bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interdisciplinary Innovations Utilizing Pet Robots to Meet Research, Education, and Care Needs
Authors: Troutman-Jordan Meredith , Davis Boyd 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Studies of the impact of robotic companion pets are proliferating, authored by several disciplines, each with different concerns. Roboticists focus on technology design and artificial emotional intelligence as opposed to general preferences for soft, furry, interactive animals. Others worry that as people interact with potentially deceptive technology, they may think the pet is alive. While aware of these serious concerns, gerontologists have focused on how lonely older persons without cognitive impairment respond to social ‘helper’ robots. More recent studies emphasize the possible impact of animatronic pets on persons with dementia (PWD). Therapeutic benefits of these pets are just being established. Our current pilot study is timely in that it now involves semi-structured interviews with formal/ informal caregivers of PWD who have been given a robot pet. We are eliciting perceptions, opinions, and observations of the PWD’s response to robotic pets. We recruited 8 gerontology students as much-needed assistants for a research-driven topics course to afford them field exposure to PWD, caregivers, and direct research experience. Because students seldom have experience either with robotic pets or PWD, they read selected articles and received training/practice in semi-structured interviewing techniques. Students next conducted interviews with caregivers of PWD who have interacted with the pets. All interviews are audio-recorded, transcribed and deposited in the Carolinas Conversations Collection. Content and thematic analysis of transcriptions, student activity logs and bi-weekly reflective discussions will inform next steps in intervention research, testing therapeutic outcomes such as agitation reduction by pet robots for PWD.
Neuron-Specific Mechanisms Control the Mitochondrial Regulator PGC-1a
Authors: McGregor Eric , Souder Dylan , Clark Josef , Rhoads Timothy , Elicieri Kevin , Beasley Mark , Moore Darcie , Anderson Rozalyn 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction has been proposed as a hallmark of the aging process. Specifically, as a function of aging, mitochondria appear to have decreased enzyme activity and respiratory capacity and increase reactive oxygen species production. Brain aging is associated with morphological and homeostatic changes, including alterations in brain size, cognitive impairment, and white and grey matter integrity. However, the causes of these changes remain an open and actively pursued field of study. The ubiquitously expressed transcriptional coactivator peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma-coactivator 1 (PGC-1a) has been described as the master regulator of mitochondrial function. Despite the emerging connections between PGC-1a and disease vulnerability, the regulation of PGC-1a outside of the skeletal muscle, liver, and adipose tissue is not well defined. This is particularly true in the brain, where PGC-1a is enriched in neurons, and alterations in expression levels have been linked to neurodegenerative disorders. Here we report that astrocytes and neurons differ substantially in mitochondrial status and the transcript variants of PGC-1a expressed, including using a neuron-specific promoter. Taking advantage of the ability of the tau-kinase GSK-3b to influence PGC-1a expression, we investigate how transcript variants are differentially regulated in primary neurons and astrocytes. Neuronal PGC-1a responds robustly to GSK3b inhibition by lithium, switching the dominant promoter, leading to changes in isoform distribution and abundance, while astrocytes are refractory to lithium treatment. The data presented here highlight key mechanisms for neuron-specific metabolic regulation that are likely to be relevant to neurodegenerative diseases that have a link to mitochondrial dysfunction.
Older People’s Perceptions of what is Needed to Experience Dignity and Well-being at Residential Care Facilities.
