bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A RADIO-BASED NONCONTACT MONITORING SYSTEM FOR NIGHTTIME VITAL SIGNS AND SLEEP INSIGHTS
Authors: He Leo , Hua Yindong , Liu Mengjing , Xie Zongxing , Schoenfeld Elinor , Ye Fan
Published: January 2025

A passive method for daily sleep monitoring offers critical insights into health and well-being as variations in sleep patterns and vital signs can indicate the onset or progression of health issues (e.g., stroke, dementia, sleep apnea). Existing technologies are mostly designed for clinical purposes (e.g., polysomnography machines), or impose physical and/or cognitive burdens (e.g., smart watches), rendering them unsuitable for longitudinal, home-based monitoring. We have developed a non-contact, radio-based monitoring system. Our approach utilizes ultra- wideband radio sensors, coupled with sophisticated Region-of-Interest localization (the area of strongest displacement caused by vital signs), vital sign extraction (weighted estimators from the intermodulation and harmonic phase data), and analysis algorithms (body movement removal and sleep stage classification). Our passive, cost-effective, home-based monitoring is free of physical and cognitive burdens, suitable for older adults with physical and/or cognitive limitations and limited expendable income. Our algorithms can identify the trends of vital signs, and offer preliminary differentiation between deep, REM, light sleep, and awake time throughout the night based on our pilot 59 hours’ sleep data from 6 subjects. By enabling long-term, continuous observation of sleep patterns and vital signs without any physical interaction, the insights gained from our system hold significant potential for early detection and intervention in health issues, paving the way for a higher quality of life for older adults. To be presented are the methods used to collect these data, results and interpretation of our findings, and the role that such data can play to help with aging in place.
THE AGING RESEARCH IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE HEALTH (ARCH) NETWORK: AN OVER-ARCH-ING VIEW
Authors: Barry Lisa , Zaller Nickolas , Williams Brie
Published: January 2025

Criminal justice-involved older adults have high rates of early onset disease and disability and they experience significant health disparities. Yet, research focused on this population and the consequences of criminal justice involvement on health in later life is deeply under-developed. In response, the Aging Research in Criminal Justice Health Network was established in 2019 and we are excited to celebrate its achievements! We will discuss the process of building this network and how the ARCH Network has made significant strides in promoting the importance of considering geriatric conditions (e.g., functional and cognitive impairment, falls, polypharmacy) when evaluating the health of justice-involved older adults. We will also highlight accomplishments including the significant number of publications championed by the ARCH Network and the successful creation of a GSA Interest Group devoted to Incarceration and Aging.
“IT’S YOU”: CAREGIVER AND CLINICIAN PERSPECTIVES ON LUCIDITY IN PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA
Authors: Gilmore-Bykovskyi Andrea , Benson Clark , Fehland Jess , Mueller Kim , Block Laura
Published: January 2025

Episodes of lucidity (ELs), or a transient return of abilities believed to be lost in people living with dementia, are a growing area of interest. These events hold important implications for care, caregiving, and our understanding of underlying etiologies. Research on ELs is largely limited to retrospective reports. The perspectives of professional and family caregivers on ELs and research approaches can inform efforts to define and study lucidity. The present study examined family caregiver and hospice clinician experiences with and perspectives on ELs in people living with dementia and observational approaches to studying these events. This exploratory, descriptive qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews (N=20 caregivers, N=6 clinicians). Data were analyzed using Rapid Identification of Themes and subsequent duplicate review of interview data to enhance trustworthiness. Most participants readily recalled events they perceived as ELs, describing a transient return of abilities they felt was significant and/or meaningful. Defining features, interpretations, and the perceived impact of ELs varied, although ELs were commonly conceptualized as a manifestation of self. Caregivers described extensive efforts to detect patterns and supportive social conditions for ELs. Participants supported use of audiovisual observation to study ELs and provided recommendations for privacy, workflow, and caregiver engagement. Interpretations of ELs are heterogeneous, and recognition of these events may necessitate close familiarity with the person living with dementia. Participants endorse observational approaches and integration of caregivers in this research.
TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE IN LONG-TERM CARE SETTINGS
Authors: O’Malley Kelly , Sullivan Jennifer , Mills Whitney , Driver Jane “Jenny” , Moye Jennifer
Published: January 2025

