Marielle Jensen-Battaglia, Kah Poh Loh, Emily M Agree, Robert C Block, Ying Wang, Supriya G Mohile, Christopher L Seplaki
{"title":"Physical Function and Residential Relocation of Older Adults Living With Chronic Conditions.","authors":"Marielle Jensen-Battaglia, Kah Poh Loh, Emily M Agree, Robert C Block, Ying Wang, Supriya G Mohile, Christopher L Seplaki","doi":"10.1177/07334648261449885","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648261449885","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Environmental Gerontology has shown that mobility difficulty can be a barrier to aging in place when the home environment is not physically accessible. However, difficulty may vary by underlying chronic conditions. Using data from a cohort of community-dwelling adults age 65 or older in the 2011-2019 National Health and Aging Trends Study, we found that mobility difficulty was associated with moving to housing with fewer environmental barriers. Mobility difficulty was not associated with moving to other destinations, such as housing with the same or more barriers, or nursing home. Those with dementia or cancer were more likely to move to a nursing home, and those with cancer were less likely to move to housing with the same or more barriers. However, having these chronic conditions did not change the relationship between mobility difficulty and relocation. These findings suggest that addressing mobility and reducing environmental barriers may promote aging in place.</p>","PeriodicalId":47970,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Gerontology","volume":" ","pages":"7334648261449885"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147844055","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Increasing Access to Caregiver-Friendly Workplaces: Stakeholder Perspectives.","authors":"Pamela Nadash, Eileen J Tell, Maryssa Pallis","doi":"10.1177/07334648261443028","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648261443028","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the U.S, the roughly 70% of family caregivers who are employed face challenges balancing work and family responsibilities-which can threaten their longer-term financial well-being. Thus, the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers (2022) focuses on increasing the availability of workplace protections and supports. This study provides stakeholder perspectives on caregiver-friendly workplace policies, drawing on data collected to support the development of the Strategy. Data were collected from qualitative interviews and focus groups with stakeholder organizations, comprising 34 individuals, aiming to identify key issues in encouraging caregiver-friendly workplaces. Respondents supported the need for systematic approaches in support of that shift and offered ideas for catalyzing it, stressing the importance of supportive workplace environments. They highlighted employer variation in capacity to adopt practices and the need for a range of options that accommodate employer and employee heterogeneity. Furthermore, they described the role of data in informing employers and policy.</p>","PeriodicalId":47970,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Gerontology","volume":" ","pages":"7334648261443028"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147844074","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rachel Creamer, Daniel Paulson, Madison Maynard, Emma G Churchill, Apollonia E Lysandrou, Nicole V McClure
{"title":"Race-Stratified Randomized Trial Examining Advance Care Planning Engagement Among Older Adults.","authors":"Rachel Creamer, Daniel Paulson, Madison Maynard, Emma G Churchill, Apollonia E Lysandrou, Nicole V McClure","doi":"10.1177/07334648261444783","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648261444783","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Advance care planning (ACP), including creation of advance care directives (ACDs), is underutilized by Black American older adults. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a culturally sensitive ACD (Five Wishes), versus a standard state directive, on ACP engagement and value congruence scores among Black and White Americans. A race-stratified sample of 189 participants was randomized into ACD conditions. Race and condition were not independent predictors of ACP and value congruence engagement. Physician trust predicted ACP engagement and value congruence differentially. Results indicate that the use of state directives negatively impacts trust among Black Americans, which negatively impacts ACP engagement. Primary limitations include metrics of ACP/ACD completion, sample size, and demographic distribution. Findings add to the growing body of literature implying that values-driven, person-centered directives may increase engagement and reduce the disparity in ACP between Black and White Americans, promoting better quality, equitable care at the end of life.