bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BRIDGING THE PRACTICE-RESEARCH DIVIDE: BUILDING SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS WITH STATE GOVERNMENT
Authors: Davitt Joan , Baik Sol , Davitt Joan
Published: December 2023

State governments collect data on LTSS but frequently lack resources to analyze it. Simultaneously, researchers often struggle to translate research to policy and practice realms. This symposium will elucidate strategies and challenges in building successful relationships between researchers and state government to enhance LTSS. Paper 1 explores the growing trend of states developing Multisector Plans for Aging (MPA) and opportunities for researchers to ensure that these state-led planning resources utilize evidence to transform and coordinate aging services across the state. This paper will discuss how states use data to promote accountability and monitor implementation of MPA initiatives. Paper 2 describes the development of a statewide data dashboard for Virginia that can be used by state and local agencies to leverage funding and improve programming. This paper will describe the process of developing and eliciting input from a stakeholder task force and the dashboard design. Paper 3 explores efforts in Minnesota to capitalize on existing data to inform policy advocacy and regulatory reform in assisted living. Data from annual survey inspections is utilized to explore trends, target education, and recommend policy changes. Paper 4 focuses on building relationships with Maryland’s Adult Protective Service division to engage collaboratively in logic modelling and continuous quality improvement. Strategies for translating existing administrative data into research ready formats and primary data collection methods will be discussed. Symposium participants will have an opportunity to discuss effective strategies for engaging state government in research.
MULTISECTOR PLANS FOR AGING: RESEARCH AND STATE GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIPS TO TRANSFORM AGING SERVICES
Authors: Graham Carrie
Published: December 2023

As the US population becomes older and more ethnically diverse, state leaders are increasingly seeing the need to conduct high-level, cross-sector planning to meet the needs of their aging populations and promote equity. A state Multisector Plan for Aging (MPA)-- also called a master plan or strategic plan-- creates a valuable roadmap that can help states transform the infrastructure and coordination of services for all people who are aging in the state. Developing an MPA requires a state-led process that brings various state agencies (Aging, Medicaid, Public Health, Social Services, Housing, Transportation, etc.) together with stakeholders and researchers to outline a clear framework for addressing the needs of older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers, for 10 years or more. The growing movement of states developing MPAs offers a unique opportunity for aging researchers to partner with state policymakers and stakeholders to ensure that the state’s MPA is grounded in evidence and that implementation progress is evaluated using appropriate data and benchmarks. This paper describes the experience of several states that are developing MPAs and how aging researchers in the state have successfully partnered with policymakers, using their research to help the state garner buy in for developing an MPA, elevate the most pressing issues, project population characteristics and needs in the future to inform the development process. Individual researchers, universities and research subcommittees working with states on MPA development can also partner to mine available state data, identify benchmarks, and create data dashboards to guide implementation and monitoring progress.
BRIDGING THE PRACTICE–RESEARCH DIVIDE: BUILDING SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS WITH STATE GOVERNMENT
Authors: Moone Rajean , Hakanson Megan , Shippee Tetyana
Published: December 2023

In 2021 Minnesota implemented systemwide regulatory reform to transform loosely regulated housing with services establishments into licensed assisted living facilities. The new framework aligns assisted living facilities more closely with nursing homes. Today over 2,000 assisted living facilities are licensed in Minnesota ranging in size from two to 377 residents. While considered consensus legislation by consumer and provider groups, small, culturally specific providers were largely absent from negotiations. This absence has resulted in disparities in conforming to new regulatory requirements. The University of Minnesota has partnered with the Minnesota Department of Health to conduct analyses of regulatory inspection surveys. The analysis includes comparisons between small (under 15 residents) and large (over 15 residents) facilities as well as qualitative interviews of licensed directors of assisted living facilities that serve culturally specific communities. This paper focuses on the nature of the partnership between the University and state to organize and obtain survey inspection results and the subsequent development of recommendations to enhance regulatory policy.
IMPROVING ACCESS TO DEMOGRAPHIC DATA RESOURCES FOR THE AGING NETWORK IN VIRGINIA
Authors: Baik Sol , Cai Qian , Odukoya Tolu
Published: December 2023

The statewide aging networks and their partner organizations are committed to data-driven communication and advocacy strategies for the needs of the aging population and betterment of their lives. High quality demographic data helps the professionals in the aging network to thoughtfully plan the allocation of resources and carefully target service delivery to those with greater needs. To promote national, state, and local initiatives, improving access to credible and timely data about aging population is crucial. In this presentation, we will describe the efforts to make data available and accessible to the aging network by offering an example of the demographic data services for the Area Agencies on Aging and affiliated organizations in Virginia. We will also share trials and errors to provide the data in a practical, streamlined, and user-friendly way. Finally, we will discuss the strategies and challenges in building effective and sustainable partnerships with a variety of state stakeholders.
SMART AGING: ENGAGING OLDER ADULTS TO GUIDE SENSOR DEVELOPMENT TO SUPPORT AGING IN PLACE
Authors: Schoenfeld Elinor , Trimboli Tracy , Ayisi-Boahene Givenchy , Bruckenthal Patricia , Zadok Erez , Horwitz Shelley , Ye Fan
Published: December 2023