By older adulthood, most older adults will have been exposed to at least one potentially traumatic event. Older veterans are likely to experience three traumatic events during their lifetime, with 93% reporting exposure to at least one event. The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among older adults is lower. Nevertheless, the long-lasting psychological effects of trauma can manifest in later life, exacerbated by the normative experiences of aging (e.g., medical illness, loss of loved ones, retirement) and encounters with medical settings. Receiving care in skilled nursing settings, may trigger traumatic memories or exacerbate PTSD of symptoms. As the population ages, more individuals will receive care in long-term care environments, leading to increased risk of worsening PTSD and re-engagement with past traumatic memories and experiences. Staff in long-term care facilities may not have skills or knowledge needed to address symptoms or reduce re-traumatization (i.e., utilize a trauma-informed care approach). Trauma-informed care is an approach that utilizes knowledge of the effects of trauma to meet survivors’ healthcare needs, through collaborative care and recognition of patient strengths in managing their health. This approach is mandated in skilled nursing facilities; however, no models of trauma-informed care practice in long-term care exist. This symposium will review the effects trauma and PTSD in later life, the effects of medical settings on PTSD, and provide a framework for implementing trauma-informed care in long-term care settings.
BRFSS DATA ON COGNITIVE DECLINE AND CAREGIVING: NATIONAL AND STATE IMPLICATIONS
Authors: Bouldin Erin
Published: January 2025

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is a state-based annual telephone survey conducted in all US states and three territories. BRFSS includes two optional modules that jurisdictions can use to understand cognitive decline and family caregiving. The Cognitive Decline Module collects information on self-reported changes in memory and thinking. This module offers value in understanding prevalence, with data from the 2016-2021 BRFSS suggesting that 1 in 9 people aged 50 years and older are experiencing subjective cognitive decline nationally. The module also offers the ability to analyze risk factors and health behavior related to detection of cognitive decline. The Caregiver Module collects information on prevalence of caregiving, relationship to the care recipient, the care recipient’s health condition, the duration and intensity of care, and caregiving tasks. Data from the 2016-2021 BRFSS show that 1 in 4 caregivers aged 50 years and older in the United States are caregivers for someone with dementia. This module offers value in understanding of caregiver health and health behaviors across a variety of demographics. This session will highlight recent publications and resources, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s publicly available Healthy Aging Data Portal from which these and other data can be analyzed and visualized. Data from these modules has also been used in innovative studies exploring risk factors for cognitive decline, cognitive changes among caregivers, and other findings. The session will demonstrate ways these data can advance the field at the national and state levels.
ADVANCING BRAIN HEALTH THROUGH THE DATA FOR ACTION PROJECT
Authors: Fadel Meghan , Bethune Tyrone , Sands Talyah , Roberts Shelby , Bouldin Erin , Cheney Amanda
Published: January 2025

The Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Data for Action Project is a nationwide effort to support the integration of data on brain health and caregiving into public health planning efforts. Data about cognitive health, dementia, and family caregiving are increasingly available at the state level, in part due to HBI efforts to support the implementation of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) optional modules on Cognitive Decline and Caregiving. This effort has increased state implementation of the Cognitive Decline Module from 5 states in 2009 to 49 states and territories in 2019-2020. Similarly, the Caregiver Module implementation grew from 4 states in 2009 to 49 states and territories in the years 2021-2022. The Alzheimer’s Association, alongside partners at the Association for State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), developed the Data for Action Project in 2023 to support state health departments as they use public health data to advance brain health in their communities. In its first year, 4 states participated in the Data for Action pilot by conducting data analyses, producing dissemination tools of the findings, and creating a strategic plan to share the results. States participated in regular cohort calls, provided one another feedback, received individualized technical assistance, and had opportunities to connect through an asynchronous platform. The Data for Action Project created a community of practice with education, peer support and technical assistance for participating health departments.
ARE SOCIAL VULNERABILITY INDEX AND COGNITIVE DECLINE RELATED?
Authors: Sutphin Brandy , Adolph Sharada Sarah , Simon Bala
Published: January 2025

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) prevalence is demonstrably increasing as more people live to advanced age. ADRD was Arkansas’s 7th leading cause of death in 2021 and an estimated 67,000 Arkansans will be living with ADRD by 2025. While known ADRD risk factors hypertension, obesity, smoking, heavy metal exposure, and familial inheritance are well studied, there is minimal research examining the influence of social vulnerability on ADRD patients. We sought to study population-level associations between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) and cognitive decline, the earliest symptom of ADRD, to identify high-risk areas for interventions. An ecological study design at county-level was utilized. CDC/ATSDR SVI scores <0.5 indicate low-to-medium risk and scores ≥0.5 indicate medium-high-to-high risk of social vulnerability. Associations were tested between SVI composite and four component themed indices as predictor variables and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) cognitive decline prevalence as the outcome variable. Arkansas has 26 high-risk counties out of 75 (34.7%) with combined SVI ≥0.5 and high cognitive decline prevalence (µ ≥12.1%). Regression showed unit increases in SVI ≥0.5 resulted in significant increases in cognitive decline prevalence for composite SVI (β=7.67, p=0.0185), and corresponding component SVIs socioeconomic status (β=6.75, p=0.0494), household characteristics (β=9.28, p=0.0032), and racial and ethnic minority status (β=8.98, p=0.0458). Significant ecological associations indicate potential reciprocal influences between SVI and cognitive decline and the need for targeted interventions in high-risk counties.
GROWING STATE ACTION THROUGH A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
Authors: Cheney Amanda , Shean John , Bouldin Erin , Fadel Meghan
Published: January 2025

