bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social Retribution of Students of Master in Gerontology During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Enhancing Competencies
Authors: Arias-Merino Elva Dolores , Díaz-González Ma Guadalupe , Mendoza-Ruvalcaba Neyda Ma , Vazquez-Arias Martha Elena , Gonzalez-Ulloa José Rosario 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Introduction: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic older adults were called to lockdown and social isolation. Master in Gerontology (MAGE) in a social retribution action delivered a companion program called “I′m with you, You′re with me”. MAGE competencies encompass those proposed by AGHE. The aim is to analyze competencies acquired by students in gerontology in the companion program during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Method: Participated 16 students of MAGE and 16 older adults selected by their high vulnerability conditions reported by social workers from the Metropolitan Center of Older Adults from DIF-Zapopan city. The program was designed to provide emotional support, was delivered by telephone for 3 months (Ago-Nov 2020). Experiences were obtained through an online-questionnaire, data were analyzed qualitative and quantitatively. Results: Students reported higher development in the competencies: 1) Interactional, that capture the process of knowing and doing across the fields of gerontology, related to stereotypes and discrimination, autonomy and self-determination, and the use of the technology to enhance the communication; 2) Fundamental, that represent the essential orientation to the field of gerontology, related to identify the impact of public policy and the application of intervention strategies and the use of technologies with older adults, families and caregivers; 3) Contextual, related to promote solid social networks for the wellbeing. The meaning of participating in this program was mainly centered in a gratifying professional experience, “small actions that make big gestures”. Conclusion: Gerontologist promote social solidarity through the transference and applying of the knowledge to enhance social development.
Supporting Older Family Caregivers of Young Adults with IDD: A Pilot Program with Socially Assistive Robotics
Authors: Xu Ling , Greer Julienne , Fields Noelle , Tamplain Priscila , Bricout John , Sharma Bonita , Doelling Kristen 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Introduction: The need for caregiver respite is well-documented for the care of persons with IDD. Social Assistive Robotics (SAR) offer promise in addressing the need for caregiver respite through ‘complementary caregiving’ activities that promote engagement and learning opportunities for a care recipient (CR) with IDD. This study explored the acceptability and usefulness of a SAR caregiver respite program responsive to feedback from both the CRs and their older family caregivers (age 55+). Methods: Caregiver-CR dyads (N =11) were recruited. A mixed methods research design was deployed in three phases: Phase I with four focus groups to inform the program design; Phase II for program demonstration and evaluation with pre- and post-surveys; and Phase III with post-program interviews for feedback and suggestions. Results: Quantitative data analysis in Phase II showed both caregivers and their CRs scored favorably the social presence of the robot (Pepper) and social engagement with Pepper. Caregivers also reported positive perceptions of Pepper in terms of anthropomorphism, animation, likeability, intelligence, and safety. Content analysis from Phase III interviews suggested that the SAR may offer physical/emotional respite to caregivers by providing companionship/friendship as well as promoting independence, safety/monitoring, and interactive engagement with children. Discussion: SAR has potential in providing respite for older family caregiver demonstrated by the levels of CR engagement and learning with Pepper. Future studies need a longer program design and larger sample size to test the feasibility and efficacy of the intervention.
The Wake Forest IASDR: A Resource for Studying the Effects of Caloric Restriction on Health Outcomes in Older Adults
Authors: Houston Denise , Justice Jamie , Newman Anne 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Over the past 25+ years, a focus of the Wake Forest Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (OAIC) has been to study the consequences of and treatments for geriatric obesity. The Wake Forest OAIC has provided support for 18 clinical trials of caloric restriction (CR), with and without various exercise regimens, in 2,545 adults (71% women, 21% African American) with a mean±SD age of 67.5±5.9 years and BMI ≥27 kg/m2. A priority of the Wake Forest OAIC is to collate and store common data (e.g., demographics, physical performance, cognitive function), biospecimens (blood, muscle, adipose), and images (DXA, CT) from these trials in the Integrated Aging Studies Databank and Repository (IASDR; https://www.peppercenter.org/public/dspIASDR.cfm). This IASDR serves as a resource for the scientific community to foster new scientific questions and analyses. This symposium will provide an overview of CR trials and participants included in the IASDR and how the IASDR supports secondary analyses of CR by highlighting several secondary analyses using data and/or samples from the IASDR. Justice and colleagues examined the effect of CR on a geroscience-guided biomarker index using blood samples from the biorepository. Weaver and colleagues examined the effect of different exercise regimens on CT-derived muscle and bone measures during CR. Miller and colleagues pooled data from 11 trials to determine if CR-induced appendicular lean mass loss is associated with changes in physical performance. Finally, Hsieh and colleagues pooled data from eight trials to examine whether the effect of CR on gait speed differed by baseline BMI and inflammation.
