Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Older Adults With Osteoarthritis: A Qualitative Study Of Healthcare And Caregiving Practices In Kishoreganj, Bangladesh, Samiur Rahman Anadi, Arnika Jannat Mou

Asia-Pacific Social Science Review

Many older adults are affected by osteoarthritis (OA), a common condition that causes pain, stiffness, and a loss of mobility. Given the increasing number of older adults in Bangladesh, it is critical to comprehend the unique requirements and challenges faced by older adults with OA, especially in underdeveloped areas with limited access to healthcare. Informal caregivers, typically family members, play a critical role in providing care for older adults with OA. However, they frequently lack support, training, and resources. There is a substantial knowledge gap regarding the complete scope of the needs and difficulties faced by older adults and their …

Family Support As A Correlate Of Self-Care In Older Adults With Diabetes In The Us, Solomon Tagbor, Diane E. Berish

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Family support and the maintenance of functional ability are crucial for managing diabetes among older adults (OA). In the United States, diabetes affects 29.2% of OA, and its management is complicated by frailty, polypharmacy, and hospitalizations (Bellary et al., 2021). Supporting individuals’ self-care ability and activities of daily living (ADL) independence can help to support diabetes management. Family support may influence the self-care ability needed for independent diabetes management, but it is less studied. The social-ecological model guided this study (Tudge et al., 2022).

Purpose: To examine the association between family support and self-care ability among OA with diabetes …

Association Between Caregiver Status And Physical And Mental Health Among National Senior Games Athletes, Chibuzo Uchechukwu Victor Obasi

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

As the population ages, more people rely on informal caregivers, which puts many older adults at risk for health problems. Caregiving can be meaningful and strengthen family bonds, but it often leads to more psychological stress, especially for older adults who also have their own health concerns. Research shows that regular physical activity can help older adults build resilience and improve their mental well-being. Still, we know little about the health of older caregivers who stay very active. This study examines the health effects of caregiving among members of the National Senior Games Association (NSGA), a group of highly active …

The Effectiveness Of Behavioral Skills Training In Improving Digital Fraud Identification Among Older Adults In Low-Income Housing, Catharine Mohar

Masters Essays

Older adults, particularly those residing in low income housing facilities, are increasingly targeted by digital scams via text and email. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Behavioral Skills Training (BST) in improving fraud identification skills among this vulnerable population. BST is a structured method involving instructions, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback. A checklist was utilized in individual BST sessions with five participants aged 60 or over living in a low-income senior residential facility in the Midwest of The United States. The intervention aimed to increase participants’ ability to accurately discriminate between legitimate and fraudulent digital communications. A single case design was …

Optimizing Behavioral Health Services For Older Adults Through Structured, Evidence-Based Group Therapy, Elizabeth A. Adwa

West Chester University Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Final Projects

Anxiety and depression are common among older adults and are often exacerbated by social isolation, grief, chronic health conditions, and limited access to mental health services (Blazer, 2020; Ong et al., 2016). To address these challenges, this project implemented a structured six‑week group therapy program designed to improve mental health outcomes and strengthen social connectedness among low‑income older adults. The program was delivered within a retirement community managed by a local faith‑based social service organization. Using a manualized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) group format, guided discussions, therapeutic activities, and peer support, the intervention aimed to reduce symptoms of anxiety and …

“Ready, Set, Prepared!” Promoting Household Emergency Preparedness Of Older Adults, Lavonne M. Adams, Charleen Mcneill, William Ellery Samuels, Tara Heagele

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Abstract Text: Introduction Older adults are at-risk for injury, illness, or death following a disaster or public health emergency, especially if they have chronic health conditions or other functional needs. Understanding their unique perspectives may inform education efforts to improve their household emergency preparedness (HEP) and safety.

Purpose This study investigated self-reported levels of HEP among community-dwelling older adults, exploring feasibility and effectiveness of offering group education virtually and in-person. It built on previous studies of the Nurses Taking on Readiness Measures intervention that examined short-term effectiveness of one-on-one HEP education.

Methods The design was a non-randomized before-after feasibility study …

Reflection And Appreciation: A Journey To Improving Care For Older Adults After Critical Illness, Cheryl Chia-Hui Chen

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

With 25 years of research, my work has focused on improving outcomes for critically ill older adults by addressing delirium, frailty, malnutrition, and functional decline. I’ve advocated for care bundles to prevent complications and support recovery. In this International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame session, I’ll share my journey to advancing care for older adults after critical illness. This award is humbling and reflects the collective efforts of my colleagues, mentors, and students.

Building A Program Of Research To Improve Communication And Care For Older Adults, Kristine N. Williams

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Upon Induction to the Sigma International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame, Dr. Williams presented the development of her program of research focused on improving communication and care for older adults.

