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Faculty Senate Chronicle March 6, 2025, Heather Loughney

The University of Akron Faculty Senate Chronicle

Minutes for the regular meeting of The University of Akron Faculty Senate on March 6, 2025

Whole Broken People Wholeness Of Life At All Ages, Brenda K. Lewis

Doctor of Ministry

NPO Statement

Experiences of lost independence or control overwhelm or block the spiritual coping mechanisms of some Independent Living residents at Givens Estates.

Key Research Insights

Deep cultural bias, denial, and a lack of realistic role models form blocks between us and healthy coping with the realities of aging. When we lose independence and control, we often lose our expected storyline, our sense of our identity, and our understanding of the role of our spiritual traditions. The Christian tradition offers rich resources for redefining our story and ourselves in ways that deepen our faith and our connection with the people …

A Model For Integrating Interpersonal Education In Higher Education, Siti Arshad-Snyder, Sarah Flanagan

International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Interprofessional Education (IPE) is a critical component of healthcare education and a requirement of many accrediting bodies. Approaching IPE from a holistic, comprehensive lens allows academic institutions to overcome challenges related to operating within program- and discipline-specific silos. Bringing students together to learn with, from, and about one another’s professions empowers them to improve their teamwork and communication skills while broadening their understanding of various roles and responsibilities. Clarkson College developed a compulsory IPE course that is documented on students’ transcripts. This online IPE 301 course was designed to provide students with educational materials to enhance their collaborative skills for …

Younger Grandparents Provide Less Support To Their Grandchildren Now Than In The Past, But Support Among Older Grandparents Has Remained Stable, Hyeonji Cho

Population Health Research Brief Series

Grandparents in the U.S. provide extensive support to their children and grandchildren, in the form of both financial assistance and childcare. But recent demographic changes (e.g., later childbirth, population aging) have postponed and extended the duration of grandparenthood, raising questions about whether these changes affect how grandparents support their grandchildren. This data slice uses data from the 2002-2022 Health and Retirement Study to examine the changes in grandparent support to grandchildren by age group in the U.S. The author finds that while younger grandparents are providing less support now than in the past, support has remained steady or even increased …

Cost Comparison Of Congregate, Motel, And Village-Type Shelters For People Experiencing Homelessness, Jacen Greene, Todd Ferry, Emily Leickly, Franklin H. Spurbeck

Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative Publications and Presentations

Village and motel shelters exemplify the expanding field of “alternative” shelters for people experiencing homelessness, largely defined in contrast to “traditional” congregate shelters. Little research compares the financial costs of alternative and traditional shelter models. The research team analyzed cost data for 13 alternative shelters (six villages and seven motel shelters) and nine traditional congregate shelters in Portland, Oregon. Costs were assessed per “unit” (i.e. shelter bed or motel room) to account for differences in shelter sizes. Village shelters had the highest per-unit set-up costs ($99,630), followed by motel shelters ($88,462), while congregate shelters had the lowest ($43,692). Congregate shelters …

Older Adults’ Health, Ethnicity, And Daily Life, Hyunsook Kang, Mihae Bae

Faculty Publications

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between ethnicity and daily functional disabilities among older adults, focusing on Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). The analysis uses data from the 2020 National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) survey, which included a sample of individuals aged 57-85 (n=3,005). Respondents provided information on their demographic background (e.g., income, gender, race, age, health, retirement, and marital status) and socioeconomic characteristics through telephone interviews.

The study hypothesized that ethnic differences would be evident in perceived difficulties with ADLs and IADLs in later life. To assess these relationships, …

Deprescribing: The Skill Of Less Pills, Vivian L. Villarreal

Cohort XIII

Background: Polypharmacy is a growing concern in geriatric medical care, increasing the risk of adverse drug events (ADEs), cognitive decline, falls, and hospitalizations. Multiple prescriptions result in potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), leading to a prescribing cascade and medication overload for many patients. Numerous medications are deemed unnecessary or not appropriate, decreasing the quality of life. The lack of standardized deprescribing tools in clinical practice contributes to continued polypharmacy-related complications. The " project, was implemented at a PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) facility to improve medication management, patient safety, and quality of life through structured deprescribing interventions.

