Gerontology Commons^™

Joseph T. Freeman Award And Excellence In Rehabilitation Of Aging Persons Award Presentations And Lectures, Cynthia J. Brown

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Gerontological Society of America 2022 Annual Scientific Meeting; November 2 - 6, 2022; Indianapolis, IN

Empowering Older Adults With Their Information Privacy Management, Reza Ghaiumy Anaraky

All Dissertations

Literature depicts a deficit-based narrative around older adults and their technology use, suggesting that older adults are not able to keep up with their younger counterparts in adopting new technologies. In this dissertation, I argue that this view is not necessarily accurate or productive. Instead, I argue that the deficit is in the technology design, which is not inclusive and often caters to the needs of younger adults.

I study older and younger adults' privacy decision-making as a showcase. To study the privacy decision-making process with more granularity, I used a dual-route approach (decision heuristics and privacy calculus) to disentangle …

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Associations Of The Covid-19 Pandemic With Older Individuals' Healthcare Utilization And Self-Reported Health Status: A Longitudinal Analysis From Singapore, Sangnam Ahn, Seonghoon Kim, Kanghyock Koh

Research Collection School Of Economics

Background: The COVID–19 pandemic has challenged the capacity of healthcare systems around the world and can potentially compromise healthcare utilization and health outcomes among non-COVID–19 patients. Objectives: To examine the associations of the COVID-19 pandemic with healthcare utilization, out-of-pocket medical costs, and perceived health among middle-aged and older individuals in Singapore. Method: Utilizing data collected from a monthly panel survey, a difference-in-differences approach was used to characterize monthly changes of healthcare use and spending and estimate the probability of being diagnosed with a chronic condition and self-reported health status before and during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. Subjects: Data were …

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

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.

From 'Pandemic' To 'Endemic' And Beyond: Key Aspects Of Research On Older Singaporeans In A Year Of Transition, Nadya Haifan, Jane Tan, Rachel Wen Yi Ngu, Mindy Eiko Tadai, Yan Er Tan, Grace Cheong, Micah Tan, Wensi Lim

ROSA Research Briefs

The past year has been one marked by transition – as a country we have moved from treating COVID-19 as a pandemic to living with it as an endemic disease. Research conducted by the Centre for Research on Successful Ageing (ROSA) has taken a similar trajectory, expanding the scope of investigations from COVID-19 topics to other areas that are important for the general well-being of older adults in Singapore. This report showcases ROSA’s research involving older Singaporeans and the partnerships that have been forged in the past year. These developments will be presented in two sections. The first outlines the …

「回首．動情．傳承」長者生命故事計劃, 嶺南大學亞太老年學研究中心 Asia-Pacific Institute Of Ageing Studies, Lingnan University, Chak Kwan Chan, Lai Ieng Lau, Pui Yiu Ho, Kwong Lam Wu, Hiu Tung Chan, Ying Laam Tang, Shuk Ling Wong, Wai Ching Lai, Kam Yin Lai, Chun Wai Lo, Yiu Long Tai, Ka Chung Kwong, Hon Wun So

Manual & Guide 手冊及指引

嶺南大學亞太老年學研究中心獲華人永遠墳場管理委員會（「華永會」）資助為期一年的「回首．動情．傳承」長者生命故事計劃(「計劃」)。此計劃旨在讓青年人認識長者生命經驗，學習克服困難與挫折以提升抗逆力，建立正向人生觀。

近年，主流媒體經常批評年輕人的負面人生觀，例如：「躺平主義」、「享樂主義」、「犬儒心態」等，亦不時看到青年人輕生的新聞。我們曾在大學內處理過不少受情緒困擾及企圖自殺的個案，與學生深入交流後，發現他們面對着沉重的學業壓力、財政困難或複雜的家庭關係，內心充滿掙扎不安。

此計劃讓嶺大學生與長者導師進行深度的對談，透過了解長者走過的路、他們經歷過的挫折和教訓，給予年輕人生命的啟示。如果我們以旅遊比喻人生，長者就像環遊世界的資深背包客，即使大家遊覽不同的地點、觀賞過不同的風景，他們總能夠分享一些旅遊的心得，讓新手遊客走少一點冤枉路，或領悟到旅遊的樂趣和意義。長者亦可以藉由敍述人生片段回顧他們生命中的故事，學習接納過去，增加自我認同感。青年人創作生命教育書冊，將長者積極的人生觀傳給年輕一代，並藉此鼓勵其他長者豁達地度過餘年。

