bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BRIDGING HEALTH EQUITY GAPS: CULTURAL TAILORING AND COMMUNITY-BASED APPROACHES WITH DIVERSE OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Mace Ryan , Vranceanu Ana-Maria , Heffner Kathi
Published: January 2025

Chronic conditions and related stressors disproportionately affect underserved older adult communities, increasing their risk for adverse health outcomes and emphasizing the need for community engagement and culturally tailored interventions. Consistent with the GSA 2024 conference theme, this symposium will spotlight multidisciplinary initiatives that utilize community engagement and cultural tailoring as “Fortitude Factors” to enhance health equity, quality of life, and well-being in diverse older populations. Presenter 1 will discuss a pilot effectiveness trial of “GetActive,” a culturally adapted program for chronic pain management in older adults delivered in Spanish and English, showing improved pain management and quality of life. Presenter 2 will present findings from an ongoing community-engaged study providing transportation support through Uber to address inequities faced by home care workers for those with cognitive impairments, highlighting structural challenges. Presenter 3 will report on the effectiveness of the “PEERS” program for minority and low-income older adults with depression, underscoring the value of social support, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Presenter 4 will report on a qualitative study that identifies and proposes strategies to mitigate socio-ecological barriers within a dementia prevention program “My Healthy Brain”, emphasizing the need for a multi-level approach to enhance equity in dementia clinical trials. The Discussant will situate these studies within the broader field of gerontology, highlighting their potential to address disparities and enhance behavioral interventions for diverse aging populations.
PROMOTING EQUITY IN DEMENTIA BEHAVIORAL CLINICAL TRIALS: INSIGHTS FROM THE SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL MODEL
Authors: Mace Ryan , Cohen Joshua , Ritchie Christine , Bartels Stephen , Okereke Olivia , Hoeppner Bettina , Brewer Judson , Vranceanu Ana-Maria
Published: January 2025

Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) is exacerbated by social determinants of health, which limit equitable access to effective behavioral interventions. ADRD disparities are widened by clinical trials that fail to recognize and address socio-ecological barriers to health behavior change, thereby reducing their efficacy and reach within diverse older populations. To address this inequity, our qualitative study aimed to: (1) identify socio-ecological barriers to ADRD prevention from healthcare professionals’ viewpoints, and (2) recommend strategies to mitigate these barriers within the context of a ADRD prevention program (My Healthy Brain) and its trial protocol. We conducted 5 focus groups with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals involved in geriatric care (N=26, M experience > 17 years) from diverse clinics within an academic medical center and affiliated community health clinics. Using the Socio-Ecological Model (SEM), we identified individual, interpersonal, institutional, community, and societal barriers. The Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) framework guided the proposal of evidence-based strategies to overcome these barriers. Professionals identified multi-level barriers, including limited resources, linguistic and technological challenges, provider dismissiveness, conflicting institutional priorities, minority underrepresentation, and societal biases towards biomedical treatments. Recommended strategies included modifications to My Healthy Brain to improve accessibility, enhanced provider training and support, integration of interventions within clinical operations, building community partnerships, and rectifying societal misconceptions and biases. Our findings advocate for a socio-ecological approach in ADRD prevention, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing the contextual factors influencing behavior change. The application of SEM and ERIC frameworks serves to bolster equity in ADRD clinical trials.
MIND–BODY ACTIVITY SHARED MEDICAL VISIT PROGRAM FOR UNDERSERVED OLDER ADULTS WITH CHRONIC PAIN
Authors: Vranceanu Ana-Maria , McDermott Kate , Santiago Natalia Giraldo , Brewer Julie , Vonderheide Clara , Allen Elizabeth , Greenberg Jonathan , Ritchie Christine
Published: January 2025

Older adults with chronic pain in underserved community health centers have high rates of chronic pain and lack of access to evidence based behavioral interventions. With funding from an NIA/NINDS HEAL grant, we used qualitative methods, the Socioecological Model and Aaron’s implementation framework to culturally tailor an evidence based, group, mind-body activity program to meet the needs of English and Spanish speaking older adults with chronic pain and to be delivered by clinicians typically available in underserved community health centers (social workers, nurse practitioners or psychologists) and bundled within billable shared medical visits. This talk will briefly discuss our process of cultural adaptation, training of providers, and process for incorporation of the program within billable medical visits. Next, we will present results of an open pilot effectiveness trial (English and Spanish) of the tailored interventions (N=5 groups, N= 32 patients) delivered by psychologists (1 group; English), nurse practitioner (2 groups; English) and social worker (2 groups; Spanish). Feasibility markers (recruitment 86.8%; acceptability 93.9%; fidelity 95%) were excellent. We observed significant improvement in outcomes (physical function p<.001; 6-minute walk test p<.002; pain p<.001; depression p<.001) and mechanisms (pain catastrophizing p<.002; mindfulness p<.006; kinesiophobia p<.005). Qualitative exit interviews confirmed high satisfaction with the program and revealed important consideration for a future hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial.
RESULTS FROM A MIXED METHODS RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL: PEER SUPPORT FOR DEPRESSION AMONG VULNERABLE OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Joo Jinhui
Published: January 2025

