bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
AGEISM, CONTACT, AND OLDER ADULT ADLS RELATE TO MENTAL HEALTH TRAINEES’ INTEREST IN GEROPSYCHOLOGY
Authors: Caskie Grace I L , Voelkner Abigail , Sutton MaryAnn , Canell Anastasia , Root Eve 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Despite growing demand, few mental healthcare professionals specialize in clinical work with older adults. A better understanding of factors related to geropsychology interest may increase the pipeline of future geropsychologists. Graduate-level trainees (N=460; 67.4% doctoral; age=21-64) completed the Fraboni Scale of Ageism, Contact with Older Adults Scale, six indicators of interest in work with older adults, and an imagined “typical” older adult’s ability to complete activities of daily living (ADLs). 60% imagined full ADL independence. Between 14.1%-25.7% expressed strong interest in education/training related to treating older adults and having some older adult clients; only 6.7% planned to specialize in clinical work with older adults. In regression analyses (R-squared=16%-32%), more ageist attitudes, less contact, and being a master’s trainee were related to less interest. ADL status was significant only for interest in specialization; imagining more ADL-dependence related to higher interest in specializing in older adults. ADL status significantly moderated the relation of contact to interest in learning about issues related to older adults; ADL-based differences in interest were non-significant at low and average contact, but at high contact, interest in learning about older adults was significantly higher when the older adult was imagined as ADL-dependent rather than ADL-independent. Findings may indicate benevolent ageism partially motivates trainees’ interest in learning about/working with older adults whom they imagine need more help with basic tasks of daily living. Increasing contact, reducing ageist attitudes, and providing more clinical opportunities with older adults may facilitate trainees’ readiness and interest in future clinical work with older adults.
EXPLORING HEALTHCARE WORKERS' GERIATRIC EDUCATION AND SUBSEQUENT COMMUNICATION WITH OLDER ADULTS
Authors: McQuaid Tina 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Research shows that older adults are living longer than ever, are the fastest growing population, and can have increasingly complex health-related issues. However, the health knowledge and literacy of older adults can be limited, and these adults may have difficulty understanding the terminology that healthcare workers use to communicate with them about their health. For impoverished older adults especially, this can contribute to poor health decisions and decreased care. Given this, educating healthcare practitioners to communicate effectively with older adults becomes essential to older patients’ quality of care. Using predominantly North American studies of healthcare workers’ practices, education, and their interactions with older adults (aged 65-85, primarily), this review paper finds that: i) older adults are responsible for their communication with healthcare workers, but practitioners, because of their implied authority, control the narrative, and therefore it is necessary for them to become more educated in communicating with older adults; ii) some current communication practices by healthcare workers (with older adults) are not reflective of sufficient care; and iii) new gerontology education can foster increased empathy and shared communication practices among healthcare workers, and this can aid patients to better control and have confidence in their healthcare decisions. Social and cultural factors that may explain the health literacy divide in older adults are discussed, as are recommendations and best practices for healthcare workers working with older adults.
EVALUATION OF FALL RISK PREVENTION EDUCATION THROUGH AGE-FRIENDLY PARTNERSHIPS
Authors: Rivera-Torres Solymar , Severance Jennifer 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Falls in the home and community environments are the leading cause of injuries and long-term disabilities for the aging population. This study examines the outcomes of a partnership among an academic institution, government agency, community nonprofit, and emergency services organization to expand access to a fall prevention training program by targeting delivery in postal codes identified as underserved with high rates of falls emergencies (hot spots) and non-high rates (non-hot spots). A total of 354 adults aged 50 and older participated in a fall prevention education program, with 188 (53%) participants completing at least five sessions (completers), of which 35% resided in hot spot areas. Descriptive statistics for frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviations values were calculated for demographic variables. A paired t-test analysis was conducted to compare initial and final scores for self-assessed general health and fall efficacy programs. The paired sample t-test statistics revealed significant improvements in fall efficacy for completers in hot spots (t= -6.23; p &lt; 0.001) and non-hot spots areas (t= - 11.17; p &lt; 0.001). No statistical differences (p &gt; 0.05) were observed between the initial and final scores of the self-assessed general health for completers in hot spots and non-hot spot areas. Cross-sector collaboration to deliver targeted falls prevention training at various community locations can effectively reach underserved, at-risk older adults, although additional retention strategies must be considered. In conclusion, identifying at-risk older adults to mobilize partnerships, limited resources can be allocated towards improving retention and program outcomes of community-based fall prevention education.
DOES AGEISM ACCELERATE BIOLOGICAL AGING
Authors: Liu Mingxin , Cohen Alan , Fulop Tamas , Legault Véronique , Betrisey Carine , Levasseur Melanie 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Defined as, “stereotype, prejudice, and discrimination directly towards people because of their age”, ageism may contribute to adverse health outcomes, accelerate aging process, and increase the burden on health and social services. Little is known about the ageism impact on biological aging. Secondary analysis of the American Health and Retirement Study (2012 and 2016 waves) was carried out. Participants were asked: the self-perception of aging (SPA), the causes of receiving discrimination, including ageism as one of the causes, and the frequency of receiving such discrimination. The aging rate was measured using two distinct measurements: homeostatic dysregulation (using Mahalanobis distance on 44 biomarkers, n= 9934, 2016 wave) and epigenetic aging clocks (n=4018, 2016 wave). The influence of perceived ageism (current or previous waves) on the aging rate was modelled with linear models using biological aging (aka. homeostatic dysregulation and epigenetic age) as the dependent variable (outcome), ageism as the exposure, with considering confounders: sex, depressive symptom. The results show that more negative SPA, either from the previous (2012) or the same wave (2016), is associated with elevated homeostatic dysregulation (e.g. the slope increases from 1.20 to 1.34, p&lt; 0.001, previous wave) and increasing epigenetic age (e.g. DNAm PhenoAge, the slope increases from 53.81 to 61.14, p&lt; 0.001, current wave). The association between the ageism receiving frequency and biological aging is similar but less significant. The results demonstrate that ageism is associated with accelerated biological aging. More interventions are called to combat ageism and foster the health and wellbeing of the older adults.
CROSS-CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN AGE ESTIMATION AND AGE BIAS
Authors: Benz Hannah , Scherer Hailey , Rodriguez Gustavo , Steele Jenessa 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Our society is aging rapidly with older adults composing a continuously growing proportion of the population. This expected shift in population age is likely going to carry societal consequences, such as an increase in age discrimination. Previous research has shown that ageism (the systematic stereotyping and categorizing of people based on their age) is the most experienced kind of prejudice across Europe, with individualistic, industrialized countries like the USA and Germany showing greater levels of age bias towards the elderly. The current study aimed to investigate cross-cultural differences in age estimation and attitudes towards older adults. Pilot measures included 102 participants (65 American, 37 German) who estimated the age of 12 male celebrities representing three different age groups (young, middle, and older adult) and completed the Fraboni Scale of Ageism (FSA), a survey measurement investigating ageism. Although the Fraboni scale has been validated in other countries, it has not yet been translated to German, nor tested on a primarily German-speaking population. Preliminary analyses showed that both the original FSA scale and the German translation were reliable (αOriginal = 0.909, αGerman = 0.703), however, t-test revealed significant differences between the FSA mean scores of the original scale (M = 1.78, SD = .34) and the translated version (M = 3.15, SD = .28), t(100) = -20.90, p &lt; .001. The researchers are currently recruiting 400 additional participants to explore the effects of culture, race, and participant age on age estimation and further validate the German translation of the scale.
INCLUSION OF ETHNICALLY DIVERSE POPULATIONS IN CLINICAL TRIALS OF HEALTHSPAN: IMPLICATIONS FROM THE SALSA STUDY
Authors: Espinoza Sara , Cortes Tiffany , Hazuda Helen 
Published: December 2022

