Challenges and Opportunities in Advancing Models of Care for Older Adults: An Assessment of the National Institute on Aging Research Portfolio

2010 ◽  
Vol 58 (12) ◽  
pp. 2345-2349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlene Liggins ◽  
Lisa Pryor ◽  
Marie A. Bernard
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Models Of Care ◽  
Aging Research ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

scholarly journals Joseph T. Freeman Award: Creating Synergy in Interdisciplinary Aging Research and Practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 243-243
Author(s):  
Pamela Cacchione
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Geriatric Medicine ◽  
Sensory Impairment ◽  
Soft Robot ◽  
Aging Research ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Interdisciplinary Practice ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Research Questions

Abstract Over 30 years of interdisciplinary practice stimulated many research questions. Early intervention research in sensory impairment, specifically vision and/or hearing impairment was heavily supported by interdisciplinary colleagues from Geriatric Medicine, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Optometry and Audiology. Challenges and opportunities from this research created a growing interest in developing and designing technologies for older adults. Creating the need for partnerships with engineering. My expertise in aging and access to willing research participants made me an ideal research partner. Effectively expanding my focus beyond sensory impairment interventions to designing and testing robots with older adults. Currently we are testing low cost mobile robots in acute care and the community and are developing and testing a soft robot to assist persons out of a chair as well as turn and lift persons up in bed. The synergy of interdisciplinary practice and research is helping us innovate to improve the lives of older adults.

scholarly journals Computer-mediated Focus Groups to Advance Aging Research: Challenges and Opportunities

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 842-843
Author(s):  
David Coon ◽  
Abigail Gomez-Morales ◽  
Phil Carll ◽  
Lourdes Cordova ◽  
Allison Glinka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Native American ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Aging Research ◽  
Financial Barriers ◽  
Care Recipients ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

Abstract When compared to in-person offerings, fewer focus groups to date have been conducted with user-friendly technologies to help reach diverse communities of older adults with chronic health conditions (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease, Type II diabetes, Parkinson’s) and the family caregivers and professional providers who assist them. The current project describes the adaptations needed to deliver successful computer-mediated focus groups via videoconference, thereby providing solutions to barriers faced by participants who often cannot attend in-person because they are housebound due to transportation or financial barriers, live in rural areas or reside too far from focus group offerings, or work full or part-time and face scheduling conflicts. During the pandemic, we successfully recruited diverse groups of family caregivers, care recipients, and professional providers into computer-mediated focus groups. Caregivers (83%) and care recipients (17%) between 34 to 90 years old (N=47) took part in the series of focus groups facilitated in English and Spanish (25.5%). Over 40% of participants self-identified as Hispanic or Latinx, Native American, or African American with roughly 15% attending from rural areas. Similarly, professional providers age 18 to 80 (N=25) attended separate groups in either English or Spanish (48%). Our results suggest that computer-mediated focus groups offer a unique opportunity to reach diverse samples of older adults, family caregivers, and their providers. These computer-mediated focus groups also offer the chance to learn novel ways to break barriers to health access by providing virtual reach capabilities for those facing health, transportation, work, or geographic barriers.

Interventions for Mental Health Problems in Later Life

2010 ◽  
pp. 810-837
Author(s):  
Jason M. Holland ◽  
Dolores Gallagher-Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Clinical Psychologist ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Worldwide Population ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Post Traumatic

Older adults are increasingly making up a larger segment of the worldwide population, which presents both challenges and opportunities for the clinical psychologist in the 21st century. In this chapter, we address some of the unique aspects of working with this population, focusing on general guidelines for tailoring interventions for older adults, specific treatments for particular problems commonly faced in later life, as well as issues of diversity and how they might impact psychotherapy with older clients. We also outline several areas in geropsychology that are in need of further investigation, namely the use of technology, post-traumatic stress, and family therapy, and offer some recommendations for future directions in this field of study.

scholarly journals Physical Inactivity in Older Adult Couples: A Dyadic Analysis Using Continuous In-Home Monitoring

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 412-412
Author(s):  
Chao-Yi Wu ◽  
Lyndsey Miller ◽  
Rachel Wall ◽  
Zachary Beattie ◽  
Jeffrey Kaye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Home Monitoring ◽  
Health Determinants ◽  
Dyadic Analysis ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Aging Research

Abstract Many older adults remain inactive despite the known positive health implications of physical activity (e.g. improved mood, reduced mortality risk). Physical inactivity is a known interdependent phenomenon in couples, but the majority of research identifies determinants of physical inactivity at the individual level. We estimated the average amount of physical inactivity for older adult couples and, using dyadic analysis, identified physical and mental health determinants thereof. Forty-eight heterosexual older adult couples (mean age=70.6, SD=6.63) from the Veterans Integrated Service Network 20 cohort of the Collaborative Aging Research using Technology (CART) initiative were included in this study. Both dyad members wore actigraph devices for a month. The average number per day of inactive periods (defined as no movement or sleep activity for ≥ 30 minutes) was estimated. Multilevel modeling revealed that, within couples, there was no difference between partners in the average number of inactive periods, but on average across couples, males had more inactive periods per day (13.4, SD=4.43) than females (12.3, SD=4.87). For males, older age was the only variable associated with more inactive periods (β=0.13, p=.013). For females, more depressive symptoms in men were associated with fewer inactive periods (β=-0.37, p=.002), and more dependence in completing their own IADLs predicted more inactive periods (β=2.80, p<.001). All models were adjusted for covariates. Viewing couples’ activity as a unit, rather than as separate individuals, provides a novel approach to identifying pathways to reduce inactivity in older adults, especially when focusing on mental health issues and decreased independence within the couple.

