GSA on Aging

Ghana [5/6]: The GSA Interest Group on Common Data Elements for International Research in Residential Long-term Care has developed a limited podcast series to provide insights into how culture, competing population health priorities, political conflict, and resource limitations influence older adults, their families, and paid/formal caregivers in six nations along a trajectory of national development, including Brazil, China, East Jerusalem, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Thailand.

Ethiopia [4/6]: The GSA Interest Group on Common Data Elements for International Research in Residential Long-term Care has developed a limited podcast series to provide insights into how culture, competing population health priorities, political conflict, and resource limitations influence older adults, their families, and paid/formal caregivers in six nations along a trajectory of national development, including Brazil, China, East Jerusalem, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Thailand.

East Jerusalem [3/6]: The GSA Interest Group on Common Data Elements for International Research in Residential Long-term Care has developed a limited podcast series to provide insights into how culture, competing population health priorities, political conflict, and resource limitations influence older adults, their families, and paid/formal caregivers in six nations along a trajectory of national development, including Brazil, China, East Jerusalem, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Thailand.

China [2/6]: The GSA Interest Group on Common Data Elements for International Research in Residential Long-term Care has developed a limited podcast series to provide insights into how culture, competing population health priorities, political conflict, and resource limitations influence older adults, their families, and paid/formal caregivers in six nations along a trajectory of national development, including Brazil, China, East Jerusalem, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Thailand.

Brazil [1/6]: The GSA Interest Group on Common Data Elements for International Research in Residential Long-term Care has developed a limited podcast series to provide insights into how culture, competing population health priorities, political conflict, and resource limitations influence older adults, their families, and paid/formal caregivers in six nations along a trajectory of national development, including Brazil, China, East Jerusalem, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Thailand.

This episode is part of a continued series that will provide insights into the experiences of GSA Policy Interns from various cohorts. Bailee Brekke (’23) speaks with the 2021 interns, Lei Chen and Kaleigh Ligus, about their internship experience and how it has impacted their current work.

This episode is part of a continued series that will provide insights into the experiences of GSA Policy Interns from various cohorts. Christina Mu (’23) speaks with the 2019 intern, Haley Gallo Sutherland, about her internship experience and how it has impacted her current work.

This episode is part of a continued series that will provide insights into the experiences of GSA Policy Interns from various cohorts.  Join former Policy interns as they delve into details on how and where to learn more about this fantastic opportunity.

In the inaugural episode of the GSA Policy Intern Podcast Series, meet the 2023 GSA Summer Policy Interns. Alisha Thompson, Bailee Brekke, and Christina Mu, who have aptly named themselves Team ABC, briefly introduce themselves and the series. The series aims to share the experiences of GSA Policy Interns both past and prese nt, provide insights on how to connect with this year’s interns during and after the Annual Scientific Meeting, and will include interviews with colleagues of Drs. Greg O’Neil and Kathy Hyer, for whom the internship is named. The episode serves as a brief introduction and focuses primarily on where and how listeners can connect with the interns during the Annual Scientific Meeting in Tampa. They mention attending events like the New Member/First-Timer Orientation, an ESPO informal chat about the Summer Policy Internship, and a Policy Series Symposium chaired by Trish D’Antonio. They also discuss the application deadline for the internship, which is January 31, and invite prospective applicants to join a GSA Policy Internship Webinar on January 12. Team ABC expresses their excitement about sharing their internship experiences in the upcoming episodes and looks forward to meeting the audience in Tampa. The episode concludes with Alisha, Bailee, and Christina signing off as Team ABC.

