bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
METABOLIC SYNDROME, LIFESTYLE FACTORS, AND SLEEP-DISORDERED BREATHING IN US HISPANICS: IMPLICATIONS FOR MID LIFE
Authors: Richard Shannon , Feng Du , Tran Dieu-My , Renn Brenna , Kim Jinyoung
Published: December 2023

US Hispanics/Latinos are disproportionately susceptible to metabolic syndrome (MetS), attributed in part to health and lifestyle factors such as low physical activity levels, diet quality, alcohol use, tobacco use, and sleep-disordered breathing. The risk of MetS and MetS-related complications increases with age. We examined the relationships between select health and lifestyle factors and MetS among Hispanic gender-heritage subgroups and determined whether gender and heritage moderate those relationships. Participants included 14,155 Hispanic Americans aged 18–76 (59% women, mean age 45.92 ± 13.97) from seven heritage subgroups. This secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from the observational Hispanic Community Health Study / Study of Latinos dataset used multinomial logistic regression and Hayes’ PROCESS macro to test these relationships; the dependent variable, MetS, included four categories delineating MetS and related medication use. Results include low physical activity (p< .001) and sleep-disordered breathing (p< .001) were associated with the MetS with medication use group. High alcohol use decreased the probability of being in this group (p< .001). Cigarette pack years were not significantly associated with MetS outcomes. Gender moderated the association between MetS and diet quality (p< .001), alcohol use (p< .001), cigarette pack-years (p< .001), and sleep-disordered breathing (p< .001). Low physical activity and sleep-disordered breathing was significantly associated with MetS group membership, whereas low and high alcohol use were associated with decreased MetS risk. Gender-heritage differences were prominent in each of the study variables. Midlife may be an important target for prevention and intervention; other considerations for aging will be discussed.
ASSOCIATION OF BIOCHEMICAL, CLINICAL, AND ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS WITH FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE OF OLDER WOMEN
Authors: Funghetto Silvana , Ferreira Erika , Leite Mateus , de Silva Alessandro Oliveira , Lima Marina Morato Stival , de Lima Luciano Ramos , Barbalho Yuri Barbalho Sousa , Volpe Cris Renata
Published: December 2023

Increased longevity is a widespread worldwide trend, evidenced by demographic and epidemiological data, especially with regard to females, who live an average of seven years longer than males. The aging process is associated with a progressive decline in muscle mass, strength, power, impaired balance, altered heart function and vascular function. These changes negatively affect exercise capacity, increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, and have implications for physical function and the risk of falling. This is particularly relevant among women diagnosed with impaired functional performance. The aim of this study was to determine an association of biochemical, anthropometric, metabolic and inflammatory parameters according to the functional performance of older women aged 62 to 75 years attended for in primary health care. Statistical results showed that the 116 older women (56.86%) identified with impaired functional performance had a pro-inflammatory marker, high anthropometric indices and body composition, impaired cognitive performance and lower muscle strength as older women ( 88 ) with normal functional performance (43.14%). Age, waist-to-height ratio and elevated IL-6 and muscle strength significantly decreased the risk of impaired functional performance. These important findings demonstrate the need for further research documenting the underlying processes and risk factors for preserving functional capacity, carrying out life activities and decreasing the emergence of illnesses. The potential benefits of this approach provide a basis for developing individualized health promotion interventions in the management of this population of older women.
FEASIBILITY OF HIGH-INTENSITY FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH TRAINING AT HOME FOR POSTINJURY OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Morgan Ashley , Heisz Jennifer , Tang Ada , Thabane Lehana , Richardson Julie
Published: December 2023

Older adults who experience a slip, trip, or fall may experience preclinical mobility limitation (PCML), where individuals report modifications but not difficulty in mobility tasks and are at increased risk for future functional decline. Functional decline may be prevented with exercise. The purpose of this pilot trial was to determine the feasibility (adherence, recruitment, retention, safety) and preliminary outcomes (physical functioning, cognitive functioning, enjoyment) of home-based 12-week high-intensity functional strength training (HIFST) for community-dwelling older adults (≥ 55 years) with PCML who have had an injury from a slip, trip, or fall in the previous year. The trial is currently underway (target completion spring 2023). Participants are stratified by sex and randomized (1:1) to HIFST or a stretching program, both delivered by a physiotherapist via videoconferencing. Feasibility will be assessed based on predetermined criteria and reported using descriptive statistics. Preliminary effects will be reported as between group differences. To date, 20 participants (11 HIFST, 9 stretch) have enrolled (target n=24). Six participants have completed the HIFST intervention, and 2 have withdrawn before completion (reasons: mental health crisis and acute knee pain episode) with a total adherence rate of 85.8% of sessions completed (97.7% for the 6 participants who did not withdraw) which exceeds our threshold for feasibility (≥ 70%). No serious intervention-related adverse events have been reported. The results of this pilot will provide essential information for future research regarding the process, resources, and potential effects of home-based HIFST in a PCML post-injury older adult population.
SOCIAL ISOLATION AND DIET QUALITY AMONG US ADULTS WITH A DISABILITY IN NHANES, 2013–2018
Authors: Parker Elizabeth , Saif Nadia , Barry Kathryn , Falvey Jason , Addison Odessa
Published: December 2023

