bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COMMUNAL SUPPORT PREDICTS BETTER MENTAL HEALTH: KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION AMONG OLDER ADULTS DURING COVID-19
Authors: O'Dea Eireann , Gan Daniel Rong Yao , Chaudhury Habib , Zhang Ziying , Wister Andrew , Quay Lisa Cohen , Jorde Shelley , Wang Claire
Published: December 2022

The well-being of older adults has been linked to the quality of their neighbourhood environment. Given that COVID-19 affected poorer neighbourhoods disproportionately, we partnered with community organizations to identify meso-level psychosocial factors that may improve loneliness, depressive mood, and cognitive function. Five variables were identified through focus groups with older adults and community organizations. These variables were drawn from validated scales, including communal provisions, neighbourhood friendship, self-expression, social experiences, and time outdoors. This paper presents preliminary findings from surveys administered to 151 community-dwelling older adults across British Columbia and interviews in four neighbourhoods.Purposeful and snowball sampling were used to recruit older adults (age 55+) from community centres and neighbourhood houses. Online surveys measured the five meso-level psychosocial exposure variables. Outcome variables included an index of loneliness, depressive mood, self-rated memory, semantic fluency and delayed recall. Data was geocoded and aggregated by Forward Sortation Area. Regression and cross-level mediation analysis were conducted. Four neighbourhoods were selected from a 2x2 matrix of high and low neighbourhood deprivation (CANUE, 2016). Mental health was associated with better social experiences (B=.26, p=.003). Time outdoors (B=.35, p=.047) was associated with better delayed recall. Mental health was better in poorer neighbourhoods (B=.20, p=.015). This was partially mediated by communal provisions (B=.19, p=.032). Social experiences (B=.23, p=.009) fully mediated these effects on mental health. Participants described being of local community services and took on opportunities to volunteer. Social experiences and neighbourhood resources may help support mental health and well-being among older adults during the pandemic and beyond.
GLAUCOMA, CATARACT, AND EMOTIONAL DISTRESS IN NEW ENGLAND: FINDINGS FROM THE HEALTHY AGING DATA REPORTS
Authors: Xu Shu , Lee Chae Man , Su YanJhu , Jansen Taylor , Silverstein Nina , Dugan Beth
Published: December 2022

Glaucoma and Cataract are two common leading causes of vision loss and major sources of disability and mental issues for older adults, but few studies investigated glaucoma and cataract among older adults from a community-level perspective. This study describes the rates of glaucoma and cataract among older adults 65+ in New England and examined the association of glaucoma and cataract and emotional distress (depression and anxiety) of older adults at the community level across 794 towns/cities (MA (351), NH (235), RI (39), and CT (169)) in New England. Data sources used to calculate rates of communities were: the American Community Survey (2014-2018 RI and CT, 2012-2016 MA and NH) and the Medicare Current Beneficiary Summary File (2016-2017 RI, 2015 MA and NH, 2016-2017 CT). Small area estimation techniques were used to calculate age-sex adjusted community rates for more than 150 health indicators (https://healthyagingdatareports.org/). Results showed CT had the highest rates of glaucoma (28.3%), RI had the highest rates of cataract (67.5%), and NH had the lowest rates of glaucoma and cataract (22.9% and 61.2%, respectively). After adjusting for age, gender, race, marital status, education, income, chronic diseases, communities with higher rates of glaucoma or cataract were significantly associated with higher rates of emotional distress compared to those with lower prevalence (glaucoma: β=0.06, p< 0.01, for depression, β=0.09, p< 0.001 for anxiety; cataract: β=0.08, p< 0.01 for depression, β=0.11, p< 0.01 for anxiety). Findings help practitioners and policymakers to allocate emotional support services to areas of high need due to eye diseases.
INTERGENERATIONAL DIGITAL SOLIDARITY IN AGING FAMILIES AND ITS ASSOCIATIONS WITH RELATIONAL OUTCOMES
Authors: Fu Xiaoyu , Hwang Woosang , Silverstein Merril
Published: December 2022

Since the coronavirus disease outbreak, older adults have been isolated from family, as in-person contact declined, and many turned to digital contact to stay in touch. This form of contact, consisting of texting, email, and social media, is labeled digital solidarity. A key advantage of digital communication over in-person contact is that it requires less investment of time and no geographic proximity. However, it is unclear whether digital solidarity represents a separate dimension of intergenerational solidarity, and whether it compensates for low in-person contact. In this paper, we examined traditional and digital types of intergenerational communication between older parents and adult children, and their associations with older adults’ perceived quality of communication and closeness with children. We used the 2016 wave of the Longitudinal Study of Generations to generate a sample of 580 older parents who reported on relationships with 1,489 adult children. Adopting a three-step latent class approach, we identified four classes of intergenerational communication: all-type contact, no contact, digital contact, and traditional contact. Older adults in both no contact and digital contact classes were less likely to report being emotionally close with their adult children when compared to those in the traditional contact class. No difference in perceived quality of communication was found between contact classes. Our findings indicate that digital solidarity is a distinct dimension of intergenerational solidarity and can compensate for reduced in-person contact with children. Discussion centers on the implications of these results for pandemic times and a replication using recently collected data from 2021-22.
COUPLES’ FINANCIAL BEHAVIORS AND SATISFACTION AMONG KOREAN BABY BOOMERS
Authors: Nam Youngwon , Kim Kyungmin , Han Gyounghae
Published: December 2022