Over 80% of older adults want to live independently in their own homes and communities, maintaining quality of life, autonomy, and dignity as they age. We are using community engaged research methods to aid in developing in-home cost-conscious remote sensing technologies to support older adults age in place. To understand their needs, we engaged older adults in discussions on home-based sensing technologies. We used visuals and demonstrations to facilitate discussions, showing participants our sensor prototypes and a vignette describing the challenges an older adult and the family face managing a chronic condition. Participants voiced their interest in monitoring for select health conditions and situations when either they or the person(s) they care for are home alone. Discussants raised concerns about personal security/privacy, loss of independence, ethics of data collection and sharing, and being overwhelmed by collected data. Discussions have provided valuable feedback to help us develop a sensor system that is flexible enough to accommodate individuals in different life stages and comfort levels, with different home environments, levels of expendable income, and support structures. As a result, we have developed a system that uses nonvisual, non-wearable sensing that measures respiration and heart rates, and indoor location tracking to monitor the health and wellbeing of users. During this session, we will provide detailed results from our community discussions, and discuss the continuing role for community engagement as we move forward with sensor development and testing.
ENGAGING CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANTS TO SUPPORT COMMUNICATION FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA IN NURSING HOMES
Authors: Douglas Natalie
Published: December 2023

Over 2 million Americans live in nursing homes (NHs), and the vast majority of them live with dementia negatively impacting their ability to communicate. Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) provide the majority of direct care to people living with dementia (PLWD) in NHs, yet they do not have access to person-centered, evidence-based tools to support communication with this population. When CNAs do not communicate with PLWD in effective ways, PLWD may demonstrate negative behavioral symptoms that interfere with care, impacting not only the PLWD, but also the CNA, contributing to CNA turnover and burnout. Most interventions designed to support communication between the PLWD and the CNA do not involve CNA engagement which may contribute to the lack of implementation and access of such interventions. The purpose of this presentation is to outline the process taken to engage CNAs in the implementation of an intervention designed to improve communication during care activities. Information about questions asked to CNAs both in formal (e.g., interviews, focus groups) and informal (e.g., hallway conversations) ways will be provided. Although a sample of CNAs from 6 NHs (n=12) initially rated the intervention as acceptable (M = 4.5, SD = .48), appropriate (M = 4.4, SD = .58), and feasible (M = 4.28, SD = .49) where a rating of ‘5’ equals more acceptable, appropriate, and feasible, and ‘1’ equals less acceptable, appropriate, and feasible, this presentation will highlight how additional levels of engagement prompted modifications to the intervention, supporting implementation.
PSYCHOSOCIAL RESOURCES IN THE CONTEXT OF VULNERABILITY AMONG OLDER ADULTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR WELL-BEING
Authors: Sherman Aurora , Birditt Kira
Published: December 2023

Social ties and mastery may buffer detrimental effects of stressful life circumstances and vulnerability as individuals age. The purpose of this symposium is to understand the role of psychosocial resources for multiple dimensions of well-being across several age-related contexts. Luong et al. examined social ties’ effects on moving into senior housing using a burst design, finding that social ties were less helpful in the beginning of the move but regained beneficial effects on well-being later. Kinkade and Fuller examined the role of social integration on the longitudinal effects of the widowhood transition for well-being, concluding that increased social integration had protective impacts on depression and functional health among widows compared to non-widows. Birditt et al. assessed the implications of positive activities and social interactions among dementia caregivers using ecological momentary assessments. Positive activities and positive interactions with care recipients were associated with lower levels of daily burden and greater positive affect especially among caregivers who reported high levels of burden. Ryan examined spouses’ psychosocial characteristics on partners’ well-being and whether they varied by cognitive status of the partner. She found that spouses’ positive support from children amidst other negative psychosocial experiences was protective for their partner’s life satisfaction. Sherman found that self-esteem for mid-life and older women was associated with higher mastery and lower constraints beliefs and that both were mediated by frequency of self-objectification. Together, these papers highlight the importance of psychosocial resources for well-being as individuals as they age and face new or on-going challenges.
CONTROL BELIEFS MEDIATED BY SELF-OBJECTIFICATION IN RELATION TO ADULT WOMEN’S SELF-ESTEEM
Authors: Sherman Aurora
Published: December 2023