The podcast episode will tell specific stories to illustrate the wide range of work members of the interest group are conducting on the impact of human-animal interaction and aging. The members of this group represent the interdisciplinary nature of both gerontology and anthrozoology (i.e., the field of human-animal interaction). This episode will be comprised of two main topics: 1. The connections between gerontology and human-animal interaction and the establishment of the interest group in 2016; 2. Current work being conducted by members of the group around the world.   Selected Citations from the episode: Ellingsen‐Dalskau, L. H., de Boer, B., & Pedersen, I. (2021). Comparing the care environment at farm‐based and regular day care for people with dementia in Norway—An observational study. Health & Social Care in the Community, 29(2), 506-514. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13113 Finnanger‐Garshol, B., Pedersen, I., Patil, G., Eriksen, S., & Ellingsen‐Dalskau, L. H. (2022). Emotional well‐being in people with dementia–A comparative study of farm‐based and regular day care services in Norway. Health & Social Care in the Community, 30(5), e1734-e1745. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13601 Friedmann, E., Gee, N. R., Simonsick, E. M., Barr, E., Resnick, B., Werthman, E., & Adesanya, I. (2023). Pet ownership and maintenance of physical function in older adults—Evidence from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). Innovation in Aging, 7(1), igac080. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igac080 Rosteius, K., de Boer, B., Staudacher, S., Schols, J., & Verbeek, H. (2022). How the interrelated physical, social and organizational environment impacts daily life of residents with dementia on a Green Care Farm. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 946962. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.946962 Takase, M., Ogino, R., Yoshida, K., Kusu, H., Kenmochi, T., & Goto, J. (2021). Qualitative research on the primary effect of fish pet ownership using the bottleium, a bottle-type aquarium, on community-dwelling older adults in Japan: A potential preventive measure towards social isolation. Geriatrics, 6(1), 17. https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics6010017      Guests: Nancy R. Gee, PhD, C-AISS, Professor of Psychiatry & Director of the Center for Human-Animal Interaction, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine Mai Takase, Researcher, Institute of Gerontology, The University of Tokyo Ingeborg Pedersen, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Public Health Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) Katharina Rosteius, PhD Student, Department of Health Services Research, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Co-Hosts:  Jessica Bibbo, PhD, Senior Research Scientist, Center Research and Education, Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging (GSA Human-Animal Interaction Interest Group Convener) Ashley Taeckens-Seabaugh, MSW, Former Research Fellow, Institute for Human-Animal Connection, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver; Current Director of Research, Hope Squad

Eighty-one year old Lincoln Phillips is a former soccer coach at Howard University who led the men's team to win its first NCAA Division I Championship in 1971. He is also the first Black professional soccer coach in US history and the first Black coach to win an NCAA tournament.  His story has been documented on ESPN’s SportsCenter of this historical win.  Produced by the celebrated Spike Lee, this documentary highlights Mr. Phillips’ and the Howard University soccer team’s historic win (Howard University's Soccer Redemption Song: A Spike Lee Lil' Joint - The Shadow League). Guest:  Coach Lincoln Phillips Co-Hosts:  Tamara A. Baker, PhD (founder and co-convener of the GSA HBCU Collaborative Interest Group); and Alyssa Gamaldo, PhD (GSA HBCU Collaborative Interest Group and BSS Section member)

Dr. Harry R. Moody joins the GSA Religion, Spirituality, and Aging Interest Group to share religious concerns and spiritual insights on paths to being a nobody. Listen for more as we plumb depths of storytelling, scientific research, public health, wisdom, love and aging. We hope our conversation will help hearts come alive, even for a tiny second.  Recommended Reading: Dass, R. (2001). Still here: Embracing aging, changing, and dying. Penguin.  Moody, H. R., & Carroll, D. (1998). The five stages of the soul: Charting the spiritual passages that shape our lives. Anchor.  Maxwell, F. S. (1968). The measure of my days: One Woman's Vivid, Enduring Celebration of Life and Aging. Penguin.  Rumi, J. A. D., & Barks, C. (1995). The Essential Rumi. Penguin.  Tornstam, L. (1997). Gerotranscendence: The contemplative dimension of aging. Journal of Aging Studies, 11(2), 143-154. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0890-4065(97)90018-9  Guest: Harry (Rick) Moody, PhD, Visiting Faculty, Fielding Graduate University. Host:  Stephen John Fogle, Doctoral Candidate, University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Dr. Degenholtz interviewed Shabnam Haghzare, PhD about her paper, “Can Automated Vehicles Be Useful to Persons Living With Dementia? The Perspectives of Care Partners of People Living With Dementia”, published in The Gerontologist last year.  Dr. Haghzare completed this work as part of her doctoral dissertation in biomedical engineering at the University of Toronto where she was also a postdoctoral researcher at the KITE Research Institute at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute at Toronto University.  KITE stands for “Knowledge, Innovation, Talent, Everywhere.” She is currently an Artificial Intelligence consultant at Institut national de santé publique du Québec.   Check out “Automated Vehicles for People With Dementia: A ‘Tremendous Potential’ That ‘Has Ways to go’--Reports of a Qualitative Study,” related work by Dr. Haghzare and colleagues also published in The Gerontologist. You can learn more about Dr. Haghzare’s research at https://www.shabnamhaghzare.com/ and follow her @ShabnamHZare.

