bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ASSOCIATION OF RELIGIOUS ATTENDANCE, RELIGIOSITY/SPIRITUALITY, AND C-REACTIVE PROTEIN IN MIDDLE TO OLDER ADULTS IN THE U.S
Authors: Britt Katherine , Boateng Augustine , Sebu Joshua , Oh Hayoung , Lekwauwa Ruby , Massimo Lauren , Doolittle Benjamin 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Elevated levels of C-reactive Protein (CRP), a biomarker of systemic inflammation, are associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Religious attendance and religiosity/spirituality are associated with better cognitive health, yet the underlying physiological mechanisms are not well understood. We examined the association between religious service attendance, religiosity/spirituality, and CRP levels in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults aged 50 years and older (n=6,652) from the Health and Retirement Study from 2006 to 2014. The mean age was 70.7(9.32) years, 84.4% were White, 58.4% were female, and mean CRP levels were 3.98 (8.50) ug/mL. Utilizing the generalized estimating equation (GEE), a significant negative association was found between religious service attendance and religiosity/spirituality with average CRP levels, even after controlling for age, sex, education, marital status, race/ethnicity, income, body mass index (BMI), and health conditions (diabetes, cancer, hypertension) [B: -0.39, 95% CI:-0.76,-0.03, p&lt;0.034 and B: -0.04, 95% CI:-0.07,-0.01, p&lt;0.01]. Age, income, and education were negatively associated with CRP levels, while being female, Black/African American, having diabetes, cancer, hypertension, and BMI were positively associated with CRP levels. Findings contribute to our understanding of a possible mechanism by which religious service attendance and religiosity/spirituality influence cognitive health through reduced systemic inflammation. Interventions are needed to sustain religious attendance supporting religiosity/spirituality for adults who find religion/spirituality important, with the potential to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
DAILY SUPPORT EXCHANGES WITH FRIENDS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING IN LATE LIFE
Authors: Ng Yee To , Chopik William , Fingerman Karen 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Support exchanges are crucial to older adults’ well-being. Functionalist and identity theories suggest that individuals engage in support exchanges with social ties that are consistent with their identities/roles to maximize their well-being. This study examined support exchanges with friends in daily life and tested the link between support exchanges with friends and daily well-being, particularly how this link varied between married and unmarried older adults. Adults aged 65+ (N = 292, Mean age = 73.72, 60% married) provided information about their demographics and social partners. Across five days, they completed surveys about support exchanges with friends (i.e., receiving or giving advice, practical support, and emotional support, respectively) and daily life satisfaction at the end of each day. Multilevel logistic models revealed that unmarried older adults were more likely to receive all types of support from friends and also more likely to provide advice and emotional support (non-tangible support) to friends than married older adults. Support provision was unrelated to life satisfaction. On days when older adults received advice from friends, they reported increased life satisfaction than on days that they did not (within-person association). This within-person association was stronger among unmarried than married older adults. Patterns of findings remained unchanged after adjusting for support exchanges with other social ties. Findings highlight the role of marital status in older adults’ daily support exchanges. Unmarried older adults may compensate for the lack of a spouse with friends and are more reactive to daily support exchanges than married older adults.
THE NEED FOR FAMILY-CENTERED HOME CARE IN HOME-BASED DEMENTIA CARE
Authors: Reckrey Jennifer , Watman Deborah , Tsui Emma 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Family caregivers, paid caregivers, and geriatricians frequently work together to care for people with dementia living at home, yet little is known about the paid caregiver role in home-based dementia care. We conducted repeated, one-on-one, semi-structured interviews with the care team (i.e., family caregiver, paid caregiver, geriatrician) of 9 people living at home with dementia over 6 months to explore multiple perspectives on paid caregivers’ role in care over time. In all, 29 unique respondents participated in 75 interviews that were analyzed using the framework method of analysis. Results revealed nuanced and highly individual care arrangements where paid caregiver roles in care varied significantly, though changes to this role over time were minimal. Families were the key players in defining the paid caregivers’ role regardless of home care agency involvement or source of paid caregiver payment (i.e., Medicaid-funded vs. privately paid) and geriatricians frequently deferred to family caregivers to determine how they should engage with paid caregivers. While paid caregivers often described their emotional connection to their clients, family caregivers and geriatricians rarely described this as an important aspect of paid care. To meet the nuanced care needs of people with dementia, home care needs to be centered around the unique needs of both people with dementia and their family caregivers. Rather than provide prescriptive standards for home care, family-centered home care should facilitate improved communication and clear expectation setting to be sure that care best meets the unique care needs of people with dementia living at home.
