bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SWEET DREAMS INTERRUPTED: HOW COVID-19 CHANGED THE LANDSCAPE OF SLEEP SERVICES UTILIZATION ON AGING POPULATION
Authors: Razjouyan Javad , Kuna Samuel T , Sharafkhaneh Amir 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
We evaluated the impact of the pandemic on sleep test utilization, i.e., home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) and in-laboratory polysomnography (PSG), among aging veterans. We conducted an observational before and during the pandemic study using the national VHA. Electronic medical records from 01/2019 to 09/2022 were gathered for all veterans born with age 50+ by 10/2022. HSAT and PSG utilization were defined based on Current Procedural Terminology codes. Following intervals defined as pre-pandemic (PRE-P, 01/2019-02/2021, 14months), Pandemic-moratorium (PMor, 4/2020-6/2020, 3months), pandemic-pre-vaccination opening (PnoVax, 7/2020-12/2020, 6months), pandemic vaccination (P-Vax, 1/2021-5/2021, 5months), and pandemic post vaccination (P-PVax, 06/2021-09/2022, 15months). We compared the means using univariant analysis. Over the 45 months, 247,817 HSAT and 123,456 PSG were performed. In HSAT, compared to PRE-P (5,669visit/month) as a reference, we observed a significant drop in P-Mor (-70%,P&lt; 0.001), P-noVax (-7%,P=0.166), P-Vax (+9%,P=0.067). However, P-PVax did not differ significantly in average monthly HSAT compared to PRE-P (+6%,P=0.103). In PSG, compared to PRE-P (3,994visit/month) as a reference, we observed a significant drop in P-Mor (-92%,P&lt; 0.001), P-noVax (-61%,P&lt; 0.001), P-Vax (-44%,P&lt; 0.001), and P-PVax (-32%,P&lt; 0.001). PSG per month did not recover to pre-pandemic levels, while the HSAT per month increased, but not to a level that compensated for the reduction in PSG. The pandemic markedly impacted the sleep testing service usage in aging veterans. While HSAT was resilient and increased during the pandemic, the increase did not offset the shift away from PSG. Future research is needed to better understand the reasons for this change in clinical practice among aging populations.
VIRTUAL TAI CHI FOR OLDER VETERANS IMPACTED BY COVID-19
Authors: Dawson Bonnie , Keller Hallie , Sawyer Linda , Gorman Shannon , Sabangan Jerome , McPartlin Adam , Brown Karl , Sullivan Dennis 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
As older Veterans (OV) were at risk for loneliness and deconditioning during the COVID pandemic, they were invited to join a Tai Chi program due to its known benefits in these areas. The objectives of this presentation are to examine outcomes, program adherence and feedback of OV enrolled in a 12-week Tai Chi course conducted virtually twice weekly at three VA sites during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed the 30-Second Chair Stand (30CST) and the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGS) at baseline and again when they finished the course. Attendance was recorded and end-course evaluations were also obtained. Univariate and multivariate statistics were used to summarize results. One hundred eleven OV aged 60 to 94 enrolled. Most were non-Hispanic (84%), white (72%), males (80%), living independently (92%) with a partner (43%). Of these, 86 (77.5%) completed a final assessment after attending a mean of 18.7 out of 24 sessions. Retention did not differ by site nor other demographics. Among the completers, there was not a significant change in DJGS (n=46, p=0.2748), but only 26.1% showed substantive loneliness at baseline. The 30CST improved significantly (n=72, p=0.0150) after controlling for site and baseline value. Most participants described the virtual course as rewarding, beneficial to their health and balance, and conducive to social connection. They also expressed desire to continue the program. Our results suggest OV achieve objective and subjective benefits from, and can feasibly participate in, a virtual Tai Chi program, which appears to be a valid alternative to in-person courses.
INTERGENERATIONAL CO-PRODUCTION IN DIGITAL DESIGN FOR HEALTH, WELL-BEING, AND SOCIAL CONNECTION
Authors: Hennessy Catherine , Mannion Greg , Haynes Richard , Whittaker Anna , Bradwell Hannah , Tomaz Simone , Ritchie John , Cooper Leonie 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The benefits of intergenerational practice in bringing different generations together in initiatives and programs to address issues like social isolation and loneliness are well-established. Less frequently employed as a vehicle for using intergenerational contact in the development of interventions and design solutions, intergenerational co-production involving older and younger people with academics and designers, has rarely been tried. Thus, intergenerational co-production is not common and is under-theorised despite holding significant promise for advancing societies for all ages. This paper reports on the experience of intergenerational co-production in the GOALD (Generating Older Active Lives Digitally) project, an interdisciplinary collaboration in Scotland and England using intergenerational co-production methods in the creation of digital tools to support older adults’ health, well-being and social connectivity. It presents GOALD’s multi-year experience of constituting and running intergenerational co-production groups with geographically, socio-demographically and functionally diverse participants to provide feedback and design ideas to business partners for digital devices and applications for health promotion in later life. Mixed methods findings on sources, timing, locations and numbers of participants recruited and retained, their rates of participation, forms, frequency and modes of engagement, as well as organizational partners’ and participants’ motivations, incentives, capacity and constraints to take part demonstrate the barriers and facilitators of implementing intergenerational co-production, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our findings highlight lessons learned about the need for creative adaptation of this approach on the ground, and suggest GOALD’s potential contributions to new theorisation through enacting and understanding the features of intergenerational co-production and documenting its effects.
