The Role of Life Satisfaction and Optimism for Successful Aging in Mid and Late Life.

Guided by the Rowe and Kahn model, the current study examined the longitudinal association of objective and subjective components of successful aging (SA) with individuals' life satisfaction and level of optimism across adulthood aiming to validate the related scanty existing research. Data were from waves 2 and 3 (2004-14) of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study. Using structural equation modeling, we examined (N = 2,040) whether subjective life satisfaction (wave 2) has any effect on a composite measure of SA (wave 3) while controlling for baseline sociodemographic and health factors. We also examined the mediation effects of optimism in the above associations. Findings revealed that life satisfaction has a significant positive effect on SA; also, this effect is bidirectional. Further, high optimism positively mediated the bidirectional association between life satisfaction and SA. This study identified life satisfaction and optimism as having potentially positive impacts on achieving SA in middle-aged and older adults.

Is Use of Psychedelic Drugs a Risk or Protective Factor for Late-Life Cognitive Decline?

Objectives: Common age-related health conditions can lead to poor mental health outcomes and deteriorate cognition. Additionally, commonly prescribed medications for various mental/physical health conditions may cause adverse reactions, especially among older adults. Psychedelic therapy has shown positive impacts on cognition and has been successful in treating various mental health problems without long-lasting adversities. The current study examines the association between psychedelic drug usage and cognitive functions in middle-aged and older adults. Methods: Data were from wave 3 (2013-2014) of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study. We used multiple linear regression models examining associations between psychedelic usage and cognitive functions, controlling for covariates of sociodemographic and health factors. Results: We included 2,503 individuals (Mage = 64 ± 11). After controlling for covariates, the finding revealed that psychedelic usage was independently associated with more favorable changes in executive function (ß = .102, SE = 0.047, p = .031) and less depressive symptoms (ß = -.090, SE = 0.021, p < .001). The same effect was not found for episodic memory (ß = .039, SE = 0.066, p = .553). Discussion: Addressing the mental health implications of physical health conditions in older adults are vital for preventing neurocognitive deterioration, prolonging independence, and improving the quality of life. More longitudinal research is essential utilizing psychedelics as an alternative therapy examining late-life cognitive benefits.

Impact of Optimism on Cognitive Performance of People Living in Rural Area: Findings From a 20-Year Study in US Adults.

Objectives: Mid- or early-late-life cognitive function is an indicator for developing late-life dementia. However, it is still unclear whether rural/urban living contexts provide cognitive benefits across adulthood. Further, higher optimism serves as a general protective factor for many health outcomes. The present study examines associations between rurality/urbanicity, optimism, and change in mid/late-life cognitive functions over time. Methods: Data were from waves 1 to 3 (1995-2015) of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study (N = 2,507). Structural equation models examine whether long-term rural living across both waves (1-2) or intermittent rural living at one wave is associated with better cognitive function over 20 years, compared to no rural living, while controlling for prior cognitive function and covariates (baseline socio-demographics, health, and functional status). Additionally, we assessed if optimism mediates the above associations. Results: After controlling for covariates, long-term rural living (waves 1-2) was indirectly (through less optimism) associated with significantly lower levels of cognitive executive function and episodic memory in wave 3. Conclusions: While long-term rural living and cognitive outcomes have no direct association for MIDUS middle-aged and older adults, mediating roles of optimism in these associations were evident. Future investigations could examine mechanisms that underlie these risk/protective factors on late-life cognition.

The Importance of Zero-Deficiency Complaints in Nursing Homes: A Mere Consequence or Serious Concern?

Complaints represent an important metric for assessing the quality of nursing home (NH) care. Using the Automated Survey Processing Environment (ASPEN) Complaints/Incidents Tracking System dataset (2017), we examined the relationships between zero-deficiency complaints (ZDCs) and zero-deficiency substantiated complaints (ZDSCs) and the proportion of residents with dementia. NHs (N = 15,339) were separated into three groups-proportion of residents with dementia in the top, two middle, and the bottom quartiles. Negative binomial regressions assessed zero-deficiency complaint patterns in relation to NHs' proportion of residents with dementia, controlling for facility characteristics, staffing, and racial pattern. We reported average marginal effects (AMEs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). NHs in the top quartile yielded higher numbers of both ZDC (AME = .189, 95% CI: .102-.276, p < .001) and ZDSC (AME = .236, 95% CI: .094-.378, p = .001), than NHs in the bottom quartile. Results suggest a need for more uniform investigation processes and staff training to promote a more valid complaint process for residents with dementia.

