bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EPIGENETIC MECHANISMS OF TISSUE AGING
Authors: Sen Payel 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Epigenetic alterations are a hallmark of aging, affecting DNA and histone modifications, 3D genome structure, and gene expression. Our lab studies these changes in various tissues to understand their unique and shared characteristics. In this talk, I will focus on the skeletal muscle, which makes up ~40% of the body weight, contributes to ~30% of resting energy expenditure, and is affected by aging. Aging reduces muscle mass and strength, partly due to the reduced function of resident muscle stem cells (MuSCs). We used an integrative multi-omics approach to profile the transcriptome, epigenome, and 3D genome of MuSCs isolated from young, old, and geriatric mice and comprehensively understand why their regenerative potential diminishes with age. We found an elevated immune response and quiescence exit signature in MuSCs during aging and identified regulatory elements that contribute to these changes. By targeting these networks, we can potentially rejuvenate MuSC function. Overall, we show that the non-coding genome potentiates a functional drift in MuSCs, an otherwise non-immune cell to a more immune function.
TELE-SAVVY@HOME: PRODUCING AND TESTING A FULLY ASYNCHRONOUS ONLINE TELE-SAVVY PROGRAM
Authors: Epps Fayron , Clevenger Carolyn , Higgins Melinda , Hepburn Kenneth 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Group-based psychoeducational programs like the Savvy Caregiver program and its synchronous/asynchronous online adaptation, Tele-Savvy, have demonstrated that the acquisition of skills, knowledge, and caregiving mastery can ameliorate caregiving stress and enhance the quality of life for persons living with dementia. Many factors, including the constant presence of care recipients, preclude caregivers attending such programs, including synchronous online programs, and limit programs’ accessibility and availability. This presentation describes the development of a fully asynchronous online Savvy program (Tele-Savvy@Home; TS@H) and the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the online program. TS@H employed online continuing education methods to present ~16 hours of content in 46 short interactive segments of 8-15 minutes each. TS@H pilot program participants had no interaction with other participants and didn’t engage with a live instructor. Pilot results provided preliminary confirmation of the pilot study’s primary and secondary hypotheses regarding positive benefits to caregivers and care recipients. Results from the 29 participants who completed the pilot program and provided follow-up data indicated the program produced moderate to large effects by end of study on enhancing caregiving mastery (d=0.645) and decreasing reported care recipient behavior (d=-0.834) and reduced caregiver reactivity to that behavior (d=-0.732). The program also produced small to moderate benefits (d = -0.25 to -0.49) in the areas of caregiver depression, anxiety, and burden. Caregivers reported the program helped them be less resentful of their caregiver role and to accept the changes in relationship dynamics with their person. These results will inform the next iteration of Tele-Savvy@Home.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO REST? A STUDY OF CAREGIVERS CARING FOR A PERSON WITH DEMENTIA
Authors: Hahn Sarah 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The number of informal caregivers caring for a person with dementia (PWD) has been increasing steadily over the past decade; more than 11 million Americans provide unpaid care as of 2022 (Alzheimer’s Association, 2022). The impact of caregiving is immense; caregivers risk having chronic health issues, poor emotional well-being, and physiological changes (Alzheimer’s Association, 2022). Respite care provides a temporary break for the caregiver, but is often underutilized (O’ Shea, et al., 2019). Research has found that the responsibilities of caregiving for a PWD, specifically the mental load, is a 24-hour, 7-day position that leaves little room for rest (Chew, et al., 2022). However, while there are several definitions of what rest and respite is in the gerontological literature (O’ Shea, et al., 2019), not much is known on the experiences and achievement of rest by caregivers of PWD. This study explored the concept of rest to caregivers of PWD by using phenomenological interviews to understand the meanings attributed to it. Findings indicated three superordinate themes: “roadblocks”, “the actuality”, and “the ideal”, as well as subsequent subthemes.
BUILDING STUDENTS’ CAREER SKILLS THROUGH AGE-FRIENDLY INTERGENERATIONAL CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
Authors: Farah Kimberly , Montepare Joann , Frazier Charlotte 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Changing age demographics are reshaping societies and challenging institutions of higher education to consider how they can respond to age-diverse populations through new approaches to teaching, research, and community engagement. As well, institutions are facing a range of challenges as they look to respond to the contemporary needs of students who will be entering an age-diverse workforce. The pioneering Age-Friendly University (AFU) initiative, endorsed by GSA’s Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE), offers a framework within which institutions can begin to address these issues through more age-friendly programs, practices, and partnerships. Drawing on the AFU principle that advocates for promoting intergenerational learning, this presentation will describe several intergenerational classroom activities that have been developed to support students’ success in the workplace – including mock interview sessions, career roundtable discussions, research mentoring efforts, and Careers in Age Week activities. In addition to showing the value of intergenerational exchange to enhance students’ career readiness, these efforts demonstrate how older adults can serve as teaching allies and support the educational mission of higher education.
