bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CHANGING FAMILY DESTINIES, DIVERGENT FAMILY CAREGIVING PATTERNS: DO BIRTH COHORTS, GENDER, RACE, AND SES MATTER?
Authors: Duan Haoshu 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Over the past few decades, Americans have experienced a series of demographic transitions include prolonged longevity and rise in the complexities of family structures. The Baby Boomer cohort is at the forefront of these transitions, which has profound implications on their later-life family relations and practices of family caregiving. Most caregiving literature has focused on static care experiences over a short time, while neglecting long-term care experiences. Using 10 waves of longitudinal data from HRS (2000-2018) and latent profile analysis, I identified five prominent long-term caregiving patterns: light parental caregivers (44.1%), intensive spousal caregivers (5.6%), sandwiched caregivers (5.5%), light grandchildren caregivers (38.7%), and heavy grandchildren caregivers (6.2%). Further, I conduct multinominal logistic regression to investigate how birth cohorts, gender, race, and education shaped these patterns. Results suggested that later cohorts have seen a decline in intensive spousal caregivers, light and heavy grandchildren caregivers, but an increase in light parental caregivers. Women are more likely to be sandwiched caregivers than men, and black caregivers are more likely to be intensive spousal caregivers, heavy grandchildren caregivers, and sandwiched caregivers than white. By contrast, white and more educated caregivers are more likely to be light parental caregivers, and this pattern becomes more pronounced in later cohorts. The findings suggest divergent destinies of family caregiving patterns among later cohorts. More disadvantaged groups are shouldering heavier care responsibilities than advantaged groups. Targeted care services should be implemented to ease the care burdens of the vulnerable population.
PERCEPTIONS OF NURSES DELIVERING NURSING HOME VIRTUAL CARE SUPPORT: A QUALITATIVE PILOT STUDY
Authors: Blackburn Justin , Mills Carol , Tran Yvette , Yeager Valerie , Unroe Kathleen , Holmes Ann 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Avoidable hospitalizations among nursing home residents result in poorer health outcomes and excess costs. Consequently, efforts to reduce avoidable hospitalizations have been a priority over the recent decade. However, many potential interventions are time-intensive, require dedicated clinical staff, and nursing homes are chronically understaffed. The Optimizing Patient Transfers, Impacting Medical Quality, and Improving Symptoms: Transforming Institutional Care (OPTIMISTIC) project was one of seven sites selected by CMS as "enhanced care & coordination providers" and was implemented from 2012 to 2020. A virtual program based on the principles of OPTIMISTIC was developed in the spring of 2020 with the goal of expanding the reach of the program’s services. This qualitative study explores the perceptions and experiences of the nurses that piloted a virtual care support project in 11 nursing homes in a midwestern state, and identified the nurses’ perceived facilitators of, and barriers to, the effectiveness of delivering a novel virtual care support program. A key finding from this analysis is that relationships, communication, and access to information were identified as common themes facilitating or impeding the perceived effectiveness of implementation of virtual care support programs within nursing homes, from the perspective of the nurses delivering the services. The experiences and recommendations of the program nurses provide insights into crucial elements important to the implementation of similar virtual care support models, and the role of telehealth in bridging healthcare workforce gaps.