Depressed, low-income White and BIPOC older adults do not access mental health services despite increased risk. We evaluated the impact of a one-to-one peer support intervention delivered by older adult peer mentors compared to an active social control delivered by non-peers. The primary outcome was depression with up to 12 months follow up. Mediation analysis and post-study interviews were conducted with both groups. Among 149 randomized participants, the mean age was 70, 84% were women, 52% were Black and 41% were White. Both groups experienced an average decrease of 2.54 (SD: 5.80) points in PHQ-9 scores compared to their baseline levels that was sustained at 12 months. Emotional well-being, and self-efficacy increased, and adaptive coping, and loneliness decreased during the intervention and at follow up for both groups. Loneliness was a mediator for both groups but the intervention selectively engaged self-efficacy and adaptive coping. Qualitative data suggest that the intervention and control groups had disparate experiences. The intervention group learned coping skills and enacted behavior change, whereas the control group did not. Our results indicate that the PEERS intervention was not superior to social interactions delivered by non-peers, but the mechanism may be different. The intervention may increase active coping and self-efficacy whereas social interaction provided by non-peers decreased loneliness. Lay older adult peer mentors can be trained and impact important factors related to well being. Increased structure in peer support content may be needed to observe impact on depression outcomes.
BRIDGING POSTCOLONIAL STUDIES AND AGING STUDIES THROUGH INTERSECTIONAL THEORY
Authors: Trinkaus Eva-Maria , Kriebernegg Ulla , Kriebernegg Ulla
Published: January 2025

Kimberlé Crenshaw (1991), who coined the term ‘intersectionality,’ described the need for a different perspective and emphasized the need for new critical thinking in order to address structural inequality. Adding to her matrix of intersecting inequalities of race, class, and gender, Calasanti and Slevin (2001) argue that “[a]geism interacts with other types of discrimination – sexism, racism, classism, and heterosexim – in ways that make the experience of ageism both similar and different across various groups,” bringing ‘age’ to the table. Taking into consideration that the fields of Aging Studies and Postcolonial Studies both address social and structural inequalities in the context of intersectionality, this symposium critically investigates the ways in which these fields of research intersect and make theoretical approaches fruitful for discussion by bringing Cultural Age Studies, Literary Gerontology, and Medical Ethics into conversation.
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE–SUSTAINING EDUCATIONAL STRATEGIES IN UNDERGRADUATE THANATOLOGY COURSES
Authors: Decker Autumn , Weaver Raven , Bolkan Cory
Published: January 2025

There is an increasing demand for health and human service (HHS) workers in the United States. With direct and sustained contact with people, HHS workers are regularly exposed to end-of-life (EOL) care but typically have little education and support to handle the associated emotional and mental toll. Thus, this study qualitatively explored how cultural content, cultural humility, and EOL experiences of diverse groups were integrated in undergraduate thanatology courses. In Spring 2023, instructors teaching thanatology courses across the country were asked to participate in a quantitative survey (n=56) and a follow-up 45-minute semi-structured interview (n=27) about the instructor’s course, strategies for addressing diverse populations and content in their course, and effective activities and assignments. Using culturally responsive-sustaining pedagogical principles, interviews with instructors were deductively/inductively coded, resulting in seven themes: 1) Welcoming and Affirming Environment; 2) High Expectations and Rigorous Instruction; 3) Inclusive Curriculum and Assessment; 4) Ongoing Professional Learning; 5) “Doing your Own Work”; 6) Classroom Culture and 7) Desire to Do More. Findings highlight the importance of self-care for instructors, illustrate a need for improved resources and training for death educators, particularly in delivering cultural material; support bringing lived experiences of the instructor into the classroom as a tool for building safety, belongingness, and learning for students; and emphasize the importance of multidisciplinary approach to thanatology. This session will provide tangible suggestions and pedagogical resources for instructors of thanatology courses to encourage using culturally responsive-sustaining principles in the development, delivery, and debrief of in-class activities and assignments.
AN INTEGRATIVE ANALYSIS OF STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR PERSPECTIVES ON DISCUSSING SUICIDE IN THE CLASSROOM
Authors: Weaver Raven , Decker Autumn , Robillard Ashley , Vasylenko Maksim , Kidner Madison , Bolkan Cory
Published: January 2025

