bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LEARNED HELPLESSNESS AMONG ABUSED FILIPINO OLDER PERSONS
Authors: Motilla Ronaldo , Oyales Carmelina
Published: January 2025

Due to poverty, lack of family and government support, including traumatic abuse experiences and stressful situations, many of the abused Filipino older persons exhibited learned helplessness, which is a belief that they are unable to control or alter their situation even when opportunities for change are available. The feelings of helplessness and hopelessness results in stress, anxiety, depression, isolation, loneliness, lethargy, and even self-harm behaviors and suicidal ideation. The abuses that the older persons experience include but not limited to: physical, psychological/mental, verbal, sexual, neglect, abandonment, financial exploitation and fraud. With the use of qualitative research design, 10 elderly Filipino participants aged 60 and above were recruited through purposive sampling method. Data were collected through the use of in-depth interviews and focused group discussions (FGDs), and case reports. Results were analyze using thematic analysis. Five themes emerged, namely, resignation to fate, fate as an excuse for misfortune, loss of sense of self that is from internal/external conflicts and struggles, stigma and shame. Elder abuse victims tend to accept their circumstances and the situations they are in due to negative mindset, feelings of hopelessness that evolved to their learned helplessness. Keywords: Elder abuse, learned helplessness, aging population, ageism, stigma
GRIEF COACH, A TEXT-BASED GRIEF SUPPORT INTERVENTION: ACCEPTABILITY AMONG HOSPICE FAMILY MEMBERS
Authors: Payne Emma , Lunardini Melissa
Published: January 2025

Although older adults experience more bereavement, they are less likely to seek support. This poses significant risks, including increased risk for prolonged grief disorder, mood disorders, loneliness, and other adverse health outcomes (Ghesquiere, 2013). Limited service access and uptake among older populations can be attributed to factors such as inadequate Medicare coverage, shortage of trained providers, and a dearth of bereavement care options tailored to the unique preferences and needs of older adults (Bartels, 2003). Developing age-appropriate, accessible grief interventions is key to addressing the service gap and associated vulnerabilities related to grief. This presentation will report on grievers’ perceptions of the acceptability and helpfulness of Grief Coach, an innovative text-based grief support service aligned with a public health approach to bereavement care. The text messages are grounded in contemporary models of bereavement and coping, provide supportive education, and encourage engagement in adaptive coping behaviors. Participants in the evaluation were bereaved family members who received Grief Coach as a hospice benefit. The 13-month program retention rate was 86%. Among subscribers who met inclusion criteria for and completed a brief evaluation (N=100, response rate = 65%), 73% rated the program as “Very helpful” and 74% rated it as contributing “A great deal” or “Considerably” to their sense of being supported in their grief. Older grievers (age 65+ years old) and males tended to give the highest ratings. These preliminary data suggest that the Grief Coach text message program may be an acceptable and helpful way to support the aging grieving population.
A MIXED-METHODS EVALUATION OF LAY COACH-SUPPORTED EMPOWER@HOME FOR GERIATRIC DEPRESSION
Authors: Xiang Xiaoling
Published: January 2025

Empower@home is a novel internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) program specifically designed to reduce depression in older adults. It features 9 online lessons and a physical workbook, complemented by optional calls from lay coaches. A previously published uncontrolled study demonstrated its feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects. This presentation shares findings from a randomized controlled trial evaluating the program’s efficacy using mixed methods (NCT05593276), involving 70 participants aged 60+ recruited from various sources. Participants were randomized to either Empower@Home with lay coach support or to receive attention control friendly calls for ten weeks, with the latter group offered the program after the post-test. High completion rates were noted (89%, Mean = 8.3, SD = 0.4), with significant within-group improvements in the intervention group compared to moderate changes in controls, resulting in a medium between-group effect size favoring the intervention (Cohen’s d =.72, P <.001). Causal mediation analysis showed that acquisition of CBT skills, behavioral activation, and improvements in autonomy, competence, and relationships underpinned these effects. Several themes emerged from a thematic analysis of qualitative interviews with the treatment group: (1) a structured, goal-oriented, and skills-based approach, (2) supportive accountability from weekly coaching, (3) usability and software, (4) a mix of online and physical materials, and personal support to enhance learning, and (5) challenges in personalizing packaged iCBT programs. Empower@Home supported by lay coaches is efficacious in reducing depression among older adults. Implications for the design of digital mental health interventions for older adults are discussed.
UNDERREPRESENTED FAMILY CAREGIVERS: BUILDING TRUST TO STRENGTHEN RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
Authors: Gimm Gilbert , Fields Beth
Published: January 2025

