The Role of Religious Coping and Race in Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other dementias are one of the most critical public health problems in elderly population. Using baseline data from the Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health (REACH) II study, this study examined the relationship between religious coping, burden appraisal, depression, and race among 211 African American, 220 White, and 211 Hispanic caregivers, using structural equation modeling (SEM). Caregiver burden appraisal mediated the effect of religious coping on depression with higher religious coping resulting in lowering caregiver burden appraisal and thereby reducing depres...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - August 11, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Heo, G. J., Koeske, G. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Attendance in Adult Day Care Centers of Cognitively Intact Older Persons: Reasons for Use and Nonuse
The article aims to (a) examine the reasons for nonuse of ADCC, and (b) explore the reasons for use of adult day care centers (ADCCs) among users. The sample includes 819 respondents of whom 417 are users of 13 day care centers and 402 are nonusers, matched by age, gender, and family physician in the southern region of Israel. Data collection includes interviews that used a structured questionnaire. The most frequent reasons for nonuse of ADCCs are accessibility barriers, characteristics of participants and of the ADCCs, "no need for this service," and personal difficulties. Those who use this service report that it improv...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - August 11, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Iecovich, E., Biderman, A. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
You Can Teach an Old Dog New Tricks: A Qualitative Analysis of How Residents of Senior Living Communities May Use the Web to Overcome Spatial and Social Barriers
For adults in senior living communities, information and communication technologies (ICTs) can be used to increase and expand communication for a population that is often spatially and socially separated from the general public. Using qualitative observational data from a longitudinal study of the impact of ICT usage on the quality of life among residents in assisted and independent living communities, the authors examine whether ICTs can mitigate the effects of social and spatial barriers. The authors find that ICTs have the potential to allow individuals to transcend social and spatial barriers, providing residents with ...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - August 11, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Winstead, V., Anderson, W. A., Yost, E. A., Cotten, S. R., Warr, A., Berkowsky, R. W. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Increasing Social Activity Attendance in Assisted Living Residents Using Personalized Prompts and Positive Social Attention
Low levels of social activity involvement may have negative implications on overall quality of life for older adults living in residential care settings. Despite the recent growth of assisted living (AL) facilities, few studies have examined social activity participation in this environment. The present study assessed the effects of two prompt procedures that included different amounts of positive social attention (personalized prompts alone and combined with brief conversation) on the social activity attendance of 8 AL residents. Personalized prompts were designed to appeal to each participant on the basis of preference a...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - August 11, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Polenick, C. A., Flora, S. R. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Assessment of Readiness for Mobility Transition (ARMT): A Tool for Mobility Transition Counseling With Older Adults
This study validated a measure of emotional and attitudinal readiness in support of mobility transition counseling (MTC). Items derived from a mixed-methods approach were administered by mailed questionnaire to community-dwelling adults (n = 297; ages 57-95). Factor analysis was employed to form the 24-item Assessment of Readiness for Mobility Transition (ARMT). The ARMT–Total Score (ARMT-TS) demonstrated sound internal consistency and split-half reliability (.88 each). The ARMT-TS correlated as hypothesized with validity measures, including self-reported physical functioning, mental health, and openness to experienc...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - May 13, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Meuser, T. M., Berg-Weger, M., Chibnall, J. T., Harmon, A. C., Stowe, J. D. Tags: Mixed Methods Source Type: research
"One of My Fears Is That Physically or Mentally, the Time Will Come Where I'll Be Unable to Drive Anymore. And I'm Not Looking Forward to That": A Mixed Methods Feasibility Study to Assess Older Driver's Risk Impairment
Sixty-seven older adults were assessed using multiple validated tools. The current study aimed to identify high-, medium-, and low-risk impairment among older drivers and to explore high-risk drivers’ reactions to being told their results. Of 67 adults screened from a convenience sample of older drivers, nine high-risk participants, four completed in-depth follow-up qualitative interviews. The quantitative assessment algorithm identified 13% as high risk, 30% as medium risk, and 57% as low risk, and only Trails B distinguished the medium- and high-risk impairment groups. Although the assessment tests did not predict ...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - May 13, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Jones, V. C., Gielen, A. C., Bailey, M. M., Rebok, G. W., Gaines, J. M., Joyce, J., Parrish, J. M. Tags: Mixed Methods Source Type: research
Noncontingent Reinforcement of Disruptive Behaviors in Personal Care Home Settings
The purpose of this case study was to examine the potential of using noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) to reduce the frequency of disruptive behaviors of three elderly persons in personal care home (PCH) settings. Assessment indicated that participants were engaging in the disruptive behaviors to obtain social attention from PCH staff. Social attention, up to 1 min of staff making eye contact with the participant and directing positive verbal statements toward the participant, was given on a fixed time interval (from morning through early evening) beginning every 20 min and fading to every 30 min. Results indicate that NCR...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - May 13, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Yury, C. A. Tags: Brief Report Source Type: research
Functional Outcomes by Age for Inpatient Cancer Rehabilitation: A Retrospective Chart Review