PREPARING STUDENTS FOR A MULTIGENERATIONAL WORKFORCE: PERSPECTIVES FROM OLDER WORKERS AND RETIREES
Authors: Graf Allyson , Nikzad-Terhune Katherina 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Workforce diversity can be a major asset for personal, interpersonal, and economic development. Age diversity is prevalent with five generations currently represented in the workforce. Intergenerational tension is common, however, largely fueled by stereotypes centered on age and generation that can infiltrate all workplace processes. Working from the Age-Friendly University framework, our aim was to gather qualitative data to inform the development of a training program for college students, pairing information on age-related bias with opportunities for meaningful intergenerational exchange to mimic workplace interactions. We hosted three community-based focus groups with adults ranging from 60-69 years of age who were either currently employed or recently retired (N = 10) to discuss their intergenerational interactions in the workplace. Participants had an average of 41.06 years of work experience and worked across multiple industries, most commonly administrative work, food services, government, and healthcare. The most common theme reported was the dismissal of participants’ work experience by their younger colleagues, which some equated to a lack of respect due to their age, and others painted as a breakdown in communication. Technology was highlighted as exasperating intergenerational tensions. Participants also reported that younger colleagues often approached them for general life advice, which helped to reduce tensions. The willingness to see the value of older adults’ wisdom in general, but not specific to the work at hand, has implications for the content and structure of future career-readiness training programs. Recommendations for enhancing positive intergenerational exchanges and reducing generational tensions within the workplace will be discussed.
DIRECT OBSERVATION OF OLDER ADULTS VIDEO TELEMEDICINE CHALLENGES
Authors: Moo Lauren , Venegas Maria , Hawley Chelsea , McCullough Megan , Hung William 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Video to home has the potential to increase access to clinical services for older adults that face barriers to in-person care and to specialty care such as mobility and transportation challenges. There is evidence that the digital divide has been increasing rather than shrinking for this population. Twenty older cognitively intact Veterans enrolled in Aim 1 of a study of video visits with clinical pharmacists and allowed the study team to observe them in their homes as they prepared for and attempted to connect for the virtual encounter. Technology challenges were encountered in more than 80%, including 60% that required assistance from the in-person study staff, despite these being highly motivated participants. We will share both quantitative and qualitative data regarding the nature of the challenges observed and discuss the implications for geriatric tech equity.
CREATING AN AGE-SAVVY WORKFORCE THROUGH GERONTOLOGICAL INTERNSHIPS
Authors: Karasik Rona , Donorfio Laura , Gugliucci Marilyn 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The disconnect between age and work demographics is well-known. Less understood is how to create an age-savvy workforce prepared to meet the diverse needs of a rapidly aging population. To date, considerable research has focused on: (1) Are current and future professionals interested in working with older adults (e.g., King et al., 2013) (2) Does “exposing” current and future professionals to aging content increase their interest in working with older adults (e.g., Gutheil, et al, 2009); and (3) What impact do direct intergenerational experiences have on student attitudes and desires to work with older adults (e.g., Gorelik, et al., 2000)? The results of these studies are mixed, suggesting additional elements be considered, such as the quality and outcomes of the experience. This symposium considers the nature, role, and challenges of internship, practicum, and field work experiences from a range of perspectives. First, Dr. Laura Donorfio introduces the components of internships as they relate to workforce development. Next, Dr. Rona Karasik provides a faculty perspective on intergenerational internships. Third, Dr. Phyllis Greenberg and Jodi Danielson offer insight into the agency and preceptor perspective. Forth, Jessica VanderWerf presents a gerontology student’s perspective. Fifth, Camryn Hafner shares the perspective of a student from outside of gerontology – in this case, drama therapy. Finally, moderator and discussant Dr. Marilyn Gugliucci synthesizes the presentation findings and reflects on the promise of gerontological internships to develop professionals both within and outside of gerontology to best meet the demographic reality of the next 30 - 50 years.