The life-cycle theory posits that midlife is a peak time of earning and productivity. However, middle-aged adults also face complex financial decisions (e.g., mortgage, child tuition cost, care expenses for older parents, and their own health care expenses), which may influence their current and future financial well-being. While research has focused on individuals’ financial management behaviors at midlife, less is known about the interdependence of financial behaviors and well-being within a couple, which may be a more relevant unit of financial decisions. To address this gap, we examined middle-aged couples’ financial behaviors and satisfaction, using a sample of 1,111 couples (age 51–59) from the 2014 Korean Baby Boomer Panel Study (KBBPS). Wives showed consistently higher levels of financial behaviors in (a) recognizing financial status, (b) planning and monitoring financial goals, and (c) building and maintaining household wealth. Korean Baby Boomer couples also showed substantial within-couple similarity in planning and monitoring financial goals (ICC = .51) and building and maintaining household wealth (ICC = .65)—whereas they showed less shared awareness of household financial status (ICC = .23) between spouses. Results from the Actor-Partner Interdependence Models (APIM) revealed that beyond one’s own financial behaviors, their spouses’ financial behaviors were associated with higher financial satisfaction for both husbands and wives (partner effect). Further, intra-couple differences in financial behaviors were associated with lower financial satisfaction only for wives. These findings highlight the importance of shared process of financial decision making for financial well-being among couples in middle and later life.
TO CARE OR NOT TO CARE: CONTENT ANALYSIS OF MEDIA COVERAGE ABOUT ADULT CHILDREN CARING FOR PARENTAL PERPETRATORS
Authors: Goldberg Jaime , Kong Jooyoung
Published: December 2022

Though research about adult child survivors of childhood parental maltreatment who serve as caregivers for their perpetrating parent remains in its infancy, this topic has received some media attention in recent years. These publications, mainly focused on what, if any, duty an adult child survivor of parental childhood maltreatment has to care for their aging/ill parent, have garnered hundreds of online responses from readers that reveal vastly different beliefs, attitudes, and opinions about such caregivers. Content analysis was conducted on 513 comments across 5 online publications including the New York Times New Old Age blog, AgingCare blog, Slate Magazine, and Quora discussion forum. Several themes emerged from the data: (1) feelings of obligation; (2) setting boundaries; (3) validation of experience; (4) judgment of choices. It is evident from this analysis that the shame and stigma of being harmed by a parent in childhood persists into adulthood and the isolation of caregiving is palpable; participants posted to this online forum seeking connection in shared experience. The decision to participate in caregiving is particularly fraught when there is a history of maltreatment in the family system. For those who decide to become caregivers, they are at higher risk for experiencing ongoing challenges to their health, mental health, and overall wellbeing; for those who do not, they may still experience emotional turmoil. Gerontological researchers and clinicians’ heightened awareness of and knowledge about such caregivers’ experiences and needs are crucial to provide effective, trauma-informed support.
UNDERSTANDING CHALLENGES AND STRENGTHS EXPERIENCED BY CHINESE AMERICAN FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA
Authors: Cassidy Jessica , Lee Kathy
Published: December 2022

Chinese American family caregivers of persons with dementia are often challenged by barriers to utilize caregiving support services due to language barriers, minimal understanding of dementia, limited numbers of culturally competent health care providers, as well as conflicting cultural norms, such as the disease related stigma. Subsequently, a delayed diagnosis and a hesitance to seek social support services and formal resources are prevalent among Chinese American families caring for persons with dementia. However, the resilience of these caregivers is often noted as a strength of this sub-population. We aimed to identify the challenges and strengths expressed by Chinese American family caregivers caring for persons with dementia by exploring their caregiving experiences. Using a qualitative study design, we conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 26 Chinese American family caregivers of persons with dementia during the midst of COVID-19 pandemic. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Two themes emerged as challenges: lack of knowledge regarding early signs of dementia and family caregivers’ social isolation and loneliness. Two additional themes emerged as demonstrated strengths: utilizing technology throughout the caregiving trajectory and family caregivers’ helping behaviors. Our findings indicate potential to promote disease-related education and reduce feelings of social isolation and loneliness among Chinese family caregivers caring for persons with dementia by using technology and peer-led approaches. The examined coping strategies of Chinese American caregivers may be leveraged across disciplines to increase disease related knowledge, rates of early diagnosis, as well as the utilization of formal supports and resources.
TRANSFERS, DIFFICULTIES, AND CARE STRESS AMONG FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF OLDER ADULTS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES IN CHINA
Authors: Yue Lirong , Wang Shuangshuang , Yao Nengliang
Published: December 2022

