<p> Due to the usage of the outdated Federal Poverty Level (FPL) guidelines, many older adults are battling with economic insecurity and are not deemed eligible to apply for means-based assistance. The Elder Index has been identified as a tool to help determine poverty level taking into consideration the cost of living of the older adult&rsquo;s particular geographic area. </p><p> Governmental agencies such as AAAs in California are responsible for assisting older adults including low income adults in linking them to supportive community services. AAAs should be using the Index as a reference when making decisions about allocating resources. However, the problem is that the Elder Index is not being used by many AAAs, even though they are mandated to do so. The purpose of this project was to develop a manual to help AAAs in California to better understand the Elder Index. This manual will help target the challenges that AAAs have had in implementing the Elder Index tool.</p><p>

<p> As the nation ages, many adolescents will become caregivers for a burgeoning population of elders. These adolescents will have had little training and information on how to address a loved one&rsquo;s psychosocial needs. This thesis evaluated if a week-long &ldquo;What Gives Your Life Meaning&rdquo; (WGYLM^&copy;) program increased awareness of and improved attitudes about palliative care (PC) among high school students. </p><p> Fourteen (14) high school students participated in this week-long study by viewing clips from the movie <i>Being Mortal</i>, participating in a discussion with a palliative care professional, listening to an interview with an adolescent caregiver, and answering questions relative to end of life. The students&rsquo; accurate definition of palliative care as care focused on quality of life increased from 57% to 78%. Results suggested that a school based WGYLM^&copy; program would benefit adolescents&rsquo; knowledge and attitudes about PC.</p><p>

<p> Obesity, cardiovascular disease, and vulnerability among older adults highlight a critical need for a careful consideration of effective and preventive dietary interventions. Consuming flaxseed, along with a well-balanced diet, has been shown to significantly improve weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, serum lipids, plasma glucose levels, and inflammatory biomarkers. Although flaxseed exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, little is known regarding its consumer acceptability among older adults. The objective of this study was to investigate the acceptability of a flaxseed bagel in individuals 50 years and older using a 9-point Hedonic rating scale, Paired Preference test, and Food Action (FACT) rating scale. There were no significant differences between the control bagel (0% flaxseed) and flaxseed bagel (23%) in sensory attributes (appearance, color, flavor, aroma, texture, and overall acceptability) and FACT ratings in 20 participants (69.0 &plusmn; 6.3 years old). Age was significantly associated with the overall acceptability of the flaxseed bagel (<i>p</i> = .004) while gender showed no association with overall acceptability and FACT ratings in both bagels. Appearance, color, flavor, and texture were strongly correlated (<i>p</i> &lt; .01) to overall acceptability in both bagels. Further exploration of consumer acceptance of flaxseed products among older adults is needed; clinical trials may also shed light on potential health impacts of regular flax consumption.</p><p>

<p> Quality of life in mentally ill older adults is an important area to target in psychiatric rehabilitation. Additionally, the ability for these individuals to live a more independent lifestyle and/or to feel fulfilled is a major contributor to their happiness. Therefore, mental health practitioners must have an understanding of how to help older adults diagnosed with a serious mental illness reach their optimal potential as enrollment continues to increase in mental health day programs. The intent of this study was to better understand mental health day program caregiver&rsquo;s experience in working with this population and to provide a description of what a mental health day program was like for the mentally ill residents under their care. The first task was facilitated by semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Secondly, a set of more survey-based questions were added to the interview design in an attempt to set the contextual stage of the described experience. It was believed that combined data would provide a more in depth perspective and set the stage to better explore the caregiver experience. Moreover, this approach is consistent with the generic qualitative method, which allows survey data to be integrated with interview data; in this case to help produce the work context of the caregiver. The combined data would then include attitudes, values, opinions and perspective on what works, what does not work and what could work better in relation to their work with this population. Using a data-driven, inductive coding model advocated by Boyatzis (1998) for conducting thematic analysis, three stages were developed: Stage 1. Sampling and design; Stage 2. Developing themes and codes; and Stage 3. Validating the use of the code. The results of this analysis yielded a total of 33 codes and 299 coded segments (participant comments coded). As a result, three themes were derived from the 12 patterns: 1) Caregivers&rsquo; Attitude towards Mental Health Day Programming, 2) Value that Caregivers Found within Mental Health Day Programs and 3) Caregivers&rsquo; Thoughts, Opinions and Feelings of Necessary Programmatic Model and Services. The original intent of his study was to determine 1.) how residential caregivers perceive specific characteristics or services as being an essential part of a mental health day program based upon their experience in working with older adult residents who have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness, 2.) whether identified services describe a particular mental health day program model or approach (Clubhouse, Psychosocial Rehabilitation or Rehabilitation Skills Training, or Peer/Consumer-Run) that would be the best program fit for older adults diagnosed with a serious mental illness, and 3.) the personal care home caregivers&rsquo; perception of how these services are expected to: provide stimulation and a desire for older adults to learn or grow; create an opportunity for older adults to be a part of the program; and promote older adults in taking part or engaging program activities are addressed. However, it was soon apparent that this type of evaluative research was well beyond the scope of the dissertation. Consequently, a less evaluative and more general descriptive qualitative approach was undertaken wherein the focus was changed with the attempt to 1.) better understand mental health day program caregiver&rsquo;s experience in working with this population, 2.) provide a description of what mental health day programming was like for the mentally ill residents under their care, and 3.) set the contextual stage of the described experience. To the extent that this objective was met was left to the eye of the beholder, but it was hoped that the results would set the stage and lay the groundwork for the next step of the more evaluative approach abandoned for the generic qualitative descriptive study that follows. Thus the original intent was included here given the adage that the best evaluation is always description (Patton, 2008).</p><p>

