bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ADVANCE CARE PLANNING ACROSS SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND COGNITION LEVELS
Authors: Rahemi Zahra , Adams Swann 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Older adults from underrepresented and minority groups have higher rates of chronic disease and cognitive impairment and lower rates of advance care planning and comfort care at the end of life. This study examined advance care planning in U.S. older adults across different sociodemographic characteristics and cognition levels. Secondary data analyses were conducted using the 2014 Health and Retirement Study. Logistic regression models were run with each outcome variable (having living will, durable power of attorney for healthcare [DPOAH], and both the living will and DPOAH) stratified by cognition (dementia/impaired cognition versus normal cognition). Prediction variables included race, ethnicity, rurality, marital status, gender, education, age, everyday discrimination, social support, and loneliness. Of the 17,698 respondents, 77.8% had normal cognition and 22.2% had a diagnosis of dementia or impaired cognition. Black and Hispanic participants and younger individuals with lower levels of education were less likely to have a living will or both DPOAH and living will in place. Race and ethnicity were significant predictors of DPOAH among the normal cognition group but not in the dementia group. Rurality significantly predicted having a living will and both DPOAH/living will for the normal cognition group but not the dementia/impaired cognition group. This study provides evidence of the need to understand advance care planning disparities among older adults with multiple marginalized identities and different cognition levels. The findings are important for examining advance care planning regarding what matters to diverse older adults as they age and confront health and cognition decline.
PREPARING “EXPERIENCED” CAREGIVERS FOR FUTURE CARE: PERSPECTIVES FROM FORMER CAREGIVERS OF PARENTS WITH DEMENTIA
Authors: Mroz Emily , Piechota Amanda , Ali Talha , Matta-Singh Tara , Abboud Anissa , Sharma Shubam , Fried Terri , Monin Joan 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Providing care for more than one care partner across adulthood is becoming increasingly common, resulting in a growing number of ‘experienced’ caregivers (those who have been caregivers before and are anticipating or engaging in caregiving roles again). Caregivers have opportunities to develop caregiving skills and experience positive and negative psychological consequences that persist after care roles have ended. Little is known about how these factors shape preparedness in the large and growing group of former adult-child caregivers of parents living with dementia (PLWD) who anticipate future caregiving roles. We conducted a qualitative study of 32 interviews with midlife former caregivers of now-deceased PLWD. Consensual Qualitative Research and grounded theory techniques guided study design and analysis. Analyses demonstrated that preparedness for future caregiving roles was shaped by personal narratives from former caregiving roles across two dimensions: insights and confidence. All caregivers described insights (i.e., caregiving self-conduct, care systems and resources, and relating with a care partner) that contributed to their preparedness. Though some former caregivers also described a positive (i.e., boosted or sustained) sense of confidence, others described a diminished (i.e., restricted or impeded) sense of confidence. Findings suggest that for some former caregivers, past experiences offer cumulative advantages; for others, past experiences may contribute to apprehension towards, or rejection of, future caregiving roles. Entering new roles with diminished confidence may have negative consequences for caregivers’ and care partners’ wellbeing. This presentation will conclude with suggestions for resources that address both insight-based and confidence-based preparedness and are tailored to experienced caregivers.
FORMAL SERVICE USE BARRIERS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON PREPAREDNESS IN DEMENTIA FAMILY CAREGIVERS
Authors: Falzarano Francesca , McCarthy Megan 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Dementia family caregivers are critical to sustaining the long-term services and supports system in the US, yet the identification-assessment-referral pipeline to connect caregivers to needed resources remains siloed and complex. The use of formal services can serve as a mechanism to foster preparedness, resiliency, and enhance positive aspects of the caregiving role and ameliorate against adverse care-related outcomes. Despite resounding sentiment among caregivers expressing their need for relevant services, formal service utilization remains strikingly low. A greater understanding is needed regarding the multidimensional factors, stemming from within and beyond the direct care environment, influencing perceived ability to carry out care responsibilities. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the individual, psychosocial, and contextual characteristics associated with preparedness and self-efficacy among 46 dementia family caregivers (Mage=55.9, SD=16.3) who participated in a mixed-methods study examining facilitators and impediments influencing service utilization. Overall, 65.9% of participants reported receiving no formal preparation for their care responsibilities. Results showed that age, spousal kinship, longer duration of care, financial stress, more difficulty accessing formal services, and more negative service experiences were associated with lower feelings of perceived preparedness and self-efficacy. Findings underscore the need for more holistic, person-centered assessment to equip caregivers with the needed, relevant resources to enhance their ability to provide effective care.
