bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN OLDER ADULTS AFTER A FLOOD
Authors: Bordes Piper , Cherry Katie , Calamia Matthew , Elliott Emily , Sampson Laura , Galea Sandro 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Exposure to multiple back-to-back disasters may threaten physical and mental health for people who live in geographic areas that are prone to severe weather events. In 2005, coastal residents from south Louisiana lost homes in Hurricane Katrina and many moved inland to presumably higher and safer ground. In August of 2016, historic flooding brought widespread destruction, creating a second round of catastrophic losses for those who had permanently relocated to Baton Rouge, Louisiana after Katrina. The present research is part of a larger longitudinal study on health and well-being after multiple disaster exposures. In this study, we examined associations among current and prior flood experience and health-related quality indexed by the SF-36 Health Survey (Ware & Sherbourne, 1992). Three flood exposure groups were compared across two waves of testing: non-flooded (controls), single disaster (flooded in 2016) and double disaster (flooded in 2005 and again in 2016). Results indicated that the flood exposure groups did not differ in physical health, although mental health was poorer for those whose homes flooded relative to the non-flooded controls at both waves of testing. Correlation analyses revealed that age was negatively associated with intolerance of uncertainty and physical health, but positively correlated with mental health at both waves of testing, consistent with the inoculation view of post-disaster psychological reactions. Implications of these data for understanding health-related quality of life after multiple disaster exposures are discussed.
IMPLICATIONS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON ADULT DAY SERVICES
Authors: Marx Katherine , Parker Lauren , Gitlin Laura 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Covid-19 hit Adult Day Services (ADS) hard with sites across the country forced to close. As part of the ADS-Plus study, two focus groups were conducted to understand the impact of Covid-19 on ADS sites, their participants, and staff. Six sites across the country, represented by nine staff and administration (females=n, males=1) participated in focus groups. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and coded by the authors. Four themes emerged, (1) Ways to stay in touch with families; (2) Issues reopening; (3) Family concerns; and (4) Future of the ADS Industry. Sites stayed in touch with families through a variety of measures, including virtual daycare or activities via zoom, house calls, and help obtaining food. Upon reopening, there were multiple issues with getting the census back for both participants and staff. Families were reluctant to return due to fear of Covid-19, placing their family member in LTC due to decline in functioning or due to work, and using more home services. Staff were reluctant to return due to fear of Covid-19 and salary, some reporting they made more on unemployment. There was a decline in both physical and cognitive health of ADS participants, attributed to the lack of socialization. In looking towards the future, focus group participants felt that the old approach of doing ADS is not sustainable and that the industry needs to expand to include more home options. Also, funding of ADS needs to be addressed as many facilities are not able to keep up with increasing salaries.
WHY DO OLDER WOMEN LIMIT THEIR DRIVING MORE THAN OLDER MEN?
Authors: Barrett Anne , Mimbs Hope , Soulie Brianna , Noblitt Jessica , Michael Cherish 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Older adults tend to avoid driving in situations like heavy traffic or bad weather, but women do so more than men. Explanations for this gender difference, however, have received limited research attention. Using data from an online survey of Floridians aged 50 and older that was conducted between December 2020 and April 2021 (n=3,726), we examined four potential explanations for women’s greater self-regulated driving: their worse health, their more frequent rides from others, their more negative attitudes about driving, and their less favorable assessments of their driving ability. The results of multivariate regression models predicting a scale of self-regulated driving revealed support for two of the explanations – rides from others and self-assessed driving ability. Women’s more frequent rides from family members accounted for approximately 10 percent of the association between gender and self-regulated driving, while women’s less favorable assessments of their driving ability accounted for nearly a third of it. In contrast, health and attitudes about driving did not operate as mediators. They did, however, predict self-regulated driving; having worse health or more negative driving attitudes was associated with more self-regulated driving. Our study identifies women’s less favorable assessments of their abilities as a primary determinant of their more rapid transition from driving. Older women’s transportation mobility could be better maintained through programs focused on enhancing their skills, as well as driving confidence.