Authors: Roos Charlotte , Swall Anna , Hammar Lena , Boström Anne-Marie , Skytt Bernice 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Dignity and well-being are central values in care of older people living in residential care facilities. In addition, care of older people living in residential care facilities should be person-centred. Dignity and well-being can according to the person-centred practice framework be interpreted as person-centred outcomes. Despite this older people living in residential care facilities have described that they not fully experience dignity and well-being and improvements are needed. To improve care it is important to know what to target. The aim of this qualitative study was therefore to describe residents’ perceptions and experiences of what is needed to live with dignity and a sense of well-being. Interviews were carried out with older people living at residential care facilities (n=20). Inductive content analysis was used to analyse data and one overarching theme and three categories emerged. The result revealed the importance of, and that staff and the care environment supported, to manage daily life by oneself, to be shown respect and to belong to a social context. For older people to experience the person-centred outcomes dignity and well-being managers at residential care facilities need to develop and support the staff prerequisites related to knowledge, skills and attitudes and to improve the care environment. According to the person-centred practice framework, the staff prerequisites and the care environment must be taken into account to achieve the person-centred outcomes dignity and well-being.
Predictive Ability of Self Compassion in Psychosocial Outcomes of Caregivers of Persons With Dementia
Authors: Grant Claire , Judge Katherine 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Caregivers of Individuals with Dementia (IWDs) often face increased rates of depression, anxiety, and burden because of their role as caregiver. Self-compassion, a construct centered around self-kindness and understanding has not been well studied within the caregiving population. The present study was aimed at understanding the relationship between self-compassion and the psychosocial outcomes of burden, depression, and anxiety. Strong relationships between self-compassion and these outcomes have been established in other populations, but these relationships have not been studied with the dementia caregiving population. A diverse sample of dementia caregivers providing over 5 hours of care per week were recruited through CloudResearch and MTurk (N = 99). Participants were aged 18 to 69 years (M = 38.61) and 66.7% were female. 67.7% were White, 13.1% were Black, and 8.1% were Asian. 73% were children/in law or grandchildren/in law of the individual with dementia and 12% were a close friend of the individuals with dementia. The individuals with dementia had an average age of 73.88 years. Results of multiple regression models showed that self-compassion was a significant predictor of depression (β = -.25, p = .025), anxiety (β = -.36, p = .001), and burden (β = -.25, p = .023) even while controlling for other constructs including self-esteem, types of coping, and IWD impairment level. Self-compassion will be discussed as a novel contribution to the caregiving literature in furthering our understanding of well-being predictors and how to target self-compassion as a modifiable factor for offsetting the negative impacts of caregiving.
Preventing elder maltreatment: Identification of high risk factors from LTC administrative data
Authors: Chao Shiau-Fang , Hsiang Chen-Wei , Chen Kuan-Ming , Chen Ya-Mei , Hsieh Ji-Lung , Chou Yu-Hsuan , Lin Ming-Jen , Wu Shih-Cyuan 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Elder maltreatment is a serious problem endangering physical, emotional, and material well-being of older persons, especially those with physical and cognitive impairment. However, detecting the incident of elder maltreatment is difficult and its prevalence has been seriously underestimated. This study explores how LTC use relates to elder maltreatment report, using government LTC service records in Taiwan. A total of 88,633 reported cases in adult protection system in 2019 were merged with 443,952 valid cases in LTC service system. Descriptive statistics were firstly performed to examine the proportion and characteristics of repeated cases in both systems. Linear probability modeling was then used for analyses. 1. In 2019, 3,413 elder maltreatment clients can be identified in LTC service system, accounting for 27.3% of the elder maltreatment cases. 2. Older persons who used LTC service first and being reported as elder maltreatment cases later had a higher prevalence of being discovered by social workers and care attendants. 3. These group of clients also had higher proportion of being reported as neglected by others, abandonment, and self-neglected. 4. Characteristics in LTC service system, such as being older, low severity of disability, high cognitive impairments, low income status, and with a LTC service use record, were related to high probability of being detected with elder maltreatment problems. Characteristics in LTC service system could be effective indicators in discovering potentially abusive situations of disabled older persons. Training and education are essential for LTC service providers to enhance their literacy and ability of assessing elder maltreatment.
