bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
konnect2prot: a web application to explore the protein properties in a functional protein–protein interaction network
Authors: Kumar Shivam , Sarmah Dipanka Tanu , Asthana Shailendra , Chatterjee Samrat
Published: December 2022

Motivation

The regulation of proteins governs the biological processes and functions and, therefore, the organisms’ phenotype. So there is an unmet need for a systematic tool for identifying the proteins that play a crucial role in information processing in a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network. However, the current protein databases and web servers still lag behind to provide an end-to-end pipeline that can leverage the topological understanding of a context-specific PPI network to identify the influential spreaders. Addressing this, we developed a web application, ‘konnect2prot’ (k2p), which can generate context-specific directional PPI network from the input proteins and detect their biological and topological importance in the network.

Results

We pooled together a large amount of ontological knowledge, parsed it down into a functional network, and gained insight into the molecular underpinnings of the disease development by creating a one-stop junction for PPI data. k2p contains both local and global information about a protein, such as protein class, disease mutations, ligands and PDB structure, enriched processes and pathways, multi-disease interactome and hubs and bottlenecks in the directional network. It also identifies spreaders in the network and maps them to disease hallmarks to determine whether they can affect the disease state or not.

Availability and implementation

konnect2prot is freely accessible using the link https://konnect2prot.thsti.in. The code repository is https://github.com/samrat-lab/k2p_bioinfo-2022.
Aortic stenosis and the haemostatic system
Authors: Trimaille Antonin , Hmadeh Sandy , Matsushita Kensuke , Marchandot Benjamin , Kauffenstein Gilles , Morel Olivier
Published: December 2022

Aortic stenosis (AS) affects more than 10% of the population over 80 years of age and constitutes a major risk factor for heart failure, thromboembolic stroke, and death. A better understanding of the disease, including its interaction with the haemostatic system, is a prerequisite to develop prophylactic treatments. AS pathogenesis is a dynamic process involving endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, fibrosis, and calcification. Several studies support the interplay between the components of the haemostatic system such as platelets, the coagulation system, von Willebrand factor, and extracellular micro-particles at each pathophysiological stage of AS. Previous reports have evidenced persistent biological activity of the native valve after transcatheter aortic valve replacement and the subsequent development of microthrombosis that may impact the function of the newly implanted valve. Here, we review the current evidence on the interplay between AS and prothrombotic activity, and we emphasize the clinical consequences of these interactions after aortic valve replacement.
Gender differences in Medicare payments to cardiothoracic surgeons in 2019
Authors: Kim SangMin , Kim Sun , Wang Sue X , Kanwar Ruhi , Bryan Darren S , Bueno Raphael , Marshall M Blair
Published: December 2022

OBJECTIVES

The STS Thoracic Surgery Practice and Access Task Force - 2019 Workforce Report noted gender-based differences in the income of cardiothoracic surgeons in the United States. We analysed the 2019 Medicare payment data for thoracic and cardiac surgeons to investigate the gender-based payment gap among cardiothoracic surgeons.

METHODS

The 2019 Medicare Physician and Other Practitioners by Provider and Services data set merged with the Doctors and Clinicians National Downloadable File was utilized to conduct a cross-sectional analysis of gender differences in Medicare payments, numbers of services, unique billing codes, years in practice, Medicare beneficiary age, regional population density (rural-urban commuting area code) and patient panel complexity (hierarchical condition category) for providers. The providers' self-reported gender (women or men) and provider type (thoracic surgery or cardiac surgery) were binarily set according to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services standards. Independent analyses were performed with thoracic and cardiac surgeons. We also used the 2013 and 2016 Medicare Physician and Other Practitioners by Provider and Services data sets to analyse the trends in adjusted gender-based payment differences across 2013, 2016 and 2019.

RESULTS

After controlling for the covariates, women thoracic surgeons received $25,183.50 [95% confidence interval (CI) $16,307.60, $34,059.40] less than the mean Medicare payment than men thoracic surgeons. Likewise, women cardiac surgeons received $20,960 [95% confidence interval (CI) $1,014.80, $40,902.80] less than the mean adjusted Medicare payment than their men counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS

In 2019, women cardiothoracic surgeons received a significantly lower mean Medicare payment than men cardiothoracic surgeons after controlling for the number of services, unique billing codes, the complexity of the patient panel, years in practice and regional population density. The payment gap between women and men exhibited no statistically significant change over 2013, 2016 and 2019. Future studies are warranted to understand the association between gender representation and the pay gap.
The effect of living environmental factors on cardiovascular diseases in Chinese adults: results from a cross-sectional and longitudinal study
Authors: Yang Yao , Cao Limin , Xia Yang , Li Jian
Published: December 2022

Aims

This study aimed to investigate the association between multiple living environmental factors and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

