Digital Commons Network^™

Codesigning Training For Health Providers To Improve Detection And Response To Elder Abuse, Bianca Brijnath, Marina G. Cavuoto, Peter Feldman, Briony Dow, Josefine Antoniades, Joan Ostaszkiewicz, Sigrid Nakrem, Catriona Stevens, Patricia Reyes, Gianna Renshaw, Micah D.J. Peters, Andrew Gilbert, Elizabeth Manias, Duncan Mortimer, Joanne Enticott, Claudia Cooper, Cheryl Durston, Brenda Appleton, Meghan O'Brien, Marion Eckert, Simona Markusevska

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background and Objectives: Screening for elder abuse can improve detection, but many health providers lack the necessary skills and confidence. To address this, training for health providers on elder abuse screening was codesigned as part of a trial aimed at improving elder abuse detection and response. Research Design and Methods: Between March and April 2023, 7 health providers and 10 older people and family carers participated in 2 national Australian online codesign workshops. Using the World Café method, discussions focused on what knowledge and skills health providers needed for screening; clinical and social issues affecting screening and referral; and support …

Addressing Informal Caregiver Burnout In The United States: Policies, Interventions, And Recommendations, Michael Blampye

Master's Projects and Capstones

Informal caregiver burnout has been and will continue to be a significant public health concern in the United States, necessitating a comprehensive analysis of initiatives and policies to reduce its negative impacts. This paper provides an overview of existing approaches to address caregiver burnout at the individual, community, and national level, identifying critical gaps in policies and programs. By highlighting successful approaches in other developed countries, this paper presents comprehensive program and policy recommendations to strengthen informal caregiver support systems in the United States. Prioritizing these proposals can guide policymakers in creating a more supportive environment that values the crucial …

Fit For Life: Improving Quality Of Life And Fall Prevention Through Group Fitness For Older Adults, Alison K. Plasman

Capstone Projects

The purpose of my doctoral capstone experience (DCE) was to create group fitness classes for older adults to address fall prevention and quality of life. While the primary focus of this DCE was program development, pre/post testing was administered to 11 participants who engaged in regular participation of the program over the course of 6 weeks. Overall, 100% of participants noticed improvements in both their fear of falling, and quality of life following the Fit for Life program. The exercise classes were multi-disciplinary and addressed balance, cardiovascular endurance, upper body strength, lower body strength and core training. Participants reported great …

Enhancing Independence Of Individuals Who Are Aging In Place Through Smart Home Technology, Grayden Hoekwater

Capstone Projects

This capstone project explores the use of Amazon Echo Shows and Alexa technology to enhance the independence of older adults and individuals with disabilities aging in place. The project was implemented at Disability Advocates of Kent County (DAKC), where occupational therapists were trained to conduct comprehensive home safety assessments while also assisting consumers with home modifications, equipment, resources, and funding options so they continue living independently in their own home. Pre- and post-surveys with 13 consumers at DAKC assessed the impact of the technology on daily functioning and independence. Results showed that 85% of participants reported increased independence in managing …

Systematic Analysis Of Time Use Among Older Consumers, Jack A. Lesser, Minjung Park

AMTP Proceedings 2025

The study of aging consumers is increasingly critical as global demographic shifts underscore their growing economic and societal significance. In the United States, those aged 65 and older constitute a substantial and influential segment of the population, contributing significantly to consumer spending. Despite their impact, the academic exploration of aging consumers is fragmented, with significant gaps in defining their characteristics and understanding their evolving behaviors. This research attempts to bridge these gaps through the analysis of data from the American Time Use Survey (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023), offering insights into the real-world activities and behaviors of different ages …

Cross-Selling Life Insurance: Strategies Based On Life Span Theory And Critical Life Events, Jack A. Lesser

AMTP Proceedings 2025

This article develops strategies for cross-selling life insurance to customers who already hold other insurance products. Cross-selling life insurance presents unique challenges due to its association with long-term financial security, mortality, and legacy. Unlike other types of insurance that meet immediate needs, the decision to purchase life insurance is often triggered by critical life events and influenced by life span changes. Drawing on life span theory, this article identifies significant life events, such as marriage, parenthood, and retirement, that increase receptivity to life insurance and proposes theory-based strategies to enhance customer interest. By examining life stages and their associated motivations, …