Abstract

Background
Geroscience-guided clinical trials focused on healthspan may seek to enroll older adults initially free of chronic diseases and disability. Here we examine healthspan in the San Antonio Longitudinal Study of Aging (SALSA), a cohort of 749 community-dwelling older (65+ years) Mexican Americans (MA) and European Americans (EA), and describe prevalence and characteristics associated with poor healthspan.

Methods
Poor healthspan was defined at the SALSA baseline exam as presence of any one of: 1) chronic disease (diabetes, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or cancer); 2) dependence in basic or instrumental activities of daily living; or 3) mini mental state exam score &lt; 18. Frailty was defined by Fried phenotype criteria. The association of poor healthspan with age, sex, ethnic group, socioeconomic status (SES), and frailty was assessed using chi-square or t-tests.

Results
544 (72.6%) participants met criteria for poor healthspan, which was associated with older age (69.6 ±3.4 vs. 69.3 ±3.4, p&lt; 0.05), male sex (77.3% vs. 69.2%, p&lt; 0.05), MA ethnicity (77.4% vs. 67.3%, p&lt; 0.05), lower income (11.3 ±3.1 vs. 12.2 ±2.9, p&lt; 0.001 and education (10.4 ±4.6 vs. 12.7 ±3.2, &lt; 0.0001), and frailty (95.5% vs. 4.6%, p&lt; 0.001).

