bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LEARNING LIFE COURSE CONCEPTS THROUGH FILM
Authors: Hall Lisa C
Published: November 2019

This paper explains how students learned foundational concepts through viewing a commercial film. The students (mostly social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences majors) were enrolled in a survey course for the gerontology major in a Program of Merit-certified Bachelor of Science program. Elements of the life course (transitions, counter-transitions, trajectory, age norms and timetables, sequence, duration, and social clock), and types of aging (biological, psychological, social, chronological, functional and subjective) are evident in the 2008 fictional film, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. An adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short story by the same name, the film chronicles a man’s life who was born physiologically old and dies as an infant with dementia. A multi-phased, active learning approach was used in which students (1) read about the abstract concepts from a textbook, (2) viewed the film while simultaneously identifying and applying concepts through notetaking, reflective writing prompts, and class discussion, (3) defined concepts and critically analyzed the contents in a written assessment, and (4) recalled definitions of concepts, eight weeks later, in a multiple choice final exam. Over three-quarters of students scored 80% or higher on the written assessment. Students under the active learning approach demonstrated higher recall on the final exam compared to students who were under the previous approach of standard lecture. Though these findings indicate that active learning through film is effective, they were realized retrospectively while attempting to improve a course’s learning outcomes. A planned, cross-sectional study could better account for variability and yield more conclusive results.
USING NEURAL NETWORK TO UNCOVER CELL TYPES THROUGH SNRNA SEQUENCING
Authors: Paryani Fahad , Menon Vilas
Published: November 2019

The advent of single-nucleus RNA-sequencing (snRNAseq) has allowed for the exploration of genetic signatures of the numerous cells in the brain. In particular, snRNAseq data can provide new insights into how many neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, alter cells in the brain. One major challenge with analyzing snRNAseq data is the lack of a systematic way to classify the various cell types across different datasets. To address this challenge, we developed a general classifier (“DeepSeq”) that uses state-of-the-art deep learning approaches. We trained our model on multiple snRNAseq datasets derived from post-mortem brain tissue in individuals with and without clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease from the ROSMAP cohorts. The two snRNAseq datasets contained 70,064 nuclei and 170,275 nuclei. The two studies employed different clustering techniques, and identified 44 and 18 putative cell types. To map these disparate cluster identities across datasets, we extracted the most relevant genes and trained two separate networks, one on each dataset. We then validated each classifier separately on the holdout cells. The resulting classifier accuracy were 87% and 94%. To map clusters across datasets, we then applied each classifier to the other dataset. Both classifiers yielded mappings that reflected the overall biology, correctly categorizing the nuclei into broad and fine cell type classes. Although validation on additional datasets would expand the generality of this approach, our results show that DeepSeq is an easily implementable classification tool that can assign identity to nuclei in new snRNAseq datasets without the need for preprocessing or cross-batch alignment.
EXERCISE ACUTELY IMPROVES COGNITION IN HEALTHY OLDER ADULTS: THE ROLE OF AROUSAL
Authors: Cummins Pearl N , Kent James , Weng Timothy , Magnottta Vincent , Pierce Gary , Voss Michelle
Published: November 2019

Previous researchers have reported that aerobic exercise improves cognition in older adults; however, few researchers have examined the role of arousal on improvements in cognition after exercise. The purpose of this study was to understand how changes in arousal acutely affect changes in cognitive performance after a single session of light compared to moderate intensity aerobic exercise. Cognitively normal older adults (N = 34) were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial where they were asked to complete the N-back task with faces, a cognitive task used to test working memory, in an fMRI scanner. On separate days, the task was completed before and 15 to 20 minutes after light and moderate intensity exercise. An intervention was also completed, but our question focuses on the acute effects of exercise rather than training. Arousal was measured before and after exercise through a questionnaire and a direct measure of physiological activation of the sympathetic nervous system with galvanic skin response (GSR). On average, resting GSRs decreased from pre- to post-exercise scan; however, the change was not statistically significant. The decrease in arousal after light exercise indicated that older adults had decreased sympathetic activity after both light and moderate intensity exercise. By contrast, N-back task performance improved most after moderate compared to light intensity exercise. Together, evidence that sympathetic activity tended to decrease generally for both intensities, whereas cognitive improvements were more specific, suggests that changes in arousal at rest were not a critical factor connecting exercise and improved working memory in this study.
SELF-PERCEPTION OF AGING AND ASSOCIATED CHARACTERISTICS AMONG OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Barnes Timothy L , Musich Shirley , Wang Shaohung , Kraemer Sandra , Yeh Charlotte
Published: November 2019

