bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Associations between Visual, Hearing Functioning and Cognitive Functioning among Hispanics/Latinos
Authors: Lee David , Zheng D Diane , McClure Laura , Cruickshanks Karen , Joslin Charlotte , Gonzalez Hector , Schneiderman Neil , Lam Byron L 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Findings that visual impairment (VI) and hearing impairment (HI) are associated with cognitive functioning are drawn from studies that involved few Hispanic/Latino participants. We utilized data from the Miami Ocular SOL ancillary study to the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) with 1056 participants aged 45 and older. The outcomes were neurocognitive performances assessed by the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST, executive function), Word Frequency Test (verbal fluency), Brief Spanish-English Verbal Learning Test-recall (B-SEVLT recall, episodic memory), and the Six-Item Screener (global cognitive functioning). Visual functioning was measured by National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ). Hearing function which was measured by Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults and Elderly (HHIA/HHIE) was available for all HCHS/SOL participants (n=9343). Multiple regression was performed for each cognitive outcome while controlling for age, gender, education, Hispanic/Latino ethnicity background, cardiovascular risk factors, depression and complex design. NEI-VFQ was associated with 3 of the 4 cognitive outcomes: DSST (β =0.14, se=0.027, p&lt;0.01), Word Frequency Test (β=0.042, se=0.016, p&lt;0.01), B-SEVLT-recall (β=0.021, se=0.007, p&lt;0.03). HHIA/HHIE was not associated with any of the cognitive measures examined. The HHIA/HHIE analysis was repeated using data from all sites; similar results were observed. Visual functioning but not hearing functioning is associated with worse cognition in Hispanics/Latinos, although previous HCHS/SOL analysis indicated that hearing loss as assessed by pure tone audiometry was associated with worse cognitive functioning. Longitudinal assessment of both clinical and functional measures is needed to understand the impact of sensory impairment on cognition in Hispanics/Latinos.
Child Maltreatment and The Psychological Consequences of COVID-19 for Older Adults
Authors: Bruefach Tyler , Carr Dawn , Sachs-Ericsson Natalie 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Traumatic experiences in early life impact adults’ well-being and their abilities to respond to adversities over the life course. Child maltreatment is a particularly salient stressor in childhood and scholars have noted the psychological implications of such experiences that extend into late life. People who experienced maltreatment in childhood have more difficulty maintaining and developing high quality relationships, regulating their emotions, and they engage in poorer coping behaviors amidst major stressors. Our study focuses on how child maltreatment (i.e., emotional abuse; physical abuse; sexual abuse; emotional neglect) shaped older adults’ changes in depression during the early stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Using a dataset released in 2021, based on a community sample of older adults collected in September 2018 and June 2020, we found that exposures to emotional neglect (1.630; p &lt; 0.001) and emotional abuse (0.670; p &lt; 0.05) in childhood were both associated with increases in depression scores in association with the pandemic, relative to those without such exposures. In addition, the more forms of maltreatment that individuals were exposed to in childhood, the more they experienced negative psychological health consequences in association with the pandemic. Our results suggest that early life traumas play a role in how older adults respond to stressful situations. Clinical treatments for depression may be more effective if they take into consideration how these early life experiences influence exposures to new stressors in later life.
COVID-19 Teleconferencing Experiences of Caregivers & Spouses with Dementia from QA/QI Support Group Study
Authors: Nicholson Roscoe , Mittelman Mary , O'Connor Maureen , Nguyen Andrew , Salant Rebecca , Donley Tiffany , Epstein-Smith Cynthia , Shirk Steven 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
In summer 2020, researchers conducted a Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement (QA/QI) assessment of the NYU Langone Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Family Support Program’s adaptations in response to COVID by interviewing 10 participating spouse caregivers of persons with dementia (PWD). The primary adaptations were shifting from in-person to online services, changing support groups from biweekly to weekly, and offering an arts-based group for PWD daily rather than weekly. In the course of these interviews, all respondents described their adaptation to remote teleconferencing programming, and five also contrasted their experiences with those of the PWD. Methods: After transcription and de-identification, a codebook was created from the transcript content that included a priori topics of interest as well as emergent themes using framework analysis. These transcripts were then coded by two independent coders through an iterative process and consultation with the codebook creator, who also resolved any discrepancies between coders. Results: Respondents reported largely successful transitions to teleconferencing for themselves, though missing the physical contact afforded by meeting in-person. However, they also described some interactional challenges related to participants talking over one another, and suggested more active moderating to facilitate greater turn-taking. The respondents’ descriptions of the PWD’s response suggested a much less successful transition to teleconferencing. Challenges and barriers included lack of interest, difficulty following or participating in conversation, and teleconferencing creating confusion, such making it “hard for her to separate out when everybody's in the same place or not."
