Digital Commons Network^™

Community Mobility And Dementia: A Review Of The Literature, Nina M. Silverstein, Megan Vanderbur

Gerontology Institute Publications

By the year 2030, 70 million Americans will be 65 or older. Approximately 80 percent of this population will likely be driving themselves. And without appropriate and timely interventions, many are likely to be driving with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Current estimates suggest that 2 percent of the population 65 to 74, 19 percent of the population 75 to 84, and 47 percent of the population 85 and older are likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder. By the year 2050, the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease could range from 11.3 million to 16 million. This significant …

University Reporter - Volume 11, Number 03 - November 2006

1996-2009, University Reporter

This issue of the University Reporter includes articles about funding for the Institute for Community Inclusion's Center for Children with Special Needs, increasing enrollment and diversity at UMass Boston, the efforts of UMass Boston researchers to change the way chemistry is taught in hig schools, the 5th anniversary celebration of the Emerging Leaders Program, actor Danny Glover's involvement with the University's homelessness project, and other news from UMass Boston.

University Reporter - Volume 11, Number 02 - October 2006

1996-2009, University Reporter

This issue of the University Reporter includes articles about Chancellor Michael Collins' discussion of the future of the UMass Boston campus; the work of Africana studies professor, historian, and playwright Robert Johnson, Jr.; the convocation remarks of Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall; and other news from UMass Boston.

University Reporter - Volume 11, Number 01 - September 2006

1996-2009, University Reporter

This issue of the University Reporter includes articles about new additions to the campus, how university researchers help cancer survivors regain life’s balance through fencing, the 2006 Boston Folk Festival, and other news from UMass Boston.

University Reporter - Volume 10, Number 10 - June 2006

1996-2009, University Reporter

This issue of the University Reporter includes articles about the 2006 commencement ceremony and commencement speaker Senator Barack Obama, the recipient of the first annual Empower Disabled Fund Award, the appointment of Steve Crosby as founding dean of the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies, and other news from UMass Boston.

University Reporter - Volume 10, Number 09 - May 2006

1996-2009, University Reporter

This issue of the University Reporter includes articles about the inauguration of Chancellor Michael F. Collins, a concert for students and community by Kanye West, the university's 3rd Annual Student Scholarship Gala, news about four researchers and faculty members who were recipients of Fullbright Fellowships, and other news from UMass Boston.

University Reporter - Volume 10, Number 08 - April 2006

1996-2009, University Reporter

This issue of the University Reporter includes articles about the Center for Survey Research's work studying smoking cessation programs, campus recognition of actor and Dorchester native Kevin Chapman, campus support for athletics, and other news from UMass Boston.

University Reporter - Volume 10, Number 07 - March 2006

1996-2009, University Reporter

This issue of the University Reporter includes articles about the research of UMass Boston scientist Rick Jensen, the upcoming commencement address by U.S. Senator Barack Obama, the 21st anniversary of the Trotter Institute, the UMass Boston men's basketball team winning the Little East Conference Championship, and other news from UMass Boston.

University Reporter - Volume 10, Number 06 - February 2006

1996-2009, University Reporter

This issue of the University Reporter includes articles about National Science Foundation funding for UMass Boston's efforts to better prepare math and science teachers, doctoral student Jennifer Bender Berz's work studying childhood asthma from the perspective of clinical psychology, the efforst of UMass Boston's Biology and Computer Science Departments to help students at the Edward Everett School combine technology and science to create their own web-based nature guide, and other news from UMass Boston.

University Reporter - Volume 10, Number 05 - January 2006

1996-2009, University Reporter

This issue of the University Reporter includes articles about psychology professor Zsuzsa Kaldy's studies related to attention and memory in infants, the recipients of the President's Public Service Awards, student leaders' presentations as part of the Latino Leadership Opportunity Program (part of the Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy), and other news from UMass Boston.

University Reporter - Volume 10, Number 04 - December 2005

1996-2009, University Reporter

This issue of the University Reporter includes articles about National Institute of Health funding for a Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center and UMass Boston partnership, the Institute for Asian American Studies and the Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy sponsored studies of the ways immigrant entrepreneurs contribute to the neighborhoods, Provost Paul Fonteyn's efforts to bring science education to displaced Hussicane Katrina students, and other news from UMass Boston.

