Gerontology Commons^™

An Exploration Of Differences In Perceptions Of Gerotranscendent Behaviors Between Younger And Older Adults, Gabrielle E. Anderson

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The theory of gerotranscendence was developed as a means of addressing limitations in current developmental theories. It is defined as the natural developmental process in which people gradually change their fundamental views of themselves, the world, their relationships, and reality in general. Research has shown that gerotranscendent behaviors are viewed as pathological by younger adults. The purpose of this study was to further explore differences in perception of gerotranscendent behaviors between college students and older adults. An additional goal was to better understand how and why these behaviors are interpreted differently by younger and older adults. Perceptions of gerotranscendent behaviors …

Family Caregiving Of The Elderly In The U.S. And Nepal, Barsha Kharel

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

In an aging society, family caregiving is becoming an increasingly important topic. Elderly adults often rely on their family members as the primary source of support as they age. This paper presents a systematic literature review of family caregiving practices for the elderly in the U.S. and Nepal. The aim is to explore the differences and similarities between the two countries in terms of family caregiving practices for the elderly. The review includes five initial literature sources and identifies two common themes: first, both societies consider family as the main source of support for the elderly, and secondly, elderly people …

Age-Related Microaggressions: A Follow-Up Descriptive Study, Hannah M. Lewis

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Age-related microaggressions are forms of ageist discrimination that occur during day-to-day interactions. The aim of this study was to identify common types of age-related microaggressions as well as to determine how negative affect influences emotional reactions to microaggressions. Using an online survey, participants (n = 200) were asked if they had experienced any of the 20 most common examples of age-related microaggressions reported in previous research (Gietzen et al, 2022). Follow up questions inquired about the frequency, emotional reactions, and behavioral responses to these microaggressions. Participants also rated their physical health and completed the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS; …

An Investigation Of The Perception Of Elderspeak Among Community Dwelling Older Adults, Abby L. Teply

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This study aimed to expand the literature on the perception of elderspeak among community dwelling older adults with secondary purposes concerning how these perceptions vary across gender and region. Participants (n = 110) were presented a written vignette that depicted a nursing assistant in an assisted living facility waking a tenant from a nap and assisting the tenant to the bathroom before lunch. The nursing assistant uses elderspeak throughout the vignette. Following the vignette, participants’ reactions to the use of elderspeak and perceptions of the nursing assistant in the vignette were assessed using a series of open-ended questions, the Positive …

Age-Related Microaggressions: A Descriptive Study, Luke J. Gietzen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The aim of this study was to expand the literature on ageism and microaggressions by defining a novel concept called an age-related microaggression. Participants (n = 51) were presented with explanations of gender and racially charged microaggressions and then were asked whether they had ever had an experience like that but related to their age. Participants described experiences of age-related microaggressions and were further guided through a series of questions via an online survey to determine the topography of the age-related microaggressions, emotional and behavioral reactions to being victimized, perpetrators and settings of the attacks, and perceived intent. A thematic …

Dementia Care Among Somali Elders, Emmanuel Asante Opoku

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Caring for persons with dementia is demanding and complicated since there is “no one-size-fits all formula for dementia care. The care needs to be modified to fit the various stages of the condition and each family's unique situation. Racial and ethnic differences place unique demand on all the forms of dementia care; in-home care (IHC), long-term care (LTC), adult day centers(ADC), short term care (STC) and hospice care (HC).

This paper aimed to study how Somali elders think and interact with dementia care services, from in-home care to hospice care. Some recommendations to study this issue is to do a …

An Exploratory Study Of Future Plans And Preferences For Long-Term Services And Support For Older Kenyan Immigrants, Lenah Chepngetich Langat

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Quality of life and client’s satisfaction with Long-term Services and Support (LTSS) in later life are influenced by care preference and timely plans. Ethnic, and racial disparities in the use of both informal formal and formal LTSS are reported. Consequently, the diversity in LTSS decision-making has gained attention in research and policy with a predominant focus on migration background, acculturation, and ethnicity. However, LTSS preference data for older Kenyan immigrants are homogenized into the African Americans block without the acknowledgment of their inherent cultural and ethnic diversity. The development of culturally competent, effective, and responsive policies across the LTSS continuum …