Loneliness, Technology, And Culture: Insights From Older Chinese Immigrants’ Experiences, Shao-Yun Chien, Oleg Zaslavsky, Basia Belza, Annie T. Chen

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Loneliness and social isolation significantly impact the well-being of older adults, particularly immigrants from minority groups. Chinese immigrants are the third-largest immigrant group in the United States and may encounter unique challenges related to loneliness and social isolation due to life transitions. The prevalence of loneliness among older Chinese immigrants is 26%, significantly higher than in the broader aging population. Despite information and communication technology (ICT) interventions developed to address these issues, their effectiveness remains unclear, possibly due to neglecting the subjective nature of loneliness and the diverse backgrounds of participants, including racial and cultural differences.

Research Purpose: This …

Implementing Nurse-Led Late Life Depression Screening In An Acute Care Setting, Kate A. Barba, Shannon Mahoney

General Submissions: Clinical Settings Materials

Aims of the study were: (a) examine the effectiveness of a geriatric-specific depression screening and referral protocol in identifying depression in hospitalized older adults; (b) assess outcomes when a patient screens positive for depression and is referred to a social worker; and (c) evaluate nurses’ perceptions of the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the GDS-5 in an acute care setting.

Aging Is Not All Doom And Gloom: How Do Beliefs About Aging Moderate The Effects Of Mortality Salience On Ageism Attitudes?, Kristen Schwindt Edmondson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of the study is to examine how young adults’ beliefs about aging moderate the effects of mortality salience on their ageism attitudes. Past research suggests that ageism is, in part, due to the presence of elderly people reminding people of their own aging process and mortality (Martens et al., 2004). Little is known, however, about how individuals’ beliefs about aging may moderate the impact of mortality salience on their attitudes toward aging. Some people tend to perceive aging-related changes as relatively fixed (i.e., essentialist belief), whereas others perceive them as relatively malleable (nonessentialist belief). Would a more malleable …

Race/Ethnicity, Living Arrangements, And Access To Healthcare Among Older Adults With Alzheimer’S Disease In The United States: Multiple Systematic Reviews In Relation To Health Outcomes, Chela Reiss, Grace Vethacke

DePaul Discoveries

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative condition primarily affecting older adults. It is a growing public health crisis that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. The number of adults aged 65 and older is projected to reach 98.2 million by 2060, leading to a continued rise in the prevalence of AD. Understanding the socioeconomic factors that influence health outcomes in patients with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) is essential in addressing the disparities within patient care and quality of life. This systematic review examined three socioeconomic factors - race/ethnicity, living arrangements, and access to healthcare - and their related health …

Is Ride-Hailing A Potential Solution For Older Adults After Driving Cessation? The Role Of Objective And Perceived Accessibility, Minju Kim Song

Dissertations and Theses

Due to age-related physical and cognitive changes, older drivers have a greater risk of crashes and are restricted by age-dependent regulation. Nonetheless, many older adults in the United States maintain a car-dependent lifestyle and still prefer driving. When driving cessation or reduction becomes necessary, a primary concern is finding suitable alternative transportation modes. However, the availability of alternative transportation modes does not guarantee their actual use of these options.

As a relatively new transportation mode, ride-hailing services, such as Uber and Lyft, offer on-demand, door-to-door transportation and may be a feasible transportation solution for older adults who stop driving. While …

Unveiling The Dynamics Of Intersectional Aging: A Qualitative Exploration Of Aging And Social Participation Among Transgender Older Adults, Tiff Cunin

Doctor of Philosophy in Translational Health Sciences Dissertations

For more than thirty years, extensive research has focused on understanding and supporting healthy aging among older adults in the United States. This research has emphasized the importance of community engagement, access to resources, and interpersonal relationships among the broader older adult population, However, it has largely overlooked how transgender older adults experience aging and how those experiences shape their social participation. Additionally, understanding how intersecting marginalized identities—such as race and transgender identity—affect social participation is essential.

This study employed a qualitative multiple case study design to explore the experiences transgender older adults have while aging and how those experiences …

Assessing Psychologists’ Clinical Knowledge Of Geriatric Depression: A Validation Study Of The Later Life Depression Knowledge Questionnaire, Abigail J. Laine

Dissertations

Because the US population is rapidly aging, generalist clinicians will increasingly be called upon to provide mental health services to older adults. Unfortunately, most generalist clinicians do not possess the specialized knowledge to provide clinical services to this population and will require training. Professional training efforts are currently hindered by the lack of psychometrically supported scales of clinical disorders specific to aging. Without such scales, it is difficult to evaluate the impact of continuing education programs. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the psychometric properties and scale dimensionality of the Later Life Depression Knowledge Questionnaire (LLD-KQ), a …

