Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Transportation For An Aging Population: Promoting Mobility And Equity For Low-Income Seniors, Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris, Martin Wachs, Lené Levy-Storms, Madeline Brozen

Mineta Transportation Institute

This study explores the travel patterns, needs, and mobility problems faced by diverse low-income, inner-city older adults in Los Angeles in order to identify solutions to their mobility challenges. The study draws information from: (1) a systematic literature review of the travel patterns of older adults; (2) a review of municipal policies and services geared toward older adult mobility in six cities; (3) a quantitative analysis of the mobility patterns of older adults in California using the California Household Travel Survey; and (4) empirical work with 81 older adults residing in and around Los Angeles’ inner-city Westlake neighborhood, who participated …

Seniors Bullying In Ontario, The Sheridan Centre For Elder Research Preliminary Research Data, Liza Franses, Kirsten Madsen

Investigation One: Bullying Between Older Adults: What is happening in Ontario. Investigation Two: Seniors Anti-bullying Implementation and Evaluation Project

This webinar provides a project overview, demographic representation, preliminary statistics, and next steps of the Senior Bullying Project at Sheridan College in partnership with Elder Abuse Ontario and the Centre for Elder Research at Sheridan College.

A Comprehensive Database Of Senior Centers In Massachusetts, Jan E. Mutchler, Ceara Somerville

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

This report was produced by the Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging (CSDRA), a research unit within the Gerontology Institute at UMass Boston, in partnership with the Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging (MCOA).

The goal of this project is to develop and distribute a comprehensive database that will contribute to successfully meeting the shared goals of MCOA and EOEA. It will facilitate clearer explanations about what COAs do, supporting more effective advocacy efforts on the part of MCOA and stronger reporting by EOEA. It will be a resource for MCOA staff, helping member COAs identify relevant models …

Screening Older Adults For Depression : The Relationship Among Clinical Discipline Training, Barriers, Attitudes, Norms, And Perceived Behavioral Control., Ronald W. Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study is examine the influence of barriers on clinicians’ decisions to screen for depression in older adults or to refer to other health professionals. A second purpose is to explore how well the Theory of Planned Behavior is supported as a framework for understanding the likelihood of screening for depression and how the variables within the theory interact with barriers to affect clinician behavior. A final purpose is to explore characteristics of depression screening or referral of older adults by several clinical disciplines. Design and Methods: This study featured a …

Family Care Partners Of Chronically Ill Older Adults: The Role Of Uncertainty In Illness, Jillian Pine

Dissertations

Abstract This study integrated research on family care partners of older adults and

research on uncertainty in chronic illness. Previous findings were extended by examining care partners of older adults with multiple chronic conditions and highlighting early-stage undiagnosed cognitive impairment as a uniquely unclear condition. Participants were 45 women assisting community-dwelling, earlier generation older adults with multiple chronic health conditions and a prognosis of more than six months. Online survey data were used to test the hypotheses that increased illness uncertainty would be associated with increased care partner-recipient relationship strain and increased care partner perceived stress. This study also hypothesized …

The Impact Of Perceived And Observed Food Environments On Fruit And Vegetable Consumption And Obesity: A Theory-Based Study Among U.S. Older Adults, Qianzhi Jiang

Doctoral Dissertations

The overall diet quality of U.S. older adults is less than optimal, featured by inadequate fruits and vegetables (FV), whole grains and dairy, and excessive sodium and fat. The current food environment can be challenging for older adults to improve their FV consumption. Both perceived and observed food environments are linked to FV consumption and health outcomes such as Body Mass Index (BMI) with mixed results. My research was guided by a social-ecological framework and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to identify environmental supports for FV consumption in older adults. Adults aged 60 and older in Massachusetts, Iowa, and …

Motivations For Advance Care And End-Of-Life Planning Among Lgb Older Adults, Kristie L. Seelman, Terri Lewinson, Lily Engleman, Allex Allen

SW Publications

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) older adults are more likely than their heterosexual peers to experience health disparities, discrimination from healthcare providers based on sexual orientation, and rejection from their family of origin, all of which can complicate medical care and decision making, as well as end-of-life arrangements. Yet, relatively few studies of LGB seniors have looked at motivations for advance care and end-of-life planning, which are strategies that can help ensure that healthcare treatment and end-of-life wishes are enacted as desired. The present qualitative study investigated this topic with a purposive sample of nine LGB and same-gender-loving adults in …

The Relationship Between Executive Function, Hope, And Depression In Older Adults, Brittney Fallucca