This GSA Policy Profile delves into what has happened in the environment since 2021 when GSA published Medical Use of Cannabidiol in Older Adults, which was based on a convening of experts in pharmacy, clinical medicine, research, law, and policy.

This podcast will feature the work and insights of GSA members Katherine McGilton, PhD, RN, FAAN, and Barbara Bowers, PhD, RN, FAAN, related to staffing crisis in long-term care.

Dr. Degenholtz interviewed Dr. Reuben Ng at the Le Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore about two papers on ageism on TikTok published in The Gerontologist.

Dr. Degenholtz interviewed Dr. Kathy Black at the University of South Florida about her article, "Assessing Age-Friendly Community Progress: What Have We Learned?", which appeared in the special issue of The Gerontologist, Age-Friendly Environments.  Dr. Black's article led off the special issue and summarized the overall performance of age-friendly communities. For an overview of the special issue, check out the editorial by Dr. Meeks:Age-Friendly Communities: Introduction to the Special Issue

This podcast will feature the work and insights of GSA members Tara McMullan and Anna Beeber on how differential state and federal policies in long-term care influence the staffing crisis.

This podcast will feature the work and insights of GSA members Drs. Ozcan Tunalilar and Beth Galik on moral distress in long-term care employees.

This GSA Policy Profile episode provides listeners with major policy initiatives currently being sought for comprehensive obesity care, addresses barriers to implementation of these initiatives, and provides valuable insights into how we care encourage policymakers to make addressing obesity a priority.

This episode provides an overview of this new FDA regulation on hearing aid for older adults and its potential for positive impact on the lives of older adults.

Dr. Degenholtz interviewed Drs. Daniel George at Penn State College of Medicine and Peter Whitehouse at Case Western Reserve University about their co-authored book, “American Dementia: Brain Health in an Unhealthy Society,” published last year by Johns Hopkins University Press.  Information about the book can be found at http://www.AmericanDementia.com. The Gerontologist published a review of the book by Drs. Cameron J. Camp and Evan Shelton, “Zooming Out on Dementia: The Effects of American Society on Brain Health.”

Dr. Degenholtz interviewed Dr. Laura Wagner, a nurse and researcher from University of California, San Francisco, about two papers from the special issue of The Gerontologist, Workforce Special Issue on the Workforce, which was published in June 2021:1. Medical Staffing Organization and Quality of Care Outcomes in Post-acute Care Settings by L. M. Wagner, P. Katz, J. Karuza, C. Kwong, L. Sharp, and J. Spetz2. It Is Time to Resolve the Direct Care Workforce Crisis in Long-Term Care by K. Scales For an overview of the special issue, check out the editorial by Drs. Degenholtz and Meeks:Workforce Issues in Long-Term Care: Is There Hope for a Better Way Forward?

In this episode, Len Fishman, JD, the newly retired Director of the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, visits with hosts Danielle A. Waldron, PhD, and Jo-Ana D. Chase, PhD, to reflect on pivotal moments he watched unfold in field of aging during his fruitful career. Fishman shares his thoughts on the introduction of assisted living in the United States and what these new living options meant for older adults, the nursing home industry, and other relevant stakeholders. He identifies activists behind this effort as well as the meaning behind this cultural shift toward less restrictive, more independent housing options for older adults. After reviewing the past, he envisions how future directions in housing and health care may enhance the lives of older adults.   Guest:  Len Fishman, JD (Bio) Hosts:  Jo-Ana D. Chase, PhD, APRN-BC (Bio)—Associate Professor, University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing; and Danielle A. Waldron, PhD (Bio)—Assistant Professor, Healthcare Administration Department at Stonehill College in North Easton, Massachusetts. This podcast episode is supported by the GSA Innovation Fund: 75th Anniversary.