HOW ARE OLDER PEOPLE FARING POST-PANDEMIC? EVIDENCE FROM THE ENGLISH LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF AGING
Authors: Gessa Giorgio Di , Zaninotto Paola , Zaninotto Paola 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
This session provides insights into the experiences of older people in England post-COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence suggests that stay-at-home and lockdown measures during the pandemic impacted several aspects of people’s lives with detrimental consequences for their wellbeing and mental health, particularly among older people. Little is known, however, on whether and to what extent there has been a return to ‘normal life’ since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. Using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) this symposium aims to provide new evidence on the experiences of older English people since the successful and rapid COVID-19 vaccination rollout and the easing of restrictions in England through the second half of 2021. ELSA is an ongoing longitudinal biennial survey representative of individuals aged 50 and over in private households that has collected data before the pandemic (with the most recent pre-COVID-19 data collected in 2018/19), during the pandemic (on two separate occasions in June/July and November/December 2020), and post-COVID-19 pandemic (with interviews taking place between October 2021 and March 2023). Exploiting the richness of this dataset, this symposium will present the most up-to-date picture of how older people are faring post-pandemic. Results will focus on mental health and wellbeing, social isolation and loneliness, employment and financial status, as well as social participation (including volunteering, caring, and grandparental childcare).
SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT AMONG OLDER PEOPLE IN ENGLAND SINCE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Gessa Giorgio Di 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Volunteering, providing grandparental childcare, and provision of family care were quite common activities pre-pandemic among older people. However, during the pandemic, older people in particular were strongly advised to stay indoors, to work from home, and to avoid or at least limit interactions with people outside of their immediate household, including grandchildren and friends. As a result, evidence from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) showed dramatic changes in the level of engagement in these socially productive activities. About 10% of grandparents stopped looking after grandchildren altogether during the first 9 months of the pandemic, with 22% reporting an overall decrease in the amount of grandchild care provided. Similarly, among those who were volunteering or caring for someone outside their household pre-COVID-19, almost two thirds decreased or stopped altogether engaging in these activities, with overall negative consequences for their mental health and wellbeing. To date, though, little is known on whether, in emerging from the current pandemic and as restrictions are lifted, social engagement among older people has resumed pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels and whether this is related to a rebound also in emotional wellbeing. Using data from ELSA collected in 2021/23 allows for an exploration of changes in grandparental childcare provision, caring, and volunteering since the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on levels of engagement among those older people who had stopped altogether these activities during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic
SOCIAL WELL-BEING OF OLDER PEOPLE IN ENGLAND SINCE THE PANDEMIC: DID ALREADY-ISOLATED OLDER ADULTS FARE WORSE?
Authors: Kung Claryn 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and actions to reduce transmission (including stay-at-home orders and workplace closures) have had an impact on actual and perceived social isolation and support across all age groups. There was a clear increase in social isolation during the pandemic, especially among older adults, potentially due to the heightened risks of complications and mortality if infected with the novel coronavirus. In England, employing data from the nationally representative English Longitudinal Study of Ageing and using pre- (2018/19) and during pandemic data (June/July 2020 and November/December 2020), we found that overall, older adults who were already experiencing social isolation prior to the pandemic (isolated group) experienced a larger rise in loneliness and drop in social contact during the pandemic than older adults who were previously socially connected (non-isolated group). Results are robust even when we account for the fact that respondents socially isolated (including those not married and with infrequent contact with relatives and friends) felt lonelier and less supported even before the pandemic, and when we adjust for demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Expanding on this work with post-pandemic data collected between October 2021 and March 2023, this paper describes loneliness, social contact, and social support pre-, during, and post-COVID-19 pandemic and investigates whether and to what extent trends in social well-being continued to diverge between the isolated and non-isolated groups.
LONELINESS AND OLDER ADULTS: RESULTS FROM A COMMUNITY-BASED INTERVENTION
Authors: Macomber Catherine , Freddolino Paul 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The number of older adults identifying themselves as lonely has increased during the last two years as they have struggled with the impact of the pandemic on their perceptions of relationships with others. Recent research has shown that the negative health implications of loneliness are similar to those found with smoking or obesity. Most current interventions continue with past practice by adding people to engage with the older adult, although research suggests that while this intervention addresses social isolation, it does not address loneliness directly. Information regarding the development and implementation of a loneliness intervention with older adults based on the Health Beliefs Model in one rural mid-west county will be presented. Participants were recipients of home-delivered meals and had volunteered for a project that provided peer-to-peer instruction to improve digital literacy. In addition to technology training sessions, participants received a weekly contact from a separate volunteer as a friendly ‘check-in.’ Beginning in the fourth week, brief 5-10 minute coaching sessions about loneliness were included in these weekly contacts. The presentation will include details of the loneliness content, and describe training and support provided to the volunteers. Interviews were conducted with participants at baseline, approximately three months, and at the end of contact with each participant. Results showed no statistically significant change in loneliness, but participants reported they saw potential usefulness for the content with family and friends and potentially themselves in the future. They also provided helpful suggestions for revision. Plans for revision will be presented.