Positive self-perception of aging has been linked to better physical and psychosocial health outcomes among older adults. Negative self-perception of aging has been associated with poorer health consequences including depression, limited mobility, and mortality. Despite significant findings, the comprehensiveness and quality of self-perception of aging research still warrants further investigation, especially when identifying factors for intervention. Using a large random stratified sample of AARP Medicare Supplement insured members, age≥65 years, with continuous coverage for ≥12 months, self-perception of aging and various socio-demographic, medical, and psychosocial characteristics were examined using Chi-square and multivariate logistic regression models. Self-perception of aging was measured using the five-item Attitudes Towards Own Aging subscale. Characteristics of interest included age, gender, health status, resilience, purpose, optimism, social network, physical activity, depression, falls, vision, hearing, oral health, and sleep quality. Propensity weighting was used to adjust for potential survey non-response bias. Of weighted survey respondents (N=14,046), 59% exhibited a positive self-perception, while 41% exhibited a negative self-perception. Respondents with a positive self-perception were more likely to be healthier, younger (<75 years), more active (≥3days), less depressed, have more diverse social networks, higher resilience, and purpose. Negative self-perception was associated with poorer health, older age, depression, and poorer vision, hearing, oral health, and sleep quality. The strongest characteristics associated with positive self-perception were purpose, resilience, physical activity, and social networks. Depression and sleep quality were the strongest characteristics associated with negative self-perception. Interventions targeting these characteristics could be beneficial in promoting positive self-perception of aging and health over time.
A QUALITATIVE STUDY ON THE COGNITION AND EXPERIENCES MOBILITY DEVICES USE IN KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS PATIENTS OF CHINA
Authors: Dai Fumin , Jiang Mengdie , Jia Wenwen
Published: November 2019

The benefits of mobility devices for knee Osteoarthritis Patients include reducing burden of knee joint, enhancing confidence and increasing autonomy, yet many who might benefit from using mobility devices do not use them. The purpose of this study is to explore the cognition and using experiences about mobility devices use in patients with knee osteoarthritis of China. Naturalistic inquiry research was adopted, 15 patients with knee osteoarthritis were recruited and Semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data were analyzed based on conventional content analysis methodology. Two themes of using experiences about mobility devices were extracted, including positive feelings, negative feelings. Cognition about mobility devices use included light consciousness, incorrect attitude. Mobility devices have a positive effect on knee osteoarthritis patients, but some patients lack sufficient understanding and face many problems in the use of mobility devices. Policy Support, greater physician involvement, positive peer modules, and safe, visually appealing devices would promote greater acceptance and satisfaction of mobility devices with knee osteoarthritis patients.
MITOCHONDRIAL-DERIVED PEPTIDE, SHLP2, A NOVEL PROTECTIVE FACTOR IN PARKINSON’S DISEASE
Authors: Kim Su Jeong , Devgan Anjali , Mehta Hemal H , Cohen Pinchas
Published: November 2019

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants are associated with a wide range of diseases of aging, from diabetes to Alzheimer’s, as well as with longevity itself. However, to date, little work has thoroughly examined the functional roles of mtDNA variants in such age-related diseases or the therapeutic potential of mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs) in these conditions. Our lab hypothesizes that mtDNA SNPs could affect MDPs, and we recently showed that a mtDNA SNP is associated with reduced circulating levels of an MDP called humanin and with cognitive decline. How other mtDNA SNPs affect MDPs and disease risk has yet to be analyzed. Remarkably, a recent paper showed a mtDNA SNP (m.2158 T>C) reduces the risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Of note, this SNP changes lysine (K) 4 to arginine (R) of a MDP called SHLP2, which is encoded by the 16S rRNA region of the mtDNA. SHLP2 acts as a neuroprotective factor and as a metabolic regulator. We hypothesized that K4R SHLP2 – produced by individuals who carry mtDNA m.2158 T>C – is a protective factor for Parkinson’s disease. Cycloheximide-treated pulse-chase experiments additionally showed that K4R SHLP2 is more stable than WT SHLP2. WT SHLP2 has a polyubiquitination whereas K4R SHLP2 diminish the polyubiquitination. K4R SHLP2 more potently inhibits PD toxin (MPP+) induced apoptosis in neuronal cells. K4R SHLP2 reverse the mitochondrial membrane potential loss and mitochondria respiration defect in TFAM heterozygous knockout MEFs. Altogether, SHLP2 has the therapeutic potential as a precision medicine in PD.
PURPOSE AND NUMBER OF CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS AMONG OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Sayer Janis , Smith Jennifer L , O’Brien Cate , Bihary Joseph G , O’Connor Dugan , Basic Ajla
Published: November 2019

