"Please Don't Let Academia Forget about Us:" An Exploration of Nursing Home Social Work Experiences during COVID-19.

Nursing home social workers are on the frontlines during COVID-19 responding to individual resident needs, the needs of staff, and larger health needs of the nursing home. However, it is unclear whether nursing home social workers feel adequately trained and prepared in responding to disasters, such as COVID-19. To explore this, we used a study cross-sectional survey distributed via social media focusing on 1) prior training on disaster preparedness, 2) any content social workers wish had been a part of their education, and 3) suggestions for educators/academics to serve social workers on the frontlines. Data in this study are based on a sample of 63 (N=63) nursing home social workers. Demographic data were analyzed using SPSS and qualitative data were analyzed using the RaDar (rigorous and accelerated data reduction) technique. Findings revealed that most social workers had little to no training in disaster preparedness, and shared areas of future education initiatives. Participants also shared the need for bridging the research to practice gap through open access articles and support from academics. Findings from the present study reveal areas social work programs can expand gerontology-focused course offerings. Additionally, developments promoting practitioner support from academics is worth consideration.

Empirically Evaluated Suicide Prevention Program Approaches for Older Adults: A Review of the Literature from 2009-2021.

Mental health in later life and suicide risk among older adults are important topics for social work. There is evidence-based research to support the use selective and indicated strategies for suicide prevention, yet, universal prevention approaches are also needed. However, the extent to which the broader contexts of suicide have been examined remains largely absent from the literature. This article presents findings from a systematic review of articles published between 2009 and 2021, focusing what types of empirically evaluated suicide prevention programs effectively prevent and reduce suicidality in older adults. Using the PICO and PRISMA guidelines, a final sample of 8 articles were reviewed in this systematic review. The articles were categorized into three types of programs: 1) primary and home health care, 2) community-based outreach, and 3) counseling. The articles also examined the involvement of social workers in these programs. Following a description of the articles, the authors assess each study using the GRADE rating system. Lastly, the authors discuss the role of the social worker in mental health promotion and prevention strategies.

Using Community-Based Participatory Research Strategies in Age-Friendly Communities to Solve Mobility Challenges.

The number of older adults is steadily increasing in the United States and across the globe. Aging is linked to an increased risk of disability. Disabilities that limit one or more major life activities such as seeing, hearing, walking, and motor skills impact a person's ability to drive a car. Low utilization of alternative transportation by older adults and people with disabilities may put them at risk for social isolation. Social isolation is associated with a variety of negative health outcomes. While communities are challenged to create available, acceptable, accessible, adaptable and affordable mobility options, there are widely held, inaccurate biases around older adults' abilities to contribute to the development and improvement of alternative transportation options. Gerontological social workers are well-positioned to address this bias. This paper presents a case study of a large metropolitan county in the Midwest where community-based participatory research (CBPR) strategies were used to engage older residents to support the development of alternative transportation options supporting the tenets of environmental justice.

Abuse, neglect and exploitation in assisted living: an examination of long-term care ombudsman complaint data.

Long-term care ombudsmen are advocates who empower and assist residents with complaints relating to quality of care and violations of resident rights in assisted living (AL) and skilled nursing facilities (SNF). Given that long-term care residents are vulnerable to elder abuse, neglect and exploitation (ANE), and existing gaps in the literature addressing ANE in AL, more research is needed to understand the prevalence of ANE in these communities. Ombudsman complaint data (n = 140,497 complaints) in 3,171 Texas long-term care facilities were analyzed using proportion Z tests. Findings showed that SNF had higher rates of ANE per resident. For both AL and SNF, verbal/psychological abuse was the most reported type of ANE and sexual abuse was the least reported. AL residents had disproportionately high rates of financial exploitation. We explored factors that may contribute to these findings and recommend strategies for preventing ANE.

Providing Care for Persons with Dementia in Rural Communities: Informal Caregivers' Perceptions of Supports and Services.

