bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
THE DYNAMIC GENOME-CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR HEALTHY AGING
Authors: Adams Peter 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Chromatin is a key determinant of cell phenotype and function. Therefore, chromatin stability over the lifespan is presumably a pre-requisite for maintenance of cell and tissue phenotype and function, and hence healthy aging and longevity. However, chromatin is not a static fixed structure, but is a dynamic and plastic “breathing” assembly. This dynamic chromatin likely represents a challenge for a cell to achieve phenotypic stability, healthy aging and longevity. As a dynamic and plastic entity, chromatin is prone to change or drift, a process likely exacerbated by intrinsic cellular processes and extrinsic/environmental influences. We have proposed that cells possess mechanisms of chromatin homeostasis, or chromostasis, that preserve chromatin integrity, suppress phenotypic instability and so slow the pace of aging. Implications of dynamic chromatin for healthy aging and longevity will be discussed.
“WE WANT TO PAY AND WE WANT TO STAY”: OLDER ADULTS MANAGING PROPERTY TAX BURDEN IN A GROWING URBAN COUNTY
Authors: Traver Anthony , White Katie , Sheldon Marisa , Dabelko-Schoeny Holly , Sanders Bethany 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Aging in place is a goal for many older adults. As many older adults own their homes, strategies designed to promote aging in place must account for threats to the financial sustainability of ownership and occupancy later in life. One such threat is property taxes, which have risen substantially in many metropolitan areas over the last decade as home values soar. Property tax relief programs offered by state and local governments are designed to ease the housing cost burden of older adults. Yet, recent research indicates that such programs do little to ensure affordability for low-income homeowners. This study reviewed local property tax relief programs and interviewed local older adult homeowners and housing professionals to understand the circumstances of older adult homeowners in one growing U.S. County. Four major themes emerged from the interviews: housing market dynamics, personal finances, local housing resources, and wellbeing. Results indicate that unaffordability is a growing concern among older adult homeowners and services providers alike. Current property tax relief programs are thought to do little to reduce the cost burden posed by property taxes. Implications for social policy include expanding eligibility criteria and indexing the benefit to a local economic metric so that the relief remains relevant in areas with dynamic markets. Implications for practitioners include understanding the property tax relief programs in one’s area and referring clients when appropriate.
RECESSION EVENTS AND SLEEP PROBLEMS IN MIDLIFE AND AGING ADULTS
Authors: Bhat Aarti , Diaz Jose , Almeida David 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Adverse economic events can negatively impact aspects of health, including sleep quality. Poor sleep can increase risk of developing or exacerbating health conditions such as cardiovascular and metabolic disease, cancer, and suicidal ideation. It is critical to examine how economic hardships may amplify health disparities in midlife and aging, a rapidly growing demographic in the U.S. This study examines the effect of recession hardships on sleep issues in midlife and aging adults using waves 2 and 3 of the Midlife in the United States study (MIDUS; N = 2602; M age = 63.47; 56.99% women; 15.76% Black). Participants reported chronic sleep problems experienced in the past year, alongside frequency of experiencing sleep disruptions (trouble with onset, maintenance, feeling unrested). Participants also reported economic impacts (financial, housing, and job-related) experienced in the aftermath of the recession; with 75.56% reporting at least one adverse recession event. Regression indicated that recession events were significantly associated with higher odds of chronic sleep problems and high frequency sleep disruptions in wave 3, even when controlling for sleep problems in wave 2. When examining race and age as moderators, Black participants who experienced adverse events were more vulnerable to chronic sleep problems than white participants, whereas age showed no significant interactions. Results indicate that adverse economic events can impact sleep quality for midlife and aging adults, and that policy mitigating economic effects on sleep may especially benefit Black adults. Subsequent analyses will examine the effect of recession events on daily sleep patterns.
IMPLEMENTATION RESEARCH: INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAMS ACROSS UNIVERSITY SETTINGS
Authors: Juris Jill , Leedahl Skye , Douglas Natalie 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Implementing intergenerational programs within university settings has been associated with benefits for all generations involved, which often includes young children, university students, and older adults. However, from conceptualization to pilot testing to evaluation, challenges and opportunities present themselves. This symposium will highlight implementation realities for intergenerational programs within higher education settings. This symposium will specifically address dimensions of: geography (rural versus urban), modality (such as in-person, virtual, or a mix), community/university partnerships, and scholarship for faculty balancing instruction and research demands. Addressing stages of implementation, the papers reflect a continuum from pre-planning to pilot to more advanced stages of implementation. First, Lisa Borrero will highlight challenges and opportunities of conceptualizing fully online intergenerational programming, including the pre-implementation planning, execution, and evaluation stages.The second paper from Ladan Ghazi Saidi will describe pre-implementation tasks completed to establish interest in intergenerational programming in a rural setting, as well as challenges stemming from the pandemic. Third, Jill Juris and colleagues will highlight an online intergenerational technology program offered from a rural Western North Carolina university that began implementation during the pandemic.Fourth, Rachel Scrivano and colleagues will describe a community-based participatory research method that bridged the gap between expectations and reality of implementing a 5-year intergenerational program focused on healthy food access. The fifth paper from Skye Leedahl and colleagues will discuss the implementation experiences of an intergenerational, reverse mentoring, technology program that has evolved for seven years at a Rhode Island public university and utilizes community partners from across the state.