THE EXPERIENCE OF AGING IN DAILY LIFE IN CROSS-CULTURAL CONTEXTS
Authors: Neupert Shevaun , Palgi Yuval 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Subjective views of aging capture the many ways that people acknowledge, contemplate, and reflect on aging. These views are related to a wide range of health and well-being indicators including emotional well-being, mental health, chronic health conditions, memory functioning, and even life expectancy. However, most of what we know about subjective views of aging and health is based on W.E.I.R.D. (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) samples. The Subjective Aging within Global Everyday ecological Studies (Subjective AGES) consortium was built to address this problem by collecting parallel daily diary data from the United States, Turkey, Germany, United Kingdom, and Israel. Neupert will provide an overview of the consortium and present findings from the U.S. data, focusing on the interaction of daily stressors and uplifts for subjective aging. Can will demonstrate the deleterious effects of daily stressors on subjective aging within the Turkish data. Kornadt will show the beneficial effects of daily uplifts on subjective aging within the German data. Tse will demonstrate that doing personally meaningful and flow-conducive activities predicts feeling younger in the United Kingdom data. Shrira, Palgi, and Neupert will show cultural differences and similarities between Israeli Jews and Arabs and then present cross-country differences comparing the Israeli sample to the American sample. The talk will end by synthesizing the findings from each talk and pointing to future directions for the consortium. Collectively, these findings point to the importance of taking a cultural perspective in the daily relationships between subjective aging and well-being.
IMPLICIT AND EXPLICIT SPIRITUALITY IN THE LIVES OF TRANSGENDER AND GENDER-EXPANSIVE OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Fabbre Vanessa , Taylor Courtney , Sloan Stef , Gaveras Eleni 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Religion and spirituality for transgender and gender expansive people (whom we refer to collectively as trans) are complicated by mainstream religions’ history of stigmatizing and marginalizing sexual and gender minorities. We conducted an interpretive content analysis of biographical interviews with 88 trans older adults from across the United States, applying six tenets of spiritual psychotherapy to their life narratives. Our findings suggest that some trans older adults’ spirituality is experienced both implicitly and explicitly. Implicit spirituality reflects the ways in which meaning, purpose, and connection in one’s life are nurtured with respect to one’s gender identity. Explicit spirituality reflects the process of consciously renegotiating one’s spiritual beliefs and religious practices to validate one’s gender identity and place in society. This knowledge is potentially helpful for gerontological practitioners who seek to nurture trans people’s spirituality and well-being as they age.
FINDINGS FROM NSHAP: SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS, HEALTH INDICATORS, MEDICATION EFFECTS, AND PREDICTING MORTALITY
Authors: Piedra Lissette , Karraker Amelia 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project’s broad range of both social measures, and objective and self-reported health measures enable detailed analysis of the intersections between these fundamental aspects of older adults’ lives. The papers in this symposium explore various aspects of these topics from different angles. The first explores employment as an important form of social participation, establishing that full-time employment among respondents is associated with better cognitive function, and less ADL and IADL difficulties. The second examines how social isolation affects men and women differently. Social Networks are the focus of the third paper and compare family to friendship ties. Using NSHAP’s unique medication log, Wilder examines sleep disturbances and the prevalence of respondents taking medications with somnolence as an adverse event, demonstrating the need for more research into how this might affect older adults’ health and well-being. Li uses NSHAP data to develop machine learning models to predict 10-year mortality of older adults in the US which perform with better accuracy than logistic regression.
FEASIBILITY AND ACCEPTABILITY OF USING PLASMA BIOMARKERS FOR DIAGNOSING ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE IN PRIMARY CARE
Authors: Fowler Nicole , Swartzell Kristen , Hammers Dustin , Brosch Jared , Murray James , Willis Deanna 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Blood-based biomarkers (Aβ, P-tau, neurofilament light) are clinically available to aid in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). However, no research has examined the use of blood biomarkers to aid in the diagnosis of ADRD in primary care (PC). Our study will test feasibility and acceptability of implementing blood-based biomarkers for ADRD in PC. Participants include: all PC patients ≥65 years presenting to one of six PC clinics between 6/1/22 and 5/31/23 who score cognitively impaired on the Linus Health Digital Clock and Recall (DCR™), and PC providers (PCPs) of these patients. Patients will view a decision guide about biomarkers and complete the Concerns about Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia Scale, and the Future Time Perspective Scale and the Impact of Events Scale. These measures and the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 will be repeated within 2 weeks of results disclosure. PCPs will receive training on biomarker disclosure techniques and best practices. To date 9 PCPs have consented to provide the biomarker results disclosure and 11 have declined. Following completion of PCP consent (n=100), a total of 200 patients who failed the DCR are eligible to be approached for consent. By November 2023, we anticipate that 150 patients will have completed biomarker testing, and we will have examined the biomarker results in the context of patient neuropsychological and clinical data, comorbidities, and sociodemographic information. This study will provide information regarding feasibility and utility of ADRD biomarkers in PC and a preliminary analysis of biomarker results compared with the patients’ clinical profiles.
