Diversity and age stereotypes in portrayals of older adults in popular American primetime television series

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Čedomir Markov ◽  
Youngmin Yoon
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
The United States ◽  
Media Representations ◽  
Television Series ◽  
Negative Stereotypes ◽  
Age Stereotypes ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Primetime Television ◽  
Young Old

Abstract To examine the prevalence and diversity of older adults on primetime television, and age stereotyping in these portrayals, we analysed the contents of 112 episodes of popular American television series aired between 2004 and 2018. We identified 6.6 per cent of characters as aged 65 and older – a slight improvement to the values reported in previous studies. However, older adult characters are still grossly under-represented, considering the actual proportion of older adults in the general population of the United States of America. Further, the typical older character was young-old, male, Caucasian, middle-class, able-bodied and straight – if his sexuality was referenced. Older women still face double discrimination in media representations. In addition, older adult characters with ethnicities other than Caucasian and African American are virtually invisible in primetime fiction series. Similarly, old-old characters, sexual minorities and persons with disabilities are particularly rare among older adult characters in this type of programming. Finally, portrayals of 51.9 per cent of characters included at least some elements of age stereotypes, most of which were positive. The most commonly applied positive and negative stereotypes were found to be the golden ager and the shrew, respectively. The findings are discussed in the context of the dominant discourse of ageing and the potential implications of how various social groups perceive ageing and older adults.

Engaging Vital Older Adults in Intergenerational Service-Learning

2018 ◽  
pp. 266-287
Author(s):  
Reneé A. Zucchero
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
The United States ◽  
Life Review ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Negative Stereotypes ◽  
Adult Volunteers

The population of older adults within the United States is growing rapidly, which calls for increased understanding of that population. However, ageism is pervasive and one of the most engrained forms of prejudice. Intergenerational service-learning may be one way to reduce negative stereotypes and ageism. The Co-Mentoring Project is an intergenerational service-learning project that matches undergraduate students and vital older adult volunteers. Students meet with their partners at least four times over the course of the semester to conduct a life review and gather information to begin the older adults' memoirs. This chapter provides a rationale for intergenerational service-learning and information about its theoretical underpinnings. The chapter also offers information about service-learning best practices, including structured reflection, and how the Project's methodology is consistent with them. The multi-modal assessment conducted for the Project and its outcomes are discussed. Finally, directions for future research are described.

scholarly journals Starting an Older Adult Lecture for First Semester Nursing Students With a Truth or Myth Game

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 14-14
Author(s):  
Lynn Brown ◽  
Pao-feng Tsai
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Final Exam ◽  
Negative Stereotypes ◽  
First Semester ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
New Information

Abstract False ideas about the physical and psychosocial characteristics of older adults exist in America. It is especially important that nurses are not susceptible to myths and stereotypes as these myths can affect the quality of patient care. For example, some people stereotype older adults as forgetful, disabled, ill, and unable to understand new information. Misconceptions and negative stereotypes are also present in first year nursing students. It is vital that students assess their own attitudes about older adults to form positive attitudes and gain knowledge about aging and health care needs. To achieve this goal, the older adult lecture in a first semester theory and fundamental course begins with a PowerPoint slide presentation asking students to distinguish truths and myths. The truth or myth topics include a) developmental tasks; b) common physiological changes; c) a comparison of delirium, dementia, and depression; and d) addressing health concerns of older adults. Active discussion follows the activity. Seventy to ninety percent of students correctly answered nine of ten questions related to older adult content on the final exam. Considering the increasing number of older adults in the health care setting, nurse educators must dismantle negative stereotypes with creative teaching strategies.