Social isolation and disability are established risk factors for poor nutrition. There is limited understanding of how social isolation affects diet quality specifically among adults with disability. This cross-sectional analysis used NHANES 2013-2018 data to assess whether social isolation is associated with diet quality among adults with disabilities. Adults with a disability, not pregnant/breastfeeding, and not missing dietary intake data were included (n=5,167). Disability was defined based on reporting difficulty with any activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, lower extremity mobility activities, or general physical activities. Diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI); higher scores corresponded to higher diet quality. We computed a social isolation index by summing single status, living alone, and two social engagement difficulty measures (1 point for each component met; 4 points maximum). Multivariable linear regression, controlling for demographic and health covariates, estimated differences in HEI scores for dietary intake, by social isolation score. The highest social isolation score category was associated with lower total HEI score (β = -1.71 points, 95% CI -3.08, -0.34), and lower intake of vegetables (β = -0.39 points, 95% CI -0.59, -0.20) and seafood/plant proteins (β = -0.37 points, 95% CI -0.60, -0.13). Single status and both social engagement measures were associated with lower scores on certain adequacy components. There was little evidence of effect modification by age or gender (p-interaction >0.05). Among socially isolated adults with disabilities, increasing access to fresh foods, particularly vegetables and seafood/plant proteins, should be a priority.
CHARACTERIZATION OF AGE-RELATED BIOENERGETIC DECLINE IN HUMAN DERMAL FIBROBLASTS
Authors: Phang Howard , Heimler Stephanie , Molina Anthony
Published: December 2023

Progressive mitochondrial dysfunction is a widely recognized hallmark of the human aging process. However, efforts to model bioenergetic decline in vitro largely fail to recapitulate the context of human aging and metabolic physiology, making investigation of age-related bioenergetic decline and targeted interventions difficult. We sought to model human bioenergetic decline in vitro by profiling the respiratory capacity of cultured human dermal fibroblasts from donors across the adult human lifespan. Primary human dermal fibroblasts (pHDF) are an attractive in vitro model to assess age-related bioenergetic decline due to retention of key genotypic and phenotypic features of the donor during cell culturing, including age-related phenotypes. We hypothesized that respiratory capacity of pHDF is associated with the chronological age of the donor. We leveraged the San Diego Nathan Shock Center of Excellence (SD-NSC) study which is collecting pHDF from healthy adult (aged 20-85+) participants representative of “normal” aging based on strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. We profiled the mitochondrial function of eleven SD-NSC pHDF lines using the Seahorse XFe96 Mito Stress Test. The Pearson correlation identified a strong, negative correlation between maximal respiration and age (r= –0.69, p=0.02) and between spare respiratory capacity and age (r= –0.68, p=0.02). This suggests that human age-related mitochondrial dysfunction can be recapitulated in vitro using primary cell culture. These findings serve as the starting point for deeper analysis involving a larger sample of pHDF lines and other bioenergetic parameters to accurately quantify the effect of human aging on mitochondrial function and bioenergetics.
MULTIMORBIDITY PREDICTS REMAINING LIFESPAN IN NONHUMAN PRIMATE MODEL OF ACCELERATED AGING
Authors: Quillen Ellen , Justice Jamie , Schaaf George , Olson John , Cline J Mark
Published: December 2023

Multimorbidity is common among older adults and linked to shorter lifespans, but it is unclear how naturally-occurring multimorbidity impacts lifespan in non-human primate models of aging. We developed a clinical multimorbidity index based on standardized veterinary diagnoses in 288 rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) from the Wake Forest Radiation Late Effects Cohort, animals that survived an early-life insult from whole-body radiation and controls (73 female, 237 irradiated, ages 2-24). Our index is based on diagnosis of arthritis, low bone density, cataracts, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, heart disease, hepatic dysfunction, hypertension, kidney disease, lung fibrosis, skin disorders, tumors, and overweight/underweight. All diseases were seen in both control and irradiated animals and there was a broad distribution of multimorbidity trajectories across the lifespan both in number and combinations of diseases. On average, the first diagnosis occurred at age 9.0 (equal to 35% of median lifespan) and the second at age 10.7. However, 20% of animals that lived to age 12 were without any diagnoses while others had as many as 9 comorbidities, highlighting broad variability in multimorbidity with aging. Cox proportional-hazard ratios (HR) show significant negative associations (p < 0.05) between survival and multimorbidity. Ages 3-6 years, each additional morbidity doubles likelihood of death (HR > 2) with HR falling from 1.9 to 1.4 from ages 6-15. Based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, multimorbidity predicts 2-year mortality with AUC > 0.65 from ages 7-14. Our findings suggest multimorbidity is prevalent and predicts lifespan in NHP survivors of radiation. Research was funded by NIHU01AI150578.
SEX STEROID HORMONES AND AGE AT DEATH—A MENDELIAN APPROACH
Authors: Kusters Cynthia , Paul Kimberly , Ritz Beate
Published: December 2023