Toward a conceptual model for successful transgender aging

2021 ◽  
pp. 147332502199466
Author(s):  
Steffany Sloan ◽  
Jacquelyn J Benson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
The Body ◽  
Aging Research ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Resilience Factors

Transgender older adults have been subject to life-long stigma and marginalization, resulting in significant social and health consequences. Despite these challenges, this population commonly reports thriving in later life. In order to attend to nuanced experiences of older transgender adults, theoretical models of successful aging must reflect complexities presented by gender minority status. In order to address theoretical gaps, a systematic qualitative meta-synthesis was conducted to summarize findings across the body of qualitative transgender aging research. Findings indicated that transgender older adults conceptualize successful aging through the process of embracing gender identity. Themes were identified to conceptualize successful transgender aging such as gender expression, shedding internalized stigma, and championing a resilience mindset. Implications for social work practice are provided, suggesting a more comprehensive understanding of both challenges and resilience factors amongst the aging transgender population.

scholarly journals LGBTQ+ Aging Research in Canada: A 30-Year Scoping Review of the Literature

Geriatrics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 60
Author(s):  
Kimberley Wilson ◽  
Arne Stinchcombe ◽  
Sophie M. Regalado
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Systematic Search ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Aging Research ◽  
Aging Populations ◽  
Diverse Groups

Canada has a unique socio-political history concerning the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people. With aging populations, understanding diverse groups of older adults is paramount. We completed a systematic search and scoping review of research in Canada to quantify and articulate the scale and scope of research on LGBTQ+ aging. Our search identified over 4000 results and, after screening for relevance, our review focused on 70 articles. Five major themes in the literature on LGBTQ+ aging in Canada were identified: (1) risk, (2) HIV, (3) stigma, and discrimination as barriers to care, (4) navigating care and identity, (5) documenting the history and changing policy landscapes. Most of the articles were not focused on the aging, yet the findings are relevant when considering the lived experiences of current older adults within LGBTQ+ communities. Advancing the evidence on LGBTQ+ aging involves improving the quality of life and aging experiences for LGBTQ+ older adults through research.

scholarly journals DISENTANGLING KNOWLEDGE AND BIAS: COMBATING AGEISM WITH THE REVISED FACTS ON AGING QUIZ

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S455-S455
Author(s):  
Jensen Davis ◽  
Linda Breytspraak ◽  
Jacob Marszalek ◽  
Joan McDowd
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Factual Knowledge ◽  
Factual Information ◽  
Age Bias ◽  
Aging Research ◽  
Response Options ◽  
Test Of Knowledge

Abstract The Facts on Aging Quiz (FoAQ) was developed in 1977 as a 25-item True/False test of knowledge about older adults. Since that time, it has been utilized in hundreds of studies involving clarifying misconceptions, measuring factual knowledge across different groups, and assessing bias toward older adults. The current study examines the psychometric properties of a revision to the FoAQ created in 2015 that modified the original items and added 25 more to better reflect contemporary aging research. Participants were sampled using Qualtrics and MTurk platforms and targeted to equally represent the following four age groups: 18-34, 35-49, 50-64, and 65 and older. Exploratory factor analysis (n=956) did not support a multi-factor structure, contrary to previous theories of it having cognitive, physical, societal, and psychological health factors. A single factor model was forced which contained 28 items that only accounted for 26% of the variance in scores. The reliability reached satisfactory levels in the younger three age groups with the 28-item version but remained inadequate among those 65 and older. Small associations with the Expectations Regarding Aging-12 and Aging Semantic Differential scales were observed. In its present format, the FoAQ is not sufficient for research use but remains a useful tool in provoking discussion about age bias and areas in which people of all ages lack factual information. Researchers suggest an expansion in response options and further clarifying the use of this instrument as a measure of knowledge or bias.

scholarly journals How Long Do Older Adults Remain Homebound in the Community? Implications for Long-Term Services and Support Systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 711-712
Author(s):  
Katherine Ornstein ◽  
Jennifer Reckrey ◽  
Evan Bollens-Lund ◽  
Katelyn Ferreira ◽  
Mohammed Husain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Functional Disability ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Models Of Care ◽  
Medicare Beneficiaries ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Survey Weighting ◽  
Growing Population

Abstract A large and growing population of older adults with multimorbidity, cognitive impairment, and functional disability live in the community but are homebound (never/rarely leave home). While homebound status is associated with decreased access to medical services and poor health outcomes, it is unclear how long individuals remain homebound. We used the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), a nationally representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and over, with survey weighting to assess duration of homebound status in the community. Among the incident homebound in 2016 (n=253) , only 28% remained homebound after 1 year. 21% died, 18% were recovered, and one-third left the home but still reported difficulty. As the locus of long-term care shifts from nursing homes to the community and models of care expand to serve the needs of the homebound, it is critical that we better understand the heterogeneity and transitions of the homebound population.

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