scholarly journals Engaging Rural and Racial-Ethnic Populations in Gerontological Research

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 318-319
Author(s):  
Ishan Williams
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Diverse Populations ◽  
Collaborative Partnerships ◽  
Culturally Appropriate ◽  
Ethnic Populations ◽  
Marginalized Groups ◽  
Gerontological Research ◽  
Research And Education ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Racial Ethnic

Abstract Older adults from racial/ethnic populations, as well as rural-dwelling older adults, are often at heightened risk for experiencing health disparities. Reasons for these disparities may include access issues, language barriers, distrust, lack of awareness, and of culturally appropriate materials. Racial/ethnic populations and rural-dwelling populations are also less likely to be included in research to help minimize the impact of these disparities. Shifting from reducing disparities to eliminating disparities will require attentiveness to designing programs and research that focus on increasing representation of racial/ethnic groups in research, integrating diverse populations (particularly rural and other marginalized groups) into the development of ideas and projects, and finally a commitment to culturally appropriate and inclusive approaches to research and education. Applying these strategies can provide guidance on how to best facilitate inclusive and equitable research, collaborative partnerships, and equitable healthcare for everyone, especially those from populations often underrepresented.

scholarly journals ELDER SEXUAL ABUSE: A REVIEW OF LEGALLY MANDATED APPROACHES TOWARD PREVENTION AND FUTURE IMPLICATIONS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S968-S968
Author(s):  
Michelle Hand
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
Intervention Strategies ◽  
Culturally Appropriate ◽  
Prevention And Intervention ◽  
Effective Training ◽  
Research And Education

Abstract Rape stereotypes involve the assault of young women due to sexual desire, resulting in the exclusion of older adults from sexual violence research, policies, and interventions, suggesting a need to further knowledge in this area (Bows & Westmarland, 2015). Debates also persist on the prevalence and nature of elder sexual abuse (ESA), where it occurs, and its most common perpetrators (Bows, 2018). Thus a systematic scoping review was conducted to explore the nature and prevalence of ESA as well as mandated prevention and intervention strategies to guide practice, policy, research and education on prevention. Eligible sources were research-based and focused on the nature of ESA along with legal prevention and/or intervention mandates. In total, 38 peer-reviewed articles and reports were screened in for review, obtained from AgeLine, EBSCO, Clinical Key Flex, PubMed, Google, and Google Scholar databases. Findings suggest while consensus has not been reached (Bows, 2018), ESA estimates range from 0.2% to 7% of U.S. elder abuse cases, yet actual rates are likely much higher due to underreporting (Cannell et al., 2014). Additionally, results suggest ESA most often occurs in nursing homes, predominantly perpetrated by staff or residents (Ramsey-Klawsnik et al., 2008). Still, ESA remains underreported despite several mandated approaches to prevention and intervention (Payne, 2010). Thus findings demonstrate a need for reliable estimates of prevalence, location as well as common victim-perpetrator relations and awareness of required steps toward prevention and intervention (Payne, 2010). Beyond this, transdisciplinary efforts are needed to yield effective training, education, and culturally appropriate resources.

scholarly journals Social Determinants of Health Among Those With and Without HIV Infection in NYC, the Epicenter of the U.S. Crisis

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 424-425
Author(s):  
Tonya Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Ethnic Populations ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Ryan White ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic in NYC, the epicenter of the US crisis, revealed indisputable evidence that social determinants of health (SDoH, e.g., racism, crowded housing, employment risks) and disparities in comorbid health risk factors produce higher burdens of disease and death among racial and ethnic populations. We conducted a needs assessment of SDoH among 1400 patients in several ambulatory care clinics to explore the impact among older adults, across different clinical populations. Among older adults with HIV (OAH), we found lower rates of food and housing insecurity compared to older adults without HIV. Despite higher levels of COVID knowledge and prevention adherence, we also found significantly higher levels of isolation, loneliness, depressive symptoms, and anxiety among OAHs compared to those without HIV. Access to Ryan White entitlements did buffer some impacts but preexisting high burdens of mental health issues were exacerbated, perhaps due to heightened perceptions of increased vulnerability to COVID-19.

scholarly journals Oral Health, Cognitive Function, and Mortality: Findings From National Surveys

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 206-206
Author(s):  
Bei Wu ◽  
Susie Keepper ◽  
Michèle Saunders
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
National Surveys ◽  
New Findings ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Racial Ethnic