Suicide is often considered a triggering topic and may pose challenges in classroom settings. Suicide is a lifespan issue with older adults having the highest risk and it being a leading cause of death among young adults. To improve both personal response and professional readiness, it is important for college students to learn about suicide in the classroom. This integrative, cross-sectional study relied on a quantitative survey of college students (n= 313; Mean age:19.5; 71% Women) on effective ways for learning about and discussing sensitive topics, like suicide, as well as qualitative semi-structured interviews of college faculty teaching death and dying courses (n = 27, 83% women; 94% White), who shared their perspectives on teaching about sensitive topics including death, dying, and suicide. Most students wanted to learn more about suicide (74%) and about available resources to support individuals at risk of suicide (86%). Conversely, content analysis of faculty perspectives revealed they typically avoided discussing suicide in the classroom; not all faculty felt prepared or comfortable having suicide-based discussions and many feared that discussions would exacerbate students’ depression, anxiety, or suicide ideation. We highlight the importance of collaborative methods and co-designing curricula to deliver trauma-informed, evidence-based instruction. There is a need for more integration of campus and external resources, and the development of EBPI trainings around suicide prevention on college campuses, as well as a need to prepare future gerontological professionals to be able to detect and support older adults in mental health crises.
NAVIGATING COMPLEXITY: EFFECTIVE PEDAGOGY FOR TEACHING DIFFICULT TOPICS
Authors: Bolkan Cory , Weaver Raven , Decker Autumn
Published: January 2025

There are many sensitive (e.g., death, loss, trauma) and politically charged (e.g., aging policies, ageism) topics that often emerge in gerontology courses that can challenge educators and impede classroom dialogue. We surveyed undergraduate students (N = 380; 76% Women, 65% White, 44% first-year) regarding their perspectives on which topics they believed were important to feature in lifespan human development curricula. Results indicated strong interest in specifically addressing challenging issues in their classes, with the top, most-reported topics identified as mental illness (n = 252) and death and loss (n = 193). Additional topics of high interest included substance abuse, gun violence, discrimination, and maltreatment. Incorporating these topics into gerontological education offers many benefits and fosters comprehensive understanding of the full life course among students. To help educators navigate these topics effectively, we provide an overview of various pedagogical approaches that consider social crises and power relations (e.g., culturally responsive teaching, critical pedagogies, inquiry-based or experiential learning), and share examples of how they can be used to guide and facilitate learning about sensitive issues. Trauma-informed teaching also ensures a safe learning environment for discussing difficult topics, while critical pedagogies encourage critical analysis of societal norms and power dynamics to broaden students’ understanding. By integrating these approaches, educators can create inclusive learning environments where students are empowered to explore and discuss multifaceted issues relevant to later life. This enhances academic learning and equips students with the skills and empathy needed to address the challenges faced by a diverse population of older adults
CENTERING DIVERSE AGING ADULTS: STRENGTH, RESILIENCE, AND OPPORTUNITIES
Authors: Muñoz Elizabeth , Thierry Amy
Published: January 2025

Our older adult population is increasingly becoming more diverse and there is a need to identify sources of risk and resilience among individuals living at the intersection of multiple systems of oppression or adversity. This symposium highlights the lived experiences of older diverse adults through a multi-dimensional lens by investigating the experiences of adults across community settings, exposure to trauma, identity (gender and race), and health status. Presentations also investigate already-existing strengths within these communities and recommend opportunities for leveraging those assets to bolster health equity in diverse older adults. To this end, Tian and colleagues will present results on coping strategy utilization and stress among urban-dwelling diverse adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cherry and colleagues will showcase an investigation of the experiences of African American / Black women living in Louisiana who endured the 2005 hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic. Wright and colleagues will share findings on the association between parental education, adverse childhood experiences, and memory performance among diverse, community-dwelling older adults. Groves and colleagues will present findings on the feasibility of a dyadic intervention to support hypertension self-management among older African American women with hypertension. Lastly, Gaillard and colleagues identify strategies for increasing engagement in health research among older African Americans. Overall, this symposium centers the lived experiences, strengths, and resilience of diverse older adults, and points to novel directions for advancing health equity research.
MAKING SENSE OF A DISEASE THAT MAKES NO SENSE: CULTURAL UNDERSTANDINGS OF DEMENTIA AMONG ALASKA NATIVE CAREGIVERS
Authors: Lewis Jordan
Published: January 2025

With the rate of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) increasing among Alaska Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) people, the Alaska Native Health system is ill-prepared to meet the challenges associated with the growing population at risk of ADRD. The high cost of care, inadequate training of health care providers, and lack of supportive services for caregivers are especially concerning. Interviews were conducted with 22 AN caregivers for ANs with ADRD in communities across Alaska. Interviews lasted approximately 60 min and were transcribed verbatim. We employed directed content analysis to examine the major agreements and disagreements between the participants’ understandings of ADRD in each of the domains of Kleinman’s Explanatory Model of Illness. Caregivers and health care providers expressed concerns about the lack of understanding, resources, and awareness of ADRD among ANs in rural and urban communities. Both caregivers and providers recognized the need to obtain an early diagnosis, blend Western and traditional medicines, promote lifestyle and dietary changes, and foster training for caregivers. Health care providers acknowledged their limited exposure to AN understanding of ADRD and wish to receive culturally relevant training to better serve AN. As the older AN adult population grows, the need for culturally responsive training and support services will continue to increase. We recommend establishing rural outreach and support groups for caregivers, developing an understanding of how ANs view ADRD to train and educate health care providers, and implement screening early for memory loss during routine medical examinations
FORTIFYING GERIATRIC CARE AND RESEARCH: THE VHA ADVANCED FELLOWSHIP IN GERIATRICS
Authors: Hall Katherine , Addison Odessa , Howe Judith
Published: January 2025