An overwhelming three-quarters of persons age 65 and over have multiple chronic health conditions (Gerteis et al., 2014). With a growing population of older adults, understanding the factors that predict health and reduce the risk of chronic disease is critical. Recent evidence finds that a high sense of purpose- “the belief that one’s life is purposeful and meaningful” (Ryff & Keyes, 1995, p. 720)- is associated with positive health outcomes among older adults. This study investigated the association between purpose and number of chronic conditions among older adults, and whether the relationship depended on age. The study included 6148 older adults (mean age=83.8) who participated in a larger study on wellness. Participants completed a survey that included a measure of sense of purpose and questions about chronic health conditions. Data were analyzed controlling for demographics, optimism, pessimism, social contact, BMI, physical activity, and smoking. Lower levels of purpose were significantly associated with higher numbers of chronic conditions. There was a significant interaction between purpose and age, such that relatively younger older adults with high levels of purpose had fewer chronic conditions. There was no relationship between purpose and number of chronic conditions for the oldest adult participants. The results add new findings to the body of research that demonstrates that sense of purpose is associated with chronic disease. As sense of purpose is modifiable, interventions that increase purpose among older adults, with an emphasis on the youngest-old, should be developed and implemented.
CHILDREN CAREGIVERS’ EXPERIENCES OF OLDER ADULTS WITH DEMENTIA IN CARE TRANSITION: A QUALITATIVE SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Authors: Khiewchaum Rungnapha
Published: November 2019

Background/Purpose: Young and adult children have experienced caring for people who have been diagnosed with dementia. Caregiving needs affect family members who become the primary caregivers in care transition from hospital to home. This study aims to synthesize primary qualitative research on the experiences of children caregivers of older adults with dementia. Method: This is a systematic review describing young and adult child caregivers’ experiences in caring for patient with dementia in home-based care. Data sources were published literature written in English from CINAHL, Scopus, PubMed, and PsychoINFO (published from January 1976 to October 2018). The thematic synthesis approach was also applied to generate theory generating meta-synthesis research (TGMS). and to describe the process of caring for demented patients by caregivers. Result: Eight primary studies reporting 388 potential studies were included. Four themes emerged: 1) well-being which included encouraging and destructive well-being; 2) role transition which included positive or negative role transformations; 3) caregiver needs which included medical and nursing information or knowledges and health care services/community services; and 4) the challenge of dementia which included symptoms of dementia which were impairing. Conclusion The findings of this meta-synthesis study support evidence of well-being among adult children in caring for people with dementia in transition phases. We present thematic synthesis that could be useful to professionals working with caregivers and patients with dementia. We suggest that research importance should shift towards the development and evaluation of care transitions intervention, especially professionals preparing support after diagnosis.
MUSIC IN THE LIFE COURSE: A FOCUS ON DEMENTIA
Authors: Couve Amanda , Kotarba Joseph A
Published: November 2019

The music experiences of Baby Boomers (born 1946 to 1965) continue to evolve as they age, with the Beatles and the Blues remaining key features. Baby boomers grew up in the post-World War II period when the variety of media technologies and outlets grew tremendously. Baby boomers continue this trend to experience and enjoy music through media such as theme cruises, community center activities, formal concerts, TV music awards programs, iPhones, and house concerts. The value of music in caring for the increasing number of Baby Boomers living with dementia is also increasing. For example, music can help patients recall pleasant and calming moments in their past, while helping enhance body movement and balance through dance. The audience’s’ takeaways will be ideas for creative marketing of music to the elderly; for integrating music into senior living situations, and for celebrating technology’s contributions to the culture of aging.
FACTORS INFLUENCING HEALTH BEHAVIORS OF KOREAN OLDER ADULTS WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE
Authors: Shin So Young , Mun Ji Mi
Published: November 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of disease-related knowledge, depression, and family support on health behaviors of older patients with coronary artery disease. Methods: The subjects were 139 older patients with coronary artery disease who had visited the internal medicine outpatient clinic at one general hospital located in metropolitan city B, Korea. A set of self-reported questionnaire was administered to assess general characteristics, disease-related knowledge, depression, family support, and health behaviors of the subjects. Collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression. Results: The mean (±SD) age of the subjects was 70.86 (±4.70) years. Health behaviors of the subjects had significant negative correlations with disease-related knowledge (r=-.17, p=.050) and depression (r=-.32, p<.001) while having a significant positive correlation with family support (r=.67, p<.001). In the final multiple regression analysis, factors influencing health behaviors of subjects were medication intake status (β=-.17, p=.009), depression (β=-.15, p=.017) and family support (β=.61, p<.001). The explanatory power of the subjects’ medication intake status, disease-related knowledge, depression and family support on health behaviors was 48.9% (F=33.97, p<.001). Conclusion: Medication intake status, depression, and family support had significant influences on health behaviors of older patients with coronary artery disease. Improvements in medication intake, depression, and family support for older patients with coronary artery disease may be beneficial for their health behaviors, and ultimately, have a positive effect on their recovery from the disease and well-being.
HOW A RURAL COMMUNITY ADAPTS TO AN AGING POPULATION USING AN ALLIANCE
Authors: Sisofo Briana , Asman Anne R
Published: November 2019

