scholarly journals Psychosocial Mentorship Needs: Promoting Diversity in Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease Research and Clinical Careers

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 988-988
Author(s):  
Sheri Thompson ◽  
Lauren Pineda ◽  
Savannah Gamboa ◽  
Gisselle Santiago
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Academic Success ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Racial Microaggressions ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Mentorship Program ◽  
Black African ◽  
Professional Self

Abstract The UC San Diego MADURA Mentorship Program, funded by an R25 National Institute on Aging grant, has goals to improve diversity in Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease (ADRD) research and clinical practice. MADURA strives to improve retention and academic success of its URM trainees, and to increase graduate/medical school applications and/or entry into Aging/ADRD careers. Mentees receive paid research experience, skills training, peer support, seminars, and additional professional development opportunities. Given local demographics and Co-Investigator expertise, MADURA recruits primarily Hispanic/Latinx (H/L) students, and other URM students. Non-exclusive racial identifications of 32 Year 1 mentees were: 69% H/L, 9% Black/African American, 22% Asian and 31% other race. 72% met NIH criteria for Disadvantaged Backgrounds. As of June 2021, 100% of students completed surveys assessing Racial Microaggressions and Imposter Syndrome experiences, and Professional Self-efficacy. This poster will define the concepts, discuss relevance for URM student success and retention, and present student data on each topic. As examples, 56% of trainees experienced overt discrimination and 72% reported having experienced microaggressions at least occasionally, as undergraduates. As related to Imposter Syndrome, 62% secretly worried that others would find out that they are not as bright and capable as others think. Half attributed accomplishments to being a “fluke,” or due to reasons other than true merit. Still, in terms of Professional Self-efficacy, 62% of mentees thought it moderately or very likely that they would succeed as an Aging/ADRD researcher. The authors will make specific suggestions for optimized URM training and mentorship program content, and provide resources.

scholarly journals FINANCIAL DECISION MAKING SELF-EFFICACY IN COGNITIVELY AND FINANCIALLY VULNERABLE OLDER ADULTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S477-S478
Author(s):  
Evan Z Gross ◽  
Rebecca J Campbell ◽  
LaToya Hall ◽  
Peter Lichtenberg
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Financial Decisions ◽  
Financial Decision Making ◽  
Financial Decision

Abstract Financial decision making self-efficacy (FDMSE) is a novel construct that may influence how older adults make financial decisions. Our previous research with a community sample of older adults demonstrated that cognitive functioning and suspected history of financial exploitation were both associated with low FDMSE. We sought to replicate these findings in two clinical samples of older adults: people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or probable Alzheimer’s disease (PAD) and current victims of scams or exploitation as determined by a financial coach. Samples were obtained from the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center and a financial coaching intervention study. All participants completed a 4-item FDMSE measure. One-way ANOVAs, t-tests and chi-square tests were conducted to test for group differences with controls on demographics. There was a main effect of cognitive status on FDMSE, F(2,138) = 8.10, p < .001, which was driven by higher FDMSE in the healthy group (N = 63) than the MCI (N = 76) or PAD (N = 28) groups. Similarly, scam victims (N = 25) had significantly lower FDMSE than non-exploited (N = 25) peers, t(48)=2.33, p < 05. Cognitive impairment and current financial scams are both associated with low FDMSE levels. Low FDMSE may exacerbate cognitive and psychosocial vulnerabilities that contribute to risk for poor financial decisions among older adults. Future interventions to enhance FDMSE may help older adults make better decisions despite changes in thinking abilities or previous negative financial experiences.

A Clinical Overview of Cholinesterase Inhibitors in Alzheimer's Disease

2002 ◽  
Vol 14 (S1) ◽  
pp. 93-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Farlow
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Symptomatic Relief ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Lewy Body Dementia ◽  
Underlying Disease ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Behavioral Disturbances ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Che Inhibitors

This review provides an overview of the three most widely used cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitors: donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine. Differences in pharmacologic profiles will be discussed, and consideration will be given to how such differences may relate to and influence the clinical efficacy and tolerability of the various agents. In addition to providing cognitive benefits in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), growing clinical evidence also suggests that ChE inhibitors can produce favorable and clinically relevant effects on neuropsychiatric/behavioral disturbances and activities of daily living. Furthermore, recent data indicate that these agents may be effective at all levels of disease severity and for all rates of disease progression. The clinical utility of ChE inhibitors in a wider spectrum of dementias which share a common cholinergic deficit, such as Lewy body dementia, Parkinson's disease dementia, and vascular dementia, is currently under investigation. Beyond symptomatic relief, data suggest that ChE inhibitors may also slow the underlying disease process. As clinical and research experience with these agents continues to accumulate, the differences in their effects will become more apparent and will help physicians tailor ChE inhibition treatment to the needs of the individual patient.