Methods and results

This study was conducted on the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), with 12 489 subjects in the cross-sectional study and 7932 subjects in the 7-year follow-up. Living environmental factors included ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5), indoor fuel use, tap water use, and residence type. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard regression models were applied to explore the association between living environmental risk factors and CVD events in a cross-sectional and a cohort analysis, respectively. Compared with subjects in the low-risk groups, those in the middle-risk (odd ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.203, 0.943–1.534) and high-risk groups (OR, 95% CI: 1.616, 1.259–2.074) showed increased risks of CVD prevalence when considering the combined effects of their living environment. During the follow-up, similar associations were observed (hazard ratio [HR], 1.541, 95% CI [1.142–2.080] for the high-risk group; HR 1.296, 95% CI [0.968–1.736] for the middle-risk group); P for trend = 0.003).

Conclusion

An overall poor living environmental quality is a potential risk factor for CVD. Future studies should focus more on the effects of exposure to multiple factors.
Functional analysis of 110 phosphorylation sites on the circadian clock protein FRQ identifies clusters determining period length and temperature compensation
Authors: Wang Bin , Stevenson Elizabeth-Lauren , Dunlap Jay C
Published: December 2022

In the negative feedback loop driving the Neurospora circadian oscillator, the negative element, FREQUENCY (FRQ), inhibits its own expression by promoting phosphorylation of its heterodimeric transcriptional activators, White Collar-1 (WC-1) and WC-2. FRQ itself also undergoes extensive time-of-day-specific phosphorylation with over 100 phosphosites previously documented. Although disrupting individual or certain clusters of phosphorylation sites has been shown to alter circadian period lengths to some extent, it is still elusive how all the phosphorylations on FRQ control its activity. In this study, we systematically investigated the role in period determination of all 110 reported FRQ phosphorylation sites, using mutagenesis and luciferase reporter assays. Surprisingly, robust FRQ phosphorylation is still detected even when 84 phosphosites were eliminated altogether; further mutating another 26 phosphoresidues completely abolished FRQ phosphorylation. To identify phosphoresidue(s) on FRQ impacting circadian period length, a series of clustered frq phosphomutants covering all the 110 phosphosites were generated and examined for period changes. When phosphosites in the N-terminal and middle regions of FRQ were eliminated, longer periods were typically seen while removal of phosphorylation in the C-terminal tail resulted in extremely short periods, among the shortest reported. Interestingly, abolishing the 11 phosphosites in the C-terminal tail of FRQ not only results in an extremely short period, but also impacts temperature compensation (TC), yielding an overcompensated circadian oscillator. In addition, the few phosphosites in the middle of FRQ are also found to be crucial for TC. When different groups of FRQ phosphomutations were combined intramolecularly, expected additive effects were generally observed except for one novel case of intramolecular epistasis, where arrhythmicity resulting from one cluster of phosphorylation site mutants was restored by eliminating phosphorylation at another group of sites.
AGE AS A DIVERSITY FACTOR IN HIGHER EDUCATION: INSIGHTS FROM DEI OFFICERS
Authors: Morrow-Howell Nancy , Galucia Natalie , Dinman Michele
Published: December 2022

This study described how DEI officers across universities/colleges currently think about AGE as a diversity factor; and identified strategies used to increase age-inclusivity. Data were generated through review of university websites, focus groups and one-to-one interviews with DEI staff. Findings suggest that age is acknowledged as a diversity factor but there is less action toward strategies to increase age-inclusion. Examples of initiatives include: training human resource staff to be age-neutral in hiring; eliminating birthdates and other years from applications; workshops on multigenerational workplaces and classrooms; presentations on ageism; and specific programs to support non-traditionally aged students. Some of the motivation to address ageism stems from legal mandates rather than being mission-driven. There is the concern that focusing more on age may require moving attention and resources away from other diversity factors. It appears that there is interest in elevating age as an important factor in DEI efforts.
ASSOCIATIONS OF GAIT CHARACTERISTICS AND VARIABILITY WITH WALKING EFFICIENCY IN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Liu Fangyu , Cai Yurun , Skow Laura , Wanigatunga Amal , Tian Qu , Simonsick Eleanor , Schrack Jennifer
Published: December 2022

