Digital Commons Network^™

Livable Marshfield: Age And Dementia Friendly Action Plan: Improving Livability For All Ages And Abilities, Caitlin E. Coyle, Beth Rouleau, Ceara Somerville

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

The Town of Marshfield’s Age and Dementia Friendly action plan signifies a milestone and reflects many years of dedication to creating environments within Marshfield that are supportive of residents of all ages and abilities. Guided by the Council on Aging (COA), the Town of Marshfield is dedicated to understanding and responding to the needs and interests of older adults in the community. Over the years, the share of residents over age 60 has steadily grown. According to 2019-2023 estimates from the American Community Survey, an estimated 28% of Marshfield residents are age 60 or older (approximately 7,200 residents). Projections suggest …

Patterns Of Activity Participation And The Well-Being Of Older Adults In Singapore, Zidane Tiew, Rachel Ngu, Yi Wen Tan

ROSA Research Briefs

Older adults participate in different types of activities and do so in varying frequencies. In this study, we utilised latent class analysis to identify underlying patterns of activity participation among the SLP respondents. We found three patterns: (i) generally active (i.e., socially, physically, and digitally active), (ii) physically and digitally active, and (iii) digitally active. Furthermore, we found that respondents who were more broadly active were more likely to experience higher levels of life satisfaction than those who were only digitally active. These respondents tended to be from higher socioeconomic backgrounds, report having better health, or had more close social …

Planning For The Future Of The Easthampton Council On Aging, Caitlin E. Coyle, Sue Berger

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

This report describes an assessment undertaken by the Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging (CSDRA) within the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, on behalf of the ad hoc Senior Center Building Committee. The goals of this project were to document the features of other communities building processes, engage residents in preliminary conversation about their needs and preferences as they consider aging in Easthampton. Results of that work are described in this report and recommendations to the ad hoc building committee are provided. These recommendations are meant to provide an objective description of this preliminary community …

The Provision Of Healthcare For Older Adults In A Massachusetts Jail/House Of Correction: Perspectives From Providers, Laura Driscoll

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

THE PROVISION OF HEALTHCARE FOR OLDER ADULTS IN A MASSACHUSETTS JAIL/HOUSE OF CORRECTION: PERSPECTIVES FROM PROVIDERS November 2024 Laura C. Driscoll, B.S., Boston University M.S.P.T., Boston University DPT, MGH Institute of Health Professions M.S., University of Massachusetts Boston Ph.D., University of Massachusetts Boston Directed by Professor Jan Mutchler The aging population in U.S. jails is growing rapidly presenting significant challenges for healthcare provision within carceral settings. Older adults in these facilities often experience complex health conditions, including chronic diseases and age-related impairments, that require specialized care. Despite this, limited research has explored the experiences of healthcare providers tasked with caring …

Economic Disadvantage During Childhood, Obesity, And Diabetes Across Three Birth Cohorts Of Older Mexicans, Jesús-Daniel Zazueta-Borboa, Rafael Samper-Ternent, Rebeca Wong, Neil Mehta

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVES: Diabetes prevalence has increased markedly in Mexico. We examined the individual and joint contributions of economic disadvantage during childhood (EDDC) and elevated body weight on diabetes prevalence in 3 cohorts of Mexican adults.

METHODS: Data on those 60-69 years old from the 1930-1939, 1940-1949, and 1950-1959 birth cohorts in Waves 1 (2001), 3 (2012), and 5 (2018) of the Mexican Health and Aging Study were used. EDDC was defined as the absence of a toilet in the household before age 10. Body mass status was defined using self-reported perceived body image at age 50. Diabetes was based on respondent …

Computer Use Frequency And Cardiovascular Health In Middle-Aged And Older Adults, Meilan Hu, Shu Fen Diong, K. T. A. Sandeeshwara Kasturiratna, Andree Hartanto