GERONTOLOGY INTERNSHIPS, PRACTICUM, AND FIELD WORK FROM A FACULTY PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Karasik Rona 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
While internships, practicum, and field work tend to be viewed primarily as student and site focused, academic faculty are also important to an internship’s success. Faculty roles may include assisting students in selecting and applying for site placements, ensuring that students are a “good fit” and properly prepared for a particular setting, overseeing quality control and assessment, guiding students to reflect on and harvest their learning throughout their internship, and at times, serving as advocate, trouble-shooter and/or mediator (Karasik, Donorfio, & Greenberg, 2023). In addition to student-facing responsibilities, faculty are also often involved in curricular aspects of internships and similar experiences (e.g., setting program parameters, expectations, and student learning goals and objectives), as well employing internship outcomes to academic program assessment (Karasik, 2009). Internship faculty also serve as a liaison between the academic program and community partners. Developing and maintaining community partnerships requires a broad skill-set, including but not limited to knowledge of the local aging network, collegiality, diplomacy, cultural and self-awareness, flexibility, and effective communication. Honing and consistently applying these traits is also essential, as recent studies suggest that at least some community partners perceive faculty involvement in community-based learning to be uneven and/or deficient (e.g., Karasik, 2020; Karasik & Hafner, 2021). Given the many roles faculty play in regard to internships and similar experiences, this presentation explores gerontology-based internships from a faculty perspective and shares the reflections and insight of one faculty member who has served as a gerontology internship coordinator for close to 30 years.
WHAT WORKS AND WHAT IS MISSING: A PRECEPTOR AND AGENCY PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Greenberg Phyllis , Danielson Jodi 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
As has been discussed, the population of older adults is growing at a rapid pace and the need for staff in residential environments has grown to a crisis situation. Agencies are in dire need of staff at all levels from CNAs to nurses, social workers and administrators. There is an opportunity for agencies to help train the new generation of age savvy staff by working with universities to provide hands-on experience such as internships, practicum, and field work. This presentation examines the preceptor and community agency perspective of working with students interested in aging. We explore how to achieve a win/win/win/win experience (student, preceptor-agency/university/older adult). The presenters represent a agency preceptor and a preceptor-faculty member. Key areas for consideration include: 1) Experience/education of students; 2) Time commitment for preceptors/ agencies; 3) Agency and university support for preceptors; 4) Support for students from preceptors, agencies and the university; 5) Flexibility in responsibilities and scheduling between agencies, preceptors, and students; and 6) Ensuring that the experience is valuable to both students and agencies. Presenters will discuss strategies for meeting the needs of students and agencies while at the same time meeting the requirements of the university. These strategies include student involvement in day-to-day activities, as well as projects, teaching moments, providing support to preceptors as well as on-going communication and feedback. The goal is to provide an environment (both agency and university) that fosters growing an age savvy workforce.
TRADITIONAL AND NONTRADITIONAL INTERNSHIPS: A GERONTOLOGY STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE
Authors: VanderWerf Jessica 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Today’s gerontology students are more diverse than ever. Some come to the classroom with little to no experience working with older adults, while others are looking for further education and/or credentials to add to their employment and career opportunities. Both traditional (e.g., nursing homes, senior centers) and non-traditional internship settings (e.g., research, teaching) are examined in regard to providing students with experiences that will enhance their knowledge, career development, and/or future academic goals. As both an undergraduate minor and a Master’s level gerontology student, the presenter discusses their own non-traditional internship experiences that helped them to reach their goal of pursuing a doctoral degree in aging studies. Feedback gathered from other students in a variety of internship types is also presented. Finally, lessons learned, finding the right fit, and the overall value of internships and similar experiences is discussed from a student perspective.
READY OR NOT: A DRAMA THERAPY STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE ON WORKING WITH OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Hafner Camryn 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Drama therapy has the potential to positively influence the lives of older adults in many facets, i.e., improving self-perceptions of aging (Dokter & Sajnani, 2023), attention, depressive symptoms, and overall quality of life (Lin et al., 2022). But drama therapists may also inadvertently cause harm, reenacting narratives of infantilization and indignity, or reinforcing the socially prescribed roles available to older adults (Dokter & Sajnani, 2023). Training and education may minimize harm and maximize positive outcomes; however, despite growing numbers of drama therapists and drama therapy interns working with older populations, the training of drama therapists minimally reflects this shift. Currently, a total of 800 internship hours, representing work with at least two distinct populations, are required to graduate from New York University with a Master of Arts in Drama Therapy and to qualify for a provisional license. While older adults may represent one of these populations, no courses in aging are required. One elective course, Drama Therapy and Aging: From Midlife to Elderhood, is offered once every two years. In a two-year program, this course may only become available after a student has begun their fieldwork. In this presenter’s case, the aging elective was taken concurrently with the start of her fieldwork at an assisted living facility working with persons living with dementia on a secured unit. Benefits and limitations of this student’s preparation to provide successful therapeutic experiences for individuals in this environment are considered, as well as the perceived implications for their future career as a drama therapist.