Ageing In Place: The Key To Receiving A Superaged Society, Paulin Tay Straughan, Yi Wen (Chen Yiwen) Tan, Qi Ting, Zidane Tiew, Zeyu Zheng, Rachel Wen Yi Ngu, Wei Tin Hiah

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Ageing in place is the ability to remain in one’s community, where living conditions foster a sense of attachment that enhances holistic well-being. To facilitate this, both the built and social environments within which the home is nested must be conducive to successful ageing. This paper deconstructs the merits of ageing in place, specifically how attachment to the lived environment contributes to holistic well-being. We analysed data from 6020 participants in the Singapore Life Panel® using path models, where we examined three dimensions of ageing in place: place identity, continuity, and social inclusion. Five path analyses show that two dimensions …

Changing Intimate Partner Violence Screening And Intervention: Focus Group Perspectives, Colleen M. Galambos, Teresa Jerofke-Owen, Heidi Paquette, Linda B. Piacentine, Erin C. Schubert, Mychoua Vang, Erica Arrington, Nilanjan Lodh, Kimberly S. Gecsi

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background: Many survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) remain unconnected to professional help. Screenings in health settings may improve connections to support services.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to gather data to help inform an IPV screening intervention in an obstetrics/gynecology health clinic.

Methods: A qualitative analysis was employed using a summative content analysis approach of the transcripts of 2 focus groups consisting of health care providers, advocates, and survivors of IPV.

Results: Four thematic categories and additional subcategories emerged from the analysis, including (1) current process (what is done); (2) need (what is not done); (3) concerns …

An Equitable End: Meeting The Needs Of Queer Families Within Deathcare, Nyssa Peck

University Honors Theses

This thesis seeks to explore end-of-life care experiences of queer families, focusing on interactions with palliative and hospice caregivers. Currently, end-of-life (EOL) practitioners in institutional and medical care settings are often poorly equipped to interact with queer families due to inadequate cultural training models, personal biases, and ignorance regarding the queer identities of their clients. This manifests in substantial inequities within deathcare systems regarding the accommodation of the unique needs of queer familial structures. Drawing upon multidisciplinary scholarship, I sought to examine these needs, which diverge from that of heterosexual families due to queer families’ absence of legal protections and …

Multi-Omic Analysis Of Biological Aging Biomarkers In Long-Term Calorie Restriction And Endurance Exercise Practitioners: A Cross-Sectional Study, Giovanni Fiorito, Valeria Tosti, Silvia Polidoro, Beatrice Bertozzi, Nicola Veronese, Edda Cava, Francesco Spelta, Laura Piccio, Dayna S Early, Daniel Raftery, Paolo Vineis, Luigi Fontana

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Calorie restriction (CR) and physical exercise (EX) are well-established interventions known to extend health span and lifespan in animal models. However, their impact on human biological aging remains unclear. With recent advances in omics technologies and biological age (BioAge) metrics, it is now possible to assess the impact of these lifestyle interventions without the need for long-term follow-up. This study compared BioAge biomarkers in 41 middle-aged and older adult long-term CR practitioners, 41 age- and sex-matched endurance athletes (EX), and 35 sedentary controls consuming Western diets (WD), through PhenoAge: a composite score derived from nine blood-biomarkers. Additionally, a subset of …

Similarities And Differences In The Gene Expression Signatures Of Physiological Age Versus Future Lifespan, Matthew C Mosley, Holly E Kinser, Olivier M F Martin, Nicholas Stroustrup, Tim Schedl, Kerry Kornfeld, Zachary Pincus

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Across all taxa of life, individuals within a species exhibit variable lifespans. Differences in genotype or environment are not sufficient to explain this variance, as even isogenic Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes reared under uniform conditions show significant variability in lifespan. To investigate this phenomenon, we used lifespan-predictive biomarkers to isolate, at mid-adulthood, prospectively long- and short-lived individuals from an otherwise identical population. We selected two biomarkers which correlated positively with lifespan, lin-4p::GFP and mir-243p::GFP, and two which correlated negatively, mir-240/786p::GFP and autofluorescence. The gene-expression signature of long versus short future lifespan was strikingly similar across all four biomarkers tested. Since these …

The Effect Of Psychological Variables Associated With Aging On The Psychological State Of Seniors In Jordan According To Gender And Exercise Habits, Walaa Aliswed, Saad Al-Dabas, Mohammad Al-Hindawi