Family caregivers are critical sources of support to older adults living with disabilities, but they also need to cope with caregiving stress and difficulties brought by the caregiving process. This study aimed to explore the associations between family transfers (i.e., time transfer and financial transfer), perceived difficulties of caregiving, and caregiving stress among family caregivers of older adults living with disabilities. Respondents were randomly selected from 6 urban districts and 6 rural towns in Shandong province, China. Data from 220 older adults living with disabilities and their family caregivers were analyzed. Caregiving stress were divided into three categories (mild stress, moderate stress and high stress). Difficulties were divided into four categories (insufficient care abilities, economic hardship, time conflicts, and inadequate nursing equipment). Family caregivers reported moderate to high levels of caregiving stress. Results from multivariate ordinal logistic regression shows that family caregivers providing nine or more hours of care per day reported higher levels of caregiving stress than those who provided 8 or less hours of care per day (9 to 12 hours: OR=2.92, p<.05; 13 to 16 hours: OR=2.66, p<.05). Caregivers who perceived insufficient care abilities, economic hardship, and time conflicts were more likely to report caregiving stress. Respites in the forms of caregiver support group and day care attendance for older adults living with disabilities may reduce caregiver stress. Educational program and professional knowledge training courses may be helpful in reducing caregiving stress. The long-term care insurance system should be promoted to provide social support for family caregivers.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN UNMET NEEDS APPRAISAL SCALE FOR LONG-TERM CARE SERVICE USERS
Authors: Chen Ya-Mei , Wu Shih-Cyuan , Zhong Zi-Ting , Chang Yu-Chien
Published: December 2022

Background

Taiwan’s Long-Term Care (LTC) Plans 1.0 and 2.0 aimed to provide accessible LTC services since 2007. Currently, >40% of the people needing LTC are covered by these plans. Past studies have indicated that high unmet needs among LTC users may lead to adverse outcomes. Thus, whether the LTC services meet the needs of both the care recipients and their family caregivers merits further study. The purpose of this study was to develop a suitable “unmet needs appraisal scale (UNAS) for long-term care service users” and pilot test this tool on older Taiwanese adults.

Methods

The tool was developed through a systematic literature review. The tool underwent two rounds of the Delphi method with 26 experts, and the tool reached a high consensus among the experts. The UNAS includes 11 items assessing activities that need more assistance, including daily activities, psychological health, and spiritual health. We pilot tested the tool in older Taiwanese adults and examined the tool properties, including reliability and validity. We included short-form 8 as a concurrent validity measure. Result: The survey was conducted in 6 counties, and 255 service user questionnaires were collected. The overall Cronbach's α value was 0.91, indicating good internal consistency. Our confirmatory factor analysis also showed good construct validity [χ2 = 146.514, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.06, SRMR = 0.02]. The UNAS scores showed a moderate negative correlation with quality of life scores (r = –0.452, p < 0.001), demonstrating good concurrent validity of the unmet needs scale.
COMPLAINT PATTERNS IN US NURSING HOMES: 2013–2017
Authors: Bhattacharyya Kallol Kumar , Molinari Victor
Published: December 2022

Nursing home (NH) quality of care is often short of meeting residents' and family expectations to maintain optimum quality of life. Using complaints as a facility-level outcome (i.e., complaints per NH), this study updates earlier published findings by replicating prior analyses with more recent data, and by analyzing the number of complaints, complaint allegations, and deficiency citations separately. This will allow us to determine whether any major change has taken place in the consumer complaint pattern in recent years. The result reveals, in the entire study period (2013-2017), overall, 458,101 complaints (5.9/NH/year) were identified that contain 949,466 allegations (12.2/NH/year), which resulted in the issuance of 156,135 deficiency citations (2.0/NH/year) in about 15,600 NHs across the country. Regarding the number of complaints, substantiated complaints, and deficiency citations, the results show a steady increase compared to previous years. Furthermore, there are marked differences among the ten CMS survey regions on the prevalence of overall complaints, substantiated complaints, and deficiency citations. The current study found a lower number of NHs with zero complaints and a higher number of NHs with five/more complaints in later years suggesting a steady increase in the number of complaints over the years. However, the average rate of substantiation of complaint allegations is showing a decreasing trend in recent years. This may be because people are now complaining more due to higher care expectations. Alternatively, it may be simply be because of the easier complaint lodging process developed in recent years. Other policy and practice implications will be discussed.
PERSONALITY FUNCTIONING FEATURES OF CLINICAL ANXIETY AND COVID-19 ANXIETY AMONG OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Stone Lisa , Mock Colleen , Segal Daniel
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Anxiety is a significant mental health problem among older adults and is commonly comorbid with personality disorders (PD). However, specific relationships between personality functioning (a proposed feature of PDs) and late-life anxiety remain unclear. This study examined relationships between two models of personality functioning with late life clinical anxiety and COVID-19 anxiety. Method: Older adults (n = 222) completed the Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS), Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS), Levels of Personality Functioning Scale-Self-Report (LPFS-SR), and Severity Indices of Personality Problems-Short Form (SIPP-SF).