Resident Centered Behavioral Health: A Program Evaluation, Anna Olinger

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Behavioral health concerns, such as depression and behavioral symptoms, impact older adults at significant rates. These concerns impact an individual’s quality of life, health status, and mortality. When behavioral health concerns cannot be effectively managed in the community by the individual or their caregivers, a skilled-nursing facility is often the next step. Unfortunately, those caring for older adults in these settings have not always had access to the training they need to care for individuals with depression or behavioral symptoms. The Resident Centered Behavioral Health program set out to change this. The program implemented an interactive, behavioral health training program …

Analyzing The Use Of A Montessori-Based Activity & Its Effect On Engagement & Affect In Persons With Dementia: A Replication Study, Emilee J. Andersen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Activities are an essential element in institutionalized settings for persons with dementia. Challenges are faced, however, when developing and implementing stimulating and meaningful activities for this population. Over the past two decades, Montessori-based activities (MBAs) have been investigated as a means for meeting the needs of persons with dementia residing in long-term care facilities. MBAs were developed to enhance the quality of life for individuals experiencing dementia through maximization of engaging and meaningful activities. The purpose of the current study was to expand on the empirical literature related to the use of MBAs for persons with dementia by replication of …

Caregiver Knowledge And Perceptions Of Dementia-Specific Nutritional Approaches, Danielle Freitag

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Dementia is a syndrome that affects millions worldwide. The syndrome can cause great distress not only for the diagnosed individual but also for the family and friends who provide care. It is known that many caregivers for people with dementia face difficulties in planning and preparing meals, feeding, and making nutritional decisions for their loved ones. Several diets have been shown to assist with dementia-related symptoms pre and post diagnosis. However, what is unknown is whether caregivers are aware of the benefits of these diets and what the barriers are to implementing them into their nutrition regime. This study surveyed …

Understanding Resident-To-Resident Conflicts In Long Term Care Settings From The Perspective Of Administrative Staff, John F. Walker

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Assisted living facilities are expanding in response to the growing population of older adults in the United States. Assisted living facilities offer a wide array of services including memory care. Research has shown that a majority of assisted living facilities have residents with cognitive impairments living along with non-cognitively impaired individuals (i.e., mixed populations). Little is known about the conflicts that may arise between cognitively and non-cognitively impaired residents in a mixed population. The present study hoped to better understand what conflicts occur, how direct care staff are trained to handle these conflicts, from the perspective of assisted living facility …

Barriers To Utilizing Resources For The Dementia Caregiver, Rebecca L. M. Shanafelt

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The family caregiver of a person with dementia (PwD) provides valuable care and experiences negative health outcomes as a result. These negative health outcomes can be mitigated utilizing resources, however utilization rates remain low. While there is some research on barriers to accessing resources there is very little focused on caregivers of PwD. This study through semi-structured interviews with caregivers of PwD takes a deep look into the experience of first signs, diagnosis, and utilization of resources to better understand what those barriers might be. This study found that because of the healthcare structure caregivers do not learn about resources …

The Effects Of Cognitive Training On Behavioral Functioning In Persons With Dementia, Abigail J. Dye

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Lack of engagement in pleasant activities and negative mood are two factors that decrease quality of life (QoL) for older adults with moderate to severe cognitive impairment. As enhancing QoL has become a primary treatment outcome for individuals with cognitive impairment, investigation into the ability of nonpharmacological interventions to increase engagement and positive mood has come to the forefront of research. Cognitive training is a nonpharmacological intervention that utilizes manualized techniques with the primary goal of enhancing different areas of cognitive function. Although the cognitive benefits of the programs have been widely investigated and established, the potential benefits that cognitive …

The Effects Of A Cognitive Training Program For Healthy Older Adults: A Program Evaluation Study, Jacklyn Gehling

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

As one ages, some degree of cognitive decline is expected. Despite this, declines in cognitive abilities and the possibility of developing dementia are common concerns among older adults. In response to these concerns, a variety of cognitive training programs have been developed that aim to improve or maintain cognitive functioning. Previous literature has shown mixed or limited findings on cognitive changes after implementation of cognitive training. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a cognitive training program designed for older adults with no to minimal cognitive decline. The current study included 19 participants who engaged in two, one-hour long cognitive training …