Geriatric care often involves addressing complex medical, social, and behavioral needs that require input from multiple disciplines. A robust workforce with geriatric specialties is essential to ensure that older adults receive the comprehensive care and support necessary for optimal aging. Despite the growing demand, there is a significant shortage of providers working in geriatric care, exacerbating the strain on existing resources. One way to address this shortage may be through the Advanced Fellowship in Geriatrics (AFiG), a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) program overseen by the Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA). The AFiG is a 2-year, postgraduate (post-residency, post-doctoral, post-masters) training program, offered to clinicians and non-clinician scientists, that prepares leaders in geriatric research, education, and clinical innovation. Fellows are hosted in Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Centers (GRECC) in 20 VA medical centers across the country, providing a rich combination of clinical rotations, didactic education, and research opportunities. Fellows gain expertise in identifying and addressing the unique healthcare needs of older adults, particularly within the veteran population. This fellowship provides participants with a wealth of advanced training topics including management of multiple chronic conditions, population health and health promotion, models of care, policy initiatives, and interdisciplinary collaboration. This symposium features presentations from 1) AFiG leadership, 2) GRECC leadership, and 3) facilitated discussion with an interprofessional cohort of current/former Fellows to share the breadth of clinical and research experiences in the AFiG.
GSA JOURNALS PANEL WITH THE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
Authors: Kelley Jessica , Lipsitz Lewis
Published: January 2025

GSA has a large portfolio of journals, giving authors opportunities to publish research on aging, from cells to policy. In this panel session, the current Editors-in-Chief will present information about their respective journal, including the scope, areas of special interest, and upcoming calls for papers. Following their remarks, we will have a moderated panel session with tips for submitting work, matching your research to the best-fitting journal, and strategies for success in the review process. Ample time will be given to audience questions. Editors will include: Steven Albert, Innovation in Aging; Gustavo Duque, Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences; Joe Gaugler, The Gerontologist; Duke Han, Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences; Jessica Kelley, Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences; Michael Lepore, Public Policy and Aging Research; and Lewis Lipsitz, Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences.
JOURNAL OF GERONTOLOGY: PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Authors: Han Duke
Published: January 2025

N/A
HARNESSING ADVANCES IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO SUPPORT AN AGING POPULATION
Authors: Boot Walter , Lin Xin Yao
Published: January 2025

We are witnessing unprecedented growth in the sophistication of artificial intelligence (AI) and its rapid diffusion into all aspects of our lives. This session will focus on the potential and pitfalls of using AI to support the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of older people. Dr. Clara Berridge will contribute a big-picture discussion of outstanding ethical issues in AI, including large language model (LLM) tools, and provide an organized framework to promote the benefits of AI while minimizing ethical concerns. Dr. Shelia Cotten will discuss the integration of AI in healthcare, focusing on stakeholder acceptance and ethical concerns, and present suggestions to advance AI acceptance based on a scoping review of AI-enabled devices in diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation settings. Dr. Catherine Diaz-Asper will address the ethical challenges of language technologies in AI, highlighting issues of transparency, equity, and bias, and propose methods to boost user trust, particularly among older adults, through stakeholder co-design and user-friendly interfaces. Zhimeng Luo, MS, will explore the capabilities of large multimodal models (LMMs) to interpret healthcare infographics for dementia caregivers, demonstrating their accuracy and completeness and suggesting implications for content generation and health education material design. Dr. Lin Jiang will examine the use of artificial intelligence in supporting Alzheimer’s and dementia family caregivers, presenting findings from mixed-methods research that evaluates AI’s role in providing emotional and social support, and discussing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and caregiver involvement in AI development.
PROMOTING USER TRUST IN AI: THE CASE OF LANGUAGE TECHNOLOGIES
Authors: Diaz-Asper Catherine , Chandler Chelsea , Elvevåg Brita
Published: January 2025

Advancements in artificial intelligence technology make it possible for computers to recognize, analyze and generate human language in ways that were not possible even five years ago. Approaches such as automated speech analysis, natural language processing, acoustic analysis and machine learning have successfully been applied in various contexts, from clinical research studies predicting cognitive decline in older adults, to chatbots that simulate conversations with users from voice or text input. As speech and language can be easily and rapidly accessed at relatively low cost, these methods hold significant potential for large scale use in commercial, medical and research applications. However, several ethical challenges arise with the use of natural language and speech processing technologies, including issues of transparency, equity and bias, potentially eroding user trust in such tools. For example, language expression varies as a function of demographic factors such as age, culture and education, yet many applications based on these technologies fail to take this into account. The result is that groups who are underrepresented in the data used to train machine learning models are at risk of being unfairly and inaccurately assessed by them. Mistrust can be further exacerbated in groups with reduced knowledge and familiarity with artificial intelligence, as may be the case with older adults and/or those with cognitive complaints. In highlighting both the optimism and challenges of using language technologies with older adults, we present several approaches to encourage confidence in their use, including stakeholder co-design, user guides and graphical interfaces.
IMPROVING HEALTH EQUITY BY ENHANCING ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY FOR OLDER ADULTS IN RURAL AREAS
Authors: Freeman Shannon , Hoffman Rashelle , Hoffman Rashelle
Published: January 2025

