Gerontology Commons^™

Preserving Personhood In Individuals With Cognitive Impairment: A Caregiver's Role, Maren Legg

Honors Projects

This project consists of an educational program for informal caregivers in the Bowling Green community on preserving personhood in individuals with cognitive impairments through caregiving experiences. The program was based on a copious amount of research regarding personhood, how personhood relates to individuals experiencing cognitive impairment, and how care provided by caregivers can be provided in a way that promotes and preserves an individual’s personality, personhood, and selfhood.

The program was developed over the span of four months and incorporates models of personhood, behaviors that threaten and preserve or promote personhood, as well as practical suggestions for strategies in how …

A Phenomenological Study Of Anticipated Intimacy And Sexual Expression Needs Of Aging Male And Female Baby Boomers., Charles Shawn Oak

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand the phenomenon of how heterosexual Baby Boomers define and understand intimacy, sexual expression, along expectations and desires relating to their respective expressions across the lifespan through their individual experiences and reflections. A set of guiding questions were used in a hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative research design. Data was gathered from thirteen subjects (n=13) using the Rappaport Time Line (RTL) that was used to develop individualized semi-structured interviews and follow-up interviews that were professionally transcribed. These were coded to identify emergent themes. Results of the study provided insight into the phenomenon of how heterosexual …

Engaging Older Adults To Build Social Capital, Beverly K. Lunsford, Danielle Janes

Nursing Faculty Publications

Countries are considering the healthcare implications as the proportion of older adults increases, including rising healthcare costs and resources needed as more adults want to "age in place" or continue living in the community. More in home resources and support services will be needed for older adults to continue living independently at homes. Older adults are an incredibly untapped resource with a continuing need to contribute to society and a willingness to help others. Older adults are working longer than ever before, so they have the potential to build their own social capital for meeting the needs of aging colleagues. …

Health And Mental Health Of Older Asian Americans: A Comparative Study Of Chinese, Filipino, Asian Indian, And Other Asian/Pacific Islander Elders, Jing Tan

Institute for Asian American Studies Publications

Purpose: This study examined the health and mental health status among U.S. Chinese, Filipino, Asian Indian, other Asian/Pacific Islander (API), and non-Hispanic White older adults, using nationally representative data. Method: An aggregated data file from the National Health Interview Survey from 2000 to 2009 was analyzed. The sample included 848 Chinese, 823 Filipino, 337 Asian Indian, 1,488 “other API,” and 74,042 non-Hispanic White older adults aged 65 and older. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to compare the health and mental health status among different ethnic groups of older adults and to identify related factors. Findings: The descriptive statistics reveal …

The Lived Experience Of Aging: Listening To The Oldest-Old, Julia A. Pusztai

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Although embraced as desirable by most, living into very old age is largely unexplored as a distinct season of life, with increased, varied, and cumulative changes during a unique time of vulnerability and frailty. The purpose of this study was to listen to the oldest-old, and to explore their lived experience of growing old. This hermeneutic phenomenology study examines the experience of finding meaning and living with losses and gains in advanced old age. This study design included three separate interviews one month apart with participants over 85 years of age. Purposive sampling resulted in 13 participants, 5 being male …

A Systematic Review Of The Impact Of Powered Mobility Devices On Older Adults’ Activity Engagement, R Formiatti, L Moir, Janet Richmond, J Millsteed

Janet E Richmond PhD

Purpose: To systematically review the impact powered mobility devices have on engagement in independent occupations for adults with acquired mobility limitations. Method: Electronic search of CINAHL Plus, Medline, PsychInfo, OT Seeker, Joanna Briggs Institute, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database. Search terms included combinations of words to encompass all terms most likely used for powered mobility. Results: Eleven studies were eligible for inclusion. One study was a true experimental design; four studies were pre-experimental, and six were nonexperimental. Studies indicated positive improvements to occupational engagement and independence while environmental barriers were identified as negatively impacting occupation and increasing risk of injury or …

The Alzheimer’S Association Dementia Care Coordination Program: A Process Evaluation, Executive Summary, Nina Silverstein, Frank Porell, Pamela Nadash

Gerontology Institute Publications

The Massachusetts/New Hampshire (MA/NH) Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association has long sought ways to systematically increase the number of families who utilize its services and support. According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2015 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, there are 142,000 individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and the Alzheimer’s Association estimates that less than 30% of those individuals and their caregivers take advantage of its programs (Alzheimer’s Association, 2015). The MA/NH Chapter recognized that one major barrier to accessing services is a model that relies on families taking the initiative to seek out assistance.

