Retired Teachers Research Articles

Evaluating China’s Retired Teacher Re-employment Programs from the Perspective of Human Capital Theories

Human capital is the most crucial to social development among all forms of resources. The exploitation of high-quality human capital in retired teachers is of vital significance for China’s socio-economic development. This article described the implementation of China’s retired teacher re-employment programs and examined their practical significance from the perspective of human capital theories with the purpose of providing implications for the reform of teacher staffing and optimization of human resources utilization in China.

The Effect of Cultural, Economic, and Social Capital on the Quality of Life of Retired Teachers in Jawanroud County

Introduction: One of the most significant chalanges during retirement period is the isuue of quality of life. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of cultural, economical, and social capital on the quality of life of the retired teachers in Jawanroud, a county in Kermanshah Province in 2020. Method: The method of this study is descriptive-analytic. 170 teachers were randomly selected as the sample of the study. Questionnaires were utilized to gather the data. The instruments used were a researcher-made questionnaire on cultural, economic, and social capital as well as the standard quality of life questionnaire of the World Health Organization (WHO). Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis’ comparative tests as well as multivariate regression were used to analyze the data. Findings: The results of the study indicated that the mean of social factor and quality of life of the retired teachers in Jawanroud was obove the average (3.43). The mean of social variable of retired children (3.50) was more than economic (2.50) and cultural (1.40) one. Cultural varaiable was more among women than men while social and economic of men were more that that of women. The results also demonstrated that there was a significant correlation between the quality of life and the variables of age and education. Finally, the regression analysis indicated that the cultural, economical, and social capital as well as the quality of life had a significant correlation with each other, and these three variables had 0.56 of prediction for quality of life and its elements. Discussion: Therefore, it can be concluded that cultural, economic and social capital are the most important capital for explaning the quality of life of the retired teachers, which should be taken into account by those in charge in this regard.

The Life History Study on the Life Journey of Retired Teachers

The Life History Study on the Life Journey of Retired Teachers

Effect of Positive Psychotherapy on Psychological Well-Being, Happiness, Life Expectancy and Depression Among Retired Teachers with Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Despite conducting numerous positive psychotherapy (PPT) tests, the effects of such activities in participants aged 50 and above have been dealt with by few studies. Therefore, the effects of PPT on psychological well-being (PWB), happiness, expectancy life (LX) and depression of retired teachers with depression, was investigated using a randomized controlled trial. In this study, 60 female teachers aged 55-80years, who obtained the lowest scores in the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), were randomly divided into the two PPT (n = 30) and untreated groups (n = 30) at the time of entering the study and 2 months later following their assessments through the Psychological Well-Being Scales-Short (PWBS-S), Oxford Happiness Inventory (OHI), Adult Hope Scale (AHS) and BDI-II. The PPT and untreated groups took part in 10 group sessions and underwent no interventions, respectively. The study was completed with a total number of 52 female teachers (n = 26 per group). The PPT group showed some effectiveness on the variables of PWBS-S, OHI, AHS and BDI-II in a way that the involved retired teachers with depression increased their PWB, happiness and LE after PPT training and teachers reduced their BDI-II after intervention (p < 0.05). PPT can be used in order to increase the level of PWB, happiness, and LX, along with depression symptoms decreasing amongst retired teachers with the age of 55, and also more than that.

