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Nsu Health Professions Division 2024-2025 Course Catalog, Nova Southeastern University

HPD Course Catalogs

• Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy
• College of Optometry
• Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences
• College of Dental Medicine
• Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing
• Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine

Social Determinants Of Health And Aging In Africa: Structural Inequality, Vulnerability, And The Future Of Care, Aremu Umor Lukman, Sunkanmi Folorunsho, Abdulrauf Olaitan Taofeeq

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

Population aging is accelerating across Africa yet remains underrepresented in research, policy, and public health planning. This review critically examines how social determinants shape aging experiences across the continent, focusing on health, care systems, and structural inequalities. While traditional African societies have historically valued older adults, modernization, migration, and economic hardship have eroded support systems, leaving many to face old age with limited resources. Older Africans, particularly women and rural residents, contend with lifelong disadvantages including low education, informal labor, poverty, and gendered caregiving roles that contribute to poor health and social vulnerability. Health systems remain poorly equipped to address …

The Intersection Of Dementia And Criminal Behavior, J. Taylor Humphrey

Marquette Law Review

As the number of individuals affected by dementia increases, the criminal justice system continues to face questions about dementia and criminal responsibility. However, gaps in the legal process have left these individuals, incapable of forming intent, vulnerable to wrongful punishment. Courts rely on traditional culpability frameworks that fail to account for the nuance in dementia-related cognitive decline, and, as a result, prisons are forced to function as de facto nursing homes lacking adequate resources to provide proper care. This Comment proposes treating dementia as a sliding scale, arguing for a context-specific response through streamlined crisis response, use of diversion programs, …

ปัจจัยที่สัมพันธ์กับอาการหลงเหลือภายหลังการติดเชื้อ ไวรัสโคโรน่า 19 ในผู้สูงอายุ, ศรัณย์พร ศรีใจอินทร์, ศิริพันธุ์ สาสัตย์

Journal of Nursing Research, Innovation, and Health

วัตถุประสงค์: เพื่อศึกษาอาการหลงเหลือภายหลังการติดเชื้อไวรัสโคโรน่า 19 ในผู้สูงอายุ และศึกษาความสัมพันธ์ระหว่าง อายุ เพศ ภาวะอ้วน การสูบบุหรี่ โรคประจำตัว ประวัติการรับวัคซีนป้องกันโควิค-19 ก่อนการติดเชื้อ ความรุนแรงของอาการติดเชื้อโควิด-19 การรักษาที่ได้รับระหว่างพักรักษาตัวในโรงพยาบาล ความเครียด และกิจกรรมทางกายกับอาการหลงเหลือภายหลังการติดเชื้อไวรัสโคโรน่า 19 ในผู้สูงอายุ

รูปแบบการวิจัย: เชิงพรรณนาและหาความสัมพันธ์

วิธีการดำเนินการวิจัย: กลุ่มตัวอย่าง คือ ผู้ที่มีอายุเกิน 60 ปีขึ้นไปทั้งเพศชายและหญิงที่มีประวัติติดเชื้อไวรัสโคโรนา 2019 เป็นเวลาอย่างน้อย 4 สัปดาห์ขึ้นไป โดยนับตั้งแต่วันแรกของการติดเชื้อ และเคยเข้ารับการรักษาทั้งเป็นผู้ป่วยนอก ผู้ป่วยใน หรือหอผู้ป่วยเฉพาะกิจโควิด-19 (Hospitel) ในโรงพยาบาลราชวิถี โรงพยาบาลตำรวจ และโรงพยาบาลจุฬาลงกรณ์ สภากาชาดไทย จำนวน 87 คน เครื่องมือที่ใช้ในการวิจัย คือ แบบบันทึกข้อมูลส่วนบุคคล แบบวัดความรู้สึกเครียด แบบสอบถามกิจกรรมทางกายระดับสากล และแบบสอบถามอาการหลงเหลือภายหลังการติดเชื้อ ไวรัสโคโรน่า 19 ในผู้สูงอายุ โดยเครื่องมือมีคุณภาพทั้งความตรงตามเนื้อหาและความเที่ยง วิเคราะห์ข้อมูลโดยใช้สถิติสัมประสิทธิ์สหสัมพันธ์อีต้า สถิติสหสัมพันธ์สเปียร์แมน และสถิติสหสัมพันธ์เพียร์สัน

