bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FACTORS INFLUENCING AMERICAN ELDERS’ FORMAL CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors: Chen Haiping , Ma Fengzhi
Published: November 2019

Summary: Today’s American elders are increasingly being seen as an asset to society through civic engagement. A new challenge facing America now and in the years ahead is how to tap such asset. Formal organizations should play a leading role in institutionalizing American elders’ civic engagement. Due to a structural lag between social changes and organizational practices, however, many organizations are not ready to engage the large number of American elders. To address this issue, formal organizations first need to know which factors affect American elders’ civic engagement and then are able to come up with effective solutions. Although some studies have investigated the contributing factors of American elders’ civic engagement, there are very few systematic syntheses of these factors from various different studies. To fill this gap, the authors conducted a mixed methods systematic literature review using meta-summary. Through electronic search of five databases and hand search of bibliographies, 22 articles were used in final analysis based on eligibility criteria, including 19 quantitative studies, two qualitative studies and one mixed methods study. Findings: The review identified six themes and 28 factors related to American elders’ civic engagement. These themes encompassed socio-demographic factors (eight factors), health status (four factors), program characteristics (four factors), engagement opportunities (three factors), engagement outcomes (five factors) and social capital (four factors). Applications: Formal organizations are advised to develop relevant competencies to capture the influences of identified factors. Social workers are also required to develop multilevel competencies to better engage American elders with the organizational settings.
THE VALUE OF US: EXPRESSIONS OF TOGETHERNESS IN COUPLES WHERE ONE SPOUSE HAS DEMENTIA
Authors: Swall Anna , Williams Christine , Hammar Lena Marmstål
Published: November 2019

Background: Living with dementia involves both illness and health and involves self-care and care by others. As most persons with dementia are living in their ordinary housing, dementia affects not only the person with the disease, but also the life of the family, commonly the partner. Research show that spouse carers feel like they are losing their partners due to an inability to share thoughts, feelings and experiences as a couple. Aim: The aim of the study was to describe spouse’s experience of their togetherness when one spouse has dementia. Method: The sample consisted of eighteen recorded conversations between 15 persons with dementia and their spouses. The filmed conversations were transcribed verbatim and then analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Findings: One overarching theme arose from the data “Dementia preserved and challenged the value of “us”. Being a couple trying to preserve a sense of togetherness and have the relationship they wished for could be seen as a challenge when one spouse was living with dementia. Conclusion: Based on our results, we suggest that practitioners should help couples to reinforce or strengthen their bonds as a couple to maintain well-being. Future studies should examine couplehood under differing conditions such as long versus short term relationships. Prior relationship quality may also be a factor influencing the sense of couplehood following a serious health challenge such as dementia.
NEIGHBORHOOD AGE COMPOSITION AND SELF-RATED HEALTH: FINDINGS FROM A NATIONALLY REPRESENTATIVE STUDY
Authors: Lehning Amanda , Lehning Amanda J , Mattocks Nicole , Kim Kyeongmo , Smith Richard J
Published: November 2019

Neighborhood age composition is an understudied area. Furthermore, existing empirical and conceptual work is conflicting, with some indicating neighborhoods with more older adults are beneficial and other scholarship suggesting it can be detrimental. Using data from 7,197 older adults from the first wave (2011) of the National Health & Aging Trends Study combined with census tract data from the National Neighborhood Change Database, we examined the association between neighborhood age composition and self-rated health. Findings from logistic regression models indicate those living in neighborhoods with a growing concentration of older residents are significantly more likely to report lower self-rated health compared to those living in a neighborhood in which older adults overall are declining (β=1.51, p < .05) or are becoming diluted by younger residents (β=.66, p < .05). Results have implications for interventions promoting aging in place, particularly for those who may be stuck in place in age-concentrated neighborhoods.
OBSERVING SUPPORT INTERACTIONS BETWEEN PARENTS AND CHILDREN IN ADVANCED AGE
Authors: Meystre Claudia , Jopp Daniela , Darwiche Joëlle , Boerner Kathrin , Spini Dario
Published: November 2019

Studies on support exchanges in older parent-child dyads have so far not used observational approaches. Rather, they have mostly relied on self-report/questionnaire approaches. However, support exchanges represent a dyadic phenomenon that goes beyond individual perspectives on the quality of support; thus, self-reports offer only a part of the picture and are subject to bias (e.g., memory bias). In contrast, observations are better suited to capture specific support behaviors and allow for studying the dyad “in action.” Our study purpose was to examine mutual support during interactions between older adults and their children, and to investigate the links of support behaviors to relationship quality and health. Fifty dyads living in Switzerland, composed of individuals aged 70 and over and the child involved in their care, participated in a standardized interaction task: The parent described and discussed a personally challenging situation with the child for ten minutes; then roles were reversed. The videotaped interaction was analyzed using the Social Support Behavior Code Adapted for Elders (Meystre et al., submitted). Relationship quality and subjective health were assessed via standardized questionnaires. Various types of support were observed, ranging from positive to negative. Children provided more informational support than parents. Dyads with poor relationship quality showed more informational support. Better participant health was associated with fewer negative behaviors. In sum, observing the dyads in real time offered unique insights into interacting patterns of support among older parents and their children, and enabled us to capture the nature of their relationship above and beyond individual self-reports.
RACE DIFFERENCES IN THE CONSEQUENCES OF ADULT CHILDREN’S PROBLEMS ON MOTHERS’ PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING
Authors: Stepniak Catherine , Suitor J Jill , Gilligan Megan , Pillemer Karl , Rurka Marissa
Published: November 2019