scholarly journals Intention to Screen for Alzheimer’s Disease by Residential Locale

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 2261
Author(s):  
Lilah M. Besser ◽  
Willa D. Brenowitz ◽  
Juyoung Park ◽  
Magdalena I. Tolea ◽  
James E. Galvin
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Psychosocial Factors ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Perceived Susceptibility ◽  
Preventive Health Behaviors ◽  
Dementia Screening ◽  
Preventative Health ◽  
Screening Intention

A random digit dialing sample from Missouri (USA) was used to compare associations between psychosocial factors and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) screening intention based on residential locale. Linear regression associations between demographics and five psychosocial constructs (dementia knowledge, perceived screening benefits, preventive health behaviors, perceived susceptibility, and self-efficacy) and screening intention were compared by residential locale. Participants (n = 932) had a mean age of 62 years (urban: n = 375; suburban: n = 319, rural: n = 238). African Americans more often lived in urban than suburban/rural neighborhoods, and more urban than suburban/rural residents reported insufficient income. Preventative health behaviors (e.g., dentist visits) were higher in urban and suburban versus rural participants. AD screening intention did not differ by residential locale. Among urban participants, self-efficacy to get screened was associated with screening intention. Among rural participants, dementia knowledge was associated with screening intention. Perceived screening benefits and perceived susceptibility to AD were associated with screening intention regardless of locale. Unlike urban participants, rural participants demonstrated greater screening intention with greater dementia knowledge. Our findings suggest that psychosocial factors associated with AD screening intention differ depending on residential locale. Strategies to increase dementia screening may need to account for regional variations to be maximally effective.

scholarly journals Cognitive rehabilitation for early stage Alzheimer’s disease: a pilot study with an Irish population

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. Kelly ◽  
B. A. Lawlor ◽  
R. F. Coen ◽  
I. H. Robertson ◽  
S. Brennan
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Cognitive Rehabilitation ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Single Subject ◽  
Everyday Functioning ◽  
Post Test

ObjectivesResearch shows that cognitive rehabilitation (CR) has the potential to improve goal performance and enhance well-being for people with early stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This single subject, multiple baseline design (MBD) research investigated the clinical efficacy of an 8-week individualised CR intervention for individuals with early stage AD.MethodsThree participants with early stage AD were recruited to take part in the study. The intervention consisted of eight sessions of 60–90 minutes of CR. Outcomes included goal performance and satisfaction, quality of life, cognitive and everyday functioning, mood, and memory self-efficacy for participants with AD; and carer burden, general mental health, quality of life, and mood of carers.ResultsVisual analysis of MBD data demonstrated a functional relationship between CR and improvements in participants’ goal performance. Subjective ratings of goal performance and satisfaction increased from baseline to post-test for three participants and were maintained at follow-up for two. Baseline to post-test quality of life scores improved for three participants, whereas cognitive function and memory self-efficacy scores improved for two.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate that CR can improve goal performance, and is a socially acceptable intervention that can be implemented by practitioners with assistance from carers between sessions. This study represents one of the promising first step towards filling a practice gap in this area. Further research and randomised-controlled trials are required.

scholarly journals The Challenge of Identifying Representative Samples in Research Involving Minority Participants

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 101-101
Author(s):  
Giovanna Pilonieta ◽  
David Geldmacher
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
White Women ◽  
Functional Performance ◽  
Black African ◽  
Performance Variables ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Minority Participants ◽  
Daily Function ◽  
Representative Samples

Abstract Determining participants' demographics, cognition, and functional performance by race is crucial to understanding disparities in clinical research on Alzheimer’s disease. We compared demographic and performance variables between Black/African American (B/AA; N=30; 41%) and White participants (N=43, 59%) in the UAB Alzheimer's Disease Center. Among 73 participants, 38 (52%) were women, mean age was 65.7 (SD 9.47), and mean education was 16 (2.31) years. Significant differences in gender proportions across race groups were observed. B/AA women represented 70 % of their race group, white women represented 39.5 %. There were no statistically significant differences in age, education, cognitive or functional severity, reasons to participate in research, referral source, objective measures of cognition, or informant-rated daily function by race group. In conclusion, despite 50% oversampling of B/AA participants compared to the State population, no differences in cognitive and functional performance at the time of enrollment were associated with race.

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