Higher energetic cost of walking per unit distance has been linked to many adverse health outcomes in older adults. Aging-related changes in gait characteristics have been postulated to contribute to energetic inefficiency, but previous studies focused on younger adults, and/or examined only a few gait characteristics. In the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, 507 older adults ≥50 years (72.3±9.8 years, 48.3% women, 48.3% black) without stroke and Parkinson disease had concurrent measurements of usual-paced gait characteristics using 3D motion analysis and energetic cost of walking using indirect calorimetry during a 2.5-min usual-paced overground walk. We tested the associations of the mean and the coefficient of variance (CV) of cadence (steps/min), swing time (ms), double support time (ms), stance time (ms), step time (ms), step length (cm), and step width (cm) with energetic cost of walking using linear regression models, adjusting for demographics, body composition, comorbidities, and gait speed. We found that a 5-cm shorter step length was associated with 0.40 ml/kg/100m higher cost of walking (p< 0.001). A 1% higher CV in swing time and 1% lower CV in step width was associated with 0.152 ml/kg/100m higher (p=0.044) and 0.023 ml/kg/100m lower (p=0.022) cost of walking, respectively. Our results suggest that mean step length and variability in swing time and step width could potentially contribute to the rising cost of walking in older adults. Future longitudinal studies are needed to understand whether changes in gait variability can predict increased energetic cost of walking and can be intervened to preserve energy efficiency.
GRAY DIVORCE: AN INCREASINGLY COMMON PATH TO UNCOUPLING IN LATER LIFE
Authors: Bildtgård Torbjörn
Published: December 2022

Late life divorce is rapidly increasing in large parts of the Western world, in what has been described as a “gray divorce revolution”. In the US the incidence of gray divorce doubled between 1990 and 2010, in Sweden it has more than doubled since the millennium and in Israel it has almost doubled since 1996. Still, gray divorce remains rather invisible both in family sociology, which mainly focuses divorce at earlier ages, and in gerontology, which still tends to view widowhood as the single path to late life uncoupling. This symposium introduces current research on gray divorce and addresses a range of questions, such as: Why do people divorce late in life? How does gray divorce affect later life, including economy, health, support networks and relationships to adult children? How do cultural values shape gray divorce? What is the difference between his and her gray divorce? The presenters represent different countries (the US, Israel and Sweden) and approach the topic of gray divorce with both quantitative and qualitative data.
VOICES OF OUR ELDERS: ATTITUDES, BELIEFS, AND PERSPECTIVES ABOUT RESEARCH IN MINORITY OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Gaillard Trudy , Shambley-Ebron Donna , Garcia Giovanni , Romero Ryan , Neff Donna , Swagger Phildra , Gardier Dawn , Webb Fern
Published: December 2022

The U.S. Census Bureau projects that the numbers of adults 65 and older will double from 46 million in 2020 to 90 million by 2050, thus representing the fastest growing segment of the population. However, older adults, especially those from minority groups, remain underrepresented in clinical research. It is imperative to understand what older adults believe about research and research participation to enhance recruitment efforts. The aim of this presentation is to present preliminary findings from our qualitative study which explored the attitudes, beliefs, and perspectives of older minority adults regarding research and research participation. We conducted 12 focus groups via Zoom, in South Florida with minority adults (African American, Caribbean, Hispanic) over the age of 65 (N=49). An interview guide was used to query the participants about their attitudes, beliefs, and perspectives of research and research participation. Focus groups were video-recorded and transcribed. NVivo software was used for data management and analysis. We found that participants: 1) thought research was necessary to expand understanding and knowledge of health conditions; 2) stated research should be conducted by trusted scientific institutions; 3) relied heavily on their adult children for advice regarding research participation; 4) expressed reluctancy regarding invasive procedures; and 5) were influenced by personal experiences when considering research participation. Our preliminary findings suggest that older minority adults believe in the value of research, however, may be hesitant about participating. We propose continued strategies aimed at increasing engagement of minority older adults into health research.
PREDICTED DIFFERENCES OF EPIGENETIC AGE AND DEMENTIA RISK AMONG DIFFERENT TRAJECTORIES OF LONGITUDINAL LONELINESS
Authors: Lynch Morgan , Beam Christopher
Published: December 2022

Different trajectories of loneliness in late adulthood may explain differences in the effects of aging on dementia risk. We tested whether greater or increasing loneliness across three time points demonstrated stronger associations between aging and dementia risk in a sample of 1,814 Health and Retirement Study participants. Dementia risk was quantified using modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status scores (TICSm), age was quantified using the epigenetic clock DNAm PhenoAge, and loneliness was measured with the UCLA Loneliness short-form scale. Growth mixture modeling was used to identify loneliness latent classes that best represented trajectories according to model fit statistics. Five groups were identified: low loneliness, high declining, low increasing, moderate and stable, and a moderate declining group. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to test whether class membership differentially predicted TICSm scores, PhenoAge, and the correlation between TICSm and PhenoAge.TICSm scores were statistically significantly lower (worse) for the high-declining compared to the low (-1.08 95% CI [-1.75, -0.42]) and low-increasing groups (-1.63 95% CI [-2.28, -0.98]), and the moderate group was lower than the low-increasing group (-1.11 95% CI [-1.66, -0.57] and the low group (-0.57 [-1.13, -0.002]) (p’s < 0.05). No significant differences in PhenoAge or the correlation between PhenoAge and TICSm were found between groups. Analyses statistically adjusted for demographic characteristics, objective social isolation, depression, BMI, smoking, self-rated health, and polygenic risk score for cognition. Results suggest that epigenome-wide ages are unlikely to mediate the relationship between loneliness and dementia risk.
UNDERSTANDING CHALLENGES OF PERSONS WITH COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS THROUGH THEIR LIVED EXPERIENCES
Authors: Harris Maurita , Lydon Elizabeth , Ramadhani Widya , Mudar Raksha , Rogers Wendy
Published: December 2022