Adult children’s problems have been found to be strong predictors of older parents’ psychological well-being, regardless of whether the sources of the problems are psychological or physical health, life circumstances outside of the children’s control, or children’s poor life decisions. Further, this pattern remains regardless of the number or proportion of offspring with problems, or whether children with problems were favored or disfavored by their parents. One important question that has not been addressed is whether the impact of children’s problems differs in Black and White families. Race disparities in health and other life circumstances lead Black adult children to be at greater risk of experiencing problems than are their White counterparts. Thus, Black mothers are at greater risk of having adult children with problems; however, increased exposure does not necessarily lead to a stronger impact of children’s problems on well-being. Alternatively, it can be argued that due to stronger kin networks and higher levels of religiosity, children’s problems may have a weaker impact on Black than White mothers’ well-being. In this paper, we use mixed-methods data collected from 101 Black mothers and 295 White mothers as part of the Within-Family Differences Study to explore differences in the impact of adult children’s problems on mothers’ depressive symptoms. Preliminary analyses of quantitative and qualitative data suggest that mothers’ interpretations of the circumstances surrounding their children’s problems, rather than support or type of problem, play a greater role in the impact of those problems on well-being in Black than White families.
REASONS FOR GRANDFAMILY FORMATION: CHANGING PATTERNS OVER 15 YEARS
Authors: Wallace McKenzie , Jeanblanc Alexandra B , Musil Carol M
Published: November 2019

As the number of grandparent-headed households continues to rise, it is vital to examine the changing impetus for the formation of grandfamilies. We compared the reasons for caregiving of custodial grandmothers from a current study (2017-2019: N=236) to a previous study (2002-2003: N=183) to determine whether reasons for caregiving have shifted over the 15 year period. Participants were asked to describe the reason for caregiving in an open ended question. The responses were coded into 17 categories. The percentage of participants who described each category as being a reason of caregiving were compared to determine any changes in reasons for caregiving. In both samples drug use and abandonment were the top reasons for caregiving. While abandonment shows no change (30% vs 28%), the current study shows a significant increase in drug use (40% vs 21%). The frequency at which child services was involved increased from 10% in the original sample to 28% in the current sample. Instances of violence in the home significantly increased from the original study (0.5%) to the current study (12%). Other reasons, child abuse, death of a parent, financial strain, parental health, and relationship strife, remained similar between the two samples. These data may represent an increase in family life events, but also greater willingness to disclose disruptive family life events. The substantial increase in drug use and violence as reasons for grandparents to become caregivers is concerning and suggests critical direction for clinical practice, research, and policy change to support grandparent caregivers.
DOES PHYSICAL FUNCTION RESPONSE TO INTENTIONAL WEIGHT LOSS IN OLDER ADULTS VARY BY SEX-GENDER?
Authors: Beavers Kristen , Neiberg Rebecca , Beavers Daniel P , Dewey Eliza , Kitzman Dalane , Messier Stephen , Rejeski Jack , Kritchevsky Stephen
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this study is to explore whether the effect of intentional weight loss on physical function in older adults varies by sex/gender. Individual level data from 1369 older, (67.7±5.4 years), obese (BMI: 33.9±4.4 kg/m2), adults (30% male, 21% African American) who participated in eight randomized controlled trials of weight loss were pooled. All studies were 5-6 months in duration and collected baseline demographic and pre/post gait speed (n=1296), short physical performance battery (SPPB; n=866), and grip strength (n=401) data. Treatment effects were generated by weight loss assignment [weight loss (WL; n=764) versus non-weight loss (NWL; n=605)], as well as categorical amount of weight change (high loss: >-7%, moderate loss: -7 to -3%, and weight gain/stability: <-3%). Analyses were adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, study, education, baseline BMI, and baseline value of the outcome measure of interest. Sex/gender stratified results were presented if the interaction term was p≤0.10. A sex/gender*weight loss assignment interaction was observed for SPPB (p=0.07), with women experiencing greater weight loss-associated improvement in SPPB score (WL: 0.42±0.08 versus NWL: 0.10±0.09; p=0.02) compared to men (WL: 0.30±0.11 versus NWL: 0.30±0.13). A sex/gender*weight loss amount interaction was observed for grip strength (p=0.05), with no difference observed across categories in women; however, greatest grip strength improvement was seen in men experiencing moderate weight loss compared to high loss and weight gain/stability categories. Weight loss-associated improvement in SPPB score is greater in women than men; grip strength gains in men are greatest among those achieving moderate weight loss.
WHAT MATTERS FOR COMPLETION OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVES AMONG AMERICAN OLDER ADULTS?
Authors: Lou Yifan , Liu Jinyu
Published: November 2019