TRAUMA AND RESILIENCE AMONG DIRECT CARE WORKERS IN NURSING HOMES
Authors: Boakye Alfred , Morgan Jennifer , Skipper Antonius , Kemp Candace 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Direct Care Workers (DCWs) face persistent challenges with low pay, few benefits, heavy workloads, and limited access to paid leave. Experiences associated with COVID-19 have increased the precarity of the long-term care system and have increased DCW’s vulnerability. Against the backdrop of systemic racism and political turmoil, DCWs experience high rates of health risks (e.g., burnout, anxiety disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorders) leading to a reduced quality of life. Building resilience within this workforce requires understanding the protective factors, at the community, organizational, and individual levels, to manage demanding work and personal lives. Yet, existing scholarship on how to build trauma-resilient organizations and identify and cultivate individual DCW strategies to support workers remains limited. Using a socio-ecological framework, the aim of this exploratory study was two-fold: (1) examine DCWs understanding of trauma and how it affects their ability to provide care, and (2) understand the strategies and supports DCWs use to cope with trauma and what it means to be resilient. Using purposive and convenience sampling techniques, participants were recruited into the study. Semi-structured interviews with nursing assistants in nursing centers (n=25) were used to gather data and analyzed using modified grounded theory. Findings demonstrate that the impact of COVID-19, work stress, and systemic inefficiencies negatively impact care work and DCWs’ experiences. The study identified strategies that long-term care employers and government agencies can adopt to support resilience-building and ultimately empowerment practices. Implications for retention and support for staff from diverse backgrounds are also discussed.
INTEROCEPTION ACROSS DOMAINS: ASSESSING THE ROLE OF AGE
Authors: Bruni Pietra 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Interoception plays a prominent role in homeostasis, providing information about the internal state and condition of the human body. It is most typically measured using heartbeat tasks, though there are mounting criticisms against focusing exclusively on signals that originate from the cardiac domain. While prior research has shown that variability in interoceptive ability exists when examined in relationship to numerous health, biological, and psychiatric factors, the role age holds remains largely unexamined. The primary goal of this study was to assess interoception in two distinct domains, cardiac and respiratory, across a community sample (n = 40) of twenty younger (mean age = 24.9 years) and twenty older (mean age = 69.3 years) adults. Two laboratory tasks measured interoception: a Heartbeat Tracking Task and a Respiratory Discrimination Task. Three measures of interoception were extracted: Interoceptive accuracy (IAcc), Interoceptive awareness (IAwe), and Interoceptive sensibility (ISen). Results from this experiment indicated that IAcc and IAwe were not correlated across domains. Of note, a significant difference was found between the two estimates of IAcc, indicating that participants were more accurate at assessing interoception in the respiratory than in the cardiac domain. Furthermore, younger adults (M= 0.49, SD = 0.29) exhibited significantly higher IAcc than older adults (M= 0.67, SD = 0.23); (t(36) = -2.04, p &lt; 0.02) in the cardiac domain. These results indicate dissociable outcomes for two methods of assessing interoception, as well as illustrate the potentially prominent role age may hold when examining variability in interoceptive ability across domains.
A BAYESIAN NETWORK-BASED APPROACH FOR MULTI-OMICS INTEGRATION TO REVEAL UNDERLYING MECHANISMS OF HEALTHY AGING
Authors: Leshchyk Anastasia , Monti Stefano , Sebastiani Paola 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Previous research on long-lived individuals showed that centenarians significantly delay the onset of the disability and aging-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, and cardiovascular diseases to the very end of their lives compared to the general population. Genetic studies of centenarians and healthy agers showed that carriers of the APOE e2 allele had increased odds of reaching longevity compared to the non-e2 allele carriers. In addition, the APOE e2 allele is characterized by distinct serum proteomics and metabolomics profiles that could be useful to understand the mechanism of propagation of the genetic effect of APOE to the molecular level and eventually to phenotypes. We are developing a novel network-based approach of multi-layer data integration to identify shared molecular profiles among the subjects with familial longevity that lead to compression of morbidity, disability, and mortality. This Bayesian network-based approach integrates proteomics, metabolomics, genetics, and multiple phenotype data to decipher the risk factors and pathways contributing to prolonged health span. For example, the preliminary analysis shows that the centenarians with cognitive performance above the average in their age and sex group have lower levels of IL6, GDF15, and PTN proteins than those with below-average cognitive performance. These known inflammation factors might impair the cognitive function of elderly adults contributing to their disability and morbidity, thus affecting their aging.
