Assessing and Harnessing the Power of Intergenerational Interactions in Mindfulness-Based Treatment Groups

Abstract Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in individual and group formats, have been shown to be effective for a variety of psychological disorders. Due to the promising evidence supporting the wide applicability of mindfulness skills, graduate student therapists were trained to deliver groups that attracted diverse individuals across the lifespan. In these groups, therapists noted how intergenerational dynamics facilitated group cohesion and allowed for increased normalization of common challenges related to practicing mindfulness skills. Therapists’ prior training on cohort differences and treatment recommendations for older adults served as an important foundation to navigating these group interactions. Barriers to simultaneously collecting data and delivering intervention components were noted by the student therapists. Future research and therapist training gaps in knowledge related to effectively facilitating intergenerational groups were identified.

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Acceptance and Uptake of Technology Among Older Adults: Findings From CREATE

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1820 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 554-555

Author(s):

Sara Czaja ◽

Bo Xie

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Technology Acceptance ◽

Technology Use ◽

Independent Living ◽

Future Research ◽

Driver Assistance Systems ◽

Change Models ◽

Cohort Differences ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Age Related

Abstract Technology is ubiquitous in everyday life and technology use is essential to independent living. Technology applications are deployed in most settings (e.g., healthcare, work) and also changing how we communicate, and access information and services. Despite increases in technology uptake among older people, an age-related digital divide remains. Drawing from research conducted by the Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement (CREATE), this symposium will discuss the acceptance and uptake of technology among older adults and factors influencing technology adoption. S. Czaja will discuss recent technology trends and how they vary according to technology type and subgroups of older adults. Based on CREATE findings, she will also discuss age group and cohort differences in interest in and comfort with technology. W. Boot will present findings from a study that examined adherence to a technology-based cognitive training program and how individual difference factors shaped adherence. N. Charness will present findings regarding whether advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) can improve older adult driving performance, and older adults’ acceptance and perceptions of value of ADAS systems. M. Harris will discuss health related technology interventions and how integration of technology acceptance and behavior change models can provide insights for the design of health behavior interventions aimed at older adults. J. Sharit will provide findings from a study, which examined the willingness of older adults to adopt a variety of technologies and factors influencing willingness to adopt. Bo Xie will lead a discussion of these issues and outline areas for future research.

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Refining Evidence-Based Treatments for Late-Life Depression

GeroPsych ◽

10.1024/1662-9647/a000127 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 67-76

Author(s):

Grace C. Niu ◽

Patricia A. Arean

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Brain Plasticity ◽

Late Life ◽

Aging Population ◽

The United States ◽

Future Research ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Late Life Depression ◽

Evidence Based Treatments

The recent increase in the aging population, specifically in the United States, has raised concerns regarding treatment for mental illness among older adults. Late-life depression (LLD) is a complex condition that has become widespread among the aging population. Despite the availability of behavioral interventions and psychotherapies, few depressed older adults actually receive treatment. In this paper we review the research on refining treatments for LLD. We first identify evidence-based treatments (EBTs) for LLD and the problems associated with efficacy and dissemination, then review approaches to conceptualizing mental illness, specifically concepts related to brain plasticity and the Research Domain Criteria (RDoc). Finally, we introduce ENGAGE as a streamlined treatment for LLD and discuss implications for future research.