The COVID-19 pandemic generated unprecedented acceleration in the adoption of technology (from digital apps and wearable sensors to robotics and artificial intelligence) in rural areas. However, this rapid digitalization across the care continuum was characterized by inequitable distribution, implementation, and unsustainability in rural healthcare settings. Although health is a fundamental human right, there are many dimensions of inequality, including sex, gender, ethnicity, and disability, that are amplified in rural healthcare settings. This symposium will showcase how research has supported the identification, implementation, and sustainment of innovative technology solutions to enhance health equity in rural settings (Freeman). With the cumulative shift to virtual delivery of health care services, there is need to ensure equitable access to infrastructure and resources to address existing technology gaps which disproportionally affect older adults living in rural communities (Clayton-Jones). Additionally, with the expanding breadth of technology applications being used by older adults, this symposium will showcase the positive technological impacts such as autonomous vehicles (Yoon), smartwatches (Wiese), and eReaders (Agboji) to enhance health equity for older adults. Rural Aging Interest Group Sponsored Symposium
ATTITUDES TOWARD AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES IN RURAL OLDER ADULTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR ENHANCING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE
Authors: Yoon Jong Sung , Gandy Tyler , Zoaktafi Mojgan
Published: January 2025

Despite the potential of autonomous vehicles (AVs) to enhance health equity in rural areas, there is still a lack of understanding in rural older adults’ attitudes toward AVs. Most previous studies have identified rural older adults by relying on online survey samples, which might include individuals more likely to embrace technology and, consequently, show more favorable attitudes to AVs. Thus, the current study directly recruited a sample from rural areas (n = 120; older adults: 60+ yrs, young adults: 17 – 21yrs) to investigate two main questions: 1) whether rural older adults show negative attitudes towards AVs, and 2) whether rural older adults show positive attitudes toward AVs if they are proficient enough with technology. Based on a 16-item attitude survey which uncovered three attitudinal factors (i.e., concern with AVs, willingness to adopt AVs, confidence in AVs over human driving), we first confirmed lower willingness to adopt AVs in rural older adults compared to rural young adults (p <.01). However, in contrast to most previous studies using non-rural samples, we found neither higher concern about AVs nor lower confidence in AVs among rural older adults. Our regressions further demonstrated that higher technology proficiency predicted positive attitudes toward AVs over and above other demographic factors. The results suggest that rural older adults’ reluctance to adopt AVs may not be driven solely by concern with AVs, but rather by other reasons. We discuss the findings regarding the dissemination of AVs for enhancing access to health care for rural older adults.
BOUNCING BACK: THE TEMPORARY IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC ON OLDER ADULTS’ PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING
Authors: Zaninotto Paola , Iob Eleonora , Scholes Shaun , Steptoe Andrew
Published: January 2025

The aim of this work is to explore the changes from 2018 to 2022 in happiness, life satisfaction and life worthwhile among 3,999 people aged 50 and over in England participants of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. They were followed over a critical period of time covering the pre-pandemic, early pandemic, later pandemic, and post-pandemic years. We observed decreases in all aspects of psychological well-being during the pandemic, which were partly independent of changes in depression. Following the pandemic, positive wellbeing returned to pre-pandemic levels. This indicates that the deterioration in wellbeing was relatively short-term and not a permanent change. Indeed, for two of the measures (life satisfaction and meaning in life), the post-pandemic levels are higher than pre-pandemic. Important variations by gender and wealth were found, with greater deterioration during the pandemic among women, and larger decreases in more affluent groups. All subgroups show recovery after the pandemic.
RESILIENCE: A “CURE” FOR OR A “RESPONSE” TO AGING?
Authors: Fang Chao , Comery Alastair , Carpentieri J D
Published: January 2025