Older adult populations in rural America are growing more rapidly than ever before, but most do not have the facilities and resources to support the growth. Good health and quality of life are the driving forces in these communities. However, they need assistance in restructuring their support for older adult services and education, housing, social engagement opportunities, and care for aging-in-place. Summit County Utah is a federally recognized rural community and may act as a functioning model for recognizing and addressing these aging issues for other rural areas within the United States. The Summit County Aging Alliance (SCAA) is a unique union of multiple federal, state and local agencies and, concerned and influential citizens who are helping to create the programs and services needed such as the submission of grants, the reassessment of the senior center, the creation of open communication between county and city politicians, connection of locals with key stakeholders, and growth to geriatric medicine in the area. SCAA is one of the five priorities of the Summit County Health Department Mental Wellness Alliance. SCAA focuses on the issues that are crucial for an older adult to sustain a healthy lifestyle in a rural community.
GAIT UNSTEADINESS AS AN INDICATOR OF COGNITIVE STATUS IN INDIVIDUALS WITH PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY
Authors: Kang Gu Eon , Yang Jacqueline , Zhou He , Wang Changhong , Akhtar Bareera , xu Brian , Beckmann Guillermo , Najafi Bijan
Published: November 2019

Neuropathic individuals are at risk of falls, however potential impact of cognitive impairment in neuropathic individuals is not well-understood. Since cognitive impairment is considered an independent risk factor for falls, knowing its potential, additional impact may help better understand underlying mechanism of risk of falls in neuropathic individuals. We aimed to investigate stride-to-stride variability in neuropathic individuals with cognitive impairment (NP-Cog-Impaired) and without cognitive impairment (NP-Cog-Intact) during normal and dual-task walking. Neuropathic symptoms and cognitive status was measured using maximum vibration perception threshold (VPTmax) in the feet and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), respectively. We analyzed data from 19 NP-Cog-Impaired (8 men; 68.5±9.1 years; 29.0±6.2 kg/m2; VPTmax=27.2±12.1 volts; MoCA=19.6±2.4) and 25 NP-Cog-Intact (15 men; 66.5±9.1 years; 31.3±5.9 kg/m2; VPTmax=26.3±12.7 volts; MoCA=25.6±1.6). We collected movement data using five inertial sensors (LEGSysTM, BioSensics LLC, Watertown, MA) attached on the shanks, thighs and lower back. We used previously validated algorithm to calculate coefficient of variations (CV) of stride velocity and stride length. CV of stride velocity and stride length were significantly greater for the NP-Cog-Impaired group (11.07±5.22% and 7.31±3.20%, respectively) than for the NP-Cog-Intact group (7.31±3.20% and 4.81±2.80%, respectively) for dual-task walking but not for normal walking. Between normal and dual-task walking, CV of stride velocity and stride length increased 43.2% (significantly) and 46.4% (marginally), respectively, from normal walking to dual-task walking for the NP-Cog-Impaired group but not for the NP-Cog-Intact group. Results suggest that cognitive impairment may be an additional risk factor of falls in neuropathic individuals.
PREDICTIONS OF RISK TOLERANCE ACROSS DISEASE SCENARIOS AMONG OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Ju Catherine , Carpenter Brian
Published: November 2019

Advance care planning requires older adults to contemplate what kind of medical care they would prefer if faced with serious illness. Those decisions involve weighing risks of medical treatments with quality of life. The purpose of this project was to explore older adults’ tolerance for risk in medical treatment scenarios. Thirty-three adults over age 60 (mean age = 74.9, SD = 8.9) were presented with four medical scenarios reflecting increasingly severe diseases (urinary incontinence, kidney failure, dysphagia, Alzheimer disease). For each, they were asked whether they would accept a treatment with increasing risk of death (5%, 50%, 95%). Participants also recorded demographic characteristics and completed a physical and mental health measure. Older adults were more willing to accept hypothetical treatments with lower risk of death (Cochran’s Q = 27.8 - 39.0, p’s < .001), and they were more willing to accept treatments when faced with more severe diseases (Cochran’s Q = 8.7 - 29.8, p’s < .05). There were no significant associations between risk tolerance and demographic and health characteristics. These results suggest that older adults are diverse in their willingness to accept medical treatments risks, at least when presented with hypothetical medical scenarios. Medical professionals and family members who collaborate with older adults should be aware of this diversity of preferences and check assumptions based in demographic and health characteristics. Given these nuances, interventions to promote communication about medical preferences are essential to patient-centered advance care planning and medical decision making.
OLDER AND MORE MINDFUL? ASSOCIATIONS OF MINDFULNESS CHARACTERISTICS AND WELL-BEING VARY WITH AGE
Authors: Mahlo Leeann , Windsor Tim D
Published: November 2019