Dementia is one of the costliest and most time-consuming diseases among older persons. Although informal caregivers provide the majority of care for persons with dementia, little is known about the self-perceived need for social services of caregivers of persons with dementia within rural areas. This pilot study examined the knowledge, access and intent of the practice-oriented service model of caregivers of persons with dementia in rural communities in the Midwest U.S. After a systematic training, researchers interviewed 11 rural caregivers of persons with dementia (n = 11). Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Although similarities with other caregivers of persons with dementia were found, important differences suggesting unique issues among these rural caregivers of persons with dementia. Many participants found strength in their community, which often served as a safety net of support. Consistent with existing literature, participants expressed financial concerns, geographic barriers and lack of dementia-specific services when using formal services. The need for more specialized formal services in rural areas to supplement existing informal care networks is discussed. Policies and services based on rural caregivers' unique concerns and challenges and that build upon their existing care networks are recommended.

What Can an Evaluation of the AGESW Predissertation Fellows Program Tell Us about the Mentoring Needs of Doctoral Students?

Good mentoring is a key variable for determining success in completing a doctoral program. The Association for Gerontology Education in Social Work (AGESW) provides leadership in the areas of gerontological social work education, research, and policy. In 2010, AGESW began offering the Pre-Dissertation Fellows Program (PDFP) to enhance social work doctoral students' professional development and skillset for academia. The purpose of this study was to examine student participants' perceptions of the PDFP in its role to providing mentorship and training for an academic position that encompasses research, teaching and professional service. This qualitative study examined eight cohorts (2010-2018) of the AGESW PDFP (N = 85). Participants identified a number of aspects of professional development gained, gratitude for the training, an appreciation for candid advice received, and areas of professional development they felt they were lacking within their doctoral training. Implications for doctoral education, doctoral mentorship programs, and the AGESW pre-dissertation program are discussed. Further, programs such as AGESW pre-dissertation fellowship program can serve as a model for other doctoral training initiatives to prepare students to work in academia.

Turning Doctoral Students into Faculty in Gerontological Social Work: The AGESW Experience.

Developing faculty interested in aging may help social work meet the needs of our growing aging population. However, doctoral students need a variety of supports to complete PhDs and become gerontological social work faculty. This study explored one program's role in supporting the development of social work doctoral students to faculty in gerontology. An e-mail invitation was sent to all former participants (2010-2016 cohorts) of the Association for Gerontology Education in Social Work (AGESW) Pre-Dissertation Fellows Program (PDFP). The 38-question online survey consisted of Likert-type scales, multiple answers, and one open-ended question per section about the program's impacts on their academic career development in teaching, research, mentoring, and support. Forty-five respondents, representing all six cohorts, completed the survey. More than half reported that the PDFP contributed to their ability to publish their research (64.4%, n = 29), grow their professional network (86.7%, n = 39, and teach (55.5%, n = 25). Doctoral programs provided different experiences than the PDFP, including mentoring, methodological training, professional development, networking, and peer support. Results suggest the PDFP provides content recipients value that supplements instruction received in their institutions. The program's ability to connect students to each other and to national leaders enhances their career development and socialization into academic roles.

Using Social Network Analysis to Assess Professional Network Development among AGESW Pre-Dissertation Fellowship Program Participants.

Professional networks are important for the success of doctoral students and early career faculty members, yet there is little research about what types of experiences help emerging scholars develop these networks. Social network analysis may be an ideal method for studying the effectiveness of training programs in nurturing network development among emerging scholars. We describe one application of this method, which was used to examine the professional networks formed through participation in the Association of Gerontological Education in Social Work (AGESW)'s Pre-Dissertation Fellowship Program (PDFP). Alumni (n = 12) from the first three cohorts of the program (2010-2012) reported meeting an average of 20 scholars (SD = 13.2) through AGESW, which led to potential professional interactions and collaborations on conference presentations and manuscripts. Although challenges with missing data limited the conclusions that can be drawn, we find that this method holds promise for helping to identify key factors that facilitate professional network development in pre-dissertation training programs such as the PDFP.

Sizing up assisted living: an examination of long-term care ombudsman complaint data.

