Older Adults Documenting Purpose and Meaning Through Photovoice and Narratives.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to explore how older adults perceived meaning and purpose in their lives. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Participants (N = 15) ranged in age from 66 to 89 years, and were asked to document purpose and meaning in their lives for 15 consecutive days by using photovoice and narrative methodologies. Latent thematic analysis was used to interpret the data. RESULTS: Findings indicated 3 themes including: (1) mindful practices, (2) active participation in society with a subtheme on technology, and (3) goal-oriented mindset. Mindful practices involved spending time in nature and working to improve it and reflecting and engaging in creative endeavors to help understand the changing world. Active participation in society created feelings of usefulness and belonging among participants and ranged from taking care of and helping others to leaving a legacy. The subtheme on technology demonstrated it used to maintain social relationships, particularly during the pandemic. Examples of the goal-oriented mindset incorporated informal lifelong learning opportunities that encouraged physical and cognitive stimulation. In addition, possessions appeared to bring increased meaning and purpose to individuals who were more homebound. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Older adults identified purpose and meaning in their lives and demonstrated adaptability. For example, due to the pandemic or other personal dynamics such as declining mobility, some participants modified their activities to compensate. These findings have implications for policy and practice. Although older adults in this study demonstrated adaptability, others will need guidance and resources to successfully adapt and maintain levels of well-being.

Personality and compliance with COVID-19 protective measures among older Americans: Moderating effects of age, gender, and race/ethnicity.

Following the growing evidence that personality is related to various health behaviors, we examined whether personality traits were related to compliance with COVID-19 protective measures and evaluated the extent to which associations were moderated by age, gender, or race/ethnicity among older adults during a summer 2020 surge of COVID-19 cases in the United States. Data were from the 2020 Health and Retirement Study COVID-19 module. Multivariate ordinary least squares regression analyses were computed adjusting for health, psychosocial, and sociodemographic factors. Results indicated the significant associations between personality traits and compliance with COVID-19 measures varied by age, gender, and race/ethnicity. Specifically, the associations of agreeableness with wearing a mask and frequent handwashing were less pronounced among older compared with younger individuals. The association between extraversion and wearing masks was stronger for men than for women. The associations of agreeableness with handwashing and physical distancing were weaker for Hispanic older adults, whereas the associations of extraversion with physical distancing and using sanitizers were stronger for Hispanic older adults than for their non-Hispanic White counterparts. Implications regarding behavioral science underlying the current pandemic and future public health crises are discussed.

The Lived Experiences of African American Centenarians: Narrative Exploration From a Life Course Theory Perspective.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine examples of inequality experienced by African American centenarians throughout the life course. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were derived from 111 oral history transcripts from the Oklahoma Oral History Project. A subsample of all centenarians who identified as African American (n = 12) was utilized. An interpretive phenomenological approach and thematic analysis were used to review and code each narrative. RESULTS: Findings revealed 2 themes: (a) historical time and place with subthemes on family lineage, segregation, discrimination, and racism, and societal changes; (b) resource buffers against inequality with subthemes on multigenerational transmission, support and cultural connectedness, religion and spirituality, and self-reliance. Several centenarians acknowledged having grandparents who were slaves and others reported hidden family lineage due to complicated mixed-race dynamics. Work histories were affected by the historical era, with limited "domestic" positions for women. Experiences with education varied, with one centenarian commenting on his legacy of teaching at historically Black schools whereas others expressed difficulty in keeping up with school and regret for not finishing. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: This is one of the first studies to explore life course experiences specific to African American centenarians. Centenarians in this study possessed survival skills and various support systems including community and religious/spiritual support, perhaps buffering against the impact of cumulative racial inequality.

CircleRides: developing an older adult transportation application and evaluating feedback.