PERCEIVED ROLES IN MEDICATION SAFETY: PATIENTS' PERSPECTIVES
Authors: Jallow Fatoumata , Stehling Elisa , Sajwani Zara , Daniel Kathryn , Xiao Yan , Fulda Kimberly , Espinoza Anna 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Community-dwelling older adults are vulnerable to medication safety-related harms. Prevention of medication-related harms in the outpatient setting starts with thorough and thoughtful medication reconciliation at each patient encounter. Comprehensive medication reconciliation is challenging for prescribers to provide in busy time-pressured practices. Older adults currently taking five or more daily prescription medications were recruited for this qualitative study. From the participants’ perspective, we explored the role of the prescriber, pharmacist, and patient in medication safety. During the COVID-19 pandemic, interviews were conducted from October 2020 to June 2021. Results from these interviews suggest that older adults recognized their role in medication safety supersedes just taking the pills as prescribed. Older adults understand that they must play an essential role in the coproduction of quality health services. Subthemes that emerged from the patient’s perceived role were “taking fewer medications,” “locking them up,” “keeping appointments,” and “reading the label.” Pharmacists were expected to inform participants of any changes in their medications, such as the color, shape, or dosage, and ensure no drug interactions. Primary care providers are expected to coordinate care between all specialists treating their patients and any medication prescribed by those specialists. There was a high level of trust in the provider’s knowledge, skill, and experience, along with a low level of patient engagement in decision-making around deprescribing. Among older adults, self-perceptions of their role in medication safety varied widely. Educating prescribers and pharmacists about the role expectations of this vulnerable population can help improve medication safety.
LONELINESS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE EFFECT ON PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS AND HEALTH OUTCOMES
Authors: Dinaj Veronica , Tkatch Rifky , Cheng Yan , Holt-Lunstad Julianne , Perissinotto Carla , Kraemer Sandra , Schaeffer James , Yeh Charlotte 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Loneliness and social isolation have harmful impacts on health and well-being; thus, the social distancing mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic, meant to protect our most vulnerable populations including older adults, may have had unintended consequences. The current study aimed to assess changes in loneliness (prior to and during the pandemic) and its impact on outcomes such as perceived stress, resilience, purpose in life, quality of life and health outcomes. An annual survey on healthy aging was mailed to a randomly selected national sample (age &gt;65 years) in 2018/2019. Respondents completed the survey again in 2020 (N=3,564) to measure the impact of COVID-19. Measures included well-being and various psychosocial factors. Health care claims data were also used to derive diagnoses for health conditions. Respondents were 52% female and 44% between 65-74 years old. Loneliness symptoms increased for one-fifth of the sample during the pandemic. Respondents lonely at both time 1 and time 2 had lower resilience, purpose in life, and quality of life and higher perceived stress compared to those only lonely at one time point or not lonely. Respondents lonely at both time points had higher rates of health conditions compared to non-lonely respondents. In conclusion, older adults experienced increased levels of loneliness during COVID-19. Those with chronic loneliness had worse outcomes than those who were not lonely or inconsistently lonely and they exhibit lower resilience and purpose and higher stress and health complications. These findings suggest that timing and early intervention for loneliness is important for older adults.
THE GEOGRAPHIC LAYOUTS OF OLDER EUROPEANS’ SOCIAL NETWORKS AND LONELINESS IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Sun Haosen , Schafer Markus 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Many older Europeans sustain core personal networks that are geographically dispersed. The pandemic has brought concerns about their mental health, especially during lockdown periods when travel was not permissible and casual local contact was limited. This study examines whether and how older adults’ loneliness and depressed feelings vary by the prior geographic layouts of their core discussion networks. It uses a sample of community-dwelling respondents aged 50 and above (Wave 6, in 2015) from the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), with a follow-up at Wave 8 in 2020 during the height of the COVID pandemic. Latent Class Analysis and linear regression show that individuals whose networks were comprised mainly of families 5-25km and &gt;25km away were not especially likely to feel lonely or distressed, despite typically lacking nearby confidants. We also uncover groups of people occupying more compositionally diverse networks. While these individuals were generally more likely to perceive loneliness, they tended not to attribute such feelings to the pandemic onset. The exception was individuals sustaining diverse networks comprised mainly of friends and families at intermediate distances (5-25km), who perceived heightened loneliness in the pandemic. Overall, even scattered at longer distances, family-oriented networks demonstrate good protectiveness against loneliness and depression. Meanwhile, diverse networks appeared to fall short in protectiveness under some conditions of geographic dispersion.
THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF LONELINESS AND SOCIAL ISOLATION ON MENTAL HEALTH IN A NATIONAL SAMPLE OF OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Krook Melissa , Mackenzie Corey , Menec Verena , Cameron Jessica 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Social connections are important to maintain health across adulthood. Loneliness and social isolation are global issues and are linked to negative mental health outcomes worldwide, especially among older adults. Past research focuses primarily on loneliness and isolation separately, though many older people experience them simultaneously. Also, there is a paucity of research examining mechanisms through which combinations of loneliness/isolation result in poor mental health. My first objective examined how combined loneliness/isolation affect psychological distress among a group of older adults, and how grouping this sample into four groups of loneliness (yes/no) and isolation (yes/no) may help identify which group(s) are at the greatest risk for distress. My second objective explored perceived social support and relationship satisfaction as mediators of the effects of combined loneliness/solation on distress. I addressed these objectives with a cross-sectional national sample of 2,745 Canadian older adults, aged 55 to 101 years, who completed self-report measures of loneliness, social isolation, social support, relationship satisfaction, perceived physical health, and psychological distress. Those experiencing greater combined loneliness/isolation also experienced higher levels of distress. For lonely older adults, experiencing isolation simultaneously predicted clinically significant distress, but this was not true for those who were not lonely. Participants who were both lonely/isolated had the poorest mental health because they were less satisfied with their relationships, but not because they had less perceived social support. The present study has the potential to expand what we know about pathways through which combinations of loneliness/isolation may lead to poor mental health in older adults.
DECREASED FREQUENCY OF SMALL TALK DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND MENTAL HEALTH: LONGITUDINAL SURVEYS IN JAPAN
Authors: Murayama Hiroshi , Sugawara Ikuko 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has drastically reduced opportunities for small talk. As small talk involves socializing, such deprivation can be stressful. This study examined the association between the change in frequency of small talk before and during the pandemic and the mental health of middle-aged and older people. We conducted web-based longitudinal questionnaire surveys from March to May 2020 and from September to October 2021 among members of a Japanese social networking service. We analyzed 867 responses of people who participated in both surveys (mean age, 68.0 ± 8.0 years; men, 68.1%). This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of University of Tokyo. Change in small talk frequency before and during the pandemic was assessed using a single item, “Have the opportunities for small talk (including face-to-face, phone, video call, etc.) with someone other than cohabiting family members changed?” We divided the responses into “increase,” “no change,” and “decrease.” Mental health outcomes included psychological well-being and loneliness. A total of 57.0%, 34.4%, and 8.7% reported “decrease,” “no change,” and “increase,” respectively, from before to during the pandemic. After adjusting for potential covariates, multiple regression analyses showed that people who felt their small talk frequency decreased during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic period had lower psychological well-being and greater loneliness than those who did not. We observed no interaction between change in small talk frequency and age/sex. Our study quantitatively revealed the importance of small talk during the pandemic in maintaining mental health.
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PHYSICAL/MENTAL MULTIMORBIDITY AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AMONG OLDER BLACK AMERICANS
Authors: Cho Seungjong , Hamler Tyrone 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify the association between physical/mental health problems and depressive symptoms among older Black Americans (age ≥ 65) using the 2018 Health and Retirement Study (N = 812). People with multiple medical conditions face substantial emotional difficulties including depressive symptomatology. The study of depressive symptoms among older Black Americans is an emerging area of research. Several existing studies reported a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms among this population. They also experience a disproportionate burden of multimorbidity, both physically and mentally. For statistical analysis, depressive symptoms were measured with the eight-item CES-D scale (M = 1.514, SD = 1.916). Physical multimorbidity was measured by asking whether respondents had ever been diagnosed with seven diseases (high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, lung disease, heart disease, stroke, and arthritis; M = 2.876, SD = 1.284). Mental multimorbidity was measured by asking whether they had ever been diagnosed with three diseases (clinical depression, Alzheimer’s Disease, or other memory impairment including dementia; M = .228, SD = .467). Covariates included gender, marital status, and income (logged). A negative binomial regression showed that (a) higher numbers of physical health problems were associated with higher depressive symptoms (Incidence rate ratios [IRR] = 1.073, p = .048); (b) higher number of mental health problems were also related to higher depressive symptoms among older Black Americans (IRR = 2.077, p &lt; .001). These findings underscore the importance of identifying and managing depressive symptoms among older Black Americans, who present with greater physical/mental health multimorbidity.