EPIGENETIC MECHANISMS OF TISSUE AGING
Authors: Sen Payel , Yang Na , Occean James , Melters Daniel , Shi Changyou , Wang Lin , Sidoli Simone , Dalal Yamini 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Epigenetic alterations are one of the key hallmarks of aging. How epigenetic changes broadly affect euchromatin-heterochromatin balance, three-dimensional chromatin conformation, histone composition and global transcriptome in aging have not been addressed. Using murine liver as a model organ and an integrated multi-omics approach, we find that aged cells assume a repressed chromatin state characterized by condensed chromatin, broad heterochromatinization, global suppression of the transcriptome, and inability to self-interact over long distances. Our findings reveal that global chromatin alterations pose a barrier and promote a cellular state that is refractory to injury sensing and repair.
MAKING THE CASE FOR AGE INCLUSIVITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Authors: Bowen Lauren , Montepare Joann , Silverstein Nina , Whitbourne Susan , Beaulieu Celeste 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Often viewed as institutions primarily servings 18-to-24-year-old student populations, U.S. colleges and universities are age-diverse. In our recent national study of AFU institutions, 21 campuses maintaining age data reported that 12,718 faculty (39.24% of faculty) and 20,361 staff (42.31% of staff) were ages 50+. Additionally, 22 campuses reported 7,080 students (1.58%) ages 50+. Despite higher education’s attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), age is often overlooked; therefore, universities may need strategies for improving age inclusivity. Across 2,447 open-ended survey responses from our study, faculty, staff, and students describe experiences with age inclusivity (e.g., feeling valued) and exclusion (e.g., feeling unwelcome), and many call for greater sensitivity to aging in existing DEI efforts, such as more age-inclusive language in classrooms and attention to age bias in hiring and promotions. In addition, this presentation will examine responses that raise important considerations for integrating age inclusivity with other higher education DEI efforts.
AGE-FRIENDLY MESSAGES AND IMAGES: A VIEW FROM HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION
Authors: Gugliucci Marilyn 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) report published March 2021 emphasizes that older adults are often subjected to a variety of negative stereotypes including helplessness, frailty, and child-like qualities. Ageism has both real mental and physical health consequences, including a decreased will to live, less desire to live a healthy lifestyle, an impaired recovery from illness, increased stress, and a shortened life span. Health professions education has a responsibility to prepare future providers in more than mindful physical care of older adults, it must address ageism that has proliferated negative personal biases that have triggered reduced overall health and quality of life. Preparation of lectures and learning materials in health professions education requires mindfulness of diversity as well as the implicit bias faculty may portray regarding age. This presentation will bring these nuances to light for consideration and as a reference to instill change.
FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH EATING PERFORMANCE IN NURSING HOME RESIDENTS WITH DEMENTIA AND MULTIPLE COMORBIDITIES
Authors: Liu Wen , Galik Elizabeth , Resnick Barbara 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Eating performance is the functional ability to get food and drink into the mouth. Nursing home residents with dementia commonly experience compromised eating performance and subsequent nutritional consequences. Resident characteristics including cognition, physical capacity, and functional ability are associated with eating performance. This study aimed to test the association between functional ability, behavioral symptoms, psychotropic medication use, and comorbidities and eating performance. This was a secondary analysis using baseline data from two randomized controlled trials testing the impact of Function Focused Care on function and behavioral symptoms between 2014-2020. A total of 889 residents with moderate-to-severe dementia (mean age 86.58 years, 72% female, 70% white, 69.5% severe dementia) from 67 nursing homes in two states were recruited. Eating performance (dependent variable) was measured using the single self-feeding item on the Barthel Index. Independent variables included functional ability (Barthel Index total score excluding self-feeding item score), behavioral symptoms (agitation, depression, resistiveness to care), and psychotropic medication use (anti-depression, sedative, anti-psychotics, anti-seizure, anti-anxiety), and comorbidities. Residents had on average 5 documented comorbidities (SD=3.06, range=0-12) and were on approximately 1 psychotropic medication (range=0-5, SD=1.24). Thirty-eight percent of residents were dependent in eating performance. Functional ability (OR=1.052, 95% CI=1.043,1.061, p&lt;.001), depression(OR=.931, 95% CI=.887,.978, p=.004), and anti-anxiety medication use(OR=.632, 95% CI=.409, .978, p=.039) were associated with eating performance. Findings supported better functional ability, lower depression, and less anti-anxiety medication use were associated with better eating performance. Targeted efforts including maintaining functional ability, minimizing anti-anxiety medication use, and managing depression are encouraged to support eating performance.