Results

The GAS and CAS were significantly correlated to all LPFS-SR and SIPP-SF domains with large effect sizes (> .78); higher clinical and COVID-19 anxiety was associated with increased personality dysfunction. In regressions, the LPFS-SR domains significantly accounted for 65% of variance in the GAS and 59% of variance in the CAS. Identity and Self-Direction were the strongest predictors of each anxiety scale, with Empathy also significantly related to coronavirus anxiety. The SIPP-SF domains significantly accounted for 65% of variance in the GAS and 58% of variance in the CAS. Responsibility and Social Concordance were the strongest predictors of each anxiety scale, with Self-Control also significantly related to clinical anxiety. Discussion: Results indicate theoretically-supported and meaningful overlap between clinical and COVID-19 anxiety with personality dysfunction according to two different models. This extensive overlap questions the extent to which personality functioning differentiates from affective distress. The two personality dysfunction models also differed somewhat in their relationships to anxiety, suggesting the need for further research especially among older adults.
LEARNING FROM ELDERS: WORKING WITH INDIGENOUS INTERGENERATIONAL MENTORS TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY NEEDS
Authors: Kopera-Frye Karen , John Karen , Frank Robynn
Published: December 2022

Tribal Critical Race Theory (Brayboy, 2005) supports the use of decolonizing methodologies such as Community-Based Participatory Research when collaborating with Indigenous communities. This paper highlights the underlying processes in working with a Dine community on an intergenerational health project. COVID had culturally disruptive effects, e.g., social isolation, on New Mexico’s Dine community. This project describes what can be best thought of as Community-Based Participatory Advocacy (Kopera-Frye, John, & Frank, 2021). Navajo students interviewed 13 area chapter elders on how COVID has impacted the community, particularly with Indigenous Ways of Knowing (IWOK). Thematic analysis indicated themes of loss, stress and social isolation, and health worker effects. Resilience was indicated in response to positive outcomes from COVID including a collaboration and coming together of community. Open dialogue workshops are ongoing to facilitate community healing from COVID. The results highlight the critical necessity of starting with the community elders and using decolonizing methodologies.
DISTRICT NURSES’ ATTITUDES TOWARD INVOLUNTARY TREATMENT IN DEMENTIA CARE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Authors: Moermans Vincent , Bleijlevens Michel , Verbeek Hilde , Passos Valeria Lima , Milisen Koen , Hamers Jan
Published: December 2022

Persons Living with Dementia (PLWD) prefer to live in their home environment, making their own choices and living a self-determined life for as long as possible. However, recent studies have shown that one in two PLWD receives involuntary treatment. Involuntary treatment is care provided that they resist to and/or have not given consent to, such as physical restraints, psychotropic medications. Although district nurses play a key role in the care of PLWD, it is unknown how their attitudes and opinions influence the use of involuntary treatment. This study aims to investigate the attitudes of district nurses towards the use of involuntary treatment in dementia care at home, determinants, and their opinion about its restrictiveness and discomfort. In a cross-sectional study, data were collected in a convenient sample of 296 Belgian district nurses using an online version of the Maastricht Attitude Questionnaire - Home Care. Results show that district nurses perceive involuntary treatment as a regular part of nursing care, having neither positive nor negative attitudes towards its appropriateness. They consider involuntary treatment usage as moderately restrictive to PLWD and feel moderately uncomfortable when using it. Nursing staff with more years of experience in dementia care, perceiving care for PLWD as burdensome, and having a lower educational background were more accepting towards involuntary treatment, rating it as a regular measure in the nursing care repertoire. These findings underscore the need to increase the awareness of district nurses regarding the negative consequences of involuntary treatment use to PLWD.
PHYSICAL FITNESS MODERATES THE AGE-RELATED ASSOCIATION BETWEEN EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING AND MOBILITY
Authors: Dupuy Emma , Besnier Florent , Gagnon Christine , Breton Juliana , Lecchino Catia , Gayda Mathieu , Bherer Louis
Published: December 2022