Effects of Glycine Supplementation on Mitochondrial Function and Protein Degradation in Skeletal Muscle of Old Mice
Authors: Lizzo Giulia , Muller Kamila , Thevenet Jonathan , Christen Stefan , Zarse Kim , Ristow Michael , Bosco Nabil , Gut Philipp 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Glycine is the simplest amino acid and it has a pivotal role in different metabolic processes, such as being a building block of glutathione, collagen and purine bases, or taking part in methylation reactions, detoxication and ammonia metabolism. Although considered for many years a non-essential amino acid, glycine levels are decreased in certain conditions, as the endogenous synthesis cannot fulfill the needs required to sustain all the cellular processes in which glycine is involved. Here we describe that glycine levels are significantly lower in skeletal muscle of aged zebrafish and mice and in plasma of humans compared to young subjects. We therefore fed healthy old mice for 6 weeks with a glycine-supplemented diet and observed a significant restoration of glycine levels in skeletal muscle and liver towards young mouse levels. Moreover, old mice showed decreased mitochondrial function in glycolytic and oxidative fibers, and a significant increase in oxygen consumption was observed in glycolytic fibers after glycine supplementation. The improvement of mitochondrial function is not associated to an increased mitochondrial biogenesis or an increased antioxidant capacity, but glycine supplementation increases both total GSH and GSSG levels, suggestive of a pro-oxidant environment. Overall, glycine supplementation induced an increase in the cross-sectional area of fibers. Finally, we carried out RNA-Seq study to decipher the impact of higher glycine intake. Our results suggest that age-associated glycine deficiency plays an important role in atrophy of muscle, especially in glycolytic fibers, and is reversible with a dietary supplementation.
Experiences of Rural and Urban Assisted Living Communities in Oregon During COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Tunalilar Ozcan , Kyler-Yano Jason , Elliott Sheryl , Dys Sarah , Carder Paula 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
This study presents findings on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as reported by a representative sample of Oregon assisted living communities (AL) between December 2020 and March 2021. Of the 559 AL eligible to participate, 346 completed eleven questions related to their experiences since March 2020. These questions covered topics such as access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and accurate information, communication with and support from government agencies, ability to find staff and new residents, ability to address pandemic-related concerns of residents’ families and staff, use of virtual visits and telehealth for residents, and visitor restrictions. Response categories ranged from 0 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree) and we coded “agree” and “strongly agree” responses as having experienced that issue. Among responding AL, 42% were located in rural or frontier areas. We present three findings. First, most AL experienced adverse impact due to COVID-19, especially regarding issues likely to be outside of their control compared to those within their control. Second, while almost all urban-based AL reported that their residents used virtual communication technologies and tools for telemedicine/telehealth (96%) or virtual social visits (96%), rural AL were less likely to report so (90% and 92%, respectively). Finally, rural AL experienced significantly greater staffing difficulties (75%) compared to their urban counterparts (82%). In sum, while all AL would benefit from better regulatory guidance on policies and access to PPE, rural AL might especially benefit from additional, context-specific resources.
Factors Associated with Attachment and Care Decisions
Authors: Cassie Kimberly 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
It is widely accepted that remaining in the community for as long as possible is preferable to placement in a care facility. For many, this can only be realized with the support of a family caregiver. Previous research on the relationship between attachment and caregiving decisions is sparse, but tends to suggest there is a relationship between attachment and the decision to assume caregiving responsibilities, but more information is needed to better understand this unique relationship. This exploratory research seeks to address gaps in our understanding by asking is attachment related to the decision to care for a parent and what factors are associated with attachment. A convenience sample of 128 individuals caring for older parents was surveyed to answer these questions. Results indicate lower attachment related avoidance was associated with greater odds of caring for a recipient in the community rather than placing the recipient in a care facility. No relationship between attachment related anxiety and placement decisions was observed. Additionally, greater levels of attachment related avoidance were observed among caregivers reporting lower levels of filial responsibility, more adverse childhood experiences, less perceived support, and greater financial stability. Findings from this study can be used to support the development of interventions to strengthen attachment between adult children and their parents before care decisions are necessary.