Background: Most previous studies consider advance directives as one single outcome, which conceals possible variations of individuals’ decisions on two different advance directives documents–living will (LW) and durable power of attorney for healthcare (PA). To advance the knowledge on advance planning among older adults in the US, this study examined how health status and education are associated with completions of LW and PA and whether such associations vary by age and race. Methods: Data are from the 2016 wave of Health and Retirement Study. Health status was indicated by chronic condition and ADL and IADL functional limitations. Logistic regression model was used to examine how the completions of LW and PA are associated with health and education variables respectively. Interaction terms were created to test the moderating effects of race and age. Results: The analysis results show that older adults with higher IADL functional limitation and more education were more likely to complete completing PA or LW. Being white and higher age will increase the probability for an older adult to complete PA, whereas the older adults with heart problem were more likely to complete LW. The association between IADL/ADL and PA was stronger in white than other racial groups, and the association between IADL and LW was stronger in young-old than the oldest-old. Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of examining the completions of two advance directive documents respectively and indicate the necessity of developing distinct and concrete strategies to promote the completions of PA and LW.
ELDER VOICES NETWORK: PARTNERING WITH OLDER PEOPLE AND THEIR CAREGIVERS TO AVOID MEDICAL HARM
Authors: Ranahan Molly , Brennan-Taylor Mary , Richbart Michael , Clark Collin , Gadzo Ryan , Singh Ranjit , Wahler Robert
Published: November 2019

Team Alice, named after an older adult in our community who died as a result of medication harm, is an interdisciplinary team of prescribers, pharmacists, educators, advocates, and researchers with a mission to protect older people from medication-related harm across the continuum of care. In 2019, Team Alice partnered with the Erie County Department of Senior Services, older people, and caregivers to form the Elder Voices Network (EVN) as a vehicle for patient-driven deprescribing in the Western New York region. The objective of this presentation is to detail the planning and implementation of critical components of EVN’s formation, including outreach and engagement, funding development, community partnerships, roles and communication, and decision-making. Case study results demonstrate the capacity of community-based participatory research (CBPR) to empower older people and caregivers with knowledge, skills, and tools to promote self-advocacy across the system. Presenters will also discuss recommendations useful for future patient engagement initiatives.
THE USE OF SELF-MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY AND HEALTH CARE UTILIZATION IN LATER LIFE
Authors: Liu Darren , Yamashita Takashi , Burston Betty , Keene Jennifer
Published: November 2019

Health-related websites and applications are useful tools for self-management in health care settings. However, the limited accessibility due to the lack of technology-related skills can be a “digital divide” issue that particularly affects older adults. To better understand the role of such tools in later life, this study examined the use of internet-based technology in relation to health care service utilization. A nationally representative samples of adults age 55 years and older (n = 1,157) were obtained from the health behaviors module of the 2014 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) in the U.S. We analyzed the use of health management websites and apps and its association with health care service utilization measured by the number of doctor visits during the last two years before the interviews. Negative binomial regression was used to model the number of doctor visits as a function of the health management technology use and other covariates. Results revealed that the level of technology use (b = 0.41, p < 0.05) was significantly associated with a 50% greater number of doctor visits. Such technology use was significantly more common among adults with good health than those with poorer health outcomes (17.32% & 9.60%, respectively, p < 0.05). The findings suggest that healthy adults take advantage of available internet-based self-management tools and proactively utilize health care services more often than individuals who can be categorized as “unhealthy”. There is a continuing need for research on introducing strategies that can ultimately reduce health disparities by decreasing the digital divide.
THE SHARED MEANING OF COMPASSION FATIGUE AMONG REGISTERED NURSES WORKING IN SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES
Authors: Steinheiser Marlene
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this hermeneutic interpretive phenomenology study was to describe the shared meaning of compassion fatigue (CF) among registered nurses (RNs) who work in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). The specific aims were to describe: 1) contributors (triggers, situation, or patient characteristics) that cause symptoms of compassion fatigue, 2) associated physical and emotional symptoms, and 3) the short-term outcomes of unresolved compassion fatigue impacting nurses and patient care. CF can negatively impact patient outcomes, is associated with decreased quality of patient care, and can be a reason why nurses leave the profession. Eight participants were interviewed three times each, while concurrent data analysis helped to formulate mutual understanding of the phenomenon and informed subsequent interviews. Self-reflection, journaling, record keeping, and use of direct quotes enhanced trustworthiness. Four shared meanings were abstracted:1) I feel conflicted and that causes my CF; 2) physical and emotional manifestations of CF; 3) CF is infused in every aspect of my life; 4) we are trying to cope with CF. The participants shared their central desire to make a difference in the lives of their patients, which was of paramount importance. When participants felt they were unable to make the desired difference, they began to develop symptoms of CF. Symptoms were compounded when they experienced frequent patient deaths. A resiliency program specifically addressing the needs of SNF nurses, incorporating individuals and their organizations, could positively impact the nurses’ professional quality of life. Future research is needed to better understand CF and interventions specific to SNF nurses.
CHALLENGES AND IMPERFECT SOLUTIONS FOR COGNITIVE SCREENING WITH OLDER IMMIGRANTS
Authors: Willoughby Lisa , Pusopa Chuleeporn , Prakobchai Sattha , Meekanon Paweena , Goswami Spondita , Matsuo Hisako , Malmstrom Theodore K
Published: November 2019