Beliefs about mastery of one’s environment as well as constraints on one’s personal control are predictive of well-being across mid-life and older adulthood. In addition, women’s level of self-objectification is predictive of well-being in early adulthood, but less is known about the role of self-objectification and well-being for mid-life or older women. This study investigated the role of control beliefs (mastery and constraints) and self-objectification in their relationship to the self-esteem of a sample of adult women (rage 48-90, Mean age = 67.83 years). We found that, compared to the mid-life women, older adult women reported higher self-esteem as well as lower constraints and self-objectification, but no age group differences in mastery beliefs. Further, using Hayes’ PROCESS model 4 we show that both mastery and constraints beliefs are mediated in their relationship with women’s self-esteem through self-objectification (R2 = .47 for the model with Mastery and R2= .37 for the model with constraints). Higher mastery predicted lower self-objectification, which, in turn, predicted higher self-esteem, while higher constraints predicted higher self-objectification and lower self-esteem. Additional analyses revealed that age remained a significant independent variable of self-esteem and was not mediated by control beliefs or self-objectification. Results are discussed in light of positive aging and objectification theory.
POSITIVE ACTIVITIES AND WELL-BEING AMONG DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS: MODERATING EFFECTS OF CAREGIVER BURDEN
Authors: Birditt Kira , Turkelson Angela , Oya Akari , Ng Crystal , Polenick Courtney
Published: December 2023

ADRD caregiving is common and often predicts increased caregiver burden which has negative implications for mental and physical health. Thus, it is important to understand the modifiable factors that may lead to less burden among caregivers. Positive activity theory and research suggest that engaging in positive activities may lead to greater positive and less negative affect and less burden. The purpose of this study was to examine positive activities and positive social interactions among ADRD caregivers and their links with well-being. A total of 98 caregivers completed baselines and EMAS every three hours for 5 days. Greater positive activities and more positive interactions with PLWD predicted greater positive affect, less negative affect, and lower daily caregiver burden. Mediation models indicated that positive and negative affect fully accounted for the links between positive activities and caregiver burden and partially accounted for the links between positive interactions with PLWD and caregiver burden. These effects were greater among caregivers who reported greater overall burden at baseline. There were no such effects when examining positive interactions with social ties other than the PLWD. Thus positive activities and positive social interactions with PLWD may represent an important target for future interventions with an identified mechanism of action (affect) and demonstrated benefit for daily burden among high risk caregivers.
INTERPLAY OF COGNITIVE STATUS AND SPOUSAL CAREGIVER PATTERNS ON WELL-BEING
Authors: Ryan Lindsay
Published: December 2023

The current paper investigated the intersection of cognitive status and caregiver characteristics on older adults’ reports of life satisfaction and depressive symptoms. Using a sub-sample from the 2016 Health and Retirement Study Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HRS-HCAP), individuals were selected if the HCAP informant was a spouse self-identified caregiver. The sample was trimmed to include those whose spouse caregiver was also a respondent in the main 2016 HRS and completed the measures of interest in the psychosocial leave-behind questionnaire (N = 190). The final analytic sample comprised 109 respondents classified as cognitively normal, 51 with cognitive impairment, not dementia, and 30 with dementia based on the algorithm developed by Manly, Jones, Langa, et al. (2022). The sample was 50% women, 10% racialized as Black, 18% racialized as LatinX, with a mean age of 75.62 and an average 11.75 years of education. Latent Class Analysis identified meaningful caregiver psychosocial classes from spouse reports on purpose in life (Ryff & Keyes, 1995), positive and negative affect (Watson & Clark, 1994), and perceived positive and negative support from one’s spouse (in this case the main respondent), children, other family, and friends (Turner, Frankel, & Levin, 1983). The data supported a 4-class solution, which was then used in linear regression analyses to examine associations of cognitive status and caregiver profiles on individual’s life satisfaction and depressive symptoms. Interestingly, cognitive status was not associated with well-being in the current study, suggesting associations of spousal psychosocial classes were independent of the care-recipient’s dementia/impairment designation.
SOCIAL SUPPORT–HEALTH LINKAGES DURING A MAJOR LIFE EVENT: A NEW SPIN ON STRESS-BUFFERING EFFECTS
Authors: Luong Gloria
Published: December 2023