Older Adults and Parents of Young Children Have Different Handling Practices for Raw Poultry

2019 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 200-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
KATHERINE M. KOSA ◽  
SHERYL C. CATES ◽  
JENNA BROPHY ◽  
SANDRIA GODWIN ◽  
DELORES CHAMBERS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Safety Information ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Contamination ◽  
Handling Practices ◽  
Raw Poultry

ABSTRACT Salmonella and Campylobacter are among the most common causes of foodborne disease in the United States. Most illnesses are associated with eating raw or undercooked poultry or cross-contamination. Young children and older adults are more susceptible to contracting foodborne illness and have serious infections compared with other age groups. We conducted a Web-based survey of parents of young children (n = 1,957) and older adults (n = 1,980) to estimate adherence to recommended food safety practices for raw poultry and to identify differences in practices between the two groups. The findings present adherence rates for 20 practices. In both groups, less than 50% of respondents reported adherence to seven practices; thus, improvements are needed in these areas. Parent respondents were significantly more likely than older adult respondents to report following eight practices, with most related to avoiding cross-contamination and using a food thermometer. For example, parents (39%) were significantly more likely than older adults (31%) to report not rinsing or washing raw poultry (P < 0.001). Older adult respondents were significantly more likely than parent respondents to report following seven practices, with most related to chilling to proper temperatures and thawing. For example, older adults (87%) were significantly more likely than parents (69%) to report cooking, freezing, or discarding raw poultry within 1 to 2 days of purchase as recommended (P < 0.001). For the remaining five practices, no differences were found between groups. To motivate behavior change, food safety messages and materials must target specific at-risk populations as their practices are different. Additional research is needed to better understand how parents of young children and older adults like to receive food safety information and how to tailor the information to different generations.

scholarly journals Implementation of an Opioid and Benzodiazepine Deprescribing Program for Older Adults in an Outpatient Setting

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 906-906
Author(s):  
Lori Armistead ◽  
Jan Busby-Whitehead ◽  
Stefanie Ferreri ◽  
Cristine Henage ◽  
Tamera Hughes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
The United States ◽  
Outpatient Setting ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Risk Of Falls

Abstract The United States spends $50 billion each year on 2.8 million injuries and 800,000 hospitalizations older adults (age 65 years and older) incur as the result of falls. Chronic use of central nervous system (CNS)-active medications, such as opioid and/or benzodiazepine (BZD) medications, increases the risk of falls and falls-related injuries in this older adult population. This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded randomized control trial uses electronic health record (EHR) data from primary care outpatient clinics to identify older adult patients at risk for falls due to chronic opioid or BZD use. The primary program aim is to test the efficacy of a targeted consultant pharmacist service to reduce the dose burden of these medications in the targeted population. Impact of this intervention on the risk of falls in this population will also be assessed. Licensed clinical pharmacists will review at-risk patients’ medical records weekly and make recommendations through the EHR to primary care providers for opioid or BZD dose adjustments, alternate medications, and/or adjunctive therapies to support deprescribing for approximately 1265 patients in the first two cohorts of intervention clinics. One thousand three hundred eighty four patients in the control clinics will receive usual care. Outcome measures will include reduction or discontinuation of opioids and BZDs and falls risk reduction as measured by the Stop Elderly Accidents, Death and Injuries (STEADI) Questionnaire. Primary care provider adoption of pharmacists’ recommendations and satisfaction with the consult service will also be reported.

A Survey of Mobile Phone Use in Older Adults

2007 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Seok Lee
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mobile Phone Use ◽  
Usage Patterns ◽  
Basic Features ◽  
Older Adult Population

Mobile phone adoption by older adults is radically increasing. As a part of multiple empirical studies to improve older adults' experiences with mobile phones, a survey was conducted to investigate a number of specific aspects of mobile phone use in the older adult population including motives of ownership, usage patterns, preferences on mobile phone features, and perceived usability of their own phones. A total of 154 older adults from 20 states of the United States who owned a mobile phone participated in this study. Results indicated that participants used a few basic features of mobile phones since they used them mainly for personal communication and safety reasons. Overall, participants perceived that their current phones offered marginal “ease of use”, but they found most usability problems with understanding error messages, inputting text, and understanding user manuals. The majority of older adults (over 50%) desired a phone with basic features that include making /receiving a call, phonebook, emergency call, voice message checking, speed dial, ringer change, and clock. However, effects of age and gender were found on mobile phone usage patterns and design preferences, which suggest a need of focusing on diverse groups within the older adult population.

