bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SOCIAL INTERACTION AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS: A COMPARISON OF MID- TO LATER-LIFE SAME- AND DIFFERENT-SEX COUPLES
Authors: Mernitz Sara , Garcia Michael , Umberson Debra
Published: January 2025

Social interaction with family and friends plays a crucial role for individual mental health with notable gendered patterns. Yet, previous studies fall short in explaining how the frequency of social interactions change over time for women and men in same-sex and different-sex married couples and how such change may influence depressive symptoms from midlife to late adulthood. Using dyadic longitudinal data from the Health and Relationships Projects (HARP), we examine patterns of change in social interaction frequency over a 6-year period for mid-to-later life U.S. women and men in same-sex and different-sex marriages (n = 616 individuals; 320 couples) and their subsequent associations with depressive symptoms. We use mixed-effects multilevel modeling and find that the frequency of social interaction with family members decreased over a period of 6 years for same-sex couples (i.e. women married to women; men married to men), but not different-sex couples. Frequency of social interaction with friends also decreased, but only for men married to men. Decreased social interaction with family members was associated with increased depressive symptoms for women married to women, but not men married to men or different-sex couples; decreased social interaction with friends was associated with increased depressive symptoms for men married to men only. Taken together, these findings illustrate how change in social interaction frequency influences mental health within marriage from mid-to-later life and underscores the importance of including same-sex couples when considering both gender differences in such linkages.
POOLING COHORTS ACROSS THE LIFE COURSE TO IDENTIFY NOVEL EARLY-LIFE DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH OUTCOMES IN LATER-LIFE
Authors: Kezios Katrina , Zimmerman Scott , Buto Peter , Glymour M Maria , Hazzouri Adina Zeki Al
Published: January 2025

To answer novel questions about exposure-disease effects over the entire life course, researchers are increasingly pooling data from multiple cohorts covering different life periods to construct complete life course data. If carefully constructed, these “synthetic cohorts” should enable rigorous investigation of earlier-life determinants and pathways to health in older age. Using simulations, we previously demonstrated a matching-based approach to create a synthetic cohort where individuals with exposure (“A”) information in an early-life cohort were matched to individuals with outcome (“Y”) information in a later-life cohort based on mediators and confounders of A and Y. Here, we describe results from a proof-of-concept analysis using a sample-splitting approach in the Health and Retirement Study (1994-2018). We examined the relationships between BMI in 1994 and 1) general health, 2) diabetes, and 3) systolic blood pressure in 2018 in synthetic cohorts constructed using 2008 as the matching time point. Synthetic cohort estimates were benchmarked against those in the longitudinal HRS sample observed from 1994-2018. In the proof-of-concept analyses, our approach was most successful when a later measure of the exposure and/or earlier measure of the outcome was available in both cohorts at the matching time-point. For example, for BMI1994 and general health2018, matching cohorts on BMI and general health in 2008 alone produced an estimate of -0.0386 [-0.054, -0.023] in the synthetic cohort (compared with -0.0334 [-0.040, -0.027] in the full cohort). We use these findings to guide analyses examining the relationship between other early life social and cardiovascular determinants and later-life health.
WAGE DISPARITIES IN NURSING HOMES: ORGANIZATIONAL AND MARKET FACTORS
Authors: Orewa Gregory , Ghiasi Akbar , Davlyatov Ganisher , Lord Justin , Weech-Maldonado Robert
Published: January 2025

Although wage differences across NHs are evident, the underlying factors contributing to these differences remain largely unexplored. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the organizational and market factors associated with nurse wages in NHs. This study used secondary datasets such as the Payroll Based Journals, Medicare cost reports. and Care Compare (2017-2022). It included all U.S. NHs certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Analytic data comprised 80,244 facilities, averaging 13,374 unique NHs per year. The data was modeled using multiple linear regression with two-way fixed effects (year and state). We ran separate models for the three types of nurses employed by NHs: registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) wages. The dependent variable was the adjusted nurse wage (RNs, LPNs, and CNAs) per hour after accounting for inflation. The key variable of interest was a categorical variable that captured the intersection of ownership status and chain affiliation: for-profit-chain (FPC), for-profit independent (FPI), not-for-profit chain (NFPC), and not-for-profit independent (NFPI). Other organizational and environmental factors that may be associated with nurse wages were also included. The results suggest that compared to NFPIs, FPIs and FPCs were associated with lower nurse wages (p<.01). NHs with more Medicaid residents pay lower wages, while those located in wealthier areas and with larger size pay higher wages. Our findings highlight the need to ensure equitable wage distribution across NHs, particularly by addressing the financial challenges faced by facilities located in more deprived communities.
KNOWLEDGE MOBILIZATION TO DEVELOP DEMENTIA-INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES IN THE DEMSCAPE PROJECT
Authors: Chaudhury Habib , Randa-Beaulieu Cari , Seetharaman Kishore
Published: January 2025