Building a community of practice is a key feature of the Data for Action Project. Working alongside a cohort of peers from other states, teams conduct data analysis related to brain health, dementia, and/or caregiving to produce tools for strategic dissemination of resulting data. Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, and New Jersey all participated in, and made important contributions to, the pilot cohort. State projects included analysis and dissemination of data on risk factors, dementia service use, and family caregivers. In several states, teams produced estimates among specific sub-populations or regions in the states to identify at-risk populations. Participating state teams also identified ways the data would most help their efforts, including public health planning, budgeting decisions, and public awareness and information efforts. Having data analysts and representatives from the offices in which data were housed (e.g., BRFSS coordinator) were critical to success, as was including diverse perspectives (e.g., aging, disability, and chronic disease) in developing public-facing products and strategies for dissemination, encouraging collaboration, and maintaining future sustainability of the project. Participants in the program reported increased knowledge of the BRFSS optional modules and of the use of data for health improvement planning. 85% of participants agreed that the program positively impacted their health department’s ability to collaborate on integrating brain health and caregiving into public health planning efforts. The second Data for Action cohort launched in 2024, with ongoing efforts to advance brain health in new states.
USING FRAILTY SCREENING TO INFORM PREOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT OF HIGH-RISK SURGICAL PATIENTS
Authors: Ko Fred , Ritchey Katherine
Published: January 2025

Frailty is a clinical syndrome of age-related decline in physiologic reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors. Frail older adults undergoing surgery are at higher risks for postoperative complications and mortality and increased health care costs. Thus, frailty has emerged as a robust predictor of poor surgical outcomes in vulnerable older patients. There have been immense interest and research for bench-to-bedside translation and integration of preoperative frailty screening into clinical practice. These efforts have centered on the development of preoperative frailty screening as a surgical risk-stratification tool and its application to guide preoperative management aimed to mitigate surgical risk in older adults. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has been recognized for its Surgical Pause initiative in which: (1) routine frailty screening is ascertained in surgical patients using the Risk Analysis Index (RAI) in order to identify those at the highest risk of postoperative complications, loss of independence, and mortality; and (2) multidisciplinary care strategies are implemented to reduce frailty-associated risks to enable reduction of potential complications before surgery in those identified as frail. In this symposium, we will provide a state-of-the-art look at the VHA experiences in: (1) validation of RAI as a preoperative risk-stratification tool in older adults; (2) implementation and integration of RAI screening in clinical practice; and (3) evaluation of RAI screening and multidisciplinary optimization board prior to surgery.
THE PAUSE TRIAL: LESSONS ABOUT SURGICAL PAUSE FROM AN RCT
Authors: Arya Shipra
Published: January 2025

Effective clinical care pathways that integrate preoperative frailty assessment and management to optimize high-risk older adults undergoing surgery are urgently needed to improve their outcomes. We designed a hybrid1 effectiveness implementation step-wedge cluster randomized trial called the Patient-Centered mUltidiSciplinary care for vEterans undergoing surgery (PAUSE) to test frailty screening and referral to a multidisciplinary member board to guide optimization of surgical patients prior to surgery. The PAUSE trial includes Veterans scheduled for elective surgery at 3 tertiary care VAMCs (Palo Alto, Houston, Nashville) and 7 specialties in each center (general, vascular, orthopedics, cardiothoracic, urology, neurosurgery and plastics/ENT). The intervention is referral to a “multidisciplinary PAUSE board” (e.g., surgery, anesthesia, geriatrics, palliative care, case management, rehabilitation and nutrition) for recommendations after frailty screening. Each ‘step’ was a randomly chosen specialty group transitioning from usual care to the PAUSE intervention. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research was used to guide mixed methods formative evaluation and analysis of factors that influence implementation. Key stakeholders identified champions, potential barriers and facilitators, possible intervention adaptations, and indicated limited time, staff shortage, and the concern that the PAUSE board may delay surgery as main barriers to implementation. Nurses were identified as partners in intervention execution. Surgical and nursing leadership engagement was indicated as crucial to adopting this new healthcare model. In conclusion, formative evaluation delivers timely and actionable findings to inform the intervention and identify implementation modifications to optimize opportunities for success. Multistakeholder involvement and accounting for clusters and sites variations is important for successful implementation.
SOCIAL DISCONNECTEDNESS, PERCEIVED LONELINESS, AND COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING: THE ROLE OF NEIGHBORHOOD ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Tang Fengyan , Jiang Yanping
Published: January 2025