The definition of “family caregiver” typically excludes many groups, including those from different genders, racial/ethnic identities, and caregiver age categories. Relationship building, establishing trust with community partners, and interdisciplinary collaborations are essential for the successful recruitment, engagement, and retention of underrepresented family caregivers in research. Moreover, inclusive communication is critical to building trust and strengthening participant engagement. Each individual presentation of the symposium will focus on effective strategies to engage underrepresented family caregivers from a diverse range of age, gender, and racial/ethnic populations. Our first speaker (G. Gimm) will present findings on the effect of a 9-week stress management intervention on mean burden scores for 97 family caregivers, including 16 male caregivers. Our second speaker (K. Moss) will describe effective recruitment and retention strategies for feasibility and acceptability testing of a co-created virtual peer support intervention (Pair 2 Care), which was designed for and with Black/African American dementia family caregivers. Our third speaker (A. Kalvesmaki) will describe what is known about caregiving across the lifespan, including youth caregivers who are less than 18 years, and identify barriers to service use, as well as effective strategies to build trust in family caregiving communities. Our fourth speaker (M. Kavanaugh) will share key findings on the effective engagement of multidisciplinary healthcare providers who received training to deliver the YCare program, a hands-on caregiving skills session empowering youth caregivers. Our discussant (B. Fields) will then summarize cross-cutting themes and share practical and policy implications for researchers and underrepresented family caregivers across the lifespan.
THE MASON CARES STUDY: EFFECTS OF A STRESS MANAGEMENT INTERVENTION ON MALE FAMILY CAREGIVER BURDEN SCORES
Authors: Gimm Gilbert , Layman Shannon , Inoue Megumi , Ihara Emily , Tompkins Catherine
Published: January 2025

The Mason CARES study examined the association of a virtual stress management program on mean caregiver burden scores of 97 participants, including 16 male family caregivers of older adults with dementia. Using primary data collected from 97 participants, we analyzed family caregiver burden scores of male and female caregivers before and after implementation of a 9-week stress management program using Zoom sessions. Caregiver burden was measured using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) score with a range from 0 to 48 (Bédard, 2001). Higher values (ZBI >=17.0) were associated with higher levels of burden. Among the 97 caregiver participants, 16% were men and 84% were women. Mean ZBI scores before and after the 9-week stress busting program intervention across the full sample decreased by 15.0% (from 24.1 to 20.5). However, the 9-week intervention was associated with a larger reduction in burden scores for male family caregivers than for female family caregivers. Specifically female family caregivers had a higher baseline ZBI score of 24.4 which decreased to 21.4 (p<.01). At the same time, male family caregivers had a lower baseline ZBI score of 22.5 which fell more sharply to 15.9 (p<.01). Findings show that male family caregivers of older adults living with dementia experienced a greater reduction in burden scores after the 9-week intervention compared to female family caregivers. These results suggest the need to continue recruiting men in stress management intervention studies to identify potential mechanisms that can help to explain gender differences associated with reducing family caregiver burden.
WEALTH DISPARITIES IN LATER LIFE: SENSE OF MEANING AND PURPOSE IN LIFE
Authors: Choi Shinae
Published: January 2025

This study examined the extent to which racial/ethnic, gender, and age disparities in wealth persist among U.S. older adults, focusing on housing wealth (non-liquid assets) and non-housing wealth (liquid assets), alongside income, and further evaluated whether sense of meaning and purpose in life mitigates these wealth disparities in later life. Data were from the Leave-Behind Questionnaire in the 2018 Health and Retirement Study (N=4,472). I estimated ordinary least squares regression models with interaction terms to evaluate moderation effects, adjusting for health and sociodemographic characteristics. Results showed that wealth disparities across race/ethnicity, gender, and age groups exist in older Americans. Non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic Asian/other races, and Hispanic older adults compared to non-Hispanic Whites, as well as women (vs. men), reported significantly lower wealth and income. The age groups of 65-79 and 80+ reported higher wealth than those aged 50-64. Multiple moderation analyses revealed evidence of racial/ethnic and age disparities in wealth, but not gender, were mitigated by sense of meaning and purpose in life. Specifically, non-housing wealth increased among non-Hispanic Asian/other and Hispanic older adults as their purpose in life increased. A notable increase in both housing and non-housing wealth, as well as income, was observed among those aged 50-64 as their purpose in life increased. Findings suggest the protective effect of sense of meaning and purpose in life in mitigating wealth disparities in later life. Through further research and interventions aimed at bolstering sense of meaning and purpose in life, there is potential to alleviate wealth disparities in later life.
OCCUPATIONAL PHYSICAL HAZARDS AND RISK FOR DEMENTIA AND MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN THE HUNT 70+ STUDY
Authors: Tom Sarah , Bratsberg Bernt , Engdahl Bo , Stern Yaakov , Kohler Hans-Peter , Håberg Asta , Strand Bjørn Heine , Skirbekk Vegard
Published: January 2025

Background

While occupational physical hazards are related to physical decline in older adulthood, less is known about cognitive outcomes. We hypothesize that greater life course occupational physical hazards would be associated with higher mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia risk.