University Reporter - Volume 10, Number 03 - November 2005

1996-2009, University Reporter

This issue of the University Reporter includes articles about a UMass-sponsored debate on ethnic media issues related to the at-large Boston City Council race, Nursing faculty studies of motherhood, a talk by South African anti-apartheid leader Ahmed Kathrada, the establishment of the Urban Cultural History Center, and other news from UMass Boston.

University Reporter - Volume 10, Number 02 - October 2005

1996-2009, University Reporter

This issue of the University Reporter includes articles about the 2005 convocation, UMass Boston's response to Hurricane Katrina, the 8th annual Boston Folk Festival, a biology faculty member's research regarding assumptions and errors in global warming studies, and other news from UMass Boston.

University Reporter - Volume 10, Number 01 - September 2005

1996-2009, University Reporter

This issue of the University Reporter includes articles about the summer activities of Chancellor Michael F. Collins, the Fiske Center for Archaeological Research's work at Boston's African Meeting House on Beacon Hill, a conversation with new College of Public and Community Service Dean Adenrele Awotona, students' work on a mural for the New England Aquarium, and other news from UMass Boston.

University Reporter - Volume 09, Number 10 - June 2005

1996-2009, University Reporter

This issue of the University Reporter includes articles about the appointment of Michael Collins as chancellor, the Urban Harbors Institute's unveiling of the Judge A. David Mazzone Archives related to the Boston Harbor clean-up, UMass Boston's hosting of the statewide “Future of Work in Massachusetts” conference, and other news from UMass Boston.

Active Aging: Motives And Barriers, Francis G. Caro, Eilon Caspi, Jeffery Burr, Jan Mutchler

Gerontology Institute Publications

Both the successful aging and productive aging literatures attach great importance to activity. In the successful aging paradigm, activity contributes positively to both physical health and psychological well being. In the productive aging paradigm, older people make contributions to society through certain types of activities, notably gainful employment, community service volunteering, informal assistance usually within their families, and political participation.

Less attention has been given to the relationships among various forms of productive activity. Various forms of activity may be complementary or competitive. In other words, participation in one form of productive activity may open doors to other forms of …

University Reporter - Volume 09, Number 09 - May 2005

1996-2009, University Reporter

This issue of the University Reporter includes articles about the “Building One Community” scholarship gala, plans for the 2005 commencement and commencement speaker Emily Rooney, the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy's study of women in Boston politics, the opening of the Jazzman Cafe in the Healey Library, and other news from UMass Boston.

Residential Adjustments Of Elders: Perspectives Of Elders And Their Adult Children, Alison S. Gottlieb, Elizabeth Johns, Francis G. Caro

Gerontology Institute Publications

While elders tend to prefer to “age in place,” they often have reason to consider residential alternatives. Declining health and loss of social supports invite elders to consider modifying their homes or moving to other settings that are less demanding and more supportive. Residential adjustments of elders are often a family issue. Among middle-aged adults, worry about the safety of aging parents in their residential environments is widespread. Also common is frustration among adult children about their difficulties in persuading parents to make recommended residential adjustments.

We conducted a qualitative study on residential decision-making based on focus groups and qualitative …

Promoting Safe Mobility Among Elders By Increasing Awareness Of Vehicle Modifications (Executive Summary), Elizabeth Van Ranst, Nina M. Silverstein, Alison S. Gottlieb

Gerontology Institute Publications

This research project looks at one strategy to address the safety of older drivers, vehicular modifications. Specifically, a video demonstrating low-tech, low-cost features that may alleviate some driving challenges was produced to determine whether viewing the video would increase awareness of and motivation to use those features. Prochaska and DiClemente’s Transtheoretical Model of intentional behavioral change provides the theoretical framework for this study. This model posits five stages of change, a continuum over which the individual becomes more receptive to taking action.