Methods: …

Among-Population Variation In Telomere Regulatory Proteins And Their Potential Role As Hidden Drivers Of Intraspecific Variation In Life History, Sarah E. Wolf, Mary J. Woodruff, David A. Chang Van Oordt, Ethan D. Clotfelter, Daniel A. Cristol, Elizabeth P. Derryberry, Stephen M. Ferguson, Mark T. Stanback, Conor C. Taff, Maren N. Vitousek, David F. Westneat, Kimberly A. Rosvall

Biology Faculty Publications

Biologists aim to explain patterns of growth, reproduction and ageing that characterize life histories, yet we are just beginning to understand the proximate mechanisms that generate this diversity. Existing research in this area has focused on telomeres but has generally overlooked the telomere's most direct mediator, the shelterin protein complex. Shelterin proteins physically interact with the telomere to shape its shortening and repair. They also regulate metabolism and immune function, suggesting a potential role in life history variation in the wild. However, research on shelterin proteins is uncommon outside of biomolecular work. Intraspecific analyses can play an important role in …

Enhancing Transportation Options For Older Adults: Served By Councils On Aging With Support From The Montachusett Area Regional Transit Authority (Mart): A Program Validation Study, Caitlin E. Coyle, Nina M. Silverstein, Taylor Jansen, Shayna Gleason

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

This study follows a 2022 evaluation report UMass Boston researchers conducted for MART of a pilot program whose measurable aims were to demonstrate (pre/post) an increase in ridership, destinations, trips provided, and shared rides coordinated across the participating COAs. The pilot with four participating COAs was ambitious and while the results indicated some early successes (rider satisfaction), more areas for improvement were noted (software and transition to the use of digital technology). (Silverstein et. al., 2022) Since then, MART has adopted a new software program and collaboration with My Senior Center, a senior 4 center management and reporting system. MART …

Assessing The Need For Supportive Day Programming In Andover, Adriana Hernandez, Setarreh Massihzadegan, Caitlin E. Coyle

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

Supportive and social day programs (SSDPs) provide opportunities for socialization and engagement in physical activity, cognitive exercises and emotional support in small group settings, These programs are beneficial for older adults who may experience physical or cognitive heath changes that make it difficult to participate independently. As well, those who do not drive or who are socially isolated may also benefit from participation in an SSDP. These programs also help families who may need breaks from caregiving tasks and to connect families to vital resources and support networks. An SSDP is designed to promote and enhance the social, physical, and …

Just As Expected? Older Adults’ Aging Expectations Are Associated With Subjective Cognition, Nikki Hill, Sakshi Bhargava, Justin Do, Emily Bratlee-Whitaker, Monique Brown, Renata Komalasari, Rachel Wu, Jacqueline Mogle

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the relationship between older adults' expectations regarding aging and subjective cognition. Specifically, we examined whether the three domains of aging expectations (physical health, mental health, and cognitive function) were associated with two aspects of subjective cognition: current subjective cognition and subjective cognitive decline (SCD).

METHOD: An online survey was conducted among U.S. adults aged 65-90 (N = 581; M_age=71.4, SD ± 4.81; 51% female). Measures included the 12-item Expectations Regarding Aging scale, the 8-item PROMIS Cognitive Abilities scale (current subjective cognition), and the 12-item Everyday Cognition scale (SCD). We used generalized linear models …

Sentencing Vulnerability: An Empirical Study Into The Role Of Personal Characteristics And The Foreseeable Experience Of Confinement At The Sentencing Of Older Adults, Adelina Iftene, Allison Hearns

Articles, Book Chapters, & Popular Press

This article presents and analyzes findings from a qualitative and quantitative review of reported Nova Scotia sentencing decisions (2013–2020) of aging individuals. The goal is twofold. First, by investigating the judicial discourse around personal characteristics at sentencing aging individuals, we specifically seek to understand where aging, and characteristics that interplay with aging, fit into current sentencing practices and the potential benefits and challenges of considering these factors. Secondly, and more generally, through the case study of older offenders, this article seeks to contribute to the largely theoretical scholarship that has engaged with the need for a methodical inclusion of a …