Lower concentrations of testosterone have been associated with increased mortality and shorter lifespan in observational studies. An association between androgens and decreased epigenetic age was identified among men. Here, we assessed the association between sex steroid hormones and parental age at death using a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. An inverse-variance weighting (IVW) MR analysis was performed using effect estimates from external GWAS summary statistics. We included independent variants (linkage disequilibrium R2< 0.001) and a P-value threshold of 5x10-8. Sensitivity analysis included changing the P-value thresholds, MR method and multivariable MR analysis. An increase in androsterone sulfate and DHEAS were associated with a lower age at death for both fathers and mothers (-0.04/-0.05 years, P-value: 7e-4/7e-4), as well as the combined parental age at death (-0.06 years, P-value:5e-4). In addition, an increase in SHBG was associated with a higher age at death (0.06 years, P-value:7e-5). We did not find an association with estradiol or testosterone and age at death. Sensitivity analysis showed consistent findings. Our study could suggest that a higher concentration of androgens, specifically androsterone sulfate and DHEAS, decrease lifespan. This is contradictory to observational studies and deserves further attention. However, the SNPs associated with these androgens are also strongly associated with body mass index (BMI). Adjusting for BMI in the MR models removes the association between sex hormones and age at death. We are currently performing more analyses to shed light on this association.
BEREAVED PARENTS OF THE HEALTH AND RETIREMENT STUDY
Authors: Rubinstein Stephanie , Fennell Gillian , Zelinski Elizabeth
Published: December 2023

The loss of a child—no matter their age—is often regarded as one the most tragic forms of loss. Here, we sought to identify sociodemographic, psychosocial, and health profiles of older adults who have experienced offspring death in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Our sample was composed of 2,035 respondents from the 2018 wave of HRS who experienced (n =381) or did not experience (n = 1,654) the loss of a child at any point in their lifetime. In an adjusted logistic regression, we found that both women (OR=1.53, [1.13, 2.09]) and non-Hispanic Black respondents (OR = 1.85; [1.31, 2.61]) had significantly higher odds of experiencing the death of a child. Education was also significantly associated with offspring death: relative to individuals with less than a high school education, high school and college-educated respondents had a 34% and 64% lower likelihood of reporting offspring death, respectively (OR=0.66, [.47, .91]; OR=0.36, [.25, .51]). Lastly, every one unit increase in cognition was associated with a 3% lower likelihood of experiencing the offspring death (OR=0.97, [.94, .99]). Interestingly, bereaved parents were no more likely to experience depression nor report multimorbidity than individuals who had not grieved the loss of a child. These findings highlight a grim picture of premature and untimely death among Black Americans, the power of education, and potential psychological and physiological resilience among this older sub-population of bereaved parents.
PATHWAYS TO HEALTHY AGING IN THE UNITED STATES AND JAPAN: THE ROLE OF PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS
Authors: Zhang Ruoying , Lachman Margie
Published: December 2023

The dynamics of aging vary across cultures, with Japan showing a more benign picture of aging compared to the United States. While Japanese longevity and healthier older adulthood are well known, of interest is what mechanisms lead to such results. In American society, there is a strong emphasis on being independent, while Japanese society focuses on interdependence and social harmony. This study explored possible behavioral mechanisms linking these psychosocial factors to health and examined whether the pathways differ by culture. We used the second wave (2004) of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) (N = 1045) and the second wave (2012) of the Midlife Development in Japan (MIDJA) studies (N = 317). Participants’ ages ranged from 30 to 83. Behavioral mechanisms were operationalized as diet, smoking, and exercise. Psychosocial factors included sense of control, positive relations with others, independence, and interdependence. We computed a health measure by combining two inflammation biomarkers (IL-6 and CRP) and two cardiovascular biomarkers (systolic blood pressure and the ratio of total-to-HDL cholesterol). We expected sense of control and independence would make significant contributions to Americans’ health while positive relations with others and interdependence would be significant for Japanese’s health. The results supported the predictions, confirming different psychosocial pathways to health for the two samples, with diet and exercise as behavioral mechanisms in both cultures. The results provide new insights into the mechanisms for healthy aging in different cultures, and offer a deeper understanding of the cultural impacts on healthy behaviors and the aging process.
SOCIAL CONTEXTS OF FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION OF OLDER ADULTS IN MONGOLIA: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY
Authors: Bagaajav Ariunsanaa
Published: December 2023