Motivation For Active Aging: Results Of A Pilot Study, Francis G. Caro, Laney Bruner-Canhoto, Jeffery Burr, Jan Mutchler

Gerontology Institute Publications

The current research explores the question whether activity on the part of older people can be explained, in part, by a general motivation to be active that cuts across various forms of activity. One premise is that motivation defined as “personal interest or desire” is one of a number of forces that contributes to participation in an activity. A further premise is that a distinction may be made between motivation that is specific to a particular activity and general motivation to be active. A general motive to be active may help to explain specific forms of activity. Further, a general …

Beyond Gender Differences In U.S. Life Cycle Happiness, Enrico A. Macelli, Richard A. Easterlin

Economics Faculty Publication Series

We employ two decades of General Social Survey data consisting of 83 birth cohorts from 1893 to 1975 to estimate the influence of satisfaction in seven life domains (family, finances, work, health, friends, place of residence, and leisure time activity) on life-cycle happiness among men and women aged 18 to 89 years in the United States. The adult population is estimated to be happiest at age 51, and men are estimate to surpass women in happiness at age 48. Contrary to both genetic or personality (e.g., traditional gender role) and access to resources (“more is always better”) explanations of happiness, …

University Reporter - Volume 09, Number 04 - December 2004

1996-2009, University Reporter

This issue of the University Reporter includes articles about the Computer Science Department’s Visual Attention Laboratory and efforts to treat Schizophrenia, memorial services for U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Kyran E. Kennedy, new publications by faculty members, the establishment of the Environmental, Earth and Ocean Sciences Department, the appointment of Susan Moir as director of the Labor Resource Center, and other news from UMass Boston.

Aging In Place At Harbor Point: Outreach Follow-Up Of Older Adults Living In Independent Mixed-Income Apartments, Judith M. Conahan, Nina M. Silverstein, Kelly Fitzgerald

Gerontology Institute Publications

Most older people, despite functional impairments, plan to stay in their homes and/or communities as long as possible. According to an AARP survey, 82% of adults 65+ reported that they believe that they are “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to stay in their current homes or apartments for the rest of their lives. With increasing age, housing and community characteristics and services gain importance in meeting the challenges of “aging in place.” Staying in their homes maximizes elder’s independence, sustains their social connections, and reaffirms their identity and value.

University Reporter - Volume 09, Number 03 - November 2004

1996-2009, University Reporter

This issue of the University Reporter includes articles about a partnership between UMass Boston and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the relocation of the Massachusetts Office of Dispute Resolution to UMass Boston, professor of science education Arthur Eisenkraft, the Nellie Mae Education Foundation's support of the Urban Scholars Program, and other news from UMass Boston.

University Reporter - Vol. 09, No. 02 - October 2004, University Of Massachusetts Boston

1996-2009, University Reporter

No abstract provided.

University Reporter - Vol. 09, No. 01 - September 2004, University Of Massachusetts Boston

1996-2009, University Reporter

No abstract provided.

Implications Of Changing Social Norms For Social Security Benefits: Results Of Pilot Research, Francis G. Caro, Yung-Ping Chen

Gerontology Institute Publications

Problem. The U.S. Social Security program is designed to protect the American family structure that existed when the program was introduced in the 1930s. Both family structure and social norms regarding family life have changed substantially in the interim. Major changes in family structure invite proposals to modify Social Security benefits to accommodate contemporary conditions. To remain politically viable, the program must make adjustments to reflect contemporary public opinion regarding family life. We asked to what extent contemporary public opinion is supportive of the current benefit structure and the extent to which public opinion points to possible changes in benefits? …

Access To Training For Mature Workers Through One-Stop Career Centers In Massachusetts, Francis G. Caro, Kelly Fitzgerald

Gerontology Institute Publications

The major purpose of this research is to determine the extent to which career centers in Massachusetts are providing mature workers with access to federally funded training. The research is based on two large administrative data sources: The MOSES database made available by the Massachusetts Department of Employment and Training (now Division of Career Services and Division of Unemployment) and a customer service database maintained by The Career Place, a career center in Woburn, MA. The MOSES data file provided for this research includes data on user characteristics and service transactions for all career centers in Massachusetts from July 1, …

University Reporter - Vol. 08, No. 10 - June 2004, University Of Massachusetts Boston

1996-2009, University Reporter

No abstract provided.

University Reporter - Vol. 08, No. 09 - May 2004, University Of Massachusetts Boston

1996-2009, University Reporter

No abstract provided.