Resilience in Relation to Multimorbidity in Older Adults: A Scoping Review
Authors: Seong Hohyun , Lashley Heather , Bowers Katherine , Corazzini Kirsten 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Multimorbidity is widespread, costly, and associated with a range of deleterious symptoms, affecting 70-80 % of older adults. Resilience in late life has been the focus of considerable research to understand differences in vulnerabilities and recovery from stressors relevant to multimorbidity. Despite this, previous reviews have not focused on resilience in relation to multimorbidity in older adults; therefore, this study synthesized relevant literature. The study design was a scoping review following JBI methodology. Searched electronic databases included PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers and charted using Garrard’s review matrix method. Gough’s weight of evidence criteria were used to appraise quality. Of 468 retrieved studies, 14 met inclusion criteria, primarily from the US, UK, and Canada. Most resilience in multimorbidity frameworks operationalize resilience as dependent on the socio-environmental context of older adults. Resilience was commonly considered a dynamic process, but only one study was longitudinal. Measures were primarily psychological or psycho-social in nature and did not include biological or physical measures of resilience. Quality of life and quality of care were common outcomes; resilience significantly related to these outcomes. Findings indicate both the important relationships of resilience with outcomes of multimorbidity, as well as multiple gaps in our current understanding of resilience in relation to multimorbidity. Results highlight the need for studies with diverse populations across diverse cultures, studies that incorporate multidimensional measures, with attention to physiological or physical properties of resilience, and longitudinal studies that capture the dynamic process of resilience in multimorbidity.
Socioeconomic status across the life course and smoking trajectories of older adult smokers in the U.S.
Authors: Avila Jaqueline , Lee Sangah , Osuoha Ezinwa , Maglalang Dale Dagar , Sokolovsky Alexander , Ahluwalia Jasjit 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The objective of this study is to assess how SES over the life course impacts smoking cessation among older adult smokers in the U.S. 6,058 current smokers 50 years and older were identified from the 1998-2018 Waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). The outcome of interest was smoking cessation. The main independent predictor was lifetime SES, categorized as low child and low adult SES (persistent low); low child, high adult SES; high child, low adult SES; and high child, high adult SES (persistent high). Multilevel mixed-effect logistic model was used to examine how lifetime SES predicts smoking cessation at age 65 and over time, adjusted by health and smoking covariates. The majority of older smokers had persistent high lifetime SES (60.3%), followed by high child/low adult SES (18.7%), persistent low SES (15.5%) and low child/high adult SES (5.6%). Compared to those with persistent high SES, those with persistent low SES were more likely to be Hispanic (25.9% vs. 3.0%, p&lt;0.001) or non-Hispanic Black (22.7% vs. 8.7%, p&lt;0.001), respectively. The adjusted results showed that at age 65, compared to those with persistent high SES, those with persistent low SES, low child/high adult SES, and low adult/high child SES were less likely to quit (OR: 0.42, 95%CI:0[.31-0.56]; OR:0.37, [0.24-0.55]; OR:0.53, [0.40-0.70], respectively). Similar results were observed over time for those with persistent low SES and low adult/high child SES. However, there was no significant difference for those with low child/high adult SES.
The Role of Occupational Switching on Retirement of American Midlife Workers
Authors: Oh Yun taek 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
An increasing number of midlife Americans are financially unprepared for retirement. This is a problem because of the increasing life expectancy that prolongs the need for financial resources. One way to resolve this problem is to postpone full retirement by having bridge jobs that provide more time to work and accumulate retirement savings. While having a bridge job means numerous labor market behavior such as working for different employers and reducing work hours and intensity, there is a limited number of studies focused specifically on how switching occupations can contribute to retirement decisions with a longer time frame. This study investigated the association between occupational switching and retirement patterns of American midlife workers aged between 50 to 59 years using the Health and Retirement Study longitudinal data from 2004 to 2016, Occupational Information Network data, and American Community Survey from 2003 to 2016. The changes in occupational demandingness before and after switching occupations were reflected by using mover design event study regression with fixed effects. In general, occupational switching is associated with later retirement until two to three years after switching occupations for both genders, yet this association varies by the directions of the change in occupational demandingness.
