Fear of Dependency and Life-Space Mobility as Predictors of Attitudes Toward Assistive Devices in Older Adults

Assistive devices can help older adults remain independent; however, they may hesitate to use them due to fears of appearing dependent by embodying aging stereotypes. Reluctance to use assistive devices may lead to decreased life space mobility. The selective optimization with compensation (SOC) model posits that older adults employ strengths to accommodate for age-related functioning declines. The current study examines the predictive power of health perceptions, dependency fears, aging stereotypes, and life space on older adults’ views of assistive devices. Results suggest that older adults with greater life space and dependency fears are more likely to view assistive devices positively.

The Utility of Solution-Oriented Strategies to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Objectives: The purpose of this article is to evaluate the effectiveness of a psychosocial intervention program to improve the health and social psychological outcomes for grandparents raising grandchildren using the theory of Selection, Optimization, and Compensation (Baltes, P. B., & Baltes, M. M. (1990). Psychological perspectives on successful aging: The model of selective optimization with compensation. In P. B. Baltes & M. M. Baltes (Eds.), Successful aging: Perspectives from the behavioral sciences (pp. 1-34). Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511665684.003). Methods: Fifty-two grandparents were randomly assigned either to a 6-session solution-oriented goal-setting program or to a waiting list control condition who subsequently received the intervention. Results: Grandparents in the intervention group, in comparison to the waiting list control group, reduced their level of depression, improved their parental efficacy, overall psychosocial adjustment, and increased their ability to choose effective goals. For the most part, findings were replicated in the waiting list control analyses. Discussion: While these findings are consistent with previous studies using psychosocial interventions with parents and grandparent caregivers, they also provide support for strength-based proactive behavioral approaches to improve the quality of life of grandparent caregivers.

ADAPTIVE GARDENING PRACTICES AMONG OLDER AFRICAN AMERICANS IN DETROIT

It is well established that gardening can promote physical, social, and emotional wellbeing for many older adults in varied circumstances (Milligan, Gatrell, and Bingley 2004; Nicklett, Anderson, and Yen 2016; Wang and MacMillan 2013). In post-industrial cities formed by historical and ongoing processes of structural inequality such as Detroit, Michigan, gardening is beneficial for residents in terms of health, economic activity, community-building, and city beautification (Lawson 2005; Pitt 2014; Pothukuchi 2015; White 2011). However, research has less frequently investigated how gardening can promote wellbeing for older adults living in contexts of urban structural inequality. This poster addresses this gap by exploring how older African American gardeners in Detroit adapt their gardening practices to changing physical abilities and capacities. Drawing on ethnographic research conducted during one gardening season (March-October 2017) with older African Americans in Detroit (n= 27), we employ a selective-optimization-with-compensation framework (Baltes and Baltes 1990) to understand the modifications that older Detroiters make in their gardening practices as they age. Findings demonstrate that older African Americans in Detroit engage in gardening in flexible, creative ways that accommodate new physical limitations, while also connecting to changes occurring in the city of Detroit. This study thus has implications for further understanding how gardening can benefit older adults, and how older adults can contribute vitality to contexts of structural inequality.

THE USE OF SOLUTION-ORIENTED STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN

There is consistent evidence that caregiving for grandchildren is psychologically, emotionally and physically challenging for grandparents. However, many of them may not be able to receive the support they need from their own families or public services. Using the Selective Optimization with Compensation framework and principles of solution-oriented cognitive models, we implemented a six-week session pilot program to increase grandparents’ effective coping strategies, reduce stress, and improve parenting and communication with grandchildren. Preliminary data from 22 grandparents suggest that participants improved their use of effective selection strategies to set priorities and pursue goals related to their wellbeing and the quality of their relationship with grandchildren. Their pre-post test scores also indicated a higher level of parental efficacy, social relations and confidence in organizing their time and priorities. Results indicate that focusing on solution-oriented strategies may empower grandparents to improve their psychological adjustment and take care of their needs.