scholarly journals A QUALITATIVE REVIEW OF OLDER ADULT PERSPECTIVES ON HEALTHY AGING IN THE CIRCUMPOLAR NORTH

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S264-S265
Author(s):  
Britteny M Howell ◽  
Jennifer R Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
The United States ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Cultural Research ◽  
Circumpolar North ◽  
Personal Resilience

Abstract Cross-cultural research has shown marked variation in health outcomes across the world’s older adult populations. Indeed, older adults in the Circumpolar North experience a variety of health disparities. Because aging is a biological process rooted in sociocultural context, there exists great variation in the ways older adults define and experience healthy, or “successful,” aging in their communities. The aim of this analysis was to synthesize qualitative research among older residents (aged 50+ years) in the Circumpolar North to identify a definition of healthy aging common in the region. The Circumpolar North is defined as the Arctic and subarctic regions of Canada, Finland, Denmark, Greenland & the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States. A thorough review was conducted across a variety of academic search databases for peer-reviewed, qualitative studies conducted among community-dwelling older adults. The search strategy initially identified 194 articles; 22 articles met the inclusion criteria. Included studies were coded and analyzed using Grounded Theory to examine underlying themes of healthy aging in the Circumpolar North. The findings reveal the importance older adults place on incorporating social, environmental, and personal resilience factors into multidimensional models of healthy aging. This research also highlights the need for increased translational research with populations in the Circumpolar North that are under-represented in the gerontological literature.

scholarly journals 149 Falls in the United States: Magnitude, Risk, Disparities, and Solutions

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv34-iv39
Author(s):  
Matthew Lee Smith ◽  
Edgar Vieira ◽  
Angelica Herrera-Venson ◽  
Kathleen Cameron
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Prevention Programs ◽  
The United States ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Gis Mapping ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
National Network

Abstract In the United States, falls incidence rates remain steady among older adults (those age 65 years and older), which highlights the need for effective interventions to prevent falls and manage fall-related risks. Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury and injury-related disability and deaths among older adults (29,668 deaths, 61.6/100,000, in the US in 2016), and the rate of fall-related deaths among older adults increased 31% from 2007 to 2016. In the United States, an older adult goes to an emergency room due to a fall every 11 seconds (3 million visits per year), and an older adult dies from a fall-related injury every 19 minutes. In response to this issue, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and other governmental agencies have dedicated large sums of funding to initiate and support fall prevention and management efforts in clinical and community settings. As part of the solution, ACL supported 40 grantees to deliver eight evidence-based fall prevention programs (e.g., A Matter of Balance, Stepping On, Tai Chi, Otago Exercise Program) from 2010-2016. During that time, this ongoing initiative has reached 45,812 participants in 22 states by delivering 3,755 workshops. The majority of workshops were delivered in senior centers (26%), residential facilities (20%), healthcare organizations (13%), and faith-based organizations (9%). This presentation will use geographic information system (GIS) mapping to geospatially depict the dissemination of these programs as well as highlights their impact on fall-related outcomes. Additionally, models of clinical and community collaboration for fall prevention will be described, which shows the importance of leveraged resources, seamless referral systems, and timely feedback channels. Further, policy initiatives and a national network of state-based fall prevention coalitions will be described to coordinate and integrate efforts across clinical, community, corporate, and academic settings. Lastly, strategies will be shared to diversify the delivery infrastructure for fall prevention programs and incorporate technological options for isolated populations and those without access to preventive services.

scholarly journals CRIME-RELATED PHYSICAL INJURIES AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN THE UNITED STATES: FINDINGS FROM 2015 NIBRS DATA