Research examining how mindfulness confers benefits for well-being is in its infancy. Furthermore, few studies have considered the positive effects of mindfulness on psychological functioning from a lifespan perspective. The present study aimed to examine a recently proposed model of mindfulness and whether the importance of the proposed mechanisms for well-being varied as a function of age. A community-based sample of 623 participants aged between 18 and 86 years (M = 48.78, SD = 16.74) was recruited via an internet-based research platform. Participants completed questionnaire measures of mindful characteristics (i.e., present-moment attention, nonjudgment, interoception, acceptance, nonattachment, and decentering), flexible goal adjustment, and well-being. Parallel mediation analyses using bootstrapping showed that both present-moment attention and nonjudgment provided significant pathways to (a) well-being through acceptance, nonattachment, and decentering; and (b) flexible goal adjustment through nonattachment and decentering. Furthermore, most aspects of mindfulness were positively associated with age. Conditional process analyses revealed that the direct relationships between (1) present-moment attention and well-being, (2) nonjudgment and well-being, and (3) decentering and flexible goal adjustment were significant for adults from around age 40 and became stronger with increasing age. The findings provide preliminary support for a recently proposed model of mindfulness and suggest that present-moment attention, nonjudgment, and decentering may become especially important for well-being across the second half of life. In particular, these aspects of mindfulness may represent psychological qualities that require a relatively modest investment of physiological and cognitive resources and can be targeted in interventions designed to enhance well-being in later adulthood.
A TYPICAL WEEK WITH MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT: A PHOTO-ELICITATION STUDY
Authors: Wool Jenny , Renn Brenna N
Published: November 2019

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an important precursor to dementia syndromes and carries with it both public and personal health significance, yet affected individuals may experience stigma, fear, and reluctance to participate in research or access services. Identifying the experience of people with MCI may help develop research agendas, interventions, and other supports to better match patients’ needs. To this end, we conducted photo-elicitation interviews with 11 community-dwelling adults aged 57-79 years with diagnosed MCI. Interviews took place remotely using teleconferencing software to reduce access barriers. Each semi-structured interview used 5-10 participant-generated photographs to elicit the experience of living with MCI, barriers to daily activities, and facilitators and supports. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using Dedoose software. Qualitative analysis revealed themes of important activities, including physical activity, social engagement, and cognitive stimulation. Barriers presented by MCI included difficulty with former routines (e.g., cooking, finances), reduction of activities, and perceived stigma or fear of disclosure. Facilitators of daily activities included increased use of new strategies and environmental supports (e.g., calendars, smartphones), in addition to social and familial support. Multiple participants noted that the diagnosis of MCI led to opportunities for inner reflection and seeking a sense of inner calmness. Incorporating participant-generated images aided in data collection and facilitated discussion of sensitive topics with a cognitively impaired sample. Clinicians and researchers should support engagement in meaningful activities, assess barriers to important daily activities, and consider support to match the experience and needs of those with MCI.
GIVE A PIECE OF YOUR MIND: A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF A FACEBOOK SUPPORT GROUP FOR DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS
Authors: Lagervall Jenny A , Lag Madeline R , Brickman Sophie , Ingram Rebecca E , Feliciano Leilani
Published: November 2019

The online environment offers individuals a means of obtaining information, support, and social connection. Older adults are growing users of the internet1. Online support groups (e.g., Facebook groups) have been found to provide health-related information and encourage mental well-being2. They may be particularly advantageous for caregivers of individuals diagnosed with dementia, as it is difficult to leave loved ones with dementia alone. However, the mechanisms by which online support groups engage caregivers, and the content of support, have yet to be explored. In the current study, content from 100 posts from a private Facebook caregiver support group were evaluated for gender of post author, relationship to the person receiving care, distress, emotional tone, grief reaction, caregiver burden, and coping strategy. Results indicated that caregiver distress was associated with the presence of grief reactions, negative emotional tone, and higher caregiver burden. Utilizing venting as a coping strategy was associated with higher caregiver burden, similar to what is observed in a traditional in-person support group. Online communication for caregivers may provide an indication of caregivers’ psychological well-being, as specific coping strategies and grief reactions indicated higher levels of caregiver burden and distress. Research on interventions for dementia caregivers may benefit from a focus on online social support as a means of accessing caregivers and treatment delivery.
GENDER AND BELIEFS ABOUT SUCCESSFUL AGING IN EASTERN NEPAL
Authors: Qiu Xiao , Sun Na , McLaughlin Sara J , Subedi Janardan , Thapa Suman S , Shrestha Mohan K , Johnson Matthew , Williams-Blangero Sarah
Published: November 2019

Gender shapes opportunities and experiences over the life course, which may influence beliefs about what it means to age successfully. In Nepal, a developing nation in South Asia, women and girls have historically had fewer social and economic opportunities than their male counterparts. To understand how gender may shape beliefs about successful aging, adult members of the Jiri population in eastern Nepal were asked to rate the importance of health-related (e.g., longevity), psychological (e.g., satisfaction with life), and social (e.g., support of family and friends) elements of successful aging (n = 1479; 52.9% female; 49.0% age 18-39, 33.1% age 40 to 59, 17.8% age 60 and over). Each of the 13 elements was rated as very important by over two thirds of the sample. Few gender differences in beliefs were observed; however, results of logistic regression analysis indicate that the odds of Jiri women endorsing longevity (OR = 0.75, p = 0.02) and life satisfaction (OR = 0.65, p = 0.02) as very important to successful aging were significantly lower than for men, controlling for age, education, and presence of illness. While more similarities than differences in beliefs about successful aging were observed by gender, the extent to which socially-defined roles and expectations may be responsible for observed differences should be explored in future research.
THE EFFECT OF COGNITIVE TRAINING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAM IN COGNITIVE FUNCTION OF ELDERLY FACILITY RESIDENTS
Authors: Tseng Chien-Ning
Published: November 2019