Financial exploitation (FE) is a type of elder abuse and is the illegal or improper use of funds and resources of older persons. Approximately one in 15 older adults are victimized by FE globally. Due to its devastating consequences, FE has been identified as an emerging health, financial, and social crisis. Evidence suggests exploring cultural values is crucial to understanding the nature of FE in a specific context. While conceptualization of FE varies significantly across cultures, little is known about FE in Mongolia given its potential for increased vulnerability. We present findings of a secondary analysis of previously conducted exploratory study in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. A total of 24 physicians participated in semi-structured interviews, participants who were uniquely positioned to encounter incidences of FE due to requent contact with older patients. All interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Grounded theory methods were used for the data analysis. This study found that older Mongolians are at increased vulnerability to financial exploitation due to mounting financial hardships their families experience. To assist, older adults take out pension loans with high interest fees. Due to a lack of personal fund, essential needs of older adults are often ignored. In some instances, older adults’ pensions could be the most reliable source of income for poor families. Physicians believe while some older adults act upon willingly to assist, some might be forced under the collective decision made by family members. The findings of this study advanced the knowledge of FE in Mongolia which was formerly understudied.
THE ROLE OF LATE-LIFE WORK AMONG KOREAN WIDOWED ADULTS
Authors: Cho Hyeonji , Kim Nahyun , Kim Kyungmin
Published: December 2023

According to the Dual Process Model, oscillation between two types of stressors and coping processes—loss-oriented and restoration-oriented leads bereaved individuals toward the adaptive coping. Previous studies have focused on the buffering effects of social engagement such as volunteering or leisure as restoring activities, but little is known about the role of work. In Korea, employment rates of older adults are rising, and many people wish to keep working after the retirement age. This study examines the restoring effects of work among Korean widowed adults. Utilizing five waves of the Korean Retirement and Income Study (2011–2019; conducted biennially), we analyzed 481 middle-aged and older adults (aged 52–95) who experienced spousal loss during the study period. The widowed participants provided data on their employment status and perceived health status, including sociodemographic characteristics at both pre-loss (T1) and post-loss (T2). On average, participants’ perceived physical health (MT1 = 2.75, MT2 = 2.61) and mental health (MT1 = 3.20, MT2 = 3.07) deteriorated after the bereavement. Residualized change models found that employed participants (29.7%) showed a smaller decrease in perceived physical health (B = 0.35, p < .001) and mental health (B = 0.18, p = .046) compared to their counterparts, which supports the buffering effect of late-life work in the bereavement process. We also found a significant interaction between employment status and net wealth for perceived physical health (B = -0.04, p = .037), showing that the effect of employment stood out more among economically vulnerable people.
EMERGENCE OF ADDICTION SUBSTITUTION: SUBSTANCE USE RESULTING FROM ALCOHOL USE DISORDER RECOVERY IN A US SAMPLE
Authors: Sun Yixuan , Kwan Thomas , Bowlby Douglas , Lee Matthew
Published: December 2023

Addiction substitution refers to the increased use of other addictive substances after recovery from a prior addiction. Previous research shows that addiction substitution may lead to a poorer recovery prognosis, and an increased chance of relapse with the primary substance. If health concerns affect the likelihood of substance switching, then this concerns aging segments of the U.S. population. The aim of this study was (1) to examine the relationship between recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD) and the subsequent use of other substances and (2) to identify covariates that affect the relationship between recovery and addiction substitution. This study used two-waves of longitudinal data from NESARC (National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions), a U.S. representative sample aged 18-90+. We used 2*2 Chi-square analyses to examine the likelihood of the emergence of Wave 2 substance use (e.g., opioids) among those who had recovered from AUD between Waves 1 and 2. We ran a subsequent analysis to determine if various health outcomes predicted substance switching. The results showed that there was a significant decrease in the likelihood of becoming an opioid user by wave 2 among those who recovered from AUD in wave 1. Analysis of potential confounds identified that those who recovered from AUD but reported poor health were more likely than other recoveries to increase opioid use. Results suggest that recovery from AUD reduces the use of other substances. However, health issues increase the likelihood of substance switching occurring among those recovering from AUD.
OLDER ADULT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT LANDSCAPE 2020: CLIENT-LEVEL AND FACILITY-LEVEL FACTORS
Authors: Morgen Keith
Published: December 2023

Older adult substance use disorders (SUD) care requires specialized clinical practice. This poster reviews two datasets to emphasize client-level and facility-level factors (overall and state-by-state) relevant to older adult treatment programming, co-occurring disorders care, and days waiting for admission to treatment. The 2020 data from the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS), administered by The Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ) of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, collects data from public/private SUD treatment facilities in the United States. Data from 16,066 facilities demonstrated only 24.7% of all facilities reported programming tailored for older adult care, with state-by-state analysis showing a range of 4.6% to 61.4% of treatment programs reporting older adult tailored care. The deficits of older adult programming availability are explained against the context of the 2020 Treatment Episode Dataset-Admissions (TEDS-A), administered by the CBHSQ, that examines admissions data from all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and Compact of Free Association (COFA) partners. The TEDS-A data consisted of 1,416,357 admissions, of which 11.8% (n=167,200) were aged 55 years-old or older. Of this older adult sample, 32.8% reported a co-occurring SUD and mental health disorder and 13.9% reported some number of days waiting to enter treatment. These (and other) client-level and facility-level factors (overall and state-by-state) will be used to emphasize specific needs for older adult SUD care.
PROFILE OF CAREGIVING ACTIVITIES AND ASSOCIATION WITH PHYSICAL HEALTH AMONG DEMENTIA SPOUSAL CAREGIVERS
Authors: Cho Jinmyoung , Sands Laura , Stevens Alan , Allore Heather , Horstman Molly , Milius Rose , Hickey Amber
Published: December 2023