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Social Engagement and Episodic Memory in Non-Hispanic Black and White Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1101 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 343-343

Author(s):

Abbey Hamlin ◽

A Zarina Kraal ◽

Laura Zahodne

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Cognitive Aging ◽

Social Engagement ◽

Future Research ◽

Social Activities ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Significant Positive Association ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Social engagement may confer cognitive benefits in older adulthood, but studies have typically been restricted to largely non-Hispanic White (NHW) samples. Levels of social engagement vary across race such that NHW report larger social networks, more frequent participation in social activities, and greater social support than non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB). Associations between social engagement and cognition may also vary by race, but research is sparse. The current cross-sectional study examined associations between different aspects of social engagement and episodic memory performance, as well as interactions between social engagement and race among NHB and NHW participants in the Michigan Cognitive Aging Project (N = 247; 48.4% NHB; age = 64.19 ± 2.92). Social engagement (network size, activities, support) was self-reported. Episodic memory was a z-score composite of immediate, delayed, and recognition trials of a list-learning task. Separate hierarchical linear regression models quantified interactions between race and each of the three social engagement variables on episodic memory, controlling for sociodemographics, depressive symptoms, and health conditions. Results showed a main effect of more frequent social activity on better episodic memory, as well as an interaction between race and social support indicating a significant positive association in NHB but not NHW. These preliminary findings suggest that participating in social activities may be equally beneficial for episodic memory across NHB and NHW older adults and that social support may be particularly beneficial for NHB. Future research is needed to determine the potential applications of these results in reducing cognitive inequalities through the development of culturally-relevant interventions.

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Spontaneous Eye Blinks Predict Executive Functioning in Seniors

Journal of Cognitive Enhancement ◽

10.1007/s41465-021-00217-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jessika I. V. Buitenweg ◽

Jaap M. J. Murre ◽

K. Richard Ridderinkhof

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Working Memory ◽

Executive Functioning ◽

Cognitive Training ◽

Functional Decline ◽

Future Research ◽

Blink Rate ◽

Memory Updating ◽

Age Related ◽

Working Memory Updating

AbstractAs the world’s population is aging rapidly, cognitive training is an extensively used approach to attempt improvement of age-related cognitive functioning. With increasing numbers of older adults required to remain in the workforce, it is important to be able to reliably predict future functional decline, as well as the individual advantages of cognitive training. Given the correlation between age-related decline and striatal dopaminergic function, we investigated whether eye blink rate (EBR), a non-invasive, indirect indicator of dopaminergic activity, could predict executive functioning (response inhibition, switching and working memory updating) as well as trainability of executive functioning in older adults. EBR was collected before and after a cognitive flexibility training, cognitive training without flexibility, or a mock training. EBR predicted working memory updating performance on two measures of updating, as well as trainability of working memory updating, whereas performance and trainability in inhibition and switching tasks could not be predicted by EBR. Our findings tentatively indicate that EBR permits prediction of working memory performance in older adults. To fully interpret the relationship with executive functioning, we suggest future research should assess both EBR and dopamine receptor availability among seniors.

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The Socialization of Unpaid Family Caregivers: A Scoping Review

Research on Aging ◽

10.1177/01640275211005092 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 016402752110050

Author(s):

Kirstie McAllum ◽

Mary Louisa Simpson ◽

Christine Unson ◽

Stephanie Fox ◽

Kelley Kilpatrick

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Family Caregiving ◽

Family Processes ◽

Future Research ◽

Socialization Process ◽

Role Negotiation ◽

Role Learning ◽

Socialization Agents

As unpaid family caregiving of older adults becomes increasingly prevalent, it is imperative to understand how family caregivers are socialized and how they understand the caregiving role. This PRISMA-ScR-based scoping review examines the published literature between 1995–2019 on the socialization of potential and current unpaid family caregivers of older adults. Of 4,599 publications identified, 47 were included. Three perspectives of socialization were identified: (1) role acculturation; (2) role negotiation and identification; and (3) specialized role learning. The findings show how socialization involves different contexts (e.g., cultures), imperatives for action (e.g., circumstances), socialization agents (e.g., family), processes (e.g., modeling), and internal (e.g., normalization) and external (e.g., identification) consequences for caregivers. Future research could fruitfully explore how caregivers manage key turning points within the socialization process, disengage from the caregiving role, and negotiate the socialization and individualization processes within diverse cultural and funding contexts.

