Digital Commons Network^™

Impact Of Socialization In Elderly Public-Housing Residents, Taylor M. Wilkerson, Schanea Ward, Amy Popovich, Pamela Parsons, Faika Zanjani

Graduate Research Posters

Older adults who experience social isolation have higher rates of mortality relative to their counterparts. Social interactions are an important way to combat this isolation. This research aims to better understand how social isolation in older adults living in low-income households in Richmond, Virginia (RVA) is related to their economic, physical, and psychological health status. As part of the iCubed Health and Wellness Aging Core and in collaboration with the Richmond Memorial: East End Housing Coalition for Older Adults, older adults from a selected public housing unit (n=28) self-reported their financial status, experiences with physical and psycho-social health, and feelings …

Assessing The Degree Of Access To Urban Public Parks For Older Adults In The Villages Metropolitan Area Of Florida, 2017, Yingsong Wang

Theses and Dissertations

With the rapid urbanization, the urban residents' demand for urban public parks is increasing. As a unique and representative age group, older adults put forward new requirements for the evaluation and rational planning of urban parks. Park accessibility is an important index reflecting the rationality of park layout, the accessibility of residents to the park and the social equity of park services. In this paper, buffer analysis and network analysis based on the ArcGIS platform were selected to analyze service accessibility and green transportation accessibility of The Villages metropolitan area of Florida respectively and then make a summary analysis. In …

National And Local Antibiotic Prescribing Trends And Prescribing Appropriateness In Older Adults, Fawaz M. Alotaibi

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Antibiotic overuse/misuse has been documented in several reports to increase the risk of Clostridioides difficile (C.diff) infection and antibiotic resistance. The older adult population is more prone to use antibiotic medications than any other age group due to decreased immune function, use of urinary catheters, ventilation during hospitalization and other factors. Antibiotic resistance and C.diff are major public health problems. However, studies examining the trends of antibiotic use and the association between the antibiotic use and negative health outcomes among older adults in the outpatient and emergency department settings are limited.

Objectives: The main objectives of this …

The Efficacy Of A Group Visual Art Bereavement Intervention With Older Adults, Rachel E. Weiskittle

Theses and Dissertations

Research on expressive art interventions for bereavement has burgeoned in recent years. Studies have supported their effectiveness in facilitating participants’ adjustment to loss (e.g., Rosner, Kruse, & Hagl, 2010; Uttley, 2015) and have revealed the frequency with which they are clinically implemented (Thompson & Neimeyer, 2014). Clinicians and recipients of expressive art interventions advocate for their helpfulness in grief processing (e.g., Gamino, 2015). Publications have highlighted particular visual art modules that facilitate adaptive adjustment to loss by providing avenues for self-expression, meaning making and continuing bonds with the deceased (Neimeyer, 2016), but few studies have quantitatively investigated whether they improve …

The Effect Of Change In Medi-Cal Dental Coverage On Dental Care Utilization Among Medi-Cal Beneficiaries, Min H. Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

One of the most important factors in accessing dental care is having dental insurance. For people with low incomes, Medicaid is the main source of health insurance. Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program. Adult dental services were mostly eliminated in Medi-Cal in 2009 due to the economic downturn and partially restored in 2014. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of change in Medi-Cal dental coverage, specifically the partial restoration of adult dental coverage in 2014, on dental care utilization among Medi-Cal beneficiaries. The partial restoration significantly increased the utilization rates in dental clinics from 2014 to 2017 …

Older Artists And Acknowledging Ageism, Liz Langdon

International Journal of Lifelong Learning in Art Education

Intergenerational (IG) learning has the potential to reinforce ageist ideas, through the culturally produced binary of old and young which often describes IG learning. This research with older artists revealed implicit age bias associated with a modernist tradition in art education which minimized the value of art production viewed as feminine. Language associated with ageism shares the descriptors of the feminine and seep into our perceptions. Cooperative action research with multi-age participants facilitated personal growth and through critical reflection, implicit ageism revealed in the researcher’s prior perspective is revealed.

Leaf-Ing A Legacy, Susan R. Whiteland

International Journal of Lifelong Learning in Art Education

Leaf-ing a Legacy is the story of a university art education class that joined with an elementary classroom and residents in a long term health/rehabilitative center through a service-learning project that utilized digital technology and art making in a problem-based learning format to explore the concept of legacy. Evidence was found that the experience promoted socio-emotional learning and fostered the building of socio-emotional capital for the participants involved.

Editorial, Pamela H. Lawton

International Journal of Lifelong Learning in Art Education

No abstract provided.

International Journal Of Lifelong Learning In Art Education 2018 Full Issue, Pamela H. Lawton

International Journal of Lifelong Learning in Art Education

No abstract provided.

