Digital Commons Network^™

Perceived Neighborhood Characteristics And Cognitive Function Among Older Adults: Examining The Role Of Depression, Allison Sullivan, Mph

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: African American older adults have a greater risk of cognitive impairment compared to White older adults. While some research has established that neighborhoods are an important determinant of health, relatively little research has examined the relationship between perceived neighborhood characteristics and cognitive functioning among older adults. Moreover, little is known about how depression is implicated in the relationship between perceived neighborhood characteristics and cognitive functioning, and if racial differences exist. Thus, this thesis aims to determine the mediating and moderating role of depression in the association between perceived neighborhood characteristics and cognitive functioning in older African American and White …

Life Satisfaction: Aging Female Informal Caregivers Of Persons With Dementia, Deborah Ann Monson

Dissertations

Purpose/Aims

The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between aging female informal caregivers of persons with dementia (PWD) and care recipients’ PWD demographic factors, aging female informal caregivers of PWD social support factors, positive and negative feelings, a sense of flourishing, stress, and life satisfaction.

Background/Rationale

Older adults with dementia are living longer and the majority are receiving care by aging female informal caregivers. Dementia incrementally worsens over time impacting informal caregiver life satisfaction. Most studies have focused on negative aspects of informal caregiving. Therefore, this study investigated both positive and negative aspects of caregiving.

Conceptual Basis …

Family-Based Caregiving: Does Lumping Asian Americans Together Do More Harm Than Good?, Suryadewi E. Nugraheni, Julia F. Hastings

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Asian American family caregivers have gained increased attention due to the need to provide life-sustaining aid at home given the rising numbers of older adults. This article reflects upon caregiving-related research studies that have overlooked the circumstances Asian American caregivers bring to the home-care context. Policies written to address community needs tend to omit the social circumstances many Asian American caregivers must face when trying to take advantage of programs and services. For example, the eligibility requirements fail to recognize distinctive cultural values embedded within the caregiving processes. Further, most Asian American data is aggregated. Aggregating data by ethnicity limits …

Stroke: Identifying Symptoms And Acting Fast To Save Lives And Prevent Permanent Disabilities, Mary E. Helander, Bernard Appiah, Miriam Mutambudzi

Population Health Research Brief Series

Stroke is the 5^th leading cause of death in the United States. Strokes and their long-term effects are preventable. Recognizing the symptoms of stroke and acting quickly can prevent death and minimize long-term disabilities. Family members and bystanders have an important role to play. This issue brief describes stroke symptoms and prevention guidelines, summarizes the information 9-1-1 callers should be prepared to provide when someone is having a stroke, and discusses the importance of acting quickly to save lives and long-term damage.

Greater Pain Severity Is Associated With Higher Glucocorticoid Levels In Hair Among A Cohort Of People Living With Hiv, Quan Zhang, Xiaoming Li Ph.D., Shan Qiao Ph.D., Shuaifeng Liu, Zhiyong Shen, Yuejiao Zhou

Faculty Publications

Background: Pain is a common occurrence and persistent symptom, which has an adverse impact on individual well-being and quality of life among people living with HIV (PLHIV). Alteration in the activity of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis resulting in abnormal glucocorticoid levels had been proposed to play important roles in those associations. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether pain severity was associated with hair glucocorticoid levels, a novel method of measuring long-term glucocorticoid exposure, among a large cohort of Chinese PLHIV. Methods: A measure of pain severity and hair samples were collected from 431 adults PLHIV in Guangxi, China. Glucocorticoid …

The Psychosocial Well-Being Of Older Adults In Covid-19 And The 'New Normal', Micah Tan, Paulin T. Straughan, William Tov, Grace Cheong, Wensi Lim

ROSA Research Briefs

Early research into COVID-19 has focused predominantly on the immediate and direct physical health effects of the pandemic, as compared to the wider, indirect effects of the pandemic on general well-being brought about by the various measures put in place to contain the virus. In terms of policies, focus has also been placed largely on containment and broad based policies for the entire population. As experts increasingly recognize that the pandemic will be a protracted event (The Straits Times, 2021), however, there is a need for stakeholders to place greater emphasis on the indirect effects of COVID-19 that will likely …

Prevalence Of Functional Limitation In Covid-19 Recovered Patients Using The Post Covid-19 Functional Status Scale, Pankaj Pant, Aishana Joshi, Babin Basnet, Bibek Man Shrestha, Navindra Raj Bista, Niraj Bam, Santa Kumar Das

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is an emerging global health pandemic causing tremendous morbidity and mortality worldwide. Chronic symptoms progressing to poor functional status have been reported in a substantial proportion of COVID-19 patients worldwide. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of functional limitation in COVID-19 recovered patients using the post-COVID-19 functional status scale.

METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital. COVID-19 recovered patients with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction negative status were included and assessed using the post-COVID-19 functional status scale. Data entry and analysis was done in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0. Descriptive …

Early Stages Of Alzheimer's Disease: Evolving The Care Team For Optimal Patient Management., James E Galvin, Paul Aisen, Jessica B Langbaum, Eric Rodriguez, Marwan Sabbagh, Richard G. Stefanacci Do,Mgh,Mba,Agsf,Cmd, Robert A Stern, Elizabeth A Vassey, Arno De Wilde, Neva West, Ivana Rubino

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that creates complex challenges and a significant burden for patients and caregivers. Although underlying pathological changes due to AD may be detected in research studies decades prior to symptom onset, many patients in the early stages of AD remain undiagnosed in clinical practice. Increasing evidence points to the importance of an early and accurate AD diagnosis to optimize outcomes for patients and their families, yet many barriers remain along the diagnostic journey. Through a series of international working group meetings, a diverse group of experts contributed their perspectives to create a blueprint …

The Association Of Circulating Amylin With Β-Amyloid In Familial Alzheimer's Disease, Han Gia Ly, Nirmal Verma, Savita Sharma, Deepak Kotiya, Sanda Despa, Erin L. Abner, Peter T. Nelson, Gregory A. Jicha, Donna M. Wilcock, Larry B. Goldstein, Rita Guerreiro, José Brás, Angela J. Hanson, Suzanne Craft, Andrew J. Murray, Geert Jan Biessels, Claire Troakes, Henrik Zetterberg, John Hardy, Tammaryn Lashley, Alzheimer’S Disease Exome Sequencing Group, Florin Despa

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Introduction

This study assessed the hypothesis that circulating human amylin (amyloid‐forming) cross‐seeds with amyloid beta (Aβ) in early Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods

Evidence of amylin‐AD pathology interaction was tested in brains of 31 familial AD mutation carriers and 20 cognitively unaffected individuals, in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (98 diseased and 117 control samples) and in genetic databases. For functional testing, we genetically manipulated amylin secretion in APP/PS1 and non‐APP/PS1 rats.

Results

Amylin‐Aβ cross‐seeding was identified in AD brains. High CSF amylin levels were associated with decreased CSF Aβ42 concentrations. AD risk and amylin gene are not correlated. Suppressed amylin secretion protected …

Self-Rated Health Status, Functional Difficulties In Health Domains And Non-Communicable Diseases In Oman: Evidence From The World Health Survey In Oman, Mamunur Rashid, M. Mazharul Islam, Ahmed Y. Al Hadhrami

Mathematics Faculty Publications

This paper examined the pattern of self-rated Health (SRH) status, functional difficulties in health domains and non-communicable diseases among the Omani adult people. The paper also evaluated the association of SRH with the health functional difficulties and the chronic diseases. The data for the study obtained from the 2008 Oman World Health survey, involving a nationally representative sample of 3,770 Omani adult respondents of age 18 and above. Both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, such as frequency distribution, bivariate analysis with chi-square test, factor analysis, multiple linear regression and logistic regression analysis were used for data analysis. The study revealed …

Sex Differences And Psychological Stress: Responses To The Covid-19 Pandemic In China, Shiyan Yan, Rui Xu, Terry D. Stratton, Voyko Kavcic, Dan Luo, Fengsu Hou, Fengying Bi, Rong Jiao, Kangxing Song, Yang Jiang

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: About 83,000 COVID-19 patients were confirmed in China up to May 2020. Amid the well-documented threats to physical health, the effects of this public health crisis - and the varied efforts to contain its spread - have altered individuals' "normal" daily functioning. These impacts on social, psychological, and emotional well-being remain relatively unexplored - in particular, the ways in which Chinese men and women experience and respond to potential behavioral stressors. Our study investigated sex differences in psychological stress, emotional reactions, and behavioral responses to COVID-19 and related threats among Chinese residents.