Creating a supportive neighborhood built environment that facilitates outdoor mobility, wayfinding, and access to community destinations is a key component in making communities more dementia-inclusive. To help municipalities achieve their vision of dementia-friendly and inclusive streets and outdoor spaces, this Knowledge Mobilization (KM) extension of the Dementia-inclusive Spaces for Community Access, Participation, and Engagement (DemSCAPE) project developed three evidence-based education and training resources for municipal planners, community-based organizations, people with lived experience and care partners. These resources or tools are: 1) “Dementia-Inclusive Planning and Design Guidelines” to inform municipal planners and decision-makers on effective physical planning and design to support people living with dementia; 2) “Neighbourhood Environmental Audit Tool” for community-based dementia advocacy organizations and people with lived experience to conduct audit of the neighbourhood environment and identify intervention projects; and 3) eight-minute documentary video illustrating the lived-experiences of three people living with dementia in urban, suburban and northern areas of British Columbia, Canada. In partnership with the City of Burnaby and the City of Richmond in Metro Vancouver, Canada, three KM activities are being conducted: 1) World Café discussions following screening the short video and an accompanying photo exhibit, 2) focus group discussions with municipal planners to help them apply knowledge of dementia-friendly streets and outdoor spaces to planning and design, and 3) conduct environmental audits of targeted streets in Metro Vancouver engaging people living with dementia and identify actionable built environmental interventions to make their communities more dementia-inclusive.
ADAPTING THE MEANING OF HOME QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA
Authors: Florack Janina , Penger Susanne , Haberstroh Julia , Oswald Frank
Published: January 2025

Most people with dementia prefer to remain in their homes for as long as possible, despite facing various challenges in daily life due to cognitive decline. They generally decide against relocating to a nursing home, underscoring the significant value they attribute to their own residence. So far, the subjective meaning of home in people with dementia has primarily been explored through qualitative approaches. Thus, the objective of the current study was the adaption of an existing questionnaire for assessing the meaning of home (MoH) in people with dementia. In a pilot study, the MoH was revised by simplifying existing items and instructions and adding new items. Testing of the modified version (MoH-D) in a small sample of cognitively impaired individuals (N = 30) necessitated further adjustments, such as simplification of the response scale. In a second study, the factorial structure of the MoH-D was explored in a cognitively unimpaired sample (N = 574), resulting in a preliminary 21-item version with a five-factor structure that demonstrated psychometrically satisfactory characteristics. These factors were labeled comfort, everydayness, sociability, overwhelm, and autonomy based on their content. To further validate and refine the questionnaire, a sizable sample of cognitively impaired people (N = 282) was recruited. Currently, analyses are in progress to determine the final factorial structure of the MoH-D, evaluate its psychometric properties, and investigate its relations with external validation criteria (e.g., housing satisfaction, duration of residence). Initial findings will be presented and discussed.
THE INTRINSIC CAPACITY PROFILE OF THE CHINESE OLDER ADULTS IN HONG KONG
Authors: Jiang Xiao-han , Chen Feng , Tang Yiting , Chen Shuangzhou , Yu Doris Sau Fung
Published: January 2025

Intrinsic capacity (IC) refers to the composite of physical and mental capacity. To promote healthy ageing, the identification of IC will provide a clear picture of older adults. The IC assessment in “Pathway to Healthy Ageing Project” in Hong Kong was then conducted under the Integrated Care of Older People (ICOPE) framework. The 6 IC domains (cognition, locomotion, vitality, psychology, vision, and hearing) were assessed among the 4418 older adults recruited over Hong Kong (mean age: 74.4 years). Cognitive function was tested by Montreal cognitive assessment 5-min protocol. 16.6% of the participants had cognitive impairment. For locomotion, Short physical performance battery and Timed-Up and Go Test (TUG) were used to measure physical function and mobility. 35.0% were found to have impaired physical function, and 16.9% faced a fall risk. TUG revealed 6.5% of our participants had problem in mobility. Vitality was measured by Mini nutritional assessment and handgrip strength. Our results indicated that 27% of the participants had a malnutrition risk, and 0.4% were malnutrition. Handgrip strength indicated 59.4% had low muscle strength. Psychology was measured by Geriatric Depression Scale-15 item for depression. 10.8% of the participants were found with depression. Sensory was measured by self-reported. 22% reported they had visual loss, and 17.4% reported they had hearing loss. Our study provided a profile of IC of the community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong. The IC impairment of Hong Kong older adults was identified, thus more targeted intervention can be provided to improve the overall health condition.
SUBJECTIVE VIEWS OF AGING ARE ALL AROUND: A SOCIAL PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Hoffman Yaakov , Shrira Amit , Neupert Shevaun
Published: January 2025

