Gerontology students’ cognitive representations of aging: A metaphor study

The present study examined the linkages among perceptions of self-efficacy, curriculum, and field experience on students’ attitudes and interest in working with older adults. Graduate level social work students were surveyed regarding perceived self-efficacy to intervene with older adult clients, the amount of aging content in the master of social work (MSW) curriculum, and practicum experience with older clients. Regression analysis showed a relationship between attitudes toward older adults and perceptions of self-efficacy. Pearson correlations revealed that self-efficacy was significantly related to levels of gerontology content in curriculum, as well as practicum opportunities to work with older adults. While both gerontology curriculum and practice experience significantly predicted self-efficacy, multiple regression analysis revealed that practice experience had the stronger influence.

Aim: In this study, we aimed to determine the factors related to the attitudes and empathic skill levels of gerontology students towards the older adults. Methods: 167 Gerontology students participated in our study. Data were collected by Google online survey method using personal information form, Kogan's Attitude towards Elderly Scale and Basic Empathy Scale. Results: Mean age of the students is 21.41 ± 2 year, 80% were female. A statistically significant difference was found between the students' grade level, their mother's education level, whether they lived with an older adult at any time in their lives, the duration of living with an older adult and the total score of the attitude towards the elderly scale (p < 0.001, 0.002, 0.017, 0.044, respectively). There was a statistically significant difference between gender, mother's education level, the place where they lived for the longest time and the positive attitude score towards the elderly (p = 0.008, 0.005, 0.019, respectively). There was a statistically significant difference between the students' grade level, number of siblings, whether they lived with an older adult at any time in their lives and the negative attitude score towards the elderly (p<0.001, 0.016, 0.028, respectively). A statistically significant difference was found between gender, mother's education level and the total score of the basic empathy scale (p<0.001, 0.005, respectively), emotional subscale (p<0.001, 0.041, respectively) and cognitive subscale scores (p = 0.007, 0.005, respectively). The mean Attitudes Towards Elderly Scale Total Score, Positive Attitude Sub-scale Score and Negative Attitude Sub-scale Score of the students were 156.52 ± 17.54, 72.59 ± 11.02 and 83.93 ± 11.89, respectively. The mean scores of Basic Empathy Scale Total Score, Cognitive Sub-scale Score and Emotional Sub-scale Score were 78.05 ± 10.19, 37.04 ± 4.94 and 41.02 ± 7.13, respectively. Conclusions: In our study, it was determined that the gerontology department students had high attitudes and empathic skills towards the older adults.

The Market Days for Older Adults program provides fresh produce to food-insecure older adults at the downtown farmers’ Market. As part of an ongoing university-community service partnership, undergraduate internships and service-learning projects enhance older adults’ social connections while training gerontology students about health disparities and aging. The program addresses two Age-Friendly University (AFU) principles: #4: to promote intergenerational learning; and #6: to ensure the research agenda is shaped by needs of older adults. A 2023 program evaluation of Market Days (MD) in 2023 employed a pre-post mixed methods design (N=59) to examine process and outcome variables. We found evidence for high satisfaction and usage of the program, plus multiple perceived benefits to participants, including improved sense of health (61%), new ways for preparing fresh produce (31%), and higher connection to the community. We did not find evidence of significant improvements in food insecurity or social isolation. Students reported an increased understanding of the role of community programs in promoting healthy aging, and appreciation of food insecurity as a risk factor for aging. Results indicated that this subpopulation of older adults is particularly vulnerable with regard to chronic illness, low preparations for aging, low community resource awareness, mental health symptoms, and negative views on aging. The results will inform future steps of our community-engaged research program. Viewing social isolation as a pressing social determinant of health in low-income older adults, we will develop a formal intergenerational programming component to further strengthen social connections, while also enhancing undergraduate gerontology student training opportunities.

