- Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States
Rebecca Allen
University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa, Psychology, Faculty Member
- University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa, Alabama Research Institute on Aging, Faculty Memberadd
Through each era, the southeastern United States was and continues to be an epicenter for industrial companies to establish factories and plants. Though this development attracts economic gain for the companies and surrounding areas,... more
Through each era, the southeastern United States was and continues to be an epicenter for industrial companies to establish factories and plants. Though this development attracts economic gain for the companies and surrounding areas, low-income and predominantly Black communities bear the brunt of the environmental consequences while frequently remaining stagnant economically. This qualitative, community-based participatory research study grew out of a larger study designed to recruit lay community advisors from communities labeled as hard to reach in research. We focus on Holt, Alabama, an unincorporated community in the southeastern United States region. The primary goal of this research inquiry is to thematically analyze community interviews stemming from a topic of research, practice, and policy interest to community members: the effects of industrial pollution on Holt citizens’ daily lives. Content analysis of focus-group transcripts revealed four emergent themes, including: (1...
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Research Interests: Dignity and Reminiscence
This symposium presents data from interdisciplinary behavioral health training and research conducted in primary geriatrics care or community settings in the Deep South. The first paper describes mixed-method learner-centered outcomes... more
This symposium presents data from interdisciplinary behavioral health training and research conducted in primary geriatrics care or community settings in the Deep South. The first paper describes mixed-method learner-centered outcomes from interprofessional education case sessions. Survey and qualitative data revealed the most important experiential learning derived from collaboration, problem solving, and learning about various disciplines’ professional roles. The second paper presents longitudinal patient cognitive outcome data from the primary care, outpatient geriatrics clinic in which most of these interprofessional learners learn. Results show that only 26.2% of patients had scores indicating cognitive functioning within normal limits; 32.6% had scores indicative of mild neurocognitive disorder, and 41.2% had scores indicative of dementia. Over 30% of patients reported clinically significant levels of depression or anxiety, and 16.5% of patients reported at least one indicator...
Research Interests: Psychology, Geriatrics, Mental Health, Dementia, Medicine, and 3 moreAnxiety, Neurocognitive, and ANXIETY
Many studies have examined the effects of caregiving burden and many others have focused on the effects of having a caregiver (Haynes-Lewis et al., 2018; Trevino, Prigerson, & Maciejewski, 2018; Semere et al., 2020). However, there is... more
Many studies have examined the effects of caregiving burden and many others have focused on the effects of having a caregiver (Haynes-Lewis et al., 2018; Trevino, Prigerson, & Maciejewski, 2018; Semere et al., 2020). However, there is little data on the experience of role reversal, once responsible for caring for others and now being cared for while living with cancer. This project aims to identify ways in which women living with cancer cope with the internal struggles of receiving care. The current project is a case study of two females, one age 67, NHW, with a breast cancer diagnosis and one age 60, Black, with an ovarian cancer diagnosis, who once were caregivers and are now being cared for by family. Two semi-structured interviews were conducted that were approximately 60 minutes each. The study data are from a larger project focused on the self-perception of older women with late-stage cancer. Four independent researchers used thematic analysis to uncover common themes of copin...
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Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the dynamic association between lifestyle factors and both positive and negative effect in middle-aged African Americans. Methods Study participants (N = 69, Mean age=51 years, 80% female)... more
Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the dynamic association between lifestyle factors and both positive and negative effect in middle-aged African Americans. Methods Study participants (N = 69, Mean age=51 years, 80% female) were recruited from two African American churches in the Deep South. Participants completed daily surveys on positive and negative effect, physical activity, sedentary behavior, diet quality, and sleep quality daily for up to 10-days. Mixed-effect models were used to examine associations between the variables of interest. Results On days that participants were more active, they experienced higher mean positive effect (P = .015) and lower mean negative effect (P = .028) scores. Conversely, more time spent sitting in lagged models (i.e., T-1) was associated with higher mean negative effect (P = .001) and lower mean positive effect (P = .040) scores. In lagged models, better sleep quality was associated with higher positive effects (P = .007) scores bu...