Methods

Data were from the Trøndelag Health Study, a population-based study of one Norwegian county beginning in 1984, with follow-up every decade. In 2017-2019 participants age ≥ 70 had cognitive assessments, used to diagnose MCI or dementia. Occupations from age 30-65 were from decennial censuses (1960 - 1980) and the national employer-employee register, from 1995. Occupations were assigned to International Standard Classification of Occupation-88 codes, linked to the Occupational Information Network. Occupational physical hazards score is the mean of 10 characteristics describing exposures to hazardous and adverse occupational environmental conditions. Age, sex, marital status at age 30, and education were from registers. Ordered logistic regression models assessed the relationship between occupational physical hazards and later-life cognitive status.

Results

In 9344 participants median occupational physical hazards score was 1.82 (range: 1.0-3.3 (greater hazard)). The mean age was 78, and 35% and 15% of participants had MCI and dementia diagnoses, respectively. Adjusting for age and sex, one standard deviation greater occupational physical hazards were related to 1.32 times the risk of worse cognitive level (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.26-1.36). Adjusting for education and marital status attenuated this association (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.11-1.22).

Conclusions

Those exposed to occupational physical hazards may need greater support with later life MCI and dementia risk.
ADVANCING RURAL GERIATRIC SERVICES: LESSONS FROM THE VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
Authors: Franzosa Emily , Hung William , Hicken Bret
Published: January 2025

Almost 3 million rural Veterans receive care from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and more than half are 65 and older. But, rural older Veterans may have limited access to specialized, interdisciplinary geriatric care services. VHA’s nationwide system is tasked with supporting Veterans wherever they live, a mission that comes with unique access challenges for Veterans far from VA hospitals or clinics. In a system responsible for managing many priorities and needs, prioritizing rural geriatrics services can be challenging. Our symposium highlights efforts to develop successful strategies for expanding rural geriatrics nationally. First, Dadgostar et al. share results from a project to understand geriatric service needs across VA, with the goal of leveraging data to map areas that could benefit from service expansions. Next, Kelley and colleagues discuss findings from interviews with VHA leaders on how priorities are determined at the local, regional and national level, and how rural geriatrics services fit with leaders’ visions. Franzosa et al. share a rural geriatrics “advocacy field guide” to support geriatrics champions in the field to gain support for local resources. Finally, Dryden et al. share an example from a successful rural geriatrics program, GRECC Connect, and discuss how these implementation lessons can inform the development and scale of new programs. Through the lens of rural geriatrics, this symposium highlights effective strategies for health care leaders to move their priorities ahead within their own systems.
THE RIGHT STRATEGY, THE RIGHT PERSON, THE RIGHT TIME: DEVELOPING AN ADVOCACY FIELD GUIDE FOR RURAL GERIATRICS
Authors: Franzosa Emily , Kelley Lynette , Dryden Eileen , Hall Lauren , Moo Lauren , Hung William
Published: January 2025

The need to expand rural geriatric services has received increasing attention within and outside the VHA, yet medical center leaders are often challenged to prioritize expanding these services among myriad competing needs. To better understand potential levers to move rural geriatrics up the priority ladder, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 former leaders in the Veterans Health Administration. We explored perspectives on how health system priorities can be aligned to improve the quality and reach of rural geriatric care and solicited best practices for advocating for rural geriatric care at the local, regional and national level. Leaders shared that there was no ‘best way’ to advocate, prompting the development of an advocacy field guide to advance rural geriatric services. The guide draws from our interview data, policy analysis, and best practices in communication and advocacy to help local leaders and champions make a case for expanding rural geriatric resources. The guide describes multiple avenues to purposefully employ “the right strategy, for the right person, at the right time”, including data from mapping local and regional gaps and needs for services, storytelling, relationship building, building a business case, aligning rural geriatrics with regional and national goals, and making geriatrics “personal”. Providing actionable, easy-to-use resources to local champions can support efforts to expand rural geriatric services locally and nationally.
A FACILITATED APPROACH TO SUSTAINMENT PLANNING FOR A RURAL GERIATRICS PROGRAM
Authors: Dryden Eileen , Riley Jessica , Moo Lauren , Kennedy Meaghan , Pimentel Camilla , Hung William
Published: January 2025

Continual adaptations enhance health care program sustainability amid ongoing health system changes, yet implementation research lacks descriptions of processes to facilitate needed adaptions, particularly for programs implemented in heterogenous settings We employed a three-phase participatory method to explore potential program sustainment strategies for a 19-site Veterans Health Administration program (GRECC Connect) that uses a hub-and-spoke model to expand rural access to geriatric specialty care through telemedicine. First, hub site clinicians and staff completed the Program Sustainment Assessment Tool (PSAT), a publicly available online tool. All sites then participated in a virtual retreat at which potential sustainment strategies, barriers and facilitators to each strategy, the capacity to enact each proposed strategy, and data needed to move forward in choosing a sustainment path were discussed. And finally, sites engaged in a participatory process with their local GRECC Connect teams to draft a site-specific sustainment plan. Proposed sustainment paths included integrating with local or regional clinical services, or mentoring other groups wanting to provide geriatrics telehealth specialty care. Sites varied in their perceived confidence to sustain program activities. Barriers and facilitators to sustainment strategies related to the current level of integration into and relationships with existing clinical services, existing relationships with local and regional VA leadership, knowledge of facility priorities, and perceived capacity to develop their program’s business case. This participatory approach enabled sites to plan the most feasible sustainment strategy for their own site, while using the support, knowledge, and experience of the national GRECC Connect team to do so.
BIOMARKERS OF AGING
Authors: Dutta Chhanda
Published: January 2025