In the United States, 10 million older adults live in rural communities. Rural older adults often face unique health disparities related to limited finances, public transportation, and access to health and support services. However, describing challenges alone does not address health disparities. Improving the health of rural people requires community input and innovation to tackle the social determinants of health. In this episode, podcast co-hosts Dr. Juanita-Dawne Bacsu along with doctoral candidate Rita Xiaochen Hu and doctoral student Kaleigh Ligus sit down with Dr. Carrie Henning-Smith for a conversation about rural aging and some key challenges and actions for moving forward.  Guest:  Carrie Henning-Smith, PhD, MPH, MSW (Bio)—Associate Professor in the Division of Health Policy and Management at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Hosts:  Juanita-Dawne Bacsu, PhD (Bio)—Postdoctoral Fellow, Rural Dementia Action Research Team, University of Saskatchewan, and Research Associate, Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit, University of Regina, Canada; Rita Xiaochen Hu, MSW (Bio)—Doctoral Candidate in Social Work and Psychology, University of Michigan; Kaleigh Ligus, MA (Bio)—Doctoral Student, University of Connecticut. This podcast episode is supported by the GSA Innovation Fund: 75th Anniversary.

Mentorship plays an important role in our professional and personal development. Mentors guide us, connect us, and advise us as we navigate the path towards our goals. In this episode, Dr. Keith E. Whitfield shares his mentorship experiences, both as a mentor and mentee, in the field of aging. Listen in to hear more about how mentorship has shaped one of the most distinguished careers in aging. Guest:  Keith E. Whitfield, PhD, FGSA (Bio)—President, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Hosts:  Jo-Ana D. Chase, PhD, APRN-BC (Bio)—Associate Professor, University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing; and Danielle A. Waldron, PhD (Bio)—Assistant Professor, Healthcare Administration Department at Stonehill College in North Easton, Massachusetts. This podcast episode is supported by the GSA Innovation Fund: 75th Anniversary.

Stigma of dementia is one of the greatest barriers for people living with dementia and their care partners. It can lead to low self-esteem, poor mental health, and a decreased quality of life. Research shows that older adults fear dementia more than cancer, stroke, and heart disease combined. Despite this knowledge, few studies focus on actions to improve understanding and reduce stigma of dementia. In this episode, Dr. Marc Viger sits down with podcast host Dr. Juanita-Dawne Bacsu to chat about stigma of dementia and discuss some key actions for challenging this issue and improving the quality of life for people living with dementia and their care partners.  Guest:  Marc Viger, MD (Bio)—Family Physician and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada.  Host:  Juanita-Dawne Bacsu, PhD (Bio)—Postdoctoral Fellow, Rural Dementia Action Research Team, University of Saskatchewan, and Research Associate, Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit, University of Regina, Canada.  This podcast episode is supported by the GSA Innovation Fund: 75th Anniversary.

Most of us know we should exercise and eat well for optimal health but caring for our social relationships also benefits our physical, mental, and cognitive health. In this episode, Dr. Christine Proulx sits down with host Hanamori Skoblow to discuss how positive relationships protect and negative relationships strain. They also discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on close relationships and Dr. Proulx’s path from first-generation college student to GSA fellow—a recognition of outstanding work in gerontology.  Guest:  Christine M. Proulx, PhD, FGSA (Bio)—Associate Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Missouri.  Host:  Hanamori F. Skoblow, MS (Bio)—Doctoral Student in Human Development and Family Science, University of Missouri.  This podcast episode is supported by the GSA Innovation Fund: 75th Anniversary.

Conversations about death and dying are difficult for everyone, but they are especially important for older adults. In this podcast episode, Dr. Deborah Carr and host Brenda Olmos discuss how to bring up these topics in a way that is sensitive, culturally appropriate, and efficient for both patients and providers. Along the way, they talk about their personal experiences related to end-of-life issues, how those experiences led to their interest in gerontology, and how they can bridge the gap between research and practice in end-of-life care.  Guest:  Deborah Carr, PhD, FGSA (Bio)—Professor and Chair, Department of Sociology, and Senior Fellow, Institute for Health System Innovation and Policy, Boston University.  Host:  Brenda Olmos, MSN, APRN, FNP-C (Bio)—Reynolds Scholar, University of Oklahoma, Reynolds Center for Geriatric Nursing Excellence.  This podcast episode is supported by the GSA Innovation Fund: 75th Anniversary.