Social disconnectedness and loneliness pose significant challenges for older Chinese immigrants. This study aimed to investigate the association of social disconnectedness and loneliness with cognitive functioning and examine the moderation role of neighborhood contexts. This longitudinal analysis examined a sample of individuals aged 60 years and older from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (N=2,044). Global cognition was assessed using the averaged z-scores of cognitive performance tests. Social disconnectedness was constructed using five indicators about structural aspects of social relationships. Loneliness was assessed with the R-UCLA loneliness scale. Neighborhood socioeconomic status (NSES) and neighborhood segregation index (NSI) were constructed using 2010-2014 American Community Survey data at the census tract level. Individual perceptions about neighborhood environments were used to construct neighborhood cohesion index (NCI) and neighborhood disorder index (NDI). Latent growth curve models showed that more loneliness was associated with a higher level of initial cognitive functioning (B= 0.030, p<.01), but also with a faster decline rate over time (B= -0.007, p<.01) after adjusting for covariates. High NSES and less neighborhood segregation buffered the negative effects of loneliness on cognitive decline, respectively. High NDI amplified the positive relationship between loneliness and initial functioning, but accelerated the rate of cognitive decline associated with loneliness. The study revealed that perceived loneliness, but not social disconnectedness, is a risk factor for cognitive decline among older Chinese immigrants. Living in a neighborhood with low socioeconomic status, more segregation, and high disorder elevated the detrimental effect of loneliness on long-term cognitive decline.
FAMILY TYPOLOGY AND MENTAL HEALTH IN OLDER KOREAN AMERICANS
Authors: Jang Yuri , Park Nan Sook , Park Juyoung , Chiriboga David
Published: January 2025

Challenging the notion that older adults of Asian origin are universally well protected by family support systems, we examined the heterogeneity of family types, considering both structural and qualitative aspects and addressing both positive and negative functions. The aims of the study were (1) to identify types of family relationships and (2) to examine their impact on mental health. Data came from 2,070 participants in the Study of Older Korean Americans (SOKA), a multi-state survey of Korean immigrants aged 60 and older (Mean Age = 73.3). To identify family types, latent profile analysis (LPA) was performed with marital status, living arrangement, family network, positive and negative interactions with family members, and family mistreatment. Linear regression models examined how mental distress was associated with family typology. LPA identified five family types: close-knit, intimate but distant, detached, connected but dysfunctional, and dysfunctional. Greater distress was associated with belonging to the detached, connected but dysfunctional, and dysfunctional family types in comparison to the close-knit type. Findings not only confirmed the value of a close-knit family but also demonstrated the heterogeneity of family typology. For example, the connected but dysfunctional group is uniquely characterized by those who are structurally embedded in a family system with marriage, co-residence, and contacts but had experienced negative interactions and even mistreatment within the family. This group demonstrates that obligated family ties in the absence of emotional bonding could be harmful. Our findings called renewed attention to older immigrants’ family relationships and their mental health implications.
SOCIAL ISOLATION AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS OF OLDER CHINESE AMERICANS: THE MEDIATION EFFECT OF ACTIVITY ENGAGEMENT
Authors: Li Ke , Tang Fengyan , Kwon Soonhyung , Jiang Yanping
Published: January 2025

Older Chinese Americans are particularly vulnerable to social isolation and its negative consequences on mental health. However, little is known about the intermediate processes through which social isolation contributes to depressive symptoms among this population. The aims of the study were (1) to examine the differential impacts of two forms of social isolation (social disconnectedness and perceived isolation) on depressive symptoms and (2) to investigate the mediating role of activity engagement. Data came from 2,075 participants in four waves of the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago Study (PINE). Social disconnectedness was measured by social network size and range, living arrangement, and marital status. Perceived isolation was measured by the perception of loneliness and lack of social support. Activity engagement was assessed by engagement with various social and cognitive activities. Results from the latent growth curve models indicated that social disconnectedness and perceived isolation were positively associated with the initial level of depressive symptoms. However, perceived isolation predicted a faster decline in depressive symptoms. The findings suggested the significant mediating effect of activity engagement. Social disconnectedness was associated with greater activity engagement, which in turn was associated with a lower initial level of depressive symptoms. Perceived isolation was associated with lower activity engagement, subsequently resulting in a higher initial level of depressive symptoms and a faster decline of depressive symptoms across waves. Intervention targeting depression among older Chinese Americans should make efforts on providing more opportunities for culturally sensitive activity engagement and social interaction and promoting social support system.
A COMPARISON OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT STUDENT CAREGIVERS ON OUTLOOKS RELATED TO CAREGIVING AND SELF
Authors: Graf Allyson , Baker Shelby , Bartlett Robin
Published: January 2025