</p>","PeriodicalId":47970,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Gerontology","volume":" ","pages":"7334648261444783"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147844121","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Trajectory of Cognitive Decline After Incident Hearing Loss: A 24-year Population-Based Longitudinal Cohort Study.","authors":"Qin Li, Haohong Lai, Juntao Wu, Haidi Yang","doi":"10.1177/07334648261449869","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648261449869","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundThe extent of cognitive decline following incident hearing loss (HL) remains inadequately unexplored.MethodsUsing data from the Health and Retirement Study (from 1998 to 2022), we assessed global cognition, measured by orientation, calculation, and memory tasks, across survey waves. Linear mixed-effects models were employed to estimate annual cognitive decline associated with incident HL.ResultsAmong 7,598 participants, 2,241 developed incident HL. Significant accelerations in annual decline were observed following HL onset in global cognition (β = -0.080SD/year; 95% CI: -0.092 to -0.069), memory (-0.017SD/year; -0.023 to -0.012), orientation (-0.106SD/year; -0.125 to -0.088), and calculation (-0.014SD/year; -0.019 to -0.008). Acute declines were also identified at the time of HL onset in global cognition (-0.101SD; -0.144 to -0.059), memory (-0.119SD; -0.148 to -0.090), and calculation (-0.067SD; -0.097 to -0.036).ConclusionsIncident HL was associated with both acute declines and accelerated long-term declines in global cognition, memory, and orientation.</p>","PeriodicalId":47970,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Gerontology","volume":" ","pages":"7334648261449869"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147844115","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Adult Social Day Services: A Promising, Yet Underutilized Community-Based Support for Individuals With Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias.","authors":"Adriana Hernandez, Setarreh Massihzadegan, Caitlin Coyle","doi":"10.1177/07334648261448267","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648261448267","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) become more common, there is a growing need for programs that improve the quality of life for individuals living with these conditions. Understanding existing community-based models of engagement is essential for identifying effective, scalable solutions. Adult Social Day Services (ASDS) offer opportunities for socialization and cognitive engagement for individuals who require minimal assistance with activities of daily living. Although promising, ASDS programs are used unevenly, and their overall effectiveness remains unclear. To address this gap, we conducted a parallel convergent mixed-methods study using data from a fee-based ASDS program located at a senior center in a northeastern U.S. town. Using a population-level survey, stakeholder focus groups, and in-depth interviews with current and former participants and their families, we examined the program from multiple perspectives. Findings suggest the ASDS model has strong potential for scaling, replication, and adaptation as a community-based dementia intervention, with benefits for participant well-being and caregiver support.</p>","PeriodicalId":47970,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Gerontology","volume":" ","pages":"7334648261448267"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147844063","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Claudia Benito-Rincón, Luis Manuel Pérez-Cardona, Laura García-García, José Adrián Fernandes-Pires, Lucía Jiménez-Gonzalo, Natalia Martín-María, Andrés Losada-Baltar
{"title":"Life Stressors and Loneliness in Older Adults: The Role of Family Functioning and Self-Perceptions of Aging.","authors":"Claudia Benito-Rincón, Luis Manuel Pérez-Cardona, Laura García-García, José Adrián Fernandes-Pires, Lucía Jiménez-Gonzalo, Natalia Martín-María, Andrés Losada-Baltar","doi":"10.1177/07334648261445733","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648261445733","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Loneliness, a subjective feeling experienced by a considerable number of older adults, is often related to life stressors. Family functioning and self-perceptions of aging (SPA) may be associated with loneliness, but no prior research has combined them into a single explanatory model. This study examined the role of family functioning and SPA in associations between life stressors and loneliness in older adults. Participants were 317 individuals aged 65 and older, recruited from urban areas in Spain. A path analysis tested direct and indirect associations among variables. Results indicated life stressors were indirectly associated with loneliness through family functioning and negative SPA. In addition, family functioning was indirectly associated with loneliness through SPA. The model showed excellent fit and explained 48% of the variance in loneliness. Findings provide a theoretical basis for interventions to reduce loneliness by enhancing family support and promoting positive SPA.</p>","PeriodicalId":47970,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Gerontology","volume":" ","pages":"7334648261445733"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147822234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Shared Experience of Physical Vitality and Social Participation Among Caregiving Dyads: Comparing Dyads With and Without Dementia.","authors":"Hyojin Choi, Maija Reblin, Kristin Litzelman","doi":"10.1177/07334648261446693","DOIUrl":"10.1177/07334648261446693","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Social connection is a core component of well-being. Older adults with declining physical functioning or serious health conditions are at particular risk for social isolation and loneliness, and often rely on a family caregiver to facilitate their social participation. Using data from the 2015 and 2017 National Health and Aging Trends Study and the National Survey of Caregiving, this study sought to elucidate dyadic interdependence in the relationship between physical vitality and social participation, among care recipient-caregiver dyads (152 dyads with dementia; 475 dyads without dementia). Actor-partner interdependence models reveal that physical vitality was positively associated with social participation in care recipients, regardless of their dementia status. In dyads with dementia, care recipients' physical vitality was also positively associated with caregiver social participation. The findings demonstrate the importance of physical vitality of both older adults and their caregivers in maintaining social participation in the face of health challenges.</p>","PeriodicalId":47970,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Gerontology","volume":" ","pages":"7334648261446693"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147844066","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Julia Lyons, Kathy Bond, Betty Kitchener, Fairlie Cottrill, Anthony Jorm, Alyssia Rossetto, Claire Kelly, Nicola Reavley, Amy Morgan