An Investigation Into The Perceptions Of Elderspeak And How It Effects Mood Among An Assisted Living Population, Paige T. Shoutz

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This study aimed to examine perceptions of ES and its effect on mood among older adults residing in assisted living facilities (ALFs). Residents (N=6) were exposed to two videos comprised of an interaction of a nursing assistant aiding an older adult resident during activities of daily living. One of the videos demonstrated neutral communication, whereas the other video demonstrated communication with elderspeak. A mood rating was obtained prior to and immediately following exposure to each of the videos. Participants also provided ratings of the nursing assistant, and completed a qualitative interview that gathered their opinions, perceptions, and perceived differences between …

Certified Nursing Assistant Turnover & Impacts On Rural Skilled Nursing Facilities A Qualitative Study & Recommendations For Practitioners, Marisa E. Hansen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The cumulative growth in the aging population in the U.S. calls for a high demand for long-term care (LTC) facilities. Furthermore, the LTC (e.g., nursing homes and assisted living facilities, etc.) consumers have become widely diverse (i.e., not just limited to older groups but now included children and adults with disabilities); demand for wide range of needs and support services. In coping with this changing environment, the LTCs, especially operating in rural settings, are faced with multifaceted challenges related to direct care staffing and turnover. In response to this outlook, the present study explores a research question to understand, how …

The Effects Of Elderspeak On The Mood Of Older Adults With Dementia: A Preliminary Report, Kenia Torres-Soto

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Barriers to effective and harmonious communication between caregivers and those affected with dementia are common and inevitable. An example of a common barrier is aphasia, which is a prevalent communication deficit associated with dementia. The social environment may further hinder harmonious communication through the use of well-intended, but ineffective speech patterns. Elderspeak (ES), which is infantilizing speech directed at older adults, is one such speech pattern that is commonly used in long-term care facilities (LTC) and is related to negative outcomes for older adults receiving it. Older adults with mild to moderate cognitive impairment who were residents at a LTC …

The Effects Of A Cognitive Training Program For Cognitively Intact Older Adults, Caroline Kinskey

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Cognitive training is a term used to describe programs that provide guided practice on tasks requiring different cognitive abilities such as memory or language. It is assumed that regular practice will improve or maintain functioning in a particular cognitive domain (e.g., memory) and those results will generalize beyond the context of training. Results have been mixed in the existing literature that has evaluated the potential benefits of cognitive training on cognitive and emotional functioning in cognitively intact older adults. This study investigated the effectiveness of a cognitive training program for older adults with no to very minimal cognitive decline. Nine …

Differences In The Perceptions Of Gerotranscendence Between Certified Nursing Assistants And Older Adults, Amanda Perera

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Many theories of aging have been proposed within the field of gerontology to explain both psychological and social changes that occur during the aging process. One of the theories is the theory of gerotranscendence, which explains that as individuals age they develop a new perspective on life that allows the aging individual to shift their conceptualization of the world, from a materialistic and rational view to a more transcendent and universal view. Previous research suggests that some behaviors associated with gerotranscendence have been misinterpreted as pathological. The purpose of this current study was to examine whether there are significant differences …

Bullying In Senior Living Facilities: Resident Perspectives, Kathryn Ira

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Research associated with resident-to-resident bullying in senior living facilities (i.e., senior bullying), has been growing in recent years due to anecdotal stories in the popular press. Few studies, however, have assessed resident-to-resident bullying from the perspective of residents. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to better understand the phenomenon of senior bullying as observed by residents in senior living facilities. Nineteen individuals residing in senior living facilities were interviewed about their observations and opinions related to senior bullying at their facility. Results indicated that 52.9% of residents had observed senior bullying at least once. Verbal and social bullying …

A Labor Of Love: Women's Perspectives On Gender And Identity In Informal Caregiving, Kirby O'Hara Hurd

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The elderly population (adults 65 and over) is larger than at any time in history, thanks to improved access to healthcare, advances in medical technology, and health services focused on addressing the needs of aging adults. However, support for this growing population remains insufficient; the costs of in-home and residential care are high, and consequently, family members often become providers of informal, unpaid care. Presently, there is inadequate literature regarding the academic study of family members providing informal caregiving, especially from a perspective that emphasizes sociological principles and theories. Existing studies of the family caregiver phenomenon show that middle-aged adult …