SENIOR MODELS: SUCCESSFUL AGING AND SERIOUS LEISURE

Serious leisure involves productive engagement and commitment in leisure activities. Literature shows that participating in serious leisure is associated with physical and mental health benefits of older adults. The behavior of senior modeling reflects serious leisure engagement that might offer a new insight useful in understanding successful aging. We explored the experience of senior models as a form of serious leisure. Using selective optimization with compensation as well as serious leisure framework, we attempted to identify how senior modeling activity contributes to successful aging. This study used in-depth interviews using purposeful sampling, and data were collected over two months in 2019. The participants were 31 senior models (average age = 67). The analysis resulted in three themes which contained characteristics of serious leisure as well as selective optimization with compensation: identifying new possibilities, serious engagement, and rewards from meaningful experiences. This study demonstrated various experiential characteristics associated with modeling as a form of serious leisure. Through selection, optimization, and compensation process, the participants seemed to achieve successful aging. We found that senior model experiences promoted active lifestyle, health benefits, and interpersonal relationships. To our knowledge, this is the first exploration of the experience of senior modeling activity. Consistent with existing literature, our study provides evidence of the significant role of serious leisure in later life. We suggest that senior modeling program holds promise as an effective way for older adults because it can be used as a self-care approach and community programs not only in Korea, but at various locations.

INTEREST GROUP SESSION—GRANDPARENTS AS CAREGIVERS: GERONTOLOGICAL INTERVENTION SCIENCE: FOUR DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO GRANDFAMILY RESEARCH

For nearly three decades, the interest in custodial grandparents and their grandchildren has resulted in empirical studies from scholars addressing both the challenges and strengths often experienced by grandfamilies (i.e., grandparents and the grandchildren in their home). As the scholarship of intervention science increases in interest and as scholars continue to advance the field of knowledge with grandfamilies, it is important to share best-practices as we plan the future of gerontological intervention science. In this symposium, investigators with extensive experience researching custodial grandparents and in creating, testing, and refining interventions with grandfamilies will present theoretical, methodological, and practical lessons learned and empirical findings from their interventions. The first paper, by Musil and colleagues, will address a current online training program addressing resourcefulness with grandmothers. Second, Montoro-Rodriguez and Hayslip will discuss the use of the selective optimization with compensation model as applied to a goal-setting intervention with grandparents. The third paper by Fruhauf, Yancura and colleagues will address the progress and impact from the first two years of their intervention with grandparents, grandchildren, and service providers. The final paper, presented by Webster, Smith, and Infurna will focus on a dyadic intervention with grandparents and adolescent grandchildren as they seek to build social intelligence. Hayslip, the discussant, will integrate key points from these interventions while addressing considerations for future research as scholars embark on refining and testing their interventions related to grandparents raising grandchildren.

Aging Well in the Digital Age: Technology in Processes of Selective Optimization with Compensation

Objectives Studies show that using information and communication technology (ICT) contributes significantly to elders’ subjective well-being (SWB). Drawing on the Selective Optimization with Compensation (SOC) model, this study aims at exploring the mechanism by which ICT use helps older adults remain engaged in valued life activities and maintain their SWB. Method Involving teams from seven countries (Canada, Colombia, Israel, Italy, Peru, Romania, Spain), 27 focus groups were conducted with a total of 184 grandmothers aged 65 years and older who use ICT. Results Analysis led to identification of a series of strategies related to ICT use that may be described in SOC terms. “Intentional limited use” and “Selective timing,”, for example, are clearly associated with selection. In addition, numerous optimizing strategies were found to be applied in “Instrumental” and “Leisure” activities, whereas some ICT uses offered compensation for “Aging-related” and “General” challenging circumstances. Discussion The study suggests that ICT is used in all three SOC processes and that its effective application facilitates adjustment and enhances SWB. It should therefore be regarded as a resource that supports existing personal and social resources and life management strategies, and even as a Quality of Life Technology that maintains or enhances functioning in older adulthood.