Intro To Community-Engaged Research And Service Learning Presentation, Tracey Gendron, Jennifer Early, Katie Elliott

Community Engagement Institute

The purpose of this workshop is provide participants with an introduction of community-engaged research (CEnR) and service learning (SL) at VCU. Academics will be encouraged to think of the 3 traditional aspects of academic work (research, teaching, and service) as doors that they can open to collaborate with community partners in an integrated portfolio of scholarship. Community partners will be encouraged to consider how community initiatives align with academic aspects of research, teaching, and service.

Virginia Commonwealth University Fall Commencement Program [2018], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Pharmacy Staff Perspectives On Alcohol And Medication Interaction Prevention Among Older Rural Adults, Faika Zanjani, Hannah Allen, Rachel Vickers Smith, Demetra Antimisiaris, Nancy Schoenberg, Catherine Martin, Richard Clayton

Gerontology Publications

Older adults are at high risk for alcohol and medication interactions (AMI). Pharmacies have the potential to act as ideal locations for AMI education, as pharmacy staff play an important role in the community. This study examined the perspectives of pharmacy staff on AMI prevention programming messaging, potential barriers to and facilitators of older adult participation in such programming, and dissemination methods for AMI prevention information. Flyers, telephone calls, and site visits were used to recruit 31 pharmacy staff members who participated in semistructured interviews. A content analysis of interview transcriptions was conducted to identify major themes, categories, and subcategories. …

Fighting Frailty With The Mediterranean Diet, Edward F. Ansello

Director's Editorials from Age in Action

It’s appropriate for each of us to examine our eating habits, not just our nutrition intake. The various aspects of the Mediterranean Diet hold potential benefits beyond the important feature of helping to reduce frailty.

Our Anniversary, Edward F. Ansello

Director's Editorials from Age in Action

The Virginia Center on Aging celebrates 40 years.

Gerontology Theory Communicated In The Primary Grades Through Picture Books, Edward F. Ansello

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. To recognize children’s first literature as a means of socialization to aging and older people.

2. To identify children’s books that reflect basic principles of gerontology theory.

3. To help primary school teachers, grandparents, and others interested in human development use books and activities to capture children’s attention.

4. To identify a unit of six brief, overlapping modules, each with objectives, activities, and recommended readings.

Into The Elder Law Trenches At Wake Forest University School Of Law, Kate Mewhinney

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives:

1. Examine the benefits of a medical-legal partnership for training law students how to represent older clients.

2. Review common legal issues in the field of elder law.

3. Explore broader policy concerns facing an aging population.

Virginia Commonwealth University Courses [2018], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Listing of courses for the 2018-2019 year.

Virginia Commonwealth University Commencement Program [2018], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Mediational Model Of Multiple Sclerosis Impairments, Family Needs, And Caregiver Mental Health In Guadalajara, Mexico, Melody N. Mickens, Paul B. Perrin, Adriana Aguayo, Brenda Rabago, Miguel A. Macías-Islas, Juan Carlos Arango-Lasprilla

Psychology Publications

Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), especially those living in Latin America, often require assistance from family caregivers throughout the duration of the disease. Previous research suggests that family caregivers may experience positive and negative outcomes from providing care to individuals with MS, but few studies have examined the unmet needs of individuals providing care to family members with MS and how these unmet needs may mediate the relationship between MS symptoms and caregiver mental health. The current study examined the relationships among MS impairments (functional, neurological, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional), unmet family needs (household, informational, financial, social support, and health), …

Virginia Commonwealth University Graduate Bulletin [2018], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Graduate bulletin for Virginia Commonwealth University for the academic year 2018-2019. It includes information on academic regulations, degree requirements, course offerings, faculty, academic calendar, and tuition and expenses for graduate programs.

Training Neurodegenerative Disease Support Group Leaders: A New Support Group Functioning Scale, Therese V. Cash, Christopher Kilbourn, Sarah K. Lageman

Neurology Publications

Support group leaders play pivotal roles in maintaining healthy community support groups; however, these leaders also have personal support needs and typically lack formal training in managing complex behaviors of neurodegenerative disorders. A support group well-being questionnaire, assessing support group functioning, was developed and piloted among participants of an educational training program designed for support group leaders of various neurodegenerative disorder-specific support groups. An exploratory factor analysis evaluated the questionnaire’s psychometric properties and identified a reliable single factor five-item solution, which was titled the Support Group Functioning Scale (SGFS). Preliminary interpretation guidelines were proposed. Development of this scale is a …

The Year In The Rear-View Mirror, Edward F. Ansello

Director's Editorials from Age in Action

The year 2018 is the Virginia Center on Aging's 40th anniversary. Our programs and activities have evolved over time but we have remained true to the charges given us in the Code of Virginia, essentially to conduct interdisciplinary studies, including training practitioners and offering educational opportunities for older adults, conducting research on and advancing knowledge about dementia, and serving as an information resource to those committed to the well-being of older adults. Our current operations feature four program areas: abuse in later life (domestic violence and elder abuse); dementia research; geriatrics and gerontology education; and lifelong learning.