Since the initial scientific statement on Secondary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) in the Elderly was published in 2002,1 several trends have continued that make an update highly appropriate. First, the graying of the US population and those of other industrialized countries has progressed unabated because more adults are surviving into their senior years. The number of Americans aged ≥75 years was estimated at 18.6 million in 2010, representing ≈6% of the population,2 and it is expected to double by 2050. The population aged ≥85 years is growing the most rapidly, with numbers expected to reach 19.5 million by 2040. In 2008, 67% of the 811 940 cardiovascular deaths in the United States occurred in people aged ≥75 years.3 In parallel to this increase in the older adult demographic, the number of Americans with CHD has increased to an estimated 16.3 million, more than half of whom are >65 years of age.3 Similarly, 7 million have had a stroke, the incidence of which approximately doubles with successive age decades after 45 to 54 years.3 Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects 8 to 10 million Americans, the majority of whom are >65 years of age. Between 2015 and 2030, annual US costs related to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) are projected to increase from $84.8 billion to $202 billion.3 Moreover, given that ASCVD often undermines functional capacity and independence and increases reliance on long-term care, indirect expenses related to ASCVD are also expected to increase. Thus, the need for effective secondary prevention measures in the older adult population with known ASCVD has never been greater. Notably, the 2011 American Heart Association (AHA)/American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) updated guidelines for secondary prevention of CHD broadened …

Digital divide in health-related technology use is a prominent issue for older adults. Improving eHealth literacy may be an important solution to this problem. This study aimed to explore the associations between health literacy, digital skills, and eHealth literacy among older Chinese adults. A total of 2,144 older adults (mean age, 72.01 ± 6.96 years) from Jinan City, China participated in this study. The eHealth Literacy Scale was used to measure eHealth literacy in older adults. A linear regression model was used to analyze the associations among health literacy, digital skills, and eHealth literacy in older Chinese adults. The mean eHealth literacy score of the older adults was 17.56 ± 9.61. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and experience of Internet usage, the results of the linear regression showed that health literacy (B = 0.258, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.215-0.302, P< 0.001) and digital skills (B = 0.654, 95% CI = 0.587-0.720, P < 0.001) were positively associated with eHealth literacy. Sensitivity analyses revealed that this association remained robust. The level of eHealth literacy in older Chinese adults is low. Health literacy and digital skills are associated with eHealth literacy in older adults. In the future, eHealth literacy intervention research should be considered from the perspective of health literacy and digital skills.

Despite rapidly growing number of older medical cannabis users, research on them is scant. In this study, we examined medical and nonmedical cannabis users aged 50+ on health-related characteristics and cannabis use patterns and sources. Hypotheses were that compared to nonmedical users, medical users are more likely to have physical and mental health problems, use healthcare services, discuss their drug use with a healthcare professional, use cannabis more frequently, and purchase cannabis from a medical dispensary and other sources rather than obtain it as a gift, share someone else’s, or use other means. We used the 2018 and 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data (N=17,685 aged 50+; male=8,030; female=9,655) and multivariable logistic regression analysis to test hypotheses. Of the sample, 8.9% reported past-year cannabis use. Of past-year users, 18.5% reported any medical use. Of medical users, 70.9% reported exclusive medical use and 29.1% reported using medically and nonmedically. A large proportion obtained cannabis from private/informal sources. Any medical use, compared to nonmedical use, was associated with lower odds of alcohol use disorder but higher odds of discussing drug use with a healthcare professional (AOR=4.18, 95% CI=2.53-6.89), more days of use (AOR=2.56, 95% CI=1.35-4.86 for 200-365 days), and purchase at a medical cannabis dispensary (AOR=4.38, 95% CI=2.47-7.76). Medical and nonmedical users did not differ on physical health, and both had high behavioral health problem rates. However, only a small portion discussed their drug use with a healthcare professional. More healthcare professional attention to older cannabis users is needed.