我們於2022年初招募嶺南大學學生接受「生命故事敍述」培訓，內容包括：本港的人口老化現象、敍述治療理論、與長者溝通的技巧及模擬實踐練習等，以裝備同學的知識和技巧。本中心再向屯門、元朗區的長者機構發邀請信，誠邀長者擔任生命導師接受訪問。

嶺大安排同學以兩人一組的小隊形式，於2022年6至7月期間前往長者中心、日間護理中心、嶺南大學或長者家中，與十二位長者進行深入訪談。訪談結束後，同學根據訪談的內容，為長者書寫他們獨特的生命故事。例如在人離鄉賤的異國環境下，努力打拼事業的Alfred；堅持不懈持續進修的淑芹和馮春林；即使沒機會求學，仍憑一雙巧手闖出一片天的譚惠；在文化大革命的漩渦中，憑着熱忱而改變命運的蘭英；還有為家人無私奉獻的鳳群、歐婆婆、雅芳及細女；離鄉別井勇闖異地的阿美和阿水；即使被家人賣去做「妹仔」，仍能以「阿Q精神」面對的諒餘。

為保障長者的私隱權益，本書內所有刊登之故事皆經過受訪者或社工審閱，部份受訪者選擇以化名的形式來分享自己的故事，我們亦移除了部份敏感的個人資料。

Aging In Sherborn: A Community Needs Assessment, Sue Berger, Caitlin Coyle

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 Sherborn Council on Aging. The goals of this project were to investigate the needs, interests, preferences, and opinions of Sherborn’s population of residents who are age 55 and older. The content of this report is meant to inform the Sherborn Council on Aging, and organizations that work with and on behalf of older residents of Sherborn, for the purposes of planning and coordination of services, but also to build awareness about …

Aging In Hingham: A Community Needs Assessment, Caitlin Coyle, Shayna Gleason

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 Town of Hingham. The goals of this project were to investigate the needs, interests, preferences, and opinions of Hingham’s residents aged 45 or older. The contents of this report are meant to inform the Department of Elder Services, the Hingham Council on Aging and Senior Center, and the Senior Center Building Committee that was appointed in 2020. As well, organizations that work with and on behalf of older residents of Hingham …

Adult Day Services In Maine: Benefits, Challenges, And Opportunities, Elizabeth Gattine Jd, Eileen Griffin Jd, Kimberly I. Snow Mhsa, Ba

Disability & Aging

In Maine and nationally, adult day services tend to be underfunded and underutilized compared to other types of long term services and supports (LTSS). In part, investment in adult day services is hampered by a lack of standardized data collection and limited research on issues of accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and the impact of adult day services on the broader health system. Lack of uniformity in state regulatory frameworks for licensing, program design, service delivery, and other administrative requirements further complicates cross-state comparisons. Considering these limitations, a key goal of this report is to provide a more detailed and comprehensive understanding of …

Health Related Challenges Of Rural Elderly Living In Co-Residential Family Care Arrangements, Kidus Yenealem Mefteh

The Qualitative Report

Family plays an indispensable role in the care and support of the rising number of older people particularly in developing countries like Ethiopia where the system of public transfer is minimal. Previous studies in Ethiopia focus on institutionalized and urban-dwelling elderly with little attention to the elderly in the informal care paradigm and rural areas. This study aims to explore the health-related experiences of dependent rural elderly who get care and support within a family setting. A phenomenology method was used, and in-depth interviews were employed to collect data from purposively sampled elders. Data were inductively coded and developed into …

Life In An Endemic Covid-19: Older Adults' Well-Being, Activity, And Perceptions, Rachel Ngu, Micah Tan, Jia Ying Low