Telomere Length and the Transition to Family Caregiving in the REGARDS Study
Authors: Haley William , Armstrong Nicole , Irvin Ryan , Blinka Marcela , Mathias Rasika , Walston Jeremy , Roth David 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
An increase in life expectancy and an aging population has resulted in increased risks and prevalence of age-related diseases. Previous studies have shown that factors, such as chronic stress, are associated with shorter telomere length. When telomeres become critically short, cells enter a state of senescence, which is a hallmark of aging. Several prior studies examining the relationship between caregiving and telomere length have reported mixed results. The present study utilized data from the Caregiving Transitions Study, an ancillary study to the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study. The difference in telomere length across an average ~8.6 years was compared between 235 incident caregivers and 229 controls. Telomere length was determined using the qPCR telomere-to-single copy gene (IFNB1) ratio (T/S) for each participant at both baseline and follow-up timepoints. Regression models controlling for age, sex, race, and baseline telomere length examined the association between caregiving status (exposure) and the telomere length change (□T/S). Sensitivity models adjusted for potential lifestyle and socioeconomic factors, including income, education, BMI, cigarette smoking, and alcohol use. We did not observe a significant association between □T/S and caregiving (beta=0.041, p=0.615). Adding lifestyle and socioeconomic factors did not change the null relationship (beta=0.062, p=0.455). In conclusion, this study provides evidence against an association between caregiving and the change in telomere length. Ultimately, more research to address the complex relationship between caregiving and telomere attrition is needed in order to prevent or reduce adverse outcomes and improve the well-being of caregivers and care recipients.
A Novel Algorithm for Analysis of Multiple Endpoints Using Risk–Benefit Profiles
Authors: Gouskova Natalia , Kim Dae , Shi Sandra , Travison Thomas 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Often it is necessary to evaluate effectiveness of an intervention on the basis of multiple event outcomes of variable benefit and harm, which may develop over time. An attractive approach is to order combinations of these events based on desirability of the overall outcome (e.g. from cure without any adverse events to death), and then determine whether the intervention shifts the distribution of these ordered outcomes towards more desirable (Evans, Follmann 2016). The win ratio introduced in Pocock et al 2012 was an earlier implementation of this approach. More recently Claggett et al 2015 proposed a more comprehensive method allowing nonparametric and regression-based inference in presence of competing risks. Key to the method is weighting observations by inverse probability of censoring (IPC) processes specific to participants and event types. The method has seemingly great practical utility, but computation of weights is a non-trivial challenge with real-life data when each event can have its own censoring time. We present a novel recursive algorithm solving this problem for an arbitrary number of events ordered by clinical importance or desirability. The algorithm can be implemented in SAS or R software, and computes IPC weights, as well as nonparametric or parametric estimates and resampling-based measures of uncertainty. We illustrate the approach using data from the SPRINT trial of antihypertensive intervention, comparing risk-benefit profiles for robust, pre-frail, and frail subpopulations, and in analysis of fall as a function of progressive risk factors. More general use of the software tools deploying the method is described.
The First Evaluation of a Geroscience Biomarker Index (TAME-BI) in a Trial of Caloric Restriction and Exercise
Authors: Justice Jamie , Espeland Mark , Houston Denise , Kritchevsky Stephen , Nicklas Barbara , Pajewski Nicholas , Kitzman Dalane 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
We leveraged the WF OAIC biorepository to measure a consensus-derived panel of blood-based biomarkers of aging and constructed a geroscience-guided biomarker index (TAME-BI), testing it for the first time in a clinical trial. We measured IL-6, TNF-α-receptor-I, growth differentiating factor-15, cystatin C, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in a 20-week randomized trial of caloric restriction (CR), aerobic exercise (EX), CR+EX, or attention-control in 88 patients (67±5years) with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We calculated TAME-BI (analyte levels ranked, binned by quintile, and summed) and found a time×treatment interaction for improved TAME-BI with intervention (p≤0.05) and detected associations between change in TAME-BI and change in six-minute walk distance (r= -0.24), usual walk speed (r= -0.23), and left ventricular relative wall thickness (r= 0.31). In sum, CR+EX intervention improved TAME-BI and changes in TAME-BI were associated with changes in key functional measures in older HFpEF patients.