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a combined cognitive training (CT) and physical activity (PA) intervention in improving cognitive function for institutionalized older residents with cognitive impairment. An experimental design with pre/post-test evaluations in a double-blind assessments at three points (baseline, T0; post-treatment, T1; 8-weeks-follow-up, T2), conducted an 8-week-CTPA intervention. Participants (N=134) were recruited from 12 institutions. Centers were randomly assigned into wait-list control, treatment I or treatment II groups. Treatment I group (low frequency) underwent combined 30-minutes sessions of individual-non-computer-based multi-domain CT (twice a week) with 30-minutes-group-chair-based PA (3 times a week). Treatment II group underwent the same protocol as Treatment I group, but with high frequency, 5 days per week for both CT and PA. The primary outcome, Cognitive Assessment Screening Instrument(CASI) total scores showed significant improvement in the treatment I and treatment II groups at T1-T0 and T2-T0, compared to the wait-list control group(10.55±9.60, 12.75±11.64, -8.01±6.61, p=0.000; 8.32±7.81, 11.75±10.19, -7.11±5.78, p=0.000), however there were no significant differences between two treatment groups. In CASI’s nine sub-domains, all the mean difference between groups were also significant at T1-T0 and T2-T0 (all p<0.05). The two treatment groups only significantly differ on CASI-ORIENT domain at T2-T0 (p=0.02). The findings revealed that a combined CT-and-PA intervention have positive immediate (T1-T0) and delayed (T2-T0) effects in cognitive function for older institutional residents with cognition-impairment. The two treatment groups did not show dose-response relationship. Even more, the low frequency intervention was more effective on several domains than high frequency intervention did.
PERCEIVED CONTROL AND CORTISOL STRESS REACTIVITY: VARIATIONS BY AGE, RACE, AND FACETS OF CONTROL
Authors: Wen Jin-Hui , Sin Nancy L
Published: November 2019

Greater perceived control is associated with better aging-related health outcomes, and these associations have previously been shown to differ based on sociodemographics. Physiological stress responses—including cortisol reactivity to stressors—may underlie the link between perceived control and health. The goal of this study was to evaluate the associations of perceived control and its facets (personal mastery and perceived constraints) with cortisol reactivity to acute laboratory stressors, in addition to the moderating roles of age and race. Participants (N = 737) ages 25-75 completed a perceived control questionnaire and two lab-based stress tasks. Salivary cortisol was collected pre- and post-stressor exposure. The results showed no main effects of perceived control, personal mastery, nor perceived constraints on salivary cortisol reactivity to stressors. However, age and race moderated the association between perceived constraints and post-stressor cortisol level, adjusting for baseline cortisol, sociodemographics, and health covariates. Among white participants, younger adults who reported higher constraints had elevated cortisol responses compared to those who reported lower constraints, whereas constraints were unrelated to cortisol reactivity among midlife and older adults. Among black participants, perceived control and its subscales were unrelated to cortisol, regardless of age. These findings suggest that older age buffers against the association between constraints and stress reactivity, but this buffering effect is only evident for white participants. Future research on the role of perceived control in stress and health should consider the importance of racial differences, facets of control, and age variations.
RACIAL DIFFERENCES IN NON-COGNITIVE SYMPTOMS IN ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND CAREGIVER DEPRESSION
Authors: Tang Weizhou
Published: November 2019

Behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPS) represent a heterogeneous group of non-cognitive symptoms occurring in persons with Alzheimer’s disease (PwAD), and they are often associated with negative outcomes for AD caregivers. Evidence indicates differences in caregivers’ mental health across race/ethnic groups. However, there is a lack of research that compares racial differences in BPS in PwAD. This study aims to compare racial differences in BPS in PwAD and caregiver depression. The study analyzed data collected from the South Carolina AD Registry in 2010. The survey used in the interview included measures of caregiver depression, caregiver burden, PwAD’s non-cognitive symptoms, caregiving competence, caregiver distress, and demographics. The final analysis focused on 635 African-American (n=313) and white (n=322) caregivers. Mann-Whitney U-tests, Chi-square tests, and multiple linear regression were conducted. Among all PwAD, higher percentage of whites than African Americans exhibited apathy/indifference (67.52% vs 52.44%, p=.0001), depression/dysphoria (61.54% vs 44.59%, p<.0001), and anxiety (45.08% vs 29.64%, p<.0001). In terms of both frequency and severity of BPS, whites had significantly higher BPS score (Mean=35.49, SD=24.75) than African Americans (Mean=28.13, SD=23.97; p<.0001). Mean comparisons indicated significant group differences in caregiver depressive symptoms between white caregivers (mean=11.89, SD=6.90) and African-American caregivers (mean=9.41, SD=5.77). However, there were no racial differences in the relationship between BPS in PwAD and caregiver depression. The findings of this study highlight the importance of developing more effective and targeted treatment options and therapies for neuropsychiatric symptoms and delivering cultural relevant education programs/interventions to ethnic groups.
STEADI-RX: ADAPTING CDC’S STEADI INITIATIVE FOR USE IN COMMUNITY PHARMACIES
Authors: Burns Elizabeth R , Ferreri Stefanie , Robinson Jessica , Refroe Chelsea
Published: November 2019

