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Nurses’ Attitudes Towards Hospitalized Older Adults In A Tertiary Care Setting In Ghana, Yakubu H. Yakubu, Abdul-Ganiyu Fuseini, Eleanor Holroyd

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Introduction: The increasing population of older adults and rapid increases in co- morbidities globally has necessitated the need for a healthcare delivery system that meets the multifaceted needs of the growing population of older adults. Concurrent with these rising complex health needs is the importance of positive, non-judgmental attitudes of health services providers towards older adults. Moreover, this is particu-larly important in the nursing profession, given nurses' significant and crucial roles in healthcare settings.

Aim: The study aimed to evaluate nurses’ attitudes towards older adults in a tertiary hospital in Ghana.

Design: It employed a descriptive cross-sectional …

Muhlenberg Magic, Lehigh Valley Health Network

LVHN documents

No abstract provided.

Narrative Capacity, James Toomey

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

The doctrine of capacity is a fundamental threshold to the protections of private law. The law only recognizes private decision-making—from exercising the right to transfer or bequeath property and entering into a contract to getting married or divorced—made with the level of cognitive functioning that the capacity doctrine demands. When the doctrine goes wrong, it denies individuals, particularly older adults, access to basic private-law rights on the one hand and ratifies decision-making that may tear apart families and tarnish legacies on the other.

The capacity doctrine in private law is built on a fundamental philosophical mismatch. It is grounded in …

Effects Of Exercise On Parkinson's Symptom Relief, Brooke Burnett

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

In this review of twenty research articles, the effects of moderate exercise therapy on the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease will be explored. Appropriate literature was located using the research question, “In older adults with a Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis, how does moderate exercise influence the symptoms of this disease?” Twenty peer-reviewed research articles were examined for the impact of different forms of exercise on various symptoms associated with Parkinson’s. Nineteen of the articles reviewed provide substantial evidence in support of exercise therapy as a treatment option for people with Parkinson’s, and one of the articles found inconclusive evidence neither in support …

Aural Rehabilitation Of Older Adults With Or At Risk For Cognitive Decline: Development Of Recommendations And Supplemental Resources Based On Evidence From The Literature., Tavia Marie Hoenecke

Doctoral Scholarly Projects & Capstones

The purpose of this research project was to determine if there might be a need to supplement hearing healthcare service delivery for older adults with or at risk of cognitive decline. Through database searches, evidence was collected from the literature to determine recommended resources within the professional field of audiology and surrounding healthcare professions. Based on the literature, appropriate resources for retention of medical information in this population were recommended. Resources were then created based on the literature recommendations for hearing aid fittings and follow-ups when working with older adult patients with or at risk of cognitive decline. The resources …

Narrative Capacity, James Toomey

North Carolina Law Review

No abstract provided.

Improving Depression Screening And Follow-Up Care In Underserved Populations, Alicia D. Hankins

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing DNP Capstone Projects

Depression is a substantial source of financial, emotional, and physical burdens to patients and their families worldwide. It also disproportionately affects economically disadvantaged populations. To combat the depression crisis, The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) published guidelines to boost depression screenings of all patients presenting for healthcare services. A review of literature and the completed needs assessment confirmed low rates of depression screening in the rural primary care sector. This project took place in an outpatient primary care facility in rural Arkansas, where current depression screening tools were not being used. The goal was to increase the percentage …

Growth Differentiation Factor 5 Is A Paracrine Regulator Of Sarcopenic Obesity, Landen W. Saling

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Sarcopenic obesity attributes to skeletal muscle loss more than sarcopenia and obesity alone. Individuals with SO suffer from the comorbidity of excess body fat and concurrent muscle mass loss due to aging. Growth differentiation factors (Gdfs) have never been recognized as playing a role in skeletal muscle maintenance in those with SO. Specifically, Gdf5, has been recognized as playing a part in Bone Morphogenic Protein signaling to activate protein synthesis and deactivate protein degradation via SMAD 1/5/8 and SMAD 4 complex. Using RNA sequencing, Gdf5 was identified as being significantly upregulated in SO mice. Purpose: To determine the cellular role …

Gerontoludic Character Design: Creating Engaging Player Characters For Older Adults, Robin Noelle Koman

