bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social and Health Disparities Among Relocated Public Housing Residents by Age: Implications for Aging in Place
Authors: Reed Nia , Young Tiffany 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Research illustrates that neighborhood outcomes (including the built environment) influence the mental and physical health of vulnerable older adults (OA). Many OA aim to age-in-place but aging-in-place is less realistic for low-income OA because of gentrification and forced relocation. Examining neighborhood context is vital to understanding how the places we live contribute to well-being, yet, there is insufficient research on the biopsychosocial effects of forced relocation on low-income OA. To address this gap, our study uses aging-in-place theory to understand the association of neighborhood and health outcomes of relocated and nonrelocated low-income OA in public housing. This study includes three waves of data from Georgia State University’s Urban Health Initiative Study. Participants (n=225) were categorized by age (young-old = 50-64; old-old = 65-74; and oldest-old = 75+). We conducted multivariate regression analyses to highlight relationships between neighborhood and health outcomes, and relocation. We used geocoding to provide within-group analysis of relocated residents to determine if geographic proximity to former public housing communities affected neighborhood and health outcomes. Results show that relocated OA have worse informal social control and neighborhood satisfaction outcomes, but better built environment conditions than those who aged-in-place. Mental health and physical functioning worsened for relocated OA. Relocation was associated with reduced social cohesion and worse built environment conditions for the oldest-old. Moderation analysis illustrated that OA who relocated farther away had worse neighborhood outcomes. Considering the importance of aging-in-place to OA well-being, policymakers may reconsider forced relocation and allocating funds to enhance neighborhoods.
Using the Life Story Book With Mentally Alert Residents of Nursing Homes
Authors: Chrisman Theresa 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Depression and lack of meaning in life (MIL) are common among residents of nursing homes (NHs) and contribute to a reduction in overall health and well-being. Life Story Book (LSB), a reminiscence intervention, is designed to provide a person with the opportunity to review their past and capture their life stories and photographs into a book. LSB has demonstrated positive outcomes for residents of NHs with dementia, yet little is known for residents without dementia. A switching replication design was used to examine the effects of LSB among 21 mentally alert residents from two NHs (NH-A and NH-B) in Houston, Texas. Participants in NH-A received three weeks of the LSB intervention, while NH-B received three weeks of care-as-usual; the intervention was then switched. The GDS-12R and the MIL questionnaire (MLQ) were used to measure depressive symptoms and MIL respectively. Participants from NH-A (n =11) and NH-B (n = 10) had a mean age of 75 years (SD =11.34); 81% female; 52% non-Hispanic white and 33% African American. Results from a one-way MANCOVA found no statistically significant difference on the GDS-12R and MLQ (F(3, 14) = 2.50, p = .102; Wilks’ Lambda = .652; η2 = .35). Further analyses comparing the pre-intervention and post-intervention scores for the entire sample (N =21) found a significant reduction in depressive symptoms (M = 2.67; SD = 2.52) and (M =1.67, SD = 2.29); (t (20) = 2.21, p = 0.039). The potential benefits of LSB for mentally alert residents of NHs warrants further research.
Whole Genome Linkage Scan Identifies a Novel Locus on 3q28 for TG/HDL-C Ratio Change Over Time
Authors: An Ping , Kuipers Allison , Miljkovic Iva , Zmuda Joseph , Province Michael 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
TG/HDL-C ratio (THR) represents a single inherited surrogate predictor of hyperinsulinemia or insulin resistance that is associated with premature aging processes, risk of diabetes and increased mortality. To identify genetic loci for THR change over time (ΔTHR), we conducted a whole genome linkage scan among subjects of European ancestry who had complete data from two exams collected about seven years apart from the Long Life Family Study (LLFS, n=3091), a study with familial clustering of exceptional longevity in the US and Denmark. Subjects with diabetes or using medications for dyslipidemia were excluded from this analysis. ΔTHR was derived using growth curve modeling, and adjusted for age, sex, PCs, familial membership, and then log-transformed to approximate normality. Our linkage scan was built on haplotype-based IBD estimation with 0.5 cM average spacing. Heritability of ΔTHR was moderate (46%), and evidence for significant linkage (LOD&gt;3) was identified on 3q28 (LOD=4.1). This locus harbors ADIPOQ among several other promising candidate genes. Interestingly, several studies previously reported suggestive evidence of linkage at this locus for relevant traits including adiponectin, dementia, AD and SBP. This linkage signal was not explained by significant GWAS SNPs for LPL or those under the peak (LOD attenuated to 3.7). In conclusion, we found a novel genetic locus on 3q28 for ΔTHR in subjects without diabetes selected for exceptional survival and healthy aging. Further query of sequence elements including rare functional and regulatory variants at this locus is underway which may reveal novel insights on insulin resistance mechanisms for aging.