A Comparison Of Physical Nursing Home Environment For Older Adults And Their Families, Phatt Thaitrong

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Globally, aging populations and increases in chronic diseases mean that more people will need long-term care in the next decade. Providing appropriate care to meet the needs of older adults and their families is a key consideration. This move to create a home-like environment in nursing homes has become extensive this past decade. Having an appropriate atmosphere where residents feel like they belong can help elderly people to age healthfully. This systematic literature analysis will address older adult residents' and their families' needs for nursing home physical environments and identify key elements of the physical nursing home environment for older …

Impact Of Caregiver Depression On Health Of Family Caregivers Of Individuals With Alzheimer's Disease, Poonam Aryal

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This study examines the health consequences of being a caretaker of someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia and is a significant public health problem that will intensify as the population ages. Caring for an individual with Alzheimer’s disease is more stressful than caring for a person with a physical disability; they need increased levels of supervision and personal care as the disease progress. The majority of care is provided at home by family caregivers. Caregivers often help people with Alzheimer’s to manage various issues from activities of daily living to financial management …

Bullying In Senior Living Facilities: A Qualitative Study, Felicia Jo Vandenest

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Resident-to resident bullying has attracted some attention in the popular press and is well-known to many who work with seniors in long-term care facilities. However, this is very little empirical literature that has address the topic of "senior bullying". The aim of the proposed qualitative study is to better understand the phenomenon of resident-to-resident bullying from the perspective of staff who work in long-term care facilities. Staff members (n=45) responded to a combination of open- and close-ended interview questions regarding their observations of senior-to-senior bullying. Results indicate that the majority of staff members (98%) have observed resident-to-resident bullying within senior …

Direct Care Staff And Influential Factors, Michelle Jean Ryan

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The shortage of direct care workers will continue to influence the quality of care that the elderly population will receive. With the projected increase of worker shortages there will be not enough direct care workers to take care of the growing elderly population. With the baby boomer population's need for long term care, the need for qualified staff is also growing. Staff training development and consistent staffing, along with employee friendly benefits and policies will be needed to recruit and retain employees. The growing aging population, along with the increase in demand for quality care drives a need to find …

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 …

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.

The Effects Of Geriatric Sexual Orientation On Caregiver Reactions To Resident Sexual Behavior Within Long-Term Care Facilities, Andrew Jonathan Ahrendt

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Within the paucity of literature regarding older adult sexuality, a larger dearth exists concerning biases of long-term care facility staff toward gay and lesbian older adult residents. Prior literature has documented that LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) individuals' perceive that they do not receive the same quality of care as that of heterosexual individuals within long-term care facilities. Thus researchers aimed to evaluate whether these biases truly exist within care facilities that can prevent holistic care from being comprehensively provided to everyone regardless of sexual orientation. 153 residential care facility staff members from two separate facilities read one of …

The Difference In Perception Of Gerotranscendence Between College Students And Healthy, Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Duc Viet Lai

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Within the field of gerontology, some notable attempts to explain the aging process include activity theory, disengagement theory, Erikson's eight stages model, and socioemotional selectivity theory. The theory of gerotranscendence, recently developed by Lars Tornstam (1989), incorporates some aspects of these theories, and seeks to provide an overarching theme to the process of aging. The theory of gerotranscendence explains a shift in meta-perspective that a person experiences as they live, from a more materialistic and pragmatic view of the world to a more cosmic and transcendent one. Corresponding with this shift, the gerotranscendent individual exhibits certain behaviors, some of which …

Leadership And The Implementation Of Culture Change In Long-Term Care, Alexandra Natasha Garklavs

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

In understanding the culture change movement in long-term care and the factors that either foster or impede its sustainability, it is important to consider a number of factors. Since leadership is important in any organization and has been identified as crucial in the implementation of culture change in long-term care, this alternate plan paper focuses on the leadership factors that either facilitate or impede the implementation of culture change. Included in this alternate plan paper is a brief overview of the culture change movement in long-term care, the role of leadership versus management in the long-term care environment, types of …