abstract: This research examined successful aging in a convenience sample of 14 women in Phoenix, Arizona. The study used a mixed methods approach involving individual interviews and administration of a standardized instrument designed to measure success using an alternative construct, gerotranscendence. Explorative questions were designed to gather data regarding diverse women's lived experiences. In order to examine the impact of lived experiences on successful aging, demographics were collected and participants were administered the gerotranscendence scale further revised. Findings reveal that when success is conceptualized using gerotranscendence theory, women of color may still appear less successful than their white counterparts. Narratives yielded rich data regarding the influence of factors such as care giving and violated expectations. This research helps to expand the knowledge base on factors that impact successful aging of diverse women. This research contributes to the field of social work by providing insight into the complex factors that impact diverse woman, which may aid in the empowerment of social workers to advocate for more effective macro interventions for diverse older women. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S.W. Social Work 2013

<p> Previous studies have linked poor cognitive-motor dual-task performance to increased fall risk in older adults. However, the degree to which cognition and vision influence gait is disputed. The current study investigated the impact of two executive function tasks (working memory versus executive inhibition) and peripheral vision on gait performance during dual-task in healthy younger and older adults. It was hypothesized that there would be an interaction effect between 1) cognitive tasks and age groups, and 2) vision and age groups on overall gait performance interference. It was also hypothesized that there would be a main effect for 3) cognitive tasks, 4) vision, and 5) age groups. Participants performed two separate cognitive tasks (serial subtraction by 3s and a Stroop task) while walking under a normal-vision and peripheral vision-loss condition. Gait parameters were measured under single and dual task conditions. Results showed that the Stroop task produced greater gait interference for all age groups and vision conditions. Also, older adults had greater gait interference compared to younger adults, regardless of the type of concurrent cognitive tasks. Findings from this study can be implemented into fall prevention programs in community-dwelling and clinical populations. </p><p>

Cancer is predominantly a disease affecting older persons. 43% of new cancer cases in Canada occur among those who are at least 70 years old, while 25% occur in those aged 60--69 years. Cancer fatigue is the most common symptom associated with cancer and its treatment, and is often the most distressing symptom reported by cancer patients. Cancer fatigue adversely affects physical activity levels, physical function, and quality of life. Physical function is essential to older adults in maintaining independence and associated quality of life which is often more important to older adults than cancer survival. Recent research studies suggest that physical activity may reduce fatigue, and maintain or improve physical function levels and quality of life in cancer patients during and following treatment. This thesis examines cancer fatigue and its relationship to physical activity, physical function, and quality of life in older adults with cancer. The results of a systematic review and the findings of a secondary analysis research study are presented. The systematic review provided evidence that physical activity may reduce fatigue in older cancer patients during and after cancer treatment and may help to maintain or improve physical function and quality of life in this population. Results of the secondary analysis indicated that cancer fatigue is prevalent and was the most frequently reported symptom at baseline, three months and six months post consultation for cancer treatment. Cancer fatigue was associated with lower levels of physical function and quality of life. Physical activity, a modifiable factor, was found to be significantly related to cancer fatigue at three months and six months, regardless of age, and was significantly related to physical function at six months.

<p> The Health and Retirement Study (HRS) is a twenty-five-year longitudinal study that studies populations over the age of fifty. There is a lack of studies that examine depression and social isolation as comorbid conditions. The purpose of this study was to examine secondary data from the 2014 wave of the HRS regarding associations between depression, social isolation and demographic characteristics, including age (50&ndash;104 years), gender, and marital status. Self-reported data from 18,289 participants (10,703 females and 7,586 males) suggested a positive association between depression and social isolation (<i> r</i> = .365, <i>p</i> &lt; .001) in that as levels of depression increase so do feelings of social isolation. Significantly more females than males reported having depression. Those who were married reported less depression and social isolation. Younger ages experienced depression and older ages social isolation. Further research should explore solutions to decreasing depression and social isolation among older adults in the United States.</p><p>

<p> Although the population of adults age 65 and older with Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease and other dementias is growing exponentially, many dental professionals are not adequately prepared to work with these special needs patients in the clinical setting. The purpose of this project was to develop a training for dental professionals including basics about dementia, and communication and behavioral management. Personal oral hygiene, often lacking in a person with dementia, contributes to periodontal inflammation and oral infection that may be linked to potentially, life-threatening diseases, including cardiovascular disease, and aspiration pneumonia. This could result in poor quality of life, and hospital or nursing home admission. The training will help dental professionals to better provide preventive or maintenance dental care or assist in providing care. The training will meet a portion of the continuing education biennial course requirements and course provider requirements for license renewal of dental professionals in California. The training was presented to dental professionals. Their feedback, as well as suggestions from an expert panel, informed revisions to the training, such as increasing the length of the training and including &ldquo;brain breaks&rdquo; in the presentation.</p><p>

<p> Guided Autobiography is a process of writing, sharing and preserving one&rsquo;s life stories and life experiences. It leads one down a path through vast stores of memories, leading to an increased awareness and appreciation of having lived through so much. </p><p> The purpose of this study was to adapt Birren&rsquo;s Guided Autobiography (GAB) program for U. S. veterans 65 years of age and older. The themes developed for this study were based on Birren&rsquo;s nine themes for conducting autobiography groups. It was tailored to include themes relevant to older adult war veterans. Local veterans were interviewed and asked about past war experiences. The responses were recorded and analyzed using qualitative research methods. GAB serves to assist Gerontologists, Social Workers and other Health Practitioners in that it helps to provide insight into veterans&rsquo; experiences.</p>