Profiles And Well-Being Of Older Adult Caregivers In Singapore, Yi Wen Tan, Rachel Wen Yi Ngu, Kenneth Choo, Lydia Ng, Wensi Lim

ROSA Research Briefs

In Singapore, the government espouses a “many helping hands” philosophy towards caregiving, where care for older adults is borne by three pillars: the family, the community, and the state (Mehta & Vasoo, 2000). Of these, the family is regarded as the “first line of support”, rendering family caregivers essential to the care of older adults (Ng et al., 2016). Many of these caregivers are themselves older adults, where the average age of caregivers was found to be 62 years (Tan, 2023). As Singapore’s population continues to age, alongside demographic trends of extended longevity and a shrinking population, many more will …

Effects Of The Vitality Acupunch Exercise Program On Older Adults With Probable Sarcopenia: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study, Brittany Murley, Kuei-Min Chen, Christine S. Gipson, Kevin Gosselin, Jenna Thornhill, Allison Ross, Kennedy Gladding, Beth Mastel-Smith

Nursing Faculty Publications and Presentations

Purpose: Age-related loss of muscle mass and strength is a highly prevalent condition in older adults in long-term care (LTC) facilities. This pilot study aimed to test the effects of a vitality acupunch (VA) exercise program on muscle mass, muscle strength, muscle endurance, functional fitness, activities of daily living, quality of life, and sleep quality of older adults in LTC facilities with probable sarcopenia in the United States and understand the experiences of residents who participated in the VA program. Design: A mixed-methods experimental design was used for this study. Methods: The quantitative phase included a sample of 27 participants …

Age Discrimination And Depression Among Older Adults In South Korea: Moderating Effects Of Exercise, Hyun Kang, Emily S. Ihara

Department of Social Work - Faculty Scholarship

Background

Treatment Of Osteoporosis And Osteoarthritis In The Oldest Old, Daniel Pinto

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are key diseases of musculoskeletal ageing and are increasing in prevalence and burden with the progressively ageing population worldwide. These conditions are thus particularly common in ‘the oldest old’, and there are complexities of managing them within the context of extensive multimorbidity, physical and mental disability, and polypharmacy, the rates for all of which are high in this population. In this narrative review, we explore the epidemiology of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis in the oldest old before examining trials and real-world data relating to the pharmacological treatment of these diseases in older adults, including anti-resorptives and bone-forming agents …

Proteasome Augmentation Mitigates Age-Related Cognitive Decline In Mice, Danitra Parker, Kanisa Davidson, Pawel A Osmulski, Maria Gaczynska, Andrew M Pickering

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The aging brain experiences a significant decline in proteasome function. The proteasome is critical for many key neuronal functions including neuronal plasticity, and memory formation/retention. Treatment with proteasome inhibitors impairs these processes. Our study reveals a marked reduction in 20S and 26S proteasome activities in aged mice brains, including in the hippocampus, this is driven by reduced functionality of aged proteasome. The decline in proteasome activity is matched by a decline in 20S proteasome assembly. In contrast, 26S proteasome assembly was found to increase with age, though 26S proteasome activity was still found to decline. Our data suggests that age-related …

Elder Mistreatment Within Stroke Family Caregiving, Carina Katigbak, Wesley R Browning, Sean Savitz, Carolyn E Z Pickering

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This secondary data analysis sought to identify characteristics associated with mistreatment among chronic stroke survivors who transition to dementia. We examined baseline data from a multi-time series survey study (n = 453; where caregivers of those with stroke n = 107, and those without stroke, n = 346) on caregiving experiences influencing dementia family caregivers’ abusive or neglectful behaviors. Inferential statistical analysis indicated that baseline mistreatment rates were similar across stroke and non-stroke subgroups, though this finding was not significant. Caregiver depression was significantly associated with mistreatment. Multi-morbidity, prescription medication use, and limited mobility were more common among stroke …

Effect Of Exercise On Posture, Neck Proprioception And Balance In Older Adults, Mohammad Khaleghifar

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background:

Falls are one of the most frequent and serious problems facing older adults. Approximately 30-40% of people over 65 years of age fall each year. The frequency of falls increases with each decade beyond this threshold and approximately 20-30% of older adult fallers require hospitalization, assuming an increased risk of mortality. Postural balance and stability involve cooperation between visual, proprioceptive and vestibular sensory systems to achieve a motor response. Disturbance in any of these systems can result in abnormal postural orientation and lead to instability or dizziness. Among these systems, proprioception provides sensory input from the peripheries to …