Older adults aging with cognitive impairments face a variety of challenges related to their memory, thinking, and concentration in their everyday activities. Understanding their lived experiences s critical to inform the development of technology and supports that can help everyday activities and improve quality of life. We have designed an in-depth interview study to explore the everyday challenges of older adults with cognitive impairments and their response strategies. We will present two case studies to illustrate the richness of the data and its value for guiding intervention design: (1) one older adult with a post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) and (2) one older adult with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). As expected, these individuals reported challenges in different functional activities and described varying solution strategies. The older adult with PSCI noted challenges with completing steps and remembering things when engaging with technology-mediated social activities. This individual reported responding to these challenges by having their own method, such as writing things down or receiving assistance from others. Challenges the older adult with MCI experienced when engaging with technology-mediated social activities, long-distance travel, and caregiving were planning, completing steps, remembering things, and experiencing emotions. This individual responded to their challenges by developing visualizations, methods, routine, and receiving assistance from others. These initial insights about the range of challenges with everyday activities and response strategies highlight the value of qualitative needs assessments in understanding the needs of those aging with cognitive impairment to guide future technology and support.
BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING ON RESILIENCE WITH AGING: A CASE STUDY
Authors: Lee Sanghee , Heo Jinmoo , Chun Sanghee
Published: December 2022

As the study of volunteering among older adults continues to evolve, questions of the benefits of volunteering are of growing interest to many researchers. Volunteering may develop resilience in older adults as it can serve as a coping strategy as they recover from adverse events or other life challenges. We explored the perceived benefits of volunteering on resilience in later life among older adults who perform Korean traditional dance on voluntary basis. We used a qualitative design with a case study method. In this study, older adults’ volunteer dance performing was taken as a case. A case design enables researchers to understand social and cultural phenomenon in depth using a wide range of data collection and analysis methods. Thirteen volunteer performers of Korean traditional dance whose ages ranged between 61-74 years were recruited for in-depth interviews (11 females and 2 males). The analysis of the transcripts generated five themes related to the benefits of volunteering: (1) finding a sense of self-worth through serving others, (2) finding a sense of purpose, (3) experiencing gratitude, (4) renewing a younger self, and (5) building companionship. The findings of this study provided an empirical support showing how volunteering experience benefited resilience among the volunteers in the face of challenges associated with aging by maximizing positive physical, social, and psychological outcomes through involvement in voluntary dance performance. The findings also provide guidance for researchers and practitioners in positions to better serve older adults and thereby suggest volunteering as a resilience strategy in later life.
DIGITAL LITERACY AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS IN SOUTH KOREA: A QUALITATIVE STUDY
Authors: Baek Jiwon , Choi JiYeon , Kim Heejung , Hong Soyun , Kim Yesol , Choi Seongmi , Kim Eunkyung
Published: December 2022

Background

Digital literacy has gained growing importance in the health agenda. However, the level of digital information use and access among Korean older adults is still low at 54%. It is important to understand digital literacy among older adults to provide healthcare and social connectivity, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: This study aims to explore the digital literacy and identify barriers to learning and using digital devices among community-dwelling older adults in urban South Korea.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted using a semi-structured interview guide according to the DigComp 2.0 framework which emphasizes the competencies for full digital participation in five categories: information, communication, content creation, safety, and problem solving. Our sample consisted of 14 older adults (age 68 – 79, 12 women).

Results

Participants reported varying competency of using digital devices for search, communication, and self-management of lifestyle and health. They actively sought help from family and community members to troubleshoot issues related to installation, maintenance, setup software or applications. However, they were passive or evasive in the use of digital devices because of concerns about invasion of privacy or personal information. They struggled to use digital devices owing to physical and cognitive changes associated with aging.

Conclusion

Our findings depict current state and barriers of digital literacy in urban older adults in Korea.
A STUDY COMPARING TRENDS IN NUMBER OF AND CONTENT IN ARTICLES ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ELDER ABUSE IN JAPAN
Authors: Katsumata Asako , Tsukada Noriko
Published: December 2022