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, by 2030, the population of individuals 65 years of age or older is expected to be close to 70 million people, or 20% of the country’s population. This creates a substantial demand as well as opportunity for prevention on medical and health care providers, because individuals in this population are at an increased risk of significant changes in cognitive and mental health. Decline in executive functioning skills is one of the most prevalent changes to affect older adults. Furthermore, depression is strongly associated with impairment in executive functioning, and both …

Senior Bullying: What Is Happening In Ontario, Kirsten Madsen, Patricia Spadafora

Investigation One: Bullying Between Older Adults: What is happening in Ontario. Investigation Two: Seniors Anti-bullying Implementation and Evaluation Project

Provide background and outline for the Ontario senior to senior prevalence study. This webinar also presents a definition of senior bullying and the need for a common understanding about what constitutes senior bullying. Webinar will also explain the process going forward – for example, survey distribution, accessing the website, languages available for the survey, print versions.

The Impact Of Depressive Symptoms On Cognitive Decline And Risk For Dementia, Katheryn Conde

Doctoral Dissertations

As of 2011, the life expectancy for Latinos in the U.S. was 81.6 years, which is higher compared to non-Hispanic Blacks (75.3 years), non-Hispanic Whites (79 years), and Hispanic Black populations (74.9 years; Arias, 2011; Arias, 2015). Latinos have higher age specific prevalence of dementia, which is higher than African Americans and non-Hispanic Whites (Gurland et al.,1999). Latinos experience Alzheimers disease symptoms 6.8 years earlier, with the average onset of 67.6 years which is younger than non-Hispanic Whites (73.1 years; Clark et al., 2005). Furthermore, older Latinos tend to experience depression at a rate of 13% and 35% with the …

Lgbt Senior Health Disparities: Information Resources To Bridge The Gap, Gregg A. Stevens, Tony Nguyen, Francisco J. Fajardo

Library Faculty Publications

As the senior population in the United States increases, the aging LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) population should also see comparable growth rates. Health care providers and social service organizations will care for more LGBT seniors with special needs beyond the general population of older adults as they are more at risk for certain conditions. This article identifies some specific health disparities and examines several organizations that work to improve LGBT senior health by providing critical health information to LGBT older adults, caregivers, and health care professionals.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Co-Housing Options For Older Adults To Age In Place, Kasey Meyer

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This study explored a housing model called co-housing, giving attention to its potential to help older adults successfully age in place. The focus of this research primarily focused on housing and the obstacles that prevent older adults from remaining in their own home as they age. The population of older adults in the United States will continue to increase and older adults are often faced with a shortage of available options. The co-housing model consists of individual homes or apartments located around a shared outdoor space. Members within the community share responsibility for everyday activities and upkeep to property, reducing …

Challenges And Opportunities In Accessing Geriatric Mental Health Services In Rural Minnesota, Kassara Kneeland

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

America’s aging population is increasing and mental illness among older adults continues to go under-diagnosed and under-treated. The purpose of this research was to collect data and information on the resources available to older adults living with mental illness in rural Minnesota. This research was informed primarily by the text Rural Mental Health: Issues, Policies, and Best Practices (2012). A survey was conducted utilizing both quantitative and qualitative questions developed by the researcher. The survey was distributed to 153 recipients in 14 counties surrounding Central Minnesota, with an 11% total response rate. Respondents were primarily county-affiliated, identified as social workers …

The Effect Of An Aging Suit On Young And Middle-Aged Adults’ Attitudes Toward Older Adults, Kelly Allen

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Ageism, a type of discrimination based on a person’s age, can lead to negative attitudes, intolerance, and judgment towards older adults. With the increase of older adults in society, understanding the correlates of negative attitudes becomes increasingly important. The use of aging simulation (the action of imitating or pretending to be an older adult) is one largely unexplored intervention for reducing ageist attitudes. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an aging suit on the attitudes of young and middle-aged adults toward older adults. We hypothesized that after performing senior fitness tests in an …

Technology And The Marginalization Of Older Adults: How Politeness Theory And Stereotype Embodiment Interact In Older Adults' Technology Use, Keefe Watson

Honors Projects

Marginalization of older adults is a long-time and pervasive fact of society. Technology use can make older adults feel less marginalized by connecting them socially, such as with communication technologies. However, older adults on average are less technology literate than younger adults; this can add to feelings of marginalization. In this study, I analyzed structured open-ended interviews and found unexpected instances of marginalization towards older adults related to technology; for example, older adults are most likely to withstand marginalized comments from their own adult children and family members. I applied politeness theory and the stereotype embodiment model to the coded …