Isolation and characterization of rhizobacteria from lentil for arsenic resistance and plant growth promotion.

Low-cost microbial remediation strategies serve as a viable and potent weapon for curbing the arsenic menace. In the present study, two arsenic-resistant bacteria were isolated from the contaminated lentil rhizosphere in Gangetic plain of eastern India. LAR-21 (Burkholderia cepacia, MW356875) and LAR-25 (Burkholderia cenocepacia, MW356894) could remove 87.6% and 85.9% of arsenite (10 mM) from the liquid culture medium in laboratory condition. They were highly resistant to arsenate and arsenite and also had a high arsenite oxidase activity. LAR-21 showed the highest level of minimum inhibitory concentration value of 390 mM for arsenate and 31 mM for arsenite. The same strain was found to show highest arsenite oxidase activity, i.e., 5.2 nM min-1 mg-1of protein. These two strains further possess potential plant growth-promoting characteristics like indole acetic acid production (5-15 mM IAA mL-1), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (8-21 nM α-keto butyrate mg protein-1 h-1), nitrogenase activity (3-8.99 nM ethylene mg cell protein-1 h-1), siderophore production (17-22.1 µM deferoxamine mesylate mL-1), phosphate solubilization (261-453 µg mL-1) under arsenic stress condition. The plant growth promotion of the strains was further validated by pot study of lentil by assessing their agronomic and growth-related traits, and potential to recover from arsenic stress (17.2-21.2% arsenic reduction in root and shoot, 16-19.2% in leaf and pod, and 15-23% reduction in seeds). The LAR-21 strain, thus, emerged as the most suited candidate for bioremediation and plant (lentil) growth promotion in arsenic polluted environment.

A Collaborative Approach to Improving Care Outcomes for Residents in Assisted Living.

Purpose: Assisted Living (AL) residents are embedded in "care convoys" comprised of a dynamic network of formal and informal care partners. Using the convoys of care model-a multi-level framework connecting care convoy properties to resident outcomes-we examined healthcare management and communication between convoy members. We recommend strategies to engage primary care in supporting collaboration, communication, and consensus-building for older adults and their convoys. Methods: Data were collected from the longitudinal study, Convoys of Care: Developing Collaborative Care Partnerships in AL. Fifty residents and their care convoy members (N = 169) were followed in eight AL homes in Georgia over 2 years. Original data were analyzed using Grounded Theory Methods of qualitative data, including formal and informal interviewing, participant observation, and record review. Results: The convoys of care model provide an innovative perspective that will assist providers in supporting AL residents and their care partners to achieve better care outcomes. Findings demonstrate the utility of understanding the structure and function of social resources and implications for improving healthcare outcomes. Conclusion: This research informs the work of physicians and mid-level providers with patients in AL by providing strategies to uncover specific social determinants of health. Recommendations for use in patient encounters are enumerated.

Consumer Complaints in Nursing Homes: Analyzing Substantiated Single-Allegation Complaints to Deficiency Citations.

Complaints provide important information to consumers about nursing homes (NHs), but how substantiated complaints map onto deficiency citations is unknown. The purpose of this study is to understand the relationship between substantiated complaints and deficiency citations. Federally collected NH complaint and inspection records were obtained to identify all single allegation, substantiated complaints for NHs across the U.S. in 2017. Overall, the 369 complaint allegations in our sample resulted in a total of 585 deficiencies at the inspection stage; however, 35.2% of the allegations led to no deficiencies. Nearly two-thirds of the 369 substantiated single allegation complaints were categorized at the intake stage as quality of care (31.7%), resident abuse (17.3%), or resident neglect (14.1%). Further, 18% of the inspection deficiencies originated with complaint allegations that were prioritized as immediate jeopardy at intake, but of these, 71.4% were determined upon inspection to constitute "no actual harm with potential for more than minimal harm." These results provide evidence that complaints have the potential to provide unique valuable information on NH quality of care and draw regulatory attention to consumers' concerns. Future studies should include qualitative research concerning complaint processes by conducting interviews/surveys of complainants, NH staff/administrators, long-term care ombudsmen, and state officials.