An Experimental Program for Effective Communication of Middle-Aged and Older Adults With Pharmacists in Taiwan
Authors: Sun Yi-Wei , Weng Hui-Ching 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Plenty of potential drug-related problems was noted in the middle-aged and older adults. Effective communication is essential for pharmacists to coordinate their opinions with patients to improve the effectiveness of drug treatment and reduce drug-related problems. However, few studies focused on patients’ own abilities to communicate with pharmacists even though it is vital for the effectiveness of medical treatment. The purpose of this study was to design a communication training program for middle-age and older adults not only to enhance their understanding of pharmacists’ responsibilities and the importance to communicate with pharmacists, but also to improve their self-efficacy about drug-related communication and the ability to list their latest medication. A non-randomized control-group pretest-posttest design was conducted in Tainan City. Through individual interviews of five pharmacists and a focus group interview, we ensured the appropriateness and expertise of the training program. 179 adults over 55 years old were distributed into experimental group or control group. The experimental group underwent the training program after the pretest, while no intervention was provided to the control group. Face-to-face and role-playing sessions were in process with a training booklet in the courses. Both groups completed the posttest four weeks after the pretest. This communication training program appears to be effective since the knowledge of pharmacists’ responsibilities and self-efficacy of drug-related communication were significantly improved in the experimental group (p&lt;.05) rather than control group. Completion of the recent medication list was also improved from 40.3% to 80.6% and was significantly higher than the control group.
Do Social Support and Strain Mediate the Relationship Between Childhood Exposures and Frailty in Later Life?
Authors: Williams-Farrelly Monica , Ferraro Kenneth 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Previous studies have identified the early origins of physical frailty, notably poor childhood health and socioeconomic status, but relatively few studies examine whether social support in later life mitigates the influence of early noxious exposures on frailty. Given the established relationship between health and social relationships in older adults, this research uses data from the Health and Retirement study (2004-2016) to examine whether social support and strain mediate the effect of childhood exposures on frailty in later life. A series of linear regression and pathway models were estimated to test whether childhood exposures, including socioeconomic status, infectious and chronic diseases, impairments, and risky adolescent parental behaviors, were associated with phenotypic frailty (Fried et al. 2001). After adjusting for demographic and adult factors, accumulated childhood misfortune was directly (b=0.015, p&lt;.01) and indirectly (b=0.007, p&lt;.001) associated with more frailty. Average social support, but not strain, from one’s spouse, children, family and friends significantly mediated the relationship between accumulated misfortune and frailty (b= -.002, p&lt;.01). Path analysis revealed that social support reduces later life frailty directly (b=-0.106 ,p&lt;.001) and indirectly through a reduction in adult morbidity (b=-0.031, p&lt;.001). However, counterintuitively we found that accumulated misfortune was associated with more social support. Supplemental analyses reveal that one or more infectious diseases in childhood were responsible for the positive relationship (b= 0.393, p&lt;.001). These results have implications for how we may reduce the burden of frailty on those who have experienced misfortune early in life.