ROSA Research Briefs

The current research brief provides a preliminary examination of whether older adults have been able to ‘return’ to the pre-pandemic way of life in an endemic COVID-19. To do this, we look at several key indicators, including (1) tracking older adults’ overall life satisfaction, activity levels, and trust in government over the past 3 years, (2) older adults’ confidence to resume activities, as well as subjective perceptions about their safety when leaving the home in an endemic COVID-19, and (3) older adults’ ability to adhere to the Home Recovery Program (HRP), where individuals with COVID-19 are able to recover from …

The Commuting Patterns Of Older Adults, Yen Cong Wong, Yan Er Tan, Grace Cheong

ROSA Research Briefs

This research brief uses data from the Singapore Life Panel (SLP) and provides a general description of the commuting patterns of older adults in November 2021. By outlining the latter, we aim to provide some indication of whether Singapore’s transport infrastructure adequately supports the commute needs of older adults and how older adults’ commute fares against the Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore’s Land Transport Master Plan (LTMP). Key findings: 1. Self-owned car (32.8%) was the most preferred mode of transport, followed by the public bus (25.3%), MRT (24.4%) and walking (8.3%). 2. In terms of utilization, public bus (50.3%), …

Weight Perceptions And Health Education On Obesity Among Older Adults, Seonghoon Kim, Vicky Mengqi Qin, Xuan Zhang, Kanghyock Koh, Mindy Eiko Tadai, Micah Tan

ROSA Research Briefs

The current brief presents preliminary findings from a special module that measures perceptions of weight and receptivity to health education among older adults. Singapore Life Panel® (SLP) data collected in January 2022 (n=2814) were utilized. Two policy recommendations were made: The main findings highlight that weight misperception is prevalent among older adults. More than a third of respondents (39%) incorrectly perceive their weight status, particularly among overweight and obese older adults, as well as Malay and lower educated respondents. This suggests the importance of public health education for older adults to reduce misperceptions about their own over- and under-weight status, …

Successful Aging Through Aging In Place : The Perspectives Of The Elderly And Adult Children In Shenzhen, Feng Huang

Lingnan Theses (Doctoral degree)

Aging in place (AIP) has been adopted to cope with the aging population worldwide. The present research invoked the concept of successful aging as a theoretical perspective on AIP with Shenzhen, China as the backdrop. This study adopted the successful aging model of Rowe and Kahn (1987, 1997, 1998) and employed a mixed methods with qualitative and quantitative research. It examined the AIP policies in China and Shenzhen and how the “users” (the elderly and adult children) perceive AIP and successful aging. It also explored which factors would affect successful aging through AIP. Findings showed that financial security and intergenerational …

The Experiences Of Older Formerly Incarcerated Adults In A Specialized Reentry Program During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Robin O'Hanlon, Jessica Broome

Publications and Research

A growing area of concern among prison reform advocates and human rights activists is the “greying prison population” or the continuous, unified growth in the number of older incarcerated individuals. Older individuals experience an accelerated aging process while incarcerated, but are less likely to reoffend upon release. While the aging prison population has in recent years become a focus of criminological and gerontological scholars, the lived experience of older formerly incarcerated individuals during the reentry process remains understudied. Using a qualitative approach, this cohort study seeks to further elucidate the unique needs, beliefs, and perceptions of this population within the …

Older Adult Healthcare Utilization Patterns And Receptiveness Towards Healthier Sg Initiative, Micah Tan, Grace Cheong, Wensi Lim, Paulin T. Straughan

ROSA Research Briefs

The Healthier SG (HSG) initiative was launched by Health Minister Ong Ye Kung in March 2022. HSG marks a distinct departure from existing healthcare models as under this new initiative, greater emphasis is placed on preventive healthcare rather than reactive treatments. This shift in approach is envisioned to have a significant influence on the healthcare system in Singapore – for instance, by focusing on “health care” rather than on “sick care” it is hoped by some that this new model will discourage the ‘over-service’ of patients by doctors in Singapore (Lim, 2022). An integral component of the HSG initiative is …

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 …

"Queering" Age-Friendly New York City, Austin G. Oswald

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Background and aims: The global population is aging and becoming more culturally diverse. As such, scholars, practitioners, and policymakers are expected to think critically about strategies to improve the quality of life of people as they age. In 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Age-Friendly Cities movement to improve the well-being and meaningful engagement of older adults living in the community. New York City (NYC) was the first city in the world to be designated “age-friendly” by the WHO, and is possibly viewed as a model for other cities to emulate. Few empirical studies have examined the age-friendly …