In older adults, executive functions are important for daily-life function and mobility. Evidence suggests that the relationship between cognition and mobility is dynamic and could vary according to individual factors, but whether cardiorespiratory fitness reduces the age-related increase of interdependence between mobility and cognition remains unexplored. One hundred eighty-nine participants (aged 50-87) were divided into three groups according to their age: middle-aged (MA; < 65), young older adults (YOA; 65-74), and old older adults (OOA; ≥75). Participants performed Timed Up and Go and executive functioning assessments (Oral Trail Making Test and Phonologic verbal fluency) remotely by videoconference. Participants completed the Matthews questionnaire to estimate their cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2 max in ml/min/kg). A three-way moderation was used to address whether cardiorespiratory fitness interacts with age to moderate the relationship between cognition and mobility. Results showed that the cardiorespiratory fitness x age interaction moderated the association between executive functioning and mobility (β = -.05, p = .047) (R2 = .18, p <.0001). At lower levels of physical fitness (< 19.16 ml/min/kg), executive functioning significantly influenced YOA’s mobility (β = -.48, p = .004) and to a greater extent OOA’s mobility (β = -.96, p = .002). Our results support the idea of a dynamic relationship between mobility and executive functioning during aging and suggest that physical fitness could play a significant role in reducing their interdependency.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY MEDIATES LATIN DANCE PARTICIPATION AND FITNESS OUTCOMES IN OLDER LATINOS
Authors: Kaushal Navin , Balbim Guilherme , Jaldin Michelle , Marquez David
Published: December 2022

Background

The benefits of engaging in physical activity (PA) for older adults (OA) are well documented; however, participation rates remain low, especially among OA Latinos. Latin dance expresses and promotes culture among Latinos, and can be an effective approach to promote PA. However, the physical function and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) benefits of OA engaging in Latin dance have not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to test if PA from an 8-month dance trial yielded and explained improvements in physical function and CRF.

Methods

The study analyzed physical function and CRF outcomes from the BAILA trial. Participants (n= 333) were Latinos (age 55+) who were randomized to a dance or control condition for an 8-month study. PA was assessed using the Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS), physical function was assessed with the short physical performance battery protocol (SPPB) and estimated CRF was assessed using the Jurca non–exercise test model. Results. ANCOVA models found significant change in SPPB total scores(F1, 331= 4.01, p=0.046) and estimated CRF (F1, 331= 7.66, p= 0.006) over eight months in favor of the dance group. Follow-up mediation models found MVPA to mediate between group and SBBP scores, (β= 0.05, 95% CI [0.0128, 0.1147]). MVPA also mediated between group and CRF, (β= 0.06, 95% CI [0.0164, 0.1197]). Conclusion. The study supports organized Latin dance programs to be effective for improving physical and cardiorespiratory benefits among older adults. The findings also encourage future investigations to promote PA in culturally relevant forms.
COMMUNITY-ENGAGED STRATEGIES FOR RECRUITMENT OF ASIAN AMERICAN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Ðoàn Lan , Kwon Simona , Trinh-Shevrin Chau , Yi Stella
Published: December 2022

Asian Americans one of the fastest growing older adult populations in the U.S., and are emerging as a high-need, lower-income population. Inclusion of Asian Americans in research is critical given anti-Asian rhetoric and hate crimes targeting Asian American older adults and because Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial/ethnic group in the U.S. We focus on recruitment strategies used during the implementation of 11 primary collection data efforts, including national and regional community health resources and needs assessment surveys, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic (starting May 2020). Unique recruitment challenges included the heterogeneity of language, culture, and sociodemographic characteristics of participants, digital literacy, and survey fatigue. Effective recruitment facilitators included: prioritizing community engagement at all research stages; aligning the research purpose with community priorities; recruitment through community-based organizations and bilingual community health workers; translating survey instruments; and regularly scheduled meetings with community-based organizations to discuss the survey progress.
HAIR CORTISOL FEASIBILITY AND DEMOGRAPHIC CORRELATES IN A SAMPLE OF OLDER ADULTS FROM PUERTO RICO
Authors: Ballard Erin , Turan Bulent , Crowe Michael
Published: December 2022

Hair cortisol is increasingly being used as a biomarker of chronic HPA-axis activation. Studies using older adults often exclude a substantial portion of participants due to insufficient hair or non-detectable cortisol levels, but do not provide details on correlates of these factors. We examined feasibility of hair measurement and cortisol detectability in an ongoing study of older adults in Puerto Rico. Among the first 537 participants in the current follow-up of the Puerto Rican Elder Health Conditions (PREHCO) study (now age 78-106 years old), approximately 11% of participants refused to give a hair sample and 20% did not have enough hair to sample. Women (13%) were significantly more likely than men (4%) to refuse hair collection. However, men (47.7%) were significantly more likely than women (4.8%) to not have enough hair. Of participants with enough hair to take a sample (n=372), 23% had non-detectable levels of cortisol. Black participants were the most likely to have non-detectable hair cortisol (43%), followed by multiracial mestizo (32%). The two most common racial categories in our sample, multiracial trigueño (23%), and white (17%) were the least likely to have non-detectable cortisol. In terms of hair products (including frequency of hair washing and use of conditioner, dye, or perm), only the use of chemical hair straighteners was associated with higher likelihood of non-detectable cortisol (38%). Findings underscore the importance of measuring hair products when examining hair cortisol in older adults and suggest that older black participants may be disproportionately excluded due to non-detectable cortisol levels.
LONGITUDINAL ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN SPOUSAL LOSS, RELIGIOUS INVOLVEMENT, AND COGNITIVE HEALTH IN LATER LIFE
Authors: Yu Xinfang , Lee Hyo Jung
Published: December 2022