Frailty prevalence and association with mortality across birth cohorts in Swedish registry data
Authors: Wennberg Alexandra , Modig Karin 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Frailty is associated with poor health outcomes, reduced quality of life, and mortality. To understand how prevalence of frailty may have changed across birth cohorts, we investigated frailty prevalence at ages 75, 85, and 95 in people born in 1910, 1920, and 1930 in Swedish national registry data. Frailty was assessed with the Hospital Frailty Risk Score, a weighted sum of 109 ICD codes, which we calculated for each year leading up to the specified ages. We additionally investigated the association between frailty and mortality in these birth cohorts. We observed, at 75, a decrease in prevalence of frailty across birth cohorts (16.9%, 10.8%, and 8.8%, respectively). Interestingly, at 85, we found a U-shaped pattern, where those born in 1920 (14.1%) had lower prevalence of frailty than those born in either 1910 (27.7%) or 1930 (25.1%). At age 95, we saw a low prevalence of frailty in the 1910 (7.3%) and 1920 (3.8%) birth cohorts –potentially because of selective survival. There were not substantial differences in prevalence of frailty by sex or birth country. In Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for sex, frailty was consistently associated with mortality. We observed the greatest hazard ratios in the 1930 birth cohort at 75 (HR=2.79, 95% CI 2.62, 2.97) and 85 (HR=2.26, 95% CI 2.01, 2.53) and the 1920 birth cohort at 75 (HR=2.19, 95% CI 2.09, 2.29), where risk was double that of those who were not frail. Understanding changes in prevalence of frailty will help inform public health and intervention measures.
Physical Frailty and Cognitive Impairment in Older Nursing Home Residents: A Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Yuan Yiyang , Lapane Kate , Tjia Jennifer , Baek Jonggyu , Liu Shao-Hsien , Ulbricht Christine 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Physical frailty (PF) has various clinical presentations and often co-occurs with cognitive impairment in older adults. In older adults in nursing homes (NHs), no research has examined the heterogeneous profile of PF and its association with cognitive impairment. Minimum Data Set 3.0 was used to identify older, long-stay, newly-admitted NH residents (2014-16; n=871,801). Latent class analysis was used to identify PF subgroups with FRAIL-NH items as indicators. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between PF subgroups and cognitive impairment. The final model indicated three PF subgroups (prevalence): “mild PF” (7.6%), “moderate PF” (44.5%), and “severe PF” (47.9%). In all subgroups, residents had high probability of needing help with dressing. Older adults likely to belong to the “moderate PF” or the “severe PF” subgroups had high probabilities of requiring physical assistance to transfer between locations and inability to walk in a room. Additionally, residents likely to be in the “severe PF” subgroup had greater probability of bowel incontinence. Greater cognitive impairment was associated with increasingly higher odds to be in the “moderate PF” and “severe PF” subgroups: older residents with severe cognitive impairment were 20% more likely [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.20, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17-1.23] and almost 7 times as likely (aOR: 6.86, 95%CI: 6.66-7.06) to belong to the “moderate PF” and “severe PF” subgroups, respectively. Findings provide new evidence for the interrelationship between PF and cognitive impairment in older NH residents and have implications for the development of interventions tailored to older residents’ specific PF experience.
Promoting Early Assessment of Frailty in the New Normal: An Updated eFI-CGA Software Tool
Authors: Sepehri Katayoun , Low Hilary , Park Grace , Song Xiaowei 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Frailty is a state of diminished physiological reserves. Being able to detect and manage frailty early is crucial for effective controlling of frailty-related adverse outcomes. Frailty can be assessed using the frailty index that counts the number of health deficits accumulated over time. Our previous research has enabled an electronic Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (eCGA) and the calculation of the frailty index based on the eCGA (eFI-CGA). While the standalone eFI-CGA has been used by primary care providers in assessing home-living patients, its initial release was prior to the covid-19 pandemic; the associated new challenges were not targeted by the early version. In facilitating effective virtual assessment and care planning during the current “lockdown” and in the upcoming “new normal”, most recently the eFI-CGA version 3.0 was released. In this paper, we 1) introduce the updated electronic frailty assessment tool and its usage, 2) describe the major updates of the software in dealing with challenges due to social isolation and remote assessment, and 3) evaluate the end-user experience with the upgraded methods in frailty assessment. These new developments and implementations allowed a search function to resume disrupted assessment sessions and quickly retrieve previously saved assessment records. The improved user interface promoted the clinicians to conveniently record detailed care plans and management details. The study provided a successful example of moving from disruption to transformation, benefiting the highly demanded healthcare of older adults in this challenging time.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Applying Bioecological Theory to School Relationships and Grandparent Needs
Authors: Black Katharine , Mendoza Nancy 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
This paper examines the development, sustainability and importance of positive working relationships between grandparents raising grandchildren (“grandparents”) and school district staff through the application of Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory of human development. Grandparents have unique needs and often lack adequate resources, knowledge, and support when engaging in their new and often sudden role as primary caregiver of a grandchild. Access to educational resources, adequate information, and school district support is critical as a grandchild transitions into their grandparent’s home. This inquiry aims to develop a conceptual framework for understanding how forming and maintaining positive working relationships between grandparents and school district staff will systematically and adequately address the educational needs of grandparents and their grandchild’s academic success. Tenets of the bioecological model include the application of proximal processes that outline the need for frequent and regular interactions between a person and their environment over extended periods of time. The purpose of this study is to develop positive pathways of support through the application of the interconnected elements of proximal processes of the bioecological theory including process, person, context, and time, and the five bioecological interactive (micro-, meso-, exo-, macro-, chrono-) systems of human development. More specifically, educational needs of grandparents as caregivers are addressed through tenets of the bioecological theory to inform school districts and encourage the development of positive working relationships and effective education navigation protocols to better serve this unique and growing population.