Approximately 42 million family caregivers in the United States provide unpaid care for an older adult. Family caregivers can spend countless hours engaging in complex activities—such as medication management, wound care, and care coordination—that can influence their own financial security, health, and well-being. In this episode, Dr. Susan Reinhard talks with host Dr. Jo-Ana Chase about the science and policies impacting family caregiving in the United States and how Dr. Reinhard’s nursing practice influenced her path to science and policy making.  Guest: Susan Reinhard, RN, PhD, FGSA, FAAN (Bio)—Senior Vice President and Director, AARP Public Policy Institute, and Chief Strategist, AARP Center to Champion Nursing in America and Family Caregiving Initiatives.  Host: Jo-Ana D. Chase, PhD, APRN-BC (Bio)—Associate Professor, University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing.

Older adults are essential workers, caregivers, and volunteers. They provide many services in the community as volunteer drivers for Meals on Wheels, tutors and mentors for school programs, and other meaningful roles. Ways to shape social policies and programs to optimally engage the growing human capital of the older population is a compelling issue. In addition to discussing her research career path as a social worker, Dr. Nancy Morrow-Howell talks with hosts Rita Xiaochen Hu and Hanamori Skoblow about why older adults are essential and productive members of the community and how we as a society can resist ageism. This podcast episode was inspired by the GSA 75th Anniversary Spotlight Article by Dr. Morrow-Howell and Ernest Gonzales, MSW, PhD, “Recovering From Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Resisting Ageism and Recommitting to a Productive Aging Perspective,” published in Public Policy & Aging Report. Guest: Nancy Morrow-Howell, MSW, PhD, FGSA (Bio)—Betty Bofinger Brown Distinguished Professor of Social Policy, Washington University in St. Louis. Hosts: Rita Xiaochen Hu, MSW (Bio)—Doctoral Candidate in Social Work and Psychology, University of Michigan; and Hanamori F. Skoblow, MS (Bio)—Doctoral Student in Human Development and Family Science, University of Missouri. This podcast episode is supported by the GSA Innovation Fund: 75th Anniversary.

Many people assume that pain is a normal part of getting older. Although pain is not inevitable, it is a serious concern for those who experience it. Yet older adults with pain are likely to receive different qualities of treatment depending on their race and/or ethnicity. Dr. Tamara Baker talks to host Brenda Olmos about disparities in treatment for pain management and why it is critical to acknowledge the realities of pain in older adults without equating pain with aging. Along the way, they discuss how personal histories can guide professional work, bridging the gap between research and practice, and the power of diverse representation in leadership at The Gerontological Society of America.  Guest: Tamara Baker, PhD, FGSA (Bio)—Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.  Host: Brenda Olmos, MSN, APRN, FNP-C (Bio)—Reynolds Scholar, University of Oklahoma, Reynolds Center for Geriatric Nursing Excellence in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  This podcast episode is supported by the GSA Innovation Fund: 75th Anniversary.

In our youth-centric culture, people tend to dread the prospect of getting older. But why do we shy away from aging, which is certainly the most natural human experience and can be a beautiful part of life? When it comes down to it, most of us will encounter aging firsthand—or so we hope! About one in four adult Americans also experiences disability, with disability becoming more common as people age. In this episode, our podcast host Dr. Danielle Waldron sits down with Dr. Michelle Putnam to chat about aging, disability, and how a little more inclusion and a little less “othering” can improve life for everyone.  Guest: Michelle Putnam, PhD, FGSA—Professor and Director of the Doctoral Program in Social Work, School of Social Work, College of Social Sciences, Policy, and Practice at Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts.   Host: Danielle A. Waldron, PhD—Assistant Professor, Healthcare Administration Department at Stonehill College in North Easton, Massachusetts.   This podcast episode is supported by the GSA Innovation Fund: 75th Anniversary.

Welcome to Science and Storytelling: A GSA on Aging Podcast Series that celebrates The Gerontological Society of America’s 75th Anniversary. The limited series will highlight the expansive field of gerontology—the study of aging. In each episode, we’ll sit down with one of GSA’s 5,500 members—including researchers, educators, and practitioners—to discuss some of the most consequential research findings in our discipline as well as innovations that contribute to healthy aging and promising future endeavors to improve the lives of older adults. And, we’ll do it all while showcasing the people behind the work by exploring: What brought today’s gerontologists to this field? What inspires and galvanizes them? What’s the story behind the science?