ENHANCING COLLABORATION FROM ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES TO PROVIDERS WORKING WITH MISTREATMENT VICTIMS/SURVIVORS
Authors: Liu Pi-Ju , Xue Wei- Lin , Hass Zachary 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Adult Protective Services (APS) is the frontline agency that receives, investigates, and provides services and/or referrals to victims/survivors of adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation. However, APS cannot resolve adult mistreatment alone, and must collaborate with healthcare, social, legal, and other community-based providers to address the needs of victims/survivors. Partnering with Montana APS and healthcare, legal, social and aging services providers, AARP, American Indian Health, local law enforcement, judge, attorneys, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, ombudsman, and Certification and Licensing Bureaus, our goal is to examine how state agencies can work together to reduce mistreatment and systems burden. Twenty-two interviews were conducted with state agencies to inquire about collaboration challenges and strategies, what has worked well with APS, and what can be improved. Thematic analysis was used to characterize barriers and solutions for collaboration, and social network analysis was used to map out the collaboration network. We found that information sharing is a boon for collaboration among agencies using integrated information systems, but becomes a barrier when information sharing is limited by statute. State agencies also identified other agencies they have worked with to address mistreatment and reflected on challenges and strategies in working with these other professionals. Challenges for state agencies to work together center around lack of funding and service shortages, especially during the pandemic. Strategies to improve collaboration involve agency cross-training to remove silos. These interviews offer rich insight to guide practitioners across agencies to work together at the state-level to reduce mistreatment and its recurrence.
NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCING DYADIC HEALTH SCIENCE IN GERONTOLOGY
Authors: Wilson Stephanie , Novak Joshua , Yorgason Jeremy , Martire Lynn 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
As dyadic health science enters a golden age, important conceptual, theoretical, and technical challenges remain. Based on a forum review published in The Gerontologist by a group of dyadic scholars, this presentation will provide an overarching framework for understanding the essential components of robust dyadic health research, and the wide array of approaches used within the field. Each component of the framework will be discussed in relation to supporting empirical examples. The presentation will close by identifying crucial challenges and considerations that coincide with important future directions for the field.
VOLUNTEERING AND CHANGES IN CARDIOVASCULAR BIOMARKERS: LONGITUDINAL EVIDENCE FROM THE HEALTH AND RETIREMENT STUDY
Authors: Kim Seoyoun , Halvorsen Cal , Han Sae Hwang 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
A growing body of research shows that volunteering is beneficial for those served, the volunteers, and the larger communities. However, major challenges remain that hinder the practical implications for volunteer activity as a public health intervention, including potential selection effects, lack of longitudinal studies that adjust for baseline characteristics, and a paucity of studies that consider multiple physical health outcomes in a single model. Using data from the 2006-2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (N=18,847) and an outcome-wide approach, the current paper evaluated if changes in volunteering between 2006/2008 (t0) and 2010/2012 (t1) were associated with seven cardiovascular disease biomarkers four years later (2014/2016, t2). Further, these models were adjusted for demographic factors, socioeconomic status, health behaviors, chronic conditions, baseline biomarkers, and baseline volunteering. Inverse probability treatment weights (IPTW) were included for the selection into volunteering and multiple imputation was conducted for missing data. Compared to non-volunteers, volunteering more than 200 hours a year was associated with a lower risk for clinically high diastolic blood pressure. Increased volunteering effort (change from 1-99 hours at t0 to &gt;100 hours at t1) was associated with a lower likelihood of clinically high systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels. Sustained high volunteering (&gt;100 hours at both t0 and t1) was associated with lower diastolic blood pressure. The current study adds to the evidence of the health benefits of volunteering for adults 50 and older by inferring a potential causal link between high-intensity volunteering and reduced blood pressure.
THE M. POWELL LAWTON AWARD LECTURE AND PRESENTATION
Authors: Washington Tiffany 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The M. Powell Lawton Award Lecture will feature an address by the 2022 recipient Jon Pynoos, PhD, FGSA, FAGHE, of the University of Southern California. This session will also include the presentation of the 2023 M. Powell Lawton Award to recipient. The M. Powell Lawton Award is presented annually to an individual who has made outstanding contributions from applied research that has benefited older people and their care. The Lawton Award is generously funded by the Polisher Research Institute of Abramson Senior Care.