A gerontology course related to policies /programs each year researches, develops and designs a service-learning project related to an issue/concern for older adults and their quality of life. Students wanted to work with vulnerable older adults and after research and discussion decided on tackling the issue of food insecurity in older adults. Food insecurity is a growing issue for older adults which has been exasperated by COVID-19. According to Meals on Wheels America (2020) there has been a 22% increase in the number of older adults needing food assistance. In addition, while the need for food banks has increased donations have declined (Next Avenue, 2020). Students partnered with RSVP, which had previously conducted a food donation project.. Students took on the responsibility for advertising, soliciting grocery stores to allow us to set up and engage shoppers in purchasing items for the project. In addition, they reached out to the university community and set up food donation stations. RSVP sent out emails to their constituents to encourage them to volunteer and do their shopping on the date of the project. Students were paired with RSVP volunteers at two stores and provided shopping lists and information about food insecurity in older adults to shoppers. Students collected 566 pounds of food. The food was distributed equally between Catholic Charities, which has a senior shopping program and the Somali Elder Community. Students sorted the food by categories and removed any foods with pork/gelatin products for the Somali Community.

Purpose/Hypothesis: Identify balance strategies produced by young and older adults during gait under conditions of proprioceptive challenge and simultaneous proprioceptive and visual challenge. Number of Subjects: 10 adults participated in this pilot study: 5 young (mean age = 27.2) and 5 older adults (mean age = 68). All were independent with gait with no visual, neurologic, orthopedic or balance disorders that could impair gait. Materials/Methods: In this 2(group) X 4(condition) factorial design study, all subjects walked under 4 conditions: a level firm surface, unstable surface, firm surface with vision obscured, and unstable surface/vision obscured. Adaptive balance strategies were measured by changes in gait velocity, stride length, cadence, Gait Stability Ratio (GSR) and head stability (peak head and trunk velocity in 3 planes of motion: sagittal, frontal and horizontal). Data was analyzed in SPSS Statistical Software using ANOVA/Repeated Measures to determine differences between groups (age) and within groups (gait conditions 1-4). Results: Significant differences were found between age groups for GSR (p=.03) and stride length (p=.025); older adults exhibited higher GSR scores and shorter strides than young adults. Significant differences were found between conditions for gait velocity (p<.000), cadence (p=.001), peak sagittal plane head velocity (p=.017), peak frontal plane trunk velocity (p=.005) and peak horizontal plane head (p=.018) and trunk velocity (p=.003). All subjects exhibited decreased gait velocity, increased cadence, and increased head (frontal and horizontal planes) and trunk velocity (sagittal and horizontal planes) during gait under the conditions of unstable surface and unstable surface/vision obscured. Predominant movement patterns in all planes of motion consisted of trunk followed by head movement (time lag of 0-.2 sec) with both segments moving in the same directions. Conclusions: Older adults seek greater stability (increased GSR and decreased stride length) than young adults regardless of surface. However, both groups display similar adaptations to gait velocity, cadence, and head stability (head and trunk velocity) under proprioceptive and combined proprioceptive/visual challenges to balance. Clinical Relevance: Most falls occur during gait, especially on irregular surfaces. Gait requires dynamic balance, adaptive balance strategies, and integration of multiple sensory/motor systems. Adults must produce specific adaptive strategies to maintain dynamic balance, especially under multiple sensory system challenge. Differences between gait and head stability of older and young adults have been established; however, it has not been shown that older and young adults adapt similarly when balance challenge is high. This study reveals a trend for older and young adults to choose similar balance strategies in terms of adaptations to gait and head stability. This information may increase insight into how healthy older adults adapt to prevent falls.