Studies have recently demonstrated the impact of caregiving on college students. Caregiving, however, is transitional and dynamic and this complexity is rarely represented. The current study sought to compare caregiving experiences (direct-current, direct-former, and indirect care support) on the perceived impact on views of caregiving, relationships, well-being, and aging. Among the sample of 230 students (78.7% undergraduates) with caregiving experience, 28.3% were current caregivers, 53.5% were former caregivers, and 78.6% provided indirect care support. Compared to those with indirect experience, those with direct experience more strongly agree that caregiving impacted their views of caregiving (p <.001) and their relationship with care recipient (p <.001). There was no difference between current and former caregivers. Participants were also asked about perceived positive and negative influences independently. Results were similar for positive influences with direct caregivers perceiving a more positive influence on their relationship with the care recipient than indirect caregivers (p =.001) but only current caregivers differed significantly from indirect caregivers in the positive influence on views of caregiving (p =.023). Trends did not hold for perceived negative influence; however, there was a significant difference between current and former caregivers on the negative influence on health (p =.042) such that current caregivers indicated a greater negative influence. These results indicate the importance of investigating diverse caregiving experiences among students and differentiating positive and negative influences with implications for how universities may support the different life circumstances of student caregivers.
SUPPORTING AGING IN PLACE THROUGH NEW MOBILITY SOLUTIONS
Authors: Hatami Fatemeh , Siren Anu , O’Hern Steve
Published: January 2025

Aging in place is among the most widespread contemporary policy concepts. However, an important prerequisite for aging in place is the possibility to attend out-of-home activities, which requires satisfactory mobility options. Previous research has indicated that new transportation solutions and technologies may hold promise for older people’s mobility needs. To investigate these promising opportunities and how they may support aging in place, a critical literature review was conducted. Using Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed as electronic journal databases, we searched keywords representing the user group (older adults), the solution (transport systems), and its qualities (novel), limiting the search to publications between 1990-2023. The search was complemented by hand-searching of reference lists and selected project homepages. The initial search yielded more than 3000 publications. After screening for title, abstract and contents, around 110 publications were included for review. To create a conceptual model, we synthetized major findings, and identified common themes, trends, and disparities in the existing literature. We analyzed whether proposed solutions are evidence based and whether the literature focuses on implementation processes. We also analyzed which mobility needs the solutions are explicitly targeting, and which groups of older adults are thought to be the main users of these solutions. Our conclusion is that while literature addresses many novel solutions that have potential for supporting older adults’ mobility, there are significant knowledge gaps related to assessing the feasibility of these solutions.
FACTORS RELATED TO THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE PURCHASE AMONG OLDER US ADULTS
Authors: Vivoda Jonathon , Louis Renée St
Published: January 2025

Widespread acceptance of electric vehicles (EVs) is important to meet global energy and pollution goals. Previous studies established that older adults are less likely than younger people to consider purchasing an EV, and common barriers to EV uptake among this group have been identified, but little else is known. The current study used two waves of data from the Pew Research Center’s American Trends Panel (April, 2021 and May, 2022), which contained EV-related questions. Only older adults who responded to both waves were included (n=2,016). Two ordinal logistic regression models were utilized to identify factors related to older adults’ likelihood of purchasing an EV (measured on a four-point scale), and to a change in likelihood between waves. Odds of higher likelihood of a future EV purchase were related to more education; Asian and Hispanic race (vs White); more liberal political ideology; stating that scientists understand causes of global climate change well; favoring the phase-out of gasoline vehicles; as well as stating that EVs are more fun to drive, more reliable, or better for the environment. Stating that EVs cost more was related to a lower likelihood, as were the reverse of the EV factors above. Only three factors were related to a change between waves in likelihood of purchasing an EV. Higher odds were related to identifying as a Democrat (vs Republican), high income, and having heard ‘a little’ about EVs vs ‘a lot.’ Findings, implications, and future research suggestions will also be discussed.
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY AND OLDER ADULTS: DEVELOPING A CONNECTED AND AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE TRAINING PROGRAM
Authors: Louis Renée St , Molnar Lisa , Eby David , Zakrajsek Jennifer , Zanier Nicole
Published: January 2025

Mobility is vital for the well-being and quality of life of older adults. Emerging technologies, such as connected and automated vehicles (CAVs), hold promise for extending safe and independent mobility for older adults, however, challenges remain in ensuring that CAVs are accessible, acceptable, affordable, and otherwise inclusive for older adults. While personal vehicles with Level 2 automation are available, the public’s exposure to more advanced levels of automation remains limited. The first phase of this research examined benefits and barriers to using CAVs using a two-phase qualitative approach consisting of four 90-minute nominal and focus group sessions. During the introduction, participants were shown a short video defining CAVs and were asked to think about vehicles with Level 3-5 automation during the discussions. Results revealed a strong desire among older adults for hands-on CAV experiences to increase perceived safety and trust in these new technologies. Based on these findings, a second phase of research involved the development of a CAV training program for older adults to be tested at Mcity, an autonomous vehicle testing facility. The training program consists of an informational overview combined with a hands-on orientation to the location and operation of various advanced vehicle technologies and automation features, using a vehicle with Level 3 automation. During the orientation, participants are shown icons associated with the technologies, and their function, capabilities, and limitations are demonstrated. Detailed findings from both phases of the research will be discussed as well as their implications for future mobility options for older adults.
DRUG INTOXICATION AMONG LATINO OPIOID USERS IN FLORIDA
Authors: Suriaga Armiel , Tappen Ruth , Panos Raquel , Dimeo Christina
Published: January 2025