Conclusion
Poor healthspan was highly prevalent (&gt;70%) in SALSA and associated with MA ethnicity, low SES, and frailty. Geroscience-guided clinical trials of potential interventions to improve healthspan by preventing chronic diseases and disability may under-represent individuals of ethnic minority background and lower SES and, thereby, jeopardize generalizability of the findings to the broader population.
SYSTEMATIC EXCLUSION AT STUDY COMMENCEMENT MASKS EARLIER MENOPAUSE FOR BLACK WOMEN IN THE STUDY OF WOMEN’S HEALTH ACROSS THE NATION (SWAN)
Authors: Reeves Alexis , Elliott Michael , Karvonen-Gutierriez Carrie , Harlow Sioban 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Assumptions regarding “normative” aging, including average age at onset of disease, are often based on White populations. However, evidence suggests that Black and Hispanic populations may experience “weathering” or accelerated health declines compared to Whites due to the cumulative impact of social and economic marginalization. If “weathering” leads to a differential probability of inclusion into a cohort study, it will likely misinform understanding of aging in minoritized populations. Using SWAN, a longitudinal multi-ethnic cohort of midlife women, and its cross-sectional screening study, we quantified the extent of potential selection bias at study commencement and re-estimated racial/ethnic differences in age at menopause, the main outcome of SWAN, with adjustment for various forms of potential selection bias. Left truncation was corrected for using inverse probability weighting and right censoring using multiple imputation. Two selection mechanisms were identified, eligibility and participation. Black and Hispanic women had the lowest probability of eligibility stemming from a high prevalence of surgical menopause. Their eligibility rates decreased with increasing age faster than in White women. Correcting for selection biases showed that uncorrected analyses overestimated of the median age of menopause in Black and Hispanic women, thereby underestimating racial/ethnic disparities. After adjustment, Black women had earlier natural and surgical menopause (average 1.2 years) versus White women. Overall, this study found that failure to account for different forms of selection can lead to mis-estimation of racial/ethnic disparities in health and aging. Selection bias is particularly acute at study commencement, and particularly affects minoritized populations.
RURAL LIVING AND DISABILITY IN OLDER ADULTS: THE ROLE OF ALTERNATIVE SUPPORT RESOURCES AS MEDIATORS
Authors: Steinman Bernard , Barbakoff Daniel 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Rural communities are often characterized by sparse service environments offering limited care, services, and conveniences that help with daily activities. In lieu of community services that target older adults to assist with aging-in-place, alternative supportive features, including environmental modification and informal social networks may be especially important in rural settings to preserve functional independence. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of alternative support resources as potential mediators between service environments and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) functioning of older adults living in rural settings. Data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) were analyzed. Guided by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, regression models included covariates for sociodemographics, chronic conditions, mobility functioning, and participation. Service environments were quantified using a measure of the number of services (e.g., help with bathing) available in communities. Two potentially important support features were tested as mediators. Environmental modification was operationalized using indicators of whether homes had been modified (e.g., with features such as grab bars). Size and quality of individuals’ social networks were calculated using indicators of whom participants spoke to about important things in their life. Measures of ADLs served as key dependent variables. Results suggest a negative statistical relationship between service environments and disability that is explained in part by the availability of alternative support resources. Implications are that older adults who live in rural communities may often benefit by employing home modifications and relying on informal care options to meet their needs.
DEPRESSION IS ASSOCIATED WITH POORER CLINICAL FUNCTIONING AMONG HISPANIC OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Duarte Andres , Padron Dilianna , Gonzalez Joanna , Garcia Patricia , Mendoza Lisandra , Duara Ranjan , Rodriguez Miriam 
Published: December 2022

Abstract

Objective
The aim of the current study was to examine associations between depression and clinical functioning among a multi-ethnic sample.

Methods
35 cognitively normal and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) participants were included and self-identified as Hispanic or white non-Hispanic (WNH). The Hispanic group (n=18), had a mean age of 70.83 (SD=7.66) and 15.59 mean years of education (SD= 3.43). The WNH group (n=17) had a mean age of 71.76 (SD=6.9) and 16.81 mean years of education (SD=2.59). Subjects were given the Alzheimer’s disease Cooperative Study (ADCS) ADL inventory, the modified Clinical Dementia Rating scale (mCDR), and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Linear regressions were conducted to analyze the predictive associations between GDS scores and ADL functioning while controlling for the effect of diagnosis and age.

Results
Among Hispanics, the overall regression was significant (R2 = .622, F(2,17)= 12.32, p&lt;.001). Higher GDS scores was found to significantly predict worse mCDR scores (β = .676, p&lt;.001) when controlling for the effects other factors. When examining ADCS-ADL scores, the overall model was also found to be significant (R2= .413, F(2,17)=5.28, p&lt;.05). Higher GDS scores significantly predicted worse ADCS-ADL scores (β = =.652, p&lt;.01) when controlling for the effects of other factors. Diagnosis and age did not significant predict ADL scores. Among the WNH group, the regression model was not significant and depression was not a significant predictor of ADL functioning.

