scholarly journals Policy Series: ESPO/ Social Research, Policy, and Practice Section Symposium: Connecting Aging Research to Policy: Insights and Strategies for Early-Career Researchers

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 683-683
Author(s):  
Claire Pendergrast ◽  
Jennifer May
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Healthcare Access ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Aging Research ◽  
Aging Policy ◽  
Early Career Researchers ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Research To Policy

Abstract A wide range of policy issues, from healthcare to transportation to social insurance, influence health and wellbeing for older adults. Gerontologists have the opportunity to get involved with policy at any scale, from the organizational or community level to local, state, or federal policy. This symposium brings together a diverse panel of emerging and established academics to discuss strategies for early career researchers to understand and participate in aging policy activities. Panelists will discuss opportunities for researchers to contribute their expertise to policy discussions, and will share their own experiences and perspectives on participating in the policy process. Specific topics covered will include aging policy internship opportunities for graduate students, academic involvement with advocacy efforts to promote healthcare access to older adults, strategies for designing and conducting impactful and policy research, approaches to collaboration with diverse stakeholders to connect research to policy, and strategies for communicating policy-relevant research findings to general public and policy audiences. This symposium will reflect the SRPP’s strong commitment to connecting research to policy and practice, and will provide early career scholars with strategies to connect their own research to policy in order to inform decision-making and improve health and quality of life for older adults.

scholarly journals PRESIDENTIAL SYMPOSIUM: MULTIDISCIPLINARY EMERGING PERSPECTIVES ON BUILDING AND MAINTAINING NETWORKS IN AGING.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S559-S559
Author(s):  
Darina V Petrovsky ◽  
Jamie N Justice
Keyword(s):  
Research Policy ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
State Level ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Transcriptional Networks ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Early Career Researchers ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This ESPO Presidential Symposium features a multidisciplinary perspective and recent scientific advances made by early career researchers from each of the GSA scientific sections. They will provide examples of how their work is addressing ways to build and maintain networks in aging and gerontological workforce. These talks will span research on the age-associated transcriptional networks (Biological Sciences, Kulkarni), enhancing care for persons with dementia using a professional healthcare network (Health Sciences, Kovaleva), ways to maintain care networks in nursing home residents (Behavioral and Social Sciences, Kennedy), exploring the impact of social isolation in older adults on the Autism Spectrum (Social Research, Policy, and Practice, Waldron) and reflections on a project that linked aging education and student involvement within the aging network at the state level (Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education, Stephenson). These talks will demonstrate the diversity of aims, strategies, methodologies, and tools employed across disciplines. In addition, these early career researchers will share how they use networks in their own disciplines to advance their science with the goal of building an independent program of research. We will conclude with a discussion on ways to identify synergies across different fields and promote strategies for successful cross-discipline collaboration.

Cost-Effectiveness of Hearing Screening in Older Adults: A Scoping Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 016402752110085
Author(s):  
Amber K. Hsu ◽  
Sarah M. Bassett ◽  
Linda C. O’Dwyer ◽  
Megan McHugh ◽  
Allen W. Heinemann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Healthcare Access ◽  
Screening Method ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Hearing Screening ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
The Cost

Objectives: Age is the most common predictor of hearing loss; however, many older adults are not screened. Hearing screening could improve healthcare access, participation, and outcomes. Establishing whether hearing screening in older adults is cost-effective could improve the availability and utilization of screening. Methods: We searched nine databases in January 2020. Studies with populations aged 50+ and provided data on the cost-effectiveness of hearing screening were included in the review. Results: Five studies met the inclusion criteria and all found hearing screening programs to be cost-effective compared to no hearing screening, regardless of screening method (i.e., instrument or strategy). The maximum number of repeated screenings, coupled with younger ages, was most cost-effective. Discussion: This review suggests that hearing screening in older adults is cost-effective, however, the evidence is limited. There is pressing need for research focused on economic impacts of hearing healthcare in older adults to inform research, policy and practice.

scholarly journals Presidential Symposium: Interdisciplinary Perspectives From Early-Career Scholars on Why Age Matters

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 831-831
Author(s):  
Darina Petrovsky ◽  
Danielle Waldron ◽  
Katie Sakel
Keyword(s):  
Biological Sciences ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Care Health ◽  
Kidney Function Decline

Abstract The 2020 ESPO Presidential Symposium features interdisciplinary perspectives and recent scientific advances made by early career researchers from each of the GSA scientific sections. They provide examples of how their work is addressing ways age matters. The first paper by Justice (Biological Sciences) will present the latest geroscience research. The second presentation will explore how age influences end-of-life care (Health Sciences, Starr). The third presentation will focus on age as a predictor of kidney function decline (Behavioral and Social Sciences, Surachman). The fourth presentation will explore how age shapes older adults’ resilience (Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education, Bouchard). The fifth presentation will examine opioid use in older adults (Social Research, Policy, and Practice, Jansen). Additionally, early career scholars will share information about their research trajectories and future directions within their disciplines. Given the diverse nature of these presentations, attendees will be exposed to varying strategies, methodologies, and tools that are employed across disciplines. The symposium concludes with a discussion on ways to identify synergies across different fields and promote strategies for successful cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Constructing academic identity in the European higher education space: Experiences of early career educational researchers

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-268
Author(s):  
Sanja Djerasimovic ◽  
Marialuisa Villani
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Academic Identity ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Geographic Mobility ◽  
Academic Values ◽  
Professional Identification ◽  
Early Career Researchers ◽  
Entrepreneurial Spirit ◽  
European Higher Education