It may be possible to prevent or ameliorate multiple adverse age-related outcomes through interventions targeted at fundamental mechanisms of aging, such as cell senescence, proteostasis, autophagy, mitochondrial dysfunction, macromolecular damage, and epigenetic regulation. Understanding the relationships between aging mechanisms and aging conditions as a basis for identifying targets for interventions to extend healthy life span has been a long-standing goal of biomedical aging research. The identification of sufficiently valid, reliable, and accurate aging mechanistic markers in humans would greatly facilitate the ability of observational studies to clarify the relationships of aging markers to aging-related phenotypes and enhance geroscience-based therapeutics development. To take full advantage of such aging mechanistic markers in future translational aging research, it will be important to clarify the degree of correlation between a) circulating levels and their activity in tissues/organs, b) their activity in laboratory animals and in humans, and c) whether they can capture the status of a specific mechanism across the life span, as part of the development and validation process. This session will feature presentations which highlight advances in the development of aging mechanistic markers, as well as challenges and limitations. Dr. Birgit Schilling will discuss the utility of specific markers of cellular senescence and multi-omics biomarkers. Dr. Nathan LeBrasseur will talk about the use of aging mechanistic markers for predicting clinical outcomes and selection of patient populations for clinical interventions. Dr. Anthony Molina will present on the application of blood-based bioenergetic profiling to elucidate the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in different aging conditions.
BIOMARKERS AND DRIVERS OF MITOCHONDRIAL HEALTH AND AGING
Authors: Molina Anthony
Published: January 2025

In line with the principles of Geroscience, age-associated alterations in mitochondrial function have been shown to underlie a wide array of age-related diseases and conditions. This presentation will review mitochondrial bioenergetic profiling approaches that are being implemented in human/clinical studies. These include tissue and blood-based approaches that can serve as reliable biomarkers of mitochondrial health and have enabled researchers to examine the role of mitochondria in the physical and cognitive abilities of older adults. Importantly, we are also beginning to understand the factors that influence human mitochondrial bioenergetic capacity. These include intrinsic factors such as age and sex, as well as behavioral factors such as diet, exercise, and activity. We will also discuss ongoing efforts to identify circulating factors (e.g. proteins and metabolites) that drive differences in mitochondrial function associated with dementia and aging. Building upon our previous work demonstrating that blood-borne factors mediate age-related bioenergetic differences, our recent studies indicate that non-cellular factors present in serum can mediate bioenergetic differences associated with age and cognitive performance. Combining mitochondrial respirometry with multi-omic approaches, we are now able to identify circulating molecules that drive changes mitochondrial bioenergetics.
THE SENESCENCE-ASSOCIATED SECRETOME AS A BIOMARKER OF AGING
Authors: LeBrasseur Nathan
Published: January 2025

Senescent cells accumulate in nearly all organs with advancing age. A defining characteristic of senescent cells is a robust and heterogenous senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). The SASP influences tissue health and function locally and systemically, hence, circulating components of the SASP may be informative of senescent cell burden. We established a candidate panel of senescence biomarkers based on common cytokines, chemokines, matrix remodeling proteins, growth factors and other proteins components of the SASP. In this seminar, the associations between senescence biomarkers and clinical manifestations of biological age, including frailty, functional limitations, and chronic disease, in humans will be presented. Moreover, the responsiveness of senescence biomarkers to interventions that counter the biology of aging, including exercise and caloric restriction, will be highlighted. Finally, the strengths and limitations of this approach and new directions will be discussed.
BUILDING MORE AGE-INCLUSIVE CAMPUSES BY ENGAGING WITH RETIRED FACULTY
Authors: June Andrea , Cicero Caroline
Published: January 2025

