The Impact of the REACH II Intervention on Caregivers' Perceived Health
The primary goal of the current study was to examine the impact of a caregiving support program on caregivers’ perceived health at 6 months following baseline assessment in the Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health II (REACH II) intervention. A composite measure of perceived health was established and incorporated self-rated health, change in self-rated health, and improvement in physical health. A total of 494 participants receiving the REACH II intervention or an education-only intervention were included in this study. Mixed effect linear regression analysis was performed to examine the effect ...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - July 13, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Basu, R., Hochhalter, A. K., Stevens, A. B. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
The Effect of an 8-Week Tai Chi Exercise Program on Physical Functional Performance in Middle-Aged Women
The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an 8-week Tai Chi Chih exercise program on physical functional performance (PFP) among women aged 45 to 65 years. A quasi-experimental design with a nonequivalent comparison group was used. Forty-one healthy inactive women were assigned to either an intervention group (n = 19) or a comparison group (n = 19). A 60-min Tai Chi Chih exercise class was conducted twice a week for 8 weeks. PFP was measured at baseline and postintervention using the Continuous Scale Physical Functional Performance–10 (CS-PFP 10). Between-group differences were analyzed using on...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - July 13, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Zacharia, S., Taylor, E. L., Hofford, C. W., Brittain, D. R., Branscum, P. W. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Use of Complementary Therapies for Health Promotion Among Older Adults
This article describes the types of complementary therapies used by older adults for health promotion, and delineates the predisposing, enabling, and need factors associated with their use. One-hundred ninety-five African American and White participants (age 65+) completed a baseline interview and up to six sets of three daily follow-up interviews at monthly intervals. Complementary therapies for health promotion included home remedies, specific foods or beverages, herbs, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter (OTC) medicine, prayer, exercise, and being active. Although gender, ethnicity, education, and trust in doctors w...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - July 13, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Arcury, T. A., Nguyen, H. T., Sandberg, J. C., Neiberg, R. H., Altizer, K. P., Bell, R. A., Grzywacz, J. G., Lang, W., Quandt, S. A. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Describing and Evaluating Novel Programs and Therapies for Older Persons
(Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology)
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - July 13, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Gaugler, J. E. Tags: Editor ' s Introduction Source Type: research
A Vision of Longevity and Healthy Aging
(Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology)
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - May 4, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Bradley, D. B. Tags: Book Review Source Type: research
An Adapted Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program for Elders in a Continuing Care Retirement Community: Quantitative and Qualitative Results From a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility and effectiveness of an adapted 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program for elders in a continuing care community. This mixed-methods study used both quantitative and qualitative measures. A randomized waitlist control design was used for the quantitative aspect of the study. Thirty-nine elderly were randomized to MBSR (n = 20) or a waitlist control group (n = 19), mean age was 82 years. Both groups completed pre–post measures of health-related quality of life, acceptance and psychological flexibility, facets of mindfulness, self-compassion, and p...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - May 4, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Moss, A. S., Reibel, D. K., Greeson, J. M., Thapar, A., Bubb, R., Salmon, J., Newberg, A. B. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
The influence of Driving Status on Transportation Challenges Experienced by Older Adults
We explored the severity, number, and reasons for transportation challenges experienced by older adult drivers, nondrivers who live with a driver, and nondrivers who do not live with a driver. A random sample of 1,670 Atlantic Canadian community-dwelling older adults completed a mailed survey. Drivers comprised 80% of the participants. Just more than one fifth of participants experienced at least occasional transportation challenges. Two thirds of nondrivers who lived with a driver reported having no transportation challenges. Almost half of the nondrivers who did not live with a driver indicated never experiencing transpo...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - May 4, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Weeks, L. E., Stadnyk, R., Begley, L., MacDonald, D. J. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Impact of 6-Month Aerobic Exercise on Alzheimer's Symptoms
Little is known about how aerobic exercise affects Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The purpose of this pilot study was to test the impact of 6-month cycling on AD symptoms in community-dwelling older adults with mild-to-moderate AD, using a single-group, repeated-measures design (n = 26). AD symptoms were measured with the AD Assessment Scale–Cognitive (ADAS-Cog), Disability in AD (DAD), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory–Caregiver (NPI-Q) scales at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Data were analyzed using mixed linear models. The ADAS-Cog, DAD, and NPI-Q severity scores remained unchanged over the 6-month period, while c...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - May 4, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Yu, F., Thomas, W., Nelson, N. W., Bronas, U. G., Dysken, M., Wyman, J. F. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
