Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Is The Number Of Sick Persons In A Cohort Constant Over Time?, Paula Diehr, Ann Derleth, Anne Newman, Liming Cai

UW Biostatistics Working Paper Series

Objectives: To estimate the number of persons in a cohort who are sick, over time.

Methods: We calculated the number of sick persons in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), a cohort study of older adults followed up to 14 years, using eight definitions of “healthy” and “sick”. We projected the number in each health state over time for a birth cohort.

Results: The number of sick persons in CHS was approximately constant for 14 years, for all definitions of “sick”. The estimated number of sick persons in the birth cohort was approximately constant from ages 55-75, after which it decreased. …

Observational Outcome Measures To Evaluate Assistive Technology Use By People With Dementia - Report Series # 12, Gurgit Singh, Kathy Pichora-Fuller, Elizabeth Rochon, Jb Orange, Pat Spadafora

Publications and Scholarship

This report describes a digital video-audio behavioural observation methodology for use in a naturalistic setting to evaluate communication rehabilitation interventions for older adults with dementia. Behavioural observation via recorded video-audio offers a number of advantages over other data collection methodologies, which can be subject to a number of biases and limitations, some of which are discussed. In this study, high quality digital audio-video recordings were collected on participants attending a respite care day program. Recording equipment was inconspicuously placed, and measurement occurred either during normal day-to-day activities or during more directed activities (e.g., playing bingo). The recordings can be used …

Enhancing Social Interaction Between Preschoolers And Older Adults With Dementia - Report Series # 6, Linda Chud, Rose Morrison, Pat Tretjack, Anna Baas-Anderson, Barbara Ledger, Tiziana Pelusi, Julie Sweezie, Pat Spadafora, Magda Lenartowicz

Publications and Scholarship

This qualitative intergenerational study, conducted in the spring and summer of 2005, was structured within the parameters of the High/Scope educational approach. High/Scope is guided by active learning which allows children the choice to develop their own learning priorities based on their interests and abilities. Within this model, 5 older adult clients from the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) Seniors Day Program (Halton Branch) interacted with 5 pre-school children from the Sheridan Child Care Centre. Twelve sessions were conducted over a 6-week time period, and data was collected through both remote (web-casting) and participant observation. Although quantitative data that tracked …

Communication In Context: Research Opportunity Program Course - Report Series # 8, Danielle Minghella

Publications and Scholarship

This project focuses on how context can be structured to help older communicators in the early stages of dementia. Hearing and vision loss in aging, as well as changes in cognition, can challenge communication. The use of supportive context can offset difficulties to some extent. This study examines how different contexts facilitate or disrupt communication of older adults in the early stages of dementia.

A Tapestry Of Voices: Using Elder Focus Groups To Guide Applied Research Practice - Report Series # 1, Sally Stewart, Deanna Spadafora

Publications and Scholarship

The exclusion of older adults as active participants in the production of knowledge regarding issues that concern them is a subtle form of ageism. This qualitative study used 15 focus groups as a forum to identify the areas of applied research that elders themselves see as relevant and important. In addition to eliciting significant data to guide future research initiatives at the Sheridan Elder Research Centre (SERC), the elders validated the principle of self-determination, which is fundamental to the Social Work Code of Ethics. This 2002 study demonstrated that, if given the opportunity to participate in decision making about the …

Facilitated Life Story Writing By Individuals With Dementia For Conversational Remembering Boxes - Report Series # 4, Ellen Ryan, Pat Spadafora, Sarah Clark, Hendrika Spykerman, Laura Wiersma, Magda Lenartowicz

Publications and Scholarship

The goal of this qualitative study, conducted in the summer of 2004, was to enhance the experience of personhood in individuals with dementia through the use of computermediated life story writing for conversational remembering boxes. Eight male participants with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) were paired with student researchers over the course of 4 weeks. The interviews were taped and electronically recorded on a computer, which was also used to engage the interest of the participants. The life stories were transcribed and served as a foundation for personal memory boxes that were sent home with the …

Facilitated Life Story Writing By Individuals With Dementia For Conversational Remembering Boxes: Follow-Up Summer 2005 - Report Series # 10, Ellen Ryan, Pat Spadafora, Magda Lenartowicz

Publications and Scholarship

The goal of this follow-up study, conducted in the summer of 2005, was to enhance the experience of personhood in individuals with dementia through computer-mediated life story writing, by addressing the key problem areas identified in the pilot study (Summer 2004). Four of the original eight male participants were paired with a student researcher over the course of 6 weeks. The interviews were taped and electronically recorded. The life stories were transcribed and presented to the participants to be added to the personal memory boxes that were sent home during the first study. Follow-up with caregivers at the 3-month mark …