In …

Is The Geriatric Impact Ipad Test A Valid Measurement Of Cognitive Function In Older Adults?, Heather Elise O'Dell

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The number of older adults will rapidly increase within the next generation (Brookmeyer, Johnson, Ziegler-Graham, & Arrighi, 2007). Alzheimer’s disease risk increases with age, especially after age 60 (NIA, n.d.). Aging leads to a decrease in functional independence, and this side effect is exacerbated by cognitive decline (Johnson, Lui, & Yaffe, 2007). Executive function is a predictor of Alzheimer’s disease onset and progression (Zhang, Han, Verhaeghen, & Nilsson, 2007). The Geriatric ImPACTTM test is a potential new and more convenient testing methods than traditional methods used. The purpose of this research is to validate the Geriatric ImPACTTM test by comparing …

Fall Prevention Among Older Adults Living In The Community, Clarissa Silva Lopez

Theses & Dissertations

Older adults are within the fastest population growth rate in the United States, and as the population ages, the potential for falls increases (DHHS, 2011). This was a mixed-method explanatory study that investigated the perceptions of older adults regarding the usefulness, adequacy, and positive experience of fall information among older adults living in the community when received from healthcare professionals during physician’s office visits. The research questions were: 1. What is the relationship among perceptions of usefulness, adequacy, and positive experience of fall information among older adults? 2. Is there a difference in the perceptions of usefulness and adequacy among …

Reporting Practices, Knowledge And Opinion Of Policy Regarding Drivers With Dementia Among Arkansas Neurologists And Geriatricians, Erika Martin Gergerich

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: States have various policies regarding a physician's ability or responsibility to report at-risk drivers with dementia to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Some states have mandatory reporting policies, others have optional reporting policies and some have no policy regarding this issue. Arkansas has no reporting policy regarding drivers with dementia to the DMV. Therefore, physicians in Arkansas face the risk of liability if they report a patient against their will to the DMV in good faith. Neurologists and geriatricians are often in a position to diagnose and treat individuals with dementia. Research Questions: The following three research questions …

The Effect Of Balance-Based Torso-Weighting On Mobility, Gait, Balance, Postural Control, And Falls Efficacy In Mobility Limited Older Adults, Jennifer L. Vincenzo

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Exercise is a known intervention to prevent fall risk among older adults; however, adherence is poor. Therefore, it is of interest to determine if other interventions improve function and decrease fall risk among older adults. Balance-Based Torso-Weighting (BBTW) is a non-exercise intervention that improves functional measures among adults with multiple sclerosis, yet the effectiveness of BBTW has not been assessed among older adults without progressive neurological disorders. We conducted a double-blind, randomized study to analyze the effect of BBTW on functional measures and falls efficacy among community-dwelling, mobility limited older adults after 5 days of wearing BalanceWear® for 4 hours …

Inclusion Of Seniors In The Design Of Assistive Technology, Margaret Rusnak

Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education Conference

Assistive technology helps many older adults complete essential tasks, thus providing them a means to remain functionally independent within their communities. However, many older adults either reject the use of devices or misunderstand their intention. The gap between design and need may be bridged through the active participation of elders in the design process. Previous studies have focused on older persons’ attitudes toward adopting new technology, emphasizing how to promote and maintain usage. Recent research reveals the necessity of including older adults in the design, research, and application of assistive technology in an effort to meet the real needs of …

Improving Healthcare Outcomes Through An Interdisciplinary Effort Of Social Work And Pharmacy In A “Village” Model Setting, Elizabeth Hipp, Lauren Post

Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education Conference

No abstract provided.

Sacred Approaches To Mental Health Issues, The University Of Maine College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences

Cultural Affairs Distinguished Lecture Series

The Judaic Studies Program at the University of Maine has invited Rabbi Richard Address, Founder and Director of www.jewishsacredaging.com to campus in October 2015 to deliver a presentation entitled "Sacred Approaches to Mental Health Issues." Using Jewish tradition as a starting point, this lecture offers ways of thinking about mental illness and examines how the sacred impacts our understanding and approaches to it. Specifically, the program will "explore the traditional definitions of a person dealing with mental illness, trace the diagnostic approach that tradition gives us and examine how the sources can inform us in dealing with current situations" (www.jewishsacredaging.com)

Student Perspectives Of Service Learning With Older Adults, Karen Brown, Carol Bashford

Karen Brown

The presenters will describe the findings of a mixed-methods research study designed to explore students’ perspectives of skills and knowledge gained through engaging with older adults with physical and/or cognitive limitations living in a continuing care retirement community (CCRC). Participants in the study included students enrolled as juniors and seniors in a baccalaureate nursing program. Community partnerships with several CCRCs provided the opportunities for students to interact with elders. During the service-learning course, students developed and implemented evidence-based health promotion activities directed towards enhancing the elders’ cognitive, physical, and psychosocial functioning. Additionally, students were paired, one-to-one, with an elder-partner in …