Multimorbidity And Functional Outcomes In Older Stroke Patients: A Retrospective Study Across All Ages, Turkadevi Arumugam, Wahida Wahid

Research Publications (2021 to 2025)

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and distribution of multimorbidity among stroke patients and its impact on functional outcomes across different age groups. Design/methodology/approach- The study design was hospital-based, retrospective cross-sectional design, analyzing medical records from 2022 to 2023 to identify patients with a first-ever diagnosis of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke admitted to the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) Department of Rehabilitation Medicine. This retrospective study did not involve active participant recruitment. The research team accessed and selected existing patient data based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patient data was anonymized and handled according to …

What Went Wrong? Identifying The Historical Roots Of Racial Disparities Among Older Adults In Nursing Facilities, Gelila Selassie

Saint Louis University Journal of Health Law & Policy

In early 2020, as the nation was just becoming familiar with COVID-19, over a million nursing facility residents were already experiencing crisis-level disasters. Extreme lockdowns, increased hospitalizations, and high mortality rates plagued nursing facilities earlier and far worse than the rest of the population. Data gradually showed that facilities with higher numbers of residents of color were facing particularly dire outcomes.

Although the severity of COVID-19 was surprising, the pandemic highlighted existing and long-standing problems with the country’s long-term care facilities. Many of the problems that led to the horrible disparities during COVID-19 are rooted in a wholly insufficient long-term …

Perceived Obligations Of Older Partners In Living-Apart-Together Relationships, Allison M. Martin, Timothy S. Killian

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Older and middle-aged adults are increasingly in Living-Apart-Together (LAT) relationships characterized by committed romantic relationships without marriage and cohabitation. Because of assumptions that older adults will receive family caregiving as they grow older and need caregiving, it is not clear how people are likely to perceive obligations to provide caregiving assistance. As adults move into old age and incidence rates of Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Dementia (ADRD) increase, questions about the availability of family members to provide needed assistance are complicated by LAT relationships. The purpose of this study was to examine perceived obligations to provide assistance to older adults …

Aging Well In The Heart Of America: Optimizing Housing Options For Older Adults In Kansas City, Missouri Through Policy Reform, Lana Mckinney

Gerontology Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

This dissertation investigates the growing housing availability and affordability challenges facing older adults in Kansas City, Missouri. Using the capability approach and the rational comprehensive model as theoretical frameworks, the study analyzes the current state of housing and proposes improvements to address availability and affordability concerns for older adults. A qualitative research design was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with 15 participants, including public officials, experts, and community members. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview transcripts, identifying recurring patterns and themes related to the participants' perspectives on housing concepts, policies, and recommendations for improvement. The analysis revealed four key …

Indicators Of Burden In Conversations Between Family Caregivers, Jia Ning Liu, Jacqueline Eaton

Leadership Connection

This presentation reports outcomes from a secondary analysis to examine the ways in which quantitative indicators of well-being are represented in open-ended conversations between informal family caregivers.

End Of Life In African American Older Adults: An Integrative Literature Review, Karen O. Moss, Karen M. Rose

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Friday, September 26, 2014:

End-of-life care in the United States is described as deficient and fragmented. Minority populations engage in end-of-life planning less frequently than Caucasians. African Americans represent the second largest minority group in the United States with its older adult population projected to increase by 114% by 2030. The Patient-Self Determination Act of 1990 requires Medicare and Medicaid funded healthcare organizations to empower patients to refuse or accept medical care and execute advance directives. The Study to Understand Prognoses and Preferences for Outcomes and Risks of Treatments (SUPPORT) confirmed substantial shortcomings of healthcare for seriously …

Recognizing And Engaging Mental Health Learnings Towards Aapi Older Adults: An Evaluation Of The City Of Fremont’S Mobile Integrated Assessment Team For Seniors Program, Kimberley Tsang

Master's Projects and Capstones

As the population of older adults ages 65 years and older continues to increase in the United States, health concerns within this population continue to grow, especially since mental health remains a concern as older adults experience feelings of emotional distress, anxiety, loneliness, and depression. Those who identify as Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) are severely impacted, primarily due to the COVID-19 impacts and Asian Hate Campaigns. AAPI Older Adults have endured various hardships, including assimilating into Western cultures and cultural dissonance. Unfortunately, views on seeking mental health services to overcome negative emotions are looked down upon for Asian American …

Disability Among Older Adults With Hypertension In Southeast Asia: A Scoping Review, Utoomporn Wongsin, Arnat Wannasri, Dichapong Pongpattrachai, Tuo-Yu Chen

Journal of Demography

Background: The prevalence of chronic disease and disability is expected to increase when age increases. This study aims to investigate the published articles related to disability among older adults living with hypertension in Southeast Asia.

Study Design: A scoping review

Data source: Web of science, Pubmed, CINAHL ,Cochrane and a google search, from 2000 to 2023.