Subjective Views of Aging (VoA) of the individual older adult are important predictors of many health and wellbeing outcomes. Nevertheless, VoA often develop within a relational context, suggesting that VoA have an inherent interpersonal component. However, few works have considered VoA within the greater social perspective. In this session we address VoA in two different social contexts; namely medical situations, and marital context. We address how these wider social VoA impact older adults’ health and wellbeing. The first talk (Shrira & Shafir) addresses how ageist attitudes of spousal caregivers impact rehabilitation outcomes in patients following osteoporosis fractures. In the second talk (Hoffman et al.), we address how ageist attitudes of medical staff impact older adult patients in internal wards, leading to negative VoA, and to deteriorated physical health months later. The third talk (Mukherjee & Neupert) addresses increased daily memory failures of older adults with arthritis following exposure to interpersonal stressors, when awareness of age-related losses is low. The fourth talk (Bodner, Segel-Karpas & Estlein) explores how couples experience their joint aging, introduces a new questionnaire, and shows how this measure correlates with marital satisfaction and other variables. Together, the findings highlight how VoA operate within social contexts and offer valuable information for both researchers and clinicians regarding VoA and their effects on health and wellbeing.
HOSPITAL STAFF AGEISM AND OLDER PATIENT’S SUBJECTIVE VIEWS OF AGING JOINTLY PREDICT FUTURE HEALTH
Authors: Hoffman Yaakov , Bodner Ehud , Cohen Susanna , Shrira Amit
Published: January 2025

Over 66% of those hospitalized in internal wards are adults over 65. While older adults’ subjective views on aging (VoA) have been linked with their own health, less is known in the context of hospitalization. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, previous studies neither extensively examined effects of departmental ageism on patients’ health indices, nor did they examine interactions between medical staff’s ageist attitudes and patient’s own VoA, in predicting subsequent health. Following, the current study addressed these issues. Hospitalized older adults (N=54, average age 76.24±8.19, range 65-101; 50% female) were assessed in 4 waves. Their experience of hospital ageism during hospitalization (Wave 1) predicted several outcomes two weeks later at Wave 2 (e.g., hospitalization satisfaction, b=-.30, re-hospitalization b=-.24) as well as one’s self-rated health four months later, b=-.36 (Wave 4). This latter link was mediated by the change in attitude towards one’s own aging (at Wave 2, a × b=-4.47, 95% CI [-9.7, -.29]). Findings suggest that reducing medical staff ageist attitudes (e.g., by including courses/workshops on ageism in medical staff training) may both enhance long-term health of older internal ward hospitalized patients and reduce care costs to health systems.
VIEWS OF AGING OF PATIENTS AND SPOUSAL CAREGIVERS PREDICT HOME-BASED REHABILITATION OUTCOMES
Authors: Shrira Amit , Shafir Irit
Published: January 2025

Home-based hospitalization programs providing health services in patients’ home become increasingly widespread in view of population aging and insufficiencies of inpatient services. Home care has a potential to improve health outcomes and patient satisfaction as well as reduce costs. An impressive body of evidence shows that favorable subjective views of aging (VoA) predict better health outcomes among older adults. Much less is known about the role of VoA in the unique context of home-based hospitalization where care recipients and caregivers are jointly involved in intensive recovery efforts. Therefore, the current study assessed functional outcomes as predicted by VoA of 86 patients (mean age=71.5) and spousal caregivers (mean age=70.5). Patients and spouses receiving post-fracture home-based rehabilitation via one of the largest health maintenance organizations in Israel rated their VoA at the beginning of rehabilitation. Patients’ functional independence was assessed by healthcare personnel at the beginning and end of rehabilitation (approximately two weeks later). The main outcome was rehabilitation effectiveness reflecting the ratio between the absolute functional gain and the patient’s specific potential for functional improvement. Results showed that patients who felt younger or who were less aware of age-related losses had higher rehabilitation effectiveness. Moreover, patients whose spousal caregivers reported less ageist attitudes had higher rehabilitation effectiveness. The study found unique effects of patients’ and spousal caregivers’ VoA on rehabilitation outcomes. Findings suggest that reduction of negative VoA among patients as well as informal caregivers should be considered when tailoring orthopedic rehabilitation frameworks.
OLDER ADULTS AS RESOURCES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Authors: Growney Claire , Jordan Claire , Larson Carol , Carstensen Laura
Published: January 2025

As California rolls out universal transitional kindergarten for 4-year-olds, the public school system faces a shortage of teachers and paraeducators to meet minimum adult–child ratios. Given age-related strengths in the social-emotional domain, older adults may be especially well-suited to support young children’s developmental needs. We are currently forming and researching programs that bring older adults into early childhood education classrooms to support children in various capacities. Many schools have used volunteers, but our focus is paid hourly and salaried positions. To inform program development, we collected qualitative and quantitative data from 8 early childhood center directors and 10 adults aged 55–73 who indicated interest in working with young children. Directors’ top-rated goals were to recruit people who would contribute to a calm, inviting classroom environment, support children’s social-emotional needs, and lower adult-child ratios. Directors also reported concerns, including older adults being unable to meet the physical demands of the job. Older adults’ top-rated reasons for being interested were wanting to have an emotionally meaningful experience and make a difference for young children. Information learned from these data was used to inform the creation of pilot programs at sites in Los Angeles, Fresno, and Santa Cruz, California. At baseline and the end of the programs, we are collecting assessments from classroom teachers, directors, and older adult participants to examine effects of the program on classroom environment, attitudes toward older adults, and older adults’ well-being. We will discuss barriers to program implementation and methods for successfully recruiting and retaining participants.
POLYGENIC RISK SCORES FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND GENERAL COGNITIVE FUNCTION ARE ASSOCIATED WITH MEASURES OF COGNITION IN OLDER SOUTH ASIANS
Authors: Duque Gustavo
Published: January 2025