It’s What We Do: Māori Carers Talk About Roles, Challenges, and Coordination in Caring for Older Family Members
Authors: Simpson Mary , McAllum Kirstie , Unson Christine , Fox Stéphanie , Hancock Te Oha 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
As the population of Aotearoa/New Zealand heads towards one-in-four being aged over 65-years-and-over by 2040, it is anticipated that family members will play an increasingly important role in caring for older relatives with chronic and age-related health issues. Multi-generational, and in particular three-generational living arrangements, combined with family care of older relatives are a growing trend; a trend already even evident among Māori communities. This paper reports on a study that explored the care experiences and expectations of 14 past and current Māori carers (aged 23 to 72-years) of older relatives. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded independently. The initial thematic analysis revealed nine themes and participants were invited to feedback on the summary in person or in writing. The feedback resulted in the original themes being collapsed into four (with subthemes): “Care is Normal”; “Collective Coordination of Care”; “Insider-Carer—Outsider Perspectives on Caring”; and “Societal Influences on Family Care/Carers”. Firstly, these themes highlight how Māori cultural norms infuse direct care, support, and coordination roles within family care of the older family member. Secondly, they reveal the challenges for family carers in talking about their work with others, especially (thirdly) in the face of negative attitudes towards care and carers of an older family member within wider society. These findings have implications for cultural and wider socio-political influences in socialising different groups to carer role expectations. If society is to better prepare future caregivers for their role, ongoing research is needed with the various cultural groups in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
The Effect of Long-Term Changes in Daily Stress Processes on Prospective Health: An Application of Three-Level SEM
Authors: Rush Jonathan , Willroth Emily , Graham Eileen , Mroczek Daniel , Almeida David 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The study of change over time, contexts, cohorts, and people is influenced by the sampling of observations within longitudinal studies. Intensive measurement designs, embedded within long-term longitudinal studies, provide new opportunities to understand changes in dynamic processes, as well as determinants and consequences of these changes over time. The present investigation examined whether short-term dynamic associations accounted for individual differences in prospective health functioning. We used measurement burst data from the National Study of Daily Experiences subsample (N = 2485) embedded within the Midlife in the United States longitudinal study. Two measurement bursts were separated by ten years, with each containing daily measures of stress and affect across eight consecutive days. Functional health was measured by basic and instrumental activities of daily living at three measurement waves spanning 20 years. Three-level structural equation models were fit to simultaneously model short-term within-person associations between stress and affect (i.e., stress reactivity) and long-term changes in these associations over the ten year period. Individual differences in long-term changes of the short-term dynamic association predicted both basic and instrumental activities of daily living at 20 year follow-up (estimate = 5.26, SE = 2.54, p &lt; .01; and estimate = 5.48, SE = 2.81, p &lt; .01, respectively). These effects were present after adjusting for mean levels of both stress and affect. We highlight how characterizing individuals based on the strength of their within-person associations across multiple time scales can be informative in predicting distal health outcomes.
Gender and the Grandfather Caregiver Experience
Authors: Raymore AviElle 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
In the United States, 2.7 million grandparents are responsible for a grandchild in their home. Grandfathers are present in the majority of grandparent caregiver households, but their contributions and voices are often overlooked. The aim of this study was to explore how grandfathers experience caregiving as men. Twelve grandfathers from the age of 50-76 years participated in the study. Two face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eleven grandfather caregivers while a telephone interview was conducted with one grandfather. Interviews focused on their life story, experiences as grandfather caregivers, and views on male caregiving. Data were analyzed using coding and thematic analysis. Gender was important throughout grandfather’s caregiving experiences. Grandfathers discussed their attitudes towards caregiving using language that reflected traditional gender norms. To them, women were nurturing caregivers while men were supposed to provide for their families as caregivers. Grandfathers appeared to stay connected to notions of traditional masculinities through participation in sports and physical play with their grandchildren and through their emphasis on men as responsible and providers. Grandfathers were aware that others may view them as incompetent caregivers, but they did not allow these stereotypes to affect how they viewed themselves as caregivers. These findings can improve the understanding of this population for service providers who work with grandparent caregivers. Providing better outreach for grandfather caregivers, strengthening programs and supports for them, and confronting attitudes or views towards male caregiving are important practice implications.