Theses

In this thesis, findings of research in gerontoludic character design, in other words the design of game player characters focused upon the needs, wants, and expectations of older adults, are delivered. To support these findings, there is a review of qualitative and quantitative literature on ageism, including the impact of aging stereotypes and assumptions upon technology driven industries such as the game industry. This exploration of the roots of ageism includes an examination of how ageism affects the frequency and nature of older adult characters, both playable and non-playable, found in video games. Part of the justification of this topic …

Reconsidering Scales And The Binary In Forensic Anthropology: A Critical Analysis Of Morphoscopic Data Utilized In Sex Estimation Standards., Bailey N. Watson

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

This research explores sex estimation standards used in forensic anthropology in an effort to further the conversation about forensic anthropology's binary-focused language and methods. Discussions regarding sex estimation methodology are important in light of gender variance in the general population. Presently, there is minimal published research on the identification of gender non-conforming individuals in forensic anthropology.

Two researchers individually assigned scores to features associated with sexual dimorphism in the os coxae according to existing methods for 253 individuals, equally represented by self- reported males and females. These data were statistically analyzed for correlation and overlap between features.

Results mainly point …

University Of Nebraska At Omaha Commencement: May 2022, University Of Nebraska At Omaha

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of An Advance Care Planning Workshop To Improve The Self-Efficacy Of Health Care Providers, Joy Patrick

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Advance care planning (ACP) involves discussions between the patient and their care providers and those close to them about future care. Every patient is entitled to ACP; however, research has shown that providers do not regularly implement them for various reasons. In addition, multiple barriers may be preventing providers from initiating ACP. Among them are lack of knowledge and confidence, apprehension, time, and fear. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) addresses the problematic barriers to regular ACP discussions between providers and the patients. Specifically, the purpose of this DNP project is to develop, implement and evaluate an online module to …

Evidence-Based Intervention To Improve Health Literacy Among Older Adults With Newly Diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation, Johana Rowe

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background and Significance: Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common arrhythmia encountered in the healthcare setting. As of 2018, approximately 6.1 million people in the United States were living with AFib which is projected to increase to 12.1 million by 2030. Older adults are at higher risk of developing AFib and its complications. AFib is a chronic condition that requires targeted patient education by healthcare providers in different healthcare settings. Patient’s low health literacy regarding the condition is a significant barrier to therapy adherence. Given the high rate of poor health literacy among individuals newly diagnosed with AFib and the …

The Modern Meditation: The Effect Of Video Games And Yoga On Mindfulness Scores, Brian Ray

University Honors Program Senior Projects

This study was designed to explore the positive effects of casual video games, by comparing the mindfulness and mood scores among a) active yoga participants, b) passive yoga watchers, c) active video game players, and d) passive video game watchers. Participants were all undergraduate students recruited through Northeastern Illinois University’s participant pool. Participants began the study by being assigned to one of the four conditions. Following their interaction, participants answered an adapted mood inventory questionnaire, a Player Experience Inventory (PXI), and an Engagement Questionnaire (EQ). Demographics were also collected. It was hypothesized that the active video game condition will have …

Impact Of The Attractiveness Bias On Acceptance Of Interracial Relationships, Jackelyn Castaneda

University Honors Program Senior Projects

Even though interracial marriage became legal in 1967 changes have been slow (Field, Kimuna, & Straus, 2013): e.g., Interracial marriages have increased from roughly .7% in 1970 to about 3.9% in 2008 (U.S. Census Bureau). However, Americans have slowly become more accepting, and according to the U.S census (2010), there are over 5.3 million interracial couples in the United States. There are many factors that could have influenced this change, one of them may reside in a well-studied phenomenon that is our tendency to perceive those who are attractive as “good” (Lemay Jr., Clark, & Greenberg, 2010); that is, the …

The Associations Of Cardiovascular Disease, Physical Activity Intensities, And Measures Of Obesity On Static Balance In Middle-Aged And Older Adults, Hannah Martha Twiddy