The opioid epidemic remains a serious public health problem, killing > half a million people since 1999, including racial/ethnic groups, i.e., Hispanics. However, Drug Intoxication (DI) from opioid use, particularly in Florida, where the Hispanic population totaled 5.469 million in 2020, is seldom reported. We aimed to report the characteristics of Hispanic decedents with DI, particularly opioids and other substances, from 2020 to 2021. We also examined the association of being Hispanic to DI and the co-use of opioids, cannabis, and alcohol. We used descriptive statistics and regression models to analyze de-identified data from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement using Stata 17. 1,199 Hispanic decedents out of 30,846 people who died from any drugs were analyzed. Mean age=39.14 (SD 13.89); males (n=1,015 or 84.7%) between the 25-34 age group (n=339 or 34.9%), followed by the 35-44 age group (n= 306 or 25.5%); only a small proportion of older Hispanic decedents (n=58 or 4.8%). 551 out of 1,199 Hispanic decedents died from DI. Being Hispanic was not significantly associated with DI (p=.053). In the intercept model, being Hispanic has 0.87 odds of dying from DI (OR=.87, [95% confidence interval=.77-.98], p=0.018. After adjusting for confounders (age, gender, population density, and other substances, the odds of dying from DI slightly increased (OR=.89, [95% CI =.76-1.03], p=0.117; adding clinical covariates (cardiac, diabetes, kidney, and liver-related problems) OR=.85, 95% CI=.74-.99], p=0.038. Among opioid users (OR=16.46, 95% CI=15.47-17.50], p=<0.001. Public safety necessitates more research to elucidate factors driving DI among this ethnic minority.
USING THE AGE-FRIENDLY INVENTORY AND CAMPUS CLIMATE SURVEY AT A MAJOR CANADIAN UNIVERSITY
Authors: Zimmer Chantelle , Morrison Lindsay , Goerzen Maya , Hogan David , Toohey Ann , Hewson Jennifer , McDonough Meghan , McGhan Gwen
Published: January 2025

Since the University of Calgary became a member of the AFU Global Network, establishing a benchmark of the institution’s age-friendliness has been a priority for the Brenda Strafford Centre on Aging. The Age-Friendly Inventory and Campus Climate Survey was selected for our baseline assessment because it captures both objective and subjective elements of age-friendliness that align with the AFU principles. Prior to data collection, the instrument was modified for our national and institutional context by adding, removing, and changing the language of some items. The Age-Friendly Inventory was completed by administrators to determine the current status of our campus practices and environmental features, while the Campus Climate Survey was completed by faculty, staff, and students to understand their awareness and perceptions of these practices and features. A total of 10 administrators, 178 faculty, 608 staff, and 1167 students participated in the assessment. The results indicated that our university is moderately age-friendly, but participants were generally unaware of its age-friendly elements. To generate action items from the results, we analyzed the data further. Each inventory and survey item was mapped onto the AFU principle it most closely aligned with and then grouped with similar items to form categories for each principle. Through this process we identified areas of strength and growth for each principle, and prioritized principles (1, 4, 6, and 10) for our Centre to address. The findings from this study will inform an action plan to raise awareness of and enhance the University of Calgary’s age-friendliness.
ASSESSING AGE INCLUSIVITY USING THE AGE-FRIENDLY INVENTORY AND CAMPUS CLIMATE SURVEY
Authors: Waterhouse Jodi
Published: January 2025

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus became designated as an Age-Friendly Academic Medical Campus in 2021. However, the campus is part of a much larger campus community which includes a large health system, a children’s hospital, and a VA Medical Center, that are not Age-Friendly designated. More than 30,000 employees, visitors, and vendors visit the Anschutz campus daily. How does an academic medical campus, surrounded by three large health system hospitals and clinics ensure that visiting is easy, enjoyable, and accessible, and visitors don’t get lost in other campus partner’s buildings? The Age-Friendly Inventory and Campus Climate Survey helped provide the framework for guidance to identify issues including parking, parking payment kiosks, signage, and campus maps both virtual and print. This session will provide how a large academic medical campus and its representatives were able to identify and personally experience problematic hurdles when visiting a large university campus; what Built Environment Assessment experience was collected to identify issues; and how recommendations for improvement were presented to and supported by campus leadership.
ASSESSING AGE INCLUSIVITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA: LEADING ISRAEL’S FIRST AGE-FRIENDLY CAMPUS
Authors: Zisberg Anna , Hirsch-Matsioulas Orit , Naim Sigal , Sapir Adi , Hochman Yael , Koren Chaya , Kolpina Lola
Published: January 2025