Supportive social relationships are posited to confer benefits to longer-term health and well-being, and may be especially protective in the face of adversity, when people can draw on these resources to cope with stressful events (stress buffering effects). Yet, most previous studies have used retrospective, cross-sectional designs, limiting the ability to delineate how the linkages between social support and health may change prospectively as people anticipate and prepare for an upcoming stressor, such as relocating into a senior housing facility and adjusting to the experiences afterward. The Relocation and Transitional Experiences (RELATE) study tracked 154 older adults using a prospective longitudinal measurement burst design as they transitioned into a senior housing facility. The waves (bursts) of assessments were based on the following schedule: Burst 1 (2 weeks prior to the move), Burst 2 (2 weeks after the move), Burst 3 (1.5 months after the move), and Burst 4 (~3-6 months after the move). At each burst, participants completed questionnaires on their health and well-being, social relationships and social support, and relationship satisfaction. We examined changes in the strength of social support-health linkages across bursts. Results show that social-support health linkages were weakest and least consistent during the early stages of the relocation stressor (Burst 2 and 3) but that by Burst 4, support-health linkages were mostly restored similar to pre-move levels (Burst 1). These findings suggest that stress buffering effects need to be understood within the context of how stressful experiences unfold over time for older adults.
WOMEN AND WORK AT MID LIFE AND BEYOND: STUMBLING, STRIVING, NAVIGATING TRANSITIONS
Authors: Miller Julie
Published: December 2023

Women at midlife and beyond are making significant and increasing contributions to The Global Longevity Economy, driving increases in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), job creation, and income generation. Indeed, advances in women’s life expectancies, statuses, and roles establish women aged 50-plus as a high-powered engine driving economic opportunity. As much as we can and must celebrate the economic contributions of older women, we cannot do so without acknowledging the forces holding them back from contributing even more. Despite the progress women at midlife and beyond have made in the United States relative to many of those who came before them, they still are challenged to reach their ultimate economic potential. This session will explore some of the factors that propel and inhibit women aged 50-plus from reaching their full economic potential, each of which is related in some capacity to paid work. The first presentation in this symposium spotlights a mixed methods study into the economic lives of working women at midlife and beyond across the United States who face one or more barriers, in addition to gender, to building their economic security. The second presentation will focus on financial challenges and experiences of women entrepreneurs aged 40-plus during the Covid-19 pandemic. The final presentation will explore financial and professional impacts of menopause transitions for women. Taken together, implications across all studies point to broad areas of intervention, innovation, and additional areas for scholarship – all as they relate to financial wellbeing and work for women at midlife and beyond.
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF MENOPAUSE: A MULTIMODE RESEARCH PROJECT
Authors: Sauer Jennifer , Mehegan Laura , Williams Alicia , Bonner-Cozad Aisha , Lampkin Cheryl , Ekman Monica
Published: December 2023

In late 2022, AARP embarked on a robust research program to explore the economic impact of the menopause transition (perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause) on affected individuals. Other research found that some women incur substantial costs to ameliorate adverse menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, and mood swings. Additionally, some women experience symptoms severe enough to interfere with their job causing them to reduce their hours or leave their jobs completely. The first phase of AARP’s research included six online focus groups with US women aged 40 and older who were segmented by their stage of menopause (perimenopause, post-menopause). Resulting themes from the focus groups support what previous researchers have concluded that some individuals: (1) experience symptoms that disrupt their lives, (2) have treatments that are not necessarily discussed by a healthcare provider or covered by insurance leading to direct consumer costs, (3) consider leaving their jobs due to the severe and disruptive symptoms, and (4) feel their employers are not equipped to accommodate their needs. These focus group findings informed survey research among a representative sample of women aged 40 and older as well as an employer survey to explore any existing workplace policies that may benefit women experiencing the menopausal transition. Finally, all research results combined inform an information campaign to assist individuals who are navigating this stage of life.
CONSECUTIVE POOR SLEEP AND ITS ASSOCIATIONS WITH DAILY RUMINATION AND MEMORY LAPSES
Authors: Lee Soomi , Cho Kyoungmin
Published: December 2023

Emerging research has shown that consecutive sleep loss impairs daily affective and physical well-being. Yet, little is known about the effects of consecutive poor sleep (in both quantity and quality) on daily cognitive stress. This study examined whether and how consecutive nights of poor sleep quantity and quality are associated with day-to-day trajectories of rumination and memory lapses. Participants were adults (n=938) from the Midlife in the United States Study III who provided data for eight diary days. Consecutive poor sleep quantity and quality were operationalized as the within-person numbers of consecutive nights with < 6 hours of sleep and with reports of very bad/bad sleep quality, respectively. Multilevel models evaluated the linear, quadratic, and cubic effects of consecutive poor sleep on daily rumination and memory lapses, after controlling for sociodemographic, health, daily covariates, and between-person means of sleep quantity and quality. Daily rumination increased in curvilinear fashion such that it increased (linear), but the rate of increase decelerated (quadratic) and then accelerated again (cubic) as the number of consecutive poor sleep quantity and quality increased. Daily memory lapses increased in linear fashion as the number of consecutive poor sleep quantity (but not sleep quality) increased. Findings show that the day-to-day trajectory of rumination is characterized by high initial reactivity, followed by decrease due to habituation and adaptation, and then increase, as poor sleep is accumulated more consecutive times. The day-to-day trajectory of memory lapses is mostly characterized by a dose-response relationship with the number of consecutive poor sleep quantity.
ENDORSEMENT OF DRIVING AVOIDANCE BEHAVIORS AND COGNITIVE, PHYSICAL, AND VISUAL PREDICTORS AMONG OLDER DRIVERS
Authors: Mintz Alan , Ross Lesley , Souders Dustin , Stavrinos Despina
Published: December 2023