It Was Heartbreaking . . . It Was Horrible: The Experiences of Nursing Home Residents’ Children During COVID-19
Authors: Miller Vivian , Kusmaul Nancy , Burns Jacquelyn , Cheon Ji Hyang 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
As a result of COVID-19, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) suspended all outside visitors from entering nursing homes on March 13, 2020. For more than six months, care partners were only permitted in compassionate care situations, so adult children of residents were only able to contact their parents via phone calls, video chats, window visits, and in some cases, limited outdoor visits. Experts have written on the adverse, detrimental impact of this lack of connection and isolation has had on residents. However, the lived experiences from the perspectives of residents’ adult children remain largely absent from the literature. To uncover the experiences of these care partners, semi-structured interviews were conducted (N=12) from December 2020 to February 2021. Adult children shared witnessing their parent’ physical and cognitive decline which they attributed to the lack of visitors. Care partners expressed feeling frustrated that they were unable to observe their parent’s health condition, and could not provide support. Also, many rightfully worried they would never see their loved one again. Findings from this study reveal implications for nursing home leaders and policymakers, such as building infrastructure and systems that both ensure safety and allow care partners to regularly see their residents in long-term care to avoid the unintended adverse consequences of these policies. Further, findings from this research indicate the need for future programs to mitigate and lessen the long-term consequences this isolation has had on both residents and their adult children.
Applying Intersectionality Framework to Explore the Development of Frailty in Older Adults
Authors: Shakya Shamatree , Silva Susan , Cary Michael 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: Frailty is a state of compromised homeostasis reserve that makes older adults susceptible to adverse health outcomes. Frailty is highly prevalent among women, racial and ethnic minorities. We aimed to investigate the combined influence of gender, race, and ethnicity on the development of frailty in older adults without frailty at baseline using the intersectionality framework. Methods: The data came from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative US older adults of 65 years and older (2006-2012). Logistic regressions were used to examine the relationships. Results: 18.7% of older adults without frailty at baseline developed frailty after a 4-year follow-up. Females were likely to develop frailty than males (aOR 1.66, 95% CI 1.32-2.09, p &lt; 0.0001). In comparison to Non- Hispanic Whites, Non-Hispanic Blacks (aOR 2.66, 95% CI 1.89, 3.74, p &lt; &lt;.0001) and Hispanics or others (aOR 1.73, 95% 1.16, 2.58, p &lt; .0068) had the greater likelihood of developing frailty, after adjusting for age and clinical morbidities, such as lung disease and cardiometabolic diseases. The intersectionality approach showed that both Non-Hispanic Black females (aOR 1.82, 95% CI 1.12-2.99, p = 0.0185) and males (aOR 3.30, 95% CI 1.85-5.91, p &lt; .0001) had the highest likelihood of developing frailty than Non-Hispanic Whites at 4-year post-baseline, adjusting for age and chronic clinical conditions. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the importance of taking the intersectionality approach to examining the frailty risk in later life, which will help in providing precision-based care.
Mental Health Effects of COVID-19 in Older Adults Are Moderated by Existing Mental Health Needs and Emotional Support
Authors: Liu Tianyin , Lu Shiyu , Lum Terry Y S , Au Walker Siu Hong , Peng Man-Man , Leung Dara K Y , Wong Gloria H Y 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Mitigating mental health consequences is one of the priorities for the society to advance, and the aim of this study is to investigate the mental health effects of COVID-19 in older adults and to explore risk and protective factors. Social workers recruited 722 older adults living in the community (mean age 73.6±8.4) from January 2020 to February 2021 in Hong Kong, and interviewed them for basic demographics (age, gender, education, and living status), mental health service use in recent three months (proxy for existing needs), number of people to talk to when feeling down (proxy for emotional support network), and assessed their depression using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Impacts of COVID-19 were indicated by local daily effective reproductive number (Rt) and Nth wave since the start of the pandemic. Generalized linear models (GLM) were applied. Basic demographics were not associated with depression, existing mental health needs (β=2.99, p&lt;.001), Rt (β=1.08, p&lt;.05) and Nth wave (β=0.49, p&lt;.05) were positively associated with depression, while emotional support network was negatively associated with depression (β=-2.47, p&lt;.001). There was also a significant interaction between Rt and Nth wave on depression (β=0.69, p&lt;.05), suggesting ongoing COVID-19 took a toll on older adults’ mental health. Three-way interactions between COVID-19 Rt, Nth wave and existing mental health needs (β=0.25, p&lt;.05) and emotional support network (β=-0.12, p=.07) on depression further indicated that older adults with existing mental health needs warrant more attention, and wider emotional support network may buffer the impact of the pandemic on mental health.