TBD
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE BEHAVIORS AND BIOLOGICAL AGING IN THE U.S. NATIONAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION EXAMINATION SURVEYS 1999-2018
Authors: Gu Yian
Published: January 2025

TBD
ADVANCING DATA COLLECTION AND SHARING FOR PERSON-CENTERED DEMENTIA CARE IN LOW-RESOURCE LONG-TERM CARE SETTINGS
Authors: Rataj Alison , McConnell Eleanor
Published: January 2025

Person-centered care (PCC) is essential to support people living with dementia and is a guiding principle in care services. Inequities in PCC and dementia care access persist in long-term care (LTC) settings, including poorer urban and rural communities, which have fewer healthcare resources. While growing evidence has demonstrated the consequences of LTC inequities, research is limited in understanding strategies to improve dementia care in low-resource settings. This symposium features four presentations from the Advancing Person-Centered Dementia Care in Low-Resource Contexts Project emphasizing unique challenges and opportunities for providing PCC in low-resource LTC settings from the perspectives of administrators, direct care staff, residents with dementia and their families. The first presentation reports results from a community-based, participatory research study in four LTC settings in federally designated medically underserved areas highlighting what matters when providing quality dementia care from the perspectives of LTC leaders, staff, residents and their families. The second presentation shares PCC strategies used by direct care workers stratified by length of tenure in the workforce. The third presentation examines factors related to measuring PCC quality with a specific focus on measurement in low-resource settings. The fourth presentation summarizes results from a series of design thinking workshops with family members, staff, and leaders in low-resource LTC settings to co-create processes for supporting high-quality PCC. This symposium reveals innovative strategies to provide dementia care and generates future directions for addressing inequities in low-resource LTC settings. Common Data Elements for International Research in Residential Long-term Care Interest Group Sponsored Symposium
STRATEGIES USED BY STAFF TO PROVIDE PERSON-CENTERED DEMENTIA CARE: A COMPARISON BY LENGTH OF TENURE
Authors: Kim Yoon Chung , Lepore Michael , Kusmaul Nancy , Holmes Sarah
Published: January 2025

Approximately half of nursing home residents and 42% of assisted living residents have a diagnosis of dementia. The quality of care that staff provide to long-term care (LTC) residents living with dementia (RLWD) is vital for their well-being. However, questions remain about what strategies staff use to support person-centered dementia care and whether differences exist by length of tenure. This descriptive, qualitative study sought to identify strategies used by direct care workers to provide person-centered dementia care and compare strategies by length of tenure. The study included in-depth semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 20 direct care workers in four low-resource LTC settings in two states. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed in NVivo14. Staff reported a mean length of tenure in LTC of 8.97 years (SD= 5.92, range= 1.5-21 years). Common strategies recommended by direct care workers for providing person-centered dementia care included validating and recognizing residents’ emotional needs, building trust and rapport, involving families, honoring preferences and life histories, knowing triggers or past traumas, and engaging residents in individualized activities. Participants emphasized the importance of dementia training for providing care to RLWD. There were no differences in strategies observed between longer and shorter tenured direct care workers, but those with longer tenure expressed more emotional detachment regarding resident care, whereas shorter tenured staff expressed more emotional attachment in resident care. Findings highlight how staff with shorter and longer tenure experience care differently and inform future work to promote high-quality care for RLWD in LTC settings.
EXPLORING ABUSE ACROSS THE LIFE COURSE IN DEMENTIA CAREGIVING RELATIONSHIPS
Authors: Avent Elizabeth , Yonashiro-Cho Jeanine , Mosqueda Laura , Gassoumis Zachary
Published: January 2025

Based on the web of violence framework, described as different patterns of co-occurring abuse and trauma across the lifespan, caregivers who have lifespan patterns of abuse may be at greater risk for experiencing or perpetrating abuse once caregiving obligations begin. Conflict and abuse are concerns when the care receiver has ADRD, as behavioral problems associated with dementia may arise during caregiving. Spousal and intimate partner (S/IP) caregiving dyads are most likely to live together, so it is probable that aggression and abusive behaviors can be present in these dyads. Bivariate analyses (chi-square and t-tests) from surveys (N=207) and semi-structured interviews (N=12) with caregivers were conducted to identify characteristics that are conceptually related to abusive behavior throughout their relationships and life courses. There were no significant differences between S/IP caregivers and other types of caregiving relationships in mean adverse childhood experiences (ACE) scores, anxiety and depression scores, relationship quality, and caregiver burden. Roughly 22% of S/IP caregivers experienced at least 1 ACE. S/IP caregivers reported a history of IPV (10.9%) and abuse in the past year (12.2%). Among dyads in which recent abuse occurred, abuse was present throughout the relationship, even before onset of dementia. Semi-structured interviews showed that the caregiver experienced IPV in a previous relationship and/or at least one partner in the dyad experienced some form of family violence during childhood. Clarifying older victims’ experiences can help to identify risk factors, develop age-inclusive resources and services, and encourage collaboration between aging and domestic violence service providers.
CAPABLE ADAPTATIONS: MEETING THE NEEDS OF OLDER ADULTS ACROSS DIVERSE CONTEXTS TO SUPPORT FUNCTION
Authors: Cudjoe Thomas , Steinman Lesley
Published: January 2025

