The Sage Resource Project: Readying Researchers to Transform Research through Engagement

Abstract The Sage Model enables engagement of older adults receiving Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS), a group typically excluded in research. This presentation focuses on lessons learned from The Sage Resource Project, a Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute funded project. We collaborated with RCMAR and Roybal centers to encourage NIH-affiliated researchers to embrace stakeholder engagement through promotion of the Sage Model. Few studies include an assessment of researcher needs when it comes to stakeholder engagement. We conducted a needs assessment (n=103) finding <50% of researchers presented work to older adults and only 41% interacted with older adults receiving LTSS. However, >90% were likely to attend webinars to learn more. Additionally, 70% of respondents were interested in setting up their own Sage Model research advisory boards. We identify opportunities for transforming LTSS research by including older adults as well as directions for future research on engagement, based on researchers’ identified needs.

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Building Researchers' Capacity for Embracing the Engagement of Older Adults in Research

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.576 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 151-151

Author(s):

Rachel Lessem ◽

Margaret Danilovich ◽

Rebecca Berman

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Older Adult ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Advisory Boards ◽

Advisory Groups ◽

Mode Design ◽

Model Research ◽

Services And Supports ◽

The Voice

Abstract The Sage Resource Project aimed to broaden the pool of researchers who include the voice of older adults using long-term services and supports (LTSS) in research processes. We developed training to build researcher capacity to engage older adults through the development of Sage Model research advisory boards. Methods included training strategies for learning mode, design, duration, and emphasis of content that were informed by results of a researcher needs assessment and input from 2 older adult research advisory boards. Over 100 researchers registered for a 4-webinar series. All respondents to webinar evaluations (22) reported learning about topics that aligned with webinar objectives and had interest in engaging older adult stakeholders and/or developing an older adult research advisory board in the future. Representatives from five universities expressed interest attending online interactive workshops to build advisory boards. Lessons learned identify directions for research on best practices for developing older adult advisory groups.

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Lessons Learned in Research to Address Wicked Problems Facing the Care of Older Adults Across the Care Continuum

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2451 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 699-699

Author(s):

Debra Dobbs ◽

Sheryl Zimmerman

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Health Care ◽

Wicked Problems ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Wicked Problem ◽

Future Research ◽

Unexpected Finding ◽

Term Care ◽

Care Continuum

Abstract A wicked problem, by definition, has innumerable causes, is tough to describe, and doesn’t necessarily have a right answer. This describes today’s health care for older adults across the long-term care continuum. Our interdisciplinary group has almost as many years (n=70) of experience as GSA conducting research in community-based groups across the continuum of care from skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, adult day care, to independent living. In this symposium we will discuss lessons learned in recruitment, intervention delivery, and unexpected outcomes. Peterson will discuss lessons learned in using large data sets to derive actionable information on staff license mix and SNF complaints. Dobbs will discuss the utility of using hospice nurses to train ALC nurses in delivering palliative care. Lee will discuss lessons in engaging direct care workers in their need for sleep. Meng will discuss learning to embrace an unexpected finding that friendships developed in a dementia family caregiver music and mindfulness intervention were as meaningful as positive health outcomes. Buck will discuss lessons learned in recruiting a hidden group – informal caregivers with complicated grief. Finally, Zimmerman, as expert long-term services and support discussant, will pull the pieces together across the studies to facilitate discussion. Enrich your future research related to addressing wicked problems in health care for older adults by learning from our experiences.

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State Scorecard on Long-Term Services and Supports for Older Adults, People with Physical Disabilities, and Family Caregivers

10.15868/socialsector.25076 ◽

2014 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Susan C. Reinhard Reinhard ◽

Ari Houser Houser ◽

Enid Kassner Kassner ◽

Robert Mollica Mollica ◽

Kathleen Ujuari Ujuari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Family Caregivers ◽

Physical Disabilities ◽

Services And Supports ◽

People With Physical Disabilities

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Economic Uncertainties in Retirement: Risk Factors, Strategies, and Resilience

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2392 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 685-685

Author(s):

Christine Bishop ◽

Karen Zurlo

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Financial Risk ◽

Family Care ◽

Student Loan ◽

Defined Contribution ◽

Income Sources ◽

Economics Of Aging ◽

Personal Management ◽

Services And Supports

Abstract Even with forethought and planning, a lot can threaten economic wellbeing in the years ahead for older adults retiring at typical retirement ages. Although results for any individual cannot be predicted with certainty, some risks are quantifiable: for example, mortality/ longevity and disability risks are reasonably well-defined. Risk of dementia is not so well understood, and may be changing. Financial risk might be seen as manageable, but older adults relying on retirement income sources can be especially vulnerable to unprecedented shocks to the general economy. We consider four aspects of this dilemma. First, older adults retiring with outstanding debts may have difficulty weathering financial shocks. Our first presentation provides up-to-date information about trends in indebtedness at older ages, especially focusing on newly salient types of indebtedness: medical and student loan debt, and debt incurred to smooth finances in the recent recession. Stewardship of finances during retirement can be a challenging personal management undertaking. Our second presentation will consider how dementia can complicate this process. Protection against outliving one’s resources is more complex and costlier in the era of defined contribution retirement accounts. Our third presentation will discuss strategies to combine retirement assets, including Social Security claiming, to hedge longevity risk. Finally, needs for long-term services and supports may be met with either paid or informal (family) care, or both, but cannot be predicted with certainty. Our fourth presentation examines the long-term impacts on families due to the difficulty in insuring against this risk. Economics of Aging Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.