Discriminative validity of the EQ-5D-5\u2009L and SF-12 in older adults with arthritis

BackgroundThe EQ-5D-5 L and the SF-12 are the most commonly used generic measures of health-related quality of life among people with arthritis. However, there is little evidence on the extent to which the individual dimensions and domains of these instruments perform among this population. The objective was to examine the discriminative validity of the EQ-5D-5 L and the SF-12 version 2 (and SF-6D) in capturing the burden of arthritis on health-related quality of life in older adults.MethodsCross-sectional data from the Alberta Retired Teachers Association survey were used. A known-groups approach, with a-priori hypotheses, was used to examine the discriminative validity of the domain and summary scores of the EQ-5D-5 L and the SF-12 version 2 (and SF-6D). Groups were defined based on self-reported of arthritis, chronic pain level, presence and number of comorbidities, and self-reported health status.ResultsMean age of respondents (N = 2844) was 68.6 (standard deviation [SD] 5.9) years; 54.8% were female, with mean body mass index (BMI) of 27.2 kg/m2 (SD 4.8), and 36.6% reported having arthritis. The overall mean EQ-5D-5 L index score was 0.86 (SD 0.11) and that of SF-6D was 0.79 (SD 0.13). Participants with arthritis had lower EQ-5D-5 L index score (0.83, SD 0.13) and SF-6D index score (0.75, SD 0.13) compared to those without arthritis (0.88, SD 0.09 and 0.81, SD 0.12, respectively). EQ-5D-5 L and SF-6D index scores demonstrated moderate discriminative validity with a moderate effect size (0.5). Related dimensions and domains between the EQ-5D-5 L and SF-12 (e.g., mobility with physical functioning score, pain/discomfort with bodily pain and anxiety/depression with mental health) were moderately to strongly correlated (r = 0.6–0.7). Both instruments could not adequately discriminate between participants with moderate and severe chronic pain of 6-month duration.ConclusionOverall, the EQ-5D-5 L pain/discomfort and mobility dimensions, and the SF-12 bodily pain scale had moderate discriminative ability among older adults with arthritis. However, both instruments had limited discriminative ability for chronic pain. The importance and nature of chronic pain assessment in a given application need to be considered when choosing any of these instruments for measuring health-related quality of life in this patient population.

PRM173 - DISCRIMINATIVE VALIDITY OF THE EQ-5D-5L AND SF-12 IN OLDER ADULTS WITH ARTHRITIS

To examine the discriminative validity of the EQ-5D-5L and the SF-12 v.2 in capturing the burden of arthritis on health-related quality of life (HRQL) of older adults. Cross-sectional data from the Alberta Retired Teachers Association survey were used. Known-groups approach with a-priori hypotheses was used to examine the discriminative validity of theEQ-5D-5L dimension, VAS and index scores, and SF-12 v.2 domain, summary (PCS, MCS) and index scores (SF-6D). Groups were identified based on self-reported presence of arthritis, chronic pain level, presence and number of comorbidities and self-reported health status. Mean age of respondents (N=2844) was 68.6 (SD 5.9) years; 54.8% were female, with mean body mass index (BMI) of 27.2 kg/m2 (SD 4.8) and 36.6% reported having arthritis. The overall mean EQ-5D-5L index score was 0.86 (SD 0.11) and mean SF-6D score was 0.79 (SD 0.13). Participants with arthritis had lower EQ-5D-5L index score (0.83, SD 0.13) and SF-6D score (0.75, SD 0.13) compared to those without arthritis (0.88, SD 0.09 and 0.81, SD 0.12, respectively). EQ-5D-5L index score and SF-6D demonstrated moderate discriminative validity based on known-group analyses (effect sizes range: 0.2-0.6). Related dimensions and domains between the EQ-5D-5L and SF-12 were moderately to strongly correlated (r=0.6-0.7). Most importantly, both instruments could not adequately discriminate between patients with moderate and severe chronic pain of 6-month duration, whereby, patients with moderate chronic pain had lower index scores on both instruments compared to those with severe chronic pain. Overall, the EQ-5D-5L and SF-12 v.2 demonstrated moderate discriminative validity among older adults with arthritis. However, the discriminative validity of both instruments was limited with respect to chronic pain; a very important feature of arthritis. The nature of pain (acute vs. chronic) need to be considered when choosing any of these instruments for measuring HRQL in this clinical population.