ผลการศึกษา: 1) อาการหลงเหลือภายหลังการติดเชื้อไวรัสโคโรน่า 19 ในผู้สูงอายุ พบมากที่สุด 10 อันดับแรก ได้แก่ อ่อนเพลีย/เหนื่อยล้า ไอ นอนไม่หลับ มีเสมหะ เจ็บคอ ปวดกล้ามเนื้อ มีน้ำมูก หายใจลำบาก ปวดตามข้อ และปวดหลัง 2) ปัจจัยที่มีความสัมพันธ์กับอาการหลงเหลือภายหลังการติดเชื้อไวรัสโคโรน่า 19 ในผู้สูงอายุ อย่างมีนัยสำคัญทางสถิติที่ระดับ p<.05 ประกอบด้วย ภาวะอ้วน (rp = .69) เพศ ( = .31) ความเครียด (rp = .33) โรคประจำตัว ( = .23) อายุ (rs = -.23) และประวัติการรับวัคซีนป้องกันโควิค-19 ก่อนการติดเชื้อ (rp = -.16) ส่วนการสูบบุหรี่ ความรุนแรงของอาการติดเชื้อโควิด-19 การรักษาที่ได้รับระหว่างพักรักษาตัวในโรงพยาบาล และกิจกรรมทางกาย ไม่มีความสัมพันธ์กับอาการหลงเหลือภายหลังการติดเชื้อไวรัสโคโรน่า 19 ในผู้สูงอายุ

สรุป: สามารถนำผลการวิจัยที่ได้รับไปพัฒนาโปรแกรมการดูแลผู้สูงอายุที่ติดเชื้อไวรัสโคโรน่า 19 เพื่อลดปัจจัยการเกิดอาการหลงเหลือภายหลังการติดเชื้อไวรัสโคโรน่า 19 ได้ต่อไป

Case Report: Multifactorial Intervention For Safe Aging In Place, Ashwini Kulkarni

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Falls are a leading cause of morbidity in older adults, particularly those with multiple comorbidities. A multidisciplinary approach addressing physical, psychological, and environmental factors is essential for reducing fall risk and supporting aging in place. This report evaluates the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary, multifactorial approach in managing high fall risk in an older adult with diabetes, hypertension, and osteoporosis. Methods: A 72-year-old woman with a recurrent history of falls participated in an 8-week intervention as part of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) balance and falls prevention credential program. This study was conducted in Virginia Beach, USA, at the …

Challenges And Effects: A Qualitative Analysis Of The Unique Challenges Faced By Black Male Care Givers In Long-Term Care, Qudrat Oluwatimilehin Olufemi-Dirisu

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The existing literature on caregivers working in long-term care focuses on the challenges ranging from being overworked, mental stress, low wages, and abuse. However, little is known about the unique intersectional experiences of Black male caregivers, particularly regarding how race and gender shape their professional encounters, societal perceptions, and coping strategies. The present study analyzed unique stressors of Black male care givers in long term care using their personal experiences and how these stressors impact their mental health. The effects of societal expectations, client biases, and workplace stereotypes significantly affect Black male caregivers are also examined against the background that …

Assessing Pain In People With Dementia Using The Pacslac-Ii Scale, Audrey L. M. Breton, Pardeep Singh

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This Doctor of Nursing Practice project aimed to educate caregiving staff on the use of the PACSCLAC-II, a validated pain tool, for residents with advanced dementia unable to selfreport pain. It also evaluated whether training the staff to use the PACSLAC-II enhanced pain assessment accuracy compared to the staff’s clinical judgement when detecting the presence of pain. Participants included on-site caregivers – a nurse, certified nursing assistants, and licensed medical technicians – who provide direct care to residents with dementia. Staff completed an assessment form featuring a Likert scale for staff clinical judgement on one side of the paper and …

Pain Versus Neuropsychiatric Symptoms In Residents With Dementia: A Nursing Staff Educational Training, Rebecca Hildreth

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

BACKGROUND: Pain assessment in patients with dementia is challenging due to cognitive and communication impairments, making the older adult population highly susceptible to poor pain assessment and treatment.