Reflecting On Resilience: Insight Into Resiliency Development And Utilization In Oregon's Older Adults From 2020 To 2022, Riley A. Wilton

University Honors Theses

The events of the last 2 years have complicated the lives of older adults throughout the world. For many, their survival can be traced back to one key trait: resilience. In the state of Oregon, the years 2020-2022 came with a host of issues that expanded past the COVID-19 pandemic. These events provide context for the world our storytellers discuss.

Using a snowball recruitment strategy through the efforts of community organizations and senior centers, 4 storytellers sat down to describe their resilience in different ways. They were asked to reflect on their own life experiences, how it influenced their resilience, …

江門市居家養老研究報告 = A Research Report On Ageing In Place In Jiangmen City, 嶺南大學-五邑大學居家養老聯合研究創新中心

APIAS Research Report 研究報告

本研究旨在瞭解江門市”社區居家養老”的狀況及需求，以便當局制定服務，讓長者能在自己最熟悉的地方養老。

硏究採用「量性研究」(Quantitative research method) 的方法，以問卷收集了482位居住在江門市城市、鄉鎮和農村60歲或以上長者的個人狀況和對居家養老的意見。

硏究發現8成以上長者偏好在家養老及覺得其現在居所環境適合養老，但超過一半長者居所的安全性成疑，這包括居所存在鼠患蟲患、住屋光線不足和缺乏維修等。另外，有大約3成認爲社區設施便利性有待提升。

在社交支持方面，超過8成老年人擁有良好的社交支持網絡，出入醫療場所和在生活上遇到難題時能獲得幫忙；少部分無法尋求任何幫助。值得注意的是，尋求正式機構協助的長者不多。

在財務狀況方面，約6成長者主要收入來源為退休金，另外少於半數老年人依靠兒女資助。有部分受訪者依賴存款，政府補貼和勞動收入。受訪者月收入偏低，以1000~4000元爲主，部分沒有任何收人。被訪者的醫療保險覆蓋率接近9成，約有2成人對承擔醫療費用感到吃力。

參與是次研究的受訪者普遍身體狀況和自理能力良好，7成以上滿意當前生活狀態 (包括居所狀況、社會支持、居家安老安排、社區設施及其生活條件)，認爲目前條件能支持他們居家養老。

本研究提出五大建議。第一，雖然目前大部分受訪者滿意當前生活狀態，居家養老服務供給水平仍有改進空間。為應付老年人口急增，政府應加速發展養老業。第二，社區和居家環境需配合長者的身體機能和需要，進行適老化改造，以支持他們在家養老。第三，爲減輕長者醫療費用的負擔，建議政府篩查符合救助標準的長者，提高老年人醫療補貼。第四，為了讓更多老年人能在社區組織中獲得適切的正式服務支持，政府應加大服務購買力度，增加服務名額同時提升服務質素。第五，子女對年長父母的陪伴和依靠是不能缺乏的，但部分子女沒有很好地履行贍養義務。爲增加子女對年老父母的照顧力度，政府應從教育、媒體方面營造社會尊老敬老氛圍。

The Role Of Physical Activity And Gender As Moderators For The Relationship Between Insomnia And Depression, Claire E. Wickersham

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the association between insomnia and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults and to investigate whether gender or physical activity moderates this relationship. Method: This study used nationally representative data from the 2016 and 2018 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and binomial logistic regression was used to estimate models. Regression models for risk of depressive symptoms (2018) were based on a longitudinal model with time-lagged indicators of insomnia, levels of physical activity, and covariates (2016). Results: Analyses showed that participants who reported having insomnia in 2016 were more …

Testing The Ls/Cmi For Predictive Accuracy: Does Age Matter?, Sandra Stephanie Lawlor