{"title":"Evaluation of the Older Person Mental Health First Aid Course: Effects on Knowledge, Stigmatizing Attitudes, and Helping Behaviors.","authors":"Julia Lyons, Kathy Bond, Betty Kitchener, Fairlie Cottrill, Anthony Jorm, Alyssia Rossetto, Claire Kelly, Nicola Reavley, Amy Morgan","doi":"10.1177/07334648251352309","DOIUrl":"10.1177/07334648251352309","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Older Person Mental Health First Aid® (MHFA®) course teaches adults practical skills to support older adults (65+ years) who are developing a mental health problem or crisis, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, substance use problems, confusion, and dementia. This study aimed to evaluate its effectiveness in a sample of Australian adults attending the course. Outcomes were assessed before the course, immediately after, and six months later. Measures assessed the participant's knowledge, stigmatizing attitudes, willingness to help, confidence in- and quality of intended, and actual helping behavior toward an older person with depression or dementia. 148 Australian participants completed the pre-course survey, 133 at post-course and 67 at six-month follow-up. Significant improvements were observed at post and six-month follow-up on knowledge, desire for social distance, confidence, and quality of intended help toward dementia. The Older Person MHFA course may be an effective early intervention education course for supporting older people's mental health.</p>","PeriodicalId":47970,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Gerontology","volume":" ","pages":"856-867"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13076979/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144592683","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Partnership Quality and Mental Health Among Older Adults in England Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.","authors":"Eizaburo Tanaka, Maria Sironi, Giorgio Di Gessa","doi":"10.1177/07334648251355676","DOIUrl":"10.1177/07334648251355676","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Using longitudinal data from Wave 9 (2018/19) and two COVID-19 sub-studies of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (<i>N</i> = 4994), we examined how partnership status and relationship quality in the early months of the pandemic (June/July 2020) related to depression, anxiety, and life satisfaction (November/December 2020) among older people. Associations were analyzed using logistic regression models while controlling for socioeconomic and demographic factors as well as pre-pandemic mental health. We found that respondents in poor-quality partnerships reported higher depression (OR = 2.79, 95% CI = 2.07-3.76), anxiety (OR = 2.62, 95% CI = 1.74-3.94), and low life satisfaction (OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.67-2.86) than those in fair partnerships. Results also indicate that better partnership quality was associated with better mental health, while being in a poor partnership was as detrimental to mental health as not having a cohabiting partner. Relationship quality is important for mental health, particularly when policies restricting contact and mobility may exacerbate relational issues.</p>","PeriodicalId":47970,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Gerontology","volume":" ","pages":"963-972"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12378323/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144486584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jeein Law, Jeffrey A Burr, Edward Alan Miller, Jeffrey E Stokes, Sung S Park
{"title":"Family Health Stress and Insomnia Symptoms Among Older Adults: The Moderating Role of Activity Engagement.","authors":"Jeein Law, Jeffrey A Burr, Edward Alan Miller, Jeffrey E Stokes, Sung S Park","doi":"10.1177/07334648251352593","DOIUrl":"10.1177/07334648251352593","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Insomnia symptoms arising from stress present significant health risks for older adults, yet few studies have examined (1) the association between family health-related stress and insomnia or (2) the moderating role of activity engagement. This study used data from the 2016 and 2018 <i>Health and Retirement Study</i> (<i>N</i> = 5565) to assess these relationships using linear regression models. The study focused on 4 insomnia symptoms and 15 activity items, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and health factors. Higher levels of family health stress were significantly associated with higher numbers of insomnia symptoms. The moderation analysis showed that engagement in social and hobby activities weakened this association, suggesting that certain activities serve a buffering role in reducing family health stress-related insomnia symptoms.</p>","PeriodicalId":47970,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Gerontology","volume":" ","pages":"879-889"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144576629","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}