Research Interests: Demography and Medicine
Given the complex interplay of ethical, clinical, and legal factors, evaluating capacities in older adults is an important competency for geropsychologists. However, the amount of quality of training in this area varies, and... more
Given the complex interplay of ethical, clinical, and legal factors, evaluating capacities in older adults is an important competency for geropsychologists. However, the amount of quality of training in this area varies, and geropsychology trainees report less confidence in their capacity evaluation skills. To date, only the Pikes Peak Self-Assessment Tool includes items measuring competency and growth in decisional capacity evaluations. However, it is a broad self-report measure assessing general geropsychology competencies. We developed a performance-based measure of decision-making capacity evaluations, the “Capacity Assessment Training and Competency Evaluation Tool (CATCET).” Using the ABA/APA Assessment of Older Adults with Diminished Capacity as a guide, expert panels created two clinical cases across 5 capacity domains. This presentation will discuss the creation of the CATCET, its application as a training and evaluation tool, and initial performance data among psychology g...
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Behavioral health screening by interprofessional teams practicing in outpatient geriatric primary care improves identification of patient cognitive functioning and emotional needs. On average, geriatrics clinic patients who consented to... more
Behavioral health screening by interprofessional teams practicing in outpatient geriatric primary care improves identification of patient cognitive functioning and emotional needs. On average, geriatrics clinic patients who consented to participate in research (N = 209; 74% women; 16.6% African American) were 76.7 years old. Patients had an average of 5.83 medical diagnoses. Only 26.2% of patients had scores indicating cognitive functioning within normal limits; 32.6% had scores indicative of mild neurocognitive disorder, and 41.2% had scores indicative of dementia at their baseline visit. Over 30% of patients reported clinically significant levels of depression or anxiety, and 16.5% of patients reported at least one indicator of hazardous alcohol use. Five-year longitudinal data analysis reveals multiple patient profiles. Behavioral health screening in primary geriatrics clinic care may help identify patient cognitive and emotional needs across time. Part of a symposium sponsored b...
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The present study used the CDC’s 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to test the Meikirch model’s theoretical definition of health and aging. This biopsychosocial and ecological framework... more
The present study used the CDC’s 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to test the Meikirch model’s theoretical definition of health and aging. This biopsychosocial and ecological framework considers the dynamic interplay between an individual’s biology, health behavior and health potential, social surroundings, physical environment, and demands of living on both mental and physical health outcomes. A total sample of 96,568 adults were included with a mean age of 66.05 years (SD = 9.91). Individuals were classified in the following age groups: 43% middle-aged (45-64 years), 33% young-old (65-74 years), and 25% old-old adults (75+ years). The sample was largely female (61%), Non-Hispanic White (86%), and urban (67%). A CFA and WLSMV estimation was used to assess each latent construct. The overall SEM model was found to be a good fit (RMSEA=0.05, CFI=0.94, TLI=0.90), explained a significant portion of the variance in the health outcome ...
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Mentorship carries the potential to improve the placement, persistence, and success of those working in geriatric mental health. We sought to explore the career preferences and perceived barriers to obtaining desired jobs in the field of... more
Mentorship carries the potential to improve the placement, persistence, and success of those working in geriatric mental health. We sought to explore the career preferences and perceived barriers to obtaining desired jobs in the field of clinical geropsychology using an online survey of trainees and etablished professional geropsychologists. This cross-sectional observational cohort study recruited 96 respondents .Both trainees (n = 42) and professional geropsychologists (n = 54) completed an online survey. Trainees endorsed a variety of characteristics to describe their ideal jobs in geropsychology; particularly interdisciplinary teamwork and jobs in medical settings, palliative/hospice care facilities, long-term care, and geriatric outpatient care. The most commonly endorsed perceived barrier to trainees’ ideal jobs was the location of the position. Responses from professional geropsychologists elucidated factors that influenced their first job and resources that were helpful, or ...