AGING ACROSS THE LIFE COURSE: RESEARCH COLLECTIONS AVAILABLE FROM THE NATIONAL ARCHIVE OF COMPUTERIZED DATA ON AGING
Authors: McNally James , Lavender Kathryn 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Creating and maintaining sustainable data archives can be challenging but offers clear advantages. Properly curated data can be used by multiple researchers, testing a variety of hypotheses and increasing the return on investment to the expensive data collection process. An internally managed archival system also provides greater control and autonomy in the equitable distribution of data resources. This process ensures all researchers will fully use the data for original research, teaching, and new directions once the data leaves the control of the local investigator. This poster reviews the advantages of a local strategy for preserving and sharing gerontological research data. Using the National Archive of Computerized Data on Aging (NACDA) as a working example, the poster offers an overview of collections at NACDA. Using our metadata tools and variable search database, NACDA can identify studies in its collections that examine aspects of aging and health among adults during their lifecourse. Many of the studies are longitudinal or repeat-measure cross-sectional studies. We can also identify studies that focus on aging not maintained by NACDA that are available to interested researchers. Using a strategy of archival preservation combined with a strong focus on productive research Innovation in Aging, NACDA has amassed data and metadata covering a wide array of studies worldwide that address the aging lifecourse. Because our collections are multinational, we share these data at no cost to interested users worldwide.
AN UMBRELLA REVIEW OF SYMPTOM-SPECIFIC NONPHARMACOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS FOR DEMENTIA
Authors: Cho Eunhee , Kim Min Jung , Lee Ji Yeon , Yang Minhee , Jang Jiyoon , Cho Jungwon 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
A variety of non-pharmacological interventions (NPI) have been used for managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), but only a small effect size has been reported. Also, due to a lack of clinical guidelines, individualized BPSD interventions considering each person’s preferences and unique symptom profiles have not been available. This umbrella review aimed to summarize the current evidence of NPI for managing BPSD and to suggest an evidence-based algorithm that can guide future clinical practices on choosing an NPI targeting an individual or cluster of BPSD. We used the Cochrane methodology for umbrella reviews following a predetermined protocol registered. A total of five electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsychINFO, and Cochrane Database) was searched based on the PICO formulation. The eligibility was independently screened by two reviewers. The quality of the individual review was evaluated by the two reviewers using the A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR2). A total of 32 reviews were included. The reviews collectively indicated that NPI have shown mixed results in managing an individual or cluster of BPSD. As to the NPI, a wide variety was observed in which a music therapy was most commonly used. Of the various BPSD symptoms, affective/hyperactivity symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and agitation have been most investigated. Based on the effect sizes and quality appraisal results, we created an evidence-based algorithm that can provide several NPI options for each sub-category of BPSD. Future studies are required to provide a more comprehensive clinical practice algorithm.
A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF CARE PARTNERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF FALL RISK AMONG OLDER PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA
Authors: Thakkar Nirali , Zhou Yuanjin 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Community-dwelling older people with dementia (cd-OPWD) experience a high risk of falling. Care partners have varied levels of involvement in fall risk management for cd-OPWD. However, little is known about what factors may shape their involvement. Understanding care partners’ perceptions of fall risk, associated factors, and impacts will be critical for service providers to effectively engage care partners in fall risk management for cd-OPWD. Utilizing the Common Sense Model of Illness Perceptions, we conducted a literature search among 6 research databases and identified 23 articles using predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Our study found that care partners’ perceptions of cd-OPWD’s fall risk comprised beliefs about fall risk management behaviors/programs (i.e., mobility aides, exercise, home modification, fall detector system), their understanding of indicators, causes, consequences, timeline, and controllability of cd-OPWD’s fall risk, and emotional reactions. These perceptions were influenced by care partners’ previous experiences with falls, cd-OPWD’s declining health and functions, experienced care burden, relationships with cd-OPWD, and interactions with healthcare providers. Care partners’ beliefs about fall risk management behaviors/programs and their understanding of indicators, causes, consequences, and timeline of falls are often associated with their adoption of fall risk management behaviors. Their emotional responses to cd-OPWD’s fall risk are associated with increased care burden. These findings point to a need for solution-oriented fall prevention interventions to increase care partners’ perceived benefits of fall risk management behaviors/programs and their knowledge about cd-OPWD’s falls. Future interventions should also try to mitigate the negative impact of care partners’ emotional responses to cd-OPWD’s fall risk.