Retail Investors And Investment Fraud Victims: Is There A Connection?, Jason Martin

Staff Scholarship

This study analyzed specific characteristics of investment fraud victims. Logistic regressions on a national sample of retail investors revealed that overconfident and financially literate investors shared several characteristics with victims of investment fraud. While overconfident investors were the most comfortable with market regulation and making investment decisions that assumed high amounts of risk relative to investment returns, financially literate investors surpassed them in the frequency of annual trading and portfolio allocation to stocks. Surprisingly, overconfident investors favored due diligence via background checks on investment professionals, while financially literate investors did not. Overall, males and younger investors tended to share characteristics …

The Synergistic Effects Of Circuit Training And Diet On Weight Loss, Body Fat Percentage, And Bmi In Obese Indonesian Females: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Ali Muthahhari Rahim, Ahmad Nasrulloh

Indonesian Journal of Research in Physical Education, Sport, and Health

Background: Despite the popularity of circuit training and dietary interventions, their combined effects on obese Southeast Asian populations remain underexplored.  Objective: This study aims to examine the effects of circuit training (using free weights and body weight) and dietary interventions (low-calorie diet and intermittent fasting using the OCD method), as well as their interaction, on weight loss, body fat percentage, and body mass index in obese individuals. Methods: This type of research is an experiment using a 2 x 2 factorial design. This experimental study used four groups that received different treatments, namely the provision of circuit training with free …

الرفاهية عند العاملين من منظور الدور التأثيري للنرجسية التنظيمية: دراسة تحليلية في وزارة التعليم العالي والبحث العلمي في العراق, سنان فاضل حمد

Muthanna Journal of Administrative and Economics Sciences

البحث يهدف إلى تحقيق جملة من الاهداف أهمها بناء أطار نظري يربط بين (النرجسية التنظيمية ) بوصفة متغير رئيسا (رفاهية العاملين) بوصفه متغير تابعاً، فضلاً عن التعرف على طبيعة العلاقة والتأثير بين النرجسية التنظيمية ورفاهية العاملين في وزارة التعليم العالي والبحث العلمي العراقية، ولغرض جمع بيانات الجانب العملي، تم تصميم استبانة مكونة من محوين بالاعتماد على مقاييس جاهزة، وتم توزيع الاستبانة على عينة عشوائية مكونة من (75) فرداً ممن يعملون في مناصب قيادية عليا ووسطى ضمن الهيكل التنظيمي للوزارة، ولغرض تحليل الاستبانة واستخلاص النتائج منها تم استعمال برنامج (SPSS V.26)، وتم استعمال عدد من الوسائل الاحصائية منها الوسط الحسابي والوسيط …

A Nurse-Led Blood Pressure Program To Improve Blood Pressure In The Underserved Population Of Patients With Hypertension, Kyiana P. Adams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Hypertension is one of the most chronic conditions in the United States and worldwide. Patients with lower socioeconomic class tend to have poor control of their blood pressure and higher morbidity and mortality rates. The scholarly project was conducted to identify if a nurse-led eight-to-10-week telehealth program improves blood pressure in the uninsured and underinsured community. The project was conducted in a community cares clinic that is part of a large organization. The criteria included adults aged 18 and older diagnosed with hypertension without resistant hypertension. Participants were required to agree to having a phone call once weekly for four …

Age-Related Motives For Substance Use And Outcomes Among Veteran Patients Receiving Detoxification Services: A Longitudinal Study, Erin L. Woodhead, Christine Timko

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Objectives: Study objectives were to examine (1) baseline differences in substance use motives (social, coping, enhancement, and physical discomfort) among older, middle-aged, and younger adults, and (2) whether age group moderated associations between substance use motives at baseline and substance use outcomes at six-month follow-up. Design: Participants were assessed at baseline and followed for six months (91.1%). Setting: U.S. military veterans receiving alcohol and/or opioid detoxification services. Participants: 298 participants in a study of telephone monitoring to improve detoxification outcomes. Measurements: Baseline substance use motives were measured using the Motives for Alcohol and Drug Use questionnaire. At baseline and 6-month …

Documents From The February 26, 2025 Meeting Of The Associated Students Of The University Of Montana (Asum)., Associated Students Of The University Of Montana

Senate Meeting Agendas and Minutes, 2007-Present

Minutes and agenda from the February 26, 2025 Meeting of the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM).