Falls among older adults (age 65 and older) cause roughly 3 million emergency department visits and $50 billion in medical costs annually. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) initiative to increase clinical fall prevention. STEADI encourages screening for fall risk annually, assessing modifiable risk factors, and intervening to reduce risk using effective strategies like medication management. Medication management is critical given new data on the increased use of medications linked to falls. In 15 years, opioid use among older adults increased from 15% to 35% and anticonvulsant use tripled from 4% to 14%. To address the issue, CDC partnered with the University of North Carolina who 1) adapted STEADI tools for use in community pharmacies and 2) piloted and assessed their use in 31 North Carolina pharmacies. The adapted tools and processes were branded STEADI-Rx. Community pharmacists following the STEADI-Rx initiative, screen older patients for fall risk in the pharmacy, perform a medication review to identify medications that could increase fall risk, and intervene to reduce risk by sharing information with the patients’ healthcare providers. Providers can then optimize medications to reduce fall risk and improve health. STEADI-Rx tools include 1) a community pharmacy algorithm, outlining how pharmacists can conduct fall risk screening, assessment, and care coordination; 2) a community pharmacy fall risk checklist; and 3) communication materials to help pharmacists share information with patients’ providers. STEADI-Rx was launched in July 2019. More information is available at www.cdc.gov/STEADI.
FALLS IN MID-LIFE: A SCOPING LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors: Zecevic Aleksandra , Bozzo Daniella , Stirling Alison , Gagne Helene
Published: November 2019

The implications of falls of middle-aged adults (40-64 years) on falling in late life (65+) have not received much attention. The patterns of falling over the lifespan require more research. The purpose of this scoping literature review was to answer: What is known about falls occurring in mid-life? and How falls in mid-life relate to falling over the adult lifespan? A six-stage scoping literature review framework by Levac et al. (2010) was followed. A total of 5,136 titles were identified in CINAHL, EMBASE and MEDLINE using MeSH terms for accidental fall, middle-aged and longitudinal studies. Inclusion/exclusion criteria narrowed the search to 30 full-text research articles and nine gray literature sources that were charted. Literature on falls in mid-life produced five discrete themes: two distinct populations of fallers, prevalence rates, fall-related injuries, causes of falls, and risk factors for falling. The two groups of fallers were the general population (falls prevalence 8.7-35.8%) and the special population of mid-life adults living with chronic health conditions (falls prevalence 26% for diabetes and 32.3% intellectual disabilities). Middle-aged adults had a higher proportion of injurious falls (11.5-30%) compared to older adults and extrinsic risk factors were the most frequent causes of falling (83.3%). For special populations, the risk of falls was frequently attributed to intrinsic factors. In conclusion, falls in mid-life require further exploration to establish patterns over the adult lifespan, determine influence of chronic diseases, establish clear fall incidences and risk factors, and determine if current falls prevention interventions are appropriate for mid-life adults.
A SURVEY OF FALLS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG OLDER COMMUNITY-DWELLERS
Authors: WU Meng-Ling , Wu Shang-Yu , Tseng Chien-Ning
Published: November 2019

After surveying elderly people in northern Taiwan with a structured questionnaire to collect basic information and experience of falls in the past year. In total, 250 valid questionnaires were gathered. The SPSS software package used in statistical analysis of data and a p-value <0.05 was considered to reflect statistical significance by Chi-square (χ2) test. In this study, 176 female accounted for 70.4%; 213 people living with family accounted for 85.2%; 68 people aged 66-70 years old accounted for 27.2%; 85 people with public education at the elementary level accounted for 34%. 156 people with falling experience accounted for 62.3%; 60 people who fell home accounted for 38.5%; 74 people who fell during outdoor activities accounted for 47.4%; 63 people fell in walking, cycling and sports, accounting for 85.1%. In addition, there is a significant correlation between residents’ medication and fall experience; Such as antihypertensive drugs, hypoglycemic agents, and analgesics, are more statistically significant about fall; and taking sedative, muscle relaxation, Chinese medicine, there is no statistically significant. This shows that it is very important to prevent the fall of the elderly and the safety of the elderly during outdoor activities. In addition to the need to increase the muscles and strength of the elderly, it is also necessary to strengthen the outdoor space and drug education for the elderly.
WHEN GRANDPA SAYS SOMETHING RACIST: THE ROLE OF AGEISM IN YOUNG ADULT RESPONSES
Authors: Sawyer Jennifer , Helphrey Jessica H , Smith Leah N , Mokhtari Ben K , Sandlin Allie M , Reed Christopher , Rodriguez Daniel , Barnett Michael D
Published: November 2019