Since enactment in 2000, Japan’s Domestic Violence (DV) Law has been amended four times. No amendments have been made to Japan’s Elder Abuse Prevention Law, despite awareness of its imperfections. This study examined trends in the number of journal articles, and titles by content of those articles, using a KJ Method, to determine how the research literature has informed DV law, and to identify gaps in knowledge and further research needs related to elder abuse that could inform policy change. Using the CiNii database, in 2005-2021, we found1020 elder abuse articles (average 60 articles/year), and in 2001-2021, 836 DV articles (average 40 articles/year). Preliminary analyses revealed the per year annual average has been decreasing for each. Although the most used term was similar in both DV and elder abuse articles, which was “responses of professional personnel,” 15.4% for elder abuse and 13.4% for DV, title terms differed, with titles of elder abuse articles are more likely to be related to caregiving, such as “support for caregiver” (who are actually abusers) (4.7%) and “dementia” (3.6%), while terms found in DV but not in elder abuse articles included “supports for victims” (7.1%) and “responses to abusers” (5.3%). Our findings indicate that more research on supporting victims of elder abuse may be imperative to inform lder abuse law changes.
AGEISM IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: A REVIEW
Authors: Chu Charlene , Leslie Kathleen , Khan Shehroz , Nyrup Rune , Grenier Amanda
Published: December 2022

Background

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a major driver of technological development in the 21st century, yet little attention has been paid to algorithmic biases towards older adults. "Digital ageism" is a new form of ageism that is embedded into technology and AI systems. Aim: This review aimed to explore how age-related bias is encoded in AI systems to better understand digital ageism.

Methods

The scoping review follows a six-stage methodology framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley. The search strategy has been established in six databases and we will investigate grey literature databases, targeted websites, popular search engines. An iterative search strategy was used. Studies meet the inclusion criteria if they are in English, peer-reviewed, available electronically in full-text, and included the concepts ‘bias’ and old age. At least two reviewers independently conducted title/abstract screening and full-text screening.

Results

Our database searches resulted in 7 595 manuscripts that underwent title and abstract screening. Of these 49 papers, were included in the study. The word "ageism" was explicitly mentioned only in about half of these papers. Approximately half the papers mentioned how age-related bias could be encoded into AI systems. The most commonly used AI applicaiton was computer vision.

Conclusions

Our preliminary findings contribute foundational knowledge about the age-related biases that were encoded or amplified in AI systems. This work advances how AI can be developed in a manner consistent with ethical values and human rights legislation, particularly as it relates to an older and aging population.
PSYCHOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO IMPENDING AND PAST LOSS OF A LOVED ONE
Authors: Prigerson Holly
Published: December 2022

Psychological responses to an impending or recent death have received minimal attention in the research literature. I will present data to demonstrate the high levels of psychological distress (e.g. symptoms of peritraumatic stress, anxiety, depression and grief) reported by caregivers of a loved one with a life-threatening illness. I will report on studies that have examined how grief symptoms change over time, or not, as in the case of symptoms of Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) – a new addition to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders -5-Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). A case will then be made for addressing psychological struggles of caregivers of patients who are dying in the intensive care unit (ICU). I will then present a conceptual model and manual of our psychosocial intervention (EMPOWER), which we designed to reduce symptoms of PGD and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by targeting symptoms of experiential avoidance and promoting adaptive coping.
FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS DURING COVID: THE MODERATING ROLE OF RESILIENCE
Authors: Helppie-McFall Brooke , Carr Dawn , Taylor Miles , Sonnega Amanda
Published: December 2022

Financial hardships during COVID (FHDC) are a particularly salient stressor that older people faced during the pandemic. Financial stress is associated with increased depressive symptoms and may be especially consequential to mental health among older people who have fewer resources (i.e., financially vulnerable). Recent evidence shows that psychological resilience has important protective effects for mental health among older adults who experience major stressors. This study, based on the recently released full 2020 core wave of the Health and Retirement Study, examines the association between having experienced one or more major financial setbacks following the start of the pandemic and depressive symptoms. We evaluate the consequences of FHDC for mental health, how FHDC are associated with previous financial vulnerability, and the role of psychological resilience in shaping the effects of FHDC. Results show that having experienced FHDC is associated with an increase in depressive symptoms. In addition, reporting financial vulnerabilities four years prior to the pandemic was also associated with increased depressive symptoms. Finally, psychological resilience was associated with a significant, protective effect on depressive symptoms, and moderated the consequences of FHDC. Specifically, we find that those who had FHDC and had average or below average resilience experienced significant increases in depressive symptoms, but those with above average resilience did not experience increases in depressive symptoms despite having FHDC, accounting for the consequences of previous financial vulnerabilities. These results suggest that psychological resilience has potential to be a protective resource for mental health consequences of financial stress among older adults.
CULTURAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS IN CARE DELIVERY BY AFRICAN AMERICAN CAREGIVERS OF ADULTS WITH DEMENTIA AND COVID-19
Authors: Udoh Idorenyin , Mpofu Elias
Published: December 2022