Island Aging in the Ninth Decade and Beyond
Authors: Eliopoulos Elaine 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
This novel research was designed to explore the lived experience of the aging body and its impact on social exclusion in remote island environments. Twenty three participants, aged 80 to 102 years old, in the Pacific Northwest, USA, were interviewed to explore the role their bodies played in everyday life. Despite presenting limited choices and lifestyle options, the island communities appeared to foster rather than impede a sense of competency and autonomy in the lives of these later life participants. Their ability to navigate their worlds, despite their physical limitations, was apparent in their reports of inclusion in the manner they desired. The island community context, characterized by low technology and mostly face to face encounters for goods and services, presented the participants with the possibility of accessible and meaningful engagement. Their sense of self and inclusion casts doubt on the dominant narrative of decline typically used to describe these late years. New narratives of corporeal being emerged from the data, demonstrating a complexity not captured by the singularity of the decline narrative. The visual methodology utilized enriched the depth and range of the semi-structured interviews, encouraging participants to think critically about their bodies. Possibilities for further research could explore the nuances of these new narratives and whether a different understanding of the older body may be useful.
The Impact of Caregiving Intensity and Religiosity on Spouse Caregivers’ Health and Mortality in the United States (2004–2014)
Authors: Koumoutzis Athena , Mehri Nader 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Prior research has indicated that religiosity may buffer against the deleterious effects of caregiving. However, research is lacking in examining the role of religiosity and caregiving intensity in the context of caregiver wellbeing and mortality. Data come from the Health and Retirement Study (2004-2014 waves) and consisted of spousal caregivers and noncaregivers (n= 49,638 person-spells). Pearlin’s Stress Process Model (1990) informed this study to analyze how religiosity impacts caregiver self-rated health and mortality by comparing the intensity of provided care among spousal caregivers and spousal noncaregivers. This study used two indicators to measure religiosity: 1) the importance of religion in life and 2) frequency of attending religious services. Bivariate probit model was used to model the impact of caregiving intensity and religiosity on self-rated health and all-cause mortality. After controlling for sociodemographic and health covariates, results showed that only the importance of religion in life predicted a better self-rated health among high intense spouse caregivers defined by providing &gt;=14 hours of care per week. Findings suggest religiosity may buffer the adverse effect of caregiving stress on health for high intense spousal caregivers. Development and maintenance of religiosity may enhance positive aspects of caregiving and decrease caregiver burden.
Unmet Home- and Community-Based Service Needs Among Informal Caregivers in Rural and Urban Areas
Authors: Bouldin Erin , Chase Jo-Ana , Miyawaki Christina , Russell David , Gell Nancy , Taylor Christopher , McGuire Lisa 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Home- and community-based services (HCBS) can reduce caregiver burden. We compared the prevalence of HCBS unmet needs among caregivers in rural and urban areas and identified factors associated with unmet HCBS needs. We used 2015-2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data, including the optional Caregiver Module, from 44 states, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Caregivers were individuals providing care/assistance to a friend/family member with a long-term illness/disability during the past 30 days. Unmet needs were defined as needing, but not receiving, one or more of the following: caregiving classes, help accessing services, support groups, individual counseling, or respite care. “Rural” was defined as living outside Metropolitan Statistical Areas (available only for landline respondents). We calculated weighted estimates and used log-binomial regression to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (PR). 19% of 25,180 caregivers lived in a rural area. Rural caregivers were less likely to report unmet HCBS needs (14.4% versus 20.6% urban, p&lt;0.001), even after accounting for sociodemographic and caregiving characteristics (PR=0.81, 95% CI: 0.65-0.99, p=0.040). Unmet needs were more common among caregivers who provided more care, personal care, or care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease/dementia, regardless of rural residence. Although rural individuals can experience more barriers to accessing health services, rural caregivers in our study reported fewer unmet HCBS needs than urban caregivers. Additional research is needed to determine if stronger systems of informal support in rural areas may explain this difference. Further investigation of factors contributing to differences in unmet service needs among rural and urban caregivers is needed.