Identified in the Age-Friendly University (AFU) principles and in the Age Inclusivity Domains in Higher Education model, initiatives that support the campus retired and emeriti community are important elements to promoting age inclusivity and intergenerational connection. Such initiatives may be found in a myriad of forms and may include campus-specific efforts as well as organizational efforts. This symposium features campus leaders representing institutional partners of the Age-Friendly University global network who will discuss their recent efforts to understand the needs of and to engage with retired and emeriti faculty. June, Andreoletti, and Swanson (Central Connecticut State University) describe findings from an initial survey of retired and emeriti faculty that sought to understand their desire to remain engaged in intergenerational teaching, research, and service at the university. Similarly, Porter (University of Manitoba) and colleagues conducted an exploratory study at their university regarding retired academics who have specific positions as Senior Scholars and Professors Emeriti, with the goal to enhance their experiences and overall benefits for the university. Gautam (UMass Lowell) discuss their campus journey in engaging emeriti professors over the past several years and present student feedback from an “intergenerational team talk” activity which engages a retired professor and students in a Gerontology course. Finally, Montepare (Lasell University) reports on data collected from the American Psychological Association’s late career stage/retired faculty and addresses how professional organizations could support age-inclusive campus practices with more age-inclusive member practices. Cicero (University of Southern California) will share insights and pose future directions as the discussant.
FORTIFYING HOPE: OLDER LATINA IMMIGRANTS WITH CANCER
Authors: Carrion Iraida , Neelamegam Malinee , Estapé Tania , Estapé Jorge
Published: January 2025

Given the growing population of Latina immigrants aged 60 years and older in Central Florida, United States, and the current lack of relevant data, understanding this population’s cancer experiences is crucial to ensure effective interventions, psychosocial care, and policies. This study assessed 200 responses to a survey developed and administered in Spanish, with questions focused on cancer knowledge, attitudes, prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment. The survey included a qualitative component of open-ended questions regarding the perspectives and experiences of 23 older immigrant Latina women with cancer. Recruitment occurred in community-based settings and the interviews were transcribed in Spanish and English. Utilizing a grounded theory approach and thematic analysis, codes were developed. The survey data highlight the lack of initial information regarding available cancer treatments, a minimal understanding of the causes of cancer, and insufficient knowledge regarding cancer diagnoses that delayed early treatment. Within this sample, 52% had breast cancer, 22% had skin cancer, 13% had uterine cancer, 4% had colon cancer, and 4% had uterine and ovarian cancer. Latina cancer rates are expected to rise in the next 20 years. Promoting cancer screenings and modifying health-related behaviors among diverse older immigrant Latinas is imperative and requires the development of culturally appropriate interventions to overcome health disparities and treatment barriers.
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF ENHANCE FITNESS: REACHING NEW POPULATIONS OF OLDER ADULTS WITH EVIDENCE-BASED EXERCISE
Authors: Patel Kushang , Denison Paige , Albert Steven
Published: January 2025

EnhanceFitness® (EF) is an evidence-based, group exercise program for older adults involving strength, aerobic, and balance training that is recommended for arthritis management and falls prevention. Classes are held for 1 hour, 3 days a week and are led by exercise instructors trained in the EF protocol, which accommodates people with different levels of physical capacity. In the past 30 years, more than 150,000 older adults have participated in EF at >800 community sites in the United States. Over 75 peer-reviewed studies have evaluated EF’s effectiveness, implementation, and dissemination. In the proposed symposium, we will report new findings on efforts to expand EF’s reach. First, Paige Denison (who directs EF nationally) will present a brief overview of the program. Second, Kushang Patel will present the adaptation of EF for remote delivery (Tele-EF) and report the comparative effectiveness of Tele-EF versus in-person EF on several functional outcomes. Third, Nancy Gell will present a qualitative study on the experience of older rural cancer survivors with participation in Tele-EF. Fourth, Elise Hoffman will report the feasibility of Tele-EF in rural older adults with chronic pain and the results of co-designing a referral pathway to reach this population. Fifth, Basia Belza will present a pilot study on the feasibility of EF for people living with cognitive impairment and their caregivers. Lastly, Steven Albert (Editor of GSA’s Innovation in Aging) will deliver a critical discussion of the research findings and provide recommendations on expanding access of exercise programs to underserved, hard-to-reach populations of older adults. Fitness, Exercise and Wellness Interest Group Sponsored Symposium
PERSPECTIVES OF OLDER RURAL CANCER SURVIVORS ON REMOTELY DELIVERED ENHANCE FITNESS
Authors: Gell Nancy , Caefer Jacqueline , Patel Kushang
Published: January 2025