Death of a spouse is one of the major stressors which is more frequently observed in one’s late life. Previous literature showed a link between the death of a spouse and late-life cognitive health and suggested a benefit of having more religious involvements. Applying Stress Process Model, this study examines multiple dimensions of religious involvements and whether they buffer a negative impact of spousal loss on cognitive health in old age. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (2006 – 2016 waves), we selected older adults who were married at baseline (N = 6658). We conducted a) regression analyses to examine the main effect of spousal loss on cognitive health as well as buffering effect of religious involvement and b) growth curve modeling to analyze the trajectories of cognitive functions. Preliminary analyses showed that spousal loss in late life was associated with poorer cognitive function among older adults at baseline and follow-ups. More frequent attendance at religious services and prayer in private setting were associated with better cognitive function, yet, no buffering effect was found. We observed a gradual decline in cognitive function over time among the widowed respondents. Findings confirm that widowed individuals are more likely to experience cognitive decline over time, compared to married counterparts. While religious involvement might not mitigate the negative impact of spousal loss on cognition, the study supports that each dimension of religious involvement may exert different outcomes in terms of older individual’s cognitive health during widowhood.
EXAMINING CHANGES IN STUDENTS' ATTITUDES TOWARD WORKING WITH OLDER ADULTS
Authors: O'Brien Christopher
Published: December 2022

Curricular intervention studies have examined if instruction in aging and gerontology affects undergraduates’ attitudes, knowledge, and perceptions towards older adults. However, less is known about curricular impact on undergraduates’ intentions to work with older adults. By identifying factors that increase undergraduates’ intentions to work with older adults we may elucidate meaningful points of intervention to enhance pursuit of careers in the geriatric workforce. The current study examined baseline data from a longitudinal study examining the impact of an upper-level adult development psychology course on student attitudes towards working with older adults. It was hypothesized that there would be positive associations between attitudes towards working with older adults, knowledge about aging, and positive attitudes towards older adults. Participants were 19 undergraduate students enrolled in upper-level undergraduate psychology courses. Participants completed validated, self-report questionnaires related to their attitudes towards working with older adults, ageism attitudes, and attitudes and knowledge about aging. Bivariate correlation analyses were used to examine cross-sectional associations among main outcome variables. More positive explicit attitudes towards older adults were significantly associated with more willingness to work with older adults (r= .49 , p=.04). Additionally, knowledge of aging was positively correlated with perceived social norms around working with older adults (r= .49, p=.04). These initial findings suggest that knowledge and positive attitudes about aging may positively impact attitudes towards working with older adults. Future work will assess curricular impact on undergraduates’ intentions to work with older adults, as well as evaluate predictors of change in intentions.
CULTURAL VARIATION OF AGE DIFFERENCES IN DEVELOPMENTAL TRANSITIONS AND ATTITUDES
Authors: Chopik William , Carrillo Alejandro , Giasson Hannah
Published: December 2022

The age-group dissociation effect posits that, as negative age stereotypes become more salient, older adults will psychologically distance themselves from their own age group. This phenomenon is also seen in various attitudes about development and older adulthood, such as how relatively old or young individuals feel and the point at which older adulthood starts. Previous research has shown that people push older adulthood further into the future with every year of life—placing it perpetually on the horizon. However, most research on age attitudes and age-group dissociation have been conducted within one culture, and variation across settings is rarely examined. A sample of 1,007,956 participants ranging in age from 10 to 89 (M = 27.45, SD = 12.45; 67.1% women) from 13 different countries completed attitudinal measures about aging and developmental transitions. Across all countries and attitudinal measures, we replicated the age-group dissociation effect (βs > .36). However, culture moderated many of the effects. For example, relative to the U.S., Chinese and Korean participants reported a younger age at which older adulthood started but showed a more dramatic age-group dissociation effect. In contrast, other countries reached an asymptote where older adults did not push the transition into the future as dramatically as middle-aged adults. Relative to the U.S. (and controlling for age), most countries showed a younger subjective age, and countries varied according to cultural values. The current project sheds light on how age-related attitudes and perceptual processes vary (and don’t) across cultural contexts.
THE EFFECT OF STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL SOCIAL SUPPORT OF OLDER KOREAN VOLUNTEERS ON LIFE SATISFACTION
Authors: Kim Meeryoung
Published: December 2022