Cardiovascular monitoring systems for aging in place: current perspectives and a novel toilet seat-based system
Authors: VandeWeerd Carla , Roberts Mitchell , Collins Lindsey , Sappington Erica , Poon Lydia , Lowenkron Jeff 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death. Questions remain as to how older adults, providers and researchers can harness remote patient monitoring (RPM) to maintain/improve cardiovascular health--especially in light of COVID-19 and increased reliance on telehealth. The objective of this study was to understand the perceptions of older adults with cardiovascular challenges and providers surrounding a novel RPM device. The Heart Seat (THS) developed by Casana, is a toilet-seat-based cardiac monitoring device. Focus groups, stratified by gender, were conducted in 2021 by the UF Health Precision Health Research Center (UFIRB202100290) with older (55+) adults (n=36) in The Villages, Florida. Adoption, benefits/concerns, usability, utility and gender differences were explored. One-on-one provider interviews (n=6) explored future utility of THS. The primary benefit of THS noted by providers and older adults was ease-of-use and passive data collection, promoting adherence. Providers considered THS ‘easy-to-use’ and a positive alternative to current RPM devices. While genders' sentiments towards cardiac monitoring devices were similar, males reported having more experience with RPM. Despite this, females reported using cardiac monitoring devices more consistently than males. Therefore, passive RPM may be beneficial for increasing adherence in males. Participants' largest concern surrounding RPM was information sharing, including data monitoring, and security. Providers were also concerned about information sharing, specifically who would receive/monitor and interpret data from RPM. RPM devices should focus on enhancing ease-of-use, catering to user and provider information sharing and data monitoring/interpretation preferences and privacy.
Dietary patterns of US Chinese Older Adults
Authors: Dong Alexander , Lanza Lisa , Le Qun , Bergren Stephanie , Dychtwald Dana 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
A westernized diet, characterized by intake of foods high in fat and sugar, has been associated with several chronic conditions. However, the dietary pattern of US Chinese older adults is not well understood. The primary objective of this study was to determine the relationship between years of US residence and other demographic factors and the intake of foods high in fats and sugar. As part of the Population Study of Chinese Elderly, participants were given a 48-item food frequency questionnaire, which were further placed into primary food groups. Each group was then categorized into whether they consumed the food group at least once a week. The total sample was 59% female with an average age of 75, with 49% consuming fatty foods and 85% consuming sweets in the past week. Using logistic regression (N=3053), each additional year of US residence (range of 0-93 years) was associated with a higher dietary intake of fats (OR: 1.01 (95%CI:1.01-1.02)) and sweets (OR: 1.01 (95%CI:1.00-1.02)). Additionally, higher education was associated with lower consumption of fats (OR: 0.98 (95%CI:0.96, 0.99)) and higher income was associated with higher consumption of fats (OR: 1.11 (95%CI: 1.04, 1.18)). For sweets, women compared to men were 54% less likely to consume sweets in the last week (OR: 0.46 (95%CI:0.36, 0.59)), and higher education was associated a greater likelihood of consuming sweets (OR: 1.07 (95%CI: 1.05, 1.10)). Study findings suggest that immigration related factors and demographic factors may influence consumption of a westernized diet high in fats and sugars.