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

The burden of falls is widely known in older adults, though less research has targeted middle-aged adults (40-64 years of age), particularly at the population level. The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the roles of cardiovascular disease, physical activity (PA) intensity, and body anthropometrics on balance among middle-aged adults. Study 1 sought to determine if balance was impaired in middle-aged adults with poor ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI), a marker of cardiovascular disease. Study 2 determined the associations between PA intensity with odds of having good static balance. Study 3 explored how strongly a variety of anthropometric measures, including …

Immigration And Social Work: A Content Analysis Of Schools In Liberal States, Yenicka Avila, Stephanie Ibarra

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The social work profession vows to defend society’s most vulnerable populations, including undocumented immigrants. Yet, how immigration is perceived in social work education and the extent to which social works schools are integrated this concept in their mission statements and/or social media pages remain understudied in the existing literature. This study is a mixed-methods content analysis of 133 social work schools accredited (or in the process of accreditation) by the Council of Social Work Education (N = 133). It was hypothesized that the proportion of social work schools that overtly/covertly mentioned immigration in their mission statements and Facebook pages will …

Utilization Of Mental Health Services And Culture: A Qualitative Study Of Monolingual Spanish Speaking Parents In The Inland Empire, Valeria Armentilla Cecena

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Mental health services in the United States have been underutilized despite the fact that millions of Americans suffer from mental health issues. Previous research has largely ignored the views of Hispanics in the Inland Empire. This qualitative study fills this gap in the literature by exploring the underutilization of mental health services among monolingual Spanish-speaking parents in the Inland Empire. This study consisted of 30 participants (N = 30) with whom semi-structured interview were conducted. 12 themes emerged from the analysis of the data. These themes vary from one another and reflect (a) understanding of mental health, (b) stigma, (c) …

Skeletal Muscle Mass Recovery Early After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation In Patients With Advanced Systolic Heart Failure, Amanda R Vest, William W Wong, Joronia Chery, Alex Coston, Laura Telfer, Matthew Lawrence, Didjana Celkupa, Michael S Kiernan, Gregory Couper, Masashi Kawabori, Edward Saltzman

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: Patients with advanced systolic heart failure are at risk of unintentional weight loss and muscle wasting. It has been observed that left ventricular assist device (LVAD) recipients gain weight after device implantation, although it is unknown whether this represents skeletal muscle mass gains. We aimed to determine whether skeletal muscle mass increases early during LVAD support.

Methods: We prospectively recruited 30 adults with systolic heart failure ±21 days from LVAD implantation. Participants underwent whole-body dual X-ray absorptiometry to measure fat free mass, appendicular lean mass (ALM, lean mass in the arms and legs) and fat mass. Dual X-ray absorptiometry …

Examining Intergenerational Relationships In The Family, Abigail Stephan

All Dissertations

Intergenerational relationships are partnerships between individuals from different generations, often marked by respect, shared responsibility, reciprocity, and resilience. Within the context of families, intergenerational relationships provide a natural space for learning and development across the lifespan, especially for those belonging to non-adjacent generations. Although it has been clearly established that non-adjacent intergenerational relationships in the family context can be mutually influential, less is known about how individuals enter into these interactions and view their role as active partners, how the social and cognitive processes within the intergenerational relationship shape outcomes, and how experiences in these relationships during childhood inform perspectives, …

Lhuft Bibliography January 2022: Language As A Human Factor In Aviation, Patty Martinez

Bibliographies

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Environmental Variables And Student Preference On Student Achievement, Elizabeth Francis

Curriculum and Instruction Undergraduate Honors Theses

Data show Arkansas’s high school graduates underperform in several national standardized tests. Research shows that positive moods warrant better academic performances. A review of the literature proves that environmental stimuli such as lights, colors, music, etc. can significantly affect a person’s mental state. Research suggests that further research needs to be done. Suggestions for implementing mood-improving stimuli are provided for educators.