Associations Of Parental Perceived Health With Child Movement Behaviors Within Two-Parent Households, You Fu, Hayley Almes, Nora Constantino, Doria Schmidt, Ryan D. Burns

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

This study aimed to examine how perceived parental mental and physical health status was associated with child physical activity, screen time, and sleep. Participants were 6- to 17-year-old minors (N = 20,156; 47.9% female) from the 2022 US National Survey of Children’s Health. Dependent variables were children’s physical activity frequency, screen time, and sleep. Independent variables were parents’ physical and mental health status. Using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model, two adjusted path models were constructed. One for parent mental health associating with parental physical health, another for parent physical health associating with parental mental health–both further associating with child movement behaviors. …

The Dementia Care Partner Hub: An Innovative Approach To Addressing Unmet Social And Health Needs, Sherril Gelmon, Jenn Reed, Walter D. Dawson

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

The well‐being of care partners of people living with dementia, who are family, friends, or neighbors and often unpaid, is often not addressed explicitly in clinical dementia care. Care partners, especially those from systematically marginalized communities, experience substantial unmet social and behavioral needs. We reviewed role model programs and conducted focus groups and interviews with care partners and representatives of community organizations and government agencies. We developed the concept of a Dementia Care Partner Hub as a “one‐stop shop” to connect dementia care partners and service providers with information and resources, meeting a need that is not currently addressed in …

Coastal And Rural Digital Exclusion - The Case For Voice Ai, Rory Baxter, Oksana Hagen, Amir Aly, Ray Jones, Katharine Willis

School of Nursing and Midwifery

The adoption of digital platforms for health and social resources disadvantages vulnerable populations, including older adults and those living in remote or deprived areas. This could be remediated using voice-based conversational AI (Voice AI) systems delivered via landline phone, bypassing the requirement for digital device access or digital skills. British rural and coastal regions often have poorer digital infrastructure and pockets of deprivation, and consequently higher levels of digital exclusion. This study explores digital exclusion in Southwest England and the suitability of Voice AI systems for supporting digital inclusion. Seventeen participants aged 50 years or over were interviewed by telephone …

Aging Is Associated With Decreased Lactobacillus And Increased Cervicovaginal Inflammation In Canadian Women, Ha T. Dang, Laura Noel-Romas, Samantha Knodel, Kenzie Birse, Hossaena Ayele, Alicia R. Berard, Adam D. Burgener, Christina Farr Zuend

Faculty Scholarship

Problem: Aging is characterized by a general dysregulation of systemic immune responses that increases susceptibility to infections and malignancies. Immune cells in the female genital tract (FGT) are regulated by sex hormones, but little is known about the impact of aging and menopause on immunology in the FGT. Method of Study: This study conducted an age-focused sub-analysis of cervicovaginal samples collected from 47 women enrolled in the Vaginal Mucosal Systems study in Winnipeg, Canada. Paired cervicovaginal lavage and cervical cytobrush were collected and analyzed by Luminex cytokine array, mass spectrometry based metaproteomics, metabolomics, and high dimensional flow cytometry. Results: The …

Building Blocks For New Kinship Partnerships And Coalitions, Kathy L. Dial, Daniel J. Koltz, Janet Salo, Erin Beasley

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

Building successful kinship partnerships and coalitions requires intentional effort to establish trust, align goals, and foster inclusivity. These collaborations are essential for addressing the unique and evolving needs of kinship families, who often face limited access to resources due to the informal nature of many caregiving arrangements. Effective partnerships prioritize clear missions, open communication, and active engagement with stakeholders, particularly those with lived experiences such as kinship caregivers. Research demonstrates that coordinated efforts among organizations enhance resource availability, improve advocacy capabilities, and strengthen service delivery. By integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion principles, coalitions can ensure that diverse perspectives shape solutions …