This exploratory paper presents insights from a qualitative interview-based study of the academic identity-building among a group of early career researchers working in the field of education across the European higher education space. Set against a policy background framed by the initiatives in European higher education and research policy, geared towards a production of a mobile, entrepreneurial researcher in pursuit of ‘valuable’ knowledge, the respondents’ narratives reveal individual complexity, but also emerging patterns of professional identification. We identify the traditional academic values of creating and sharing knowledge validated by an epistemic community, and pursuing autonomy and collegiality in research, as still dominant, however, find these interacting with the demonstration of a strong proactive, entrepreneurial spirit, and a lack of institutional attachment. The narratives indicate the availability of supportive, encouraging communities as being of high significance, and contest the notions of Europeanisation and the utility of geographic mobility in researchers’ identities. The paper discusses different types of academic identification driven by value orientation and social attachment that emerged from the early career researchers’ interviews, alongside pervasive issues around mobility raised in most narratives, and concludes with suggestions for further study.

scholarly journals Eight Investments That Work for Physical Activity

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Karen Milton ◽  
Nick Cavill ◽  
Anna Chalkley ◽  
Charlie Foster ◽  
Sjaan Gomersall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Physical Activity Behavior ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Global Organization ◽  
Advance Research ◽  
Sport And Recreation

Background: The International Society for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH) is a leading global organization working to advance research, policy, and practice to promote physical activity. Given the expanding evidence base on interventions to promote physical activity, it was timely to review and update a major ISPAH advocacy document—Investments that Work for Physical Activity (2011). Methods: Eight investment areas were agreed upon through consensus. Literature reviews were conducted to identify key evidence relevant to policymakers in each sector or setting. Results: The 8 investment areas were as follows: whole-of-school programs; active transport; active urban design; health care; public education; sport and recreation; workplaces; and community-wide programs. Evidence suggests that the largest population health benefit will be achieved by combining these investments and implementing a systems-based approach. Conclusions: Establishing consensus on ‘what works’ to change physical activity behavior is a cornerstone of successful advocacy, as is having appropriate resources to communicate key messages to a wide range of stakeholders. ISPAH has created a range of resources related to the new investments described in this paper. These resources are available in the ‘advocacy toolkit’ on the ISPAH website (www.ispah.org/resources).

scholarly journals PROMOTING AGING IN PLACE VIA RESEARCH, POLICY, AND PRACTICE IN AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S26-S26
Author(s):  
Kathy Black
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Aging In Place ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Professional Groups ◽  
Age In Place ◽  
Community Model ◽  
The Social ◽  
Global Age

Abstract The majority of Americans overwhelmingly prefer to age in place and in the communities in which they reside. Age-friendly communities support aging in place by focusing attention on features both inside and outside of the home. The global age-friendly community model provides a framework that requires assessing community-based older adults’ needs and preferences about, and developing subsequent action towards, features of the social, service and built environment including housing and transportation which are considered essential to aging successfully at home. This presentation discusses the intersect between research, policy and practice in an age-friendly community which utilized micro-level findings from older adults (n = 1, 172) to enact macro-level collaborations across local and statewide government and professional groups to facilitate aging in place across the domains of housing and transportation.

scholarly journals End of Life: A New Life Course Stage for Older Adults and Their Families?

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 647-647
Author(s):  
Deborah Carr
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Course ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Dying Patients ◽  
Legal Context ◽  
Uncontrollable Event

Abstract Over the past two centuries, death has transitioned from an unexpected and uncontrollable event to a protracted process that requires individuals and families to make difficult decisions regarding where and under what conditions one will die. This new life course stage, spanning the period from diagnosis to death, provides older adults and their families an opportunity to prepare for difficult medical decisions, yet also may be a time marked by suffering and conflict. In this paper, I provide an overview of the technological, demographic, and legal context of end-of-life in the 21st century, and its implications for the quality of life for dying patients and their families. I underscore that historical shifts have created a context in which the quality of one’s end-of-life experiences and autonomy are stratified by race and socioeconomic status, creating challenges for older adults and their loved ones. I highlight implications for research, policy, and practice.

scholarly journals Mental Health Promotion Efforts for Children and Youth in Canada and Beyond: Evidence in Research, Policy and Practice

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Whitley ◽  
Suzanne Gooderham
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Student Outcomes ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Mental Health Promotion ◽  
Children And Youth ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties

terms of both psychological and academic outcomes. Growing numbers of students are placed “at risk” as a result. A mental health promotion approach suggests that students can develop a number of skills and competencies, namely those related to social-emotional learning (SEL), which can reduce their chance of developing mental health difficulties. In Canada, a wide range of curricula, frameworks, initiatives, and programs have been put in place that address elements of SEL. In this paper, a sampling of these drawn from across the country is described. The emphasis on SEL apparent in many provinces and territories is evidence of the shared understanding of its importance with respect to improving student outcomes. However, a lack of evidence to support these approaches, inconsistencies in terms of terminology and practices, the lack of alignment between SEL and academics, and the piecemeal approach adopted within some provinces leave SEL and mental health promotion approaches vulnerable to being labelled “add-ons” and becoming transient initiatives.

scholarly journals THE BACKGROUND AND DEVELOPMENT OF QUALITY OF LIFE AND FAMILY QUALITY OF LIFE: APPLYING RESEARCH, POLICY, AND PRACTICE TO INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY LIVING

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Roy I. Brown ◽  
Alice Schippers
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
The Other ◽  
Family Quality Of Life ◽  
Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Research Practice ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Wide Range

This article introduces the concepts of quality of life and family quality of life and shows how they have developed in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities in terms of concepts and principles. The article underscores the relevance of many of the principles and practices to a wide range of disabilities and challenges in the broad field of human development. Finally, the article provides an introduction to the other articles in this special issue, and considers their relationship to the broader areas of research, practice, and policy.

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