With life expectancy increase, higher awareness of ageism, and the need to reduce inequalities by ensuring that education and employment opportunities are open to all ages, the Age-Friendly University (AFU) was initiated at the University of Dublin, Ireland in 2012, and has since spread to other countries. The University of Haifa, located in a city with a higher proportion of senior citizens, compared to the national average in Israel, is leading the first AFU in Israel. We aim to present a comprehensive assessment of the prevailing campus environment and its inclusivity towards individuals of all ages. As an initial measure, we embraced the Age-Friendly Inventory and Campus Climate Survey (ICCS) questionnaire (Silverstein et al., 2022). After translating into Hebrew, we made cultural and technical adaptations and conducted validation with a panel of five experts. The survey was disseminated across the campus, garnering responses from 1500 participants. Analysis revealed generally positive attitudes towards the integration of older individuals within the campus community, although there was insufficient progress in various domains. Notably, the incorporation of ageing-related topics in teaching and research emerged as deficient. Study findings serve as a basis for developing educational programs for older learners, as well as for the reorientation of university policies towards age inclusivity. Furthermore, they provide recommendations for fostering age-friendly environments through policy formulation and organizing social-cultural initiatives on campus and beyond. In addition, the preliminary validation of the survey instrument suggests its suitability for implementation in non-English-speaking academic contexts.
AGING AND THE MICROBIOME
Authors: Han Shuo
Published: January 2025

This 90-minute session will explore key interactions between aging and the microbiome leveraging studies in animal models and humans. The three invited talks will discuss the following diverse topics in microbe-aging interactions: 1) functional roles of gut bacteria and small molecules in host aging and physiology in C. elegans and mice (Han); 2) gut microbial and metabolic changes across lifespan and how these changes impact brain, cardiovascular, and offspring health (McCullough); and 3) gut microbiome contributions to age-associated cognitive decline, inflammation, and immune functions in older adults, based on the outcomes from the Microbiome in Aging Gut and Brain consortium study (Yadav).
MICROBIOME AND AGING: INSIGHTS INTO COGNITIVE HEALTH FROM THE MIAGB CONSORTIUM
Authors: Yadav Hariom
Published: January 2025

World population is aging, and aging-related conditions are on the rise, with no better prognosis, prevention, and treatment. Because we do not fully understand the complex biology of aging and its dysfunctional attributes, it contributes to aging-related conditions. Emerging evidence shows that the gut microbiome plays a critical role in the biology of aging and has thus been proposed to be one of the targets for Geroscience-based interventions. However, we still lack understanding of how the microbiome contributes to aging and its related disorders. To address these knowledge gaps, a collective effort of several institutions has evolved a multi-center clinical study called Microbiome in Aging Gut and Brain (MiaGB), which has focused on developing large datasets on the microbiome and its related pathways, including metabolomics, proteomics, epigenomics, immunophenomics, and others, to understand how the microbiome contributes to aging biology, thus impacting brain health and overall health linked with aging. Dr. Yadav will present the outcomes of the MiaGB consortium addressing how the microbiome contributes to aging-related cognitive decline by impacting intestinal epithelial barriers, inflammation, and immune functions. He will also emphasize whether and how reversing these microbiome-related abnormalities can ameliorate aging-related disorders in older adults.
RELIGION, SOCIOECONOMIC HETEROGENEITY, AND COGNITIVE STATUS AMONG BLACK MEN
Authors: Bruce Marino , Beech Bettina , Tran Dylan , Kaka Baasil , Thorpe, Jr. Roland
Published: January 2025

Risks for cognitive impairment are disproportionately high among Black men, however religious practices and beliefs have been shown to be protective for members of this group with modest incomes, suggesting that social class can complicate this association. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between religious practices and/or beliefs, socioeconomic status (SES), and cognitive status among Black men in the 2016 Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Data were drawn from 384 Black men who completed the Core and Leave Behind Questionnaires. The primary outcome was any cognitive impairment, a dichotomous variable derived from a modified version of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS). Religious practices and beliefs (private prayer, religious beliefs) and SES (income, education) were primary independent variables. Descriptive results indicate that individuals reporting incomes less than $50,000 had a higher proportion of any cognitive impairment than respondents reporting higher incomes (48.2% vs 19.1%). Differences in any cognitive impairment were also found between respondents reporting 12 or fewer years of education and individuals reporting more than twelve years of education (48.8% vs 19.8%). Data from modified Poisson regression models indicated that personal private prayer (PR=0.67, CI:0.47-0.97) and religious beliefs (PR=0.92, CI:0.84-1.00) were beneficial for Black men with modest incomes. Private prayer was inversely related to any cognitive impairment among Black men with more than 12 years of education (PR=0.51, CI:0.27-0.99). Full-scale studies of Black men are needed to further examine how SES can influence factors that may be protective against cognitive impairment among this population.
EXAMINING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ACTIVE COPING, GRIT, AND SUBJECTIVE COGNITIVE DECLINE IN AGING BLACK AMERICAN MEN
Authors: Nwakasi Candi , Esiaka Darlingtina
Published: January 2025