Factors Driving High-Need High-Risk Vulnerable Veterans Use of Outpatient Healthcare
Authors: Zadeh Ali Vaeli , Tang Fei , Gomez Carlos , Leykum Luci , Intrator Orna , Kinosian Bruce , Valencia Willy Marcos , Dang Stuti 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Using predictive analytic modeling, the Veterans Affairs (VA) Geriatrics and Extended Care Data Analysis Center (GECDAC) identified vulnerable “High-Need High-Risk” (HNHR) Veterans, as requiring more support and services. We sought to identify variables linked with utilization of our outpatient HNHR C4 clinic offering Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment, Care Planning, Care Coordination, and Co-management". Of 724 HNHR Veterans contacted, 531 were reached and invited to participate; 193 were not reached, 326 were reached but declined the C4 clinic, 205 attended the clinic. We compared these groups. Independent variables were organized using Anderson’s behavioral model into predisposing (age, gender, race, ethnicity), enabling (drive time, service eligibility, Area Deprivation Index, marital status), and need factors (mental health cognitive condition, ambulatory care sensitive conditions, NOSOS, JFI, CAN, etc.). C4 enrollment acceptance was the outcome. Results showed that compared to patients who declined, HNHR veterans who attended C4 clinic had more chronic health conditions(p&lt;0.01), more service eligibility(p=0.01), more driving time to the closest VA clinic(p=0.01), and more were married (p=0.01). Patients who declined C4 clinic might have greater barriers to care access. Accessing needed healthcare among HNHR older adults maybe impacted more by enabling factors that allow the individual to seek care if needed and are the resources that may facilitate access to services, rather than need factors, which include individuals' perceptions of their health and functional state, and healthcare needs assessed by professionals. More social and intermediary determinants of health should be incorporated as enabling factors into models striving to understand drivers of healthcare use.
Older Adults’ Acceptance of Technology During the Pandemic: The COVID Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)
Authors: O'Connell Megan , Haase Kristen , Cammer Allison , Peacock Shelley , Cosco Theodore , Holtslander Lorraine 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
During the pandemic, technology-mediated communication was one of the few ways to maintain social and community connections. We explored how the pandemic impacted older adults’ use and appraisal of technology. In a random sample of 407 older adults (M age = 81.1 years; range 65-105 years) almost half (n = 161) reported they changed how they used technology to virtually connect with others during the pandemic, and 78 of these reported that this was new technology for them. We adapted the technology acceptance model (TAM) for the pandemic, the COVID-TAM, and describe how physical distancing led to new acceptance of technology due to an increased perception of usefulness of technology for maintaining community and social connections. The 71 older adults who denied using technology were asked about the reasons underlying their reluctance to use technology to access social networks and community events during the pandemic. Thematic analysis revealed factors consistent with a double-digital divide; lack of physical exposure to technology creates an additional psychological barrier to adoption of new technology. Of the technology-reluctant subgroup of older adults, few reported lack of perceived usefulness of technology during the pandemic. Instead, most reported lack of self-efficacy or fear of technology underlying their lack of technology use for social and community connections during the pandemic, which we incorporate into the COVID-TAM. Findings indicate that technology training can help mitigate this fear and increase social and community connections that are technology-mediated in circumstances where physical distancing is necessary.
Spouses’ Emotion Regulation Skills and Depressive Symptoms in the Context of Early Stage Dementia
Authors: Piechota Amanda , Monin Joan 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
In older adults, the suffering of a relative with chronic disease or illness can severely impact their caregiver. However, older adults also tend to have better emotional regulation than younger age groups. Very little is known about these dynamics in the context of early-stage dementia in which both spouses are struggling with caregiving or experiencing dementia and need one another for support. In the present study, we hypothesized that when both partners have better emotion regulation skills, each partner’s depressive symptoms would be the lowest. We made the same hypothesis for both the person with dementia and their spouse without dementia. We used self-report baseline data from an intervention study of 70 older adult married couples (N=140) where one spouse has early-stage dementia. Spouses completed questionnaires that measured their emotional regulation habits (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale) and their recent depressive symptoms (CESD). Results from the actor partner interdependence model showed that when both partners had high emotional regulation skills scores there were the lowest levels of depressive symptoms for each dyad member (B=4.31, SE=.94, t(49.9)=4.61, p&lt;.001). Findings suggest couple-focused interventions to enhance emotion regulation skills are important for coping in the early stages of dementia.