The Use Of Rhyme, Rhythm, And Melody As A Form Of Repetition Priming To Aid In Encoding, Storage, And Retrieval Of Semantic Memories In Alzheimer’S Patients, Faiz Plastikwala

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Millions are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease annually which can have debilitating effects on patient memory. Thus, finding new ways to help facilitate memory in these patients, especially through non-pharmaceutical means, has become increasingly important. I examined the use of melody, rhyme, and rhythm as encoding mechanisms to aid in the retrieval of long term semantic information by juxtaposing scholarly articles detailing experiments, each of which examined the effects of various facets of memory facilitation; this helped produce an idea of which devices are most effective. Additionally, I surveyed studies highlighting limitations of song implementation to craft an effective plan to …

Ageism Among Healthcare Professionals: The Influence Of Personal Aging Anxiety, Job Role, And Work Setting On Attitudes Toward Older Patients, Jennifer L. K. Inker

Theses and Dissertations

Older adults make up a significant and increasing proportion of the U.S. population and are frequent users of healthcare services. Ageism in healthcare, driven by an incomplete and narrowly biomedical perspective on aging, has been linked to various problematic outcomes for older patients, including under- and over-treatment. The purpose of this study was to use the theory of relational ageism to explore the relationship between personal aging anxiety among healthcare professionals and their attitudes to older patients, considering the potentially moderating factors of job role and work setting. Using convenience sampling, clinical healthcare professionals working for a mid-sized, regional healthcare …

Novel Insights Into The Contribution Of Cellular Senescence To Cancer Therapy: Reversibility, Dormancy And Senolysis., Tareq Saleh

Theses and Dissertations

Cellular senescence a specialized form of growth arrest that contributes to the pathogenesis of several aging-related disorders including cancer. While by definition tumor cells are considered immortalized, they can undergo senescence when exposed to conventional and targeted cancer therapy. Therapy-Induced Senescence (TIS) represents a fundamental response to therapy and impacts its outcomes. However, TIS has been considered a positive therapeutic goal since senescent tumor cells are expected to enter a state of permanent growth abrogation. In this work we examined the hypothesis that a subpopulation of senescent cells can re-acquire proliferative potential after a state of senescent dormancy, indicating that …

Community Engagement For Health And Wellness In Aging Populations: Institute For Inclusion, Inquiry, And Innovation (Icubed), Naziirah Vines

UROP Posters

The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Institute for Inclusion, Inquiry and Innovation (iCubed) is a cutting-edge institute focused on creating collaborative connections between the university and Richmond through innovative academic and research programs. iCubed consists of six transdisciplinary cores which unite faculty members and students to work with key community members to develop holistic solutions to 21st century urban challenges. One of these cores, the Health and Wellness in Aging Populations (HWAP) core, was designed to educate and assist low-income older adults in becoming self-sufficient in navigating healthcare services. The HWAP core is centered within the Richmond Health and Wellness Program, …

Meeting Aging-Related Needs In 2016, Edward F. Ansello

Director's Editorials from Age in Action

Our Virginia Center on Aging has four program focuses. These programs are: dementia, elder abuse and domestic violence in later life, geriatrics education, and lifelong learning. Each achieved substantially in calendar 2016.

Laughter And Well Being As We Age, Edward F. Ansello

Director's Editorials from Age in Action

Laughing at mistakes is demonstrably healthy. As we get older, we have accumulated a lifetime of mistakes. Humor and laughter, laughing at ourselves or our circumstances, can be therapeutic.

Safe Driving For The Mature Adult: Selected Issues, Rebecca Parsio

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. Examine issues related to aging and driving assessment.

2. Review Virginia’s Mature Drivers Study.

3. Discuss the levels of care for prevention of driving disability and resources available at each level.

4. Explore the impact of medications and substances (both prescribed and not prescribed) on driving ability.

Aging Effects On Airflow Dynamics And Lung Function In Human Bronchioles, Jongwon Kim, Rebecca L. Heise, Angela M. Reynolds, Ramana M. Pidaparti

Biomedical Engineering Publications

Background and objective

The mortality rate for patients requiring mechanical ventilation is about 35% and this rate increases to about 53% for the elderly. In general, with increasing age, the dynamic lung function and respiratory mechanics are compromised, and several experiments are being conducted to estimate these changes and understand the underlying mechanisms to better treat elderly patients.

Materials and methods

Human tracheobronchial (G1 ~ G9), bronchioles (G10 ~ G22) and alveolar sacs (G23) geometric models were developed based on reported anatomical dimensions for a 50 and an 80-year-old subject. The aged model was developed by altering the geometry and …