CAPABLE is a time-limited, person-directed, home-based program that addresses and seeks to improve the function of individuals living with disability. This effective program integrates the services of an occupational therapist, a registered nurse, and a handy worker who, in collaboration with an older adult, sets goals and creates action plans. In multiple trials nationwide, it has improved daily function and reduced disability for participants while saving health care costs. It is now being implemented in 23 States at 45 sites nationwide. Building upon the success of the original CAPABLE program, our symposium will present descriptions and findings from innovative adaptions of CAPABLE to 1) improve the health, independence, and safety of care partners, 2) promote social connection in individuals who have constrained life space or are homebound, 3) address the needs of older adults awaiting kidney transplants, and 4) improve the quality of life for older adults experiencing cognitive impairments. Presenters will provide insight into lessons learned from each CAPABLE adaptation, including perspectives on leveraging opportunities and utilizing synergy to address socio-behavioral and functional needs across these diverse contexts and populations.
ADAPTING THE CAPABLE PROGRAM TO ADDRESS FUNCTION AND SOCIAL CONNECTION NEEDS AMONG HOMEBOUND OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Riser Tiffany , Jung Wonkyung , Curriero Samantha , McDaniel Kennedy , Cudjoe Thomas
Published: January 2025

CAPABLE Care + Connect is a high-fidelity prototype based on the CAPABLE program that is currently being developed and implemented using a two-phase approach. The purpose of CAPABLE Care + Connect is to leverage human-centered design to adapt an evidence-based intervention (Phase 1) and to test the feasibility of implementing the tailored intervention in a home-based primary care setting (Phase 2). The overarching goal of CAPABLE Care + Connect is to better address the needs of homebound older adults experiencing limited life space and limited social connection. During the symposium presentation, we will share the methodological activities involved in developing this intervention using human-centered design. Additionally, we will present early insights gained from older adults, care partners, clinicians, and thought leaders regarding opportunities and challenges of integrating the CAPABLE and Johns Hopkins Home-Based Medicine programs. These insights will highlight the program’s role in facilitating aging in place while also supporting social connection in older adults with disabilities who are experiencing or at risk for social isolation. After attending this symposium session, participants will demonstrate an understanding of how human-centered design approaches can be applied to adapt an evidence-based intervention in a home-care setting. Additionally, participants will be able to summarize perspectives on social isolation, loneliness, and unmet needs for social connection in homebound older adults with disabilities.
COHORT DYNAMICS OF SOCIAL SUPPORT EXCHANGE: INSIGHTS FROM DIVERSE AGING IN THE US
Authors: Suanet Bianca , Huxhold Oliver , Smith Jacqui
Published: January 2025

Background

Studies from Europe indicate an increase in social support exchanges among older adults, but whether this trend also applies to the US and the perception of these exchanges as positive or negative remains unclear. Furthermore, it’s uncertain if these changes also benefit those that face disadvantage, such as low income and racial minority groups, especially when considering intersecting factors.

Methods

This study employs cohort-sequential analysis of Health and Retirement Study (HRS) data collected from 2008 to 2022 in 8 waves to investigate cohort differences in positive and negative social support exchanges among older adults in the United States. It focuses on the influences of cohort, race, and income on social support dynamics, employing data from the psycho-social questionnaire.

Results

Despite a general increase in positive support exchanges, disparities in social support exchange persist based on race and socioeconomic status. Individuals with lower incomes and from ethnic minority backgrounds experience disproportionately more negative social support exchanges, indicating persistent inequalities.

Discussion

Recognizing the complexities of social support exchanges, particularly in relation to cohort, race, and socioeconomic status, is crucial for policymakers and healthcare professionals. Tailored interventions are essential to address disparities and promote equitable aging outcomes and overall well-being among older adults in the US.
BASIC PSYCHOLOGICAL NEED SATISFACTION AND WELL-BEING IN GRANDPARENT–ADULT GRANDCHILD DYADS
Authors: Sun Yue Yang , Liu Xiaoye , Zhang Yukai , Li Tianyuan
Published: January 2025