Long-term care ombudsmen are resident advocates who receive, investigate, and resolve complaints relating to quality of care and violations of resident rights in assisted living (AL). More research is needed to understand systemic differences in source, type, and number of ombudsman complaints in AL. Ombudsman complaint data (n = 5,705 complaints) in small, medium, and large ALs in Dallas, Texas were analyzed using proportion Z tests. Findings suggest that all facilities had a high number of environmental complaints. Compared to larger facilities, small ALs have a disproportionately high number of complaints, a significantly higher number of complaints related to access to information, visitors, and ombudsmen, lower number of complaints related to care and staffing, family are less likely to complain, and residents are least likely to voice concerns. We recommend strategies for ombudsmen and AL providers to better meet residents' needs. We conclude with a call to action underscoring the increasing importance of the role of the ombudsman in AL.

Exploring the Personal and Environmental Factors Related to Length of Stay in Assisted Living.

This study explored to what extent personal and environmental factors, as defined by the ecological model of aging, help us to understand length of stay in assisted living (AL). A convenience sample (N = 218) of administrative records of AL residents admitted between the years 2006 and 2011 was collected and included AL residents' demographic and healthcare information as well as dates of admission and discharge. Cox regression was used to determine which personal and environmental factors influenced length of stay in three AL programs. Number of medical diagnoses, level of care score, and facility were found to be significant predictors of length of stay. The analyses identified a median survival time of 32 months as well as critical periods for discharge from AL. Implications for future research and social work practice are presented.

Beyond respite: the role of adult day services in supporting dementia caregivers.

Adult day services (ADS) are the leading provider of community-based care for persons with dementia and their caregivers. While the provision of caregiver respite is well-documented, little is known about the provision of other forms of dementia caregiver support. Logistic regression analyses of ADS providers (N = 297) in the MetLife Study indicated that the number of hours of social work support was a significant predictor of case management services, while nonprofit status was a significant predictor of caregiver education and support groups. These findings have implications for practice and policy related to this growing provider of dementia services.

The adverse reactions to care scale: identifying and measuring triggers during transitions in care.

Transitions in care tend to be difficult and complicated periods for older adults, families, and staff in long-term care facilities. For some older adults, care activities and care environments in facilities can lead to adverse reactions, such as resisting assistance with care or agitation and anxiety. Unfortunately, current tools do not adequately assess for triggers to such behaviors. In the current study, the 8-item Adverse Reactions to Care (ARC) scale was developed and tested with 89 older adults and their caregivers (N = 89). Exploratory factor analysis revealed the ARC scale loaded onto two distinct factors: (a) reactions to care activities and (b) reactions to care environments, with high overall reliability (alpha = 0.84). With additional testing, the ARC scale may be useful for clinicians in long-term care settings and for researchers focused on understanding care transitions for older adults.

Healthy Aging and Older Adults with Autism: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong diagnosis. While several studies have examined the effects of autism throughout childhood, few have considered older adulthood and the difference between the allistic (i.e., persons who are not autistic) population and autistic older adults. In literature regarding healthy aging, there is sparse evidence regarding the intersections of older adulthood and autism. The purpose of this scoping review was to examine the state of literature regarding autistic older adults and the domains of healthy aging, utilizing the framework conceived by Arksey and O'Malley (2005). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: To identify the research question, we took the following steps: identify the relevant studies; select studies; chart the data; and collate, summarize, and report the results. The specific domains of healthy aging considered include physical health, mobility, mental health, cognition and memory, and social connectedness. RESULTS: A total of 35 articles were selected for final review. Fifty-seven percent of these studies considered only one domain of healthy aging, 23% studied two domains, while 14% measured three domains and 6% assessed four domains. No study considered all five domains. Of the five domains considered for this scoping review, mental health and cognition and memory were the most represented domains in the studies. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Overall, healthy aging among autistic older adults is largely understudied. More research is needed to better identify and tailor interventions and services for autistic older adults and their families to support healthy aging.

Inclusion or exclusion? Exploring barriers to employment for low-income older adults.

Faced with economic uncertainty and declining retirement security, older adults have increasingly tried to remain in, or return to, the workforce in recent years. Unfortunately, a host of factors, such as ageism and changing skill requirements, present challenges for older adults seeking employment. Low-income older adults, in particular, may lack necessary education and skills and have limited access to job opportunities and training. In this review, we examine factors that inhibit and support employment for low-income older adults and explore the role of social work in facilitating their inclusion in the workforce.