Dissertations and Theses

The Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI) is one of the most widely used instruments for assessing recidivism risk and treatment needs in correctional settings. The predictive validity of the measure and its predecessor (LSI-R) has been established in meta-analytic studies and research finds that the scale's accuracy is largely independent of sex, race, and ethnicity. Whether the LS/CMI works equally well for different age groups remains in question. The current study assessed the predictive accuracy of the LS/CMI from a sample of 14,940 adults in custody (AIC) released from an Oregon prison between 2011 and 2017 for three age …

A Look Towards The Future Of Eldercare: Lessons Learned From Social Care Models In Japan, Caroline M. Steil

Honors Theses

The rapidly accelerating trend of population aging is redefining the state of eldercare globally, as every country is currently or will soon face a gap in the excess demand for care versus the scarce supply of caregivers, both formal and informal. Specifically, there is a decrease in the number of elders seeking care through a family member as well as less caregivers in institutions to provide care for elders. Japan is at the vanguard of this caregiving gap, and thus provides key lessons, particularly from two innovative models of eldercare: Ibasho, a grass-roots, non-profit organization, and Japan's Long-Term Care Insurance …

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 …

Encore Intergenerational Vaccine Corps (Pre- And Post-Service Survey: Topline Results), Halvorsen J. Cal, K. Megan Collier

Brown School Faculty Publications

Between May 2021 and April 2022, volunteers with the Encore Intergenerational Vaccine Corps were asked to complete a pre-service survey upon joining and post-service survey upon exiting the program. (Those still volunteering in April 2022 were asked to complete the post-service survey.) The primary objective of these surveys was to assess changes in how volunteers viewed people from different generations after their experiences in this intergenerational volunteer program. Secondary objectives included changes in engagement with people from other generations and views on public policy, public health, and social issues. Volunteers’ experiences in the program were also assessed in the post-service …

The Relationship Between Circadian Rhythms And Neurodegenerative Disease, Christopher Simpson

Honors Projects

Neurodegenerative disease is a pervasive and insidious disease affecting a large proportion of the elderly population. Leading to the degeneration of neural tissue throughout the nervous system, it is a slow and progressive disorder. Because of its nature, it is possible that it has a connection to circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms are the endogenous approximately 24-hour rhythms of the body commonly associated with the sleep-wake cycle, but they account for much more. This review aims to ascertain the relationship between the two by covering several facets of research pursued in the past five years. Beginning with establishing a basic understanding …

Kebijakan Pemenuhan Kebutuhan Dasar Lansia Dan Optimum Aging: Kajian Literatur, Dini Widinarsih, Departemen Ilmu Kesejahteraan Sosial, Universitas Indonesia

Jurnal Ilmu Kesejahteraan Sosial

Elderly (elderly) is someone who has reached the age of 60 years and over. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA, 2015) projects that the number of people aged 60 years and over will reach 2 billion by 2050, and will continue to increase to more than three times by 2100. The increasing number of elderly population makes the elderly one of the It is important to pay attention to groups so that they do not become an economic and social burden. Therefore, it is necessary to utilize the potential of the elderly and seek forms of …

Social Security Benefits Continue To Fall Short Of Covering Cost Of Basic Needs For Older Americans, 2021, Jan Mutchler, Nidya Velasco Roldán

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

Social Security benefits fall short of what is required to cover the basic cost of living across the United States, according to new estimates based on the Elder Index, a county-by-county measure of the income older adults need to secure an independent lifestyle. Nationally, the average Social Security benefit covers just 68% of basic living expenses of housing, food, transportation, and health care for a single renter in 2021, and 81% for an older couple. The gap between Social Security benefits and what it takes to get by is especially problematic for older adults who rely largely or entirely on …

Financial Technology In Conditional Cash Transfer Dengan Menggunakan Systematic Mapping Study, Genta Rizkiansyah

Jurnal Ilmu Kesejahteraan Sosial

This article is an initial study that seeks to explore the results of previous studies in the field of Financial Technology in the Conditional Cash Transfer Program using the Systematic Mapping Study (SMS). The purpose of this study is to determine the topic of Financial Technology in the Conditional Cash Transfer Program that has been studied. This study uses a qualitative method by using a literature study. The search was carried out in the Scopus database of 583 articles and after mapping, we found 25 articles with the publication year 2008-2020 that were published in scientific journals and entered the …