Results: There were six observational studies from Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand met our inclusion criteria. The studies mainly focus on investigating the prevalence, risk factors and sex difference in risk factors associated with disabilities among the older adults.

Conclusion: Our scoping review has …

Caring Behaviors Of Nursing Students And Their Attitudes Toward Older Adults, Jacquelyn D. Lambert-Davis

Dissertations

Caring is an emotion. It is a feeling of compassion and an understanding of the difficulties of others. Research indicates that caring behaviors and attitudes are an important part of the knowledge base for nursing students. Caring behaviors and attitudes are an important part of the knowledge base for nursing students in order to provide competent care for older adults. This descriptive cross-sectional study reports findings of caring attitudes and behaviors of nursing students using the Caring Dimensions Inventory (CDI). The purpose of this study was to examine the self reported attitudes and caring behaviors of nursing students toward older …

Changes In Young Adults’ Perspective On Ageism After Participating In A Virtual Nutrition Education Program With Older Adults, Julianne Hensley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The growing older adult population has led to increased ageist tendencies among younger generations. Previous research suggests that ageism is associated with cognitive and physical decline among older adults. This mixed-methods research project examined changes in ageist perceptions among graduate student facilitators and undergraduate nutrition ambassadors after participating in a training that included information about healthy aging, addressing ageism, and communicating with older adults. Results from a secondary data analysis of pre-test/post-test data and thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with facilitators of Socially Nutritious, a virtual nutrition education program for older adults, indicate that ageist perceptions decreased after the …

How Does Educational Attainment Influence The Perceived Need For Future Assistance With Activities Of Daily Living?, Julia M. Finan

Population Health Research Brief Series

Adults often underestimate whether they will need assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) as they age. This brief summarizes the results of a recent study that used data from the 2011-2014 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to examine educational differences in perceived need for future ADL assistance among 54,946 adults aged 40 to 65 years in the United States. Even though adults with less education are more likely to require long-term ADL care services and supports, results show that they are less likely than their more highly educated peers to perceive the need for future ADL assistance.

Older Adults Are At Greater Risk Of Opioid Use Disorder In Communities With High Social Vulnerability, Tse-Chuan Yang, Seulki Kim, Stephen A. Matthews, Carla Shoff

Population Health Research Brief Series

The prevalence of opioid use disorder (OUD) among older adults has increased and imposes a heavy burden on the health care system in the United States. This brief summarizes findings from a study that used data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to examine how county characteristics contributed to the prevalence of OUD among Medicare beneficiaries age 65+ in U.S. counties in 2021. They found that the prevalence of OUD among these adults is higher in counties with more place-level social vulnerability (e.g., socioeconomic disadvantage, high housing cost burden).

Cognitive Functioning Is Higher Among Older Adults In Walkable Neighborhoods That Have Low Economic Disadvantage, Tse-Chuan Yang, Seulki Kim, Seung-Won Emily Choi, Shannon Halloway, Uchechi A. Mitchell, Benjamin A. Shaw

Population Health Research Brief Series

Living in neighborhoods with poor built and social environments, such as low walkability and high concentrations of low-income populations, is associated with low levels of cognitive functioning among older adults. This brief summarizes findings from a study that aims to understand how U.S. older adults’ (age 65+) exposures to residential neighborhood environments – specifically walkability and concentrated socioeconomic disadvantage – are associated with their cognitive functioning between 2010 and 2018. The authors also examined how these associations vary by older adults’ education level and household income level.

Cognitive Functioning Among U.S. Older Adults Differs By Gender And Urbanicity, Elizabeth Lawrence, Samantha John, Tirth Bhatta

Population Health Research Brief Series

There are no widely accessible and effective medical therapies to prevent or treat Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias for the U.S. older adult population, making prevention of cognitive decline particularly important. Many social factors shape cognitive functioning, leading to disparities in cognitive functioning across groups and geographic areas. This data slice uses data from the Health Retirement Study to describe how cognitive functioning among adults ages 50+ differed by gender and across urban, suburban, and ex-urban areas in the U.S. from 1999-2016. The results show that cognitive functioning was higher among women than men, but these gender differences varied by …

Exploration Of Associations Between Asthma And Depression In Older American Adults: A Pooled Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Medicare Recipients, Brian Ring

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Background

While unclear in older populations within the US, individuals with asthma are disproportionally affected by depression relative to those without asthma. This work explores the associations between asthma, depression, sociodemographic, and disease-related factors in a US population ≥ 65 years of age.

Methods

A pooled cross-sectional analysis of Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) data was utilized to determine the association between asthma and depression from 2018 to 2020. Depression was defined as a score of ≥ 10 from the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Disease-related variables were recorded if the subject met Medicare claims criteria for the calendar year. Multivariable …