SOCIAL PARTICIPATION AND DEPRESSION AMONG HONG KONG OLDER ADULTS: THE MODERATING ROLE OF DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT
Authors: Liu Chang , Bai Xue , Lee Chi-Ko 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Depression is a significant public health issue among older adults. Active social participation is crucial for older people to promote mental well-being. Previous studies mainly focused on the impacts of offline social activities on older people’s mental health, despite that digital participation has substantially changed their patterns of social participation in the context of Covid-19 pandemic. Extending the use of Activity Theory to digital context, this study investigated how social participation in three types of activities (i.e., formal, informal and solitary activities) and digital engagement independently and jointly influenced mental health among Hong Kong older adults. Data from 5,007 participants were drawn from the baseline survey of the Panel Study of Active Ageing and Society, a biannual longitudinal survey conducted with a representative sample of ageing Chinese adults aged 50 years and above in Hong Kong. Exploratory factor analysis, ordinary least squares regression analysis and mediation analysis were conducted. The results showed that participation in informal and solitary activities was related to less depressive symptoms, while participation in formal activities was related to more depressive symptoms but higher life satisfaction. Although the main effect of digital engagement on depressive symptoms was not significant, more digital engagement reduced the negative effect of formal activities and decreased the effect of informal activities in reducing depressive symptoms. The findings have implications for policy-making and intervention development to encourage and balance social and digital participation among ageing populations.
EVALUATING AND ADDRESSING ASPECTS OF SOCIAL HEALTH AMONG AGING POPULATIONS
Authors: Marziliano Allison , Cudjoe Thomas 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The physical and psychological aspects of human functioning have traditionally been at the heart of gerontological research. In recent years, however, social health, including such concepts as social isolation, social support and loneliness, have received increasing attention. This symposium describes research in this developing area, starting with a description of the evaluation of disparities in social health and culminating with an overview of the development process for interventions to improve poor social health. First, Victor and Taylor, in their respective presentations, focus on identifying disparities (racial, ethnic, gender, marital status, household composition) in social health across older adults in two geographic regions (United Kingdom, United States). Next, Marziliano describes the iterative process of developing 6 brief (~5 minute) videos to administer an adaptation of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for the purpose of increasing meaning and reducing loneliness in caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) or AD-related dementias (ADRD). Development of this intervention consisted of three phases: preparatory work among the study team, interviews to collect stakeholder feedback with 15 AD caregivers, and construction of the web-based tool. Lastly, guided by Intervention Mapping, the Health Belief Model and Social Cognitive Theory, Thomas describes the process of developing an educational video and website to address social isolation among homebound older adults. This process incorporated multiple steps: a needs assessment during two focus groups; literature review; pilot of educational materials; and finally, implementation and evaluation of the intervention.
RACIAL DIFFERENCES IN LONGITUDINAL TRAJECTORIES OF SOCIAL ISOLATION AND LONELINESS
Authors: Taylor Harry 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine if there are racial differences in the longitudinal trajectories of social isolation and loneliness among older adults. Data come from the Health and Retirement Study Leave Behind Questionnaire, waves 2006-2016. Social isolation was operationalized as a social network index and loneliness was operationalized by the UCLA-3 item loneliness scale. Race was operationalized by White, Black, and Hispanic. I also adjusted for age, gender, education, household income, and employment status. Racial differences in longitudinal trajectories were determined by multilevel models with survey weights included by the HRS. In unadjusted models, I found Hispanic older adults were less likely to be socially isolated compared to White and Black older adults; furthermore, White older adults were less likely to be lonely compared to Black and Hispanic older adults. In fully adjusted models, White older adults had greater social isolation in comparison to Black and Hispanic older adults, and Black older adults had greater isolation compared to Hispanic older adults. For loneliness, Black older adults were found to be lonelier compared to Hispanic older adults, but not White older adults. This study is one of the first to examine racial differences in longitudinal trajectories of social isolation and loneliness. I find race is a salient factor that may influence objective isolation and feelings of loneliness among older adults. Given the established relationship between isolation, loneliness, and health, these findings are useful for identifying potential racial groups at higher risk for these conditions and informing future interventions.