Missouri SLPs Win on School Retirement Issue

You have accessThe ASHA LeaderASHA News1 Aug 2009Missouri SLPs Win on School Retirement Issue Brenda MartienMS, CCC-SLP Brenda Martien Google Scholar More articles by this author , MS, CCC-SLP https://doi.org/10.1044/leader.AN3.14102009.48 SectionsAbout ToolsAdd to favorites ShareFacebookTwitterLinked In School-based speech-language pathologists in Missouri are breathing easier about our future retirement after countering the threat of a drop in benefits from the state’s strong public school retirement system and the attempt to force us into the federal Social Security system. ASHA assisted us in our efforts to maintain our retirement security. In October 2008, Missouri’s Office of Administration (OA), which coordinates and interprets federal Social Security Administration (SSA) regulations, informed all school districts about changes that would affect how certain groups of educators—including SLPs and audiologists—pay into the state public school retirement system (PSRS). Public school employees in Missouri who participated in the PSRS have never paid into the federal Social Security system. A 1954 change in Social Security included public employees with another retirement plan, but only if their employers had signed a “218 agreement” allowing for exemption from SSA coverage; at the time the state’s agreement covered only nine school positions and did not list SLPs (who were included as “teachers”) and audiologists. The October 2009 memo stated that educators not listed in the 1954 agreements would no longer be exempt from SSA withholding; SLPs and others affected by this change would be required to pay two-thirds of the PSRS withholding and 100% of SSA withholding, a total of more than 15% withheld from each paycheck. We would pay more and receive little benefit because PSRS benefits would be reduced and SSA benefits likely would be minimal because of a windfall elimination provision in the law. As the word spread throughout the state, SLPs worried not just about their personal futures, but that this change could worsen Missouri’s already critical shortage of school-based clinicians. We decided to take action. As the vice president for school services of Missouri Speech-Language-Hearing Association (MSHA), I notified the MSHA Executive Board and sent out the first of a number of listserv messages to MSHA members in early November. I contacted the PSRS, Missouri Retired Teachers Association, and Peggy Taylor, then president-elect of the Missouri School Board Association. “We will have quite a fight on our hands,” Taylor said. “But we can’t sit by idly. We must work together in one loud clear voice all across the state.” We urged MSHA members to contact state and federal legislators and relevant agencies including OA and SSA. The MSHA Executive Board kept members informed of developments and what other state education groups were doing. A summary of the issue was posted on the MSHA Web site. Support grew among the state education network. The Missouri Education Roundtable galvanized eight education organizations including principals, teacher unions, and administrators. The roundtable issued a resolution asking the IRS, SSA, OA, the state education department, governor, state legislators, and members of Congress to take action—to allow Missouri school districts to revise the original 1954 agreements in two ways: to reflect the current practice of exempting public school employees who have a state teaching certificate and who work 17 hours weekly on a regular basis; and to delay any decision relating to a change in SSA exemption status until July 2010. In November, the OA exempted counselors from SSA withholding but stated that similar positions, including SLPs, were “not considered exempt at this point.” I immediately contacted ASHA to request support, and ASHA submitted a letter to the SSA opposing the changes. As the advocacy efforts grew, state and federal senators and representatives from Missouri met with representatives from the IRS and the SSA. The SSA, IRS and the Missouri OA formed a task force and released a statement in April 2009. The task force recommended that full-time public school employees who are required to have certification by the state education department for their positions—including SLPs—will be exempt from SSA withholding. Last fall the change in our retirement system appeared to be a foregone conclusion. The combined time and energy of the legislators, ASHA, the education groups, and MSHA members brought about this positive outcome. Missouri continues to have a strong public school retirement system, which is one reason SLPs choose public school practice in the “Show Me State.” Author Notes Brenda Martien, MS, CCC-SLP, vice president for school services of the Missouri Speech-Language-Hearing Association, can be reached at [email protected]. Advertising Disclaimer | Advertise With Us Advertising Disclaimer | Advertise With Us Additional Resources FiguresSourcesRelatedDetails Volume 14Issue 10August 2009 Get Permissions Add to your Mendeley library History Published in print: Aug 1, 2009 Metrics Current downloads: 189 Topicsleader_do_tagasha-article-typesleader-topicsCopyright & Permissions© 2009 American Speech-Language-Hearing AssociationLoading ...