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Background: Research shows that ethnic differences exist in hospice service election, with fewer African American patients enrolling in hospice and having lower satisfaction with care compared to Non-Hispanic Whites. Hospice is... more
Background: Research shows that ethnic differences exist in hospice service election, with fewer African American patients enrolling in hospice and having lower satisfaction with care compared to Non-Hispanic Whites. Hospice is interdisciplinary, with nursing care and “ancillary” services (social work, chaplain, nurses’ aide, volunteer). Little research exists about whether disparities exist in ancillary service election, and if patient demographics correlate with service utilization. We examined if ethnic or demographic differences exist among hospice beneficiaries in utilization of hospice services. Methods: Mixed-methods data collection took place from two community hospices. The quantitative arm involved retrospective chart review on new admissions from 2012 to 2016: acceptance of ancillary services and demographic data were collected as well as code status and outcome of hospice admission. The qualitative arm collected interview data from hospice personnel about thoughts on hos...
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Using the Meikirch model as a theoretical underpinning, the present study aimed to examine population health disparities by discerning age variations within and across rural urban areas. Secondary data analysis was conducted using the... more
Using the Meikirch model as a theoretical underpinning, the present study aimed to examine population health disparities by discerning age variations within and across rural urban areas. Secondary data analysis was conducted using the CDC’s 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The study’s outcome variables included physical health and mental health burden (zero days, 1-13 days, 14+ days). A total sample of 96,568 adults were included with a mean age of 66.05 years (SD = 9.91). Individuals were classified in the following age groups: 43% middle-aged (45-64 years), 33% young-old (65-74 years), and 25% old-old adults (75+ years). The sample was largely female (61%), Non-Hispanic White (86%), and urban (67%). A series of chi-square tests of independence – post hoc tests when applicable – were completed. Overall, rural residents reported a higher prevalence of severe physical and mental health symptom burden. Regarding physical health burden, a significant difference was foun...
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The current exploratory study aimed to identify factors influencing gerospychologists’ career trajectories, discerning what is “attractive” and “unattractive” across common career options. Participants rated career characteristics... more
The current exploratory study aimed to identify factors influencing gerospychologists’ career trajectories, discerning what is “attractive” and “unattractive” across common career options. Participants rated career characteristics similarly (higher starting salary attractive, administrative tasks unattractive in a clinical VA; setting own hours attractive, few collaboration opportunities unattractive in a clinical non-VA; work variety attractive, publication expectations unattractive in academia). Interestingly, men found a clinical VA’s set hours more unattractive (t(50) = -2.59, p = .010). Sex differences also were evident in career change feasibility. 50% of respondents would consider switching careers (61% clinical to academia, 79% academia to clinical). Men were significantly more likely to consider switching from clinical to academia (χ2(2) = 6.33, p = .042) and find it feasible (χ2(2) = 8.92, p = .012). Enhancing our understanding of what encourages/discourages careers in ger...
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This longitudinal behavioral health surveillance and integrated care project aims to assess physical and mental health and substance use in a geriatric primary care setting. Approximately 230 patients (mean age = 76; 74% female; 16%... more
This longitudinal behavioral health surveillance and integrated care project aims to assess physical and mental health and substance use in a geriatric primary care setting. Approximately 230 patients (mean age = 76; 74% female; 16% African American) attending an interdisciplinary geriatrics clinic in Alabama have taken part in baseline behavioral health screenings since 2014. Behavioral health measures include cognitive status, self-reported mood, subjective and objective health literacy, and alcohol use. All measures are administered by clinical psychology graduate students. Patients had an average of 5.83 medical diagnoses. Only 26.2% of patients had scores indicating cognitive functioning within normal limits; 32.6% had scores indicative of mild neurocognitive disorder, and 41.2% had scores indicative of dementia. Over 80% of patients had adequate self-reported health literacy; however, measurements of objective health literacy indicated a significant number of individuals have ...
Research Interests: Primary Care and Medicine
Background: Blended facilitation, which leverages the complementary skills and expertise of external and internal facilitators, is a powerful strategy that nursing stakeholders and researchers may use to improve implementation of quality... more
Background: Blended facilitation, which leverages the complementary skills and expertise of external and internal facilitators, is a powerful strategy that nursing stakeholders and researchers may use to improve implementation of quality improvement (QI) innovations and research performed in nursing homes. Problem: Nursing homes present myriad challenges (eg, time constraints, top-down flow of communication, high staff turnover) to QI implementation and research. Approach: This methods article describes the theory and practical application of blended facilitation and its components (external facilitation, internal facilitation, relationship building, and skill building), using examples from a mixed QI and research intervention in Veterans Health Administration nursing homes. Conclusions: Blended facilitation invites nursing home stakeholders to be equal partners in QI and research processes. Its intentional use may overcome many existing barriers to QI and research performed in nurs...