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

With increased computer usage amongst midlife and older adults, concerns are emerging with regards to the potential adverse health effects of computer use given the sedentary habits it may encourage. The current study aims to investigate the relationship between computer use and cardiovascular risk in midlife and older adults. From the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States II: Biomarker Project (2004–2009) and the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS II), 2004–2006, we examined five cardiovascular risk biomarkers—high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein—in relation to self-reported general …

Positive And Negative Affect Differentially Predict Individual Differences And Intra-Individual Changes In Daily Cognitive Failures In Younger And Older Adults, Ysabel A. Guevarra, Nadyanna M. Majeed, Nur Eva Alisha Binte Mohamed Hisham, Andree Hartanto

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

(1) Background: Cognitive failures, including lapses in attention, memory, and executive functioning, can negatively affect daily performance and well-being. Negative and positive affectivity have been implicated in cognitive functioning, yet their relationship with cognitive failures remains underexplored. This study investigates the impact of positive and negative affect on cognitive failures, using daily diary methods to examine both within-person and between-person associations in a sample of younger adults from Singapore and adults across the lifespan from the United States (US). (2) Methods: Participants (Singapore: N = 253, US: N = 1726) completed daily diaries over seven (Singapore) or eight (US) consecutive …

Collaborative Pedagogy: Teaching (With) The Grateful Dead On Tour, On Campus, And Online, Rebecca G. Adams

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

This essay describes my experiences teaching with the Grateful Dead “on tour” in 1989, on campus in the early 2000s, and online in 2019. Using a life course framework, I discuss how my own development as a teacher, Deadhead, and Grateful Dead scholar and the changing context over time shaped these experiences and how teaching with the Grateful Dead opened a pedagogical space for experimentation that allowed the students and me to take risks and to collaborate despite status differences. Rather than unpacking these experiences entirely, my goal here is to focus on how these three experiences of teaching with …

Aging In Hanover: A Community Needs Assessment, Caitlin E. Coyle, Beth Rouleau, Ceara Somerville

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

This report describes research undertaken by the Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging (CSDRA), within the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, on behalf of the Town of Hanover. The report supports the Council on Aging’s objective to identify and serve the needs of residents age 55 and older. The contents of this report are meant to inform the Town of Hanover, the Hanover Council on Aging (COA), the Senior Center, and organizations that work with and on behalf of older residents of Hanover for the purposes of COA mission fulfillment alongside planning and coordination of …

低收入年長照顧者面對的挑戰研究報告, Chak Kwan, Dickon Chan, Ka Chung, Tom Kwong, Meng Soi, Florence Fong, Sheung Wan, Wanda Wong, Chi Ho Liu, Shuk Yan Yuen, Wai Tung Ng

APIAS Research Report 研究報告

研究目的
隨著人口老化、壽命延長，以及長期病患數目的增加，更多人需要非正規照顧。香港缺乏針對年長及低收入照顧者的文獻，本研究旨在瞭解他們照顧家人的經歷、面對之困難，以及現有支援服務對他們有否幫助。

研究方法
本研究於2024年3月至6月期間，採用深度訪談 (in-depth interview) 方式，訪問了30位60歲以上，正接受政府財政援助計劃的低收入照顧者。收集的訪問數據，以主題分析方法 (thematic analysis) 處理。

研究結果

• 九成被訪者的平均每月收入為$5,000或以下。低收入年長照顧者年齡中位數為72歲，平均患有2種長期疾病。每周照顧時數中位數為42小時，照顧年期中位數為8.5年。
• 被照顧者年齡中位數為78歲，全部都有長期病或癌症，平均患有2種疾病。
• 被訪者提供多方面的照顧工作，包括膳食 (97%)、陪診 (37%)、家居清潔 (33%) 和協助如廁 (27%)。
• 被訪照顧者面對多方面的壓力。經濟方面，由於被照顧的家人體弱，需要乘坐的士覆診，亦要自費購買特定藥物和保健品，財政壓力大。
• 被照顧者自理能力低，情緒不穩定，照顧者經常要處理厭惡性清潔工作，身心俱疲，出現焦慮和失眠。
• 八成被訪者要獨力照顧家人，支援網絡薄弱。
• 照顧者使用服務遇上數方面困難，包括不懂得使用電子預約平台、社區缺乏緊急和突發需要的暫托服務、服務質素差和收費過高。