Cultural diversity among older adults is increasing and with this comes challenges in health care needs, including the detection of cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairments manifests in many ways, with early symptoms often difficult to detect. Detecting cognitive dysfunction is typically facilitated with brief, portable screening tools. Scores on screening tools may be influenced by culture, education, and verbal abilities; in particular, these are acute issues for screening older immigrants from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds. The consequences of improper screening are high and, as such, finding practical, cost-effective solutions is of critical importance. In this project, we qualitatively examined the usability of different cognitive screening tools with the ultimate goal of improving the detection and classification of cognitive dysfunction among older adult immigrants. We extended our previous work by piloting adaptation guidelines for the Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) exam for use with linguistically and culturally diverse persons. We recruited 23 older immigrants (6 non-English speaking) and 14 U.S. born participants to explore the usability and test-retest reliability of the SLUMS exam administered with and without the adaptation guidelines. Our attempts to improve the flexibility of the SLUMS exam did not achieve the level of success as anticipated. Although this pilot work had low power, when coupled with our past work on developing adaptation guidelines, sheds critical light on the layered complexity that arises at the intersections of education, culture, race, gender, socioeconomic status, and intercultural interactions and the resulting potential directions for future work will be discussed.
YOU’LL SEE: YOUNGER RESEARCHERS INTERVIEWING OLDER PARTICIPANTS
Authors: Jen Sarah , Zhou Yuanjin , Jeong Mijin
Published: November 2019

In qualitative research, similarities and differences between the participant and researcher influence the research process and dynamics. Specifically, the age difference between older participants and relatively younger qualitative researchers is a common, but under-examined dynamic requiring nuanced, reflexive analysis. Using a life course conceptual framing, this study explored age-related participant-researcher dynamics in interviews from two qualitative studies of older women’s sexual experiences in later life. Participants included 25 women whose ages ranged from 55 to 93 and both studies were completed by the same researcher, a relatively younger woman (age 23 and 28 at times of data collection). A thematic analysis revealed three primary themes: 1) taking care - participants took care of the researcher by offering advice, asking about the researcher’s life, and expressing hopes for a positive future, 2) expertise – varied expertise was demonstrated by the researcher (e.g. substantive and scholarly) and participants (e.g. life experience), and 3) researcher growth - the researcher’s interviewing tactics shifted between the two studies (e.g. use of validation rather than consolation in response to aging-related concerns), indicating a shift in perceptions of aging and later life. Findings indicate that older women participants and younger women researchers are bound together through the life course, by shared gendered experiences, the fact that one will eventually become the other, and the mutual sharing of expertise and caring. Gerontology researchers must actively reflect on the impact of their own identities and aging perceptions on the interviewing process in order to enhance rigor in qualitative research.
A MULTIDIMENSIONAL MODEL FOR POLYPHARMACY MEASUREMENT IN OLDER ADULTS: EVIDENCE FROM THE HEALTH RETIREMENT STUDY
Authors: Bendayan Rebecca , Carr Ewan , Federman Alex D , Dobson Richard J
Published: November 2019

Polypharmacy is associated with increased health care costs and adverse health outcomes. Traditional research on polypharmacy uses dichotomous measures which overlook its multidimensional nature. We propose a new approach to grouping older adults based on the number and type of medications taken as well as other indicators of polypharmacy. Data was extracted from 1328 respondents of the 2007 Prescription Drug Survey (a sub-study of the Health Retirement Study) who were between 50 and 70 years old and taking ≥1 medication each month. Latent class analysis was carried out with the optimal number of classes assessed based on relative model fit (AIC, adjusted BIC) and interpretability. Latent classes were formed based on the number of medications, drug types, duration of medication intake, side effects, and presence of chronic health conditions. A four-class model was selected based on model fit and interpretability of the solutions. Although there was some overlap when we compared our model with standard cut-offs for polypharmacy (i.e., ‘high polypharmacy’ classes were more likely to take 5+ and 9+ medications), chi-square tests showed significant differences between our latent classes and cut-offs based on 5+ [X2 = 894; p<0.001] and 9+ medications [X2 = 398; p<0.001]. Among individuals taking <5 medications, our model differentiated two distinct types of ‘low polypharmacy’ based on the types of drugs reported. Our proposal to incorporate a multidimensional assessment of polypharmacy considers the wider context of medication use and chronic health in older age, moving beyond crude medication counts.
A CRITICAL REVIEW OF PAIN MANAGEMENT TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS
Authors: Chi Nai-Ching , Barani Emelia , Fu Ying-Kai
Published: November 2019