Positive Aging and Death or Dying: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This scoping review aims to examine the extent and the manner in which research that utilizes successful, active, productive, and healthy aging framework(s) includes death or dying. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: An examination of peer-reviewed academic journal articles was conducted following Joanna Briggs Institute's methodological standards for scoping reviews and conforming to Arskey and O'Malley's 5-stage framework. The initial search resulted in 1,759 articles for review, and following the rigorous screening, 35 studies were included for the final review. A qualitative thematic analysis was used to identify how research utilizes the concepts of death and dying in the context of 4 positive aging models. RESULTS: The core themes identified include (a) the absence of death and dying dimensions in positive aging models; (b) older adults' outlooks on death and dying while aging well; (c) religious and spiritual dimensions of aging well; (d) negative consequences of positive aging models without death and dying dimensions; and (e) the future of death and dying in positive aging models. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: The review delivers a critique by researchers on the noticeable absence of death and dying processes within the framework of successful, active, productive, and healthy aging models. These findings represent a rich opportunity for future research on these concepts.

Remembering the Past with Today's Technology: A Scoping Review of Reminiscence-Based Digital Storytelling with Older Adults.

Reminiscence has been identified as a potentially effective intervention strategy for the mental health of older adults. It has been suggested that reminiscence work and subsequent production of a life storybook (e.g., DST: digital storytelling) is associated with improvements in the well-being of older adults. The specific objectives of this scoping review are to: (1) examine how reminiscence-based DST is conducted/used with older adults, (2) identify whether and how intergenerational engagement is included in this literature, and (3) report on the outcomes identified in this literature, including older adults as well as other participants such as co-creators and viewers of DST. A scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute's methods and the Arksey and O'Malley framework examined studies published in English that included reminiscence with older adults and incorporated digital storytelling. The initial search resulted in 702 articles for review, and following screening, 35 studies were included for full-text review. A total of 10 articles specifically on reminiscence-based DST were identified for final review. Only one study intentionally included intergenerational engagement in its design. DST impacted older adults on their personal meaning and catharsis, social connectedness, cognitive function, and spiritual and emotional well-being. Impacts on reviewers and creators were also reported. Overall, the combination of individual reminiscence work with intergenerational engagement and the use of DST is largely understudied. Additional research is warranted given there is a credible evidence base for these types of interventions.

The Senior Companion Program Plus for African American Caregivers of Persons With Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD) pose significant challenges as chronic health conditions in the United States. Additionally, there are notable disparities in the diagnosis and prevalence of ADRD among diverse populations. Specifically, African American populations have a higher risk of developing late-onset ADRD than White people, and missed diagnoses of ADRD are more common among older African American populations than older White populations. These disparities also impact African American ADRD family caregivers. OBJECTIVE: The overall goal of this project is to develop a culturally informed, lay provider psychoeducational intervention named Senior Companion Program Plus (SCP Plus), which is specifically designed for African American ADRD caregivers and is potentially accessible, affordable, and sustainable. METHODS: In the proposed explanatory sequential mixed methods study, a randomized controlled trial will be used that includes 114 African American family caregivers of a relative with ADRD who will participate in the 3-month SCP Plus program. RESULTS: The study was funded on September 15, 2018, by the National Institutes of Health (1R15AG058182-01A1). Data collection began on May 16, 2019, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, ended 12 months into the planned 27-month recruitment period on March 31, 2023. The study was completed in June 30, 2023, and currently the results are being analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: The SCP Plus offers promise as an intervention that utilizes an existing platform for the delivery of a lay provider intervention and offers a novel approach for addressing gaps in accessible, community-based support for caregivers of people with ADRD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03602391; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03602391. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR1-10.2196/49679.

Attitudes toward Aging among College Students: Results from an Intergenerational Reminiscence Project.