Exercise is recommended for healthy aging and to counteract long term effects of cancer and cancer treatment. Older cancer survivors living in rural communities face unique challenges to accessing exercise opportunities including fewer in-person program options, transportation barriers, and lack of safe, outdoor infrastructure. Remotely delivered exercise provides opportunities to overcome many of the documented barriers to exercise for this underserved population. The purpose of this study was to examine perspectives from older rural cancer survivors after participating in remotely delivered Enhance Fitness group exercise (Tele-EF). We conducted semi-structured interviews with 27 older cancer survivors living in rural communities (mean age 70.8 ±5.7, 81% female) after they completed 16-weeks of Tele-EF. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Transcripts from the interviews were coded using inductive thematic analysis. Analysis and discussion of the codes resulted in iterative mapping of key themes to the Capability Opportunity and Motivation Behavioral (COM-B) framework. Emergent themes related to Tele-EF included: 1. Capability: Improvements in psychological and physical capacity to exercise resulted from supportive instruction, experiential learning, and exercise modifications by trained instructors. 2. Opportunity: Barriers of transportation and weather were eliminated while technology, when functioning, afforded accessibility at home; comradery prompted consistent attendance. 3. Motivation for exercise was enhanced through improved capability, opportunity, and functional improvement. Tele-EF facilitates exercise engagement for older rural cancer survivors through constructs identified in the COM-B framework. Future work should examine how to optimize technology for engaging older rural cancer survivors in synchronous, remote exercise.
EXPANDING RURAL ACCESS TO TELE-ENHANCEFITNESS THROUGH COMMUNITY-ENGAGED DESIGN OF A REFERRAL PATHWAY
Authors: Hoffman Elise , Rensema Elspeth , Adams Leah , Jajko Shannon , Gell Nancy , Belza Basia , Patel Kushang
Published: January 2025

Rural older adults experience a high burden of chronic pain from osteoarthritis and other chronic conditions. Exercise is a first-line treatment for many painful conditions, but access to evidence-based programs is limited in rural areas. Remotely delivered programs, including Enhance®Fitness (Tele-EF), has high potential to expand access. Therefore, we conducted a series of studies to assess feasibility of delivering Tele-EF to rural older adults with chronic pain. First, we partnered with a rural-serving healthcare system to pilot 12 weeks of Tele-EF in 15 rural older adults with knee osteoarthritis. Median attendance was 91%, 100% of participants were very satisfied with tele-EF, 87% completed the program, and pain and physical functioning improved significantly. Next, we piloted implementation of an exercise prescription and Tele-EF referral pathway for older adults with knee osteoarthritis in a rural-serving primary care clinic. Adoption was low, with 4 patients referred, screened, and enrolled in Tele-EF over 16 weeks. In an effort to improve the referral pathway for a NIH-funded pragmatic trial on rural pain management, we conducted 20 interviews with EF instructors and leaders of rural-serving YMCAs. Preliminary results suggest referral pathways are effective when built into existing clinic and community systems and involve sustained provider outreach. Ongoing community engagement will include focus groups to assess usability of the pathway, prior to its implementation in a pilot of the pragmatic trial. Taken together, current results indicate that delivering EF to rural older adults is feasible, but engaging with rural healthcare systems is critical to reaching this population.
CHARTING NEW TERRITORIES: EXPLORING THE ROLE OF MICRO-CREDENTIALS IN GERONTOLOGY EDUCATION
Authors: Guest M Aaron
Published: January 2025

In the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, educators constantly aim to meet and anticipate growing demands. This includes catering to learners’ interests while also aligning with the skill sets sought by employers in an ever-evolving economic environment. Flexibility has become paramount, leading to new methods for demonstrating competency and acquiring knowledge and skills. One such approach has been the development of micro-credentials. Micro-credentials signify competency in specific skill sets or areas of knowledge acquired through focused and concise learning experiences. While prevalent in other fields, such as computer science, their emergence in gerontology is relatively recent. Their growth requires us to consider the purpose and objectives of a gerontology-infused curriculum, exploring how they may challenge existing paradigms while fostering new approaches to learning. Guest et al. will provide an overview of gero-micro-credentials and their utilization within private and public sectors. Bronwyn will share a university-based program, emphasizing how these credentials fulfill an emerging need for ongoing education. Heyn highlights the potential impact of these credentials at Hispanic Serving Institutions, particularly regarding opportunities within resource-limited environments. Ellis will then lead our discussion by exploring the undefined nature of these credentials, indicating the necessity for further research and evaluation. With reference to these exemplars, we discuss the strengths and considerations of micro-credentials in the field of aging and work to identify a consensus on how we should engage with and leverage these credentials for advancing gerontology education and practice.
MICRO-CREDENTIALS IN GERONTOLOGY EDUCATION: ENHANCING EXPERTISE OR THREATENING EXISTENCE?
Authors: Guest M Aaron , Kim Suk-hee
Published: January 2025

As a field, gerontology faces the challenge of preparing a workforce to address the complex needs of an aging population. Yet, in the twenty-first century, gerontology has faced many challenges in accomplishing this goal. Academic programs continue to face closure, combination, and student recruitment challenges. This is despite national and global aging. Ensuring continued access to gerontology-related content has become central for many educators. A movement from independent programs and classes to gerontology content infused throughout the curriculum has been one approach. Another has been the development of micro-credentials. These programs offer the opportunity to demonstrate competency in an area through a short, focused program of study. They are characterized by their specificity, flexibility, and accessibility and may offer a viable solution for rapidly equipping professionals with gerontological competencies. They differ from formal degree programs and continuing education, although they can be components of each. In addition, they cost fractions of a traditional degree program, often have no requirements for admission, and usually can be completed through self-paced learning. Yet, learners have limited guidance in deciding what constitutes a viable micro-credential. Indeed, micro-credentials are offered through a continuum provider, including academic-based institutions, nonprofit organizations, for-profit providers, and even employers. As such, it is unknown what many of these programs provide education, what skills they provide their learners, and if the content is scientifically accurate. While these programs can undoubtedly assist in infusing gerontological competency throughout the workforce, they also pose a severe threat to ensuring a trained and competent workforce.
STANDARDIZATION OF GERONTOLOGY MICRO-CREDENTIALS: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FREE MARKET
Authors: Ellis Jennifer
Published: January 2025