The Focus Group Must Go On: Lessons Learned from Conducting Virtual Focus Groups
Authors: Cordell Ashlee , Wilk Christa , Orsulic-Jeras Silvia , Powers Sara , Ejaz Farida , Sanders Lisbeth 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The Covid-19 pandemic has presented a multitude of challenges in conducting research with human subjects. In response, researchers have found creative ways to complete these studies using alternative methods that incorporate social distancing. Fortunately, numerous technologies exist today that allow individuals to connect with one another over short and long distances. The current study describes the development of LifeBio Memory: an app-based product that utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve an existing life story intervention designed for persons living with dementia (PWD). Seven focus groups (n=35), originally planned in-person, were successfully converted to a virtual setting. Groups were hosted using a Zoom platform, lasted 75-90 minutes (Mean = 85; SD = 5.3), and consisted of participants from 14 different states: One group of community-dwelling PWDs with early-stage dementia (n=5); two groups of current and former users of the original LifeBio program (n=12); and four groups of residential care staff and directors (n=18). Virtual focus group delivery was determined to be an acceptable and feasible alternative to traditional in-person formats. Topics discussed in this poster will include: 1) recruitment procedures, 2) screening protocols, 3) methods for sharing materials, 4) guidance for providing technology support, and 5) communication strategies to increase retention. Further discussion will focus on challenges faced when collecting data in a virtual setting, tips for successful facilitation, advantages to using virtual alternatives, and other lessons learned from the virtual field.
Room Type and Social Cohesion in Senior-living Facilities
Authors: Wang Zhe 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Private rooms are generally preferred by senior-living residents. However, having roommates may help residents to build and maintain social networks in the facility, leading to promoted social cohesion and mental health. The differences in social cohesion among senior-living residents who resided in private or shared rooms need investigation. This research collected empirical data from eight senior-living facilities in Beijing and Shanghai, China. Focusing on social cohesion, room type, and personal factors, on-site questionnaire surveys recruited 345 residents receiving independent living, assisted living, or nursing care services. Facility environments were measured and rated by researchers through on-site observation. Controlling for personal and facility factors, ANOVA tests were employed to investigate the differences in social cohesion among residents who resided in private, double, or triple rooms. Room type was found significant to the social cohesion in assisted-living and nursing care residents. At the assisted-living level, compared with private and double rooms, triple rooms were more likely to contribute to social cohesion (p&lt;=0.01). At the nursing care level, residents with less numbers of roommates (private versus double and double versus triple) had stronger social cohesion (p&lt;=0.05). At the independent-living level, no factors significant to social cohesion were found. These findings can be used to guide the new design, renovation, and modification of senior-living environments to promote social cohesion. Recommendations for future research and practice implications for senior-living professionals and facility designers are discussed. Senior-living facilities should be built to be social-friendly through design and planning and within the context of its cultural characteristics.
Older Adults’ Experiences in an Online Intervention for Managing Subjective Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Hudson Janella , Ungar Rachel , Albright Laurie , Tkatch Rifky , Schaeffer James , Wicker Ellen 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: Many older adults struggle with late-life depression, stress, and anxiety, especially when facing age-related transitions including retirement, relocation, and the death of a spouse. Given the consequences of depression among older adults, which include higher rates of suicide, timely interventions that help to manage depressive symptoms are essential. Objective: The primary purpose of this study was to explore the perceived efficacy of an online program in improving subjective depressive feelings. Methods: Older adult participants were recruited for semi-structured interviews (n = 24) in a web-based intervention that included interactive games and activities undergirded by a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approach. Participants were asked to provide feedback about program features, including weekly module content, games, interactive activities and community interactions, and any perceived effects on their health behaviors and/or emotional well-being. Participants’ responses were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Participants reported several gains, including developing the habit of forming ongoing, incremental goals, achieving wellness-related goals, and experiencing an overall positive shift in perspective. In addition, participants reported feeling greater gratitude, increased positivity, and improvement in mood. Featured games and activities helped to promote stress relief and entertainment, and mindfulness exercises were cited as the most helpful and/or enjoyable among participants. Participants expressed a preference for program content related to aging and aging-related transitions. Conclusions: This study demonstrated feasibility of an interactive web-based intervention for older adults with subjective depressive feelings, while also providing important findings about users’ preferences for personalized, aging-related feedback.