AIM: The purpose of this project is to accurately identify the cause of agitation in residents with dementia. Specific aims include 1) to collect background demographic data on residents, 2) to educate nursing staff on pain assessment in dementia patients, and 3) to educate nursing staff about the risks associated with antipsychotic medications to prioritize using non-pharmacologic interventions to treat agitation.

METHODS: A chart review of residents residing in a suburban, Pacific …

Evaluating Educational Bias In Executive Function Assessments: A Comparison Of Reacstick And The Nih Toolbox In Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis, Maura Lane

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This study investigated the influence of educational attainment on executive function performance across two cognitive assessment tools—ReacStick (RS) and the National Institute of Health Cognition Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIH Toolbox-CB)— in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Participants with confirmed MS diagnoses completed both cognitive assessment tools, and the correlation between years of education and task performance was analyzed to evaluate the presence of educational bias. Results showed that NIH Toolbox-CB scores were significantly associated with education level, whereas RS parameters did not demonstrate this relationship. These findings suggest that RS performance may be less influenced by educational background and could …

Are You Smarter Than A Dancer?: An Investigation Of Physical Agility And Cognitive Ability Between Dancers And Non-Dancers., Renee Clippinger, Philip Allen Phd

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this study is to develop a better understanding of learning and memory in dancers in comparison to non-dancers. I plan to search further into the way formally trained dancers perform on certain tests in comparison to people with no dance training. This will be measured through a series of five tests completed in the following order: the sit to stand test, hop and stop test, the single leg stance test, the digit symbol substitution test, and a tower of Hanoi task. These tests will be conducted on 20 dance majors, and 20 non-dance students. This data will …

Reproductive Rights: How Voting Behavior Illustrates Shifting Political Attitudes, Keavy Callwood

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This research project intends to explore a causal link between the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022) and shifting political attitudes as modeled through voting behaviors. Research will be conducted by using data from government and reputable sources that are representative of the general public to show that political attitudes have shifted since the release of the Dobbs decision. Additionally, the question will be analyzed through discussing several political theories and applying them to the current issues being studied. This research could help show how the Supreme Court is an important actor in the political …

Lifelong Learning And Perceived Quality Of Life: An Exploratory Study Of Older Adult Learners In Southern California, Guadalupe Salgado-Shower

Theses and Dissertations

This exploratory study examines the impact of lifelong learning programs (LLPs) on the perceived quality of life among older adults (OAs) against a global demographic shift towards an aging population (Narushima et al., 2018). With the number of people aged 60 and above projected to nearly double by 2050, understanding and enhancing the well-being of OAs has become imperative (United Nations, 2019). Lifelong learning (LL), involving the continuous acquisition of knowledge and skills irrespective of age, emerges as a promising avenue for improving cognitive functioning, social engagement, and emotional well-being among OAs (Longworth & Davies, 2017). This exploratory study adopts …

Psychosocial Correlates Of Hiv Prevention, Care, And Well-Being Among Older Women Aging With Hiv, Thi Vu

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

Background: Approximately 54% of the nearly 1.1 million people living with diagnosed HIV in the United States are aged 50 and older. From 2015 to 2019, diagnoses among women ages 55 years and older increased by 7% while diagnoses among other age groups decreased. In 2019, women made up 19% of all HIV diagnoses. Despite advances in HIV science and education, there is still a dearth of research focused on the growing population of older women with HIV. Durvasula’s Contextualized Model for HIV/AIDS Care and Prevention for Older Women highlights that older women with HIV face different barriers to care, …

An Integrative Review Of Specialised Nursing Career Frameworks To Develop A Nursing Career Framework For Registered Nurses Working In Aged Care, Sachini Thennakoon, Seng Giap Marcus Ang, Victoria Traynor, Karen Strickland

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: The aim of this study is to synthesise literature on specialised nursing career frameworks to inform the development of an aged care nursing career framework. Design: An integrative review was conducted. Method: The review followed Whittemore and Knafl's five-step integrative review method. To appraise the quality of the studies, the Quality Appraisal for Diverse Studies tool for peer-reviewed articles and the ACCODS (Authority, Accuracy, Coverage, Objectivity, Date, and Significance) checklist for grey literature were used. Data were extracted and synthesised using the constant comparison method. Data Source: The electronic databases of CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO and Google Scholar were searched …

Relative Seat Height Effects On Knee Joint Kinematics In Older Adults, Sadie N. Zimmerman

Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Voice-Activated Self-Monitoring Application (Vois): User Acceptance And Satisfaction In The Field, Hyunkyoung Oh, Li Yang, Tala Abu Zahra, Shiyu Tian, Min Sook Park, Jake Luo, Sheikh Iqbal Ahamed, Evelyn Chan, Jeffrey Whittle

Computer Science Faculty Research and Publications

This paper illustrates the processes and results of user acceptance and satisfaction tests for the voice-activated self-monitoring (VoiS) application conducted in the field. VoiS was designed and developed for individuals with diabetes (DM) and hypertension (HTN) to support their routine and convenient self-management using a smart speaker platform. VoiS is also accessible on users’ mobile devices to visualize user-generated data. A total of nine adults with DM and HTN participated and were asked to use the VoiS system at home for a week to identify its acceptability in real-world conditions. Participants completed phone interviews to report operational errors and a …

Implementing A Care Progression Model Aimed At Improving Quality Outcomes, Jaclyn Rowbotham Msn, Rn, Acm-Rn

Patient Care Services / Nursing

No abstract provided.

Navigating “Being Seen”: Experiences Of Older Adult Arab Immigrants And Family Caregivers Accessing Health Care Services In Ontario, Selma Tobah, Lorie Donelle Phd, Rn, Fcan, Jodi Hall, Lloy Wylie, Sandra Regan

Publications

Immigrants to Canada face unique barriers to accessing health care including communication barriers, socioeconomic limitations, and a lack of health care system navigation knowledge. Arabs in particular face mainstream negative attitudes, propagated through political discourses as well as entertainment media. We sought to understand how older adult Arab immigrants and family caregivers accessed and experienced health care in Ontario. We conducted a critical constructivist grounded theory, using Charmaz’s approach to grounded theory. A critical constructivist grounded theory method asks not only “what” social processes are happening and “how” but also “why” and “who” benefits. Both older adult immigrant Arabs and …

Build Your Capacity For Aging Research: A Research Readiness Curriculum, Carrie Leach, Mikayla Harrison, Zachary Rowe, Dell Stubblefield, Deborah Beard, Winona Bynum, Sandra Turner-Handy, Faith Hopp, Rodlescia Sneed, Deborah Charbonneau, Rochelle Chapman, Hayley S. Thompson

Institute of Gerontology

This curriculum was developed with and for older adults in order to provide a basic understanding of the academic research process and to familiarize them with research terms and concepts to increase thier overall level of confidence engaging with researchers.

Age-Friendly Technology Toolkit, Carrie Leach, Mikayla Harrison, Deborah Beard, Dell Stubblefield, Zachary Rowe, Winona Bynum, Sandra Turner-Handy, Faith Hopp, Rodlescia Sneed, Deborah Charbonneau, Rochelle Chapman, Hayley S. Thompson

Institute of Gerontology

A toolkit created for older people who are interested in connecting through technology. Content is based on recommendations from older adults who partnered on a project to increase digital inclusion.

Mitigating And Preparing For Disasters At The Organizational Level: A Global Systematic Literature Review, Abdul-Akeem Sadiq, Ratna B. Dougherty, Rebecca Entress, Bikash Adhikari, Katherine Wilson Mccoy, Emilie Rott, Grace L. Chikoto-Schultz, Shannon Maharajh

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Organizations play significant roles in society by providing goods and services and contributing to the economies of communities, globally. Amid the predicted increase in the frequency and impact of disasters, which will invariably lead to higher disaster costs, there is an urgent need to ameliorate disaster impact on society and organizations. Disaster mitigation and preparedness are strategies for stemming disaster impact and losses within organizations. Cognizant of the importance of disaster mitigation and preparedness, researchers have conducted a myriad of studies on both concepts at the organizational level. To advance knowledge on this topic, this study conducted a comprehensive systematic …

Aging Studies Minor, Human Services

Program Revisions/Additions

No abstract provided.

Financial Health Literacy Of Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Qualitative Research Study, Kimberly Davis

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Financial health literacy (FHL) is an emerging concept with unique application to older adults. Multiple complexities converge in older age that create increased financial vulnerability (e.g., retirement, chronic disease). However, low financial and health literacy are common in older adults, impacting their ability to self-manage. The AWV’s focus on prevention offers an opportunity to incorporate a proactive approach to financial-related assessment. This study will explore the perceived value of assessing FHL in primary care settings and the financial-related barriers and facilitators to implementing the personalized prevention plan.