Dr. Degenholtz interviewed Dr. Raina Croff, an anthropologist at the Layton Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Center at Oregon Health and Science University about her paper, “The Whitest City in America: A Smaller Black Community’s Experience of Gentrification, Displacement, and Aging in Place”, published in The Gerontologist. This qualitative study of gentrification draws on a focus group conducted with participants in the SHARP walking study, a project that combines physical exercise (walking) with reminiscence and photo-imagery. You can find more information about the project in a 2019 article published in The Gerontologist. Article (Published online on March 27, 2021 in The Gerontologist)

Dr. Degenholtz interviewed Dr. Suzanne Meeks, Editor-in-Chief of The Gerontologist, about the recently published special collection of The Gerontologist, Gerontology in a Time of Pandemic (Part I in February 2021; and Part II in March 2021), that brings together fascinating papers on the COVID-19 pandemic.  The three articles published in Part I, which were highlighted in this episode, were: "National Profiles of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Mortality Risks by Age Structure and Preexisting Health Conditions" by A. M. Verdery, L. Newmyer, Wagner, and R. Margolis "'It's Pure Panic': The Portrayal of Residential Care in American Newspapers During COVID-19" by L. D. Allen and L. Ayalon "Social Isolation and Psychological Distress During the COVID-1 Pandemic: A Cross-National Analysis" by H. H. Kim & J. H. Jung In the final part of their conversation, the editors brief discussed Part II of the special collection. Check out the previous episode, COVID-19 and the Aging Prison Population with Dr. Stephanie Prost, which discusses the paper, "Prisons and COVID-19: A Desperate Call for Gerontological Expertise in Correctional Health Care", published in Part I of this special collection.

Dr. Degenholtz interviewed Dr. Stephanie Prost from the Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville, about her recently publisher paper on COVID-19 and the aging prison population.

Dr. Degenholtz interviewed Ms. Rowan ten Kate, a doctoral student at the University of Groningen in The Netherlands, about her paper on loneliness of first-generation Dutch migrants.

Dr. Degenholtz interviewed Dr. Emily Franzosa at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the James J. Peters VA Medical Center about her paper on the emotional labor of home health aides. Her paper, “Who’s Caring for Us?”: Understanding and Addressing the Effects of Emotional Labor on Home Health Aides’ Well-being, published in the December 2019 issue of The Gerontologist, reports on focus groups conducted with groups of aides, finding that being close and having trusting relationships with clients were important to aides’ emotional well-being.  The conversation highlighted the importance of recognizing emotional labor and the limitations of the current system that do not reward or even explicitly acknowledge the psychological toll that caring can have on paid caregivers.  Dr. Degenholtz talked to his mother about the people who have cared for their relatives, including his uncle and his grandmother, and tried to parse out what motivates people above and beyond pay to do this challenging work. Article (December 2019 Issue of The Gerontologist) Disclaimer: This interview does not represent the views of the US Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States government.

Dr. Degenholtz interviewed Dr. Anne E. Dickerson at East Carolina University about her research on driving cessation and transportation needs among older adults, the topic of her paper published in The Gerontologist, "Transportation and Aging: An Updated Research Agenda to Advance Safe Mobility among Older Adults Transitioning From Driving to Non-driving." They talked about having a 'transportation plan' and how to use rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft. In the second part of the episode, Dr. Degenholtz talked to his mom about her opinion on driving cessation and rideshare services.   Article (April 2019 Issue of The Gerontologist)

Dr. Degenholtz interviewed Dr. Gloria Puurveen at University of British Columbia about her research on people with advanced Alzheimer's Disease. Her paper, “A Seat at the Table: The Positioning of Families During Care Conferences in Nursing Homes,” published in the October 2019 issue of The Gerontologist looks at care conferences, an important and often overlooked aspect of how nursing homes are run. The study was part of her post-doctoral fellowship. Dr. Degenholtz wrapped up the episode a conversation about the topic with the regular contributor of The Gerontologist Podcast, his mom.   Article (October 2019 issue of The Gerontologist)