政策建議

• 放寬照顧者津貼門檻，低收入家庭即使正在領取其它社會保障津貼及受照顧人沒有輪候院舍服務，亦可領取。
• 推行更具彈性和設置24小時緊急支援服務，應付照顧者即時及突發需要。
• 簡化暫托服務程序和提供接送支援，並且發展「長者社區保姆」服務。
• 加強外展接觸有需要照顧者，盡快設立照顧者資料庫，以識別高危照顧者。
• 立法制定照顧者政策 (Carers’ Policy)，推行「照顧者統一評估」，並根據評估結果提供合適服務。

Waking Up Before We Die: Aging And Spirituality, Marcelline Hutton

Zea E-Books Collection

In retirement, I have more time for prayer and reflection, to rest in the Lord, and hence to have my spirit renewed. We choose how we interpret our situations. Positive, spiritual aging ideas enhance our sense of well-being. Of course, the loss of loved ones decreases our sense of self-worth at times, but the Spirit can renew us. As Genesis reminds us, God was still working in the lives of Sarah and Abraham in old age, and they can serve as models for us. Indeed, Sarah laughed at the angels and shows us how humor exists even as we age. …

Anthropology & Aging From The Editor-In-Chief, Manonita Ghosh

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

No abstract provided.

Intergenerational Transmission Of Wisdom Through Family Narratives: A Qualitative Analysis Of Emerging Adults' Perspective, Emilia Mazurek

The Qualitative Report

Family narratives are a medium for the intergenerational transmission of life wisdom, which may influence recipient’s beliefs system and behaviors. Despite a growing body of knowledge on wisdom, emerging adults remain insufficiently researched as to what wisdom from their perspective was conveyed to them through stories. The aim was to identify what wisdom emerging adults perceive in the narratives told them by their parents about themselves. The study was conducted in Poland. Convenience sampling was used. 42 emerging adults (33 female, 8 male, 1 non-binary) ranging from 19 to 22 years participated in the study. Participants were asked to write …

Negara Hukum Kesejahteraan Di Batas Pantai: Paradoks Perlindungan Negara Terhadap Masyarakat Pesisir Di Tengah Perubahan Iklim, Aji Baskoro

Jurnal Ilmu Kesejahteraan Sosial

Climate change poses significant challenges to vulnerable coastal communities in Indonesia. As a welfare state, the Indonesian government is expected to safeguard these vulnerable groups through policies that promote their welfare and sustainable livelihoods. However, current policies create a paradox. This article explores this paradox: on the one hand, Indonesia adheres to the welfare state principle, which demands that all government actions be grounded in law, ensuring public safety and welfare. On the other hand, the policies focus on exploiting natural resources, exacerbating the vulnerabilities of coastal communities, particularly in the face of climate change. The article employs a normative …

Aging In Maynard: A Community Needs Assessment, Caitlin E. Coyle, Mary Krebs

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

This report describes research undertaken by the Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging (CSDRA), within the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, on behalf of the Town of Maynard. The report supports the Council on Aging’s objective to identify and serve the needs of residents age 50 and older. The contents of this report are meant to inform the Town of Maynard, the Maynard Council on Aging (COA), the Senior Center, and organizations that work with and on behalf of older residents of Maynard for the purposes of COA mission fulfillment alongside planning and coordination of …

Intersecting Inequities For Older Lgbtq+ Adults Of Color In The Advent Of Medicare Access: A Structural Vulnerability Framework, Christian D. Chan