Resilience is often perceived as an intrinsic ability to adapt to challenges. Grounded in the human psyche, research commonly depicts it as a self-defence mechanism, enabling people to navigate and overcome adversity. Sociological thinking questions this view, suggesting that resilience should not merely involve adaptation but also foster positive change in challenging situations. This perspective criticises resilience for potentially reinforcing a neoliberal ideology, shifting welfare responsibility from the state to individuals. Using longitudinal qualitative data from people over 50 with Long COVID in the UK, we argue that resilience is an embodied construction rooted in life narratives and framed by social dynamics. Examining three in-depth case studies with distinctive resilience trajectories—decline, improvement, and persistence—between 2021-23, we explore resilience amidst the challenges of Long COVID and ageing. Inherent resilience is not always stable or positive; it operates like the immune system, resisting disruptions amid the challenges of ageing and the struggles of navigating everyday life. By presenting data from people approaching the third age (early 50s) to those in their 60s and 70s, we argue that resilience is rooted in narrative identity, maintaining consistency in life plots. It involves drawing on past experiences, developing a flexible future outlook, and living for the present while navigating Long COVID. Our analysis uncovers the existential dimension of resilience in old age, a constant questioning of one’s existence through their body and health. It highlights how social support can alleviate such challenges, contributing to our understanding and support for the complex nature of ageing.
IMMERSIVE DEMENTIA EXPERIENCE: TRANSFORMING DEMENTIA CARE
Authors: O’Malley Kelly , Correa Seneca , Boyle Julie , Stavrakopolous Dawn , Resendes Kelly , Quinlan Olga , Smith Amanda
Published: January 2025

The Virtual Dementia Tour (VDT) is an empirically supported training designed to build an understanding of dementia through use of sensory tools and instruction. Trained facilitators guide participants outfitted with devices that alter their senses while they try to complete everyday tasks. The VDT enables participants to experience the physical and mental challenges those with dementia face in order to improve person-centered care. Clinicians (e.g., nurses, nursing assistants, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, psychologists; N = 155) at a Veterans Health Administration facility completed the VDT and provided quantitative and qualitative feedback regarding their satisfaction with the VDT, and the impact this training would have on the care they provide. Participants reported a significant change in their belief that individuals with dementia receive the care they need (83.8% pre, 16.3% post p <.001), indicating that post-training participants felt that individuals with dementia frequently do NOT receive the care they need. The majority (92%) said the experience would change their clinical care practices. Participants strongly agreed that the VDT allowed them to experience what dementia feels like, developed a better understanding of dementia care needs (M =4.66, SD=.51), reinforced or increased their level of knowledge of dementia (M =4.66, SD=.53), and will integrate this in the day-to-day care of person’s with dementia (M = 4.64, SD=.50). Qualitative responses expanded on these findings. The VDT was acceptable to VA direct care staff and is an effective way to build understanding of the needs of older Veterans living with dementia.
INTERVENTIONS TO PREVENT ELDER MISTREATMENT WITH FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF PERSONS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA
Authors: Meyer Kylie , Yonashiro-Cho Jeanine , Puga Frank
Published: January 2025

Persons living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are among the most vulnerable to elder mistreatment and neglect (EM). Family caregivers, who often enter this role with minimal preparation or support, are among the most likely to engage in EM. In this symposium, we describe novel interventions to prevent EM by family caregivers of persons living with dementia. In the first talk, Dr. Jablonski will describe the Coaching Dementia Caregivers to Master Care-Resistant Behavior (CuRB-IT) intervention, which uses 1:1 Zoom coaching to help caregivers respond to care-resistant behaviors. This includes a discussion of preliminary findings on intervention acceptability. Next, Dr. Meyer will provide results from a pilot study of the Knowledge and Interpersonal Skills to Develop Enhanced Relationships (KINDER) intervention, a group-based psychoeducation intervention to prevent EM by focusing on the care relationship. Dr. Wilber will then discuss secondary results from the double-blinded trial of the Comprehensive Older Adult and Caregiver Help (COACH), which was informed by family violence interventions. She will discuss the perplexing finding wherein risk factors for abuse were largely unaffected by the COACH intervention despite the elimination of mistreatment in this arm. Lastly, Dr. Yonashiro-Cho will describe basic behavioral research drawn from the Better Together study to inform a culturally tailored version of the EM prevention program that addresses the needs of Asian American and/or Pacific Islander family caregivers. These studies represent multiple stages of intervention development, and each addresses an emerging area of research to prevent elder mistreatment within a dementia care context.
COACHING DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS TO MASTER CARE-RESISTANT BEHAVIOR: CURB-IT
Authors: Jablonski Rita , Puga Frank , Shan Liang , Mosqueda Laura
Published: January 2025