As well as helping others, senior volunteers, like other seniors, need their own social support. However, unlike general older adults, older volunteers can build many social networks through volunteering. This study aims to examine how structural and functional social support of older volunteers affects their life satisfaction.This study used the sixth additional wave (2016) and the seventh wave (2017) of the Korean Retirement and Income Study. The subjects of this study were volunteers who are aged 60 and older, and the sample size was 241. Multiple regression was used for data analysis. Demographic variables were controlled. As for independent variables, structural and functional social support were used. For the dependent variable, life satisfaction was used. Structural social support was measured by the number of related subjects. For functional social support, Cohen and Syme (1985)'s social support scale, which includes instrumental, emotional, informational, and evaluative support, was used.According to the results of the study, structural support did not significantly affect the life satisfaction of older volunteers, but functional support had a significant effect on life satisfaction. Structural support was not significant because volunteers had many networks through volunteering. However, the functional social support of receiving practical help significantly increased the life satisfaction of the volunteers. These findings imply that having someone who can help them is an important factor in increasing life satisfaction.
TYPES OF CULTURAL TOURISM PARTICIPATION AMONG KOREAN BABY BOOMERS
Authors: Kim Kyungmin , Kim Bon , Song Hwasung , Burr Jeffrey , Han Gyounghae
Published: December 2022

Cultural tourism (e.g., attending festivals, visiting museums and heritage sites) is an important part of leisure activity in middle and later life. As they age, midlife adults may anticipate more time for these activities when their family and work demands are less intense. However, the leisure-as-career perspective suggests that preferences, knowledge and skills for leisure and tourism activities develop throughout the life course. This study examines how Korean middle-aged adults participated in cultural tourism activities and whether their willingness to be involved in active leisure in later life differed by their current patterns of cultural tourism activities. We utilized data from the 2014 Korean Baby Boomer Panel Study (N = 4,053; age 51−60). Latent class analyses were applied to five types of activities (i.e., local festivals and events, exhibitions, museums, heritage sites, and international travels), and three distinct patterns were identified. The majority of the Korean baby boomer sample (81%) belonged to “Inactive cultural visitors”—not participating in any type of activities in the past two years, which may reflect persistent time pressures at midlife. “Casual cultural visitors” (11%) mainly visited local festivals and heritage sites. “Serious cultural visitors” (7%) engaged in all types of activities; they appeared to have more time and financial resources. Further, “serious cultural visitors” showed higher willingness to engage in active later life leisure compared to other two patterns, supporting the continuity of leisure/tourism activities. Our findings highlight the importance of prior leisure and tourism behaviors for understanding future leisure activity expectations.
CHANGES TO CARE PROVISIONS TO OLDER ADULTS DURING COVID-19: IMPLICATIONS FOR CAREGIVER WELL-BEING
Authors: Friedman Esther , Kirkegaard Allison , Kennedy David
Published: December 2022

Among the many consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic is its impact on caregiving for older adults. Pandemic-related physical distancing policies, avoidance of infection risk, and changing obligations at home and work has caused shifts in care that may not have occurred otherwise. We use nationally representative data on 2,363 caregivers to older family members and friends collected at the height of the pandemic to explore the extent to which family caregivers changed the amount and types of care they provided to a loved one with a disabling condition, and the impact of such changes on caregiver burden and wellbeing. About 41.5% of caregivers who continued to care for someone they helped prior to the pandemic, increased the amount of care provided, while only 7% reduced their intensity of help. Caregiving disruption in the amount of help – both increasing and decreasing care – was significantly associated with increased anxiety, depression, and loneliness of caregivers, but not with self-rated health. These findings persist even after controlling for a variety of sociodemographic, caregiving, and contextual characteristics, and the characteristics of support networks. This work points to an underexplored consequence of the pandemic: the impact on caregiving for older adults and caregiver burden. It will be important to explore the extent to which these effects persist as the pandemic runs its course.
UNDERSTANDING OLDER ADULTS' FLU VACCINE HESITANCY: THE ROLE OF MEDICAL MISINFORMATION
Authors: Hsieh Jessica , Mirza Raza , Hull James , Peng Siyu , Mustafa Muhammad Ibrar , Moore Carley , Kelly-Adams Deirdre , Klinger Christopher
Published: December 2022

Influenza persists as a common communicable disease and remains a significant cause of disease burden across the world. Despite preventative therapies, such as influenza vaccination to reduce its spread and transmission, influenza continues to be a source of morbidity and mortality, even in developed countries. For the population over the age of 65, the effects of influenza virus may be more severe when they are compounded by pre-existing conditions and reduced natural immune function.In light of plateauing vaccination rates, a scoping review was conducted to map the literature and determine why seniors aged 65 and above refuse or fail to receive seasonal influenza vaccination. Nine peer-reviewed academic databases covering both social sciences and medical research were searched, along with the grey literature. A total of 6562 references were identified; after the screening process, 118 references were included in the final review. Thematic analysis focused on the broad areas that positively or negatively influence older adults’ decision-making regarding influenza vaccination, and this resulted in five main themes: (1) barriers to obtaining vaccination; (2) social factors; (3) personal characteristics; (4) individual subjectivity; and (5) direct clinical interventions.This review aims to identify gaps in knowledge and synthesize currently available information to make recommendations for future research, policy development and clinical practice. Increasing the vaccination rate among Canadian older adults will contribute to ongoing efforts to reduce the spread of the influenza virus among the population, reducing influenza-associated hospital admissions and deaths.
ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACES) AND PARTICIPATION IN ROUTINE HEALTH SCREENING AMONG OLDER INDIVIDUALS
Authors: Baniya Ganesh , Rai Vijaya Tamla
Published: December 2022