Jordan Journal of Applied Science-Humanities Series

This research aims to identify the level of psychological variables associated with aging (depression, anxiety, and stress) and their impact on the mental health of older adults in Jordan, based on gender and physical activity variables. The researchers used a descriptive approach, and the sample consisted of 63 older adults, including 30 males and 33 females, aged 60 years and older. The research tool employed was the DASS-21 scale to measure depression, anxiety, and stress. The results showed that the level of psychological variables associated with aging among older adults in Jordan was moderate. Statistically significant differences were found in …

Vaccination As A Protective Factor Against Hospitalization For Sars-Cov-2 Infections: An Observational Study Using Surveillance Data, Chandrayani Simanjorang, Kristin Mutiara Tarigan, Diva Anita Churiana Sudrajat, Rana Zahra Raniyah Wangsawinangun, Asy Syifa Anwari Zahra

Jurnal Biostatistik, Kependudukan, dan Informatika Kesehatan

Death due to SARS-CoV-2 generally occurs in patients requiring hospital care (hospitalization). However, it is still unclear whether vaccination acts as a protective factor against hospitalization in SARS-CoV-2 patients in Indonesia. This study examines the association between vaccination and hospitalization among SARS-CoV-2 patients. It employs a quantitative, cross-sectional design using secondary data from SARS-CoV-2 surveillance records at the Jakarta Health Agency (January–August 2021). Findings show that patients who received the 1st vaccine dose had a 0.34 times lower risk of hospitalization compared to unvaccinated individuals (aPOR=0.34; 95% CI=0.31–0.38). Those who received the 2nd dose had an even lower risk (aPOR=0.16; …

Video Animation: Improving Older Adults Patients Knowledge And Motivation Related To Hypertension Diet, Gusti Ayu Kade Budiarti, Sri Susanty, Ruslan Madjid, Ramadhan Tosepu

Jurnal Keperawatan Indonesia

Hypertension is a dangerous medical condition that can increase the risk of heart, brain, and renal problems, among other issues. A balanced diet is an essential hypertension control intervention. This study seeks to examine the efficiency of employing animation media to explain the application of diets that prevent hypertension and boost the understanding and motivation of senior patients at Bahteramas Regional General Hospital. In both the control and intervention groups, a quantitative-quasi-experimental design was adopted, with pre-test and post-tests. Data was obtained via questionnaires from 92 respondents chosen using a purposive sampling approach, with 46 in the intervention group from …

Managing The Cost Of Services For People With Disabilities: International Approach. Part Ii: Ohio, United States, Dana Pugh, Jaroslaw Richard Romaniuk

Faculty Scholarship

Introduction: Four years of managing a housing network for people with disabilities prompted a rethinking of the financial management of the services offered. Clients with different needs require diverse professional staff for their home care. Emergency situations require that professionals offering assistance maintain the highest level of education possible. Financial resources often limit the quality of care for people with disabilities. Method: This paper is based on a literature search and on professional experience (Dana Pugh) in the management of a housing program for people with disabilities in Cleveland, Ohio (USA). Findings: In Poland, people with disabilities usually live with …

Social Determinants Of Covid-19 Morbidity In Indonesia: Observational District Level Analysis, Ade Heryana, Wiku Adisasmito, Dumilah Ayuningtyas

Media Kesehatan Masyarakat Indonesia

Since the COVID-19 pandemic globally struggled in late 2019, the global community has become aware that outbreaks of infectious diseases are associated with conditions beyond health factors, such as social, economic, demographic, geographic, and lifestyle. This paper aims to identify the influence of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) on COVID-19 morbidity rates in Indonesia. The study analyzed morbidity cases during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, namely the Delta variant wave. Multivariate analysis with linear regression was used to determine the predictors that affect COVID-19 morbidity in 128 districts/cities of the Java and Bali isles, which were controlled by …

Social Solidarity & Philanthropy In African Contexts, Dennis Kilama, Patricia Snell Herzog, David P. King

The Journal of Social Encounters

Within Western contexts, philanthropy has been conceptualized as formal and organizational, with less emphasis on its informal contours. This paper identifies social solidarity as crucial to understanding philanthropy in African contexts. The first section explores concepts of philanthropy, such as reciprocity and cooperation. Second, recognizing solidarity as a key aspect of philanthropy, we review how social solidarity has been theorized and studied. Third, we illustrate how philanthropy in Kenya and Uganda is embedded within specific contexts. Philanthropy can be found in horizontal (formal), vertical (informal), and hybrid forms. Alongside formal philanthropy, efforts to benefit others in Africa often emerge informally …