More Caregiving, Less Working: Caregiving Roles and Gender Difference
This study examined the relationship of caregiving roles to labor force participation using the nationally representative data from the Health and Retirement Study. The sample was composed of men and women aged 50 to 61 years (N = 5,119). Caregiving roles included caregiving for spouse, parents, and grandchildren; a summary of three caregiving roles was used to indicate multiple caregiving roles. Bivariate analysis using chi-square and t tests and binary logistic regression models were applied. Results show that women caregivers for parents and/or grandchildren were less likely to be in the labor force than non-caregivers ...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - May 4, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Lee, Y., Tang, F. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
What Community Characteristics Help or Hinder Rural Communities in Becoming Age-Friendly? Perspectives From a Canadian Prairie Province
Age-friendly initiatives are increasingly promoted as a policy solution to healthy aging, The primary objective of this article was to examine older adults’ and key stakeholders’ perceptions of the factors that either help or hinder a community from becoming age-friendly in the context of rural Manitoba, a Canadian prairie province. Twenty-four older adults and 17 key informants completed a qualitative interview. The findings show that contextual factors including size, location, demographic composition, ability to secure investments, and leadership influence rural communities’ ability to become age-frien...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - May 4, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Spina, J., Menec, V. H. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
Elder Abuse in Residential Long-Term Care: An Update to the 2003 National Research Council Report
A synthesis of the last decade of literature on elder abuse in residential long-term care (i.e., Nursing Homes and Assisted Living) is discussed. Presented are definitions of abuse, theoretical and conceptual models, prevalence rates of abuse, outcomes and costs, and sources of abuse. The synthesis represents an update to the literature in the influential 2003 National Research Council report. We identify many of the same issues and concerns exist that were surfaced in this prior report. Many theoretical and conceptual models need further elaboration. Conflicting definitions of abuse are pervasive. Rates of abuse are gener...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - May 4, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Castle, N., Ferguson-Rome, J. C., Teresi, J. A. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research
The Wonders of Nature: Evidence and Design Guidelines for Therapeutic Landscapes
(Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology)
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - March 12, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Anderson, K. A. Tags: Book Review Source Type: research
Perceived Benefits, Motives, and Barriers to Aqua-based Exercise Among Older Adults With and Without Osteoarthritis
This study aimed to (a) identify factors that motivate older adults to participate in aqua-based exercise; (b) identify potential barriers; and (c) compare perceptions between older adults with and without osteoarthritis (OA). Fifteen adults above 60 years of age participated in one of three focus groups during which they discussed perceived benefits, motives, and barriers to aqua exercise. Pain reduction was considered a major benefit among those with OA, improved health and fitness was a principal benefit for those without OA. All participants felt that the instructor could act as both a motivator and barrier; the most s...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - March 12, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Fisken, A., Keogh, J. W. L., Waters, D. L., Hing, W. A. Tags: Original Manuscripts Source Type: research
Patient and Provider Perspectives on the Relationship Between Multiple Morbidity Management and Disease Prevention
Despite competing demands of multiple morbidity (MM) management and disease prevention, our recent survey of 1,153 Appalachian residents aged 50 to 76 documented that individuals with MM were more likely to obtain colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) than those without MM. Nearly two thirds of respondents obtained CRCS, and the more MM, the greater the likelihood of screening. To gain insight into this relationship, we conducted nine focus groups, six with providers and three with patients. Three main explanations emerged: (a) patients’ MM increases providers’ vigilance for other health vulnerabilities; (b) havin...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - March 12, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Schoenberg, N. E., Tarasenko, Y. N., Bardach, S. H., Fleming, S. T. Tags: Original Manuscripts Source Type: research
Developing and Testing a Decision Aid for Use by Providers in Making Recommendations: About Mammography Screening in Older Women
Breast cancer incidence increases with age, but many older women do not receive appropriate mammography screening. A tool to support provider decision making holds potential to help providers and patients reach the best-informed decisions possible. We developed and tested a decision aid (DA) for healthcare providers to use in mammography screening recommendations in older women. Literature review, expert opinion, focus groups, and pilot testing of the DA were conducted in a university ambulatory geriatrics practice. Provider evaluations of the DA after piloting were collected and analyzed. Geriatricians reported important ...
Source: Journal of Applied Gerontology - March 12, 2015 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Tisnado, D. M., Moore, A. A., Levin, J. R., Rosen, S. Tags: Original Manuscripts Source Type: research