The purpose of the current study was to assess perceptions of CircleRides, a paper prototype of a service website designed to meet older adult transportation needs. Researchers used purposive sampling to conduct two focus groups comprised of older adults to obtain feedback on the CircleRides prototype at the beginning of its iterative design process. One focus group was conducted in a continuing care retirement community (n = 13) and the other in an independent living community for older adults (n = 11). The study assessed perceptions of the CircleRides prototype as well as self-reported older adult transportation preferences and needs. Three themes emerged from the data: (a) trust and concern, (b) socialization, and (c) flexibility and options. Researchers found that participants are interested in transportation options; however, concern exists about trusting a new system or prototype that has not established a reputation. Findings from the current study offer lessons learned for future iterations and for creating transportation prototypes for older adults.

The delivery of distance education--is it time for doctoral programs in gerontology?

The delivery of higher education in gerontology is changing; students are now able to receive an education solely online. Perhaps it is time to consider offering this option at the doctoral level. A needs assessment was conducted to assess whether a doctoral program in gerontology should be created in the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (GPIDEA) program. An online survey was sent to 247 students enrolled in the GPIDEA program and to students who had taken a GPIDEA course in gerontology but were not currently enrolled in the program. One hundred and twenty-three students began the survey, although only 120 students completed the survey. Findings indicated students are interested in a doctoral program in gerontology. Approximately 65% of students were interested in obtaining a PhD from a distance education program. However, an applied program focusing on community outreach and leadership was of most interest to students. Students were less interested in research-based programs or in research residency. Therefore, the development of distance education doctoral degree programs in gerontology may need to be created differently than "traditional" formats.

Perceptions of technology among older adults.

Changes and advancements in technology have the potential to benefit older adults by promoting independence and increasing the ability to age in place. However, older adults are less likely to adopt new technology unless they see benefits to themselves. This study assessed the perceptions of 30 older adults in the Midwest concerning technology via three separate focus groups (i.e., independent apartment complex, a rural community, exercise program participants), which addressed a need in the literature (i.e., inclusion of oldest-old and rural individuals). The focus group questions included items such as what technology older adults currently used, desired improvements in technology, and the greatest challenges participants were facing or would face in the future. Overall, older adults were enthusiastic about learning new forms of technology that could help them maintain their independence and quality of life. Five themes emerged from all three focus groups: (a) Frustrations, Limitations, and Usability Concerns; (b) Transportation; (c) Help and Assistance; (d) Self-Monitoring; and (e) Gaming. The themes have important implications for future technology developed for older adults; in particular, older adults were willing and eager to adopt new technology when usefulness and usability outweighed feelings of inadequacy.

Cognitive status and change among Iowa centenarians.

Equivocal evidence exists regarding the degree of cognitive stability and prevalence of cognitive impairment in very late life. The objective of the current study was to examine mental status performance and change over time within a sample of Iowa centenarians. The baseline sample consisted of 152 community-dwelling and institutionalized centenarians. Twenty eight of these centenarians participated in the next phase of the study which involved up to four subsequent assessments conducted over a 6-month period. Centenarians' Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ; Pfeiffer, 1975) performance indicated that 40% of the baseline sample performed within the normal range while an additional 40% of centenarians' performed within the moderately or severely impaired range. Examination of individual-level change indicated four patterns of short-term longitudinal performance which depicted stability, enhancement, decrement, and variability in scores across the 8-month testing period. The degree of reliable change as assessed by standard error of measurement largely mirrored change as classified by the traditional scoring categories, however, the former approach appeared more sensitive to meaningful intraindividual change in later assessments.

Handgrip strength, positive affect, and perceived health are prospectively associated with fewer functional limitations among centenarians.

This study assessed the association between perceived health, fatigue, positive and negative affect, handgrip strength, objectively measured physical activity, body mass index, and self-reported functional limitations, assessed 6 months later, among 11 centenarians (age = 102 +/- 1). Activities of daily living, assessed 6 months prior to assessment of functional limitations, were also included in the model. Handgrip strength, positive affect, and self-rated current health were associated with higher functioning, expressed as either global, upper body, or lower body functioning (r > .60). Objectively measured physical activity was inversely related to the aforementioned measures of functioning. Thus, physical health as assessed by handgrip strength, but not by physical activity, is associated with better functioning in centenarians.