bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CARING RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN THE NURSING HOME IN SHANGHAI: A DYADIC QUALITATIVE STUDY
Authors: Chen Lin , Ye Minzhi , Zhu Qiang 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Caring relationships between older residents and nurse aides are fundamental in terms of service delivery in nursing homes. However, little is known for the nuanced dynamics of this relationship in China. The purpose of this study is to explore how caring relationships develop between older residents and nurse aides in the nursing home setting in urban China. Informed by the dyadic perspective, this study illustrates the development process and relational nuances by simultaneously eliciting residents’ and nurse aides’ perceptions. This qualitative study purposively sampled 20 matched resident-nurse aide dyads (N= 40) in a government-sponsored nursing home in Shanghai. Participants participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews from January to June 2017. Thematic analysis was performed. The findings reveal that the caring relationship began with nursing home assignment and primarily focused on instrumental assistance. Gradually, emotional involvement grew within dyads and reciprocity emerged. Based on different dyadic perceptions, this study conceptualized four types of caring relationships: (a) parent-child alike, (b) mutually respectful, (c) solo performance, and (d) reasonably detached. The findings suggest that residents and nurse aides could have different views on caring relationships, which further influenced the relationship development. The four types of caring relationships shared some similar traits while differentiating from some of the common types of interactions found in the existing nursing evidence across the world. Chinese filial tradition also influenced the relationship dynamics.
AGING, TASK DIFFICULTY, AND EFFORT: A META-ANALYSIS
Authors: Best Ryan , Freydefont Laure , Freund Alexandra M 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Tasks of increasing difficulty require increasing levels of cognitive engagement from participants. The costs associated with cognitive engagement rise with age in response to normative cognitive decline. Additionally, previous studies have shown an interaction between age and task difficulty, with age differences in effort expenditure increasing along with task demands. Motivational accounts of effort allocation predict the opposite relationship, where increased task difficulty in the face of declining cognitive abilities result in disengagement among older adults, comparatively lowering their effort expenditure relative to younger adults that remain committed to the task. The current study quantitatively reviews the available literature on age and effort expenditure across tasks of increasing difficulty. An initial meta-analysis found no age differences in effort across task difficulty, but inspection of the significantly heterogeneous effect sizes indicated that measurement domain might account for some of the variance found between the effect sizes. A second, post-hoc meta-analysis was conducted, recoding effect sizes giving preference to subjective measures. Subsequent moderator variable analyses found that the combined effect of age and domain of effort measurement explained a sufficient portion of the variance across effect sizes. When using physiological measures, effort was not found to differ across task difficulty for either age group. Alternatively, when measured subjectively, effort was reported to greatly increase (&gt;1 standard deviation) with difficulty, with a larger increase in younger adults. Results are discussed in terms of effort mobilization across adulthood and the importance of measurement domain in the interpretation of results.
DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF THE TESTAMENTARY CAPACITY MEASURE AMONG OLDER ADULTS AND PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA
Authors: Nguyen Christopher M , Block Cady , Linck John , Denburg Natalie 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
As the growth of the population aged 65 and older is projected to be one of the most substantial demographic trends in history, geriatricians and other professionals working with older adults will be regularly consulted for opinion regarding an individual’s testamentary capacity (Brenkel et al., 2018). For individuals with severe cognitive and psychiatric impairment, the reduced capacity to make decision is evident. However, testamentary capacity among individuals with mild or moderate cognitive impairment has been mixed: some patients with mild cognitive impairment may be incapable of will making, while other patients with moderate cognitive impairment may have testamentary capacity (Spar & Garb, 1992). While several measures of testamentary capacity have been developed, these instruments are either not available for clinicians or lacks the sophistication of a comprehensive assessment (Marson, Huthwaite, & Herbert, 2004; Papageorgiou et al., 2018). With increasingly complex modern family structures (e.g., multiple marriages and stepchildren from these relationships), together with a projected largest transfer of wealth in human history about to occur in the next 30 years (Havens and Schervish, 2003), more standardized assessment procedures for testamentary capacity will be valuable for clinicians working with geriatric populations. In this study, healthy community-dwelling older adults and patients with Major Neurocognitive Disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease were recruited to participate in a validation study of a proposed testamentary capacity measure. Preliminary findings and implications are discussed.