AGEISM IN THE USE AND DESIGN OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY: A THEORETICAL MODEL
Authors: Mannheim Ittay 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Ageism is currently defined as a main societal challenge for successful and healthy aging. Concurrently, the vast development of digital technology in the last decades highlights a newly under-researched intersection of ageism and the use and design of digital technology. However, a theoretical model explicating how ageism may influence the use and design of technology is currently missing. A proposed model was created based on a mixed-methods approach combining findings from 5 studies of a doctoral dissertation. The integrated analysis identified manifestations of ageism in stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination regarding the use and design of technology, appearing explicitly and implicitly, mainly in a negative context and on different levels (micro-individual, meso-social interaction, and macro-design and policy). Use and design of technology were found to be entangled together. Importantly, two main paradoxes are highlighted. First, the fixation on designing care and healthcare technologies, stereotypically disregarding the diversity of other needs of older persons. A second paradox was found in the discrepancy between acknowledging the “ideal” practice of involving older persons throughout the whole design process, and the actual practice of limited involvement. Ultimately leading to biases in the design process and exclusion of older persons. Consequently, emerging technologies often have low adoption rates, which are further (stereotypically) attributed to the incompetence of older persons to use digital technology, and are contrary to the increase in actual use and motivations older persons have to use technologies that can promote their well-being. Implications of the model for policy and future research are discussed.
EXAMINING THE PRELIMINARY EFFICACY OF AN ONLINE ASYNCHRONOUS PSYCHOEDUCATION COURSE FOR BLACK DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS
Authors: Oliver Sloan , Alexander Karah , Cave Nkosi , Epps Fayron 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Caregiving While Black (CWB) is an online asynchronous psychoeducation course designed to facilitate the growth of caregiver mastery in Black caregivers of persons living with dementia (PLWD), while increasing the PLWD’s quality of life and providing resources. CWB was co-developed by Black caregivers, PLWD, and healthcare professionals who identified the need for a responsive, culturally tailored course to combat specific burdens faced by Black caregivers. Course topics included navigating the healthcare system, managing home, and self-care competencies. This pilot study tested the preliminary efficacy of CWB, which included 8-10 hours of content delivered in 37 short interactive segments. Thirty-two Black caregivers completed the course over a 10-week time frame. Socio-demographic information and measures of psychological well-being and self-efficacy were collected at baseline, midpoint, and end of study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-tests. Results confirmed the course’s ability to improve caregivers’ emotional well-being and sense of confidence and mastery in their caregiving role. Pre- and post-course data revealed a significant improvement in caregiver depression (p=.009), burden (p=.034), and role strain (p=.029) within 30 days of course completion. All statistically significant improvements had moderate effect sizes &gt; 0.38 (Cohen’s d). The frequency of behavioral problems in PLWD decreased (p=.033), as did caregiver reactions to those behaviors (p=.0054). Further, caregiver mastery from baseline to course completion increased 0.42 points, on average, with an effect size of 0.26 (Cohen’s d). These results exemplify the need for novel, culturally tailored and responsive courses like CWB.
CULTIVATION OF PROGNOSTIC AWARENESS IS A TEAM TASK: PALLIATIVE PHYSICIAN AND SOCIAL WORKER INSIGHTS
Authors: ODonnell Arden , Gonyea Judith 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
For patients experiencing serious or life-limiting illnesses, informed decision-making depends on understanding prognosis and illness trajectory. Although physicians are viewed as the most appropriate group to share medical information around prognosis, there is growing recognition that other clinicians can contribute to these discussions. Indeed, cultivation of prognostic awareness (CPA) does not happen in a single conversation; it is a series of conversations in which patients continue to redefine medical treatments and broader life goals. The reframing of CPA as an iterative process, coupled with growing palliative care demands, has led to social workers’ (SWs) and nurses’ engagement, and even leadership, in goals of care (GOC) conversations. Using role theory, this qualitative study therefore explored aligned and/or disparate views on professional role boundaries in CPA through interviews with 17 SWs and 14 physicians. Our data analysis was inductive and iterative with the culminating phases being theme generation and interpretation. Key findings revealed a shared perspective by SWs and physicians that CPA is a “team task” and that SWs have essential roles as experts in assessing and supporting patients’ emotional and psychological capacity for processing prognostic information, and as boundary spanners to patients/families and physicians (i.e., translating medical information, increasing effective communication, and reinforcing a holistic perspective). Both professions identified managing patients’/families’ expectations as a shared role. SWs experienced role conflict, however, in their advocacy for patient autonomy. Factors enhancing role consensus were communication, collaboration, professional respect, experience, and trust. Findings support the trend of expanding SWs role in serious illness conversations.