Care-resistant behavior (CRB) refers to actions taken by people living with dementia to avoid receiving assistance or completing care activities. At least 66% of family caregivers encounter CRBs. The purpose of this study is to test the efficacy of Care-Resistant Behavior Internet Training intervention, CuRB-IT, on caregiver problem-solving coping skills. We hypothesize that improved skills will prevent and decrease elder abuse and neglect behaviors. Participants are randomized to either immediate coaching or delayed coaching. The nine 1-hour coaching sessions are done via Zoom; weekly for six weeks, then biweekly for six weeks. Each coaching session includes a description of 3-4 strategies, a simple physiologic rationale for the utility of the strategies, role-playing between the coach and participant, and concludes with the coach sending a written behavioral plan. Participants receive a detailed workbook that includes strategy descriptions, case studies, and exercises. The coaching sessions are highly scripted with algorithmic responses and prompts for open-ended questions. Participants complete questionnaires and daily diaries upon enrollment and at three 12-week intervals. Forty-three caregivers have been enrolled (goal, 266); 35% African-American, 29% male; 54% spouses and 39% adult children. Thirteen have completed all the coaching sessions. The care recipients were functionally dependent and in the moderate stage of dementia. On a 1 (highly disagree) to 5 (highly agree) scale, participants provided positive evaluations. The coaches helped participants understand causes of CRB (mean,4.6), they found the strategies useful for preventing (4.4) and managing (4.4) CRBs and would recommend this coaching program to other dementia caregivers (4.8).
PREVENTING ELDER MISTREATMENT THROUGH THE COACH INTERVENTION: WHAT’S RISK GOT TO DO WITH IT?
Authors: Wilber Kathleen , Gassoumis Zachary , Batista-Malat Eleanor
Published: January 2025

The Comprehensive Older Adult and Caregiver Help (COACH) program was developed based on effective family-focused approaches from child maltreatment and intimate partner violence. Building on evidence-based prevention strategies, COACH offered from three to 12 sessions with a trained care coach. Sessions used a person-centered strength-based approach designed to help caregivers to reduce stress and burden, seek additional outside support, and better understand and manage the symptoms and experiences of people living with dementia. An evaluation of COACH using a double-blind, randomized controlled trial found a significant reduction in the treatment group compared to no change in the control group. However, no change in risk or protective factors were noted with the exception of social support. This session will explore these findings in relationship to what was learned about risk and protective factors as means to identify and address abuse. Findings suggest that risk and protective factors are helpful to identify and support those at risk of abusing, while other strategies should be considered and tested in developing interventions to prevent and address elder mistreatment.
JOSEPH T. FREEMAN AWARD AND EXCELLENCE IN REHABILITATION OF AGING PERSONS AWARD PRESENTATIONS AND LECTURES
Authors: Corazzini Kirsten
Published: January 2025

The Joseph T. Freeman Award lecture will feature an address by the 2024 Freeman Award recipient Ali Ahmed, MD, FGSA of the Washing DC VA Medical Center and the 2024 Excellence in Rehabilitation of Aging Persons Award recipient Roger A. Fielding, PhD, FGSA of Tufts University. The Joseph T. Freeman Award is a lectureship in geriatrics awarded to a prominent clinician in the field of aging, both in research and practice. The award was established in 1977 through a bequest from a patient’s estate as a tribute to Dr. Joseph T. Freeman. The Excellence in Rehabilitation of Aging Persons Award is designed to acknowledge outstanding contributions in the field of the rehabilitation of aging individuals.
THE PERSISTENCE OF COMBAT-RELATED PTSD AMONG MALE VIETNAM WAR VETERANS
Authors: Spiro Avron , Kaiser Anica Pless , Smith Brian , Stellman Jeanne , Stellman Steven
Published: January 2025

The US involvement in the Vietnam War ended 50 years ago, yet many who served in that conflict, especially those who served in combat, continue to carry the impact of their military service into their later lives. For many those impacts have been positive, and for others the negative impacts have dissipated over time. However, for a sizable minority the long-term repercussions of combat deployment during their youth continue to reverberate across the lifespan. We present data on 507 male Vietnam combat veterans who were American Legion members. They were surveyed by mail in 1984, 1998, and 2020. We examined (1) patterns of PTSD over time, (2) the relation of combat exposure to these patterns, and (3) the impact of these PTSD patterns on health in later life. First, 56% of the sample did not meet PTSD criteria at any time; 25% evidenced fluctuating subthreshold PTSD, 10% had prior but not current PTSD, and 9% met criteria for current PTSD in 2020. Second, the strong dose-response relationship between combat exposure and PTSD symptoms first reported in 1988 has persisted over nearly a half-century. Finally, we found that the pattern of persistent PTSD in later life was associated with greater depression, anxiety, and disability, and with worse health functioning, and more mental health utilization. These observations extend to veterans with subthreshold PTSD as well. Across their lifetime since returning from Vietnam, a substantial number of US veterans continue to experience PTSD and its negative impact on their health and well-being.
PROMOTING THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF OLDER ADULTS USING APPLIED QUALITATIVE METHODS: LESSONS LEARNED
Authors: Neller Sarah
Published: January 2025