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are a collective term used to define traumatic events before the age of 18. Individuals with ACEs are at risk for various negative health behaviors and chronic diseases. Routine screenings help in early detection of the disease and minimize the impact of the disease, disability, early death, and higher medical costs. Research on ACEs focusing exclusively on older population has received inadequate attention. Additionally, it is not clear whether different types of childhood adversities impact older individuals to participate in routine health screenings. This study included 3997 individuals above 65 years from the 2015 Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to examine the prevalence of ACEs and their health screening practices. The dependent variable was participating in routine health checkup in the past year and 8 ACEs were the independent variables where gender, age, race, and having a personal doctor were controlled. Logistic regression models showed that prevalence of four ACEs (Physical, sexual, and emotional abuses and parental divorce/separation) were likely to reduce older individuals’ participation in routine checkup in the past year. Similarly, older individuals with personal doctor were twice more likely to visit for routine checkup compared to those without personal doctor. Lastly, older Black individuals were less likely to participate in routine checkup than their White counterparts. This study provided preliminary results to consider the impact of specific ACEs in routine health screening behaviors among older individuals. Future research might benefit from longitudinal study examining causal relationship between ACEs and health behaviors.
NURSING HOME STAFF’S PERCEPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES COLLABORATING WITH HOSPICE
Authors: Beltran Susanny , Conner Norma , Reres Adam , Beato Morris
Published: December 2022

Hospice has been associated with improved outcomes for terminally-ill patients and families, including in pain management, care satisfaction, and rates of hospitalizations. In 2016, 1/3 of Medicare hospice beneficiaries died in nursing homes (NH). The responsibilities for meeting the needs of the NH resident receiving hospice are shared by the NH staff and hospice team, making good communication and coordination of services between providers critical to the successful delivery of services. This exploratory study surveyed NH direct care and administrative staff about their perceptions of hospice, and barriers to collaboration. A total of 66 NH staff completed the online survey. The sample was 62.1% direct care staff (e.g., social work, nursing) and 37.8% administrators, predominately female (75%), non-Hispanic-white (43.9%), and employed full-time (87.8%). Over half of the NHs were non-profit organizations (56.1%). Respondents had on average 33.8 hours of hospice education and held positive hospice attitudes, with 76% strongly agreeing that hospice should be an option regardless of setting, and 87.8% believing they could collaborate with hospice toward the goal of a “good death.” Although participants cited barriers to hospice related to COVID-19, this was not associated with overall hospice attitudes. Respondents cited resistance from family as the primary barrier to hospice, indicating lack of knowledge and a need for family education. They also cited concerns surrounding duplication of roles. Family members in previous studies have identified care allocation as a challenge, based on expectations that hospice would bring additional contact/services instead of replacing NH services. Implications will be discussed.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMPLOYMENT AND ALL-CAUSE MORTALITY IN JAPANESE COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Fujiwara Yoshinori , Seino Satoshi , Nofuji Yu , Yokoyama Yuri , Abe Takumi , Hata Toshiki , Shinkai Shoji , Kitamura Akihiko
Published: December 2022

It is well known that social contribution such as working maintains the functional health and prevents frailty of older adults. However, the effect of employment in old age with frailty on health outcomes is not well-established.This 3.6-year prospective study examined the influence of working on all-cause mortality in urban community-dwelling Japanese older adults. Participants were 10,591 initially non-disabled residents (5,180 men; 5,411 women) aged 65–84 years of Ota City, Tokyo, Japan. We applied the Cox proportional hazard model by gender and with/without frailty, controlling for age, years of education, equivalent income, number of chronic diseases, body mass index, instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), smoking and drinking status, exercise habits, social activities, and social interaction for evaluating the predictive value of working status (full-time worker, part time worker, occasional worker and non-worker) at baseline for all-cause mortality.During a follow-up of 3.6 years, 328 (3.1%) individuals died. Compared with non-workers, independent multivariate-hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of part-time workers for all-cause mortality in men with/without frailty were 0.35 (0.13–0.97) and 0.54 (0.28–1.01), respectively. Corresponding female multivariate-adjusted HRs with/without frailty were 1.21 (0.34–4.34) and 0.23 (0.05–0.99). Also, for both genders, full-time workers and occasional workers did not have significantly lower adjusted hazard ratios of all-cause mortality, compared to non-workers, regardless of frailty. In conclusion, moderate employment resulted in lower risk of all-cause mortality, even in frail older men.