The daily care of a person living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD) is associated with threats to the health and well-being of family caregivers. Although more is known about the relationship between caregiving and psychosocial distress, far less is known about the relationship between caregiving and physical health and health behaviors. This study aims to identify intensity of caregiving experience profiles and compare the profiles to multidimensional physical health indicators and health behaviors among spousal caregivers for persons with ADRD. Using data from 152 spousal caregivers aged 65 and over, the intensity of caregiving experience (ICE) was measured as the number and frequency of health- and medical-related helping activities for his/her care recipient. Multidimensional health indicators included fatigue, sleep disturbance, physical functioning, pain interference, and general health from self-reports, and the number of chronic conditions from the electronic health records. Health promotion behaviors were assessed as: health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, interpersonal relations, and stress management. Cluster analysis was performed to determine the number of ICE profiles. T-tests and chi2 tests were to assess differences in health indicators and behaviors between clusters. We identified two distinct caregiving experience patterns: high-intensity (37.5%) and low-intensity (62.5%) caregiving. Caregivers from the high-intensity caregiving cluster reported feeling more tired (t=2.254, p< .05), perceiving more sleep disturbance (t=3.06, p< .001), and performing less physical activity (t=2.05, p< .05). Future studies are needed to develop effective interventions to reduce sleep disturbance and fatigue among family caregivers who are heavily involved in caregiving activities.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROFILE AND PREFERENCE AMONG OLDER ADULT PATIENTS WITH CANCER: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Authors: Nemati Donya , Ballinger Tarah
Published: December 2023

Physical activity (PA) is beneficial for older adults (OAs) with cancer by improving physical function, mental health, and lowering the risk of recurrence in some cancer types. However, limited knowledge on OAs preferences may impede effective interventions. This study aimed to identify the PA profiles and preferences of OAs (age≥ 65) compared to younger adult (YA;18-64 years old) cancer patients. Data were collected from 372 adult patients with non-metastatic cancers visiting Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center between July 2020-June 2021. Patients completed a cross-sectional survey comprising disease characteristics, PA habits, and PA preferences. A total of 132 OA patients (age 71 ± 5.2 years) were predominantly male (56.1%) and Caucasian (92.4%). Of these, 33.8% reported a decrease in PA after their cancer diagnosis. Fatigue (22%) and lack of motivation (16%) were the most reported PA barriers. While 43% of patients received exercise recommendations from their oncologists, 75% of those did not receive specific guidance. The majority of OAs preferred home-based workouts (65.9%) and exercise motivation packages (52.7%) over exercising at a cancer center facility (26%). Compared to YA patients (n=237), a smaller percentage of OAs (26.5% vs. 38.4%: p<.05) believed that PA could reduce the risk of cancer recurrence, and time constraints were less of a barrier for OAs (7.6% vs. 21.5%: p<.05). A home-based PA program that is supported with motivation packages may appeal to OAs with cancer. These findings are informative for designing tailored PA programs that suit the interests and preferences of OA patients with cancer.
ACCELERATING DEMENTIA RESEARCH AND EARLY-CAREER DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE SUMMER RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Authors: Kline Chelsea , Baumgart Matthew , Bynum Julie , Zimmerman Sheryl , Fazio Sam
Published: December 2023

Today, there are more than six million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease and more than 11 million unpaid caregivers. By 2060, the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s could reach 14 million. These statistics highlight the need for early career investigators to join the dementia research workforce and accelerate breakthroughs in this field. In 2020, the National Institutes on Aging (NIA) funded the Alzheimer’s Association Interdisciplinary Summer Research Institute (AA-ISRI) focused on early career investigators interested in psychosocial and public health research related to dementia. AA-ISRI is a five-day immersive experience in which 24 early career investigators are selected to come to Chicago, attend didactic lectures led by expert faculty, develop research proposals in small groups, and receive one-to-one mentoring. Participants leave AA-ISRI with a greater understanding of the tools needed to succeed in dementia research and an extensive network of colleagues and mentors. Based on evaluations collected from participants from the first two years of the program, 97% of respondents indicated they were satisfied with the program, 94% felt the program increased their understanding of Alzheimer’s, and 90% said the program improved their independent research skills. Participants have shared that AA-ISRI is a highly unique opportunity that every early career investigator in the field should attend. Alumni from the first two years of AA-ISRI have gone on to publish 40+ peer-reviewed publications and have been awarded 15+ grants. This poster will review the development of AA-ISRI, key outcomes, and its impact on the future of dementia research.
CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE WITH FRONTOTEMPORAL DEGENERATION (FTD)
Authors: Kane Esther , Dodge Shana , Reddy Sweatha , Dacks Penny
Published: December 2023

Frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) is the umbrella term for a group of young onset neurodegenerative disorders affecting the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Symptoms include changes in cognition, language, behavior, motor functioning, and personality. The FTD Insights Survey was designed to learn more about the lived experience of this often misunderstood set of disorders. A total of 1,246 past and current caregivers of people with FTD responded to questions regarding their and their loved one’s experiences with FTD. Caregivers most often provided care for more than 80 hours per week and 10% of respondents provided care for more than one person diagnosed with FTD. The majority were caring for someone or had cared for someone who was diagnosed between ages 50 and 69. Only 36% of caregivers reported the person diagnosed was aware or mostly aware of their symptoms and they noted being most distressed by changes in the diagnosed person’s language, personality, mood, and behavior. The caregivers described the impact of their loved one’s symptoms on activities of daily living at home, in the community, and on interpersonal functioning. The caregivers also provided insight into issues such as the length of time they have provided care, the level of functioning of the person diagnosed, and the impact of FTD symptoms on quality of life. It is critical that healthcare professionals and policy makers understand FTD caregiver strain in order to provide wraparound support and make policy decisions with these features in mind.
PAIN ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT FOR OLDER ADULTS WITH DEMENTIA IN LONG-TERM CARE: A SCOPING REVIEW
Authors: Yang Minhee , Shin Jeongwon
Published: December 2023

Self-reporting is essential for assessing pain. However, owing to their cognitive impairment, older adults with dementia may not always express pain. As such, older adults with dementia are at risk of living with undertreated pain. This scoping review aimed to explore and identify current publication trends and strategies regarding pain assessment and management for older adults with dementia in long-term care. Using the scoping review method of Arksey and O’Malley, two reviewers conducted structured searches for articles published from 2012 to 2022 on four databases (CINAHL, Cochrane, PubMed, RISS) and then independently reviewed the full text for eligibility criteria. The review included 40 articles for analysis and identified 20 observational pain tools used in the studies. A few studies assessed pain in older adults with dementia using facial expression recognition technology and electroencephalography. A common pain management strategy identified for older adults with dementia was the application of protocols or clinical guidelines that included a pain assessment and treatment phase. In addition to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment, a therapeutic robot (PARO) and play activities were investigated to determine whether the pain was alleviated in older adults with dementia. Although studies have been conducted to assess and manage pain in older adults with dementia in long-term care, the review highlighted the need for education and training on pain tools and treatment approaches, as well as for the development of pain management strategies and non-pharmacological interventions.
PRELIMINARY FEASIBILITY, UTILITY, AND ACCEPTABILITY OF THE TBI-AD/ADRD CAREGIVER SUPPORT INTERVENTION (TACSI)
Authors: Birkeland Robyn , Albers Elizabeth , Louwagie Katie , Ratner Edward , Finn Jacob , Chesak Sherry , Gaugler Joseph
Published: December 2023

Research has established that dementia care partners may encounter socio-emotional and physical health concerns as a consequence of providing dementia care. Similarly, care partners for people living with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) often experience a range of stressors and negative mental health outcomes due to their care demands. This study aims to support the unique subset of family care partners facing the challenge of caring for relatives who have both diseases, Alzheimer’s Disease/Alzheimer’s Disease related dementia (AD/ADRD) and a history of TBI. Phase I of this study focused on the design and subsequent refinement of the TBI-AD/ADRD Caregiver Support Intervention (TACSI). TACSI is a six-session telehealth intervention providing tailored psychosocial and psychoeducational coaching. Session topics include education on TBI and dementia, stress management, lifestyle planning, and communication skills. In partnership with the Minneapolis VA and the Mayo Clinic-Rochester, we enrolled 15 care partners for Phase I. Mixed methods data from 3-month follow-up surveys and qualitative data from post-intervention interviews established the feasibility, utility, and acceptance of TACSI. Care partners found the program valuable and would recommend it to others. They reported that TACSI helped with their stress management. Some participants shared that TACSI would provide greater benefit to newer caregivers needing more education on the diseases and/or caregiving. Phase I feedback will be applied to improve TACSI content and delivery for the Phase II randomized controlled trial evaluation. TACSI Phase I utility, acceptance, and feasibility outcomes will be highlighted as well as next steps for evaluation.
QUALITY-OF-LIFE INDICATORS IN CAREGIVERS OF OLDER ADULTS WITH DEMENTIA: CATEGORIZATION USING THE WHO-ICF
Authors: Udoh Idorenyin , Mpofu Elias
Published: December 2023