Adultspan Journal

Although advances in Medicare legislation provide access for beneficiaries to professional counselors, older LGBTQ+ adults of Color face a litany of concerns that heighten stigma and inhibit their access to mental health services. The structural vulnerability framework identifies multiple domains that support the interface between Medicare coverage and access to care for older LGBTQ+ adults of Color. In this conceptual article, I outline (a) interdisciplinary scholarship that contextualizes the key issues facing older LGBTQ+ adults of Color; (b) the core tenets of the structural vulnerability framework; (c) implications for practice addressing structural vulnerability for older LGBTQ+ adults of Color with …

Providing End-Of-Life Counseling: A Narrative Inquiry, Carol Hecht, Sibyl West

Adultspan Journal

This qualitative study aimed to address the gap in the research related to end-of-life counseling by exploring the experiences of counselors working with clients at end of life. While counseling literature and education are lacking regarding end of life, many counselors will work alongside clients approaching death. The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to better understand the nuanced experiences of counselors providing end-of-life counseling and (b) to explore the supports and preparations helpful for counselors to provide end-of-life counseling. A narrative approach, using the Listening Guide (Gilligan, 2015), was employed to analyze and present the stories of three …

Mental Health Distress And Suicide Risk Among Older Adults Who Receive Nutrition Services Programming: Implications For Licensed Professional Counselors., Brittany R. Jones-Cobb, Jihee Hong, Mary Chase Breedlove Mize, Laura Shannonhouse

Adultspan Journal

Licensed professional counselors (LPCs) are now eligible to provide mental health counseling to older adults as Medicare providers. Many older adults receive home delivered (HDM) and congregate (CM) meal services through the Aging Services Network, though their mental health impact remains under examined. This study compared the mental health and suicide risk of older adults receiving HDM or CM services. Our cross-sectional study of 221 HDM and 150 CM recipients from 2018-2020 found significant group differences in psychological distress, t(366) = 3.28, p = .001, perceived burdensomeness; t(357.31) = 2.77, p = .006, and thwarted belongingness, t(357.96) …

Considerations Of Medicare Telehealth Services With Older Adults, Sonah Kho, Amanda Dediego

Adultspan Journal

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic set in motion a rapid expansion of mental health services offered via telehealth. With this rapid expansion came the need to examine how policy and practice should be shaped in a future where telehealth is considered common in counseling practice. For counselors to understand how to support older adult clients in using telehealth services, they must understand telehealth policy. Following the eligibility of licensed counselors to participate in Medicare, counselors need to stay abreast of regulatory changes regarding restrictions and regulations on use of telehealth for mental and behavioral health services, including video and …

How Do Older Adults Define A Good Death? A Scoping Review, Ellen L. Csikai, Quentin R. Maynard

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

A scoping literature review of the concepts of ‘good death’ and ‘dying well’ among older adults was conducted. The purpose was to identify aspects that older adults specifically considered important in defining a ‘good death’. The search revealed five articles published between 2005 and 2019 that met inclusionary criteria for the review. Primary among the views of the older adults in these studies of a ‘good death’ was the desire to avoid being a burden to families; done so by dying pain-free/peacefully (preferably in sleep) and preparing in advance by involving family in decisions and funeral/estate planning. Family support throughout …

Author Biographical Notes

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

Experience Of Loneliness Among Older People In Hong Kong : Ageism Perspective, Chi Kuen Wong

Lingnan Theses (MPhil & PhD)

The experience of loneliness is a significant concern among older people, as it can lead to serious health risks and impact overall well-being. This study, conducted in Hong Kong, explores the relationship between ageism and loneliness among older individuals. Employing qualitative research methods and thematic analysis, data were collected from 21 community-dwelling participants aged 65 to 86, including 8 males and 13 females.