Memory beliefs and memory performance of older and younger adults were compared and the relationship between them examined. Both general metamemory (knowledge and self-efficacy) and specific attributions tied to a prose memory task were examined in 40 younger (mean Age = 23 years) and 40 older (mean Age = 73 years) adults. General metamemory was assessed using the MIA questionnaire, while specific attributional questions were modelled after Lachman. Free recall of narrative or expository prose was the criterion task. Older adults seem to have internalised a low sense of memory self-efficacy, as demonstrated by the MIA and more internal performance attributions. The narrative was judged more understandable than the expository text. It was remembered equally well by both groups and better than the expository text. Younger and older adults were equally satisfied with their actual performance and equally knowledgeable about the memory system, despite older adults' reduced memory self-efficacy. General memory self-efficacy, rather than memory knowledge or specific attributions, together with text comprehension predicted performance. Both task characteristics and enduring memory beliefs are important in memory performance.

Background/Study Context: Two well-documented phenomena in person perception are the attractiveness halo effect (more positive impressions of more attractive people), and the babyface stereotype (more childlike impressions of more babyfaced people), shown by children, young adults (YA), and people from diverse cultures. This is the first study to systematically investigate these face stereotypes in older adults (OA) and to compare effects for younger and older adult faces.Methods: YA and OA judges rated competence, health, hostility, untrustworthiness, attractiveness, and babyfaceness of older and younger neutral expression faces. Multilevel modeling assessed effects of rater age and face age on appearance stereotypes.Results: Like YA, OA showed both the attractiveness halo effect and the babyface stereotype. However, OA showed weaker effects of attractiveness on impressions of untrustworthiness, and only OA associated higher babyfaceness with greater competence. There also was own-age accentuation, with both OA and YA showing stronger face stereotypes for faces closer to their own age. Age differences in the strength of the stereotypes reflected an OA positivity effect shown in more influence of positive facial qualities on impressions or less influence of negative ones, rather than vice versa.Conclusion: OA own-age biases, previously shown in emotion, age, and identity recognition, and OA positivity effects, previously revealed in attention, memory, and social judgments, also influence age differences in the strength and content of appearance stereotypes. Future research should assess implications of these results for age-related differences in susceptibility to appearance biases that YA have shown in socially significant domains, such as judicial and personnel decisions.

Introduction: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic older adults were called to lockdown and social isolation. Master in Gerontology (MAGE) in a social retribution action delivered a companion program called “I′m with you, You′re with me”. MAGE competencies encompass those proposed by AGHE. The aim is to analyze competencies acquired by students in gerontology in the companion program during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Method: Participated 16 students of MAGE and 16 older adults selected by their high vulnerability conditions reported by social workers from the Metropolitan Center of Older Adults from DIF-Zapopan city. The program was designed to provide emotional support, was delivered by telephone for 3 months (Ago-Nov 2020). Experiences were obtained through an online-questionnaire, data were analyzed qualitative and quantitatively. Results: Students reported higher development in the competencies: 1) Interactional, that capture the process of knowing and doing across the fields of gerontology, related to stereotypes and discrimination, autonomy and self-determination, and the use of the technology to enhance the communication; 2) Fundamental, that represent the essential orientation to the field of gerontology, related to identify the impact of public policy and the application of intervention strategies and the use of technologies with older adults, families and caregivers; 3) Contextual, related to promote solid social networks for the wellbeing. The meaning of participating in this program was mainly centered in a gratifying professional experience, “small actions that make big gestures”. Conclusion: Gerontologist promote social solidarity through the transference and applying of the knowledge to enhance social development.