Disaggregating Activities Of Daily Living Limitations For Predicting Nursing Home Admission, Joelle H. Y. Fong, Olivia S. Mitchell, Benedict S. K. Koh

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Objective: To examine whether disaggregated activities of daily living (ADL) limitations better predict the risk of nursing home admission compared to conventionally used ADL disability counts. Data Sources: We used panel data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) for years 1998–2010. The HRS is a nationally representative survey of adults older than 50 years (n = 18,801). Study Design: We fitted Cox regressions in a continuous time survival model with age at first nursing home admission as the outcome. Time-varying ADL disability types were the key explanatory variables. Principal Findings: Of the six ADL limitations, bathing difficulty emerged as …

The Impact Of The Veterans Health Administration's Home Based Primary Care On Health Services Use, Expenditures, And Mortality, Melissa Castora-Binkley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: Among patients with multiple chronic conditions, care coordination and integration remains one of the major challenges facing the U.S. health care system. A home-based, patient-centered primary care program has been offered through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) since the 1970s for frail veterans who have difficulty accessing VHA clinics. The VHA Home Based Primary Care (VHA HBPC) aims to integrate primary care, rehabilitation, disease management, palliative care, and coordination of care for frail individuals with complex, chronic diseases within their homes. Early research suggested that VHA HBPC was associated with positive outcomes (e.g., reduced resource use and patient satisfaction). …

Research Brief: "Disparities In The Consequences Of Sarcopenia: Implications For African American Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief shows why more research should be done on African American veterans who have sarcopenia. In policy and practice, African American veterans should tell their healthcare providers about their geriatric medical needs, and health professionals should inform their veteran patients about how to avoid muscle wasting that can lead to sarcopenia; the VA should provide criteria for diagnosing sarcopenia among aging veterans. Suggestions for future research include analysis of the relation between myosteatosis and diabetes, as well as focusing on understanding the effects of sarcopenia on African American veterans.

Multi-Sensory Stimulation Environments For Use With Dementia Patients: Staff Perspectives On Reduction Of Agitation And Negative Behaviors, Megan Houston

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Background: Dementia is a degenerative neurological disorder that afflicts a growing proportion of the global population. Complementary alternative medicine (CAM) modalities are under investigation for their therapeutic value in the management of dementia.

Purpose: Nursing care of dementia sufferers can include managing agitation and negative behaviors; this study investigates staff appraisal of the Multi-Sensory Stimulation Environment (MSSE) as an intervention for these nursing challenges.

Methods: A purposive sample of nursing staff employed in residential care for dementia patients were recruited 10 weeks after the initiation of an open-access MSSE at the facility to complete a confidential self-administered questionnaire.

Results: 79% …

Falls Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Determining The Relationship Between Social Networks And The Risk For Falls, Smita Sikhrakar

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Falls among community-dwelling older adults is a big public health problem, which have an effect on older adults' health, independence, and quality of life. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between social networks and the risk for falls among community-dwelling older adults. This was a descriptive correlational study, which utilized a cross-sectional survey for the data collection. The dependent and independent variable of this study were the risk for falls among the community-dwelling older adults, and the strength and type of social networks respectively. In this study, 218 community-dwelling older adults were recruited, who were living …

Worlds Of Connection: A Hermeneutic Formulation Of The Interdisciplinary Relational Model Of Care, Susana Lauraine Mccune

Antioch University Full-Text Dissertations & Theses

Despite a general agreement across health care disciplines that Advanced Care Planning (ACP) and Advanced Directives (ADs) add important elements to a patient's end-of-life care desires, and can inform their loved ones and advocates, help create ease of mind, and enhance quality of care, they continue to remain significantly underused. More than half of Americans transition to chronic and terminal illness without having completed them. The aim of this study was to increase the frequency and enhance the quality of communication about Advance Directives and Advance Care Planning within the clinical relationship. The resulting Interdisciplinary Relational Model of Care (IRMOC) …

Hood's Theory Of Aging, Drew Michael Hood

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This thesis proposes that the theory of gerotranscendence can be improved by emphasizing life course events that influence the gerotranscendence process. Further, this paper proposes that teaching gerotranscendence to long-term care staff and residents with Hood's theory of aging and with a departmental framework will yield better results in staff following gerotranscendence best practices and thus result in increased resident development towards gerotranscendence.