INCIDENT AND RECURRENT FALLS AMONG NON-HISPANIC BLACK AND HISPANIC MEN WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS
Authors: Olokunlade Temitope , Sherman Ledric , Benden Mark , Han Gang , Smith Matthew 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
While much is known about the complexities of fall-related risks among older adults, less is known about the risk for falls among men, and especially older non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men with chronic conditions. This study examined factors associated with incident falls (1 fall) and recurrent falling (2+ falls) among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men ages ≥60 years with ≥1 chronic condition. Collected with a web-delivered questionnaire, data were analyzed from a national sample of 779 non-Hispanic Black (58.8%) and Hispanic (41.2%) men. To assess incident and recurrent falls, the number of self-reported falls in the past year was trichotomized (0 falls vs. 1 fall vs. 2+ falls) and used as the dependent variable. A multinomial logistic regression was fitted to assess factors associated with incident and recurrent falls. The model adjusted for sociodemographics, disease characteristics, health status, and social support. On average, participants were age 66.8 (±5.4) years and reported 3.8 (±2.7) chronic conditions. Seventy-three percent of men reported 0 falls, 12.6% reported 1 fall, and 14.4% reported 2+ falls in the past year. Relative to men reporting 0 falls, Hispanic men (P&lt; 0.05), men with worse general health status (P&lt; 0.05), and those with clinical depression (P&lt; 0.05) were more likely to report incident and recurrent falls, respectively. Men with more comorbidities (P&lt; 0.05) and those with less help/support to manage health problems (P&lt; 0.05) were more likely to report recurrent falling. Findings highlight the importance of multi-component interventions to prevent falls by strengthening disease self-management, addressing mental health, and introducing social supports.
PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING AMONG OLDER TRANSGENDER AND SEXUAL MINORITY ADULTS
Authors: Bernstein Laura , Patrick Julie Hicks 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Health disparities exist between heterosexual adults and those in the LGBTQ+ community. These differences may be exacerbated in late life. However, a comparative approach that includes heterosexual adults as a referent group may obscure important within-group differences among sexual and gender minorities. The purpose of the current study was to examine within-group differences in health and well-being among adults ages 65 and over who identified as LGBTQ+. Data are provided by 2673 adults ages 65+ who completed the Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity module of the 2020 CDC Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System. Age groups included 1020 young-old adults ages 65 to 70 years, 1056 older adults, ages 71 to 79 years, and 597 old-old adults age 80+. Adults identifying as gay/lesbian (n = 856), bisexual (n=675), transgender heterosexual (n = 135) or some other minoritized sexual identity (n = 1007) supplied assessments of physical, mental, and functional health. A series of 3 (age) by 4 (sexual orientation) ANOVAs examined main effects of age, sexual orientation, and their interaction. Age effects, but not sexual orientation effects, emerged for mental health. Significant effects for functional ability emerged for sexual orientation and for gender, although no interaction was observed. No significant effects emerged for physical health and no interactions emerged as significant for any of the health outcomes. These results emphasize that examining within-group heterogeneity among sexual minority status and age is necessary to localize and address potential health disparities.
FORTY WINKS: PILOT MULTISITE PRAGMATIC CLINICAL TRIAL TO IMPROVE SLEEP FOR NURSING HOME RESIDENTS WITH DEMENTIA
Authors: Smith Kate , Snow A Lynn , Morgan Robert , McCullough Megan , Baier Rosa , McCreedy Ellen , Richards Kathy , Hartmann Christine 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Sleep disruption in nursing home (NH) residents can lead to difficulties with activities of daily living, falls, depression, and decreases in memory, and mobility. Staff-delivered interventions are the most logical approach to improving NH resident sleep. But it can be difficult for frontline NH staff to implement quality improvement (QI) due to chronic understaffing, limited staff training, and challenges with data collection. We conducted a pilot multisite pragmatic clinical trial of the “LOCK” sleep program in three NHs. LOCK is an evidence-based framework using frontline huddling for QI uptake: “Learn from the bright spots” (local evidence of positive change), “Observe” (collect data through observation), “Collaborate in huddles” (conduct short frontline huddles), and “Keep it bite-size” (limit activities to 5-15 minutes). We used actiwatches to measure day and night activity and conducted 35 group interviews with leadership/champion implementation teams. We used an iterative, rapid-content analytic approach for qualitative analyses, examining factors associated with implementation variation using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. In qualitative analyses, staff indicated the program was highly feasible and acceptable. From actiwatch data, for enrolled NH residents with ≥9 weeks of intervention exposure (n=11), total daytime activity increased an average of 19 minutes per day (SD=95) and total night-time sleep increased an average of 37 minutes per night (SD=39). The LOCK program is a promising approach and framework for NH staff pursuing QI related to sleep or other topics.