The research focuses on how older individuals' experiences and perceptions of ageism contribute to feelings of loneliness. The study examines different forms of ageism, including institutional ageism and social exclusion, interpersonal ageism, and internalized ageism, as well …

孫輩照顧者面對的挑戰研究報告, Chak Kwan, Dickon Chan, Kong Sang Lou, Meng Soi, Florence Fong, Sheung Wan, Wanda Wong, Ka Chung, Tom Kwong

APIAS Research Report 研究報告

背景和目的
香港人口老齡化和長期病患者的增加，令到更多老年人需要人照顧。現時社會對孫輩照顧者的認識不足，使到他們缺乏適切支援服務。本研究旨在探索孫輩照顧殘疾或患有慢性疾病的祖父母的情況，並提出政策與服務建議。嶺南大學亞太老年學研究中心聯同救世軍護老者協會及救世軍護老者服務於2024年4月25日舉辦了「孫輩照顧者的需要、實踐及政策」研討會，各方持份者分享他們對支援孫輩照顧者的經驗和看法，共同尋找方案支援這類照顧者。

研究方法
本研究於2023年4月至12月期間，採用深度訪談 (in-depth interview) 方式，訪問了共40位年齡介乎13至63歲的孫輩照顧者，瞭解他們成為照顧者的主要原因、提供了甚麼照顧，以及照顧過程中面對的困難。

研究結果

• 大部分受訪的孫輩照顧者 (67.5%) 為次照顧者，近半受訪者每周提供20小時以上的照顧工作。
• 共有47位祖父母/外祖父母受到照顧，年齡介乎62至99歲。大部分被照顧者 (91.5%) 行動不便，或患有長期病患 (76.6%)。被照顧祖父母當中過半 (57.4%) 沒有與孫輩同住，8.5%為獨居。
• 孫輩成為照顧者有數個原因，包括家庭成員無法提供照顧、減輕父母的壓力和回饋祖父母過往照顧之恩。
• 孫輩照顧者的照顧角色與他們的年齡、生活狀態、能力，以及被照顧者的需要有關。大部分孫輩照顧者和家人分擔照顧工作，並得到他們的協助。孫輩照顧者會主動運用各種輔助設備，以提高照顧成效。
• 孫輩照顧者除了要面對一般照顧者的困難外 (如支援服務及資訊不足、身心壓力和社交限制)，他們面對的壓力還包括學業及就業、家庭角色的衝突、「夾心」照顧者面對多重壓力，以及缺乏社會的認同。
• 政策建議
  研究報告建議政府須加強院校對就學照顧者的支持、提供額外假期予在職照顧者、將照顧者主題納入中學課程、推廣朋輩支援小組、提供線上及晚間照顧技巧課程、開發多元化暫託服務、建立個案管理制度，以及推動樂齡科技之運用。

The Long Arm Of School Punishment: The Role Of School Suspension On Self-Rated Health From Adolescence To Midlife, Michael Niño, Alexa Angton, Kathryn Norton-Smith, Kayla Allison

Sociology and Criminology Faculty Publications and Presentations

School suspension has been linked to numerous adverse social outcomes in adolescence and adulthood. While research continues to highlight the deleterious consequences tied to suspension, less is known about how exposure to suspension influences health over the life course. Drawing from panel data, we address this gap by investigating whether school suspension is associated with self-rated health from adolescence to midlife. Compared to youth with no history of suspension, suspended youth were more likely to report poorer health in adolescence. Findings also demonstrate that school suspension plays a significant role in self-rated health patterns over time. Specifically, we find suspended …

Admixture Mapping Of Cognitive Function In Diverse Hispanic And Latino Adults: Results From The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study Of Latinos, Rui Xia, Xueqiu Jian, Amanda L Rodrigue, Jan Bressler, Eric Boerwinkle, Biqi Cui, Martha L Daviglus, Charles Decarli, Linda C Gallo, David C Glahn, Emma E M Knowles, Jee-Young Moon, Thomas H Mosley, Claudia L Satizabal, Tamar Sofer, Wassim Tarraf, Fernando Testai, John Blangero, Sudha Seshadri, Hector M González, Myriam Fornage

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: We conducted admixture mapping and fine-mapping analyses to identify ancestry-of-origin loci influencing cognitive abilities.