GETTING OLDER ADULTS INVOLVED IN CLIMATE CHANGE INITIATIVES: REFRAMING AGING AS A POTENTIAL APPROACH
Authors: Diehl Manfred 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
In the context of climate change, older adults are often solely portrayed in terms of vulnerability and victimization. Although older adults’ vulnerability to the growing effects of climate change and natural disasters is an important topic, this presentation focuses on how to get older adults involved in climate change initiatives and as advocates for the adoption of climate-friendly behavior. The presentation argues that getting the growing population of older adults actively involved in issues of climate change requires moving away from a deficit- and loss-focused view of later adulthood. Instead, a new narrative about aging needs to be adopted, recognizing the many contributions older adults can make to addressing the global climate crisis. These contributions arise out of concerns for the health and well-being of the next generations and draw on older adults’ legacy thinking, lifelong experiences, professional expertise, and ability to work in multigenerational contexts. Such a new narrative recognizes and supports older adults as a “natural resource” and important “human capital.” The presentation will conclude with a discussion of the challenges to get older adults involved in climate change initiatives and with a description of several exemplary programs that have already generated foundational knowledge in this domain.
SLEEP AND FREQUENT HOSPITALIZATIONS AT THE END OF LIFE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEMENTIA
Authors: Klingman Karen , Sullivan Suzanne 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Older adults near end-of-life (EOL) are at risk for experiencing non-beneficial hospitalizations, negatively impacting their quality of life. Reasons for frequent hospitalizations include poorly managed symptoms of progressing chronic illnesses, many of which are exacerbated by poor sleep, and may differ depending on presence of dementia. This study characterized sleep for groups with and without frequent (two-or-more) hospitalizations in the final year of life using the National Health and Aging Trends Study. A subgroup of persons living with dementia (PLWD) was also explored. Means for difficulty falling asleep, trouble falling back to sleep, and use of sleep medications were compared for groups with and without frequent hospitalizations via one-tailed t-tests. Association between dementia and frequent hospitalizations was explored via Pearson Chi-Square. Individuals at EOL (n=529, 56% female, 68% white non-Hispanic, average age 80-85, 57% PLWD) were included, and 22% had frequent hospitalizations. Among the entire sample, those with frequent hospitalizations had worse sleep (more trouble falling back to sleep, p=.032, Cohens-d=.2). Sleep was also worse for those without dementia, but with frequent hospitalizations (difficulty falling back to sleep, Cohens-d=.3, p=.02) compared to those without frequent hospitalizations. There was no association between frequent hospitalization and presence of dementia (chi-square=.868 p=.352). However, the PLWD subgroup had worse sleep than those without dementia (difficulty falling asleep Cohens-d=.15, p=.04; use of sleep medications Cohens-d=.26, p=.002), yet sleep did not differ depending on frequent hospitalizations. These results indicate that further investigation into the relationship between dementia, sleep, and frequent hospitalizations at EOL is warranted.
“NO FEAR, ALL FAITH”: RELIGIOUS COPING AND COVID-19 VACCINE HESITANCY AMONG OLDER AFRICAN AMERICANS
Authors: Skipper Antonius 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
While COVID-19 had a devasting impact on many groups across the globe, older African Americans were especially affected by the disproportionate rates of morbidity and mortality associated with the virus. Faced with “double jeopardy” - the nature of being both old and Black - older African Americans were at an increased risk of COVID-19-related infection and death due to their age and factors associated with ethnicity (e.g., access to resources, distrust of healthcare). These risks led many health professionals to prioritize COVID-19 vaccine uptake for older African Americans. However, historically and contemporaneously, African Americans report some of the highest levels of vaccine hesitancy in comparison to other ethnic groups. Many older African Americans use religious coping as a source to alleviate the stress of health threats. Yet, the novelty of COVID-19 contributed to a limited understanding of how and why vaccine hesitant older African Americans used religious coping in response to the pandemic. The present study gathered qualitative data from 22 vaccine hesitant older African Americans to describe the role of religious coping in vaccine hesitancy. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis and inductive coding methods. Analyses identified several salient themes relative to religious coping and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, including (1) No Fear, All Faith, (2) Prayer Protects my Peace, and 3) My Faith Justifies my Hesitance. As vaccine uptake remains important for both older adults and African Americans, implications from this study highlight important considerations for navigating the nexus of religion and health with highly religious populations.
AGING AND HEALTH IN THE CARIBBEAN REGION: AN OVERVIEW OF THE STATE OF RESEARCH
Authors: Quashie Nekehia Tamara 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The Caribbean region is undergoing rapid population aging. While there is diversity in the pace of population aging among countries within the region, there are some shared population health challenges including the increasing prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases and the inequalities therein. Relatedly, many Caribbean countries do not have well-established long-term care systems. Therefore, older adults primarily rely on informal care and support mainly from family members, which has implications for the health of older adults and their caregivers. Although Caribbean populations are understudied within gerontology, there is a growing body of research. This presentation provides an overview of the existing state of research on the social determinants of health among older adults within Caribbean societies and discusses directions for future research.