African American /Black caregivers make up 13% of the total number of adult caregivers in the United States and 41% more likely to provide help greater than three activities of daily living than other ethnicities. How they perceive socio-cultural factors to influence their care giver roles is less documented. This study aims to synthesize the evidence on the role of culture and social factors in African American caregiver perceptions delivering care to older adults with dementia and COVID-19. Searches of the Ageline, Medline, PsycInfo, Academic search complete Psychology and Behavioral science collection and Google scholar for empirical study publications on socio-cultural factors for dementia care and COVID-19 among African American caregivers yielded six studies. To be included, studies met the following criteria (a) focus on African American caregivers of older adults with dementia and focus on Covid-19 (b) socio-cultural factors (c) perceptions and practices. (d)published between 2019–2022. Studies indicate compassionate care practices by African American caregivers of persons with dementia and Covid-19. African American care givers of persons with dementia and COVID19 perceive caregiving as a responsibility they owe and not a job. They also perceived to be guided by their racial identity and faith beliefs, integrating family values and culture into caregiving. African American carers of persons living with dementia and COVID-19 have compassion and resilient care self-perceptions in caregiving to people with Dementia and COVID-19. Supporting compassionate care delivery by African American carers requires understanding social and cultural factors driving their commitment to quality care.
COVID-19 WIDOWHOOD OR PANDEMIC WIDOWHOOD: EXAMINING THE DIFFERENTIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH
Authors: Wang Haowei , Smith-Greenaway Emily , Bauldry Shawn , Margolis Rachel , Verdery Ashton
Published: December 2022

Millions of COVID-19 widows worldwide face elevated mental health risks that foreshadow worsening physical health and elevated mortality. It remains unknown whether the excess mental health problems for COVID-19 widows are a result of the “bad death” experiences from COVID-19 (e.g., unexpected death and high levels of medical intervention) or pandemic-induced social changes (e.g., social isolation and limited funerals). This study examines whether older adults whose spouses died of COVID-19 disease have worse mental health (self-reported depression, loneliness, and trouble sleeping) than those whose spouses died from causes other than COVID-19 before and during the pandemic. We used Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe data collected before (Wave 8, fielded October 2019 to March 2020) and during the pandemic (COVID-19 Supplement-2, fielded June to August 2021) to compare three groups whose spouses died (a) before the pandemic, (b) from COVID-19 during the pandemic, and (c) from non-COVID-19 causes during the pandemic. We find those spouses died from COVID-19 have higher risks of self-reported depression, loneliness, and trouble sleeping than those losing a spouse before the pandemic. However, losing a spouse due to non-COVID-19 causes during the pandemic is not significantly associated with worse mental health compared to pre-pandemic scenarios. During the pandemic, older adults whose spouses died from COVID-19 report higher risks of loneliness than those spouses died from non-COVID-19 causes. This study suggests losing a spouse due to COVID-19 presents unique mental health risks for older adults, clarifying prior theories about mental health impacts of pandemic bereavement.
BEFORE & AFTER THE 2020 NATIONAL SHUTDOWNS: PANDEMIC EXPERIENCES OF OLDER AMERICAN ADULTS WITH & WITHOUT A DISABILITY
Authors: Farago Fanni
Published: December 2022

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been drastic changes to people’s day-to-day lives. Following the 2020 U.S. national shutdown, day-to-day life included increased social isolation, COVID-19 anxieties, disruptions to employment, and limited access to staple goods for many. Compared with the general population, the impacts of these changes are much less understood for the aging population, and particularly for older adults with a disability or chronic disease, who are at greater risk of adverse effects from COVID-19 and related circumstances. Drawing on the breaking results of the AARP Vital Voices national survey (n=2071), conducted throughout the pandemic (2019 to 2021), this poster presentation sheds light on the pandemic experiences of older American adults with and without disability or chronic disease. Interesting findings are discussed across age groups and by gender. Overall, the results show notable differences in the social connection experiences of older adults with a disability or chronic disease (n=571) pre-and-post the national shutdown, along with differences in the accessibility of household items, staple foods, and medical care in the wake of the 2020 U.S. national shutdown. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of related literature.
SEX DIFFERENCES AND LONGITUDINAL QUANTILES OF FRAILTY TRAJECTORIES WITH MISSING DATA DUE TO DEATH
Authors: Marroig Alejandra , Massa Fernando , Hofer Scott , Terrera Graciela Muniz
Published: December 2022