CAREGIVER INVOLVEMENT AND CONCERNS WITH RESIDENT CARE IN ASSISTED LIVING BEFORE AND DURING COVID-19
Authors: Hoben Matthias , Dampf Hana , Hogan David , Corbett Kyle , McGrail Kim , Griffith Lauren , Gruneir Andrea , Maxwell Colleen 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Family/friend caregivers are essential in promoting assisted living (AL) residents’ health/well-being, but their involvement was restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Care needs in AL are similarly complex as in nursing homes, but fewer staffing resources and services are available. Caregiver involvement and concerns with care of AL residents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic is a critical knowledge gap. This prospective cohort study collected online surveys from caregivers to AL residents in Western Canada. Surveys assessed socio-demographics, ways of visiting or communicating with residents, involvement in care tasks, concerns with resident physical/mental health, perceived lack of resident access to care services, and whether caregivers felt well informed/involved with resident care. Our first survey assessed outcomes in the three months before and after pandemic wave 1 (03/2020), our second survey assessed outcomes in pandemic wave 2 (11/2020 -02/2021). Based on 386 responses, in-person visits dropped significantly in wave 1 (91.5% to 30.6%) and so did caregiver involvement in nearly all care tasks (e.g., toileting: 7.5% to 2.6%, social/recreational activities: 73.6% to 25.7%). While these rates increased in wave 2, most did not return to pre-pandemic levels. Caregiver concerns increased in wave 1 (e.g., concerns about residents’ depressed mood: from 21.3% to 50.3%) and stayed high in wave 2. Concerns were particularly high (e.g., &gt;20% higher for depressed mood) among caregivers who did not feel well informed/involved with resident care. Continued caregiver involvement in resident care and communication with caregivers is key to mitigating caregiver concerns and supporting caregiver and resident well-being.
COVID-19 AND PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG USE IN ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENTS: VARIATION BY WAVE AND SETTING TYPE
Authors: Maxwell Colleen , Dampf Hana , Alkabbani Wajd , Cotton Cecilia , Gamble Jean-Michael , Hogan David , Gruneir Andrea , Hoben Matthias 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The onset of COVID-19 was associated with significant, albeit modest, increases in the use of psychotropics and opioids in nursing home residents. Little research exists on whether similar trends occurred among older residents of publicly funded assisted living (AL) homes, a growing and poorly investigated setting. We examined the impact of pandemic wave (1 to 4) and setting type (dementia designated spaces [AL-D] vs other [AL-O]) on prevalent antipsychotic, antidepressant, benzodiazepine, opioid and anticonvulsant use in AL residents from Alberta, Canada. Using linked population-based clinical and health administrative databases, we conducted a repeated cross-sectional study of quarterly medication prevalence from January 2018 to December 2021. Log-binomial GEE models estimated prevalence ratios (PR) for 4 waves (vs 2018-19 historical months) and setting (AL-D vs AL-O) and period-setting interactions. On March 1, 2020, there were 2,874 AL-D and 6,611 AL-O residents in our cohorts (mean age 82.4 vs 79.9 years and 93.5% vs 42.6% with dementia, respectively). Antipsychotic prevalence increased during waves 2-4 for both settings but this increase was significantly greater for AL-D than AL-O in later waves (e.g., AL-D: PR 1.21, 95%CI 1.14-1.27; AL-O: 1.12 (1.07-1.17) for March-May 2021 vs 2018-19). For both settings, there was a significant but modest increase in antidepressants but a decrease in benzodiazepines during several waves. No pandemic effect was observed for opioids in either setting. The AL resident and home characteristics associated with these medication trends, concerns about medication risks (particularly for dementia care settings), and consequent health outcomes for residents require further study.
ETHNICITY IN RESEARCH ON OLDER MIGRANTS: HOW THE SCHOLARSHIP CONCEPTUALIZES IT AND WHERE WE NEED TO HEAD
Authors: Torres Sandra 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
A recently completed scoping review of peer-reviewed articles on older ethno-racialized minorities has shown that although conceptual and theoretical advancements have been made in the field of ethnicity and race, the social gerontological literature on these minorities continues to regard ethnicity in essentialist ways, conflates ethnicity with race and seldom operationalizes what these social positions mean to aging and old age. The impact of ethnicity is, in other words, almost always inferred in this research, which is why the field has been deemed to be characterized by data-richness and theory-poorness. Over the past three years, researchers working on the nexus of aging and migration have surveyed the current state of knowledge on older migrants (focusing on migrancy, rather than ethnicity and/ or race). One of these inventories is a meta-analysis of how research on older migrants conceptualizes ethnicity, and the manner in which this social position is presumed to impact on migrants’ old age- and aging-related experiences. At stake has also been the assessment of whether this literature differs from the scholarship on older ethno-racialized minorities, and the ways in which that scholarship conceptualizes ethnicity. This presentation offers insight into what this inventory has found out. In focus are the current state of affairs about how ethnicity is approached in research on older migrants, and the launching of a theoretically-informed and empirically-astute research agenda for the study of ethnicity in gerontology.