Past research reveals that basic psychological need satisfaction (BPNS) in relationship is an important contributor to relationship intimacy and individuals’ psychological well-being, but few studies explored the effects in grandparent-adult grandchildren relationship. The current study recruited 294 adult grandchild-closest grandparent dyads from mainland China. The grandchild and the grandparent completed a survey, respectively. We adopted Actor-Partner Interdependence Model to estimate both the actor and partner effects of BPNS on each partner’s relationship intimacy and psychological well-being while controlling relevant demographic variables. Results indicated that both grandparents’ and grandchildren’s BPNS in the relationship was related to their own higher relationship intimacy, bs =.20 and.27, ps <.001, higher life satisfaction, bs =.32 and.17, ps <.03, and fewer depressive symptoms, bs = -.17 and -.12, ps <.001. Further, grandparents’ BPNS was also related to their grandchildren’s higher life satisfaction, b =.21, p =.01, and less depressive symptoms, b = -.07, p =.04, but adult grandchildren’s BPNS was not related to grandparents’ psychological well-being, ps >.13. The findings indicate the significant role that BPNS plays in promoting relationship intimacy in the grandparent-adult grandchild relationship as well as in contributing to both partners’ psychological well-being. More importantly, the support from adult grandchildren to grandparents not only benefits the grandparent’s psychological well-being, but also the grandchild’s. The asymmetric effects suggest that the grandchildren may become the more influential support provider in their relationship with the grandparent when they have grown up.
EFFECT OF A HEARING INTERVENTION COMPARED TO EDUCATION CONTROL ON SELF-REPORTED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: ACHIEVE STUDY
Authors: Amezcua Pablo Martinez
Published: January 2025

Hearing loss is associated with lower physical activity among older adults. However, whether the treatment of hearing loss influences engagement in physical activity remains unknown. Using data from the Aging Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders (ACHIEVE) study, a 1:1 randomized control trial of a hearing care intervention (including the provision of hearing aids) compared to a health education control group, we investigated the effect hearing care vs. control on self-reported participation in any moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and frequently walking during leisure time (defined as reporting leisurely walking often or very often) among community-dwelling older adults. Among 977 participants (age 70-84; female: 53.5%; White: 87.8%) with hearing loss recruited from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC) (n=238) and de novo from the community (n=739), over three years there was a 3% reduction in the proportion of participants who engaged in MVPA (57.5% to 54.7%), but a 5% increase in leisurely walking (29.2% to 34.4%). Participants in the hearing intervention had 5% and 7% higher odds of reporting MVPA and leisurely walking over three years than those in the control group (OR MVPA=1.05, 95% CI: 0.96, 1.14; OR walking=1.07, 95%: 0.96, 1.19). These associations were stronger, 9% and 41%, among de novo than ARIC participants (de novo: OR MVPA=1.09, 95% CI: 0.79, 1.53; OR walking=1.41, 95% CI: 0.97, 2.05). Findings suggest addressing hearing loss may increase physical activity, mainly leisurely walking. Further research is warranted to explore additional factors influencing physical activity in older adults with hearing loss.
IMPACT OF A HEARING INTERVENTION VERSUS HEALTH EDUCATION CONTROL ON FATIGUE SYMPTOMS OVER THREE YEARS
Authors: Bessen Sarah
Published: January 2025

Fatigue is a common complaint among older adults with hearing loss. We investigated the effect of hearing intervention versus health education control on fatigue over 3 years in older adults with hearing loss using the Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders (ACHIEVE) study. A total of 977 adults (mean age: 76.8 years, range 70-84; female: 53.5%; White: 87.8%) with hearing loss were recruited from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC) (n=238) and de novo from the community (n=739). Fatigue symptoms were measured with the PROMIS fatigue bank and RAND-36 questionnaires at baseline, 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year follow-up visits (for PROMIS-score, higher=more fatigue, whereas for RAND-score, higher=less fatigue). The intervention effect was estimated as the differences in the 3-year change in fatigue scores between groups using linear mixed-effects models. Over 3 years, preliminary results suggest there was potential beneficial effect of the hearing intervention vs. health education control on change in the PROMIS-fatigue score (β=-0.32 [95% CI: -1.17, 0.50]) and the RAND fatigue score (β=0.16 [95% CI: 0.16 0.04, 0.29]). Stratification by recruitment source showed consistent results with a stronger magnitude of the effect among de novo compared to ARIC participants. Overall, our findings suggest a possible beneficial effect of the hearing intervention on fatigue symptoms over 3 years. This research adds to current evidence supporting the wide-ranging benefits of hearing care and informs policy efforts to increase awareness and accessibility.
COGNITIVE VULNERABILITY TO TEMPERATURE BY REGION, HOUSING, AND NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY IN HEALTH AND RETIREMENT SURVEY
Authors: Gronlund Carina , Cameron Erinn , Lee Jinkook , Ailshire Jennifer , Adar Sara
Published: January 2025