Sign Comprehension In Young Adults, The Healthy Elderly, And Older People With Varying Levels Of Cognitive Impairment - Report Series # 5, C.T. (Chip) Scialfa, Pat Spadafora, Marianne Klein, Agata Lesnik, Antje Heinrich, Magda Lenartowicz

Publications and Scholarship

This study, conducted in the fall of 2004 and the winter of 2005, sought to determine whether sign comprehension suffers in healthy aging and in the presence of cognitive impairment. Sign comprehension is critical for effective driving, response to warnings and way-finding. If signs are poorly comprehended by older people including those with cognitive impairment, accident risk will be increased and independence may be compromised. Groups of young adults, healthy older adults and older adults with varying levels of cognitive impairment were asked the meaning of 65 signs used for driving, warning and way-finding. Healthy older adults were generally good …

Older Adults Embracing Technology: Leave No One Behind, Susan Pratten, Lori Schindel Martn Dr., Ellen Ryan, Ann Anas, Pat Spadafora, Rebecca Hart

Publications and Scholarship

The goal of this exploratory study, conducted throughout 2005 - 2006, was to examine effective ways to provide both initial computer training and ongoing technical support for elders with little or no computer experience, and to explore whether the accomplishment of acquiring computer skills had an impact on the elders’ quality of life. The computer training and follow-up technical support were provided by student volunteers trained specifically for this study. Following the computer training, all participants were offered 12 weeks of ongoing technical support (phone, email or in person) by the same student tech tutors and additional student volunteers. Questionnaires …

Horticulture Therapy For Older Adults With Alzheimer Disease And Related Dementias (Adrd) - Report Series # 3, Agata Lesnik, Deanna Spadafora

Publications and Scholarship

Horticulture therapy involves the use of simple gardening activities to promote higher intellectual functioning, enhance social interactions and to improve both emotional stability and physical functioning. This therapeutic method could be especially relevant to individuals with dementia who may exhibit behavioural and emotional manifestations of the disease. This study, conducted in the winter of 2004, employed a 5-week horticultural therapy program with four older adults who exhibited mild to moderate cognitive impairment. Data were gathered and evaluated based on field notes prepared by the researcher. Field notes encompassed three areas of function: cognitive, physical and social; patterns/changes were tracked during …

Introducing Older Persons To Benefits Of Technology - Report Series # 2, Marianne Klein, Deanna Spadafora

Publications and Scholarship

Social isolation is an often-cited deterrent to a high quality of life for older persons. This qualitative study, conducted in the fall of 2003, attempted to link generations and decrease social isolation by providing seniors with instruction on computer and Internet use. Eight participants aged 65-73 met weekly to participate in computer classes facilitated by a teacher and a peer. Evaluation methods included self-evaluation, questionnaires, and research field notes. Barriers to computer use identified by older adults in this study included: lack of access, intimidation, lack of training, and lack of time. All participants rated themselves as somewhat skillful following …

Cosmetics Laboratory Report - Report Series # 7, Pat Spadafora, Ann Callaghan

Publications and Scholarship

There exists extensive research examining the connection between physical appearance and self-esteem. Many studies involving older adults up to the age of 75 find congruent results with the aforementioned studies. Much of gerontological research concerns the quality of life of older adults. Considering the connection between physical appearance and self-esteem, it might be interesting to consider whether or not enhancements to physical appearance would result in an increase in self-esteem. Likewise, one can consider whether or not an increase in self-esteem on the basis of physical appearance contributes to a change in the quality of life for the older individual. …

Crystal Memories: Capturing Our Voices - Report Series # 13, Pat Spadafora, Rebecca Hart, John Bouls

Publications and Scholarship

These two pilot studies, conducted between January and April 2006, were comprised of two independent research projects. The goal of the first project (Project A) was to assess the usability of the Crystal Memories software developed at the Sheridan Elder Research Centre (SERC) and to make recommendations for version two of the software. Three women and two men were recruited from an earlier computer study conducted at SERC in the fall of 2005; one man was recruited from the broader community of Oakville, Ontario. None of these participants had any known cognitive impairments. The 6 participants met as a group …

Healthcare Resources For Older Adults In A Medium Sized Community, Ashley Nielson

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Healthcare has become a large concern for a number of older Americans. With increases in healthcare costs and complex programs such as, Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap insurance policies and community programs, many older Americans are left worrying where they will find the money and resources to provide for themselves and their healthcare needs. Medicare, Medicaid and community care resources help to offset individual healthcare costs, but they are often not enough. The programs are complex and confusing and are limited in the care they provide.