Due to age-related changes in visual, physical, and cognitive abilities, certain driving conditions may become more challenging for older adults. Secondary analyses were conducted to assess driving avoidance habits of 72 healthy drivers (65 – 85 years old). Additionally, the physical function (Turn360, Timed Get Up and Go), cognitive (Useful Field of View, Mazes, Trails B, and Wechsler Memory Scale), and visual (visual acuity, Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity) performance predictors of these habits were explored using linear regression. 59.7% of participants reported avoiding driving in bad weather, 44.4% of participants reported avoiding driving at night, and 40.3% of participants reported avoiding driving during rush hour, making these the most frequently avoided situations. Only 5.6% of participants reported avoiding driving alone and 15.3% of participants reported avoiding driving on high-speed interstates or expressways, making these the least often avoided situations. Women (β = -.393, p = .001) and poorer physical function (β= -.301, p = .018) were associated with greater driving avoidance. Cognition and vision performance did not predict the driving situations. While these results are limited by the high SES of the sample, the results indicate that driving avoidance interventions should consider gender and physical function. Implications and future directions are discussed.
A PILOT FAMILY COACHING INTERVENTION FOR PEOPLE WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES AND A FAMILY MEMBER
Authors: August Kristin , Jackson Kathleen , Rosenthal Marsha
Published: December 2023

Type 2 diabetes is a common chronic condition in later life that requires substantial lifestyle changes. Most diabetes management occurs at home with the help – and sometimes hindrance – of family members. Although coaching has become a common strategy in healthcare to supplement diabetes education, few interventions have prepared family members to be coaches, despite the documented benefit of including family members in chronic disease management interventions. The overall goal of our pilot intervention was to develop and test a family coaching approach to enhance patients’ diabetes self-management while preserving relationship quality and both individuals’ well-being. Participants were recruited from local diabetes education classes and through provider referrals, and included 20 dyads in the intervention group (patient Mage=59.12) and 20 dyads in the control group (patient Mage=57.06). The intervention, involving 5 interactive group sessions (in-person or virtual) led by a facilitator, covered evidence-based material developed by the investigators on diabetes education and coaching strategies. Behavioral, clinical, emotional, and relational metrics were assessed via a survey at baseline, post-intervention, and 3 months later; intervention participants also completed a program evaluation survey and participated in a focus group. Survey findings revealed some positive effects for diabetes self-management behaviors, no effects for short-term clinical markers, negative effects for emotional well-being, and both positive and negative effects for relational well-being. Participants reported being satisfied with the program overall; they indicated learning a lot and having a positive experience. A translation and cultural adaptation of this program for Spanish-speaking populations is currently underway.
MULTILEVEL LIFESTYLE INTERVENTIONS ARE NEEDED TO IMPROVE DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT IN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Du Yan , Song Lixin , Gonzales Mitzi , Espinoza Sara , Jaen Carlos , Wu Bei , Finley Erin
Published: December 2023

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major public health concern in older adults. Physical activity (PA) and healthy eating (HE) are two major lifestyle intervention strategies in diabetes self-management for controlling glucose levels, preventing complications, and improving functionality and quality of life. This qualitative study aimed to explore perceived factors influencing PA and HE among predominately Latino older adults with T2D ((age=70.5±4.8; Latinos=73.3%). We conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 community dwelling older adults with T2D at the end of a 12-week pre- and post- study assessing self-monitoring on lifestyles and health outcomes. All interviews were recorded and transcribed. Two researchers analyzed the data independently using a combination of deductive and inductive thematical analysis. Codes were categorized into five themes based on the socio-ecological framework, and sub-themes were identified. The themes included five levels of factors: 1) individual (e.g., knowledge, self-efficacy, self-monitoring, perceived benefits and threats, health status,); 2) interpersonal (e.g., family, friend, health provider); 3) organizational (e.g., availability of physical activity equipment in senior apartments); 4) environment (e.g., culture norms); and 5) policy factors (e.g., health provider, retirement). The factors in one level could influence the factors in another level. Most current lifestyle interventions focus on individual level, and multilevel lifestyle interventions to promote healthy lifestyles, and improve health, independence, and quality of life in older adults with T2D are warranted. The input of additional stakeholders such as family members and community staff need to be accounted when designing multilevel intervention in older adults with T2D.
IMPACT OF MITOCHONDRIAL MALFUNCTION IN AGING IS MEDIATED BY IMPAIRED LYSOSOMES AND ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM
Authors: Raimundo Nuno
Published: December 2023

