Relationship Between Nonprescribed Therapy Use for Illness Prevention and Health Promotion and Health-Related Quality of Life
Conclusion:
This analysis suggests that use of some nonprescribed therapies for health promotion is associated with poorer mental HRQoL. (Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology)
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - April 28, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Altizer, K. P., Nguyen, H. T., Neiberg, R. H., Quandt, S. A., Grzywacz, J. G., Lang, W., Bell, R. A., Arcury, T. A. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Psychometric Properties of the Index of Relocation Adjustment
This study examined the psychometric properties of the IRA using secondary data from a convenience sample of 104 older adults who relocated to 6 retirement communities in Northeast Ohio. Cronbach’s alpha was .86. The IRA was correlated with measures of positive cognitions (r = .48, p < .01) and relocation controllability (r = –.62, p < .01), suggesting construct validity. Results indicated a single factor reflecting relocation adjustment with loadings for all items ranging from .62 to .83. The IRA is potentially useful as a screening measure for early detection of poor adjustment among relocated older adu...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - April 28, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Bekhet, A. K., Zauszniewski, J. A. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
The Impact of Numeracy Ability and Technology Skills on Older Adults' Performance of Health Management Tasks Using a Patient Portal
This study examined how factors such as Internet experience, numeracy, and education impacted the performance of common tasks using a simulated patient portal among a sample of older adults. In addition, information was gathered on the ability of older adults to estimate their numeracy skills. Results indicated that numeracy and Internet experience had a significant impact on their ability to perform the tasks and that older adults tended to overestimate their numeracy skills. Results from this study can help to identify interventions that may enhance the usability of patient portals for older adults. (Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology)
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - April 28, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Taha, J., Sharit, J., Czaja, S. J. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
The Development and Evaluation of Mutual Support Groups in Long-Term Care Homes
This article describes the development of a new mutual support group intervention for long-term care homes (LTCH); evaluates the processes, structure, and content of the intervention; and addresses replication and sustainability. Tom Kitwood’s model of personhood is used as the basis for developing a weekly discussion group using themes chosen by participants and theme-associated music, readings, and photographs. A mixed-methods qualitative process evaluation design encompasses focus groups, systematic observation of six resident groups, individual resident interviews (N = 65), and staff interviews (N = 7) in three L...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - April 28, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Theurer, K., Wister, A., Sixsmith, A., Chaudhury, H., Lovegreen, L. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Predictors of Retention Among African American and Hispanic Older Adult Research Participants in the Well Elderly 2 Randomized Controlled Trial
The purpose of this study was to document predictors of long-term retention among minority participants in the Well Elderly 2 Study, a randomized controlled trial of a lifestyle intervention for community-dwelling older adults. The primary sample included 149 African American and 92 Hispanic men and women aged 60 to 95 years, recruited at senior activity centers and senior residences. Chi-square and logistic regression procedures were undertaken to examine study-based, psychosocial and health-related predictors of retention at 18 months following study entry. For both African Americans and Hispanics, intervention adherence...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - March 23, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Carlson, M., Jackson, J., Mandel, D., Blanchard, J., Holguin, J., Lai, M.-Y., Marterella, A., Vigen, C., Gleason, S., Lam, C., Azen, S., Clark, F. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Assessment of Elder Mistreatment in Two American Indian Samples: Psychometric Characteristics of the HS-EAST and the Native Elder Life-Financial Exploitation and -Neglect Measures
Although elder mistreatment among ethnic minorities is increasingly gaining attention, our empirical knowledge of this phenomenon among American Indians remains quite limited, especially with respect to measurement. The Shielding American Indian Elders (SAIE) Project used a collaborative approach to explore culturally informed measurement of elder mistreatment in two American Indian elder samples (a Northern Plains reservation and a South Central metropolitan area). The project sought to investigate the performance characteristics of the commonly used Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test (HS-EAST), as well as to exa...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - March 23, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Jervis, L. L., Fickenscher, A., Beals, J., the Shielding American Indian Elders Project Team Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Chinese Older Adults' Internet Use for Health Information
This study aimed at investigating the predictors of Internet use to search for online health information among Chinese older adults. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was applied to examine the predictiveness of perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and attitudes toward Internet use on behavioral intention to search for health information online. Ninety-eight Chinese older adults were recruited from an academic institute for older people and community centers. Frequency of Internet use and physical and psychological health were also assessed. Results showed that perceived ease of use and attitudes significantly ...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - March 23, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Wong, C. K. M., Yeung, D. Y., Ho, H. C. Y., Tse, K.-P., Lam, C.-Y. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Latino Alzheimer's Disease Caregivers and Depression: Using the Stress Coping Model to Examine the Effects of Spirituality and Religion