With a changing climate, understanding how temperature affects the cognitive function of older adults is critical. Extreme temperatures might influence cognitive function via multiple physiological processes and may be stronger in certain spaces, including poor-quality housing and unsafe neighborhoods where residents may not open windows. Using biennial surveys from ~40,000 respondents from 1995-2020, we characterized associations between total cognition scores (35-point scale) and temperatures overall and by census region, housing condition (poor-to-excellent), and neighborhood safety (feel safe walking after dark scale 1-7). We operationalized temperatures as monthly regional means of daily minimum temperatures from NOAA monitors 1-12 months prior to the surveys, converted to region-specific percentiles. We regressed cognition on nonlinear temperature lags, controlling for individual (fixed slope), precipitation, season, survey wave, and age. We then interacted home condition and neighborhood safety with temperature, controlling for self-efficacy, functional limitations (ADLs), and comorbidities. Overall, we found lower cognitive performance with colder temperatures 6 months prior (-0.1 points, 95% Confidence Interval: -0.2, 0.0 for the 1st vs. 50th percentile). For hot temperatures, results were regionally heterogeneous. We saw lower cognition with higher temperatures in some regions (e.g., in the East North Central region, 1.5 (95% CI: -2.2, -0.4) and 3 (95% CI: -1.6, -0.5) points lower at 99th vs. 50th percentile 1 and 3 months prior, respectively). Hot temperature associations were worse in unsafe neighborhoods but not by home condition. This suggests that climate adaptation programs, including safe cooling spaces, might benefit cognitive health.
ASSOCIATION OF AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES WITH INTRINSIC CAPACITY IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Li Chunxiao , Liu Kehan , Peng Wenting , Zheng Yu , Huang Chongmei , Liu Minhui
Published: January 2025

Intrinsic capacity is crucial for older adults to maintain their functional independence and quality of life. Despite previous research have identified some environmental factors that impact intrinsic capacity, the associations between age-friendly communities and intrinsic capacity remained underexplored. To examine the relationship between the level of age-friendly communities and intrinsic capacity, in 2023, we conducted a cross-sectional study among 413 cognitively intact Chinese older adults from six age-friendly communities. Intrinsic capacity was measured with the Barthel Index (locomotion), Cornell Medical Index (vitality), Short-Form Mini-Nutritional Assessment (nutrition), Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (psychological health), and Mini-Mental State Examination (cognition). Community age-friendliness was assessed by the Age-Friendly Community Rating Scale. Covariates included demographics and health-related factors. Linear regression was used for analysis. These participants were aged between 65 and 94 years old, and male (52.06%). The level of age-friendly community was significantly associated with the intrinsic capacity of older adults (Standardized Beta = 0.776). The level of age-friendly community was associated with the intrinsic capacity scores in the unadjusted model (Beta = 0.861, P < 0.001) and the full-adjusted models (Beta = 0.609, P < 0.001). Additionally, the number of chronic diseases (Beta = -20.355, P < 0.001) and body mass index (Beta = -5.044, P < 0.05) were associated with lower scores of intrinsic capacity. Our findings suggest that the level of age-friendly communities is a protective factor for intrinsic capacity in older adults. Future research should focus on interventions to enhance community age-friendliness, thereby improving intrinsic capacity in community-dwelling older adults.
THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL CAPITAL AND ETHNICITY ON THE WELL-BEING OF OLDER ADULTS IN HONG KONG
Authors: Lai Daniel W L , Huang Zideng , Ou Alison Yu-ting
Published: January 2025

Ethnic minority older adults in Chinese societies remain understudied despite the increasing diversity of the aging population. This study investigated the influence of social capital determinants on the quality of life of South Asians and Chinese residents in Hong Kong, highlighting the importance of understanding each ethnic group’s unique social dynamics and cultural contexts for effective interventions. A telephone survey was conducted with a total of 1,015 Chinese (800) and South Asian (215) older adults aged 55 and above, using the World Bank’s tool to measure social capital across six dimensions: social participation, support, connection, trust, cohesion, and reciprocity and the World Health Organization’s Quality of Life questionnaire to assess quality of life. Demographic variables such as gender, age, marital status, education, and ethnicity were also collected. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that social capital factors such as social support, connection, and reciprocity negatively influenced the quality of life for Chinese Hong Kong residents but positively for South Asians. Social trust and belonging showed no significant effect on Hong Kong residents’ quality of life but improved it for South Asians. Ethnic group was a consistent moderator, with South Asians generally reporting lower quality of life than Hong Kong residents. The interaction between social capital and ethnicity has a significant impact on quality of life, with certain aspects of social capital benefiting South Asians more than Hong Kong residents. This suggests that quality of life interventions should be tailored to the specific social capital dynamics and cultural contexts of each ethnic group.
GRANDPARENT–GRANDCHILD ASIAN AMERICAN REMINISCENCE: INTERGENERATIONAL AND CULTURAL REFLECTION
Authors: Xu Ling
Published: January 2025

Intergenerational solidarity between grandparents and grandchildren has been highlighted in Asian Families and it is beneficial for the health of grandparents. An intergenerational reminiscence program was developed to improve the well-being of Asian American older adults as well as generational bonding. This paper qualitatively reported the reflection of participant dyads based on the interviews at the end of program (n = 11). Older grandparents received 6 sessions of life-review with their grandchildren remotely or in person for approximately 1 hour each week for 6 weeks. At the end of the program, individual interviews were conducted with dyad participants. Braun and Clarke’s six-steps of thematic analysis were followed to examine the interview data. Thematic analysis of interview with grandparents revealed four themes: Family life (early childhood, intergenerational connection, family reunition through immigration); career and work (hard work, sacrifice personal life); major life turning points (immigration, baptism); stress and coping (grief/loss, resilience). Thematic analysis of qualitative data from grandchildren also yielded four themes: Unknown/unexpected family history; disagreement (life-work balance, being frugal); cultural respect, lasting legacy (always remembering the good part of life, take one thing at a time). Recommendations offered by the dyad participants included combining some topics to avoid overlapping, adding topics of spousal relationship or parenting, etc. The reflection from grandparent-grandchild dyad participants showed that intergenerational reminiscence program is promising in bonding the grandparent-grandchild connection with family history and cultural revisitation. Lessons learned and recommendations for future research on interventions for Asian American families are offered.
EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RELIGION, SPIRITUALITY, LONELINESS, SOCIAL ISOLATION, AND AGING
Authors: O’Sullivan Roger , Britt Katherine , Lubben Jim
Published: January 2025