Many American family caregivers (FCs) manage hospice and palliative patients’ pain at home. However, FCs encounter many barriers to pain management due to inadequate training. Although some studies have designed pain management training programs for caregivers, the content and durations vary greatly. Thus, there is a lack of consistent recommendation on how to educate caregivers on pain management. The purpose of this study is to critically evaluate existing training programs to inform clinical practice and future program design. A literature review was conducted to search available articles published before June 2018 in databases including PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus. Search strategies used index and keyword methods. The inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed, research studies published in English that evaluated a pain management education or training for family caregivers. Twenty-seven studied were included. All studies improved either patients’ outcomes (e.g. pain intensity, hospital visits) or caregivers’ outcomes (e.g. knowledge, quality of life). Most studies (85%) had research teams provide caregivers with pain management education via multiple face-to-face training sessions and written booklet, while some studies (15%) had practicing nurses used videophones, web-based platforms, and telehealth to enhance the collaboration of care and pain management with caregivers. Providing adequate pain management training can improve patients’ and caregivers’ outcomes. However, in-person training programs are not practical for busy and overwhelmed caregivers. Researcher-delivered training sessions are not clinically adoptable. Future studies should develop pain management interventions that allow nurses to coach caregivers during routine visits and enhance their communication and collaboration with caregivers.
I GOT THIS! SUCCESSFUL AGING THROUGH THE MAINTENANCE OF AUTONOMY
Authors: Nuccio Alexandria G , Stripling Ashely M
Published: November 2019

As America ages, an increased interest has been placed on understanding the development and maintenance of autonomy in later life. This is of particular importance given the impact of autonomy on vitality, well-being, and mood within older adults (Warner et al., 2011). However, the research examining which aspects of autonomy directly impact successful aging remains underexplored. As such, the current study utilizes the Functional Autonomy Measurement System (SMAF) to better understand which facets of autonomy promote life satisfaction in older adults. Data included assessments of the Functional Autonomy Measurement System and data was derived from the Survey of Midlife in the US Database (MIDUS 3). Participants were primarily White/Caucasian (88.7%) and female (54.0%); with a mean age of 63.64 years (SD=11.35). A series of hierarchical multiple linear regressions revealed that higher levels of Mental Functions predicted increased life satisfaction scores in models adjusted for age, sex, race, marital status, and education (F=54.152,p<0.001) and that higher levels of Communication (F=37.553,p<0.001), Activities of Daily Living (F=33.495,p<0.001), Mobility (F=37.311,p<0.001), and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (F=8.630,p<0.001) also predicted increases in life satisfaction scores but to a lesser extent. The present findings suggest that higher levels of autonomy, both physically and mentally, result in higher satisfaction with life; with perceptions of cognitive independence producing the highest levels. Implications of the current findings include increased understanding of the multifaceted nature of autonomy, and provision of recommendations which could increase autonomous behavior in later life, thus increase life satisfaction and promote successful aging.
MEANING IN LIFE AMONG THE OLD-OLD
Authors: Ermoshkina Polina , Kahana Eva , Kahana Boaz
Published: November 2019

Older adults, who view their lives as meaningful demonstrate better physical and mental health (Krause, 2007). However, the voices and the experiences of the old-old about what gives meaning to their lives have rarely been explored. This descriptive study examined key components of having meaning in life among independently living old-old migrants to the sunbelt. The sample consisted of 27 women and 18 men (N=45), with the mean age of 88.5 (SD=3.75) and the median annual income of $22,400, who participated in the Florida Retirement Study (Kahana et al., 2002). In response to the question “What gives the greatest meaning to your life at present?” family was reported as the primary source of meaning for the vast majority (40) of the participants. This is consistent with Tornstam’s (1997) theory of gerotranscendence reflected in a decreased sense of self-centeredness and greater connection to other generations. Men were more likely to list spouse as the primary source of meaning in life, followed by family, while women referred more generally to family. Health was equally important for men and women, followed by close friendships reported by 22 participants. This finding is consistent with Carstensen’s (2003) socioemotional selectivity theory suggesting that with age, the meaning of relationships changes and superficial relationships fade away. For those, who reported being very religious (7) Christian faith and attending church comprised key determinants. A transcendent, rather than materialistic view of life was illuminated by the fact that only one participant reported money as the greatest meaning in life.
SOCIAL VALUE OF THE ELDER PUMI MINORITY IN CHINA
Authors: Gao Meng ran
Published: November 2019