USING INTERVENTION MAPPING TO DEVELOP RESOURCES TO PROMOTE SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT WITH HOMEBOUND OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Thomas Kali , Smith Kristen , Bunker Jennifer , Gans Kim 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Homebound older adults are at increased risk of social isolation. Drivers who deliver meals to 800,000+ homebound older adults yearly are uniquely positioned to address social isolation through their conversations and daily interactions. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate resources to educate meal-delivery drivers about social isolation and promote driver-client social engagement. We used Intervention Mapping (IM), a six-step theoretical- and evidence-based planning approach, to develop this intervention. First, we conducted a needs assessment through two focus groups with drivers and 12 interviews with subject matter experts (Step 1). Our literature review revealed the behavior outcomes, determinants, methods, and strategies to target (Steps 2&3). We piloted the intervention materials with stakeholders, meal-delivery drivers, and subject matter experts (Step 4). Our needs assessment indicated that drivers receive no training or education on social isolation. Drawing on the Social Cognitive Theory and Health Belief Model, we developed a 2.5 minute educational video and website with resources for workers who engage with socially isolated homebound older adults. The video and website included the following change methods and strategies: tailoring, modeling, chunking, cuing, raising, framing, and using imagery to influence behaviors. Feedback from drivers and experts on the resources was positive. The presenter will discuss the results implementing and evaluating the intervention (Steps 5&6) with meal-delivery drivers in Mississippi through an online survey. Our findings indicate the benefits of using an iterative, step-by-step intervention development framework to organize and structure an intervention to address social isolation among homebound older adults.
PERSONALITY AND PLASMA BIOMARKERS OF REACTIVE ASTROGLIOSIS (GFAP) AND NEURONAL INJURY (NFL)
Authors: Terracciano Antonio , Walker Keenan , An Yang , Luchetti Martina , Moghekar Abhay R , Sutin Angelina , Ferrucci Luigi , Resnick Susan 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Personality traits are associated with cognitive functioning and risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. To understand the biological mechanisms of these associations, it is essential to examine the amyloid (A), tau (T), and neurodegeneration (N) components of the ATN framework. A recent meta-analysis found that neuroticism and conscientiousness are associated with amyloid and tau. However, less is known on whether personality traits are associated with markers of neurodegeneration. This study examines whether personality traits are concurrently related to plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker of reactive astrogliosis, and neurofilament light (NfL), a marker of neuronal injury. Cognitively unimpaired participants from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging (N=786; age: 22-95) were assayed for plasma GFAP and NfL and completed the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R), which measures five domains and 30 facets of personality. Neuroticism (particularly vulnerability to stress, anxiety, and depression facets) was associated with higher GFAP and NfL. Conscientiousness was associated with lower GFAP. Extraversion (particularly positive emotions, assertiveness, and activity facets) was related to lower GFAP and NfL. These associations were independent of demographic, behavioral, and health covariates and not moderated by age, sex, or APOE genotype. The personality correlates of astrogliosis and neuronal injury tend to be similar, are found in individuals without cognitive impairment, and point to potential neurobiological underpinnings of the association between personality traits and neurodegenerative diseases.
MUSIC IN THE EVERYDAY LIFE OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA
Authors: Kotarba Joseph , Couve Amanda 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
A common approach to dementia care is the clinical application of music to improve cognition, memory, quality of life, etc. Although the literature on this work continues to expand, relatively little scholarly attention has been given to understanding common, everyday life experiences of music among those living with dementia. The present paper is derived from the qualitative research informing “Music in the Course of Life” (Routledge, 2023). Following the symbolic interactionist/existentialist paradigm, we reconfigured the life course model of organizing aging by seeing life course as a concept of the self that can be observed in various situations, that are not necessarily linearly ordered, in everyday life. We observed music as it is presented and performed in residential facilities, at home, in hospitals and in hospice. The self experience can be portrayed as “Being,” “Becoming,” and “Been There” in the case of many seniors. The primary value of music for dementia care is not predicated on eliciting music from memory or from regenerating cognition. The pleasures of music are exceptionally situational so that the elderly person need not have any prior exposure to or experience with music that now is positive affectively, cognitively and/or socially. The meaningful music situation--especially at end of life--is composed of significant others providing the music, attendees singing or humming along with the music, a caretaker to orchestrate the situation.