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Strategies and cognitive reserve to preserve lexical production in aging

GeroScience ◽

10.1007/s11357-021-00367-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Monica Baciu ◽

Sonja Banjac ◽

Elise Roger ◽

Célise Haldin ◽

Marcela Perrone-Bertolotti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Aging ◽

Individual Variability ◽

Future Research ◽

Aging Effects ◽

Main Hypothesis ◽

Compensatory Strategies ◽

Age Related ◽

Complementary Domain

AbstractIn the absence of any neuropsychiatric condition, older adults may show declining performance in several cognitive processes and among them, in retrieving and producing words, reflected in slower responses and even reduced accuracy compared to younger adults. To overcome this difficulty, healthy older adults implement compensatory strategies, which are the focus of this paper. We provide a review of mainstream findings on deficient mechanisms and possible neurocognitive strategies used by older adults to overcome the deleterious effects of age on lexical production. Moreover, we present findings on genetic and lifestyle factors that might either be protective or risk factors of cognitive impairment in advanced age. We propose that “aging-modulating factors” (AMF) can be modified, offering prevention opportunities against aging effects. Based on our review and this proposition, we introduce an integrative neurocognitive model of mechanisms and compensatory strategies for lexical production in older adults (entitled Lexical Access and Retrieval in Aging, LARA). The main hypothesis defended in LARA is that cognitive aging evolves heterogeneously and involves complementary domain-general and domain-specific mechanisms, with substantial inter-individual variability, reflected at behavioral, cognitive, and brain levels. Furthermore, we argue that the ability to compensate for the effect of cognitive aging depends on the amount of reserve specific to each individual which is, in turn, modulated by the AMF. Our conclusion is that a variety of mechanisms and compensatory strategies coexist in the same individual to oppose the effect of age. The role of reserve is pivotal for a successful coping with age-related changes and future research should continue to explore the modulating role of AMF.

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Long-Term Effects on Loneliness of a Computer-Tailored Intervention for Older Adults With Chronic Diseases: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Aging and Health ◽

10.1177/08982643211015027 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 089826432110150

Author(s):

Janet M. Boekhout ◽

Esmee Volders ◽

Catherine A. W. Bolman ◽

Renate H. M. de Groot ◽

Lilian Lechner

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Social Activity ◽

Time Frame ◽

Future Research ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Social Loneliness

Objectives: This study explores the effects of the Active Plus intervention aiming to decrease loneliness among older adults (>65 years) with chronic diseases. Methods: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was performed (N = 585; age: M = 74.5 years, SD = 6.4), assessing loneliness at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. Outcome measures in the multilevel linear regression analyses were total, social and emotional loneliness. Results: At 12 months, significant decreases in total ( B = −.37, p = .01) and social loneliness ( B = −.24, p = .02) were found. Age was a significant moderator for total and social loneliness; however, the intervention was effective only for participants aged 80 years and older. Discussion: The Active Plus intervention showed a significant decrease in total and social loneliness and was especially beneficial for the vulnerable age group of 80 years and older. A more comprehensive tool for measuring social activity and mobility impairments, and using a longer time frame to detect loneliness changes, may form interesting future research.

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Visualization approaches to support healthy aging: A systematic review

Journal of Innovation in Health Informatics ◽

10.14236/jhi.v23i3.860 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 600 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Uba Backonja ◽