Cancer-related impairments result in disabilities similar to those typically encountered in inpatient rehabilitation settings; however, the use of rehabilitation services by cancer survivors is low. This is particularly important for older adults as they are at higher risk for cancer. This retrospective study collected data from medical records from 215 charts of patients admitted to an inpatient physical rehabilitation hospital, within a 5-year period, with a primary diagnosis of cancer. Mean age was 61 years (SD = 15.7) for 109 (51%) females and 106 (49%) males. Regardless of age, patients achieved significant functional...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - May 13, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Hunter, E. G., Baltisberger, J. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Korean American Dementia Caregivers' Attitudes Toward Caregiving: The Role of Social Network Versus Satisfaction With Social Support
The purpose of this study was to explore how Korean American family caregivers view the services they offer to patients with dementia. It also investigated the roles of social networks and satisfaction with social support on attitudes toward caregiving. Social network, satisfaction with social support, demographic characteristics, caregiving-related stress factors, and cultural factors were examined. We used a convenience sample of 85 Korean American dementia caregivers. The results from hierarchical multiple regression models show that the level of satisfaction with social support significantly contributed to Korean Ameri...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - May 13, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Lee, Y., Choi, S. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
The Most Frequent Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Brazilian Aged 80 Years or Older
To identify the most frequent cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) in Brazilian participants. Sample of 113 individuals aged 80 to 95 years (83.4 + 2.9 years), of both sexes, from Presidente Prudente, São Paulo state. Waist circumference (WC), body mass index, percentage of total body fat (% BF), hypertension, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, and glucose were used for characterization of risk factors. The chi-square test was used to assess proportions of risk factors and Student’s t test to compare the results betwee...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - May 13, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Gomes, I. C., Santos, V. R., Christofaro, D. G. D., Santos, L. L., Freitas Junior, I. F. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Traditional and Commercial Herb Use in Health Self-Management Among Rural Multiethnic Older Adults
This study analyzes the role of traditional and commercial herbs in older adults’ health self-management based on Leventhal’s Self-Regulatory Model conceptual framework. Sixty-two African American and White adults age 65 and older completed qualitative interviews describing the forms of herbs currently being used, sources of information about them, interpretations of health (acute symptoms or chronic conditions) that led to their use, and the initiation and suspension of use. Traditional herbs are native to the region or have been traditionally cultivated, usually taken raw or boiled to produce tea, and used fo...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - May 13, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Altizer, K. P., Quandt, S. A., Grzywacz, J. G., Bell, R. A., Sandberg, J. C., Arcury, T. A. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Older Adults' Views About "Managing Your Medications" Booklet
The objectives were to evaluate Managing Your Medications (MYM) booklet to improve medication management. Mailed packets, including MYM booklet and 4-page survey assessing comprehensibility, communicative effectiveness, and usefulness, were sent to a random sample of 250 older adults. The survey included perceptions of booklet, how to disseminate, and respondent’s health history. Descriptive statistics were used, and individuals were stratified by number of prescription medications and whether they reported side effects. A 59.6% response rate was obtained. The readability was Grade 8. Older adults reported it was com...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - March 12, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Robertson, J., Farris, K. B., Schultz, S. K., Carnahan, R. M., Gryzlak, B., Chrischilles, E. A. Tags: Brief Report Source Type: research
Balancing Eldercare and Employment: The Role of Work Interruptions and Supportive Employers
This study investigates pathways by which employed caregivers’ stress is related to their work performance appraisal, with particular attention to work interruptions and supportive employers. Based on a nationally representative sample from the 2004 National Long-Term Care Survey (NLTCS), the study focuses on caregivers to older adults who are currently participating in paid employment (N = 652). Results from structural equation modeling indicate that work interruptions mediate the relationship between caregivers’ stress and their work performance appraisal. In addition, the support of employers moderates the r...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - March 12, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Kim, J., Ingersoll-Dayton, B., Kwak, M. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Correlates of Functional Capacity Among Centenarians
This study investigated correlates of functional capacity among participants of the Georgia Centenarian Study. Six domains (demographics and health, positive and negative affect, personality, social and economic support, life events and coping, distal influences) were related to functional capacity for 234 centenarians and near centenarians (i.e., 98 years and older). Data were provided by proxy informants. Domain-specific multiple regression analyses suggested that younger centenarians, those living in the community and rated to be in better health were more likely to have higher functional capacity scores. Higher scores ...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - March 12, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Martin, P., MacDonald, M., Margrett, J., Siegler, I., Poon, L. W. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Ethnic Variation in Oral Health and Social Integration Among Older Rural Adults
This analysis examines the associations of oral health with social integration among ethnically diverse (African American, American Indian, White) rural older adults. Data are from a cross-sectional survey of 635 randomly selected community-dwelling adults aged 60+. Measures include self-rated oral health, number of teeth, number of oral health problems, social engagement, and social network size. Minority elders have poorer oral health than do White older adults. Most rural elders have substantial social engagement and social networks. Better oral health (greater number of teeth) is directly associated with social engagem...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - March 12, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Arcury, T. A., Chen, H., Savoca, M. R., Anderson, A. M., Leng, X., Bell, R. A., Quandt, S. A. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