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S449-S450
Author(s):  
Gerson Galdamez ◽  
Zach Gassoumis
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Expert Witness ◽  
The United States ◽  
Physical Injury ◽  
Crime Victimization ◽  
Violent Crimes ◽  
Visible Injury ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Physical Injuries

Abstract Approaches to addressing crimes within the justice system typically do not differentiate between younger and older adults. However, approaches to addressing elder abuse cases—which involve older adult victims exclusively—often rely on the preconception that abuse can only occur if a visible physical injury exists. This preconception is driven in part by perceptions of frailty and ease-of-injury in older, vulnerable victims. We aimed to quantify the prevalence of physical injuries among older victims of violent crimes. We used data reported by the U.S. National Incidence-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) in 2015 to quantify the frequency of reported crimes which resulted in visible, physical injuries to victims aged 60+. Logistic regression was used to determine effects of age, race/ethnicity, type of crime, relationship to offender, and victim locality on physical injury from crime. Among 1,373,417 crime victims, 80.63% of older adults (60+) sustained an injury, as opposed to 65.17% of younger adults (<60). The proportion of individuals who showed physical injuries consistently increased with age until age 90. Knowing the offender was associated with higher odds of sustaining a visible injury (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.38-1.58). Although older adults show higher risk of visible physical injuries from violent crimes than younger adults, it is possible for a crime against an older adult to have occurred without a visible injury. Medical and criminal justice practitioners should utilize this evidence on elder crime victimization to aid in expert witness testimony and other activities related to justice in crimes against older adults.

The Intersecting Influence of Age and Performance Stereotypes on Physical and Psychological Aspects of Stair Navigation in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
pp. 073346482096534
Author(s):  
Rachael C. Stone ◽  
William H. Gage ◽  
Joseph Baker
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Psychological Aspects ◽  
Age Stereotypes ◽  
Lateral Plane ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Stereotype Priming

Negative age-stereotypes can have widespread effects on older adult functionality; however, no research has explored psychophysical aspects of stair navigation after exposure to stereotype priming. The present study examined self-efficacy and biomechanics related to stair navigation in older adults ( N = 90). Between-groups analyses revealed positively primed older adults ascended and descended the stairs significantly faster with greater velocity in the medio-lateral plane than older adults who received a negative prime or controls ( p < .017). Moreover, negatively primed older adults rated their stair self-efficacy significantly lower compared with the control and positively primed groups ( p < .017). These results suggest positively primed older adults can navigate stairs with more confidence, quickness, and efficiency. With implications for interventions aimed at maintaining older adult functionality, the present study highlights the potential benefits of positive age-stereotypes, especially related to challenging physical tasks.

Mortality From Forces of Nature Among Older Adults by Race/Ethnicity and Gender

2020 ◽  
pp. 073346482095467
Author(s):  
Rachel M. Adams ◽  
Candace M. Evans ◽  
Mason Clay Mathews ◽  
Amy Wolkin ◽  
Lori Peek
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Alaska Native ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Ethnicity And Gender ◽  
Related Mortality

Older adults are especially vulnerable to disasters due to high rates of chronic illness, disability, and social isolation. Limited research examines how gender, race/ethnicity, and forces of nature—defined here as different types of natural hazards, such as storms and earthquakes—intersect to shape older adults’ disaster-related mortality risk. We compare mortality rates among older adults (60+ years) in the United States across gender, race/ethnicity, and hazard type using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Wonder database. Our results demonstrate that older adult males have higher mortality rates than females. American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) males have the highest mortality and are particularly impacted by excessive cold. Mortality is also high among Black males, especially due to cataclysmic storms. To address disparities, messaging and programs targeting the dangers of excessive cold should be emphasized for AI/AN older adult males, whereas efforts to reduce harm from cataclysmic storms should target Black older adult males.

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