Conclusions
The results suggest Hispanics are more vulnerable to the effects of depression on ADL function which has important implications for AD diagnosis.
ADDRESSING ALZHEIMER’S DISPARITIES AMONG BLACK POPULATIONS WITH BRAINGUIDE BY USAGAINSTALZHEIMER’S
Authors: Kenny Brooks 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Older, Black Americans are disproportionately impacted by Alzheimer’s disease (AD), accounting for 15% (~1 million) of all individuals aged 65+ living with AD (5.8 million). Stigma, fear, and gaps in education contribute to 60% of undetected AD cases. In Georgia, AD remains the 6th leading cause of death. By 2029, cases are projected to spike by 46%, from 130,000 to 190,000. Given these alarming statistics and in response to AD health disparities in this population, UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, in partnership with community leaders and organizations, launched a pilot outreach program to promote AD prevention and brain health awareness in Atlanta. Program goals included: increasing knowledge about brain health, emphasizing the importance of early detection and diagnosis, raise awareness of BrainGuide™ by UsAgainstAlzheimer’s and other brain health resources, and develop a network of organizations for ongoing collaboration, awareness, and education. Program strategies included accessing highly saturated, faith-based spaces like mega churches, circulating key messaging through paid and earned media, and hosting widely received community webinars. UsAgainstAlzheimer’s collected participant feedback and examined BrainGuide website traffic to evaluate the effectiveness of community engagement on increasing brain health awareness and addressing AD stigma in Atlanta. Preliminary findings indicate a 96% increase in BrainGuide traffic from Atlanta and 70% increased engagement with BrainGuide resources, compared to the national average. UsAgainstAlzheimer’s’ pilot program suggests that brain health promotion, grounded in community engagement from trusted influencers, has potential to raise brain health awareness and empower people to take action. Further research and learnings are required to determine program scalability.
HEALTH SURVEILLANCE OF PERSONS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA AND CAREGIVER DYADS
Authors: Robitaille Annie , Drummond Neil , Garcia Linda , Marasinghe Himasara , Barber David 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
The relationship between individuals living with dementia and their caregivers is important and can impact their dementia journey. However, limited national longitudinal data exists about the caregiver-person living with dementia dyad. Availability of such data would provide important information about joint trajectories and help to better identify the needs of caregivers and persons living with dementia across the dementia journey. The objective of this study was to develop a linked national longitudinal database of persons living with dementia and their caregivers. The Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network (CPCSSN) extracts and de-identifies clinical data from electronic medical records (EMR) from approximately 2 million patients across Canada. CPCSSN data is used to identify persons living with dementia and caregivers willing to participate in the study. CPCSSN data from participating dyads are linked (e.g., chronic and mental health conditions, diagnoses, laboratory test results) and additional information about the experiences of persons living with dementia and their caregivers (e.g., ethnicity, amount and type of care provided, burden, availability of support) are collected yearly using surveys. The growing database contains linked, de-identified, comprehensive information about persons living with dementia and their caregivers that will become a rich source of data for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers. Specifics around how the database was developed, and lessons learned will be discussed as these findings can be used as a template to develop similar linked health surveillance databases.
INVOLVING PERSONS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA AS KEY STAKEHOLDERS: RESEARCH “WITH” RATHER THAN RESEARCH “ON”
Authors: Cordell Ashlee , Wilk Christa , Orsulic-Jeras Silvia , Powers Sara , Ejaz Farida , Sanders Beth 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Involving persons living with dementia (PLWD) as members of the research team is an important step in establishing an environment of conducting research “with” as opposed to research “on”. Emerging research is also capturing PLWDs' lived experiences to inform product development. This presentation highlights the importance of conducting product development research with PLWD as key stakeholders and the valuable insight they provide to researchers and developers. Five community-dwelling PLWD with varying diagnoses (60% mild cognitive impairment; 20% Alzheimer’s Disease; 20% mixed dementia) and tMMSE scores ranging from 22-26 (Mean=25) participated in two rounds (9 months apart) of 60-minute-long virtual focus groups via Zoom to test multiple versions of LifeBio MemoryTM: an app-based product designed for PLWD which utilizes advanced technology to improve an existing life story intervention. In Time 1, PLWD provided feedback on prototypes of the app and associated training that was used to inform the final product. In Time 2, participants reviewed the final product. A thematic analysis was conducted at each time point to inform further development of the app. Findings determined the following themes: 1) life stories can help with providing better person-centered care, 2) potentially sensitive topics require more training, 3) simple and clear instructions are vital for success. Topics further discussed in this presentation will include PLWDs': 1) thoughts on the concept of LifeBio and its adaptation, 2) comfort with answering life story interview questions, 3) opinions on dementia-friendly materials, and 4) reactions to the use of app-based technology.