METHODS: In late February (2020), an anonymous …

Covid-19 Related Physical And Mental Health Stressors In Families Using A Social Determinants Lens., Elizabeth Vasquez, Erin Bell, Melissa Tracy

Understanding and eliminating minority health disparities in a 21st-century pandemic: A White Paper Collection

Racial and ethnic minorities, those of lower socioeconomic status (SES), and older adults have experienced higher rates of infection, severity of illness, and mortality from COVID-19 than other groups. These populations are also disproportionately affected by financial and social disruptions caused by the pandemic, including job loss, reduction in community services, and disconnection from supportive networks critically important for the health and well-being of families. Further, these same populations often live in multi- generational households and rely on a family-dependent caregiver model. The aim of this project is to beta test an online questionnaire to identify individual and household risk …

Partnership Between Islam And Palliative Care At Swedish Health Services (First Hill And Cherry Hill), Hodo Mohamud

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

INTRODUCTION  The spiritual practice of Islam is considered one of the three major monotheistic religions. There is minimal research about Palliative care and Muslim patients in both Muslim majority and Muslim minority countries. Engaging in internal assessment of palliative care provision to Muslim patients is important for quality care. This project aimed to examine gaps in Palliative needs assessment of Muslims in one institution.

OBJECTIVES Assess Swedish palliative care team’s barriers to spiritual care (SC) and baseline knowledge of Islamic influences on healthcare. Interview Muslim patients and insights from a Muslim Imam trained in chaplaincy about PC experience. Develop …

Psychological Sense Of Community Among Older Adults In Puerto Rico Two Years After Hurricane María, Thomas D. Buckley

Theses and Dissertations

Hurricane María devastated Puerto Rico in 2017 and resulted in adverse long-term outcomes. Psychological sense of community (PSOC) may serve as a protective factor against the effects of Hurricane María for older adults in Puerto Rico. Using a three-paper format, this dissertation draws on a resilience framework and theories of PSOC and the Ecological Theory of Aging to examine the role of PSOC among older adults in Puerto Rico two years after Hurricane María.

Paper one is a scoping review of the concept of PSOC in research with community dwelling older adults. I begin by presenting findings on study characteristics …

An Evaluation Of Injurious Falls And Fall-Risk-Increasing-Drug (Frid) Prescribing Behaviors In A Nationally Representative Sample & The Pharmacist’S Role In Fall Prevention, Taylor Elliott, Susan Westneat, Shama Karanth, Erin Abner, Anna Kucharska-Newton, Daniela C. Moga

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Background: Falls are a major public health problem affecting millions of older adults each year. Little is known about FRID prescribing behaviors after injurious falls occur.

Objective(s): The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether an injurious fall impacts the odds of being prescribed a new FRID.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the 2016 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey to investigate whether an injurious fall impacts the odds of being prescribed a new FRID. We included patients age >/= 65 years and classified visits based on presence of an injurious fall. The outcome of …

The Association Between Post-Stroke Delirium And Mortality Among Stroke Patients In Long-Term Facilities, Nuo Xu

All ETDs from UAB

Delirium is a common neurobehavioral complication following a stroke. Patients who have post-stroke delirium (PSD) are more likely to have severe prognoses, such as physical function decline, high mortality and an increased need for long-term care. Nursing home residents as one of the fragile and special populations sharing the attributes of old age, and high prevalence of chronic diseases and limited mobility. However, there only a few studies have investigated the association between PSD and mortality among individuals admitted to a long-term care facility. This retrospective cohort study aimed to examine the association between PSD and mortality among the participants …

Psychosocial Factors And Physical Health In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients, Olulana Bamiro

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The research problem identified was poor physical health in older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The problem is important because poor physical health yields unsuccessful aging. The current research aimed to identify psychosocial factors that improve self-evaluated physical health in the study population as a proxy to overall health; the research questions helped identify these factors. The first research question assessed the association between health locus of control and self-evaluated physical health. The second research question evaluated the association between family support and self-evaluated physical health. A final research question assessed the association between health locus of control, …

Nutritional Approach For Increasing Public Health During Pandemic Of Covid-19: A Comprehensive Review Of Antiviral Nutrients And Nutraceuticals, Vahideh Ebrahimzadeh-Attari, Ghodratollah Panahi, James R. Hébert Scd, Alireza Ostadrahimi, Maryam Saghafi-Asl, Neda Lotfi-Yaghin, Behzad Baradaran

Faculty Publications

Background: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is considered as the most life-threatening pandemic disease during the last decade. The individual nutritional status, though usually ignored in the management of COVID-19, plays a critical role in the immune function and pathogenesis of infection. Accordingly, the present review article aimed to report the effects of nutrients and nutraceuticals on respiratory viral infections including COVID-19, with a focus on their mechanisms of action.