METHODS: We estimated the association of local ancestry intervals across the genome with five neurocognitive measures in 7140 diverse Hispanic and Latino adults (mean age 55 years). We prioritized genetic variants in associated loci and tested them for replication in four independent cohorts.

RESULTS: We identified nine local ancestry-associated regions for the five neurocognitive measures. There was strong biological support for the observed associations to cognitive function at all loci and there was statistical evidence of independent replication at 4q12, 9p22.1, and 13q12.13.

DISCUSSION: Our …

Do Pedestrian Safety Improvements Affect Older Adults' Health And Social Outcomes Equitably? A Quasi Experiment In Singapore, Shin Bin Tan, William Tov, Paulin Tay Straughan

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods are believed to encourage greater social participation, community engagement, and sense of social inclusion, which are important to older individuals at higher risk of being socially isolated. However, most studies on neighborhood walkability, social participation and social inclusion are cross-sectional, making it difficult to robustly establish causal links. Much research on neighborhood walkability is also based in North America and Europe, leaving a knowledge gap on the impact of walkability within other geographic contexts. Furthermore, there is a lack of empirical evidence about whether benefits from traffic calming schemes are distributed equitably. To reduce these empirical gaps, our …

The Importance Of Sampling Frequency For Estimates Of Well-Being Dynamics, Stephen James Hoskins, David W. Johnston, Johannes S. Kunz, Michael A. Shields, Kevin E. Staub

ROSA Journal Articles and Publications

Using a high-frequency panel survey, we examine the sensitivity of estimated self-reported well-being (SWB) dynamics to using monthly, quarterly, and yearly data. This is an important issue if SWB is to be used to evaluate policy. Results from autoregressive models that account for individual-level heterogeneity indicate that the estimated persistence using yearly data is near zero. However, estimated persistence from monthly and quarterly data is substantial. We estimate that persistence to shocks typically lasts around six months and has a net present value of 75–80 per cent of the contemporaneous effect. Estimates are similar for different domains of SWB.

A Qualitative Study On Transnational Caregiving For Older Parents In China, Silai Dong

Lingnan Theses (MPhil & PhD)

The increasing number of international migrations in China poses challenges for the care of older parents who are left behind, considering China’s emphasis on family support. This study aims to investigate transnational care arrangements for older parents whose children are overseas. It mainly addresses three research questions:1) What are the contents of filial piety in the context of international migration? 2) How do Chinese transnational family members negotiate and distribute elder care responsibilities? 3) To what extent can the transnational caregiving model explain elder care in Chinese transnational families?

The transnational caregiving model proposed by Baldassar, Baldock, and Wilding, in …

From Reflection To Resumes: Alumni Perceptions Of A Multi-Term Public Service Program’S Connection To Career, Ryan Nilsen, Alanna Gillis, Bryant Hutson, Lynn Blanchard

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This paper explores how alumni of a multi-term public service program understand the connection between the program and their career development. Qualitative data were collected from 393 alumni based on six open-ended survey questions. While career and professional development is not an explicit goal of the program, a thematic analysis suggests that alumni perceived that the program connected to career reflection, boosted their resume, and guided them toward a public service career or specific jobs.

Social Theories And Service Learning: Towards Building An Integrated Service-Learning Sociological Framework, Mark Anthony D. Abenir, Carol Ma Hok Ka

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This theoretical paper anchors service learning (S-L) in three broad sociological theories. From there, discussions on the actual implementation of S-L based on these theories are explained to build an integrated S-L sociological framework. Four S-L modalities of community engagement are identified—namely transactional, transitional, transformational, and transcendental—with their corresponding respective levels of community participation—namely consultative tokenism, placation, partnerships, and citizen control. The application of such a coherent framework is discussed in the context of contemporary service-learning practices and community impact.