Nai-Ching Chi ◽

Yong Choi ◽

Amanda K Hall ◽

Thai Le ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Health Behaviors ◽

Healthy Aging ◽

A Priori ◽

Aging In Place ◽

Future Research ◽

Health Technologies ◽

Data Visualizations ◽

Informatics Tools

Background: Health technologies have the potential to support the growing number of older adults who are aging in place. Many tools include visualizations (data visualizations, visualizations of physical representations). However, the role of visualizations in supporting aging in place remains largely unexplored.Objective: To synthesize and identify gaps in the literature evaluating visualizations (data visualizations and visualizations of physical representations), for informatics tools to support healthy aging.Methods: We conducted a search in CINAHL, Embase, Engineering Village, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science using a priori defined terms for publications in English describing community-based studies evaluating visualizations used by adults aged ≥65 years.Results: Six out of the identified 251 publications were eligible. Most studies were user studies and varied methodological quality. Three visualizations of virtual representations supported performing at-home exercises. Participants found visual representations either (a) helpful, motivational, and supported their understanding of their health behaviors or (b) not an improvement over alternatives. Three data visualizations supported understanding of one’s health. Participants were able to interpret data visualizations that used precise data and encodings that were more concrete better than those that did not provide precision or were abstract. Participants found data visualizations helpful in understanding their overall health and granular data.Conclusions: Studies we identified used visualizations to promote engagement in exercises or understandings of one’s health. Future research could overcome methodological limitations of studies we identified to develop visualizations that older adults could use with ease and accuracy to support their health behaviors and decision-making.

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Health Among Sexual Minority Older Adults: Individual Differences and Implications for Improving Health

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.3170 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 860-860

Author(s):

Britney Wardecker ◽

Cara Exten

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Individual Differences ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Health Care Access ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Negative Mood ◽

Health Problems ◽

Future Research ◽

Care Access ◽

Age Related

Abstract The number of sexual minority (SM) older adults is increasing rapidly, yet this population continues to be underrepresented in research (Fredriksen-Goldsen & Kim, 2017) and experiences significant disparities in health and health care access (Fredriksen-Goldsen, 2016; Wallace et al., 2011). In the current symposium, we analyze data from U.S. national probability samples of middle-aged and older adults (MIDUS, HRS, NESARC-III) to consider how age-related concerns and challenges may be experienced differently by SM individuals compared to their heterosexual counterparts. This symposium includes novel methods and statistical tools, such as daily diary assessments, multilevel modeling, and time-varying effects models. Individual presentations evaluate how: (1) SM women, compared to heterosexual women, may respond differently to menopause through norms and values surrounding womanhood; (2) midlife and older SM individuals use alcohol and cigarettes more frequently across a typical week than their heterosexual counterparts, though their substance use may not be tied to common triggers (e.g., negative mood, stress); (3) despite bisexual older adults reporting more health problems compared to lesbian and gay counterparts, they are less prepared for health concerns and crises (e.g., reporting a lower number of valid wills); and (4) the prevalence of depression and anxiety varies across age, such that older SM adults—especially women—are particularly vulnerable to psychological health problems. These presentations collectively examine complex issues facing older SM adults while emphasizing individual differences (i.e., women’s concerns, bisexual people’s issues). We discuss challenges in researching this growing at-risk population, and we highlight areas of future research and intervention.

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Contribution of an Educational Phase to Stress Inoculation of Speech Anxiety

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.1177/003151258005000224 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 50 (2) ◽

pp. 495-501

Author(s):

Matt E. Jaremko ◽

Rob Hadfield ◽

William E. Walker

Keyword(s):

Combination Group ◽

Future Research ◽

Stress Inoculation ◽

Control Group ◽

Stress Inoculation Training ◽

Speech Anxiety ◽

Public Speech ◽

Behavioral Ratings ◽

Treatment Groups ◽

Treatment Control Group

A study is described in which students anxious about speeches were treated by variations of stress inoculation training. The purpose of the experiment was to evaluate the contribution of an educational phase to the training. Three treatment groups received either the educational phase only, the skills phase only, or both. These were compared with a no-treatment control group. The education-only group was the only group to improve significantly on self-reported anxiety measured before giving a public speech. The education-only and combination group improved on self-reported self-efficacy as a speaker. All groups improved on behavioral ratings of anxiety. Discussion focuses on the apparent potency of using an educational model in the treatment of anxiety. Future research is suggested for delineating the conditions under which education is a powerful ingredient.

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