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Pet ownership literature remains mixed regarding associations with mental and physical health outcomes among older adults. The present study investigates the relationship between pet ownership and depression, health, and physical activity... more
Pet ownership literature remains mixed regarding associations with mental and physical health outcomes among older adults. The present study investigates the relationship between pet ownership and depression, health, and physical activity in an older adult sample balanced by sex (male/female), race (White/Black), and urban/rural status. Participants were adults aged 65+ recruited between 1999 and 2001 in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging. Participants completed the Geriatric Depression Scale, a single-item self-reported health measure, and a physical activity questionnaire. Dog owners reported better subjective health and were more likely to walk for exercise as compared to non-pet owners. Cat owners did not differ from non-pet owners in terms of self-reported health or walking. White participants were more likely than Black participants to report ownership of a pet. No relationships were found between pet ownership and symptoms of depression. Findings were not ...
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The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a free, easily accessible screener ideal for rural areas where resources are limited. We examined administration and scoring by Veteran Community Outreach Health Workers (VCOHWs); compared... more
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a free, easily accessible screener ideal for rural areas where resources are limited. We examined administration and scoring by Veteran Community Outreach Health Workers (VCOHWs); compared positive screening rates using two cutoff scores; and examined predictors of education-adjusted scores in N = 168 rural military Veterans from the Alabama Veteran Rural Health Initiative. Accuracy of administration (95 percent) and scoring (68 percent) was calculated and recommendations are offered. Higher than expected rates of positive screens were observed (40 percent using 24/30 cutoff) in this relatively young (M = 55 years) community-dwelling sample. Age, education, and race but not subjective health predicted differences in domain and total education-adjusted scores on multivariate and univariate tests. This study advances social science research in rural communities by being the first to: (1) examine MoCA scores in a rural, Deep South U.S. sample...
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Research Interests: Psychology, Stress Management, Ethnicity, Medicine, Humans, and 15 moreEvaluation methods, Intervention, Female, Structural equation models, Academic achievement, Male, The, Caregivers, Clinical Sciences, Moderation, Theoretical Models, Alzheimer Disease, Theoretical Model, Psychological Stress, and Applied Statistics Regression Analysis
Research Interests: Ethics, Informed Consent, Interaction, Identification, Humans, and 15 moreEvaluation methods, End of life, Female, Male, Key words, Clinical Sciences, Advance directive, Aged, Capacity, Cognitive Ability, Advance Directives, Advance Care Planning, Cross Sectional Studies, Homes for the Aged, and Cohort Studies
This article presents an overview of end-of-life care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and their family caregivers. We define end-stage AD, and review neuropsychological and behavioral characteristics along with... more
This article presents an overview of end-of-life care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and their family caregivers. We define end-stage AD, and review neuropsychological and behavioral characteristics along with concomitant issues in therapeutic assessment. We then review the literature regarding programs and treatments for end-stage AD, the need for advance care planning and family participation in medical decision-making, familial caregiving stress, and issues associated with palliative care and bereavement outcomes. Methodological issues in the extant research literature are addressed, including issues of treatment implementation, validity, and clinical significance. Translational research and demonstration projects are encouraged.