BECOMING A DEMENTIA CARE PARTNER DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Xu Hanzhang , Fish Laura , Nohria Raman , Christy Jacob , Falkovic Margaret , Dupre Matthew , Anderson Ruth , Østbye Truls 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Persons with newly diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) and their care partners confront multiple challenges. These challenges have been even greater during the COVID-19 pandemic, where supportive resources often are limited or even discontinued. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 care partners of persons who were recently diagnosed with ADRD (2019-2020) to explore their lived experiences of adjusting to the new role. Directed and conventional content analyses were used and were informed by the life course theory. Care partners perceived difficulty in accessing medical and social services for their loved ones, particularly during the pandemic. Despite experiencing distress, some care partners chose not to seek help for fear of contracting COVID-19. This study provides insights on the unmet needs of care partners during a pandemic and highlights that effective, long-term strategies are needed to continue providing person-centered care to persons with ADRD and their families.
EXTENDING A HEALTHY LIFESPAN WITH 3-HYDROXYANTHRANILIC ACID
Authors: Sutphin George , Dang Hope , Castro-Portuguez Raul , Espejo Luis , Freitas Sam , Meyers Jeremy 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Metabolism of tryptophan by the kynurenine pathway is increasingly linked to aging. Kynurenine pathway enzymes and metabolites influence a range of molecular processes critical to healthy aging, including regulation of inflammatory and immune responses, cellular redox homeostasis, and energy production. Aberrant kynurenine metabolism occurs during normal aging and is implicated in many age-associated pathologies including chronic inflammation, atherosclerosis, neurodegeneration, and cancer. We and others previously identified three kynurenine pathway genes—kynu-1, tdo-2, and acsd-1—for which decreasing expression extends lifespan in invertebrates. More recently we discovered that knockdown of haao-1, a fourth kynurenine pathway gene encoding the enzyme 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid dioxygenase (HAAO), extends lifespan by ~30% and delays age-associated health decline in Caenorhabditis elegans. Lifespan extension is mediated by increased physiological levels of the HAAO substrate 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3HAA). Aging mice fed a diet supplemented with 3HAA are similarly long-lived. The mechanism of action liking 3HAA to aging is complex and partially overlaps with multiple pathways previously implicated in aging. We recently identified activation of the Nrf2/SKN-1 oxidative stress response and alterations to iron homeostasis as key players in the benefits 3HAA. Ongoing work explores the relationship between 3HAA, Nrf2/SKN-1, and iron in C. elegans and mammalian aging, age-associated immune decline, and cancer. This works provides a foundation for detailed examination of the molecular mechanisms underlying the benefits of 3HAA, and how these mechanisms interact with other anti-aging interventions. We anticipate that these findings will bolster growing interest in developing pharmacological strategies to target tryptophan metabolism to improve health aging.