The hallmarks of aging are well established, and include mitochondrial malfunction, deregulated nutrient sensing, loss of proteostasis, and senescence, among others. While these hallmarks are all part of the aging process, they have typically been studied independently. We have found that mitochondrial malfunction can affect lysosomal activity, impacting nutrient sensing, and our that the crosstalk between mitochondria and other organelles such as endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes affects cellular senescence, proteostasis and intercellular communication. Chronic mitochondrial malfunction causes perturbations in the lysosomal membrane which affect the function of this organelle as well as the recruitment of folliculin (FLCN) to the lysosomes. FLCN regulates the balance between anabolism (stimulating mTORC1) and catabolism (repressing AMPK). Increased recruitment of FLCN to the lysosomal membrane in cells subjected to chronic mitochondrial malfunction results in hyperactive mTORC1 and inhibition of AMPK signaling, thus aberrantly promoting anabolism under conditions that are not optimal. Furthermore, peroxisomal β-oxidation increases, and expression of proteasome subunits decreases, with consequent perturbation of proteostasis. Overall, the impact of chronic mitochondrial malfunction over lysosomes triggers multiple perturbations in organelles and organelle crosstalk that culminate in aberrant nutrient sensing, metabolic rewiring, proteostasis impairment, senescence and release of sterile inflammation-related proteins to the extracellular medium that denote alterations in intercellular communication. We will build on these findings to explore an overall picture of organelle homeostasis in aging and in age-related diseases.
THE FOXO3 LONGEVITY GENOTYPE ATTENUATES IMPACT OF HYPERTENSION ON CEREBRAL MICROINFARCT RISK
Authors: Allsopp Richard , Kakagawa Kazuma , Masaki Kamal , Morris Brian , Wilcox D Craig , Willcox Bradley
Published: December 2023

The G allele of the FOXO3 SNP rs2802292 is associated with human resilience and longevity and has recently been shown to attenuate the impact of hypertension on the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. We now determined whether FOXO3 G-allele similarly attenuated the impact of hypertension on the risk of cerebral microinfarct (CMI). From a prospective population-based cohort of American men of Japanese ancestry (Kuakini Honolulu Heart Program), age-adjusted prevalence of any (1 or more) CMI on brain autopsies was assessed. Logistic regression models, adjusted for age of death, cardiovascular risk factors, FOXO3 and APOE-ε4 genotypes, were utilized to determine the predictors of any CMI. A potential interaction effect of FOXO3 and hypertension was also analyzed. Among 809 men with complete data, 511 (63.2%) had evidence of any CMI. A full multivariable model demonstrated that body mass index (OR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01–1.14; p=0.012) was the only significant predictor of CMI, while hypertension was a borderline predictor (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.00–2.08; p=0.052). A significant interaction between FOXO3 G-allele genotype and hypertension was observed (p=0.02). In the stratified analyses, among the participants without the longevity-associated FOXO3 G-allele, hypertension was a strong predictor of CMI (OR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.34–3.77;, p=0.0021), while among those with the longevity-associated FOXO3 G-allele, hypertension was not (OR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.51–1.54; p=0.66). These results suggest that the longevity-associated FOXO3 G-allele attenuated the impact of hypertension on the risk of CMI. More studies of other populations is needed to further validate this interesting relation.
INTERGENERATIONAL HAIKU-MAKING ACTIVITY: CREATING MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS ACROSS GENERATIONS
Authors: Matsumoto Yoshiko , Maeda Harumi , Wan Emily , Bansal Deven , Tayag Paolo
Published: December 2023

Intergenerational activities rooted in creative arts can improve the social connectedness and quality of life of older people living with cognitive impairment (e.g., Dorris et al., 2022; Ihara et al., 2022). Our study further explores the potential of humanities-based approaches to improve well-being and create meaningful connections across generations. Addressing the increasing concerns of loneliness and social isolation among older people living with cognitive impairment, we carried out a haiku-making activity in which 2-3 older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) interact with 2-3 university students in the creation of haiku poems based on seasonal photos. This Japanese poetic form can be composed using short phrases that describe emotional responses to natural scenes, free from the logical and grammatical constraints of prose. This structure enables a failure-free environment that engages participants in self-expression and imagination. Additionally, haiku’s simple but often unfamiliar format allows all participants to interact and contribute on an even playing field (Author et al., in press). Our analysis of the (1) recorded haiku-making activity sessions, (2) recorded post-session interviews, and (3) completed haiku poems reveals positive impacts of the activity on both the older participants with MCI and the younger participants. Our findings illustrate how haiku-making and haiku-based conversations promote emotional well-being and intergenerational understanding among participants. This study presents a model for how incorporating perspectives from the arts and humanities into gerontology/geriatrics programs can improve quality of life and enhance meaningful social/intergenerational connections across life stages.
NORMATIVE VALUES FOR STRENGTH AND FUNCTION DERIVED FROM THE CANADIAN LONGITUDINAL STUDY ON AGING
Authors: Mayhew Alexandra , So Hon Yiu , Ma Jinhui , Beauchamp Marla , Griffith Lauren , Kuspinar Ayse , Lang Justin , Raina Parminder
Published: December 2023