A TECHNOLOGY-BASED BODY-MIND INTERVENTION FOR LOW-INCOME AMERICAN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Thiamwong Ladda , Xie Rui , Park Joon-Hyuk , Lighthall Nichole , Loerzel Victoria , Stout Jeffrey 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Research is limited on the use of technology to help individuals who have a mismatch between physiological fall risk (Body) and perceived fall risk (Mind) and are unable to access traditional fall interventions. We examined the feasibility and acceptability of a technology-based body-mind intervention in low-income older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and explored barriers to access and adopting the technology. Data were collected using a survey, balance test, accelerometer-based physical activity (PA), and semi-structured interviews with twenty participants who engaged in an 8-week intervention at a low-income setting in Florida. We found that: 1) the technology-based intervention is feasible, 2) participants tend to accept technology to alter their perceptions of fall risk and balance capacity, 3) tailored activities to each component are not a one-size-fits-all approach. There were no statistically significant changes in sedentary time, light PA, and moderate to vigorous PA between pre and post-intervention.
A MULTISITE INVESTIGATION OF FACTORS INFLUENCING QUALITY OF LIFE IN THAI OLD ADULTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Roopsawang Inthira , Aree-Ue Suparb , Chintapanyakun Teepatad , Saraboon Yuwadee , Intharakasem Sirirat 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Coronavirus-19 outbreak situation is a significant problem affecting the older population globally. The aim of this study was to investigate the association among physical activity, physical frailty, social frailty, life-space mobility, and depressive symptoms on quality of life in Thai older persons with non-communicable diseases prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. A path analysis was used for data analysis with the Mplus program. A total of 2,000 participants aged rang 60 – 89 years with a mean age of 65.13 years (SD = 4.62 years) participated in the study. Path analysis indicated that physical frailty was the strongest direct power on quality of life followed by depressive symptoms, and life-space mobility, respectively at the time of COVID-19's first outbreak. Monitoring and managing changes in physical frailty, depressive symptoms, and life-space mobility are suggested to promote active aging and maintain a good quality of life in this population, specifically age-friendly living areas.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVES ON LATER-LIFE DEPRESSION: THE ROLE OF BRAIN HEALTH
Authors: Steffen Ann , Moye Jennifer 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Bi-directional associations between depression and cognitive functioning are magnified among aging individuals, challenging behavioral health providers who treat older adults experiencing clinical and subsyndromal depression. This symposium contributes to the science and practice of assessing and treating later-life depression while also attending to issues in professional training. The first paper presents pre-treatment data from the multi-site Optimum Study of older adults experiencing treatment-resistant depression (n = 529). The relevance of positive psychological constructs is supported with analyses showing important relationships among cognitive functioning, social participation, and psychological well-being. The second paper describes the development of an updated measure to assess behavioral health providers’ knowledge of later life depression, including brain health concerns. Psychometric data for the measure were generated from a random pool of licensed social workers (N=900) who were mailed the survey packet. The third presentation features an experimental study demonstrating that foundational information about aging, including debunking misconceptions about cognitive aging, influenced continuing education preferences of generalist Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). Among the randomly generated pool of LPCs (N = 120), participants who received aging-specific information were more likely to later choose an aging-specific continuing education option. The fourth paper highlights recommendations for mental health practitioners working in primary care and general medical settings with older adults who have co-existing depressive symptoms and cognitive concerns. The fifth and final presentation describes cognitive behavioral clinical tools to address brain health concerns in the context of later-life depression, using the new Brain Health module of a published client workbook.
PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING IN OLDER ADULTS WITH TREATMENT-RESISTANT DEPRESSION
Authors: Kallmi Selmi , Steffen Ann , Lenze Eric 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Geriatric psychiatry research has documented the importance of psychological well-being to older adults diagnosed with depression (Lenze et al., 2016). This presentation utilizes pre-treatment data from the Optimum Study of treatment-resistant depression in older adults recruited from five USA and Canadian metropolitan areas (N = 529). Social participation was measured with the PROMIS scale: Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities (Hahn et al., 2014). Positive affect and life satisfaction were assessed using scales from the Psychological Well-Being subdomain (Salsman et al., 2013) of the NIH Toolbox for Assessment of Neurological and Behavioral Function - Emotion Battery (NIHTB-EB). Along with associations between social participation and positive affect (r = .38, p &lt; .01) and between social participation and life satisfaction (r = .26, p &lt; .01), path analyses explored social participation as a mediator of the relationship between cognitive functioning (NIHTB-CB; Weintraub et al., 2013) and psychological well-being.
THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL INEQUALITIES ON DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT OF OLDER ADULTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Petrovčič Andraž , Grošelj Darja , Žádník Štěpán , Prevodnik Katja , Reisdorf Bianca C 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound implications on how older adults engage with the digital world. While there is converging evidence that during the pandemic the number of online newcomers has increased the most among older adults, digital inequalities have become even more condensed among the socially disadvantaged groups in this period. Importantly, such patters of age-related digital exclusion were not observed only in terms of self-reliant internet use but also in older adults’ ability to access internet resources indirectly by asking others to act on their behalf – a practice known as use-by-proxy. Drawing on the van Dijk’s resources and appropriation theory, we aim to understand which categorical and resource inequalities determine the direct and indirect forms of internet use among older adults during the pandemic. Therefore, in November 2021 a telephone survey (N = 701) was carried out among individuals aged 65+ in Slovenia. Three logistic regression models were fitted to explore the association between socio-demographic characteristics of respondents and their access to material and social resources with internet use as well as with availability and activation of use-by-proxy. The results suggested that both categorical and resource inequalities are predictors of internet use. Conversely, availability of use-by-proxy is strongly associated only with social resources, while use-by-proxy activation depends on material resources and household composition. Overall, we argue that social inequalities affect also the indirect forms of internet use in later life which means that the ability to compensate by help for digital inequalities is also stratified unevenly.
SOCIAL SUPPORT, SOCIAL STRAIN, AND DENTAL CARE UTILIZATION AMONG OLDER CHINESE AMERICANS
Authors: Mao Weiyu , Wu Bei , Chi Iris , Yang Wei , Dong XinQi 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Regular dental care utilization is instrumental to good oral health. This study aimed to examine how positive and negative aspects of social relationships jointly exert influences towards dental care use among foreign-born older Chinese Americans. Data came from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago collected between 2017 and 2019 (n = 3,000). Dental care utilization was dichotomized into “no dental visit” versus “any dental visit” in the past two years (including dental visit overseas). Social support and strain were measured by the Health and Retirement Study’s scale from spouse, other family members, and friends (1= having any support/no strain). In stepwise logistic regression, accounting for chronic conditions, oral health problems, and sociodemographics, spousal support remained to be significantly associated with a lower likelihood of having any dental visit. Findings illustrate the importance of understanding how different aspects of social relationships might play a role in dental care use.
EFFICACY OF THE STROLL SAFE OUTDOOR FALLS PREVENTION PROGRAM
Authors: Chippendale Tracy , Albert Steven 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Informed by the Ecological and Health Belief models, the manualized Stroll Safe program addresses the unmet need of a targeted outdoors falls prevention program. We examined the efficacy of the program in partnership with eight Naturally Occurring Retirement Community program sites in one U.S city (N=86). Participants age 60 and older with a history of falls or a fear of falling were recruited. Community sites were randomly assigned to the treatment or wait list control group. Results of independent samples t-tests reveal a statistically significant improvement in knowledge of outdoor fall risks and safe community mobility strategy use for the treatment group as compared to the wait list control group on the Outdoor Falls Questionnaire (OFQ) and Falls Behavioral Scale for the Older Person (FaB) (ps&lt;.001, Cohen’s d=1.9 & 1.2). Improvements were retained at 6-week follow up. Implementation strategies are being developed to facilitate program adoption by other occupational therapists.
PLACE, TIME, AND STRUCTURAL RACISM: GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES FOR REIMAGINING AGING
Authors: Muramatsu Naoko 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Racism is embedded throughout society, producing enduring health inequities. Structural racism is pervasive across racial or ethnic groups and at the intersection of racism, ageism, and sexism. However, only the tip of the iceberg is visible in the literature or media. This presentation highlights aging and long-term care experiences of racial and ethnic groups that are often invisible in structural racism discussions (e.g., Asians). It also features direct care workers, many of whom are minorities or immigrants. I present a conceptual model of how structural racism (institutionalized, personally mediated, internalized) impacts well-being (mental, physical, cognitive, social). The model integrates the concepts of “place” (where we live, work, play, learn), “time” (effects of history, cohort, age), and invisibility. Global perspectives of structural racism will help engage gerontologists, policy makers, practitioners, and the public to maximize everyone’s opportunities to live meaningful lives.