IMMERSIVE VIRTUAL REALITY INTERVENTIONS FOR OLDER ADULTS: A SERIES OF META-ANALYSES
Authors: Walden Allison , Griffith Christopher , Downey Payton , Feliciano Leilani 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Many older adults desire to age in place, a term used to describe living independently versus transitioning to a residential care facility. Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to positively impact the functioning of older adults as an assessment or intervention to help compensate for lost or declining functions. VR captures a wide variety of technologies ranging from non-immersive to fully immersive, designed to give the user a feeling of presence. To date, VR interventions have been used with older adults including improving health outcomes, improving functional abilities, and for neuropsychological purposes. A handful of meta-analyses (M-As) attempt to summarize the overall effectiveness of VR interventions with older adults, but many contain methodological issues and cover the gamut of VR technology. The present M-A fills a gap in the literature by assessing the literature on immersive VR interventions for older adults. Sixteen articles met inclusion for meta-analysis, and 41 effect sizes (ES) were calculated. ES were grouped by category, neuropsychological, health/mental health, functional, and eight meta-analyses were performed with one exploratory analysis. Results revealed small, significant ES for VR interventions on measures of global cognition, simple attention tasks, executive functioning tasks, anxiety ratings, and pain ratings. Nonsignificant ES were found for stress ratings, gait speed, depression ratings, and TUG task (exploratory M-A). Continuing to develop affordable, safe interventions to assist with aging in place is important as the number of older adults continues to increase. Immersive VR is a promising avenue to continue exploring to better assist the aging population.
RESILIENCE AND VULNERABILITY IN GERIATRIC MEDICAL CENTERS DURING AN ONGOING HEALTH CRISIS
Authors: Lifshitz Rinat , Asher Irit , Eliezer Aya Ben , Geller Tal Prager , Zalyesov Eduard , Shugaev Inna , Mendelson Gad , Sason Adi 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Coping in stressful times and under cumulative adversities (e.g., health, terror) may lead to emerging vulnerability, diminish resilience and negative psychological consequences. In an organizational framework, this personal vulnerability may also have an impact on organizational resilience. This study examined the resilience and vulnerability indicators during the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises among employees at Geriatric Medical Centers in Israel. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 283 employees from two Geriatric medical centers. The questionnaire included background variables, resilience indicators (personal resilience, morale, wellbeing and a sense of security at home) as well as vulnerability indicators (sense of danger, fear of death and fear of dying, a sense of stress and perception of threats). Administrative workers reported higher vulnerability and lower resilience than workers in other sectors. Longer period of time working with Covid-19 patients was associated with higher resilience and higher vulnerability. After controlling for personal background, death anxiety, sense of danger and health wellbeing significantly correlated with high stress while functional wellbeing and personal morale significantly correlated with low stress. Wellbeing in the workplace was the only indicator associated with high resilience. These findings demonstrate the dialectical experience of employees in geriatrics centers coping with cumulative adversities, combining both vulnerability and resilience. It is recommended for organizations to assist employees in building resilience mechanisms that will help them cope with stressful situations through strengthening their sense of wellbeing, and as a result will help strengthen organizational resilience.
INTRINSIC CAPACITY OF OLDER ADULTS IN SINGAPORE USING WHO INTEGRATED CARE FOR OLDER PEOPLE (ICOPE) FRAMEWORK
Authors: Ma Carol , Leung Angela Y M , Chua Denise , Teo Wai Choo , Tay Laura Bee Gek , Ng Wai Chong 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) proposed the Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) approach to guide health systems in better supporting the intrinsic capacity and functional ability of older adults to enable healthy aging (Briggs et al., 2018; de Carvalho et al., 2019). This approach is aligned with Singapore’s Healthier SG initiative, which aims to build a good healthcare system that promotes better health and quality of life for everyone. Recent studies have shown that older adults experience intrinsic capacity decline in various countries, including Singapore, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to maintain functionality and quality of life in old age (Beard et al., 2019; Liu et al., 2021; Tay et al., 2022). In this cross-sectional study, 367 participants were assessed by 43 ICOPE assessors, of whom 77.4% (n=284) had impairments in intrinsic capacity. The three most prevalent intrinsic capacity impairments were visual impairment (42%), hearing loss (33.5%), and cognitive decline (31.3%), followed by limited mobility (24.3%), malnutrition (16.1%), and depressive symptoms (16.1%). Furthermore, 22.6% of participants were unaware of any elderly care services available in the community, and 8.2% did not know where to seek help in case of problems. These findings emphasize the need for ICOPE assessments at the community level to promote early detection of intrinsic capacity impairments and interventions. More discussion of the care pathway, together with health professionals, older adults, and caregivers, should be the next step to offer diagnostic assessment and guide self-management of intrinsic capacity impairment for among older adults.