BackgroundTo gain insight into the role of plantar intrinsic foot muscles in fall-related gait parameters in older adults, it is fundamental to assess foot muscles separately. Ultrasonography is considered a promising instrument to quantify the strength capacity of individual muscles by assessing their morphology. The main goal of this study was to investigate the intra-assessor reliability and measurement error for ultrasound measures for the morphology of selected foot muscles and the plantar fascia in older adults using a tablet-based device. The secondary aim was to compare the measurement error between older and younger adults and between two different ultrasound machines.MethodsUltrasound images of selected foot muscles and the plantar fascia were collected in younger and older adults by a single operator, intensively trained in scanning the foot muscles, on two occasions, 1–8 days apart, using a tablet-based and a mainframe system. The intra-assessor reliability and standard error of measurement for the cross-sectional area and/or thickness were assessed by analysis of variance. The error variance was statistically compared across age groups and machines.ResultsEighteen physically active older adults (mean age 73.8 (SD: 4.9) years) and ten younger adults (mean age 21.9 (SD: 1.8) years) participated in the study. In older adults, the standard error of measurement ranged from 2.8 to 11.9%. The ICC ranged from 0.57 to 0.97, but was excellent in most cases. The error variance for six morphology measures was statistically smaller in younger adults, but was small in older adults as well. When different error variances were observed across machines, overall, the tablet-based device showed superior repeatability.ConclusionsThis intra-assessor reliability study showed that a tablet-based ultrasound machine can be reliably used to assess the morphology of selected foot muscles in older adults, with the exception of plantar fascia thickness. Although the measurement errors were sometimes smaller in younger adults, they seem adequate in older adults to detect group mean hypertrophy as a response to training. A tablet-based ultrasound device seems to be a reliable alternative to a mainframe system. This advocates its use when foot muscle morphology in older adults is of interest.

The proportion of older adults in high income nations is increasing, and ageing is often associated with a decline in health. Although regular physical activity (PA) improves health in older adults, they typically have the lowest levels of PA of any population group. Pole walking (PW) is a form of walking with the addition of hand-held poles, used in opposition to lower limb locomotion, and has characteristics which may be suited to older adults. The aim of this thesis was to explore PW as a form of health enhancing PA for older adults through a series of three studies. Study One (Chapters 2 and 3) was a systematic review of the effects of PW programs on physical and psycho-social health. A review of papers published to September, 2011 was described in Chapter 2. Fourteen papers describing randomised trials met the inclusion criteria. The results indicated that PW programs have beneficial effects on both physical and psycho-social health in adult populations, and the authors identified a need for future studies involving non-clinical populations of older adults. An update of the review, with 14 more papers published to October, 2014, was presented in Chapter 3. Three studies investigated PW exclusively in older adults. The beneficial effects of PW, compared with a variety of control programs, were confirmed for endurance, functional status, PA and muscle strength. Positive effects of PW, compared with non-exercise programs, were found for anthropometry (weight, body mass index and waist measurements) and oxygen uptake. The aim of Study Two (Chapter 4), was to describe the characteristics of PW leaders, pole walkers, and PW programs in Australia; and participants’ perceptions of PW and reasons for participation. Self-administered surveys were distributed to PW leaders (n=31), and pole walkers (n=108). Data on sociodemographic and health information, program characteristics, and perceptions of PW were collected. The results showed that PW was being practiced largely by older females, who were born in Australia. The main finding was that a range of personal, social, and environmental characteristics positively affect older adults’ participation in PW, and are important in a health promotion context. Study Three (Chapters 5 and 6) was a randomised trial which aimed to compare the effects of a PW and a walking program on physical and psycho-social wellbeing in older old adults. The study protocol is presented in Chapter 5, and the results are reported in Chapter 6. Participants were 42 men and women from assisted living communities with a mean age of 82 (SD, 10) years (range, 60-99 years). They were randomised into a group-based PW or walking program, each consisting of three light intensity sessions of 20 minutes per week, for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes were selected measures of the Senior Fitness Test (chair stand, arm curl, 6 minute walk, and up-and-go) and hand grip strength. Secondary outcomes included measures of health, health behaviours, and wellbeing. The results showed a slight within-group deterioration in the up-and-go scores in the PW group, and a within-group decrease in sitting time in both groups, which was significant in the walking group. There was large inter-individual variation in the change scores for each test, and there were no significant differences between the PW group and the walking group in any of the outcome measures. When data from the two groups were combined, no sociodemographic, attendance or baseline performance scores were associated with improvement in any of the primary outcome measures. Significance: Each study in this thesis contributes to our understanding of PW in older adult populations. Study One was the first systematic review of the physical and psycho-social health effects of PW with a quality rating of the reviewed papers. There were few investigations of PW in exclusively older adult populations. Study Two was the first rigorous and comprehensive survey of pole walkers and PW leaders in Australia. Study Three was one of the first intervention studies to compare the health effects of PW with walking in a group of older old adults. Three key findings of this thesis were: 1) PW has beneficial health effects in several groups including older adults with and without clinical conditions; 2) PW is being practiced by older, health conscious adults in Australia; and 3) in a sample of frail elderly people in the United States, functional outcomes of a 12 week exercise program were similar for PW and walking. Conclusions: PW has beneficial effects on physical and psycho-social health, which are relevant for older people. It is undertaken mostly by older adults in Australia, and has the potential to be used as a form of health enhancing PA in older people. Although PW was a feasible form of PA that was enjoyed by in a sample of frail elderly adults, there were no differences in the functional effects of short, low intensity PW and walking interventions.