Decreased muscle strength and physical function often precede disability, nursing home admission, home care use, and mortality in older adults. Normative values for commonly used physical performance-based tests are not widely available for older adults but are required for clinicians and researchers to easily identify individuals with low performance. Our objective was to develop normative values for grip strength, gait speed, Timed Up and Go, single leg balance, and five-repetition chair rise tests in a large population-based sample of Canadians aged 45 to 85 years. Baseline data (2011-2015) from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging was used to estimate age- and sex-specific normative values for each of the physical tests. Participants were without disability or mobility limitation (no assistance with activities of daily living or use of mobility devices). Of the 25,470 participants eligible for the analyses 48.6% (n=12,369) were female with a mean age of 58.6 ±9.5 years. Sex-specific 5th, 10th, 20th, 50th, 80th, 90th, and 95th percentile values for each physical performance-based test were estimated. Cross-validation (n=100 repetitions) with a 30% holdout sample was used to evaluate model fit. The normative values developed in this paper can be used in clinical and research settings to identify individuals with low performance relative to their peers of the same age and sex. Interventions targeting these at-risk individuals including physical activity can prevent or delay mobility disability and the resulting cascade of increasing care requirements, health care costs, and mortality.
MUSCLE ACTIVATION VARIABILITY AS A DETERMINANT OF GAIT VARIABILITY IN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: LaRoche Dain , Joshi Purnashree
Published: December 2023

Gait variability is the step-to-step fluctuations in spatial, temporal, and kinetic gait parameters that reduces the rhythmicity of walking and places older adults at greater risk for falling. Gait variability is influenced by the senses, balance, executive function, strength, and potentially the consistency of neuromuscular activation. The purpose of this study was to test whether older adults with high muscle activation (HMA) variability during walking have greater kinetic, spatial and temporal gait variability than those with low activation variability (LMA). Twenty-seven men and women 65-85 yr walked at normal and maximal speeds on an instrumented treadmill that recorded gait parameters while the electromyogram (EMG) was recorded from vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius lateralis muscles. EMG was recorded over 10 steps and its coefficient of variation was used to identify HMA and LMA groups. Repeated measures ANOVA tested the effects of group (HMA, LMA) and speed (normal, maximal) on gait variability. A significant main effect of speed existed as weight acceptance peak force variability increased 21% (p = 0.014), push off force variability increased 29% (p = 0.015) and step length variability increased 20% (p = 0.02) at maximal speed. A significant interaction existed between speed and group for weight acceptance peak force variability (p = 0.03) as HMA increased 50% while LMA changed little (-4%). Gait variability increased with speed in older men and women, more so for those who exhibit greater muscle activation variability. This suggests the consistency of neuromuscular activation is a factor that affects the rhythmicity of walking.
PERCEIVED BALANCE IS ASSOCIATED WITH SELF-REPORTED FALLS IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Dolan Hanne , Pohl Janet , Pituch Keenan , Coon David
Published: December 2023

Accidental falls are a significant health threat among older adults. Approximately 30% of adults age 65 and older suffer one or more falls each year. Most accidental falls are preventable, and older adults’ engagement in fall prevention is imperative. Limited research suggest that older adults do not use the term “fall risk” to describe their risk for falls. Instead, they commonly use the term “balance problems.” The aim of this study was to examine how perceived balance problems is associated with self-reported falls in the past month after controlling for known predictors of falls among older adults. The Health Belief Model and the concept of perceived susceptibility served as the theoretical framework. A cross-sectional secondary analysis using data from a subsample of independently living participants (N = 7499) from the National Health and Aging Trends Study from year 2015 was conducted, with 10.3% of the sample reporting a fall. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds of reporting a fall in the past month were 3.4 times (p < .001) greater for participants who reported having a balance problem compared to those who did not. In contrast, fear of falling and perceived memory problems were not uniquely associated with falls. Using a mobility device, reporting pain, poor self-rated health status, depression, and anxiety scores were also associated with falling. Older adults’ perceived balance problem is strongly associated with their fall risk. A focus on balance instead of fall risk may improve older adults’ engagement in fall prevention.
THE FEASIBILITY AND ACCEPTABILITY OF PERTURBATION BALANCE TRAINING IN RURAL COMMUNITIES: A MIXED METHODS STUDY
Authors: Whitten Justin , Graham David , Grocke Michelle , O’Leary Bryant , Riley Julie , Tarabochia Dawn
Published: December 2023