Working Paper: The Role Of Nafeer And Social Networks In Sudan’S Humanitarian Response And The Challenges For International Aid, Mazin Sharfi

The Journal of Social Encounters

This paper explores the integral role of Nafeer, a traditional Sudanese communal practice, and social networks in addressing humanitarian crises, focusing on the ongoing 2023 conflict. Nafeer, rooted in rural agricultural settings, has evolved to mobilise urban communities for emergency responses, while social networks extend social support beyond family ties, providing a complementary layer of resource-sharing. Both systems, decentralised and grassroots in nature, contrast sharply with formal international aid structures. The research highlights how Nafeer and social networks mobilise resources through traditional means, such as mobilising social capital and economic resources including remittances, and modern mechanisms, like crowdfunding. It underscores …

A Deep Dive Into The Orchard Of Health: Exploring The Anti-Cancer And Anti-Aging Potential Of Apple Polyphenols, Li-Ching Chen, Han-Sheng Chang, Yuan-Soon Ho

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Apples, a ubiquitous and beloved fruit, harbor a treasure trove of bioactive compounds, with apple polyphenols (APs) taking center stage. This review delves into the latest scientific advancements illuminating the anti-cancer and anti-aging properties of APs. We dissect the intricate mechanisms by which APs combat cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis, highlighting their prowess in inducing apoptosis, inhibiting angiogenesis, and modulating cell signaling pathways. Furthermore, we explore the multifaceted ways APs combat aging, including their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, DNA protective effects, and ability to modulate cellular processes like autophagy and metabolism. This comprehensive review underscores the therapeutic promise of …

2025 March 27 - Academic Council Agenda And Minutes, Academic Council, East Tennessee State University

Academic Council Agenda and Minutes

No abstract provided.

Lifespan Of Male And Female App/Ps1 And Appnl-F/Nl-F Mouse Models Of Alzheimer's Disease, Hannah Roberts, Yimin Fang, Kathleen Quinn, Tiarra Hill, Mackenzie R Peck, Andrzej Bartke, Kevin N Hascup, Erin R Hascup

Articles

Alzheimer's disease (AD) disproportionately affects women, yet most preclinical research studies are male-centric. We performed lifespan analyses of male and female AD mouse models (APP/PS1 and APP^NL-F/NL-F) and their shared genetic background control (C57BL/6). Survival curves support significant sex differences between genotypes. Minimal longevity revealed increased age in male APP/PS1, and decreased age in male APP^NL-F/NL-F mice. Maximal longevity revealed an increased average age in males. Furthermore, median lifespan differed between sex and genotype. This study supports dimorphic survival in two mouse models of AD, emphasizing the need to examine mechanisms and treatments in both sexes.

Health Literacy: Impact And Interventions, Elizabeth Simpson

Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science

The objectives of this paper are to examine the connection between health literacy level and patient outcome, identify contributing factors of low health literacy, and identify ways in which providers and health literacy programs can promote health literacy on an individual and community level. I conducted a literature search using PubMed and Google Scholar in order to lend evidence to these objectives.

The results demonstrated a clear correlation between low health literacy levels and poor patient outcomes. Low health literacy is also correlated with reduced medication adherence, improper use of medication, more emergency department visits, and unhealthy habits during pregnancy …

Session Ia: Biology Presentation 4 - Parkinson's Disease: Understanding Risk Factors, Causes, And Potential Treatments, Emma Hewitt

Life of the Scholar Multidisciplinary Conference

No abstract provided.

