Intrinsic, extrinsic and interaction theories on falls and aging-in-place: A C-T-E scoping review

As aging in place increases in popularity, it is important to understand potential negative outcomes related to the trend. For this presentation, the conceptual-theoretical-empirical (C-T-E) scoping review technique was used to organize research on in-home falls of community-dwelling older adults. Research and theory were included from the fields of social gerontology, disability, policy, social justice, medicine, rehabilitation, and housing. While research from these multiple fields overlaps, an overarching conceptual framework for organizing this literature was found to categorize the theories into three main conceptual areas. The three conceptual areas are: intrinsic (related to the person only), extrinsic (related to external factors only), and interaction between intrinsic and extrinsic (related to the interaction between the person and external factors). This conceptual framework shares similarities with work by others in use of the terms intrinsic and extrinsic, and it draws on the larger influence of Bronfenbrenner's socio-ecological model. However, this review extends previous work by providing a framework for organizing the contributions to falls research across multiple disciplines.

Margret M. and Paul B. Baltes Award Lecture: Optimism and Health: Resource or Delusion?

The lecture will be given by the 2020 Baltes Award recipient, William Chopik, PhD, of Michigan State University. The recipient of the 2021 Baltes Award is Laura B. Zahodne, PhD, of the University of Michigan. The Margret M. and Paul B. Baltes Foundation Award in Behavioral and Social Gerontology recognizes outstanding early-career contributions in behavioral and social gerontology. The award is generously funded by the Margret M. and Paul B. Baltes Foundation.

Medgeneracijsko sodelovanje: interes mladih za delo in pomoč starostnikom

The aim of the research is to present an interest of young people in giving help to the elderly through institutional and non-institutional care. We live in a time when global and consequently also Slovenian society became strongly aware of importance of the elderly as one of its consisting part. So, it has to be stressed that additional study programmes should be introduced which will bring education in various fields of social gerontology. This need was particularly emphasized during the COVID-19 epidemic, when all homes for the elderly faced the lack of trained staff. The aim of the paper is examination of a topic summarized in a questionnaire which was used to find out how well present and future students know problems of older people and their ways of life. We also asked them, whether they would be willing to dedicate their professional career to dealing with ageing population. We realised that young people know that work with the elderly is strenous. They are acquainted with problems of ageing and ways of older people living. Furthermore, they are aware that dealing with the elderly requires much benevolence, empathy and personal respect to other people. It is recommended that offer of education in a field of elderly care gets improved and upgraded. It would lead to a higher number of young people who would decide to enrol into educational programmes of social gerontology.

Margret M. and Paul B. Baltes Award

The lecture will be given by the2019 Baltes Award recipient, Allison Bielak, PhD, FGSA, of Colorado State University. The recipient of the2020 Baltes Award is William J. Chopik, PhD. The Margret M. and Paul B. Baltes Foundation Award in Behavioral and Social Gerontology recognizes outstanding early-career contributions in behavioral and social gerontology. The award is generously funded by the Margret M. and Paul B. Baltes Foundation.

Critical Knowledge Mobilization: Directions for Social Gerontology

ABSTRACT The concept of knowledge mobilization (KMb) is prominent in governance frameworks of tri-council funding in Canada. Yet there are a number of conceptual and practical challenges when such ideas are proposed for adoption across large multidisciplinary contexts. This research note introduces the concept of critical knowledge mobilization as a way to understand KMb in large multidisciplinary teams and social gerontology. It begins with a high-level sketch of the historic changes in knowledge production and knowledge sharing, followed by a definition of critical knowledge mobilization and examples of historical ideas and everyday tensions in practice. Building on these, we propose the need to advance and shift the culture of KMb, and to embark on engaged research as a means of innovation. We suggest that a reflexive process of critical KMb can facilitate innovation and promote a culture of knowledge mobilization in Canadian social gerontology.