DELETION OF THROMBOSPONDIN-1 PRESERVES HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL HEALTHSPAN DURING AGING
Authors: Ramalingam Pradeep , Gutkin Michael , Poulos Michael , Butler Jason 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Aging is associated with defects within blood stem cells, termed hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), including a loss of their self-renewal potential and a skewed differentiation towards myeloid lineages at the expense of lymphoid cells. Collectively, these HSC defects manifest as anemias, poor response to vaccines and an increased incidence of myeloid neoplasms in older adults. Unlike other somatic stem cells, aged HSCs have been shown to be refractory towards established anti-aging interventions including caloric restriction, exercise, parabiosis and plasma transfer. Thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) was initially discovered as an anti-angiogenic molecule, and recent studies have identified that TSP1 promotes age-related pathologies including chronic inflammation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Notably, each of these TSP-1 regulated processes have been shown to critically influence HSC biology, particularly in the context of aging. However, whether TSP-1 directly regulates HSC activity remains unexplored. Here, we sought to determine whether TSP-1 is essential for HSC development, and whether blocking TSP1 signaling could ameliorate age-related HSC defects. Utilizing murine models, we demonstrate that TSP-1 is dispensable for normal HSC development and hematopoiesis. We show that deletion of TSP-1 is sufficient to preserve HSC fitness during aging, as evidenced by preservation of youthful self-renewal potential and balanced lineage reconstitution during serial HSC transplantation assays. Mechanistically, we identify that TSP-1 adversely impacts mitochondrial metabolism within HSCs, and show that loss of TSP-1 prevents the age-related decline in HSC mitochondrial membrane potential. Our findings identify TSP-1 as a pro-geronic factor that can be targeted to preserve HSC healthspan.
EFFECT OF L-VALINE TREATMENT ON SIRTUIN (SIRT1 AND SIRT2) ISOFORMS
Authors: Sharma Shakshi , Zhang Xiaomin , Azhar Gohar , Wei Jeanne 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
L-valine is one of the essential branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) required for synthesis of proteins in human body. It promotes muscle growth and tissue repair and is important for immune function. Recent data indicate that BCAAs can activate sirtuins expression and elevate mitochondrial biogenesis and fatty acid oxidation in both adipocytes and myotubes thereby increasing life span. Sirtuins are a conserved family of proteins, play a critical role in maintaining metabolic health by deacetylating many target proteins in numerous tissues, and regulate mitochondrial function and the aging process. Due to multiple effect of sirtuins on aging, we sought to determine whether the addition of valine might enhance sirtuin gene expression. We utilized the C2C12 skeletal muscle cell line grown on physiological normal glucose (100mg/dL) media. The cells were treated with two different concentrations of valine (0.5 and 1.0mM) for different time intervals (18 and 24). Gene expression of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) isoforms were determined by RT-PCR. The results showed increased expression of the sirtuin gene isoforms after treatment with valine. Relative expression varies with in different isoforms of SIRT1 (v1 and v2) and SIRT2 (v1, v2 and v3). Among all, SIRT1 v1 and SIRT2 v1 showed maximum expression as compared to the other isoforms used in the study. Our study showed that adequate supplementation of L-valine enhanced sirtuin gene expression, which may promote healthy muscles and healthy aging.
TECHNOLOGY-BASED INTERVENTIONS AND ASSESSMENT FOR OLDER ADULTS WITH COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT
Authors: Park JuYoung , Hung Lillian 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults with cognitive impairment experienced social isolation, stress, and challenges to stay healthy at home or in a long-term care facility. Technology-based interventions and assessment can be valuable in managing dementia at home before a crisis situation occurs, which can lessen caregiver burden and stress and improve quality of life for older adults with cognitive impairment. In the symposium, specific technology-based interventions (telepresence robot, online chair yoga, exergames, virtual cycling, video-conferencing platforms) and assessment (IOM2 biofeedback device) were used for older adults with cognitive impairment. We cultivated a novel interdisciplinary approach to emerging clinical entities of technology-based intervention and assessment for older adults with cognitive impairment. In the symposium, we will present a variety of technology-based clinical interventions. Our first study explored the experiences of virtual family visits in four Canadian long-term care homes, using a telepresence robot. Online survey, interviews, focus groups, and observations were conducted to explore the experience. The second study assessed feasibility of a remotely supervised online chair yoga (CY) intervention for older adults with dementia in Florida and explored the preliminary effects of CY on psychosocial outcomes in this population. The third study evaluated the ease of use and quality of cardiac data using IOM2 biofeedback device for older adults with dementia. Cardiac rhythms were analyzed from pulse data measured using the IOM2 biofeedback device (UNYTE). The fourth study was a scoping review to analyze evidence about online group-based exercise programs.