This study used stress coping theory to examine the effects of spirituality and religion on depression among a sample of Latino family members caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in the United States. Participants consisted of 209 Latino caregivers (CGs) drawn from baseline data from the Resource for Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregivers Health (REACH) II clinical trial. The findings indicate that church attendance moderates the relationship between subjective forms of stress and depression in tandem with exhibiting direct effects on depression. Consistent with the central role religion plays in Latino...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - March 23, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Sun, F., Hodge, D. R. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
A Characterization of Pain in Racially and Ethnically Diverse Older Adults: A Review of the Literature
This article presents a critical review of the influence of interracial and ethnic variation on pain prevalence, intensity, interference/function/disability, and treatment in older adults. A search of scientific databases published from 1900 to 2011, using key words associated with pain, geriatrics, and race/ethnicity, identified 180 articles, of which 27 empirical studies met the inclusion criteria. Of the retained articles, 17 reported that race/ethnicity was a statistically significant factor at p < .05. Minority older adults reported a higher prevalence of pain and higher pain intensity, and variable responses regar...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - March 23, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Lavin, R., Park, J. Tags: Systematic Review Source Type: research
Engaging and Partnering With Diverse Older Adults
(Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology)
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - March 23, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Gaugler, J. E. Tags: Editorial Source Type: research
Community Aging Initiatives and Social Capital: Developing Theories of Change in the Context of NORC Supportive Service Programs
This study aimed to develop theory on how Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORC) Supportive Service Programs potentially transform social relationships within communities to promote aging in place. Data were analyzed from semi-structured in-depth interviews with 10 lead agencies representing 15 NORC programs in New Jersey. Results indicated that professionals seek to infuse capital within three domains of relationships: lead agency staff’s relationships with older adults, formal service providers’ relationships with each other, and older adults’ relationships with each other. This social capita...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - February 3, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Greenfield, E. A. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Everyone's Talking About It, But Does It Work? Nursing Home Diversion and Transition
In response to increasing Medicaid expenditures and consumer preferences, states are reforming their long-term care systems to provide more community-based services. One popular reform is renewed efforts to prevent unnecessary long-term nursing home placement (diversion) and to provide nursing home residents an opportunity to return to the community (transition). Nearly 3,800 individuals, 60 years old and older, participated in Ohio’s statewide nursing home diversion and transition initiative between March 2010 and May 2011. This research tracked outcomes for consumers and evaluated the implementation of the new prog...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - February 3, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Bardo, A. R., Applebaum, R. A., Kunkel, S. R., Carpio, E. A. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Use of Adult Day Care Service Centers in an Ethnically Diverse Sample of Older Adults
This study explored the perceived need for and use of adult day care services (ADS) in a low-income population. A random sample of 537 patient–caregiver dyads were recruited in home care agencies, and separate in-home surveys were conducted. Patients and caregivers were primarily women and 50.2% were of Hispanic origin. Although half (n = 267/537, 49.7%) of the caregivers had a perceived need for using ADS, only 19.1% of these caregivers used these services, mostly in the context of severe patient cognitive impairment. There were no racial or ethnic differences among ADS users and nonusers. The overall low use of ADS...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - February 3, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Brown, E. L., Friedemann, M.-L., Mauro, A. C. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Determinants of Longer Job Tenure Among Home Care Aides: What Makes Some Stay on the Job While Others Leave?
An inadequate supply of direct care workers and a high turnover rate in the workforce has resulted in a "care gap" in our long-term care system. As people are increasingly choosing community-based care, retention of home care workers is particularly important. The mixed-method study described herein explored determinants of longer job tenure for home care aides (n = 261). Study participants were followed for 18 months, completing two mail surveys and one telephone interview each. Predictors of longer job tenure included older age, living rurally, lower physical function, higher wages, a greater sense of autonomy on the job...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - February 3, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Butler, S. S., Brennan-Ing, M., Wardamasky, S., Ashley, A. Tags: Mixed Methods Source Type: research
The Effectiveness of Adult Day Services for Older Adults: A Review of the Literature From 2000 to 2011
This article reviews the effectiveness of ADS from 2000 to the present, with particular attention given to caregiver and participant outcomes, health care utilization, and future directions in ADS research. Multiple databases were searched to identify relevant research and 61 articles were selected for review based on inclusion criteria. The results of this review emphasize the need to implement and test more specific interventions targeting the needs of the ADS population. (Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology)
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - February 3, 2014 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Fields, N. L., Anderson, K. A., Dabelko-Schoeny, H. Tags: Literature Review Source Type: research