Abstract Poor oral health, diabetes mellitus (DM), and cognitive impairment are common problems in older adults. Using national surveys, this symposium aims to present new findings regarding the impact of the co-occurrence of DM and poor oral health on cognitive function, cognitive decline, and mortality. This symposium will also cover the topic of dental care use among adult populations in the U.S. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) (2006- 2018), the first study shows that adults with both DM and edentulism had the worst cognitive function, followed by those with edentulism alone, and those with DM alone. Using the same HRS data, the second study found that co-occurrence of DM and edentulism had a higher risk of more rapid cognitive decline with advancing age than the presence of each condition alone. The third study used data from the 2006-2016 HRS linked with mortality files, and revealed that the risk of diabetes and edentulism on mortality may vary across racial/ethnic groups. Using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey (2002-2018), the fourth study examined disparities of dental service utilization among racial/ethnic groups (Whites, Hispanics, Blacks, Asians, American Indians or Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islanders). Age differences in dental services were also compared between older adults and other younger and middle-aged populations. This symposium highlights the role of oral health in improving cognitive health. Policies and programs are needed to increase dental care access, a critical way to help maintain good oral health.

scholarly journals Tracking Multimorbidity Changes in Diverse Racial/Ethnic Populations Over Time: Issues and Considerations

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-300
Author(s):  
Ana R Quiñones ◽  
Heather G Allore ◽  
Anda Botoseneanu ◽  
Jason T Newsom ◽  
Corey L Nagel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Research Practice ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Ethnic Populations ◽  
Practice Perspective ◽  
Racial Ethnic ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Multimorbidity is widely recognized as having adverse effects on health and wellbeing and may threaten the ability of older adults to live independently. Much of what is known about multimorbidity rests on research that has largely focused on one point in time, or from a static perspective. Given that there remains a lack of agreement in the field on how to standardize multimorbidity definitions and measurement, it is not surprising that analyzing and predicting multimorbidity development, progression over time, and its impact are still largely unaddressed. As a result, there are important gaps and challenges to measuring and studying multimorbidity in a longitudinal context. This Research Practice perspective summarizes pressing challenges and offers practical steps to move the field forward.

scholarly journals Focused Ethnography in Gerontological Research and Education

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 13-13
Author(s):  
Susan Patton
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Chronic Illness ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Focused Ethnography ◽  
Methodological Foundation ◽  
Gerontological Research ◽  
Research And Education

Abstract Gerontological researchers often use qualitative methods to understand beliefs, values, and shared practices. Focused ethnography (FE) has emerged as a form of qualitative research focused on a specific issue or shared experiences in sub-cultures in specific settings, such as older adults experiencing chronic illness. However, examples of FE in gerontological research literature are few and there is limited methodological guidance on using FE. This presentation provides descriptions of FE based on existing literature and experience in ethnographic research. A systematic review of extant literature was conducted using CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE Complete (Ebsco), and PubMed. Published studies using FE are summarized to demonstrate the methodological foundation and the versatility of FE in exploring health issues in different populations and specific groups of older adults. Nursing students completing a course in chronic illness were trained to conduct an FE on one of the patients in their care. Students were provided a semi-structured interview guide based on the eight questions in Kleinman’s Patient’s Explanatory Model of Illness. The focused ethnographies were then analyzed by qualitative content analysis. Beliefs older adults hold about their chronic illness fell into three categories: regretting lifestyle choices, grieving loss of self, and finding a “new normal”. Focused ethnography is a relevant research method that can be used to understand health behavior of older adults and can be used to teach and evaluate cultural competency in nursing students.

scholarly journals The Color of COVID-19: Structural Racism and the Disproportionate Impact of the Pandemic on Older Black and Latinx Adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc A Garcia ◽  
Patricia A Homan ◽  
Catherine García ◽  
Tyson H Brown
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care Access ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Federal State ◽  
Structural Racism ◽  
Weathering Processes ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
State And Local ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Racial Ethnic

Abstract Objectives The aim of this evidence-based theoretically informed article was to provide an overview of how and why the COVID-19 outbreak is particularly detrimental for the health of older Black and Latinx adults. Methods We draw upon current events, academic literature, and numerous data sources to illustrate how biopsychosocial factors place older adults at higher risk for COVID-19 relative to younger adults, and how structural racism magnifies these risks for black and Latinx adults across the life course. Results We identify 3 proximate mechanisms through which structural racism operates as a fundamental cause of racial/ethnic inequalities in COVID-19 burden among older adults: (a) risk of exposure, (b) weathering processes, and (c) health care access and quality. Discussion While the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented crisis, the racial/ethnic health inequalities among older adults it has exposed are longstanding and deeply rooted in structural racism within American society. This knowledge presents both challenges and opportunities for researchers and policymakers as they seek to address the needs of older adults. It is imperative that federal, state, and local governments collect and release comprehensive data on the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths by race/ethnicity and age to better gauge the impact of the outbreak across minority communities. We conclude with a discussion of incremental steps to be taken to lessen the disproportionate burden of COVID-19 among older Black and Latinx adults, as well as the need for transformative actions that address structural racism in order to achieve population health equity.