Social status of the elderly nowadays declines rapidly in China. As anthropologist Margaret Mead considered, post-figurative culture leading in contemporary society and the source of knowledge are from youth. The value of the elderly has been overlooked. However, in Pumi, one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in northwestern Yunnan Province of China, it is common that senior residents have high social status. This study examines the social values the Pumi elderly have by systematic analysis and participation observation methods. Based on data collected in a Pumi village during a 6-month fieldtrip, we conclude that Pumi elderly enjoy a high status in the community. They occupy core positions in all important ceremonies, such as religious activities and other daily activities including hospice. Factors behind the special old-age care phenomenon are Pumi’s history and its culture. The special culture has united the group members together and enhanced individual development with community social capital. It is clear that respecting elderly does not only contribute the transformation of ethnical knowledge but also enhance community cohesiveness. Evaluating the role of the elderly should not only from economic perspective, but also from the holistic perspective of social culture, so as to reconsider the importance of the elderly to our society.
WEALTH PROFILES AND VARIATIONS BY GENDER AND RACE: A GROWTH-MIXTURE MULTIGROUP COMPARISON
Authors: Chen Yu-Chih , Morrow-Howell Nancy
Published: November 2019

Wealth is fundamentally affected by various life course characteristics. However, little is known about the role of life course factors in shaping wealth trajectories in later life. This study explored how the longitudinal profiles of wealth varied by gender and race (white and non-white populations). Data came from the 2004-2014 Health and Retirement Study with 16,189 older adults aged 51 and older. With corrections for clustered effect within household, this study used growth mixture modeling (GMM) to identify the longitudinal patterns of wealth, and how these profiles varied by these two important life course attributes. The model began with a separate GMM model for race and gender to investigate the optimal latent class model. These results were combined using multi-group approach to incrementally examine the gender and race invariance using configural (same form), structural (same trajectory mean), dispersion (same trajectory variance), and distributional (same latent class size) test. Results identified four distinct wealth profiles—Stable high, Low and increasing, Stable low, and High but decline—for each race and gender category. The multigroup GMM analyses revealed that the wealth profiles varied by gender and race, but the degrees of variation differed a great deal, with results supporting a dispersion model for gender but a configural model for race. Results indicate that race has a stronger effect in shaping wealth development compared to gender. The findings suggest that understanding wealth disparities in later life could be facilitated by examining how wealth varies by gender and race.
CURRENT STATE OF SCIENCE ON DRUG THERAPIES FOR OSTEOPOROTIC FRACTURE PREVENTION
Authors: Khosla Sundeep
Published: November 2019

During the workshop, experts discussed the state of the science. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several medications to prevent osteoporotic fractures. These include bisphosphonates (BPs), denosumab, teriparatide, estrogens, and selective estrogen-receptor modulators. BPs are a first line of pharmacologic treatment for most women and men who have osteoporosis. Despite the efficacy of short-term use of BPs and other osteoporosis medications, treatment rates are low and appear to be decreasing. This talk would describe the problem/epidemiology of fracture prevention in the United States; the importance of drug therapy and their effectiveness; the limited evidence regarding long-term use of drug therapies; the questions surrounding the application of drug holidays; and the complex physician and patient factors that impact the use of and adherence to osteoporotic drugs.
PREPARATION FOR FUTURE IN OLD AGE: WHY AND WHY NOT?
Authors: Fung Helene H
Published: November 2019

With population aging, many people can expect to spend 30 or more years in old age. The five papers included in this symposium aim at shedding light on whether and how to make plans for old age, using data from the “Aging as Future” Project. First, Park and Hess used data spanning across adulthood from Germany, Hong Kong and the USA to examine how changes experienced in domains of functioning and the importance attached to these domains influenced preparations for old age. Next, de Paula Couto and Rothermund, examining Germans aged 40-90 years, pointed out that prescriptive age stereotypes might be the main drive for why people make preparations for age-related changes. The remaining three papers use qualitative data to qualify the above quantitative findings. Adamson and Ekerdt interviewed older Midwest US residents. They observed that SES greatly impacted how older adults perceived and made plans for their future. The final two papers examined how rural vs. urban contexts might affect preparations for future. Liou interviewed older adults in rural Tainan and found that their ideal old age was one about no future preparation, at least not about making plans for themselves (called “tranquil life”). Ho and colleagues, in contrast, found that for older Chinese residing in urban Hong Kong, not preparing for the future (called “time freeze”) was negatively related to physical and psychological well-being. The symposium will end with an overall discussion on future research directions on whether and how to make plans for old age.
SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN OLDER AFRICAN AMERICANS: A 6-YEAR CROSS-LAGGED PANEL ANALYSIS
Authors: Muruthi James , Savla J Tina
Published: November 2019