Micro-credentials are an emerging market for gerontology and thus require understanding before we can advance and identify their contribution to the field. In this presentation, we will review and discuss the standardization of gerontology micro-credentials in the United States. The function and role of micro-credentials vary beyond just disciplinary backgrounds and are also based on institution type and geographic location. The diversity of short-term credit- and non-credit micro-credentials expands in response to the workforce’s training needs. Yet, the assessment of certificates and other micro-credentials is in its infancy. There are limited directions, competing viewpoints, and misconceptions about what micro-credentials are and who they serve. The lack of infrastructure or expectations from the gerontology community has opened the free market to respond at a time when credit-based programs are waning. What are the implications of aligning industry standards with all short-term training and education, and how do they correlate with the needs of aging service providers? This presentation aims to open dialogue with educators, providers, and systems leaders to extrapolate the opportunities and challenges with gerontology-focused micro-credentials.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND OLDER PEOPLE
Authors: Zaninotto Paola , Ayalon Liat
Published: January 2025

The symposium focuses on the intersection of climate change impacts and the aging population. It includes presentations on the unique vulnerabilities of older adults to climate-induced disasters, the effect of heat exposure on their immune functions, the implications of extreme temperatures on healthcare utilization among the elderly in Europe, insights from older adults on climate change through a photovoice study, and strategies for building resilient communities for older adults. Each presentation would draw from comprehensive research and findings to highlight the need for targeted interventions and policies that address the specific challenges faced by older populations in the context of a changing climate. Climate Change and Aging Interest Group Sponsored Symposium
BUILDING AND SUPPORTING RESILIENT COMMUNITIES FOR OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Kieffer Elana
Published: January 2025

2023 was Earth’s warmest year on record, and the planet’s temperatures will only continue to rise. Older adults are among those most vulnerable to the intense and increasingly dangerous effects of climate change. Extreme heat and extreme cold can cause significant health consequences, particularly for older adults, that impact their body temperatures, respiratory systems, levels of exhaustion, and even survival. In addition, weather disasters such as hurricanes and floods are on the rise due to climate change. Not only do they pose immediate threats to the safety and well-being of older adults, but they contribute to prolonged challenges in the aftermath, including disruptions to essential services, displacement of individuals and families, and compromised access to healthcare. In this session, 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 can build resilient response systems, strategies, and programs in the face of these challenges, as outlined in “Strengthening Community Resilience: Supporting Older Adults Through Emergency Preparedness And Response In A Post-COVID Era”, published by NYAM in 2023. We will discuss recommendations and strategies in four key areas: partnerships, education, efficiency of services, and access to services. Building and supporting resilient communities with a focus on the strengths and needs of older adults is imperative in the fight against climate change, and we will outline concrete ways to achieve this objective.
DOES COGNITIVE RESERVE MODERATE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STROKE SEVERITY AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION?
Authors: Ou Yinuo , Lv Yalin , Wei Hui , Zhang Yanrong , Li Juan
Published: January 2025

Cognitive decline is common after stroke. This study aimed to explore the moderating effect of cognitive reserve on the relationship between stroke severity and long-term cognitive function.A longitudinal survey of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) was conducted in 2023 at four stroke centers in Nanjing and Shanghai, China. A total of 371 eligible patients were interviewed at acute stage and re-interviewed at 3 and 6 months after onset. Stroke severity was assessed using The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS) at admission. Cognitive reserve was assessed by Cognitive Reserve Index questionnaire (CRIq) within 7 days after stroke onset. Cognitive function was assessed by Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Changsha Version(MoCA-CS) at each wave. A series of general linear mixed models were applied to test the moderating effect of cognitive reserve.The study found that cognitive function improved over time in all patients after stroke(β=1.314, p<0.001). The cognitive function of patients with higher NIHSS score was worse than those with lower NIHSS score(β=-1.315, p<0.01).Patients with a higher level of cognitive reserve had better cognitive function after stroke than those with a lower level of cognitive reserve(β=0.048, p<0.01). The interaction between NIHSS and cognitive reserve was statistically significant(β=0.012, p<0.05)after controlling for a covariate[Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST)].Cognitive reserve can mitigate the impact of stroke burden on long-term cognitive decline in Chinese AIS patients to some extent. Cognitive reserve provides a potential target for the prevention and intervention of cognitive impairment after stroke.
MULTIMORBIDITY PATTERNS PREDICT THE ORDER OF PHYSICAL FRAILTY AND COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT OCCURRENCE
Authors: Wang Shuomin , Li Qianyuan , Xue Qian-Li , Liu Minhui
Published: January 2025

