Journal of Gerontological Social Work最新文献

Promoting equitable end-of-life (EOL) preparedness is essential for dignified aging. This study examined whether subjective happiness mediates the association between subjective economic status and preemptive conversations (PCs) about EOL among older adults. Using cross-sectional data from 1,575 participants in Koriyama City, Japan, logistic regression assessed the association between economic status and PCs, and mediation analysis evaluated indirect effects via subjective happiness. Higher subjective economic status was associated with greater likelihood of PCs and higher subjective happiness. Subjective happiness partially mediated this association, accounting for 23.4% of the effect. These findings suggest that enhancing subjective well-being may help reduce socioeconomic disparities in EOL preparedness.

Participant recruitment in dementia caregiver research is recognized as challenging. This article details the strategies, barriers, and successes of a recruitment approach of a clinical intervention trial for family caregivers of persons living with dementia. Throughout the study, we dealt with challenges both within and outside the researchers' control. These challenges included institutional barriers, community barriers, and individual barriers. To maximize our chances for success, we focused on building strong relationships between the research team and the participants. Using social workers as recruiters, maintaining frequent contact with participants, and flexibility in managing challenges promoted modest success in recruitment and retention.

Developing and delivering meaningful and impactful activity programming in long-term care settings is essential to the promotion of emotional, social, and cognitive well-being of residents. In this article, we present qualitative findings from a feasibility study of RASCALs, a nature-focused livestream group activity program for older adults in assisted living. Using an established feasibility evaluation framework, the researchers examined eight domains: acceptability; demand; implementation; practicality; adaptation; integration; expansion; and initial impact. Interviews (N = 18) were conducted with older adult participants (n = 12), nursing staff (n = 3), interventionists (n = 2), and the facility activities coordinator (n = 1). Data were analyzed using directed qualitative content analysis. Results indicated that the RASCALs program was readily accepted by participants and that there was evidence of initial impact, particularly in terms of contributing to well-being and promoting socialization. Implementing the intervention also appeared to be practical in this setting, however there were challenges associated with delivery. Demand, adaptation, and expansion were related to resident interest, flexibility and creativity, and communications and promotion, respectively. Facilitators, barriers, and potential impact are further discussed, as are implications for practicing social workers and social work researchers.

Given the mental health impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the vulnerability of socially disadvantaged older adults, we examined the associations among ACEs, self-perceptions of aging and mental health in low-income older Korean immigrants. Using data from 320 residents in subsidized housing in Los Angeles (mean age = 79.4), we found a significant indirect effect of ACEs on depressive symptoms through self-perceptions of aging (B [SE] = .12 [.05], bias-corrected 95% CI = 0.02, 0.22). These findings elucidate a mechanism through which early life adversities affect the current mental health of older adults and highlight the importance of interventions aimed at promoting positive perceptions of aging.

This study examined the role of gender, social frailty, depressive symptoms, and cognitive impairment on life satisfaction, along with the interaction effect of social frailty between gender and life satisfaction. We used the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Wave 1 data and considered 23,345 older adults. Multivariate models, ordinary least squares regression, and moderation analyses were conducted. The higher levels of social frailty status depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment reduced life satisfaction. The interaction models revealed that the relationship between gender and life satisfaction was moderated by social frailty. The results indicate the need to improve social networks and engagement among aging adults.

This article focuses on older adults' resilience following major losses. Interviews of seventeen older adults in Ireland illuminate the resilience process and its social dimensions - family, friends, social participation, formal supports, faith and spirituality. Becoming resilient is a process that develops through agential resolve contextualized by utilization of available resources. Those who had struggled to see themselves as resilient benefited from formal supports - such as counseling and social prescribing - that helped them to engage resilient agency. The resilience process presents as an internal resolution aided by social supports.

After the earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey, thousands of people started to live in container cities. Determining the life satisfaction levels of older adults living in these cities and investigating the factors that may be effective are of vital importance for individuals. 274 older adults living in container cities in Kahramanmaraş city constituted the sample of this study. Results show that the life satisfaction levels of earthquake victims older adults living in the container city are at a medium level. Additionally, both perceptions of loneliness and death anxiety had a negative relationship with life satisfaction.

Older adults, particularly older adults of minoritized communities, may be particularly at risk for adverse outcomes when gentrification occurs. This literature review aims to synthesize existing definitions and measurement approaches and summarize gentrification's implications for older adults. 39 articles were identified and extrapolated. The investigation identified differences in the definition of gentrification, resulting in inconsistent findings. The most consistent findings revealed that minoritized populations, particularly Black older adults, were most vulnerable. A scientific consensus must be reached when defining and operationalizing gentrification. Such refinements will result in more robust research that describes the implications of gentrification for older adults.