 2025

Evacuation is associated with adverse outcomes among nursing home residents during hurricanes, but the impact on assisted living (AL) residents remains unknown. This retrospective cohort study examined the relationship between evacuation and healthcare outcomes (i.e., emergency department visits, hospitalizations, mortality, and nursing home visits) among Florida AL residents exposed to Hurricane Irma. We identified a cohort of Florida AL residents who were 65+ years old, enrolled in Medicare Fee-For-Service, and resided in 9-digit ZIP codes corresponding to US assisted living communities with ≥25 beds on September 10th, 2017, the day of Hurricane Irma’s landfall. We performed 1:4 propensity score matching. Using the matched sample, we examined the relationship between evacuation status and health outcomes within multilevel logistic regression models with a random intercept. Models adjusted for neighborhood disadvantage and distance to the storm trajectory. Of 25,130 Florida AL residents in our cohort, 3,402 (13.5%) evacuated and 21,728 (86.5%) did not evacuate. When compared to sheltering-in-place, evacuation was associated with a 16% greater odds of emergency department visits (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=1.16, p=0.037, 95% CI 1.01-1.33) and 51% greater odds of nursing home visits (AOR 1.51, 95% CI: 1.14-2.00) within 30 days of Hurricane Irma’s landfall. Hospitalization and mortality did not vary significantly by evacuation status within 30 or 90 days after the landfall date. Stress caused by evacuation may yield poorer immediate health outcomes after a major storm for AL residents. Potential benefits and harms of evacuating vs sheltering-in-place must be carefully considered when developing emergency planning and response.
ESPO AND HEALTH SCIENCES SECTION SYMPOSIUM: STRONGER TOGETHER: INTEGRATING CARE PARTNERS AND SOCIAL SUPPORT TO IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES
Authors: Britt Katherine , Perepezko Kate , Fields Beth
Published: January 2025

Millions of care partners (relatives, partners, or other support persons) provide support to older adults; however, they are not consistently included in health care and social service delivery. This omission is detrimental as care partner inclusion has been shown to improve older adult outcomes, including symptom management, functioning, and mental health (Weinberg et al., 2007). To highlight how care partners can be involved in services and interventions, this symposium will present innovative approaches to integrate care partners and social support to improve health outcomes for older adults. This session highlights the work of early career scientists whose research examines how care partners can be included in interventions to support the health of the older adult for whom they provide care and for themselves. Dr. Mary Wyman will present her work exploring associations of caregiving characteristics (e.g., amount received, number of caregivers, any formal help on board, and primary caregiver gender & relationship) with the utilization of mental health services among older veterans. Dr. DeAnnah Byrd will present on satisfaction with social support, stress, and cognition in older Black Adults. Dr. Katherine Britt will present a qualitative study with providers on the role of family caregivers in cognitive care planning. Dr. Kate Perepezko will present preliminary findings from the Community Aging in Place Advancing Better Living for Elders (CAPABLE): A Scale-Up Project, characterizing care partners’ involvement in an aging-in-place intervention. This symposium will conclude with a discussion led by Dr. Beth Fields that will connect each of the presentations.
EXPLORING CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IMPACTING OLDER REFUGEES IN THE UNITED STATES
Authors: Fields Noelle , Owino Jonix
Published: January 2025

Older refugees represent a unique group of the immigrant population as they are often at higher risk for negative health and psychosocial outcomes. Many older refugees also face constraints posed by language and cultural barriers that can affect overall well-being and quality of life. This symposium will provide insights from three studies of older refugees in the United States in an effort to shed light on various issues impacting this population that warrant greater attention from researchers and practitioners. The first paper presents findings from a study of older immigrants and refugees’ preparation for weather-related emergencies. Findings suggest the importance of linguistically and culturally tailored communication that fosters trust and improved access to reliable information. The second paper explores the lived experiences of forced displacement and long-term resettlement of Karen refugees from Burma. Study findings point toward the need to re-evaluate the cross-cultural validity of locus of control, an oft used psychological measure applied to refugee populations. The third paper examines how socioeconomic status is differentially associated with cognitive difficulties between older Bhutanese refugees and other refugee groups. Study results suggest that higher income does not serve as a protective factor against cognitive challenges in older refugees from Bhutan. The symposium will conclude with a critical reflection on the empirical and theoretical contributions needed to advance scholarship on older refugees.