Prior studies showed the difference in temporal sequence of physical frailty and cognitive impairment occurrence. Chronic conditions often co-occur in specific disease patterns, that is multimorbidity patterns, revealing shared pathophysiological mechanisms and risk factors. However, whether different multimorbidity patterns predict the order of frailty and cognitive impairment occurrence remain unknown. Combined participants recruited in 2011 and 2015 from National Health and Aging Trends Study, a total of 6055 community-dwelling older adults free of frailty or cognitive impairment at baseline were followed for 4 years. Latent class analysis was conducted to identify multimorbidity patterns with clinical meaningfulness. We used Fine & Gray competing risks models to examine the associations between multimorbidity patterns and risk of different orders of frailty and cognitive impairment occurrence. Four multimorbidity patterns were identified: cardiometabolic, osteoarticular, cancer-dominated, and multisystem pattern. Compared to non-multimorbidity, all four multimorbidity patterns were associated with a higher risk of developing frailty first. Specifically, multisystem pattern had a threefold higher risk (Sub-distribution hazard ratios [SHR]= 3.07, 95% CI= 2.21-4.26). However, those in the cardiometabolic (SHR =0.99, 95% CI= 0.88-1.12), osteoarticular (SHR =0.96, 95% CI= 0.82-1.11), and cancer-dominated (SHR =0.93, 95% CI= 0.79-1.09) patterns had a decreased risk of cognitive impairment-first occurrence, even though not statistically significant. In addition, older adults only from multisystem pattern showed a higher risk of co-occurrence of frailty and cognitive impairment. Clinician should be aware of etiological heterogeneity between frailty and cognitive impairment, and thus provide more effective prevention strategies for those comorbid older adults.
EAST MEETS WEST: WORKING TOGETHER TOWARD AN AGE-INCLUSIVE SOCIETY THROUGH RESEARCH ON AGEISM
Authors: Yamashita Takashi , Chen Limei , Kusmaul Nancy
Published: January 2025

This East-Meets-West symposium aims to address how ageism as age-based discrimination, prejudice, and stereotypes manifests across various settings in Japan and the United States. Ageism can lead to negative outcomes such as missed employment opportunities, poor health, and lower social well-being. This symposium will serve as a platform to integrate findings and insights from the ageism studies in two distinctive Eastern and Western cultural zones. Although both countries are economically developed nations and experiencing population aging, the perception and treatment of older adults as well as their strategies to cope with ageism significantly vary due to distinctive cultural norms, health care systems, and social support systems. This symposium consists of four presentations. Dr. Yasumoto will present findings on age stereotypes and longevity aspirations among older Japanese people. Dr. Takeuchi will present findings from a large-scale survey research and differential effects of ageism by gender and employment in Japan on older adult’s health and social participation. Dr. Gonzales will present findings from their analysis of the U.S. Health and Retirement Study on how ageism affects racial and ethnic minorities’ health and civic engagement. Finally, Dr. Mulhorn will present findings on the prevalence and situated use of ageist terms on Twitter based on 60 million tweets. The symposium will provide a discussion to triangulate findings from these four studies and to identify culturally sensitive innovative solutions to address ageism and break barriers for all individuals to achieve high quality of life at any age over the life course. Japanese and Japanese American Aging Studies Interest Group Sponsored Symposium
THE PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACTS OF AGEISM: FINDINGS FROM SURVEYS IN JAPAN
Authors: Takeuchi Masumi
Published: January 2025

Ageism is a detrimental bias directed towards older people, and understanding its existence and the associated issues is crucial for eradicating ageism. Palmore (1985) posited that in a Confucian society like Japan, older people are respected and ageism is not prevalent. However, subsequent studies have shown that negative prejudices against older people also persist in Japan. This presentation aims to provide an overview of the current state of ageism in Japan and examine its psychosocial impact on older adults. Firstly, I will present the findings of a 2021 survey conducted among 800 individuals aged 60-74, revealing that 75% of respondents reported experiencing some form of age-based discrimination. Employed women encountered age discrimination more frequently than their non-employed counterparts, as well as men. This result is consistent with previous research indicating that older women face a double jeopardy of ageism and sexism in the workplace (Palmore, 1997). Secondly, the data indicates that those who encountered age discrimination exhibited more negative attitudes towards aging and reported poorer subjective well-being. Thirdly, a longitudinal analysis of the “National Survey of the Japanese Elderly,” conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology in 1987, 1993, and 2002, among individuals aged 60 and older residing in Japan, demonstrated that older adults with negative attitudes towards aging experienced worse health outcomes and reduced social participation later in life. These findings underscore the pressing issue of ageism in Japan and emphasize the necessity for social initiatives to combat ageism in the country.