This symposium brings together five complementary papers focused on promoting the perspectives of older adults using applied methods in qualitative research. It underscores the importance of embedding the lived experiences and unique perspectives of older adults into the fabric of research processes and outcomes. Neller et al. present a six-step process for framing, critically evaluating, and revising prior knowledge within qualitative research. They discuss the development and advancement of a conceptual framework from their study exploring older adults’ experiences creating a legacy of values. Canham et al. present a case example of a community-based participatory knowledge mobilization project across Canada. They report lessons learned from their lived experience advisory board members as they implemented community-engaged initiatives to reduce the stigma experienced by older adults experiencing homelessness. Mahmood et al. discuss digital storytelling as a method of co-creating narratives with older adults experiencing homelessness as a powerful tool to advocate for policy change and address the needs of marginalized older adults. Grittner and Walsh explored the needs of older adults who have experienced homelessness using a trauma-informed design. They present design strategies to foster supportive housing for older adults. Ketcher et al. describe how they developed a qualitative analytic framework to incorporate researcher and community members’ perspectives in the analysis process. This process contributes to the methodological rigor of conducting qualitative analysis with a community-based participatory research design by reflecting community and cultural values. Presenters will emphasize innovative methods and lessons learned when conducting person-centered qualitative research across diverse demographic groups. Qualitative Research Interest Group Sponsored Symposium
ADVANCING AN APPLIED THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK OF CREATING A LEGACY OF VALUES: A HOW-TO GUIDE
Authors: Neller Sarah , Cloyes Kristin , Towsley Gail
Published: January 2025

Applied qualitative researchers are charged with critically reviewing what is currently known about a topic and moving beyond this initial knowledge as data analysis progresses to develop a useful and relevant final product by connecting the data with theory. However, little practical guidance exists for how to use research findings to develop and advance prior knowledge or theory, which can be especially challenging for novice researchers. The purpose of this presentation is to provide a practical guide for researchers to transparently report their prior knowledge and assumptions and how their thinking evolved throughout the study based on the analysis. We used an interpretive descriptive approach, which recognizes that researchers bring prior knowledge, including clinical experience or theoretical knowledge, to their research as a basis of inquiry. We will present an example of a recent study we conducted to explore the experiences of older adults who had created their legacy of values, a document communicating emotional and supportive instruction to others, and will explain our process of creating a conceptual framework and refining it through analysis using interpretive description. We will describe six steps we developed to frame, critically evaluate, and revise our prior knowledge and present how we applied each step in our legacy of values study. By clearly communicating the process of examining and refining prior assumptions, applied qualitative researchers can connect data with theory to explain and address clinically relevant problems in more systematic, effective ways thus adding transparency, rigor, and credibility to their research.
CREATING DESIGN CONNECTIONS: ARTS-BASED METHODS AS A PATHWAY INTO TRAUMA-INFORMED DESIGN FOR OLDER HOMELESS ADULTS
Authors: Grittner Alison , Walsh Christine
Published: January 2025

Older adults who have experienced homelessness are more likely to live with trauma than their continually housed counterparts. Trauma-informed design (TID) recognizes that the built environment – defined as all physical elements that are human-made or curated to respond to human needs, desires, or purposes – impacts the physical, psychological, and emotional effects of trauma. TID seeks to positively shape this trauma-built environment connection through intentional design. While environmental gerontology has long understood the connection between aging well and the built environment, understanding trauma-informed design for aging adults is a new perspective. In this presentation, we explore the importance of collaborative and artful methodological strategies for understanding the TID needs of older adults with experiences of homelessness, generated by a secondary data analysis of 35 arts-based interviews with older adults (ages 50-71) living in four supportive housing sites in Calgary, Canada. We share our methods (photovoice and arts-based elicitation), examples of artful knowledge concerning the built environment created by research participants, and insights for translating art-based findings into design strategies, using our own research project as an exemplar. Overall, we demonstrate the possibilities of arts-based methods to understand, design, and create trauma-informed supportive housing for older adults with experiences of homelessness that fosters wellness, slows aging, and promotes healing from trauma.
SOCIAL INVISIBILITY OF ELDER ABUSE IN FAMILIES: A PHENOMENON IN PHILIPPINE SOCIETY
Authors: Oyales Carmelina , Apuan Victoria
Published: January 2025

In a country where the prevailing culture is to give respect and care for the older persons, elder abuse is an interesting phenomenon. The study focuses on elder abuse and the different forms of abuse occurring in Filipino communities. The authors undertook a qualitative study composed of individual interviews of ten victims of elderly abuse. The aim was to explore the thoughts, feelings, sense of self, family dynamics and coping strategies of the abused. Further, data on the socio-cultural and economic risk and protective factors in the community and local government, the perspectives of thirty two members of local government and social welfare institutions were gathered through focus group discussions in five localities. Narrative and content analysis yielded the following

results

that elder abuse is a multifaceted and complex experience for the victims. The research study shows that the victims suffered initial shock, indignation, depression and learned helplessness. The most frequent forms of abuse were emotional and psychological abuse, neglect, abandonment and financial exploitation. Poverty and ageism were an exacerbating factor. Actions to access local support mechanisms and interventions were absent or delayed due to the secrecy of the families regarding the phenomenon, as well as the lack of reporting and monitoring mechanisms on the community level. The invisibility of older adults abuse in families needs attention and plans for action to help elder abuse victims. Keywords: elder abuse, aging population, ageism, poverty, senior citizens human rights