Methods: The conceptual framework was guided by the Individual and Family Self-Management …

Technol-Ot And Creativity: Implementing Occupational Therapy (Ot) And Assistive Technology (At) Into Art And Music For Adults With Disabilities, Camille Alexandra Aquino, Aarti Subramanian, Austin Yee, Joshua Darrin Montano, Angelica-Kjristen Antonio

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

Background: Assistive technology (AT) holds the potential to enhance independence and participation among individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disorders (IDD) and physical disabilities. AT supports for adults with these disabilities remain limited in community settings after they transition out of the K–12 educational system. Addressing this gap requires collaborative, client-centered approaches to implementing effective AT solutions.

Purpose: This project aims to assess and address the AT needs of Marin Ventures (MV), an adult engagement day program, and seeks to develop and implement sustainable AT applications to enhance creative expression and communication for MV clients.

Methods: A needs assessment was conducted …

Cognitive Impairment And Depression In Hispanic And Non-Hispanic White Low-Income Older Adults A Cross-Sectional Study, Cecil Latta

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Hispanic older adults represent a growing population in the United States and may be disproportionately affected by cognitive impairment and depression. We theorize that cognitive impairment would be more prevalent in the older Hispanic community and would affect the levels of depression in both Hispanic and non-Hispanic Whites older adults. This cross-sectional study examined the association between cognitive impairment and depression in 157 older adults, including Hispanic (n = 91, 57.96%, age: M = 76.4, SD = 6.8) and non-Hispanic White (n = 66, 42.04%, age: M = 76.2, SD = 6.5). We used the Memory Impairment Screen to assess …

Oral Health In Long-Term Care Facilities: A Systematic Review, Eman Zaman

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Oral health in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) is becoming an increasing concern as the older population grows bigger. The oral hygiene of residents in nursing homes is deteriorating which may attribute to lack of education given to caregivers. A literature review was conducted using electronic databases such as PubMed, ProQuest, and PsychINFO to explore oral health in LTCFs and workforce’s roles in providing oral care. Findings across eight studies highlight the inadequate care residents are receiving due to several barriers resulting poor oral health outcomes. Oral health is not prioritized because caregivers are not educated on the consequences it may …

Enhancing Empathetic Dementia Care Through Cognitive Training: A Holistic Approach To Improving Patient Outcomes, Truyen Do, Yasmin Khouri, Millie Patel, Levan Petrossian

ELMSN E-Portfolio. A collection of Scholarly and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Mental Fatigue On Gait Performance And Variability, Ali Zardosht

Dissertations and Theses

Mental fatigue has been shown to negatively impact physical performance, including motor skills and neuromuscular function. This study aimed to investigate the effects of mental fatigue on gait performance and variability in healthy young male adults. Eighteen participants walked over-ground at their preferred speed before and after completing a mentally fatiguing Stroop task. Kinematic data were recorded to assess gait variables such as speed, step length, step time, and step width, along with their coefficients of variation (CV). While subjective ratings of mental fatigue significantly increased following the Stroop task, no significant changes were observed in gait performance or CV …

Uri Undergraduate And Graduate Course Catalog 2025-2026, University Of Rhode Island

URI Course Catalogs Archive

This is a downloadable PDF version of the University of Rhode Island course catalog.

Access To And Utilization Of Dental Care Services By Older Adults In Nigeria: Barriers And Facilitators, Sunkanmi Folorunsho, Victor Ajayi, Munirat Sanmori, Medinah Suleiman, Raji Abdullateef, Abdulazeez Abdulganiyu

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

Aims: Nigeria’s rapidly aging population presents urgent challenges for the healthcare system, particularly in oral health, which remains an overlooked aspect of well-being. While older adults are especially vulnerable to dental issues such as tooth loss, periodontal disease, and oral pain, access to care remains limited due to systemic, economic, and cultural barriers. This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of older Nigerians in accessing and utilizing dental care, with the goal of identifying key barriers, facilitators, and policy-relevant insights.

Methods: Fifteen participants aged 50–83 years were purposively selected from urban and peri-urban areas of Ilorin, North- Central …