COGNITIVE INTRAINDIVIDUAL VARIABILITY TO MEASURE INTERVENTION EFFECTIVENESS: BALTIMORE EXPERIENCE CORPS TRIAL
Authors: Bielak Allison A , Brydges Christopher R , Carlson Michelle C , Andrews Ryan M , Rebok George W 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Studies investigating the effectiveness of intervention programs on cognitive ability in older adults are equivocal; however, these studies generally focus on traditional measures of cognition, and therefore may miss some improvements by not utilizing alternate measures. We evaluate the potential for intraindividual variability in cognitive speed (IIV), a demonstrated sensitive indicator of cognitive functioning, to be used as an index of cognitive plasticity from an intervention. The current study evaluated whether older adults in a school volunteering program showed a reduction in IIV, compared to a low-activity control group over two years of exposure. Non-demented aging older adults (n = 336) participated in the Baltimore Experience Corps Trial, an evaluation of a volunteering program conducted at elementary schools designed to increase older adults’ physical, cognitive, and social engagement. Participants completed a cognitive battery that included a computerized Stroop task at baseline and after 12 and 24 months. Participants who complied at the 80th percentile or above showed a significant reduction in IIV at 24 months, with an additional trend of improved IIV with increased compliance to the treatment protocol, both at 12 months, and at 24 months. Men specifically also showed significant dose-dependent improvements after 12 months. The Experience Corps program resulted in an improvement in cognitive performance as measured by IIV. Analyzing previously collected data with non-traditional measures of cognition, such as IIV, may be a potentially fruitful and cost-effective method for understanding how interventions impact cognition in aging populations.
DEVELOPING A PAIN IDENTIFICATION AND COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA
Authors: Riffin Catherine , Pillemer Karl , Herr Keela , Petti Emily , Reid Cary 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Best practice guidelines have emphasized the importance of routine pain assessment of older persons with dementia (PWD), yet pain remains severely underdetected and undermanaged in this population. Training family caregivers in observational pain assessment and subsequent communication of the assessment results to a healthcare provider has the potential to help improve pain management among PWD. The goal of this presentation is to describe the approach to developing, refining, and pilot testing the Pain Identification and Communication Toolkit (PICT), a novel intervention to help family caregivers recognize pain symptoms in PWD and communicate those symptoms to healthcare providers. Guided by self-efficacy theory and empirical research on dementia and pain communication, this presentation will detail the approach to developing the PICT intervention manual and delineate its major components, including modules that prepare caregivers to: a) recognize and differentiate pain from dementia symptoms, b) administer an observational pain assessment tool, c) communicate effectively about pain symptoms, and d) plan steps to take when pain is detected. The presentation will report results from the process by which preliminary versions of the PICT manual were refined, including iterative field-testing with a sample of racially and ethnically diverse caregivers of community-dwelling PWD and healthcare providers. Results suggest that the development of PICT represents a useful step in addressing the underdetection and undermanagement of pain in PWD, and can pave the way for future intervention research on caregivers’ initiation of pain-related communication with healthcare providers.
WHICH CAME FIRST, WELL-BEING OR PHYSICAL HEALTH? A LONGITUDINAL INVESTIGATION IN MID- TO LATE LIFE
Authors: Raldiris Tarah , Dzierzewski Joseph 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
As the United States population continues to age, focus has turned toward understanding and promoting positive aging processes. However, positive aging is not only about maintaining physical health, but also about maintaining and improving psychological health. Though previous research has found well-being to be predictive of physical health outcomes, research has yet to examine the temporal associations between these variables. The aim of the current study was to begin to disentangle these temporal associations by investigating how well-being and physical health relate over the course of nearly two decades in a nationwide sample of adults (N = 7,419, Mage = 46.38 at Time 1). The current study employed a cross-lagged panel SEM design across three time points to investigate if well-being, operationalized as purpose in life and personal growth, predicted future self-rated physical health. Data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study was analyzed from 1995, 2004, and 2014. Cross-lagged analyses revealed well-being was significantly predictive of future physical health, and physical health was also significantly predictive of future well-being. However, the magnitude of the path loadings indicated well-being was a stronger predictor of future physical health than physical health was of future well-being. Thus, these results suggest that personal growth and purpose in life may be particularly important for the promotion of physical health as individuals age. Future research should investigate if these predictive associations apply to all age-groups, as well as for individuals who self-identify as caregivers.
