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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons™
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Articles 1 - 10 of 10
Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
How Has Grandparenthood Changed In Rural China?, Merril D. Silverstein
How Has Grandparenthood Changed In Rural China?, Merril D. Silverstein
Population Health Research Brief Series
China’s rapid modernization and development have led to changes across Chinese society, including within the family. China is experiencing declining birth rates, meaning that fewer older adults are becoming grandparents. At the same time, there has been growing demand for grandparents to serve as caregivers for their grandchildren. This data slice examines the changes in grandparenting in rural China and calls for policies that decrease caregiver burnout, stress, and associated poor health outcomes.
Older Adults On Snap Experience Gaps In Benefits, Colleen Heflin, Leslie Hodges, Irma A. Arteaga, Chinedum O. Ojinnaka, Gabriella Alphonso
Older Adults On Snap Experience Gaps In Benefits, Colleen Heflin, Leslie Hodges, Irma A. Arteaga, Chinedum O. Ojinnaka, Gabriella Alphonso
Population Health Research Brief Series
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest food and nutrition assistance program in the United States. Burdens associated with SNAP recertification often lead to administrative churn, when a household experiences a gap in SNAP benefit receipt. Older adults are at risk of experiencing benefit gaps, which may negatively impact their health and nutrition. This brief summarizes results of a recent study that examined administrative churn among Missouri SNAP participants aged 60 years and older. The authors call for program changes that reduce the frequency and duration of churn among older adults.
Older Immigrants Are More Likely Than Older Nonimmigrants To Experience Loneliness, Stephanie Zemba, Janet Wilmoth
Older Immigrants Are More Likely Than Older Nonimmigrants To Experience Loneliness, Stephanie Zemba, Janet Wilmoth
Population Health Research Brief Series
Loneliness in older adults is a growing U.S. population health problem, especially among immigrants This research brief explores the impact of age at immigration on loneliness and considers factors such as health, socio-demographic characteristics, and engagement in volunteering on loneliness. Findings demonstrate the need for programs that promote social connection among older adult immigrants to combat feelings of loneliness.
In Rural America, Older Adult Vaccination Rates Were Higher In Counties With More Aging And Disability Services, Yue Sun, Danielle Rhubart
In Rural America, Older Adult Vaccination Rates Were Higher In Counties With More Aging And Disability Services, Yue Sun, Danielle Rhubart
Population Health Research Brief Series
Aging and disability services (ADS) played an important role for older adults in the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, including sharing information, providing transportation, and serving as vaccination sites. Using data from the National Neighborhood Data Archive and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this data slice describes the relationship between county ADS availability and older adult (ages 65+) vaccination rates. It finds that rural counties with higher ADS density have higher older adult vaccination rates. Because of the high risk of COVID-19 mortality and hospitalization for older adults and the large shares of older adults in rural areas, rural county …
Aging In Lynn: A Community Needs Assessment, Caitlin Coyle, Mary Krebs, Setarreh Massihzadegan
Aging In Lynn: A Community Needs Assessment, Caitlin Coyle, Mary Krebs, Setarreh Massihzadegan
Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications
This report describes research undertaken by the Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging within the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, on behalf of the City of Lynn and the Lynn Department of Elder Services. The goals of this project were to investigate the needs, interests, preferences, and opinions of residents of the City of Lynn age 60 or older. The contents of this report are meant to inform the planning and operation of the Lynn Senior Center, and organizations that work with and on behalf of older residents of the City of Lynn. The report …
Nine Ways Grandparenting Is Changing With The Covid-19 Pandemic, Madonna Harrington Meyer
Nine Ways Grandparenting Is Changing With The Covid-19 Pandemic, Madonna Harrington Meyer
Population Health Research Brief Series
Grandparents play a vital role in providing care for their grandchildren in the United States. However, long-term sociodemographic changes, including lower fertility rates and changes in employment and technology, along with massive upheavals prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic are changing grandparenting in important ways. This research brief describes these long-term sociodemographic changes and uses in-depth interviews conducted before the pandemic to illustrate nine specific ways grandparenting is shifting in the U.S. It concludes by calling for more supportive social welfare programs to support working families and reduce the reliance on grandparents for meeting childcare and financial needs.
Covid-19 Has Reduced The Latino Mortality Advantage Among Older Adults, Marc A. Garcia, Rogelio Sáenz
Covid-19 Has Reduced The Latino Mortality Advantage Among Older Adults, Marc A. Garcia, Rogelio Sáenz
Population Health Research Brief Series
The COVID-19 pandemic is quickly reshaping U.S. mortality patterns, especially among those aged 65 and older. While U.S Latinos have historically had lower mortality rates than Whites, the pandemic and other structural inequities have reduced this advantage. This research brief examines Latino-White differences in COVID-19 mortality rates among older adults and describes how those disparities have reduced the Latino mortality advantage in this age group.
Aging In Hull: A Community Needs Assessment, Caitlin Coyle, Beth Rouleau
Aging In Hull: A Community Needs Assessment, Caitlin Coyle, Beth Rouleau
Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications
This report describes research undertaken by the Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging within the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, on behalf of the Hull Council on Aging. The goals of this project were to investigate the needs, interests, preferences, and opinions of Hull’s residents age 55 or older. The contents of this report are meant to inform the Town of Hull, the Hull Council on Aging and Senior Center, and organizations that work with and on behalf of older residents of Hull for the purposes of planning and coordination of services. The report will …
Most Home-Delivered Meal Recipients With Dementia Receive Support From Friends And Family, But More Social Activity Is Needed, Claire Pendergrast
Most Home-Delivered Meal Recipients With Dementia Receive Support From Friends And Family, But More Social Activity Is Needed, Claire Pendergrast
Population Health Research Brief Series
Home-delivered meal programs reduce hunger and food insecurity, promote socialization, and improve health and wellbeing for older adults. Regular social support from home-delivered meal drivers, alongside social support from friends and family, may be key to preventing isolation and improving health for older adults with dementia. This research brief shows that home-delivered meal recipients with dementia receive significant support from friends and family, but 83% would like more social activity. To better support older adults with dementia and family caregivers, aging services providers should expand virtual and dementia-friendly social engagement programming.
Aging In Hull: A Community Needs Assessment, Caitlin Coyle, Beth Rouleau
Aging In Hull: A Community Needs Assessment, Caitlin Coyle, Beth Rouleau
Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications
This report describes research undertaken by the Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging within the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, on behalf of the Hull Council on Aging. The goals of this project were to investigate the needs, interests, preferences, and opinions of Hull’s residents age 55 or older. The contents of this report are meant to inform the Town of Hull, the Hull Council on Aging and Senior Center, and organizations that work with and on behalf of older residents of Hull for the purposes of planning and coordination of services. The report will …