Methods: Studies were identified via systematic searches of the databases including PubMed/ MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar from 2000 until April 2020, using keywords. All relevant clinical and experimental studies …

Health Care Utilization And Costs For Dementia Patients In China, Fang Ba

Public Health Theses

The number of people in the world living with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias (ADRD) continues to rise rapidly, which places a substantial burden on people with dementia (PWD), their families, and the society. Such a burden has been rising faster in low-income and middle-income countries (LMIC) where around two-thirds of PWD live. While prior research documents dementia prevalence in China and indicates its large geographic disparities, no study to date has documented the national pattern of health care utilization, quality and costs in China. The absence of knowledge would largely impede the effective allocation of resources for combating dementia …

Effects Of Resistance Training On Muscle Quality Index, Muscle Strength, Functional Capacity, And Serum Immunoglobulin Levels Between Obese And Non-Obese Older Women, Paulo Roberto Silva Junior, Dahan Da Cunha Nascimento, Ivo Vieira De Sousa Neto, Silvana Schwerz Funghetto, Ramires Alsamir Tibana, James W. Navalta, Fabiani Lage Rodrigues Beal, Jonato Prestes

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Research

International Journal of Exercise Science 14(7): 707-726, 2021. Considering the negative impact of obesity on neuromuscular and immune systems, we sought to compare the effects of a 10-week resistance training (RT) program on muscle quality index (MQI), muscle strength, functional capacity, and immunoglobulins in older women with and without obesity. Thirty-nine older women participated in the present study (age: 69.02 ± 6.16, fat (%): 38.80% ± 6.28) and underwent a linear RT program performed on two non-consecutive days of the week. Body composition, functional tests, immunoglobulins, muscle quality of upper and lower limbs and absolute muscular strength of the upper …

Hospice Response To Covid-19: Promoting Sustainable Inclusion Strategies For Racial And Ethnic Minorities, M. Courtney Hughes, Erin Vernon

Faculty Articles, Papers, and Other Scholarship

There is a disproportionate burden of illness and death among racial/ethnic minorities related to COVID-19. The importance of reaching groups suffering the most with resources such as advance directive guidance, telehealth, and culturally sensitive education materials is vital to providing quality, inclusive care. A crisis presents an opportunity to unite and problem-solve to help avoid the dire consequences facing inaction. In this way, inclusive responses by hospices, social workers, other community partners during the COVID-19 pandemic can help reach and alleviate the pain of those groups most afflicted. We offer hospice inclusion strategies that align with general pandemic response trends …

Addressing The Needs Of African American Grandparents: An Intersectionality Perspective, Dorothy Smith-Ruiz, Kendra Jason

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This study seeks to demonstrate the intersecting structural and compounding challenges African American custodial grandparents experience collectively, rather than as separate non-competing factors, which has been modeled in prior studies. Using a mixed-method research design, the study explored the challenges faced by African American and white custodial grandparents. These challenges included difficulties attaining different types of support, respite care, and programs for teens and special needs grandchildren. Results showed that caregiving challenges among African Americans were more pervasive than their White counterparts. These findings have significant implications for the development of intervention programs for custodial African American grandmothers and their …

Evaluation Of The Livewell Method: Final Report, Paula Carder, Serena Hasworth, Diana Cater

Institute on Aging Publications

The LiveWell Method uses a practice-based framework to improve the quality of life for people living and working in long-term care settings, including assisted living and memory care. It is designed to improve teamwork, communication, and morale by helping staff organize, track, measure, and improve daily operations. This evaluation is informed by the LiveWell Method’s “bottom-up and top enabled” approach, which engages and empowers direct care staff and administrators to create a more democratic and transparent workplace. In addition, the evaluation included questions to assess LiveWell’s core values, such as creating care innovations, nurturing dignity, creating community, and honoring elders, …

Feeling The Squeeze: The Association Between Multigeneration Caregiving And Informal Caregivers’ Health, Christine L. Patterson

Theses and Dissertations

While U.S. public policy and research has focused on the health needs of the aging population, less attention has been given to the consequences informal caregivers face caring for this generation. With the segment of the population aged 65 years or older growing rapidly, it is important to understand the factors that place informal caregivers at risk for poor health outcomes and health behaviors. Since multigeneration caregivers balance more personal, work, and caregiving demands than single-generation informal caregivers of older adults, they may be at higher risk for poor health outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the …

The Development Of Aboriginal Brain Injury Coordinator Positions: A Culturally Secure Rehabilitation Service Initiative As Part Of A Clinical Trial, Elizabeth Armstrong, Kathy Mccoy, Rebecca Clinch, Maureen Merritt, Renee Speedy, Meaghan Mcallister, Kym Heine, Natalie Ciccone, Melanie Robinson, Julie Coffin

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Brain injury, resulting from stroke and traumatic brain injury, is a common occurrence in Australia, with Aboriginal people affected at a significant rate and impact felt by individuals, families and communities. Access to brain injury rehabilitation services for Aboriginal people is reported to be often limited, with very little support outside the hospital environment. Our research involving Aboriginal brain injury survivors and their families to date has revealed that people often manage ‘on their own’ following such events. Following recommendations from survivors and their families, the Healing Right Way clinical trial, currently underway in Western Australia, has created the role …