An Assessment Evaluating The Possible Participation Of A Virtual Nutrition Education Program For Older Adults, Ashlyn Cobble

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The importance of proper nutrition education among older adults is crucial in promoting overall physical health and management of chronic health conditions. However, access to such education has been limited, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the current boom in social media popularity, as well as virtual communication portals such as Zoom, the question must be asked if nutrition education could be effectively implemented for the use of older adults through these electronic channels. The study design for this particular research was a cross sectional survey to inform development of an online nutrition education program for older adults in Northeast …

Long-Term Effects Of Estrogen Deficiency On Cardiac Systolic Function And Hypertrophy Following Chronic Sympathetic Stimulation, Pamela Avendano

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Pre-menopausal women have a lower incidence and severity of CVD compared to age-matched men. However, at the onset of menopause, CVD increases. A central feature in patients with CVD is excessive chronic sympathetic stimulation (CSS) of β-adrenergic receptors (β-AR’s). Clinical and animal studies show estrogen deficiency and age exacerbate cardiac β-AR signaling and contractile function. This led to the hypothesis that prolonged estrogen deficiency followed by CSS worsens left ventricular cardiac function and hypertrophy in the aged female heart. Female mice underwent bilateral ovariectomy or SHAM surgery at 2.5 months …

A Sign Of The Time: An Exploration Of Interior Design For Senior Living Via Aging In Place, Independent Living, Assisted Living, And Memory Care, Mary Lane

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The nature of this essay explores the changes in designing a space for aging clients through the end of their lives. Over the course of the essay, four major time periods, their respective design elements, and three floor plans are highlighted through a third person narrative of Jill and Don. These fictitious characters are created using research in the process of aging and personal interviews with loved ones whose experiences have been adapted or modified from their original candor to fit this storyline.

Barriers To Mental Health Treatment: A Qualitative Study Of The Hispanic Community In A Southern California County, Fred Rodriguez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study aimed to highlight the perspectives of the Southern California County’s Hispanic community on how to address the underutilization of mental health services and inform mental health stakeholders on steps toward solving a major social issue. Three major themes were identified through data analysis: Hispanic culture/tradition, the need for increased education and promotion of mental health, and lack of information from agencies and organizations. A limitation of this study included results that could not be generalized to the larger population due to the small sample size. Recommendations included educating the community, parents and children, and increased promotion of services …

Overcoming Self-Objectification Through A Mind Body Awareness Program, Alexandra Winner-Bachus

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

As previous communication scholars have noted, “In light of epidemic levels of self-objectification leading to a host of negative consequences for girls and women, intervention is crucial” (Kite, 2013, pg. III). The purpose of this MA project is to design and conduct a workshop to assist women in resisting self-objectification. The following literature review outlines the theoretical foundations for the project, as well as the most constructive interventions suggested by previous research. I will first review the literature on objectification and self-objectification, then examine the impacts of self-objectification on women. Next, I will discuss what the literature suggests as the …

Social Work Students' Understanding Of Childhood Psycho-Emotional Maltreatment By Caregivers, Todd M. Rubin

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Child psychological, emotional maltreatment (CPEM) presents to the social work profession as one of the most challenging to detect, prevent and intervene. The consequences of CPEM have been equally devastating to a child’s development compared to all other forms of childhood maltreatment. The purpose of this study is to assess graduate social work students’ knowledge of CPEM as a determinant of their clinical preparedness to work with families in practice. The rationale for this study is to explore how the lack of focus on CPEM in university education, field experience, and field supervision impacts a social worker’s ability to prioritize …

Fostering Resilience Amongst Social Workers In The Social Work Field, Rocio Patino, Yesenia Rojas

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The high burnout levels and low retention rates of social workers prove to be significant problems for social service agencies across the country who are experiencing employee shortages and providing a less than adequate grade of customer service as a result. This quantitative study assesses the deficiency of resilience-based skills amongst MSW graduate students who are currently employed/interning within the social services agencies across Southern California State Counties in hopes that these deficiencies may be addressed in the future. This cross-sectional study utilized an exploratory research design and consisted of a self-administered questionnaire which was electronically provided to its participants. …

Impact Of Job-Related Stressors On Levels Of Compassion Fatigue, Curnishia Woodbury

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Compassion fatigue is an area of concern for direct practice social workers who engage with trauma material. This phenomenon has been deemed the cost of caring. The purpose of this study was to identify a relationship between job-related stressors such as caseload size, weekly supervision and job satisfaction and compassion fatigue. A total of 10 child protection social workers from various Southern California counties constituted the study sample. The Pearson Coefficient Correlation test was used to analyze the relationship between the identified variables. The findings revealed that there was a moderate correlation between caseload size and compassion fatigue as well …