SHARED EXPERIENCES OF MANAGING HEART FAILURE AND MULTIMORBIDITY: A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS
Authors: Nelson Katie , Benjasirisan Chitchanok , Lim Arum , DeGroot Lyndsay , Badawi Sarah , Himmelfarb Cheryl Dennison , Davidson Patricia , Koirala Binu 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Heart failure affects more than 6 million people nationally; most are older adults who have multimorbidity. Navigating symptom management and self-care maintenance can be challenging given heart failure’s non-linear trajectory. Therefore, identifying shared priorities is important for guiding steps to enhance care provision. Our study aimed to elicit experiences and perspectives regarding heart failure and multimorbidity management among patients, caregivers, and healthcare workers via semi-structured interviews. We used purposive and convenience sampling to recruit patients 50 years and older living with heart failure and comorbidities, family caregivers, and interdisciplinary healthcare workers from an academic medical center in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. Participants were asked about disease trajectory, recognizing/treating symptoms, and service utilization. We used inductive thematic analysis and presented key findings at virtual co-design events, whereby participants ranked priorities to determine next steps. Forty-six interviews were conducted: 24 patients (mean ± SD: 70.1 ± 9.16 years; 46% female), 7 family caregivers (63.6 ± 14.18 years; 57% female), and 15 healthcare workers (35.6 ± 10.04 years; 80% female). Four themes were emphasized across groups: 1) clear communication, 2) health education for patients and caregivers, 3) care coordination and follow-up post-discharge, and 4) provision of mental and emotional support. Patients, caregivers, and healthcare workers uniquely contribute to heart failure and multimorbidity management. All groups share priorities surrounding clear communication, health education and comprehensive support. These factors can be significant barriers or facilitators in terms of optimizing patients’ symptoms and quality of life.
SEX DIFFERENCES IN THE ROLE OF SLEEP ON EXECUTIVE FUNCTION IN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Wiranto Yumiko , Thangwaritorn Pilar , Meyer Kayla , Watts Amber 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Advancing age is associated with a decline in sleep quality and cognitive performance. Previous work has shown that women report a higher number of sleep complaints, possibly due to hormonal and physiologic developmental changes across the lifespan. However, whether the effects of sleep quality on cognitive performance differ between sexes in older populations remains unclear. To address this gap, we analyzed data from 117 cognitively normal participants (44 men and 73 women) aged 60 and older (M = 74.82, SD = 6.52) to compare the effects of objectively measured sleep on executive function. Total sleep time was recorded with the GT9X Link Actigraph worn for seven consecutive days. The composite score of executive function was derived from a confirmatory factor analysis consisting of four separate tests (Verbal Fluency, Trail Making Test Part B, Digit Symbol Substitution Test, and Stroop Interference). We used hierarchical multiple regression to investigate sex differences in the effects of total sleep time on executive function. A quadratic model of total sleep time was a significant predictor of executive function in women (β = -.251, p = .034), but not in men adjusting for age and education. Longer sleep duration predicted improved executive function, but the performance decreased with oversleeping. These findings imply that interventions aimed at optimizing sleep duration may be beneficial for executive function in older women. Further research is necessary to identify sex-specific sleep requirements, which can inform the development of personalized interventions for older adults.
AN AGENTIC PERSPECTIVE ON AGING PREPARATION
Authors: Kim-Knauss Yaeji , Lang Frieder 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
When imagining one’s future life in old age individuals may respond to an uncertain future with proactive and preparatory activity aiming to maximize possible rewards and minimize risks or costs. The current research applies an agentic perspective on aging preparation that emphasizes the role of individuals’ beliefs and attitudes in determining their engagement in actions. The present research aims to investigate the associations between action-related beliefs (perceived utility/risk) and situational cues (experience/appraisals of aging-related life challenges) with individuals’ engagement in aging preparation. Data comes from the “Ageing as Future” project, which includes multicultural (i.e., Germany, US, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Czechia), longitudinal (i.e., five measurement points spanning from 2012 to 2020), and lifespan data (i.e., aged 18 to 98). Results from a series of analyses indicate that perceiving more utilities, having experience in caregiving, and having health-related worries at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with engagement in aging preparation. However, the magnitude of these associations varied depending on the time perspective and cultural context. Findings suggest that individuals engage in aging preparation to attain desirable or to avoid undesirable outcomes in the future based on personal values and belief systems. The dynamic interplay of personal belief systems with temporal and cultural contexts was also highlighted that differently shapes individual’s agentic engagement in aging preparation.