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

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.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S634-S634
Author(s):  
Harvey J Cohen

Abstract GSA is a network of disciplinary components each of which is a network composed of members. This large system possesses powerful emergent properties that are realized at many interdisciplinary interfaces. The GSA Presidential Symposium mirrors this by bringing together rapporteurs from our disciplinary presidential symposia who will summarize the major findings of these symposia. The Behavioral and Social Sciences presidential symposium explores the use of social networking by aging adults, the media and technologies utilized, and the impact of these trends on health and well-being. The Biological Sciences presidential symposium examines multiple layers of biological networks as predictors of systemic aging. The Social Research Policy and Practice presidential symposium dissects the reciprocal relationship between broad environmental contexts and social networks throughout life and ways in which this relationship can be used to optimize the aging experience. The Health Sciences presidential symposium reports on the improvement of perioperative care of older adults achieved through harnessing the partnership and collaboration of all disciplines involved in this care. The Academy of Gerontology in Higher Education presidential symposium discusses ongoing initiatives that build networks to shape age-friendly programs and policies at universities, international collaborations, and competency-based gerontology education. The Humanities and Arts presidential symposium investigates the synergy between museums and aging, both of which are represented as networks. A discussion between the presidential symposia rapporteurs with audience participation will ensue to identify common, overarching themes and to spark approaches to important, interdisciplinary problems in gerontology. • Kelly Niles-Yokum, Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education, Education Networks: Strengthening of Gerontology and Geriatrics through Connectivity • Kristine J. Ajrouch, Behavioral and Social Sciences Section, The Ties That Bind: The Influence of Social Media and Technology in the Lives of Older Adults • George L. Sutphin, Biological Sciences Section, Expanding the Geroscience Network • Luigi Ferrucci, Health Sciences Section, Optimizing Surgical Care for All Older Adults • Kate de Medeiros, Humanities and Arts Committee, Museums and Aging: Novel Network Opportunities to Support Optimal Aging • Emily Greenfield, Social Research Policy and Practice Section, Harnessing Social Networks to Optimize Environmental Contexts for Diverse Aging Experiences


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S559-S559
Author(s):  
Darina V Petrovsky ◽  
Jamie N Justice

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 683-683
Author(s):  
Claire Pendergrast ◽  
Jennifer May

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 318-318
Author(s):  
Sarah Dys ◽  
Claire Pendergrast

Abstract Social, economic, and health inequities shape the experience of aging, reflecting a landscape of unequal resources, opportunities, and stressors that accumulate over the life-course. These inequities are not accidental, but rather reflect systems of power that act through institutions, policies, and people to simultaneously privilege some groups and disadvantage others based on socially constructed categories. These systems include, but are not limited to, racism, ageism, and capitalism. The unequal and unjust distribution of resources and opportunities over the lifespan results in health, social, and economic disparities in older adulthood. For example, Black older adults are at higher risk of experiencing chronic disease burden and shorter life expectancy than white older adults due to greater economic disinvestment, interpersonal and systemic racial discrimination, and lower health services access over the life course. This symposium features three leading scholars whose work centers racial and health equity in later life. The symposium will engage with issues related to long-term services and supports infrastructure, community-engaged and culturally relevant programs and education, and research activities (e.g., recruitment, study design, grant writing, dissemination). Panelists will also discuss their research agendas and recent scholarship, career trajectories, insights, and practices. We hope symposium attendees will identify opportunities and strategies for focusing on elimination of health disparities across the life-course in their own work. We believe this symposium can serve as an opportunity for SRPP members and emerging scholars and practitioners to center equity, highlight intersectionality, and amplify our colleagues at the forefront of addressing inequity through their work.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 54-54
Author(s):  
Peter Treitler ◽  
Stephen Crystal ◽  
Richard Hermida ◽  
Jennifer Miles

Abstract High rates of opioid prescribing and comorbid medical conditions increase risk of overdose among older adults. As the US population ages and the rates of opioid use disorder (OUD) increase in the elderly population, there is a need to characterize trends and correlates of overdose in order to more effectively target policy and practice. Using a ~40% random sample of 2015-2017 Medicare beneficiaries ages 65 and older with Part D pharmacy coverage, this study examined medically treated opioid overdoses among US older adults. The sample included 13-14 million beneficiaries per year. The rate of medically treated opioid overdoses among elderly Medicare beneficiaries increased by 15% from 6 per 10,000 in 2015 to 6.9 per 10,000 in 2017. Those with overdose were disproportionately female (63%), non-Hispanic white (83%), with diagnoses of pain conditions (96%), with diagnoses of major depression (63%), and with high rates of conditions that decrease respiratory reserve such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 13% had co-occurring diagnosed alcohol use disorder, 36% were diagnosed with opioid dependence or abuse, and 12% were diagnosed with hepatitis C. Older individuals with overdose represent a complex mix of risk factors; identifying those most at risk (as well as those who have very low risk, whose pain management may be compromised by overly-rigid interpretation of opioid use guidelines) is key in order to address multiple risks, balancing risk reduction with appropriate pain management.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S538-S539
Author(s):  
Peter Martin

Abstract The 2019 GSA Fellows Symposium includes GSA members who were recently granted GSA Fellow status. They represent each of the GSA sections: Biological Sciences (BS), Health Sciences (HS), Behavioral & Social Sciences (BSS), Social Research, Policy & Practice (SRPP), and the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE). The theme of the 2019 GSA Fellows Symposium is focusing on the power of networks and will highlight the importance of neuroendocrine networks (Christian Sell), the role of social support for refugees in Canada (Esme Fuller-Thomson), the importance of professional partnerships to promote health (Heather Young), aging-friendly communities (Emily Greenfield), and the role of networks in teaching gerontology (Tina Kruger). The importance of networks across disciplinary boundaries will be discussed.


Author(s):  
Matthew A. Miclette ◽  
Jared A. Leff ◽  
Isabella Cuan ◽  
Jeffrey H. Samet ◽  
Brendan Saloner ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S415-S415
Author(s):  
Neeraj Puro

Abstract As the Senior Student Representative for the Social Research, Policy, and Practice Section for GSA one of the goals is to organize a symposium that would be beneficial for students and junior researchers. In this section, we will have a student who was involved in CHOT to speak about his experience. Neeraj Puro is a doctoral candidate who has been involved in several CHOT projects during his academic career. The CHOT has helped fund his doctoral work and allowed him to travel and present at more conferences. The projects that he was involved in helped him with early publications and assisted when he was out in the career market. He will speak about his experience; what he learned, and his opinion about the process. He will reflect on this program from a student/junior researcher’s perspective and how it has influenced his doctoral journey and the beginning of his career.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S26-S26
Author(s):  
Kathy Black

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.


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