Background

Active coping and grit have been associated with positive health outcomes including cognitive functioning. However, to the best of our knowledge, no previous study has examined the effect of active coping and grit on subjective cognitive decline among Black American men. Further, this study’s focus on subjective cognitive decline (SCD) in aging Black men is crucial because SCD may indicate an onset of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia and/or other brain health issues.

Methods

Participants (N=138, Mage = 48) who identified as Black American men living in urban areas responded to an online survey measuring sociodemographic factors, grit, active coping, and subjective cognitive decline. We used hierarchical regression in the analysis to examine the association between active coping, grit, and subjective cognitive decline.

Results

Analysis revealed that active coping (B = -0.196, p=.037) and grit (B = 0.643, p<.001) were significant predictors of SCD while controlling for demographic variables (F [7,130] = 7.753, p<0.001). Also, moderation analysis showed a significant interaction between active coping and grit on SCD (β = -0.04, SE = 0.02, 95%CI [0.00,0.08], p <.041).

Conclusion

By focusing specifically on the association of active coping, grit, and SCD, this study offers insight on the unique experiences of Black American men and contribute to a more nuanced understanding of their cognitive well-being. Thus, the results may inform targeted interventions and support systems for aging Black men’s brain health.
BUILDING AND SUSTAINING ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT DISASTER PREPAREDNESS IN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Killian Emily , Thompson Lena , Fisher Miranda , Ostrem Nicholas , Wunderlich Tiffany , Smith Brigid , Ashida Sato
Published: January 2025

Long-term implementation of programs for community-based older adults requires collaboration among various organizations. Strengthening personal and community support systems is critical in supporting older adults before, during, and after disasters. The Disaster PrepWise (DPW) program was developed through community-engaged processes involving disaster management and public health agencies as well as aging service providers to ensure the usability and acceptability of the program. DPW implementation infrastructure and protocols were subsequently developed using the concepts of the Practical, Robust Implementation, and Sustainability Model (PRISM) framework. Organizational partners participated in periodic Stakeholder Advisory Board (SAB) meetings and collaboratively developed a program delivery infrastructure. The developed infrastructure was pilot-tested and evaluated by conducting interviews from July to September 2023 with various stakeholders: program participants (n=18), SAB members (n=6), and interventionists (n=7). Strong alignment between the DPW program and their values and the opportunity to work with “like-minded” people motivated organizations to participate. Organizations involved since the program development stage, over 10 years ago, were especially committed to supporting the development of implementation infrastructure. SAB members highlighted additional benefits to older adults as this infrastructure can connect DPW participants to other social services in their community through cross-sectorial collaborations. Participants identified barriers to long-term sustainability such as a lack of sustained resources, identifying and training interventionists, staff turnover, and difficulty expanding to reach partners in rural areas. These collective challenges underscore the complexity of maintaining such initiatives and the necessity for comprehensive strategies to sustain them.
THE STRENGTH OF PARTNERSHIPS IN EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND RESILIENCE: FINDINGS FROM THE VOICES OF OLDER NEW YORKERS
Authors: Kieffer Elana
Published: January 2025

New York City is home to over 1.2 million adults age 65+ in approximately 300 square miles. The COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing climate crisis have presented older New Yorkers with new public health challenges and exacerbated existing ones. The time is now for aging service providers, researchers, and older adults to develop and coordinate efforts to build, maintain, and increase community resilience in the wake of emergencies and disasters. In this session, staff members of the Center for Healthy Aging at The New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) will describe how older New Yorkers and the professionals who work with them have demonstrated resilience since the pandemic, and provide recommendations on how they can continue to do so, as outlined in “Strengthening Community Resilience: Supporting Older Adults Through Emergency Preparedness And Response In A Post-COVID Era,” published by NYAM in 2023. Guided by the RAND Corporation’s Framework for Community Resilience and NYAM’s previous research on resilience in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, we will discuss the results of this report, including the importance of partnerships, education, program efficiency, and access to resources, all through a strengths-based lens. This presentation will describe these key findings and their potential implications in the context of advocacy and policy change.