The quality of life of caregivers of persons with dementia greatly influences their health, physical, psychological, and emotional wellbeing. This in turn influences the quality of care they deliver to persons with dementia. This scoping review aimed to map emerging evidence on the quality of life indicators using service and environmental support factors and a subsequent characterization using the WHO-ICF. The WHO-ICF provides a platform for the understanding of this factors and how it influences the overall wellbeing of caregivers. Using a systematic scoping review approach, we identified 14 studies on service and environmental support influencing quality of life of caregivers of persons with dementia. The search included EMBASE, CINAHL, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, JBI Evidence Synthesis, and Epistemonicos. A narrative synthesis of the data revealed that the quality of life of caregivers is greatly influenced by service and environmental support factors which in turn influences their activities of daily living and that of persons with dementia. The service and environmental services factors include services from government, family, community, healthcare professionals, peer groups, and activities available, Attitudes from individuals especially family, spouse and others , environmental support and support relationships improving quality of life of caregivers of persons with dementia requires an understanding of the prevailing service and environmental support which drive their commitment to quality care for older adults with dementia especially in a pandemic environment. Keywords: Caregiver, dementia, service, environmental support, quality of life.
RUNNING AND WALKING IN DEMENTIA AND MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT: A SCOPING REVIEW
Authors: Mast Benjamin , Gaballa Fairouz , Gillespie Dylan , Graves Kaitlyn , Simon Darby , Ertle Emilee , Sanfilippo Nina , Babazadeh Romina
Published: December 2023

Growing evidence suggests physical exercise may reduce dementia risk, but there has been little investigation of specific forms of exercise for people living with dementia and cognitive impairment. Prior reviews show running and walking have mental health benefits in the general adult population, but no reviews of walking and running among people living with dementia and mild cognitive impairment have been published. A scoping review was conducted to identify and evaluate evidence concerning whether running and walking affect dementia risk, improve/maintain cognitive functioning, and improve quality of life and psychological well-being. PsycInfo, Medline, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus were searched to identify studies with the target population (people living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment) and target activities (running, jogging, walking). 1153 records were uploaded into Covidence and 821 studies were excluded based on abstract reviews. Full text review yielded 49 papers. Forty-seven studies examined walking and a broad range of outcomes: cognition, ADL functioning, quality of life, behavioral expressions of distress, social participation, and identity. The remaining two studies examined (1) a combination of running and walking among people with mild cognitive impairment and (2) the link between cognitive decline and a history of running, jogging, and walking (past ten years). This review shows growing interest in walking as an intervention with many possible benefits for people living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment. Studies of jogging and running are still relatively rare in this population. Additional contributing authors: Hannah Gardner, Clarissa Geibel, Katherine King, Jessica Strong, Travis Saunders, Christine Wise.
IDENTIFYING RESILIENT PERSONALITY THROUGH LATENT PROFILE ANALYSIS IN SEXUAL MINORITY MIDDLE-AGED AND OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Nelson Christi
Published: December 2023

Research has found evidence of resilience in sexual minority (i.e., lesbian, gay, bisexual) adults, despite experiencing higher rates of poorer health and facing additional stressors such as discrimination and victimization. Yet, very limited research has been conducted on resilience in this marginalized group. Utilizing data from the Midlife in the United States study, this study conducted latent profile analysis (LPA) using the Big Five personality traits (i.e., openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism) to identify distinct personality profiles in a sample of sexual minority and propensity-score matched heterosexual middle-aged and older adults (n=477, mean age= 57.3, SD= 10.9 years, age range= 40-83 years). Additionally, the associations between the personality profiles and health-risk/promoting behaviors were assessed. Four profiles were identified: Average (35.2%), Resilient (47%), Overcontrolled (7.3%), and Undercontrolled (10.5%). The results found that Resilient sexual minority participants were significantly more likely to engage in problematic drinking but were also more likely to have a routine physical exam than Resilient heterosexual participants. Both sexual minority and heterosexual participants with a Resilient personality profile were more likely to engage in moderate physical activity than their counterparts with other personality profiles. These results suggest that sexual minority adults have the potential for resilience which is often overlooked in research. This is one of the first studies to use LPA to identify personality profiles in a sample with a focus on sexual minority participants. Most previous research using LPA to identify personality profiles did not include data on sexual orientation.
RECRUITING AND RETAINING RESIDENTIAL CARE COMMUNITIES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: LESSONS LEARNED
Authors: Orsulic-Jeras Silvia , Cordell Ashlee , Powers Sara , Ejaz Farida , Sanders Lisbeth
Published: December 2023

Demands within residential care communities have escalated throughout the Covid-19 pandemic as meeting basic care needs has become more critical. Non-pharmacological interventions that aim to alleviate care strain and promote person-centered care are even more important now, as residents have been significantly impacted by social isolation and loss. This presentation highlights successes and challenges faced by researchers and residential care communities related to study recruitment and retainment efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic while conducting a fidelity trial of LifeBio MemoryTM: a novel app-based product designed to collect life story information from persons living with dementia (PLWD). The target sample is comprised of residential care staff (n=60) and PLWD (n=242) across ten residential care communities in the state of Ohio. Successes presented include: 1) high enthusiasm for the study and 2) strong relationships built between researchers and site liaisons. Significant challenges faced include: 1) organization-wide staff shortages, 2) low overall resident census, and 3) Covid-19 outbreaks and quarantines. Key lessons learned include: 1) researchers and residential care communities face competing demands as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and 2) the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the landscape of residential care and research. The importance of efficient field operations, supportive training resources, and contingency plans when conducting studies in residential care will be discussed.
“WE DON’T TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES AS WELL AS WE NEED TO.” A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF FAMILY CAREGIVERS’ SELF-MANAGEMENT
Authors: Baik Dawon
Published: December 2023