Physical Boundaries And Social Networks: How Structural Configurations And Networks Of Support Influence Life Satisfaction In Assisted And Independent Living Facilities, Morgan Watts

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

As the elderly population continues to grow, the importance of gaining knowledge on how assisted and independent living facilities affects residents’ psychological, social, and physical well-being also continues to grow. This research looked at how the structural difference of independent and assisted living facilities (the integration of living and recreational areas between different levels of assisted residents) affect residents’ social support networks and happiness in independent living as compared to assisted living. A qualitative analysis was used to determine other important themes about the well-being of these older adults.

The two facilities used in this study included Friendship Village, which …

Therapeutic Riding And Psychological Health In Older Adults, Alyssa Pattison, Craig Ashford

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

This project explores the available quantitative and qualitative research to see if there is a link between therapeutic horseback riding and the reduction in symptoms of depression in older adults. Currently, there is a gap in evidence based research surrounding older populations with depression and therapeutic riding. However, research gathered on adolescents and adults suggest that therapeutic riding may alleviate depressive symptoms in persons over 65 years of age. Studies included in this project reveal groups of themes. The first is assessments, tools and evaluations. The second is animal assisted therapy, equine assisted therapy, therapeutic riding, and the barn environment. …

“Older Adults And Their Experiences With Home Care And Assisted Living”, Faith Robinson

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

As the state of Maine and the U.S. population at large continues to age, discussion about future care and living arrangements for older adults has become an increasingly relevant issue. Older adults are often faced with a range of options for housing, including staying in their home in their community while receiving home care services, or moving to an assisted living facility.

Currently a gap in the research exists as to the attitudes, perceptions, and lived experiences of the older adults themselves around these decisions, experiences, and the meaning of “home” in our older years. This study aims to provide …

Invisible No More: Bringing Awareness To Mental Health In Older Adults Living In Rural Minnesota, Abigail Schaper, Carley Ledoux, Kristry Danielson

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Approximately 8 million Americans 65 years of age and older have mental health disorders. It is estimated that these numbers could reach 14.4 million by 2030. Minnesotans turning 65 in this decade (about 285,000) will be greater than the past four decades combined (Aging: MN State Demographic Center, 2018). Anxiety and depression are two of the more common mental health disorders in older adults and are associated with severe consequences, including life dissatisfaction, illness, and mortality. With this growth comes many barriers. The rural mental health system is not equipped to address this growth. The system is underfunded, largely uncoordinated, …

Adult Day Service Providers: Untapped Potential For Care Coordination, Nicole Ruggiano, Ellen L. Brown, Karen L. Fortuna

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Adult Day Services (ADS) have become increasingly available for community-dwelling older adults who are often experiencing multiple chronic conditions and/or dementia. ADS providers spend a significant amount of time with their clients and offer the opportunity for a wealth of clinical information that can be used by primary care providers and specialists for decision-making about patient care. There are also opportunities for hospitals to coordinate care transitions with ADS providers by involving them with discharge planning with appropriate patients who require post-hospital care. However, ADS providers are often viewed as social service providers, and there is little known about the …

Helicobacter Pylori Moderates The Association Between 5-Mthf Concentration And Cognitive Function In Older Adults, Bruce L. Brown, Andrew N. Berrett, Shawn D. Gale, Lance D. Erickson, Dawson W. Hedges

Faculty Publications

Objective: To explore potential interactions between folate-cycle factors and Helicobacter pylori seropositivity in the prediction of cognitive function. Methods We used data obtained from the 1999–2000 continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey produced by the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Using Ordinary Least Squares regression, we tested for associations between multiple folate-cycle factors, Helicobacter pylori seropositivity, and cognitive function assessed by the digit symbol coding subtest of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III. We then tested for interactions between each of the folate-cycle factors and Helicobacter pylori in the prediction of cognitive function.