Staff Education On Evidence-Based Educational Content For Patient Fall Prevention Measures, Ogochukwu Vera Nnakwe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Patient falls continue to be a challenge due to the injury associated with them. They can be disabling, costly, and most often lead to increased morbidity and mortality. Falls at home lead to hospitalization of the patient and complication of other health issues and/or aggravation of preexisting health problems. The practice problem was that the clinic did not have patient education content in place for fall prevention measures to discuss with patient at discharge. The practice-focused question was, Will a staff education on evidence-based falls prevention measures result in an increase in staff knowledge on fall prevention? The purpose of …

Early-Stage Major Neurocognitive Disorder: A Case Study Of The Experiences Of Elder Men Who Attended A Peer-Led Support Group, Laurie Knight Kjoller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to understand how elder men ages 65 and older with a diagnosis of early-stage major neurocognitive disorder experienced their participation in a peer-led support group series held at a neurology clinic in Barnstable, Massachusetts. The theory guiding this study asserts elder individuals contending with a chronic and debilitating illness like major neurocognitive disorder need to experience a sense of belonging and psycho-emotional support to attain resilience and quality of life and is found in the works of Hassani, Izadi-Avanji, Rakhshan, & Majd (2017) as it relates to the experience of elder …

An Investigation Of The Acute Effects Of Dance On Heart Rate Variability In People With Parkinson’S, Mirza M F Subhan, Jaspreet Kaur, Sophia Hulbert, Ruth Way

School of Biomedical Sciences

Background: There is limited research investigating heart rate variability (HRV) in Parkinson’s during dance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dance on HRV in people with Parkinson’s (PwP). Methods: Ten PwP were recruited from a Parkinson’s dance class and completed six sessions; the first half was danced sitting down, while the latter half was standing up. Breathing rate, skin temperature and HRV data were collected and analysed by repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: Analysing all six sections together showed skin temperature (p < 0.001), heart rate (HR; p = 0.029), short-term HRV (SD1; p = 0.025), normalised standard deviation of all the R-R intervals (nSDRR; p = 0.028), and breathing rate (BR; p = 0.001) were significantly different. Conclusions: Significant changes in HR, SD1, nSDRR, BR and skin temperature of PwP occurred during all sections, showing dance improved autonomic function. Further work examining the long-term effects of HRV in a community setting is needed to understand the potential benefits of dance for PwP.

Older Women In The U.S. Were Lonelier Than Men During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Qiyu Deng

Population Health Research Brief Series

Loneliness damages health and quality of life. The COVID-19 pandemic increased social isolation and loneliness among some groups in the U.S. This data slice uses data from the 2020 Health and Retirement Study to examine gender and age differences in loneliness among older adults (50+) in the U.S. during the first year of the pandemic. The author finds that loneliness was more prevalent among women than among men, with the highest rate among women ages 80 and older.

Predictors And Drivers Of End-Of-Life Medicare Spending Among Older Adults With Solid Tumors: A Population-Based Study, Courtney E Baird, Elizabeth Wulff-Burchfield, Pamela C Egan, Lee A Hugar, Ami Vyas, Nikolaos A Trikalinos, Michael A Liu, Adam J Olszewski, Leonidas E Bantis, Orestis A Panagiotou, Emmanuelle Bélanger

2020-Current year OA Pubs

High-intensity end-of-life (EoL) care for patients with cancer often includes multiple transitions to the hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) and is associated with adverse outcomes, such as declines in patient functional abilities [...].

Barriers To Exercise For Individuals With Developmental Disabilities, Mark Fleming

Doctorate in Kinesiology

Individuals with developmental disability have been known to be less physically active and more prone to obesity than the rest of the population. One way to understand this is to examine the barriers that these individuals perceive to prevent them from getting the proper amount of exercise. An online survey was conducted to determine whether previously known barriers significantly affected these individuals' perceptions. The survey consisted of 513 individuals who identified as having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, or being a parent/caregiver. The barriers they were asked about were time, cost, transportation, energy, and interest. It …

Bone Turnover Markers Response To Aerobic Versus Resistance Exercise Among Postmenopausal Saudi Women, Shehab Mahmoud Abd El-Kader, Shehab Mahmoud Abd E-Kader, Subhi Mustafa Neveen Refaey, Amany Gomaa Atiaa, Qawagzah

Journal of Medical Rehabilitation Science

Background: Menopause is characterized with low bone turnover biomarkers (BTMs) with faster reduction of bone mass and high fracture risk. Osteoporosis is considered as a major health related problem among Asian postmenopausal women. Physical exercise is an accepted modality in both primary and secondary prevention fracture related to osteoporosis. However, our understanding regarding the best exercise training program to prevent osteoporosis among postmenopausal women is incomplete.  Objective: The present study was designed to examine aerobic versus resisted exercise training effects upon postmenopausal Saudi women markers of bone turnover. Material and Methods: One hundred Saudi postmenopausal women, their age ranged from …