BackgroundCognitive changes that accompany normal aging include declines in processing speed and executive function. Further research is needed to characterize the neurobiological underpinnings of these cognitive changes in older adulthood. The current study used functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a neuroimaging technique that measures oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO), to examine differences in cerebral oxygenation between healthy younger adults (YA) and older adults (OA) during a measure of cognitive interference.MethodThere were 34 participants sampled from two age group: YA (Mean age =28.1 years, SD=2.8, F=9) and OA (Mean age =70.9 years, SD=5.4, F=9). All participants were native English speakers, neurologically healthy, and had normal or corrected to normal vision. Participants completed the Multi‐Source Interference Task, a measure of cognitive interference with high and low‐demand conditions, while undergoing fNIRS recordings by a TechEn CW6 system with 34‐source‐detector channels over the PFC. The functional activation patterns, accuracy, and reaction time were compared between groups for each condition.ResultThe functional results demonstrated a significant age‐related increase in HbO for OA in both conditions (p &lt; 0.05). In the control condition, OA demonstrated increased HbO in 10 channels covering the left and mid‐anterior PFC in comparison to YA. In the interference condition, OA demonstrated increased HbO in 6 channels covering the mid‐anterior PFC in comparison to YA. During the control condition, OA and YA had the same accuracy (YA Mean= 0.99, OA Mean= 0.99, p&gt;0.33), but OA were significantly slower (YA Mean= 545.63, OA Mean= 768.04, p&lt;0.0001). During the interference condition, OA had lower accuracy (YA Mean=0.97, OA Mean=0.9, p&lt; 0.0001) and were significantly slower (YA Mean=891.31, OA Mean=1114.5, p&lt; 0.0001) than YA.ConclusionThe results from this study show that OA require greater activation in mid‐PFC regions, across both low and high‐demand conditions, relative to YA. These results are consistent with cognitive aging theories such as the compensation‐related utilization of neural circuits hypothesis (CRUNCH). Specifically, the findings suggest that OA recruit additional neural resources to achieve similar behavioural performance during low‐levels of cognitive interference, but that this same compensation may be insufficient to support behavioural performance at higher levels of interference.

To meet the needs of older adults isolated in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we began pairing Human Services and Gerontology students with community dwelling adults 55 years of age and older, recruited through senior centers and other organizations serving older adults.Students paired with isolated older adults were tasked with building supportive relationships, assuring that basic needs were being met and that all available community resources were in place, and then documenting their mentor’s life stories with an emphasis on the resilience, strength and wisdom of their older adult mentors (to focus and build on their strengths, the older adults we engage with are referred to as our “mentors”). Oral histories and supporting artifacts are archived in the university’s library permanent repository.The oral histories portray unique perspectives into life, strength, and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine. The older adult mentors participating in the Generation to Generation project reported feeling strengthened and connected through their participation in the Generation to Generation project. To determine if social Isolation and loneliness can be ameliorated through participation in the Generation to Generation oral history project, researchers utilized the UCLA Loneliness Scale in pre- and post- participation interviews; findings will be shared.