Results: Although Helicobacter pylori …

Reflections On Life: Replication And Extension, Karen Osowski

Master's Theses

This study used an experimental methodology to examine positive affect and gratitude as mediators of the beneficial impact of an intervention in which older adults savor "life lessons" they have learned in growing older on measures of psychological well-being (i.e., positive attitudes toward aging, life satisfaction, anxiety, state self-esteem, and state hope). In the following pages, I first review the background literature on gerontology and quality of life as well as describe, in detail, the original experiment (Smith & Bryant, 2018) that formed the foundation of the proposed research. Next, I describe several extensions of this earlier study that are …

An Examination Of A Mindfulness-Based Intervention For Older Adults, Morgan Levy

Theses and Dissertations

Mindfulness-based interventions use meditation and other learning exercises to help individuals become more aware of their current physiological and emotional experiences. Benefits of practicing mindfulness include an increase in positive psychological outcomes (e.g., psychological well-being, emotion regulation) and a decrease in negative psychological outcomes (e.g., anxiety, depression). The vast majority of studies focus on younger rather than older adults—setting the stage for the current study, which involved delivering a five-session mindfulness-based intervention to older adults (i.e., 60 and older). The smaller literature focused on older adults is promising but generally lacks methodological rigor (e.g., lack of no-treatment control groups). The …

The Effect Of Group Music Therapy On Alleviating Depression In Older Adults, Rebekah Gohl

Music: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

Depression and loneliness are significant psychological symptoms that often go unnoticed in older adults. Group music therapy with older adults provides an opportunity to alleviate depression through shared music making, reminiscing, and forming new connections with other individuals. This paper explores the implications of using music therapy to alleviate depression in an older adult population as found in prior research on this topic, advocating for group music therapy over individual therapy as a means to establish connections during old age.

Envisioning A Watertown For All Ages, Caitlin Coyle

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

Watertown for All Ages is a group of residents working to improve the livability of Watertown for residents of all ages and abilities. They work closely with the Watertown Council on Aging/Senior Center. The Watertown Council on Aging/Senior Center provides a variety of social, health, educational, recreational, advocacy, and support programs designed to help Watertown’s older adults age well in the community. Services provided to seniors living in the community range from transportation support to nutrition services and social services, along with a range of programs and activities meant to enhance well-being and quality of life. Similar to many Councils …

Reading As A Lifeline Among Aging Readers, Paulette Rothbauer, Nicole Dalmer

FIMS Publications

No abstract provided.

Differences In The Perceptions Of Gerotranscendence Between Certified Nursing Assistants And Older Adults, Amanda Perera

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Many theories of aging have been proposed within the field of gerontology to explain both psychological and social changes that occur during the aging process. One of the theories is the theory of gerotranscendence, which explains that as individuals age they develop a new perspective on life that allows the aging individual to shift their conceptualization of the world, from a materialistic and rational view to a more transcendent and universal view. Previous research suggests that some behaviors associated with gerotranscendence have been misinterpreted as pathological. The purpose of this current study was to examine whether there are significant differences …

Bullying In Senior Living Facilities: Resident Perspectives, Kathryn Ira

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Research associated with resident-to-resident bullying in senior living facilities (i.e., senior bullying), has been growing in recent years due to anecdotal stories in the popular press. Few studies, however, have assessed resident-to-resident bullying from the perspective of residents. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to better understand the phenomenon of senior bullying as observed by residents in senior living facilities. Nineteen individuals residing in senior living facilities were interviewed about their observations and opinions related to senior bullying at their facility. Results indicated that 52.9% of residents had observed senior bullying at least once. Verbal and social bullying …

A Later Life Without Children In China : A Cross-Sectional Examination Of Moderators And Mediators Of The Effects Of Childlessness On The Well-Being Of Elders, Junrong Shi

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Adult children played a primary role in support and caregiving for the fast-growing older population in China because of the core value of “filial piety” and underdeveloped formal services in the country. However, an increasing amount of Chinese people will end up with having no children in their later years, either nonparental or no children survived. It is important to understand that how the absence of children affects the health and well-being of older adults to better serve this growing vulnerable population. Limited previous studies focused on the childless older people in China, and little is known about the mechanisms …

The Impact Of An Interprofessional Geriatric Training Experience: Attitudes Of Future Healthcare Providers, Lisa J. Knecht-Sabres, Minetta Wallingford, Michelle M. Lee, James F. Gunn, Esperanza M. Anaya, Sarah E. Getch, Nathaniel D. Krumdick, Gloria M. Workman

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

As the older adult population increases, it is vital to educate and train healthcare providers as members of interprofessional healthcare teams who can work effectively with these individuals. Ageism is a potential obstacle to achieving this goal. The purpose of this pre/post-test design pilot study was to determine the impact of an interprofessional geriatric training experience on the attitudes of future healthcare providers towards interprofessionalism and working with older adults. Sixteen graduate level students from occupational therapy and clinical psychology programs completed four interprofessional sessions with older adults residing in a long-term care facility. Quantitative data were gathered from pre/post-test …