IDENTIFYING PREDICTORS OF SURVIVAL TO 100 IN OKLAHOMA USING CENTENARIAN BIOGRAPHIES
Authors: Firdauysa Nadia , Bhatta Jyoti , Bishop Alex J 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify key predictors of centenarian survival in Oklahoma. Data originated from N = 607 centenarian biographies maintained within Oklahoma Centenarians, Inc. historical records database. Biographies were analyzed and coded for demographic content. IBM/SPSS 23.0 was then used to compute linear regression analyses to examine the association of predictor variables sex, race, education, cohort, and longevity secret relative to days of survival. Only race (std. B = .10, p &lt; .05) and cohort (std. B = -.11, p &lt; .01) emerged as significant predictors of overall survivorship. Non-white centenarians live longer than their White-Caucasian counterparts; whereas earlier-born cohorts have shorter survival. Closer examination of these findings revealed that non-White centenarians have historically lived an average of 300.38 days longer than their White counterparts; whereas later born cohorts have historically an average of 48.10 days shorter than earlier-born cohorts. Despite the fact that sex and subjective longevity secrets failed to yield any significance, further inspection revealed two interesting highlights. First, centenarian males have historically lived an average of 147.89 days less than female centenarians. Second, centenarians who cite God as the secrete to their longevity have historically lived 100.23 fewer days than centenarians who attribute their longevity to something else. Results have implications to further understanding the interplay of race and human longevity, as well as variables attributed to improved survivorship across successive cohorts. Further discussion relative to health practices and policies to improve longevity in states like Oklahoma will be further highlighted.
THE EFFECT OF DISPOSITIONAL OPTIMISM ON SUCCESSFUL AGING OF OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR PARTNERS
Authors: Lee Gina , Lee Kyuho 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
The purpose of the study was to examine how dispositional optimism of an older adult influences both the individual’s and the spouse’s successful aging. Data from the Health and Retirement Study were included in this analysis. The age of participants ranged from 18 to 104 (M = 67.91, SD = 11.26). The successful aging components included low levels of depressive symptoms and low levels of difficulties in activities of daily living, subjective health, and cognition. A structural equation model was computed including optimism as a latent variable and four components of successful aging for older adults and their spouses, all from the same wave in 2014. The results of the study revealed that higher dispositional optimism of older adults significantly predicted lower depressive symptoms, lower difficulties with activities of daily living, better cognitive function, and higher subjective health, for older adults and their spouses. The results, in conclusion, support the notion that dispositional optimism not only plays a significant role in well-being for oneself but also benefits the partner’s well-being as well. Further research need to include other components of successful aging, such as social engagement, loneliness, and life satisfaction. In addition, including covariates, such as gender, educational attainment, race/ethnicity, and household income, will also further examine the effect of optimism above and beyond the demographic factors.
GRANDPARENTS CARING FOR GRANDCHILDREN: HOW AGE AND AGING IMPACT PROVISION OF CHILDCARE
Authors: Apriceno MaryBeth A , Scott Stacey B , Levy Sheri 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
The economic need for dual-income households has contributed to more grandparents providing childcare for their grandchildren. Research on these grandparents has examined their life satisfaction, health, and spare time. Little work to date has examined how cross-sectional differences in grandparents’ age may contribute to when they begin providing childcare or how their increasing age while caregiving influences when they reduce or stop providing childcare. Using Health and Retirement Study data, we identified 5.38% of participants (N=516) who reported providing at least one hour of childcare for their grandchildren per wave (range=1-9,996) between 2004 and 2014. The resulting sample ranged from 44-88 years of age (M=59.78, SD=7.75) when they first reported providing childcare; 48.8% were retired during the study period. Using multilevel modeling, we tested age and retirement as predictors of individual differences in initial amount of childcare (intercept) and change in childcare (slope). Cross-sectionally, no significant differences in childcare hours were observed based on the age at which grandparents began caregiving or retirement status. Longitudinally, however, as grandparents got older during the study, hours of childcare decreased by 48 hours per year (B=-48.368, t(1584)=-6.55, p&lt;.0001) relative to when they starting providing childcare. These results suggest grandparent childcare providers represent an age diverse group managing multiple roles and responsibilities who continue caregiving well into older adulthood. Future research on grandparents who provide childcare for their grandchildren should observe these individuals over time to better understand how aging impacts provision of care and to examine how aging may moderate previous cross-sectional findings.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY DIET AND LOWER HEALTH CARE EXPENDITURES
Authors: Lin Chin-Lon , Chiu Tina H , Huang Jen-Hung , Lin Ming-Nan 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Vegetarian diets have decreased incidence rates of chronic non-communicable diseases that have been associated with burden on medical systems worldwide. Previous studies propose a relationship between meat consumption and high medical expenditure; however, there is a dearth in the literature with strong evidence supporting the hypothesis between two factors. Using the data from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Database this study is the first one comparing medical expenditure between vegetarian and non-vegetarian groups among older adults in Taiwan. In the National Health Insurance Database there were 2127 vegetarians matched with 4254 non-vegetarians based on age and gender from 2005 to 2014. Vegetarian diet is associated with approximately 10 – 15% lower total and outpatient medical expenditure. Vegetarians had lower medical expenditure incurred by diabetes and metabolic diseases, mental diseases, and genitourinary diseases. Implication for future research will be discussed at the presentation.
ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS AND AGING
Authors: Baccarelli Andrea 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
The human epigenome is a flexible, environmental sensitive component of human biology that changes over time. Multiple studies have identified prospective changes in epigenetic marks that indicate that the epigenome ages as we grow older. These changes have been leveraged to create multiple indicators of age that may also predict mortality and age-related disease. There is ongoing research to determine the extent to which age-related epigenomics changes are inherent to cell biology and/or driven by lifestyle and environmental factors. In this presentation, I will review the current evidence derived from human aging studies and potential contributions to human health and disease. I will discuss the source of data, methodological challenges for large human studies, limitations and possible future directions.
GENDER DIFFERENCES IN WIDOWHOOD IN THE SHORT RUN AND LONG RUN: FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING
Authors: Streeter Jialu L 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
This paper addresses the question of whether differences in financial and emotional wellbeing after the death of one’s spouse vary systematically with gender, using the Health and Retirement Study data between 1992 and 2014. Results show that all else being equal, widows have 22% less income than widowers, and a nine percentage points increase in their likelihood of falling into poverty. The income gap attributable to gender is considerably large for those newly widowed. The gap shrinks by half in the next ten years in widowhood but widens again substantially after the ten-year mark. The study suggests that men are protected from income losses to a higher degree than women when they lose their spouse, and the survivor benefits of the Social Security and private pension plans do not necessarily cushion widows from this risk. We also find that, in widowhood, men experience more negative affects (e.g., depression and loneliness), while women face more challenges with somatic symptoms (e.g., restless sleep). The emotional gender gaps vary with widowhood durations. In the year of their spousal losses, men suffer significantly more than women from negative affects, in particular, loneliness. Though women score better than men in affects in the short run, they are prone to having more somatic symptoms in the long run, especially restless sleep. The results indicate that men and women need different types of emotional support and attention at different times of widowhood.
SOCIAL CAPITAL AND HEALTH AT OLDER AGES IN GHANA
Authors: Ayernor Kojo Paul 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Significant increases in life expectancy and declining fertility confirms that population ageing is fast becoming a reality in several West African nations, and the demographic transition is expected to continue well into this century. This study examines the association between social capital, self-rated health, and depression among older adults aged 50 years and over in Ghana. It draws on a small scale, yet nationally representative longitudinal data from the Global Ageing Study (SAGE-WHO, 2003-2007). Social capital is conceptualized through four dimensions: personal control, generalized trust, safety in the community and free expression. Although there were not significant findings on social capital and depression, results demonstrated significant associations between social capital and self-rated health. The relationship between social capital and self-rated health suggests the need to extend and expand upon research regarding the relationship between social capital, health, and well-being in later life in aging African communities.
THE IMPACT OF PERCEIVED IMPORTANCE AND RECENT CHANGES ON PREPARATION FOR OLD AGE
Authors: Park Jeongsoo , Hess Thomas M 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
This study focused on identifying factors that motivate individuals to make provisions for their old age. We hypothesized that the motivation to make preparations would be associated with the importance attached to a specific domain of functioning along with the extent to which the individual experienced recent change within that domain. We examined how perceived changes in five different domains of functioning (social relationships, leisure, finances, work, health) during the last four years and the importance attached to each domain affected preparation for old age. Participants aged 35 to 85 (Germany: N=811; Hong Kong: N=482; US: N=515) were part of the Aging as Future Study. Across domains, perceptions of positive change and high importance were related to more engagement in preparations, as was being older. The strength of these effects as well as moderating influences varied across domains and cultures, reflecting potential differences in values and social/cultural supports.