Although previous studies have extensively investigated the cross-sectional relationship between social engagement and depressive symptoms in late life, longitudinal studies have produced mixed results. Furthermore, studies on the associations between these two concepts among aging African Americans are few. Using a sample of 1688 older African Americans adults from waves 1 and 7 of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (60% women; Average age = 77 years), the present study investigates the longitudinal associations between social engagement (an index from scores on visiting friends and family, attending religious services, attending religious services, participating in group activities, and going out for enjoyment) and depressive symptoms across seven years. Structural equation modeling was used to test cross-lagged relationships between the variables. Findings suggest that social engagement at baseline significantly predicted subsequent depressive symptoms and social engagement. Depressive symptoms at baseline, however, were not significantly associated with subsequent social engagement. These findings suggest that low social engagement in older African Americans is directly associated with increased depressive symptoms over time, but not vice versa. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the barriers of social engagement for older African Americans and its effects on their mental health.
WHEN CLOSE TIES LIVE FAR AWAY: PATTERNS AND PREDICTORS OF GEOGRAPHIC NETWORK RANGE AMONG OLDER EUROPEANS
Authors: Sun Haosen , Schafer Markus H
Published: November 2019

Using the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE, Wave 6 in 2015), this paper examines the structure of older adults’ core discussion networks in terms of their geographical outreach. We also examine how far respondents live from their friends, and how such a connection is conditioned by the presence of a proximate child in the network. Findings suggest that older adults in Northern Europe are more likely to have a confidant at mid- and long-range (5-25km and >25km, respectively) than seniors in Central Europe, while their counterparts from Eastern and Southern Europe are less likely to identify a discussant out of their 5km radius. This pattern persists when focusing only on non-kin members of one’s network. However, having a nearby child confidant does not affect the probability of being connected to friends at variant distances in North Europe, while it does predict a lower likelihood of having close-by (0-5km) and long-distance (>25km) friends in Eastern and Southern regions. Other significant predictors of one’s geographical network reach, such as education, financial standing, cognitive ability, computer skills, and car ownership are also discussed and compared across European regions.
VOICE-ACTIVATED DIGITAL ASSISTANTS: PERCEPTIONS FROM NOVICE USERS WITH LONG-TERM MOBILITY DISABILITY
Authors: Koon Lyndsie M , Blocker Kenneth , Rogers Wendy
Published: November 2019

Voice-activated digital assistants (e.g., Amazon Echo, Google Home) are an emerging technology that have great potential to provide support for adults aging with a long-term mobility disability. Digital assistant technologies allow the user to perform a variety of everyday tasks and activities through voice interactions. Such tasks may include environmental control (e.g., turning on/off lights, voice-activated temperature control); supporting self-health management (e.g., providing medication reminders, encouraging physical activity engagement); and fostering opportunities for social engagement (e.g., messaging/calling others, playing games remotely). This presentation will focus on the perceived facilitators and barriers to digital assistant use in the home among adults aging with mobility disabilities. The findings provide design guidelines and insight for intervention implementation for the use of these technologies for the target population.
CYCLE OF VICTIMIZATION: CHILD MALTREATMENT, INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE, AND ELDER ABUSE IN A U.S. CHINESE POPULATION
Authors: Wang Bei , Dong XinQi
Published: November 2019

Victims of violence might have higher risks of revictimization, but this has been insufficiently examined among older populations. The present study used cross-sectional data among 3,157 U.S. Chinese older adults in Chicago, Illinois. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to examine the relationships among subtypes (psychological, physical/sexual, financial exploitation, caregiver neglect) of child maltreatment (CM), intimate partner violence (IPV), and EM. Violence experiences were positively associated. CM psychological was positively associated with IPV psychological (OR 7.60, 95% CI 4.29-13.45) and EM psychological (OR 3.79, 95% CI 2.20-6.51). CM physical/sexual was positively associated with IPV physical/sexual (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.02-3.38) and IPV physical/sexual was positively associated with EM physical/sexual (OR 8.54, 95% CI 3.53,20.64). EM financial exploitation was positively associated with all types of CM and IPV, whereas EM caregiver neglect has no significant association with any CM or IPV. Clinical and policy implications of the findings will be discussed.
TYPOLOGY OF FAMILY RELATIONSHIP AND ELDER MISTREATMENT IN A U.S. CHINESE POPULATION
Authors: Li Mengting , Guo Man , Stensland Meredith , Silverstein Merril , Dong XinQi
Published: November 2019

Early research on family relationship and Elder Mistreatment (EM) often focused on one or two indicators of relations. A typology approach that capture the complexity and variation of relations is a useful tool to understand the association between multifaceted family relationship and EM. EM was measured by a modified Vulnerability to Abuse Screening Scale. Latent Class Analysis was used to construct family typologies, evaluating structural, associational, functional, affectual, and normative aspects of family relationship. Logistic regression was used. Unobligated ambivalent (OR, 1.90; 95%CI, 1.54-2.34) and detached (OR, 1.78; 95%CI, 1.32-2.42) typologies were associated with greater risk of EM, while tight-knit (OR, 0.34; 95%CI, 0.27-0.44) typology was associated with lower risk of EM. Unobligated ambivalent typology, featured by high intergenerational closeness and conflict, was prevalent among US Chinese immigrants, and associated with greater likelihood of EM. Culturally customized social services were suggested to reduce intergenerational ambivalence and prevent EM for immigrants.
SOURCES SOCIAL SUPPORT AND SUBTYPES OF ELDER MISTREATMENT AMONG CHINESE OLDER ADULTS: FINDINGS FROM THE PINE STUDY
Authors: Zheng Shenglin , Bergren Stephanie , Dong XinQi
Published: November 2019