Insular and Hippocampal Connectivity Is Associated With Perceived Financial Exploitation in Older Adults
Authors: Weissberger Gali , Mosqueda Laura , Nguyen Annie , Axelrod Jenna , Boyle Patricia , Spreng Nathan , Han Duke 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Little is known about the neural correlates of financial exploitation (FE) in older adults. Cognitively-intact older adults who self-reported a history of FE (N=19; M age=69.84, SD=13.06) and demographically-matched non-FE older adults (N=16; M age=65.13, SD=8.48) underwent resting-state fMRI. Predefined regions of interest were prescribed using the Harvard-Oxford atlas for their involvement in tasks of economic decision making: insula, hippocampus, and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Analyses adjusted for age, education, sex, and MoCA scores; groups did not differ on these factors. Clusters were FDR-corrected with a threshold of p&lt;0.05 (voxel threshold p&lt;0.005), two-tailed. Compared to the non-FE group, the FE group exhibited greater functional connectivity (FC) between the right insula and left temporal lobe regions (t(29)= -4.81), and between the left insula and right temporal lobe regions (t(29)= -5.78). The FE group showed less FC between the left insula and two clusters in the right lateral occipital cortex (t(29)= 5.18) and left cerebellum (t(29)= 4.68). Additionally, FE was associated with greater FC between the right hippocampus and five clusters spanning the right temporal lobe, parietal lobe, and frontal pole (ts(29)= -4.11 to -4.51), and less FC between the right hippocampus and three clusters spanning the bilateral caudate and the left intracalcarine cortex (ts(29)= 4.76-6.03). Groups did not differ in FC patterns with the mPFC. Results suggest that FE is associated with whole-brain FC differences involving the insula and hippocampus among cognitively-intact older adults.
Grip Strength Changes in Bone Marrow Transplant Patients
Authors: Chaves Paulo , Cristian Adrian , Ruiz Marco 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Emerging evidence that cancers survivors may experience premature aging has prompted epidemiology research aimed at the characterization of key premature aging phenotypes. Physical functioning data relevant for premature aging phenotype classification in cancer survivors, however, remain scarce. We assessed the burden of dynapenia, a key sarcopenia indicator, and muscle strength loss in the understudied population of bone marrow transplant (BMT) patients. This study involved secondary analyses of data from patients who underwent bone marrow transplant (BMT) in a cancer Institute in South Florida (June 2018-April 2019) with traditional hematopoietic cell transplantation specific comorbidity index (HCT-CI) scores and other relevant information. T-tests for paired data assessed pre- vs. post-BMT changes in grip strength (GS) (n=9). Prevalence of dynapenia (GS&lt;27Kg and &lt;16Kg) in pre-BMT (n=20) and post-BMT (n=9) periods were calculated. Median age [25th-75th percentiles] age was 61 [55-68] years old. Fifty-percent were females. GS and HCT-CI scores were not correlated. Mean GS loss after BMT was 6.4 Kg (95% confidential interval: 2.5-10.4 Kg, p-value=.003) in post-BMT (median-time-after-BMT: 90 days) minus pre-BMT (median-time-before-BMT: 62 days) comparison. Proportion with dynapenia increased from 10% (1/10) to 20% (1/5) in women, and 10% (1/2) to 75% (3/4) in men. We observed substantial muscle strength loss and dynapenia burden in patients who underwent BMT. Considering that dynapenia is a major, potentially modifiable risk factor for frailty, which is not captured by HCT-TI, we speculated that dynapenia-related targeted assessments and interventions – preventive and/or rehabilitative – could offer complementary approaches for treatment enhancement in BMT patients.