The detrimental effects of negative attitudes toward aging among younger adults extend to both older and young adults, highlighting the need for attention from academics, applied researchers, and practitioners. To improve college students' attitudes toward aging, an intergenerational reminiscence intervention was conducted. College students, who were randomized to intervention or control groups and matched with older adults, made weekly phone calls to community-dwelling older adults with cognitive impairment for ten weeks. This study investigated whether college students improved their attitudes toward aging after participating in this project. A total of 64 college student participants completed the whole intervention and all data collection. The Fraboni Scale of Ageism was used to measure attitudes toward aging and administered at three time points (pre-, mid-, and post-test). Parametric and nonparametric tests were examined to understand changes over time, and post-hoc analyses were conducted to understand timepoints in which changes occurred. The results showed that both the intervention and control groups evidenced a decrease in the majority of the ageism scale, including statistical improvements in three specific negative items, which were "Seniors are stingy and hoard money", "Seniors live in the past", and "I prefer not to spend time with seniors". Overall, the findings indicate that weekly engagement with older adults is promising in improving attitudes toward aging among college students. Implications for future research on intergenerational contacts to improve attitudes toward aging are discussed.

It Gave Me Somebody Else to Think About Besides Myself: Caring Callers Volunteer Experiences With a Telephone-Based Reassurance Program for Socially Isolated Older Adults.

The Caring Callers Program was developed as a telephone-based intervention utilizing Senior Companion volunteers to reach older adults at greater risk for loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. This pilot program consisted of trained volunteers who provided supportive, weekly calls as well as community resources with their Caring Callers clients. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the experiences of Senior Companion volunteers in the Caring Callers Program through the lens of productive aging. We completed semi-structured interviews with 18 Caring Callers volunteers. We used Rapid and Rigorous Qualitative Date Analysis (RADaR) which yielded four themes: (1) reciprocity; (2) purposeful use of time; (3) learning new skills; and (4) gaining perspective. Our findings provide insight for gerontological researchers examining volunteering as a productive aging activity and offer strategies for designing peer-led, telephone-based interventions to promote social connectedness in an unprecedented time.

Reminiscence and Digital Storytelling to Improve the Social and Emotional Well-Being of Older Adults With Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study Design and a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Increasing attention is being given to the growing concerns about social isolation, loneliness, and compromised emotional well-being experienced by young adults and older individuals affected by Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD). Studies suggest that reminiscence strategies combined with an intergenerational approach may yield significant social and mental health benefits for participants. Experts also recommended the production of a digital life story book as part of reminiscence. Reminiscence is typically implemented by trained professionals (eg, social workers and nurses); however, there has been growing interest in using trained volunteers owing to staffing shortages and the costs associated with reminiscence programs. OBJECTIVE: The proposed study will develop and test how reminiscence offered by trained young adult volunteers using a digital storytelling platform may help older adults with ADRD to improve their social and emotional well-being. METHODS: The proposed project will conduct a randomized controlled trial to assess the effects of the intervention. The older and young adult participants will be randomly assigned to the intervention (reminiscence based) or control groups and then be randomly matched within each group. Data will be collected at baseline before the intervention, in the middle of the intervention, at end of the intervention, and at 3 months after the intervention. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design will be used to take advantage of the strengths of both quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative data from surveys will be entered into SPSS and analyzed using covariate-adjusted linear mixed models for repeated measures to compare the intervention and control groups over time on the major outcomes of participants. Conventional content analysis of qualitative interviews will be conducted using data analysis software. RESULTS: The project was modified to a telephone-based intervention owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Data collection started in 2020 and ended in 2022. In total, 103 dyads were matched at the beginning of the intervention. Of the 103 dyads, 90 (87.4%) dyads completed the midtest survey and 64 (62.1%) dyads completed the whole intervention and the posttest survey. Although we are still cleaning and finalizing data analyses, the preliminary results from both quantitative and qualitative data showed promising results of this intergenerational reminiscence approach that benefits both the older adults who have cognitive impairments and the young adult participants. CONCLUSIONS: Intergenerational reminiscence provided by young adult college student offers promising benefits for both the younger and older generations. Future studies may consider scaling up this pilot into a trackable, replicable model that includes more participants with diverse background (eg, public vs private college students and older adults from other agencies) to test the effectiveness of this intervention for older adults with ADRD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05984732; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05984732. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/49752.