To examine the relationships between positive social support (PSS) and negative social support (NSS) from different sources and subtypes of EM, we used the data from a representative sample of 3,157 Chinese older adults aged 60 years or older in Chicago. Subtypes of EM include psychological mistreatment, physical mistreatment, financial exploitation, and caregiver neglect. Higher PSS from spouse and family members were less associated with lower likelihood to experience any of four self-reported EA subtypes. Higher PSS from friends was associated with lower likelihood of caregiver neglect. Increased levels of NSS from spouse and family members were associated with higher likelihood of psychological mistreatment, financial exploitation, and caregiver neglect. A significant association was also found between NSS from friends and psychological mistreatment. This study demonstrates the positive and negative aspects of social contexts in relationship to EM. Future longitudinal studies are needed to examine causal relationships.
ELDER MISTREATMENT SUBTYPES AND ANXIETY: DO DEFINITIONS MATTER?
Authors: Zheng Jieyang , Bergren Stephanie , Dong XinQi
Published: November 2019

Elder mistreatment (EM) and the magnitude of its relationship to anxiety may vary depending on definitional criteria. We leveraged data from the PINE Study, a study of 3,157 Chinese older adults in Chicago. EM was measured by 56 items on psychological, physical and sexual mistreatment, caregiver neglect and financial exploitation subtypes. Least restrictive, moderately restrictive, and most restrictive definitions of EM were constructed. Symptoms of anxiety were measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Least restrictive (OR, 1.94; 95%CI, 1.57-2.40), moderately restrictive (OR, 1.56; 95%CI, 1.22-1.99), and most restrictive (OR, 1.39; 95%CI, 1.07-1.79) definitions of EM were all significantly associated with the likelihood of experiencing any anxiety symptoms. The magnitude of associations between EM and anxiety symptoms vary based on strictness of the EM definition. Future research should explore the potential causal relationships between EM and anxiety through longitudinal data.
MEASUREMENT OF SOCIAL NETWORKS OF ELDERS USING TECHNOLOGIES IN THE CONTEXT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE: A SCOPING REVIEW
Authors: Wei Sijia , McConnell Eleanor S , Wright-Freeman Kayla , Woodward Amanda , Kang Bada , Corazzini Kirsten N
Published: November 2019

Social networks impact the health and wellbeing of older adults. The importance of social networks drives the need to reliably measure social networks. Advancements and innovations in the internet, electronic and digital devices, social media and health care technology enriches our ability to collect social network and health data to overcome limitations in social network measurement. This scoping review will review approaches utilizing technology to assist the measurement and analysis of social networks among older adults in the context of health and social care. Joanna Briggs Institute methodology was followed; PubMed (MEDLINE), Sociological Abstracts, SocINDEX, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched for related articles. Conference abstracts and proceedings were included. We discuss the gaps and advances in measurement of social networks of older adults using technology and implications for future research in social networks of older adults as a lever for improving health and well-being.
SELF-EFFICACY AND TEAM LEADER EQUITY MATTER: A STUDY OF ACTIVE AGING AT WORK
Authors: Choi Mi Sun , Dabelko-Schoeny Holly , Lee Mo Yee , Bunger Alicia
Published: November 2019

Many older Americans have decided to remain in the labor market beyond the traditional retirement age, suggesting the need for companies to consider human resource initiatives to retain and support the aging workforce. Applying active aging concepts, which emphasize older adults’ active roles through participation in social and economic activities for healthy later life, to the workplace could be helpful for developing programs that enhance the health, well-being, and work outcomes of older workers. Despite the expected benefits of active aging at work for older workers’ overall well-being, little research has been conducted on what personal and team factors impact on outcomes of active aging at work; what mechanism exists in the links between factors and outcomes in the contemporary workplace. The current study tested the validity of an active aging framework using the Age and Generations Study data. We analyzed responses of 508 American workers aged 50 and older using structural equation modeling. Results showed that perceived self-efficacy was a strong predictor of engagement, mental health, and performance, whereas perceived leader equity predicted only engagement. Also, work engagement was powerful mechanism for promoting older adults’ mental health; engagement mediated the relationship between perceived self-efficacy and the relationship between leader equity and mental health. The findings highlight how important it is for employers to invest in human capital, suggesting human resource programs should focus on strategies that target older adults’ engagement through tailored self-efficacy programs and diversity leadership training programs. Such attempts would contribute to the well-being of older workers.