Falls are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults. Older adults in rural communities have an elevated risk of falling. Perturbation-Based Balance Training (PBT) is an effective fall-prevention paradigm. However, it’s acceptability and feasibility in community settings is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of a community-based PBT program to local community-dwelling older adults and practitioners. Nineteen healthy older adults (60+ years) completed a 6-week PBT program, implemented in conjunction with three community practitioners. Measures of balance, balance confidence and fear of falling were assessed before and after training. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed prospectively, concurrently, and retrospectively via field notes, surveys, and interviews within the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. PBT was perceived as effective by older adults. Perceived increases in balance awareness, low burden/opportunity-cost and enjoyment of novel training were identified as facilitators. Notably, participants with poor balance tended to perceive PBT as less acceptable and demonstrated apprehensive and avoidant behavior, reinforcing the importance of comprehensive screening prior to participation in PBT. Practitioners perceived PBT as acceptable, with efficacy, low burden/opportunity-cost, and ethicality being primary facilitators. While the portable nature of the perturbation treadmill increased feasibility in rural communities, cost of equipment and transportation were perceived as substantial barriers to implementation. These results suggest PBT is acceptable in rural communities and demonstrate a need for training modalities that are more feasibly implemented in a community setting. Further investigation of low-tech alternatives such as manual PBT may offer potential solutions.
ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN CONTROL AND RESOLUTION OF DAILY STRESS: RESULTS FROM THE NATIONAL STUDY OF DAILY EXPERIENCES
Authors: Cerino Eric , Witzel Dakota , Horowitz Chloe , Almeida David
Published: December 2023

Literature identifies perceived control as an important psychosocial resource for healthy aging. How perceived control over aspects of daily life influence the daily stress process, however, remains comparatively less clear. Resolution of daily stressors (e.g., an argument resolved, a leaky pipe fixed) is emerging as a characteristic of the daily stress process crucial for emotional downregulation. Using data from the National Study of Daily Experiences (N=1,766, Mage=56.25, SD=12.20, 57% Female), we examined associations between perceived control over daily stress and the likelihood of stressor resolution. In waves conducted in ~2008 and ~2017, participants reported perceived control over stressors they experience across eight consecutive days (arguments, avoided arguments, work overloads, home overloads, network stressors), in addition to whether the stressful experience has been resolved. Generalized multilevel models adjusted for linear trends across days and waves, as well as number of stressors, sex, education, race, and baseline age. People experiencing greater stressor control were more likely to resolve their daily stressors (OR=1.92, 95% CI: 1.74–2.13, p<.001). Further, individuals were more likely to resolve their stressors on days when they perceived more control over their stressors than usual (OR=1.66, 95% CI: 1.57–1.77, p<.001). This within-person association increased in magnitude across assessment waves (OR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.06–1.39, p<.01), resulting in a stronger association between stressor control and resolution 10 years later (OR=1.89, 95% CI: 1.69–2.12, p<.001). Associations did not depend on baseline age (ps>.05). Results indicate perceived control may serve as a psychosocial resource for promoting resolution of daily stressors as people grow older.
TRAUMA, PERSONALITY, AND DEPRESSION AMONG OLDER ADULTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Zamora Alejandra , Zweig Richard
Published: December 2023

Older adults who have experienced early trauma are predisposed to develop mental health problems such as depression, though further evidence is needed to examine the roles of personality traits and interpersonal problems. The current study examined the respective influences of personality traits and interpersonal problems in the relationship between early trauma and depressive symptoms among middle and older adults who had experienced a loss during the COVID-19 pandemic (N=214). Participants were 76% female and ranged in age from 55-84 (Age M= 62.7, SD= 5.89). Twelve participants who endorsed at least adverse childhood experience were interviewed regarding their childhood and pandemic experiences. Categorical analyses found significant differences between individuals with high and low levels of ACEs with regard to neuroticism (d=-.32), depression (d=-.28), and interpersonal problems (d=-.55). High neuroticism and low extraversion were significantly predictive of interpersonal problems (ß= .520, p< .001; ß=-.201, p= .004) and depression (ß = .588, p< .001; ß= -.177, p= .006). Early trauma and interpersonal problems were not predictive of depression after accounting for variance due to personality traits. Moderation analyses were non-significant. Qualitative analyses yielded themes of re-encountering problems faced as children and adaptation or perseverance of strategy. These findings suggest that personality appeared to contribute significantly to depressive symptoms among bereaved older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Early trauma may influence depression in later life with regard to ease of adaptation to contexts and challenges.