Scarce evidence exists about frailty trajectories, but the evidence suggests that women live longer with higher levels of frailty. When progression of frailty was studied, the focus has been on mean trajectories and research has ignored death. Here, we aim to assess the role of sex, age, and education in different quantiles of the distribution of frailty trajectories. We derived a frailty index (FI, range 0–1) based on the accumulation of deficits in individuals aged 65 at baseline (n=6929) using data from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). We applied weighted Generalized Estimating Equations (weighted GEE) to adjust the quantiles of the FI trajectory by sex, and education. The results show that the median FI trajectory increases with age (b_age0.5=0.008, p < 0.001) and this increase is higher for women than men (b_age*sex0.5=0.003, p < 0.001), but sex differences disappear for the most frail (0.9 percentile) once the missing data process is accounted for (b_age*sex0.9=0.002, p=0.085). For the most frail the increase with age is higher than for those at the median (b_age0.9=0.018, p < 0.001; test diff, p < 0.001) and education reduces the progression of the median FI (b_age*edu0.5=-0.0003, p < 0.001). Our approach advances the understanding of frailty trajectories of older adults, showing differences across quantiles. Thus, this may improve the practice and design of interventions aimed at older adults. In addition, we address the process of missing information and the results show new insights, particularly for those who are most frail.
YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND: SOCIAL FACTORS AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Fenstermacher Erika , Fiske Amy
Published: December 2022

Depression in late life is associated with disability, lower quality of life, increased mortality, and risk of suicide. Research suggests that functional disability, which is often brought about by a medical condition, may precede depressive symptoms and may be a major factor for older adults developing depression. Social support can be beneficial for both emotional and physical health. Numerous studies demonstrate that social networks, perceived and subjective social support, and satisfaction with support received moderate the relation between health problems and depression. Findings are mixed regarding received and objective social support and only one study was found that examined the impact of giving support to others. The current study addressed gaps in the literature by focusing on three facets of social relationships: availability of support, participant giving help, and participant receiving help. Data from the 2011 wave of the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study were used (N = 3906; mean age of 71.27; SD = .948). We examined the relationships between medical conditions, functional impairment, depressive symptoms, and social support using regression analyses. Medical conditions and functional impairment each independently predicted depressive symptoms. Availability of support significantly predicted lower levels of depressive symptoms and amount of help received predicted higher levels of depressive symptoms, controlling for medical conditions and functional impairment. These findings suggest that simply having someone available, not necessarily interacting with them for help, could reduce depressive symptoms in older adults.
ARE OLDER ADULTS’ SOCIAL PARTICIPATION AND RELATIONSHIP QUALITY RELATED TO THEIR SPOUSE’S COGNITION?
Authors: Peng Changmin , Lin Yan , Qu Shan , Yuan Yiyang
Published: December 2022

Limited studies have quantified older adults’ profiles of social participation and relationship quality. How such profiles were associated with their spouse/partner’s cognitive function also remains unknown. Using the Health and Retirement Study (2014/2016), we identified 3,722 community-dwelling, cognitively intact, married/partnered respondents living with their spouse/partner. Spouse/partner’s cognitive function was ascertained by the Langa-Weier Classification [Intact/Cognitively Impaired but not Demented (CIND)/Demented]. Social participation was measured by the frequency of volunteer, charity, education, sport/social clubs, and non-religious organization activities. Relationship quality was measured by the perceived positive and negative support from spouse, children, relatives, and friends. Latent profile analysis identified profiles of social participation and relationship quality. Multinomial logistic regression estimated the association between spouse/partner’s cognitive function and the respective profiles. Three social participation profiles were identified: (1) Limited social participation (prevalence: 69%; reference); (2) Frequent volunteer participation (10%); (3) Frequent non-volunteer participation (21%). Three relationship quality profiles were identified: (1) Positive overall support (68%; reference); (2) Positive spousal support (18%); (3) Negative spousal support with positive non-spousal support (14%). Those with a spouse/partner that were CIND or demented were significantly less likely to frequently participate in volunteer or non-volunteer activities, while more likely to perceive negative spousal support and positive non-spousal support. Given these findings and the essential role of social participation and relationship quality in older adults’ well-being, programs focusing on older adults living with a spouse/partner with impaired cognition are needed to help them maintain social connectedness.
INVOLUNTARY JOB LOSS AND GENDERED HEALTH OUTCOMES IN MIDDLE AGE AND LATER LIFE: A LIFE COURSE ANALYSIS
Authors: Song Qian , Connelly Caitlin
Published: December 2022

Job loss is associated with a range of negative health outcomes. However, the causality of job loss and poor health is unclear, due to issues of endogeneity and reverse causality (i.e., adverse health causing job loss). We also need a better understanding of the long-term effects of job loss, and how the life stage in which job loss occurred yields different health outcomes for women and men in later life. To address these gaps, we take advantage of a quasi-experimental setting — the policy-driven layoffs of the State-Owned-Enterprises (SOEs) during the 1990s – mid-2000s in urban China. Using the life history survey of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2014 and the 2015 wave, we examine the long-term effects of job loss on self-rated health (scored 1 – 5) of individuals in middle age and later life (aged 45+). After controlling for individual childhood health, life-time work history, as well as demographics and socioeconomic status, results from linear regressions show that overall, job loss from SOEs reduces self-rated health by 0.12 (p < .05) for both women and men. However, job loss hurts females’ self-rated health the most when job loss occurred in early-life, a life stage in which childbearing and child caregiving were most intensive (aged 35 or earlier; β = -0.24, p < .05), whereas males’ self-rated health is hardest hit if job loss occurred in mid-life (aged 36 – 45; β = -0.35, p < .01). The results suggest that involuntary job loss produce gendered health outcomes due to gendered life courses.
RURAL AGE-FRIENDLY ECOSYSTEMS: A SCOPING REVIEW WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES
Authors: Liebzeit Daniel , Krupp Anna , Bunch Jacinda , Buck Harleah
Published: December 2022