State Variation in Potentially Burdensome Transitions among Assisted Living Residents at End of Life
Authors: Wang Xiao (Joyce) , Teno Joan , Gozalo Pedro , Dosa David , Thomas Kali , Belanger Emmanuelle 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Little is known about the quality of end-of-life care in assisted living (AL), particularly transitions at end of life. This study aims to provide a first national look at potentially burdensome transitions at end of life among AL residents and to examine how those vary by state. This is a retrospective cohort study of Medicare beneficiaries who died in 2018 and resided at a validated 9-digit ZIP code for an AL with 25 or more beds4 on the 120th day before death (N=37,668). Three types of potentially burdensome transitions were considered: 1) healthcare transitions during last 3 days of life, 2) three or more all-cause hospitalizations during the last 90 days of life, and 3) two or more hospitalizations for urinary tract infections, sepsis, pneumonia, and dehydration during last 120 days of life. Hospitalizations and decedents’ locations were obtained from multiple administrative claims records. Out of the 37,668 AL decedents, 7,015 (18.6%, 95% CI: 18.2%-19.0%) experienced at least one potentially burdensome transition. States varied widely in the rate of burdensome transitions, ranging from 30.9% in North Dakota to 8.9% in Wyoming. Our results support quality concerns for end-of-life care among AL residents. Future studies are needed to explain state variation and how it relates to factors such as residents’ co-morbidities, end-of-life care practices in AL, and state regulations. This study had two limitations. First, multiple hospitalizations for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries might be under-reported. Second, the results are not generalizable to persons in ALs with fewer than 25 beds.
Tele-Healthcare in Research and Education: Age Differences in Access and Utilization of Healthcare Resources
Authors: Hills William , Murphy Matthew , Hills Karen 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Societal needs highlighted during the pandemic have led to significant changes in healthcare, including the rapid development and implementation of tele-care consumer options. This study examined video-based, virtual healthcare access and utilization before and during the pandemic. Participants included traditional college-aged students, middle-aged adults, and retirement-aged persons (n = 685); measures included access to physical and mental health services, consumer satisfaction with type of services accessed, and anticipated use of virtual healthcare following the pandemic. Results showed that approximately half of participants (49.2%) had experience with virtual healthcare, with most of these cases during the pandemic. Virtual healthcare was more often used for physical compared to mental healthcare services, with college-aged participants more likely to use mental healthcare services than adult and retirement-aged participants. Laptop computers were most widely used to access services, with smartphone use proportionally lower in retirement-aged participants (31.4%). Overall satisfaction with virtual services was high (Mdn = 5 on a 6-point Likert scale), but college-aged participants trended toward a lower satisfaction (Mdn = 4.25) than other age categories. These results support that virtual healthcare service development and access experienced significant growth during the pandemic. Age differences in the types of services, types of devices, and satisfaction with virtual services all suggest a similar theme for age-related considerations of life stage, life responsibilities, and comfort and familiarity with technology that must be addressed for virtual healthcare to reach its full potential and reach equitably across the lifespan.
Lessons In Customizing Virtual Communities To Meet The Needs Of Older Adults
Authors: Kosick Lawrence 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
GetSetUp started as a technology learning platform for older adults. During Covid-19 we realized that many adults not only wanted to learn technology but were eager for lifelong learning opportunities. Our specially designed technology platform offered a safe, welcoming space that fosters growth, learning, and community for older adults over 60,000 Michiganders over 60 joined in just 4 months. Case studies show how older adults can benefit from technology to feel empowered, reduce social isolation, and improve wellbeing through a job or volunteer opportunities and new friendships. Reports highlight this ongoing need for those with limited community, mobility issues, or those looking to diversify their communities. A trusted virtual community helps connect the physical world digitally to assure older adults understand processes like vaccine enrollment procedures. Virtual communities will not replace physical communities but offer research opportunities, reach more remote communities, and allow for collaboration with state and aging networks.
Virtual CARE for Caregivers of PWD: Adapting to the New Normal
Authors: Shirk Steven , O'Connor Maureen , McLaren Jaye , Pugh Kendra , Nguyen Andrew , Boucher Sarah , Moo Lauren 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Caregivers of persons with dementia (PWD) often experience increases in depression, anxiety, and burden as the disease progresses. In fact, as the PWD’s neuropsychiatric symptoms increase and independence in ADLS decrease, caregivers psychological and physical health outcomes worsen. The literature suggests that caregiver interventions that teach specific skills are more beneficial than psychoeducational interventions, particularly regarding the amelioration of the psychological impacts of informal caregiving. However, because of caregiving demands, caregiver’s own physical limitations, and competing obligations, it can be difficult to attend caregiver support or education programs outside the home. With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, arranging such interventions became more complex, Therefore, we report on preliminary qualitative outcomes of a study investigating the feasibility and acceptability of converting an in-person, group dementia caregiver education intervention, CARE, to a telehealth platform. We report the findings of two objectives: 1) lessons learned when attempting to convert an in-person group intervention to telehealth and 2) experience and perceived benefit of attending a virtual group from the perspective of the participants of our first two groups. Briefly, our findings demonstrate the strong need for technological support. Participants report positive experience regarding the convenience of attending the group from their home, the benefits of the assigned exercises, and the support they found from other group members. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many to embrace the virtual option as they adapt to a new normal. There are undoubtedly hurdles to overcome, but there are also advantages to be leveraged.