In the fourth episode of The Gerontologist Podcast, Dr. Degenholtz interviewed Dr. Wendy Moyle at Griffith University about her research using robotic pets for people with dementia.  Her paper, "She Had a Smile on Her Face as Wide as the Great Australian Bite": A Qualitative Examination of Family Perceptions of a Therapeutic Robot and a Plush Toy, published in the 2018 special issue of The Gerontologist on technology an aging, expands this work to explore the impact of the robotic pets on family members. After speaking with Dr. Moyle, he called his mom to see what she thinks about using robotic pets for people with dementia. Article (February 2019 special issue of The Gerontologist, "Technology and Aging")

Dr. Degenholtz interviewed Dr. Rebecca Collins about her clinical practice and research on mindfulness-based interventions. Her paper, The Effectiveness of Mindfulness- and Acceptance-Based Interventions for Informal Caregivers of People With Dementia: A Meta-Analysis, published in The Gerontologist provides a great meta-analysis of the effectiveness of these strategies for dementia caregivers.  After speaking with her, Dr. Degenholtz called his mom to see what she thinks about mindfulness and acceptance based strategies. Article (Published online on April 4, 2018 in The Gerontologist)

Dr. Degenholtz interviewed Dr. Brian Kaskie at University of Iowa about his research on use of cannabis among older adults.  He published a Policy Studies paper, The Increasing Use of Cannabis Among Older Americans: A Public Health Crisis or Viable Policy Alternative? and has had several additional papers on this important topic.  After having a fascinating and wide ranging conversation as befits the topic with Dr. Kaskie, Dr. Degenholtz called his mom for her opinion!   You can learn more about Dr. Kaskie's research on his project website. Policy Studies Article: The Increasing Use of Cannabis Among Older Americans: A Public Health Crisis or Viable Policy Alternative? (December 2017 issue of The Gerontologist) Measurement Article: Measuring Attitudes Toward Medical and Recreational Cannabis Among Older Adults in Colorado (Published online on May 14, 2019 in The Gerontologist)

Dr. Degenholtz interviewed Dr. Victoria Burns about her paper, Homeless for the First Time in Later Life. She shared her motivation for this line of research. She also discussed a fascinating documentary project she is working that brings to life the stories of homeless older adults in Calgary.  You can learn more about "Beyond Housing" on the StoryHive website. https://www.storyhive.com/project/show/id/3601 Article (April 2019 issue of The Gerontologist)

Jacqueline Pelliccione-Friel, MBA, CALA, Executive Director, Brandywine Senior Living, Haddonfield, New Jersey

Dora Eirby, CNA,Woodhaven Manor Nursing Home, Demopolis, Alabama

Elizabeth Ann Fetner, MBA, LNHA, Executive Director, Trillium Woods, Lifecare Services, Plymouth, Minnesota

Audrey R. Wathen, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, The New Jewish Home, New York, New York

Jackye Rocha, CNA II, Vi at Silverstone, Scottsdale, Arizona

Sahar Edalati, Executive Director, Sunrise in Senior Living, Los Angeles, California

Akira McPherson, Staff Development Coordinator, Vi Lakeside Village, Lantana, Florida

Wendy Steinberg, Vice President of Communications, RiverSpring Health, Hebrew Home, Riverdale, New York

Michael Faber, Gerontology Instructor, Portland Community College, Portland, Oregon

Angie Young, MDS Coordinator, Holly Heights Nursing Center, Denver, Colorado

Rob Scott, Director of Culinary Services, Bluestem Communities, Schowalter Villa, Hesston, Kansas

Jeremy Nelson, Rehab Director and Physical Therapist, Carmel Mountain Rehab and Healthcare, San Diego, California

Glenna Brewster, Assistant Professor, Emory University, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Atlanta, Georgia

Jung Kwak, Associate Professor, The University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing, Austin, Texas

Andy Craig, Vice President of Technical Operations, Maple Knoll Communities, Cincinnati, Ohio

Rajean Paul Moone, Owner, Moone Consulting; Executive Director, Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging; Faculty Director Long Term care Administration, University of Minnesota

Lisa Ann Fordyce, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Development for Senior Living, OnShift, Ohio

Lauren Strano, Escapades Producer, Brandywine Living, Pennington, New Jersey

Tamar Shovali, Assistant Professor, Human Development, Eckert College, St. Petersburg, Florida

Karen Appert, Owner of Appert Marketing Group, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Joel Hetrick, Executive Sous Chef, Vi Bentley Village, Napes Florida