The population of older adults in rural areas is rising, and they experience higher rates of poverty and chronic illness, have poorer health behaviors, and experience different challenges than those in metropolitan areas. Promoting age-friendly rural communities and healthcare is key to improving outcomes and addressing disparities. This international scoping review seeks to 1) map the state of the science of age-friendly systems in rural areas regarding structural characteristics, processes for delivering age-friendly practices, and outcomes of age-friendly systems, 2) analyze strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threats of age-friendly system implementation, and 3) make person, practice, and policy-level recommendations to support active aging. Articles were retrieved from PubMed, CINAHL, AgeLine, PsychINFO, EMBASE, Scopus, and Academic Search Elite on 10/26/21 and included if they used age-friendly framing, self-identified as rural, and reported empiric data. Data were charted across three analytic layers: socioecological model, Donabedian’s framework, and SWOT analysis. While age-friendly systems in this review were heterogeneous, many utilized the World Health Organization age-friendly cities framework. Results reveal limited data on outcomes relevant to organizations. While the SWOT analysis revealed many strengths of age-friendly systems, it also revealed several weaknesses, threats, and gaps. Weaknesses included over-reliance on trained volunteers and staff, communication, and teamwork. Threats included community and health system barriers and challenges in developing regions. Despite the benefits of age-friendly systems, we must acknowledge limitations of the evidence base, pursue opportunities to examine organizational metrics to support implementation and sustainability of age-friendly systems, and leverage improvements in age-friendliness at a community level.
INVESTIGATING OLDER ADULTS’ PERSPECTIVES ON TELEHEALTH ROBOTICS
Authors: Olatunji Samuel , Hussaini Husna , Blocker Kenneth , Uppalapati Naveen , Krishnan Girish , Rogers Wendy
Published: December 2022

The current social distancing directives have heightened the need for older adults to seek remote healthcare solutions. Telehealth robots could support home health by carrying out on-demand tasks for diagnosis and treatment at the user’s home through remote teleoperation by the healthcare provider. Acceptability of such telehealth robots by older adults is critical to their successful deployment. The overall goal of this research was to investigate older adults’ perceptions and attitudes towards a telehealth robot supporting health checkups at home. Specific objectives were to explore potential healthcare use cases for the robot; identify facilitators and barriers to its use; and elicit design requirements for use in healthcare contexts. We interviewed 5 men and 5 women (ages 66–73) after they viewed a series of videos demonstrating the potential uses of the telehealth robot. The older adults had positive first impressions towards the telehealth robot and were generally open to the idea of using it for telehealth tasks. They conveyed a high level of trust with the robot, especially if it were controlled by a healthcare provider, yet expressed concerns with privacy and security of health information that would need to be addressed in the design of security protocols. They described added value of the robot’s healthcare support while suggesting potential improvements to the robot. This research provided insights into older adults’ perceptions and attitudes towards a telehealth robot as well as identified potential healthcare use cases that would inform the design requirements for telehealth robots in different home healthcare contexts.
COMMUNITY-RECRUITED OLDER ADULTS DIFFER FROM PATIENT POPULATIONS
Authors: Striley Catherine , Chaudhari Piyush , Fillingim Roger , Cottler Linda
Published: December 2022

Researchers often conduct randomized controlled trials among patient populations that may not reflect the community in which findings will be translated. The University of Florida’s community engagement program HealthStreet provides a diverse sample in which to consider differences between people 65 years of age and older who have seen a physician in the past 12 months and those who have not. This provides a conservative test of potential biases in patient-only samples. Based on a sample of 1,663 people, 65 years of age and older, who were recruited by Community Health Workers in the North Florida region from November 2011 through July 2022, 88% had seen a physician in the past 12 months. Those who had not (12%) were significantly more likely to be non-white than white, to be in good/excellent than fair/poor health, and significantly less likely to have a range of health conditions including high blood pressure, depression, heart conditions, diabetes, a digestive health condition, a dental health condition, or cancer. Yet residents who hadn’t seen a doctor were just as likely to be willing to participate in a future health study (both 94%) that only asked about health, accessed medical records (both 87%) or didn’t provide reimbursement (both 81%), and were not significantly different in attitudes toward participating in research in general. Recruiting of older adults should be conducted in the community, not just in patient populations, which are likely to be less diverse and sicker than those recruited through a community engagement program.