Effect Of Occupational Therapy Home Visit Discharge Planning On Participation After Stroke: Protocol For The Home Rehab Trial, Natasha A. Lannin, Lindy Clemson, Avril Drummond, Mandy Stanley, Leonid Churilov, Kate Laver, Sophie O'Keefe, Ian Cameron, Maria Crotty, Tim Usherwood, Nadine E. Andrew, Laura Jolliffe, Dominique A. Cadilhac

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction: After first stroke, the transition from rehabilitation to home can be confronting and fraught with challenges. Although stroke clinical practice guidelines recommend predischarge occupational therapy home visits to ensure safe discharge and provision of appropriate equipment, there is currently limited evidence to support this recommendation. Methods and analysis: The HOME Rehab trial is a national, multicentre, phase III randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation, blinded assessment and intention-to-treat analysis being conducted in Australia. The trial aim is to determine the effect and potential cost-effectiveness of an enhanced occupational therapy discharge planning intervention that involves pre and postdischarge home visits, …

The Health Of Older Western Australians: The Role Of Age, Gender, Geographic Location, Psychological Distress, Perceived Health, Tobacco And Alcohol, Celia Wilkinson, Kim Clarke, Ros Sambell, Julie Dare, Stephen J. Bright

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose: Rates of drinking- and alcohol-related harms among older adults are increasing in most developed nations. The purpose of this paper was to explore the relationship among at-risk alcohol use, smoking, gender, geographical location, self-reported health and psychological well-being among Western Australians aged 65 years and older.

Design/methodology/approach: A secondary analysis was conducted of a cross-sectional survey that collected data from 7,804 West Australians aged 65 years and older between 2013 and 2015. Participants were categorised according to the following age groups: young-old (aged 65–74 years), older-old (aged 75–84 years) and oldest-old (aged 85+ years).

Findings: Results from a multinomial …

Impact Of Covid-19 On The Health And Well-Being Of Informal Caregivers Of People With Dementia: A Rapid Systematic Review, M. Courtney Hughes, Yujun Liu, Abby Baumbach

Faculty Articles, Papers, and Other Scholarship

Background: In December 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), or COVID-19, raised worldwide concern. Since then, the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively influenced health and wellness across the globe and caused nearly three million deaths. This study focuses on informal caregivers of people with dementia, a disease that affects about 50 million older adults worldwide and requires much caregiving support.

Objective: Examine the current literature on the impact of COVID-19 on the health and well-being of informal caregivers for people with dementia.

Method: This rapid review was conducted across five electronic databases for quantitative and qualitative articles published …

Training Program To Support Posbindu Cadre Knowledge And Community Health Centre Staff In The Geriatric Nutrition Service, Fatmah Fatmah

ASEAN Journal of Community Engagement

The geriatric minimal service standard (SPM) coverage in Depok has steadily decreased from 37.53% in 2013 to 11.8% in 2018. One factor affecting the problem is a lack of patient participation and the inability of posbindu (integrated service post for older people) cadres to perform their tasks. To increase the coverage of older people visiting posbindu, it is necessary to raise the knowledge and skill levels of posbindu cadres and community health centre staff in Depok. The skills include performing nutritional status assessment (NSA) and screening, early detection of dementia, independence assessment, and elderly nutrition counselling. This is a …

Hubungan Diabetes Mellitus Terhadap Kejadian Disabilitas Untuk Activities Of Daily Living (Adl) Di Indonesia, Halimah Siregar, Krisnawati Bantas

Jurnal Epidemiologi Kesehatan Indonesia

Diabetes Mellitus salah satu PTM tertinggi didunia, prevalensi global diabetes di antara orang dewasa di atas 18 tahun telah meningkat dari 4,7% pada 1980 menjadi 8,5% pada 2014. Penelitian yang dilakukan Edward ditemukan bahwa> 50% orang tua dengan diabetes melaporkan kesulitan melakukan tugas fisik sehari-hari. Hal ini sejalan dengan penelitian Rindra bahwa individu yang menderita diabetes akan berisiko 3kali (95% CI; 2.860-3.288) dibandingkan individu yang tidak menderita diabetes untuk mengalami disabilitas. Tujuan penelitian ini melihat hubungan diabetes mellitus dengan kejadian disabilitas untuk aktivitas kehidupan sehari-hari (ADL). Penelitian ini desain cross sectional data IFLS 2015, di analisis sampai multivariat menggunakan Regressi …