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Older Adults Post-Incarceration: Restructuring Long-term Services and Supports in the Time of COVID-19

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association ◽

10.1016/j.jamda.2020.09.030 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nathan A. Boucher ◽

Courtney H. Van Houtven ◽

Walter D. Dawson

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Services And Supports

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WHAT PREDICTS TRANSITIONS IN CARE FOR OLDER ADULTS NEW TO LONG-TERM SERVICES AND SUPPORTS?

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igx004.3421 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 1 (suppl_1) ◽

pp. 951-951

Author(s):

K.B. Hirschman ◽

M. Toles ◽

A. Hanlon ◽

B.K. Daly ◽

M.D. Naylor

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Transitions In Care ◽

Services And Supports

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Families of Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Policy, Funding, Services, and Experiences

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities ◽

10.1352/1934-9556-51.5.349 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 51 (5) ◽

pp. 349-359 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Amy Hewitt ◽

John Agosta ◽

Tamar Heller ◽

Ann Cameron Williams ◽

Jennifer Reinke

Keyword(s):

Developmental Disabilities ◽

Research Priorities ◽

Future Research ◽

Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Home Support ◽

The Status ◽

Services And Supports ◽

At Home

Abstract Families are critical in the provision of lifelong support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Today, more people with IDD receive long-term services and supports while living with their families. Thus, it is important that researchers, practitioners, and policy makers understand how to best support families who provide at-home support to children and adults with IDD. This article summarizes (a) the status of research regarding the support of families who provide support at home to individuals with IDD, (b) present points of concern regarding supports for these families, and (c) associated future research priorities related to supporting families.

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Predictors of change over time in subjective daytime sleepiness among older adult recipients of long-term services and supports

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610220000782 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (7) ◽

pp. 849-861

Author(s):

Darina V. Petrovsky ◽

Karen B. Hirschman ◽

Miranda Varrasse McPhillips ◽

Justine S. Sefcik ◽

Alexandra L. Hanlon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Daytime Sleepiness ◽

Daily Living ◽

Services And Supports ◽

Over Time

ABSTRACTObjectives:Daytime sleepiness is associated with multiple negative outcomes in older adults receiving long-term services and supports (LTSS) including reduced cognitive performance, need for greater assistance with activities of daily living and decreased social engagement. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of change in subjective daytime sleepiness among older adults during their first 2 years of receiving LTSS.Design and Setting:Secondary analysis of data from a prospective longitudinal study of older adults who received LTSS in their homes, assisted living communities or nursing homes interviewed at baseline and every 3 months for 24 months.Participants:470 older adults (60 years and older) newly enrolled in LTSS (mean = 81, SD = 8.7; range 60–98; 71% women).Measurements:Subjective daytime sleepiness was assessed every 3 months through 2 years using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Multiple validated measures were used to capture health-related quality of life characteristics of enrollees and their environment, including symptom status (Symptom Bother Scale), cognition (Mini Mental Status Exam), physical function (Basic Activities of Daily Living), physical and mental general health, quality of life (Dementia Quality of Life, D-QoL), depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale) and social support (Medical Outcomes Survey-Social Support).Results:Longitudinal mixed effects modeling was used to examine the relationship between independent variables and continuous measure of daytime sleepiness. Increased feelings of belonging, subscale of the D-QoL (effect size = −0.006, 95% CI: −0.013 to −0.0001, p = 0.045) and higher number of depressive symptoms (effect size = −0.002, 95% CI: −0.004 to −0.001, p = 0.001) at baseline were associated with slower rates of increase in daytime sleepiness over time.Conclusions:Comprehensive baseline and longitudinal screening for changes in daytime sleepiness along with depression and perceived quality of life should be used to inform interventions aimed at reducing daytime sleepiness among older adults receiving LTSS.

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Places of living and places of dying: the case for preventing suicide in residential long-term care

Ageing and Society ◽

10.1017/s0144686x20000173 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-16

Author(s):

Briony Jain ◽

Viktoryia Kalesnikava ◽

Joseph E. Ibrahim ◽

Briana Mezuk

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Suicide Prevention ◽

Residential Care ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Future Research ◽

Term Care ◽

The Impact ◽

Residential Long Term Care

Abstract This commentary addresses the increasing public health problem of suicide in later life and presents the case for preventing suicide in residential long-term care settings. We do so by examining this issue from the perspective of three levels of stakeholders – societal, organisational and individual – considering the relevant context, barriers and implications of each. We begin by discussing contemporary societal perspectives of ageing; the potential impact of ageism on prevention of late-life suicide; and the roles of gender and masculinity. This is followed by a historical analysis of the origin of residential long-term care; current organisational challenges; and person-centred care as a suicide prevention strategy. Finally, we consider suicide in long-term care from the perspective of individuals, including the experience of older adults living in residential care settings; the impact of suicide on residential care health professionals and other staff; and the impact of suicide bereavement on family, friends and other residents. We conclude with recommendations for policy reform and future research. This commentary aims to confront the often unspoken bias associated with preventing suicide among older adults, particularly those living with complex medical conditions, and invoke an open dialogue about suicide prevention in this population and setting.

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