AN ANTI-SMOKING PROJECT INSTITUTED BY SENIOR NURSING STUDENTS IN A RURAL COMMUNITY

The Health Council of Hawkins County, Tennessee, received a State Tobacco Prevention grant to institute an anti-smoking program in the county schools. The program chosen was called TarWars and encompasses a prohealth tobacco-free program curriculum. The goal was to discourage tobacco use among the nation's youth by focusing on tobacco's short-term ill effects. Because the program encourages community involvement, nursing students from East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, identified volunteers from the Hawkins County Retired Teachers Association to develop a teaching program for use in the first year of the program and as well as in subsequent years of the TarWars curriculum. A pretest and posttest were given to the students to assess the program's success. The objectives of the grant were that 80% of the students would be able to name three negative effects associated with tobacco use and three positive effects of not using tobacco. The goal was met when 91% could identify negative effects and 89% could identify three positive effects of not using tobacco.

Table of Contents

Abstract Make a Good First Impression Training New Volunteers Pay Special Attention to New Recruits Match Mentors with New Volunteers ‘Bounce Backs’ Increase Response Rate Sources of Support Journaling Helps Lessen Volunteer Stress Where to Look Don't Overlook Retired Teachers as Volunteers Recruitment Recruitment Cards Produce 80‐Percent Response Rate Volunteer Clinic Volunteer Interviews Should Include Open‐ended Questions Cater to Time‐conscious Volunteers Make Use of a Calling Tree How to Deal with Negative Attitudes Job Hunting Tips… Volunteer Perspective Mentoring Program Offers Opportunity to Volunteer with Youth Meetings Well‐run Meetings Nurture Positive Relations Telemarketing Train Your Telemarketing Volunteers Motivation Eight Ways to Engage ‘Power’ Motivated Volunteers May We Hear From You? Guild Volunteers Assist College in Multiple Ways Governing Boards Resignation Form Offers Uncomfortable Trustees a Graceful Exit Tips for Effective Delegating Nurturing New Recruits Help New Board Members and Volunteers Get Started Leadership Defining Leadership By Example Know the Four ‘Rights’ Don't Leave Home without It Begin Planning a ‘Volunteer’ New Year's Resolution Special Events Volunteers Raise Funds with Chocolate Evaluating the Success of a Special Event Other Organizations That Have Held “Chocolate” Events:

Elderly Driver Retraining

This report documents a study of the traffic safety problems associated with drivers. For the purposes of this study, elderly are defined as drivers aged 55 years or older. The study involved five major activities. First, research was reviewed to determine what factors (e.g., deficiencies of performance, health, and knowledge) are most strongly related to the aging process and the accident experience of older drivers. Second, 20 driver education courses made available to older drivers were reviewed to determine what had been and was being done to address these problems. Third, an eight-hour program designed specifically for older drivers by National Retired Teachers Association/American Association of Retired Persons was evaluated. The evaluation design allowed project staff to collect data bearing on subjects personal characteristics, vehicle use patterns, driving problems, and crash and conviction histories. Analysis indicated that the program was effective in increasing subject knowledge. No significant effect on accident rate was found, though the small sample size would allow a modest but significant effect to go undetected. Crash experience did appear to be a function of exposure and medical problems. On the basis of information gained through these three activities, an older driver instructional manual--suitable for distribution by a variety of agencies serving the older community--was developed. Also developed was a set of recommendations to guide the development, content, and instruction approach taken in future programs for older driver retraining.