The importance of social engagement, connections, and participation as we age and the negative impact of loneliness and social isolation on health are well recognized. Religion and/or spirituality has social, emotional, and existential dimensions and are linked to concepts of belonging, meaning, and purpose. As part of the drive to build meaningful social and emotional connections in contemporary society, religion and/or spirituality are proposed as potential solutions to loneliness/social isolation. The theoretical mechanism proposed is that affiliation, attendance, practice, or belief can offer support, social capital, meaning and a sense of belonging. This interdisciplinary symposium uses data from both the US and Europe to explore the relationship between religion, spirituality, loneliness, and social isolation. Leavey using longitudinal data from Ireland explores depression and anxiety and their relationship with loneliness, social networks, religious practice, and long-term illness. Victor & Seetal, also using longitudinal data set out the relationship between measures of religious affiliation, attendance, and practice with loneliness for older adults in England. Taylor uses the HRS to examine the association between religious service attendance and spirituality on social isolation and loneliness among older adults in the United States. Finally, Hampton Jarmon, using data from the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity Across the Life Span study, explores the relationship between spirituality (connectedness, prayer fulfilment, and universality) and cognition within Black and White adult participants. Lubben, as discussant, will reflect on the key themes and the symposium’s overarching focus - can religion and/or spirituality provide protection from loneliness and social isolation?
SUPPORTING DIABETES MANAGEMENT FOR PERSONS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA: CARE PARTNER EXPERIENCES
Authors: Bristol Alycia , Hagen-Lillevik Synneva , Lee Shinduk , Allen Nancy
Published: January 2025

Care partners (CP) play a vital role in assisting persons living with dementia (PLWD) but often face challenges when supporting type 2 diabetes (T2D) management. We conducted pilot work to explore adapting an existing diabetes self-management education/support intervention called Share plus for CP of PLWD with T2D. Share plus promotes continuous glucose monitoring with CP data sharing and provides dyadic communication, problem-solving, and action planning strategies. Two focus groups (n=5, n=4) were conducted with CP. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using content analysis. CP also completed surveys, including the Partner Diabetes Distress Scale (PDDS), the Zarit Burden Scale, and one burden question specific to diabetes. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. As part of the larger pilot work, we found that CP expressed frustration with diabetes management for PLWD and discussed their lack of knowledge of addressing the impact of dementia symptoms on diabetes management. Across three PDDS questions, CP reported varying frustration levels ranging from none (44.4%) to a lot (11.1%). Additionally, CP reported experiencing slight (44.4%) and moderate (22.2%) burden when supporting diabetes management. During focus groups, CP identified frustrations and struggles in managing dementia symptoms’ influence on diabetes management, particularly regarding diet, medications, and communication. Additionally, CP reported uncertainty about how to support PLWD’s need for independence. The next steps are to develop strategies to tailor the Share plus intervention by incorporating the unique challenges faced by PLWD and their CP, such as creating specific diabetes and dementia communication strategies for CP.
CHARACTERISTICS OF BURDEN ASSOCIATED WITH CARING FOR OLDER FAMILY MEMBERS WITH DYSPHAGIA ACROSS TIME
Authors: Shune Samantha , Werbeloff Merle , Namasivayam-MacDonald Ashwini
Published: January 2025

Caregivers often experience increased burden resulting in reduced health and quality of life. Underexplored in its impact on burden is the effect of dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) over time. The purpose of this study was to explore the characteristics of burden associated with caring for an individual with dysphagia across an aging cohort. Using the Round 1, 5, 7, and 11 surveys from the National Health and Aging Trends Study and the National Study of Caregiving, we analyzed data from 4,662 spousal and children caregivers caring for community-dwelling family aged 65+. Outcome variables included caregivers’ emotional, financial, and physical burden and their agreement with statements about their well-being. A design-based conversion of the Pearson chi square statistic and binary logistic regressions were used to explain and predict presence of burden, its extent, and characteristics dependent on presence of dysphagia. At any given time, 16-27% of respondents were caring for family with dysphagia. Caregiver burden was more often reported by those caring for family with dysphagia than those without. For spouses and daughters, the degree of burden was almost always rated higher among those caring for family with dysphagia, with significant differences observed in levels of emotional and physical burden. Further, caregivers of family with dysphagia were significantly more likely to report having little time for themselves and feeling depressed, lonely, and that caregiving was too much to handle. Ultimately, dysphagia’s potential impact on the emotional, financial, and physical well-being of family caregivers must be considered along the care trajectory.