Previous research has found that older adults endorse higher levels of racist attitudes than younger adults. However, little extant research has explored how young adults may respond to an older adult expressing racist views. One factor that may drive young adults’ responses is ageism, particularly stereotypes that older adults cannot handle disagreement or are incapable of changing their views. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between ageism and young adults’ likely responses to an older adult relative making a racist statement. College students (N = 110; 75.8% female) completed an online survey in which they were given a scenario in which an older adult relative makes a racist statement and rated how likely they would be to respond in different ways. Factor analysis of the likely response items found four facets: confront, agree, avoid, and leave. Bivariate correlations found that ageism was associated with higher likelihood of agreeing or avoiding, and lower likelihood of confronting the older adult relative. There was no association between ageism and likelihood of leaving the situation. Young adults higher in ageism may be more likely to agree or avoid because of ageist stereotypes that older adults cannot handle disagreement or are incapable of change, and they may be more likely to agree with the racist statement because they may have higher levels of intolerance toward both older adults and other ethnic groups. Ageism may play a role in how young adults respond to older adults expressing intolerant views.
THE ASSOCIATION OF PAIN WITH PAST AND FUTURE SELF-CONTINUITY
Authors: Fennell Gillian , Yip Abby Pui Wang , Reid Cary , Loeckenhoff Corinna
Published: November 2019

Qualitative research on chronic pain patients’ subjective experiences has documented feelings of discontinuity between present and past selves due to changes in physical functioning and social roles. This investigation is the first to test the relationship between pain and self-continuity quantitatively and does so across two samples: Study 1 involved an adult community sample (n = 230, aged 18-87) and Study 2 involved a sample of older chronic pain patients (n = 145, aged 45-94). We explored potential differences for proximal versus distant selves and past versus future selves. In both studies, pain magnitude was negatively associated with average self-continuity (ps <.05), although the effect was selectively driven by future self-continuity in Study 1 (p < .01) and past self-continuity in Study 2 (p < .01). Additionally, in Study 2, recency of pain onset was negatively associated with past self-continuity (p < .001), but not with future self-continuity (p = .47). These findings suggest that chronic pain may be detrimental to self-continuity, with some variability linked to magnitude and chronicity of the pain. Health care providers may want to monitor their patients for feelings of disconnectedness with past and future selves. Future research is needed to identify therapeutic strategies that promote a continuous sense of self in spite of pain-related challenges.
THE EFFECTS OF A DECADE OF CHANGE IN THE YOUNG-OLD POPULATION IN A MARGINAL COMMUNITY IN JAPAN
Authors: Watanabe Yuichi
Published: November 2019

Population aging is occurring throughout the world, with an estimated 82 countries expected to have more than 20% of their population age 65 or older by 2050. Communities in which these older adults live face significant challenges in maintaining residential services. Japan is on the leading edge of this phenomenon. In Japan, marginal communities are defined as those where over 50% of the population is 65 years of age or older and face difficulties maintaining the traditional mutual support system in the community. The old-old population might have vulnerabilities because of a lack of resources for daily living. Documenting the changes in these communities over time may help to identify solutions to how to be an inclusive community. we examine the effects of a decade of change using surveys completed in a marginal community in Japan in 2009 and 2019. Data were collected from a cohort of 65 to 74 year olds in 2009 (n=45) and 75 to 84 year olds in 2019 (n=26) in one marginal community. Analysis by Fisher’s exact test shows decreasing the exchange of information and decreasing discussion of the future of the community with family and relatives over time. In 2009, respondents surveyed brought up issues such as the shortage of care services and lack of bank facilities, while in 2019 these issues were not mentioned. Results suggest that decisions made regarding the viability of those communities should include input from the elderly to optimize the effects of aging in place.
HIGH THROUGHPUT YEAST REPLICATIVE LIFESPAN SCREEN UNCOVERS HISTONE DEACETYLASE HDA AS NOVEL REGULATOR OF AGING
Authors: Yu Ruofan , Cao Xiaohua , Dang Weiwei
Published: November 2019

In this work, we set out to develop a high throughput screening method, SEBYL (SEquencing Based Yeast replicative Lifespan screen), in order to identify new aging regulators in budding yeast. By utilizing SEBYL on yeast knockout collection, we were able to identify 285 long-lived gene deletions, of which a significant portion was proven to have extended lifespan by previous classical experiments. To demonstrate the ability of our method to discover new genes and pathways involved in aging process, we focused on characterizing one newly identified long-lived candidate emerged from the screening, histone deacetylase complex HDA, and found it regulates aging through mediating stress response pathways, especially DNA damage stress response. Presence of HDA complex inhibits expression of trehalose metabolism genes, which act as stress protectant. When HDA complex is mutated, trehalose genes are de-repressed, enhancing stress response and eventually promotes longevity. In summary, we conclude SEBYL to be time and energy saving, robust, and suitable for discovery of aging regulating genes using various preexisting yeast mutant collection resource.