scholarly journals Impact of Recreational Physical Activity And Body Composition On Insulin Resistance In Older Adult Population

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 1045-1045
Author(s):  
Pao-Feng Tsai ◽  
Chih-Hsuan Wang ◽  
Caralise Hunt ◽  
Sarah Watts ◽  
Katilya Ware
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Model Assessment ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Racial Ethnic

Abstract Purpose The study was to identify the impact of physical activity (PA) and body composition on insulin resistance in older adults and investigate racial/ethnic difference in these relationships. Method: This secondary data analysis project used 717 participants who were 55 years and older without diabetes from the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Major variables included homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and recreational PA. The covariates included were demographics, nutrition intake, and lifestyle (smoking and alcohol usage). Hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted to analyze the data. Results Body composition and recreational PA had interaction and main effects on HOMA-IR in the overall sample. Level of HOMA-IR decreased with increasing levels of recreational PA in individuals with lower levels of BMI, but in individuals with higher levels of BMI, HOMA-IR increased. Level of HOMA-IR increased with increasing levels of recreational PA across the range of WCs, but the rate of increase was slightly more pronounced at higher level of WCs. These results varied across racial/ethnic groups. Conclusion Overall, both recreational PA and body composition are important factors that affect level of HOMA-IR, but body composition seems to be the dominant factor. PA is only beneficial for older adults with low BMI. Interventions for reducing insulin resistance should be tailored to specific racial/ethnic groups.

The Impact of Subjective and Objective Hearing Loss on Cognition and Memory in Older Adults

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Rogalski ◽  
Amy Rominger
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Reading Aloud ◽  
Cognitive Testing ◽  
Professional Collaboration ◽  
Cognitive Screening ◽  
Speech Language Pathologist ◽  
Text Passage ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Audiologic Evaluation

For this exploratory cross-disciplinary study, a speech-language pathologist and an audiologist collaborated to investigate the effects of objective and subjective hearing loss on cognition and memory in 11 older adults without hearing loss (OAs), 6 older adults with unaided hearing loss (HLOAs), and 16 young adults (YAs). All participants received cognitive testing and a complete audiologic evaluation including a subjective questionnaire about perceived hearing difficulty. Memory testing involved listening to or reading aloud a text passage then verbally recalling the information. Key findings revealed that objective hearing loss and subjective hearing loss were correlated and both were associated with a cognitive screening test. Potential clinical implications are discussed and include a need for more cross-professional collaboration in assessing older adults with hearing loss.

The Impact of TimeSlips on Undergraduate Students in Service Learning With Older Adults

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Sabine Heuer
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Attitude Scale ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Attitudes Toward Older Adults ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Attitude Shift ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Journal Entries

Purpose Future speech-language pathologists are often unprepared in their academic training to serve the communicative and cognitive needs of older adults with dementia. While negative attitudes toward older adults are prevalent among undergraduate students, service learning has been shown to positively affect students' attitudes toward older adults. TimeSlips is an evidence-based approach that has been shown to improve health care students' attitudes toward older adults. The purpose of this study is to explore the change in attitudes in speech-language pathology students toward older adults using TimeSlips in service learning. Method Fifty-one students participated in TimeSlips service learning with older adults and completed the Dementia Attitude Scale (DAS) before and after service learning. In addition, students completed a reflection journal. The DAS data were analyzed using nonparametric statistics, and journal entries were analyzed using a qualitative analysis approach. Results The service learners exhibited a significant increase in positive attitude as indexed on the DAS. The reflective journal entries supported the positive change in attitudes. Conclusions A noticeable attitude shift was indexed in reflective journals and on the DAS. TimeSlips is an evidence-based, patient-centered approach well suited to address challenges in the preparation of Communication Sciences and Disorders students to work with the growing population of older adults.

Study finds racial/ethnic disparities in depressive trajectories among middle-aged or older adults

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Liang ◽  
X. Xu ◽  
A. R. Quinones ◽  
J. M. Bennett ◽  
W. Ye
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Ethnic Disparities ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Racial Ethnic
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