Representation in Age-Based Interest Groups

This research examines representation processes within two age-based interest groups: The National Retired Teachers Association and The American Association of Retired Persons. Drawing upon survey data from group members and leaders, propositions are evaluated regarding the implications of varying rates of policy interest and activity among group members. Activists are compared with other members in terms of background, policy positions, and proximity to leadership policy positions.

TUITION POLICIES OF HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND STATE GOVERNMENT AND THE OLDER LEARNER

Under the sponsorship of the National Retired Teachers Association and the American Association of Retired Persons, policies of higher education institutions and state governments were analyzed regarding adoption of free or reduced tuition for older learners. Results indicate that two‐year and public institutions were more likely to have adopted tuition policies, as well as special learning activities; two‐year institutions were more likely to offer courses for audit, while four‐year institutions were more likely to offer courses for credit; support services were generally lacking; and 25 states had adopted no tuition policy regarding older learners, while 22 states had adopted such legislation and it was pending in 4 states.

Old Age Associations in National Politics

The past decade has seen an unprecedented outpouring of federal laws, executive orders and new appropriations intended to benefit the elderly. A frequently overlooked, but quite significant, factor in this development has been the increased organized activity on the part of senior citizens themselves. In marked contrast to the old age groups of an earlier period, the elderly in recent years have coalesced behind groups with a high level of political rationality and internal organizational discipline. While aging groups are of various types and seek to fill a variety of functions, there is reason to focus on one category—the mass-membership organization—as especially important in helping to give shape and focus to widespread latent sentiments in the old age population. The rather striking success of three such groups—the American Association of Retired Persons-National Retired Teachers Association, the National Council of Senior Citizens and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees—can be analyzed in terms of their having found sources of income outside member dues, having created bureaucracies re cruited on the basis of performance criteria rather than charisma and having capitalized effectively on the emergence in recent years of a more benign climate for old age activity. By combining these criteria the groups consid ered appear capable both of insuring their own organiza tional survival and of continuing to exert an influence on federal policy makers.

The Mail-Order Prescription Drug Industry

THE PRACTICE of mailing prescription and other medications to consumers in the United States probably had its origin in rural America. Before the general availability of the automobile, rural inhabitants often were dependent upon the U.S. mail for delivery of medicines and health supplies from their local pharmacy. This practice was not only a convenience to the consumer, but an essential health service as well-one in which physician, pharmacist, and patient were active participants. The Veterans Administration has used the mails for distributing medicines to its ambulant patients for many years. This practice was expanded greatly with the return of veterans after World War II and has continued to grow, proving convenient and economical for both parties. In more recent times, the National Retired Teachers Association and American Association of Retired Persons (NRTA-AARP) has been distributing prescription medications to its members through a program that is now a featured service. As the volume of prescriptions delivered by mail has increased, the practice has come under continuing, and at times critical, surveillance, particularly by organized pharmacy. Because available information to characterize the nature and extent of the mail-order prescription industry has not been collected and scrutinized, we undertook to assemble as much factual information as could be obtained. Professional organizations and State boards of pharmacy were contacted for the names of firms engaged in high-volume, mail-order distribution of prescription drugs. A list of approximately 60 organizations was compiled. Data were then collected through a combination of personal and telephone interviews from 10 of the larger organizations, using a standard set of questions relating to the data reported in the remainder of this paper. These organizations are responsible for approximately 90 percent of the volume of mail-order prescription drugs in the United States. This report constitutes a profile of the mail-order prescription drug industry as constructed from our study. For purposes of convenience, mail-order Dr. Wertheimer and Dr. Knoben were formerly on the stafi of the Pharmacy-Related Programs Branch, National Center for Health Services Research and Development, Health Resources Administration. Dr. Wertheimer is now associate professor, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy; DP. Knoben is now at Yale University. Tearsheet requests to Dr. Albert I. Wertheimer, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, Minneapolis, Minn. 55455.