Despite the importance of enhancing family caregivers’ (FCGs) physical and mental health to prevent FCGs from becoming care recipients themselves and provide a better quality of care to their care recipients, FCGs are not likely to take care of themselves. In this study, we examined the physical and mental health status and challenges in self-management among older FCGs of persons with heart failure (HF-FCGs). We administered to 15 older HF-FCGs, a demographic survey, the Charlson Comorbidity Index, a health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instrument (SF-36) and conducted semi-structured interviews. Mean age was 65.9±4.4 years, eleven were female, and thirteen were spouses. Chronic diseases were reported among HF-FCGs as; 47% arthritis, 33% obesity, hearing impairment, and visual impairment, and 20% depression and anxiety. HRQoL ranged from 52.3 (±18.8) to 84.3 (±10.8) across the eight subscales. The Energy/Fatigue subscale had the lowest (poorest) score on the SF-36. The challenges in their own health care management were a lack of time and concerns related to symptoms worsening of persons with HF. Most participants were struggling to manage their mental health. They reported stress, anxiety, difficulty staying positive and balancing their mood. Other challenges included managing pain from surgeries (e.g., hip replacement). Many participants felt that they did not take care of themselves as much as they needed, and should receive education to improve their own mental, physical, and social health. Future studies should design and test tailored, caregiver-centered support interventions that enhance health and quality of life in the older caregiver population.
ENGAGEMENT DURING POST–ACUTE CARE TRANSITION: PERCEPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF DEMENTIA FAMILY CAREGIVERS
Authors: Tadesse Ruth , Lyons Karen , McKenzie Glenise , Hart Sara , Ellington Lee , Cloyes Kristin
Published: December 2023

Hospitalized persons with dementia (PwD) are three times more likely to discharge to skilled nursing facilities (SNF) than those without dementia, and family caregivers are essential during post-acute care transitions (PACT). Descriptions of caregiver engagement are largely provider-centric, derived from either acute or residential settings. Little is known about PACT experiences of family caregivers. This study explored meaning, barriers, and facilitators of engagement for family caregivers navigating PACT, and elucidated caregiver support needs. An interpretive descriptive approach, using Meleis’s Middle Range Transition Theory was used to interview family caregivers during a PACT. Data were inductively coded and thematically analyzed. A conceptual framework illustrating caregivers’ meaning of engagement was developed, and facilitators, barriers, and needs were described. Participants (n=15), mostly white (n=12, 80%), female (n=13, 87%), married (n=7, 47%), adult children (n=11, 73%), average age of 63 (range: 38-81, SD=12.9). The core concept was advocacy. Key related themes were caregivers’ sense of being present, communication with providers, and meaningful connections with the PwD. Barriers to engagement centered on poor communication from professional caregivers and being isolated from the PwD. A facilitator to engagement was effective communication with professional caregivers. Similarly, caregivers’ support needs included receiving information related to the transition, and the health status of the PwD. Communication was central to both caregiver engagement and advocacy of PACT. Future policy/practice recommendations should include communication training for both providers and caregivers. Interventions that facilitate caregivers’ shared access and input into health information during PACT will promote integral roles on the care team.
EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF CHORAL SINGING ON CHANGE IN PERCEIVED DISTRESS FOR CARE PARTNERS OF PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA
Authors: MacDonald Stuart , Tamburri Nicholas , McDowell Cynthia , Smith Andre , Dujela Carren , Sheets Debra
Published: December 2023

Family care partners (CP) of persons with dementia (PwD) report high levels of psychological distress that impact many facets of their lives. Arts-based interventions have shown promise for improving psychological health. Here, we describe findings from the Voices in Motion (ViM) study, a weekly lifestyle intervention for CP-PwD dyads, with specific emphasis on examining the impact of choral singing on level and change in perceived distress for CP. Data from n=29 CP (Mage=67.7 years, 80% female) were used to examine change in caregiver distress, indexed using the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZBI). ViM employed an intensive longitudinal design characterized by monthly retests embedded within 3.5-month choral seasons (up to 7 assessments per person). Choral seasons were separated by a 4-month summer break, yielding a naturalistic ABA experimental design optimal for evaluating the impact of choral singing on caregiver distress. Multilevel models of change with piecewise splines were fit; REML was employed due to its advantageous properties for small samples. A significant reduction in caregiver distress (-1.14 units per month, p<.01) was observed across the 3.3-month span of season 1. Following the 4-month summer break, level of caregiver distress at the outset of season 2 had increased back to initial baseline levels (ZBI =19.9 units – a moderate to borderline-high level), thereby underscoring the importance of the choir intervention. These findings suggest that lifestyle engagement may offer an effective complement for lessening the impact of caregiver distress for CP, with implications for the development of dementia care plans.