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Research Interests: Palliative Care, Social Support, Treatment Outcome, Group Psychotherapy, Medicine, and 13 moreHumans, Female, Male, Psychological Intervention, Caregivers, Aged, Middle Aged, Randomized Controlled Trial, Volunteers, Guidance and Counseling Intervention Programs, Occupational Diseases, Psychological Stress, and Medical and Health Sciences
Purpose: With the rapid growth in the older inmate population, emerging issues regarding physical and mental health require greater research and clinical attention. We examined the relation of religiousness/ spirituality; demographic... more
Purpose: With the rapid growth in the older inmate population, emerging issues regarding physical and mental health require greater research and clinical attention. We examined the relation of religiousness/ spirituality; demographic characteristics such as age, race, and type of crime; and physical and mental health among 73 older male inmates in the state of Alabama. Design and Methods: Inmates older than age 50 who passed a cognitive screening completed face-to-face interviews lasting between 30 and 60 min. Due to the low literacy rates of the participants, we administered all measures orally with response cards to facilitate understanding. Results: Nearly 70 % of the inmates were incarcerated for murder or sexual crimes. There were no racial/ethnic differ-ences in reported religiousness/spirituality, demo-graphic characteristics, or mental health. We found an association between self-reported years of incarceration and experienced forgiveness. Three regression models examined wh...
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Informal caregivers for older adults often act as medical 'proxies' based on... more
Informal caregivers for older adults often act as medical 'proxies' based on their assumed knowledge of the care recipient's illness-related symptoms. Differences between symptom descriptions given by care recipients and caregivers, however, raise questions about the validity of proxy reports. Community-dwelling caregivers and their care recipients with chronic, multi-morbid conditions revealed similar numbers of symptoms reported as well as average symptom distress. Dyads with care recipients who scored higher on negative affect were more likely to have significantly lower. Results suggested the possibility of identifying and intervening with dyads who may be 'at-risk' for divergent symptom reporting. This awareness may increase the ability to engage in informed and shared medical decision making throughout the illness trajectory.
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The purpose of this secondary data analysis was to characterize the Internet usage of rural veterans (n=201) who had either never enrolled, or had previously enrolled but not accessed, Veterans Affairs (VA) health services in at least 2... more
The purpose of this secondary data analysis was to characterize the Internet usage of rural veterans (n=201) who had either never enrolled, or had previously enrolled but not accessed, Veterans Affairs (VA) health services in at least 2 years. The VA Office of Rural Health (ORH)(ie part of the United States Government Department of Veterans Affairs) is a government agency with the mission to improve access and quality of care for enrolled rural and highly rural US veterans. The ORH seeks to use evidence-based policies and innovative practices to support the unique needs of enrolled veterans residing in geographically remote areas. These individuals represent a population considered to experience health disparities secondary to reduced health care access. This study explored the role of the Internet in providing health information and information regarding VA services to rural Caucasian and African American veterans in the southeastern USA. African Americans were significantly younge...
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Research Interests: Anxiety Disorders, Mental Health, Medicine, Humans, Female, and 15 moreMale, American, Ethnic Groups, Clinical Sciences, Mood Disorders, Aged, Middle Aged, Questionnaires, Self Assessment, Public health systems and services research, European Continental Ancestry Group, Cross Sectional Studies, Logistic Models, Predictive value of tests, and Socioeconomic Factors
Objectives: This exploratory study examined the context and consequences of custodial grandparenting, along with attitudes and preferences regarding future planning among 22 African-American custodial grandmothers. Method: A mixed-method... more
Objectives: This exploratory study examined the context and consequences of custodial grandparenting, along with attitudes and preferences regarding future planning among 22 African-American custodial grandmothers. Method: A mixed-method research design was employed. Based on our integration of two theories regarding future planning and health behavior change, caregiving, emotional distress, religiosity and spirituality, and future planning were assessed using questionnaires along with semi-structured interviews. Results: African-American custodial grandmothers (mean age M = 53.64, SD = 9.58) perceived their caregiving role as rewarding (72%) yet challenging (86%). More than 40% reported significant emotional distress (CES-D ≥ 16) that warrants clinical attention. Findings showed that while 64% of study participants had future plans regarding who will substitute in their caregiving role if they become incapacitated, only 9% had completed a living will. Three major themes emerged reg...
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Volunteers offer means through which social workers may extend their ability to support individuals with serious illnesses near the end of life. This study explored the experience of volunteers on teams organized initially as a grassroots... more
Volunteers offer means through which social workers may extend their ability to support individuals with serious illnesses near the end of life. This study explored the experience of volunteers on teams organized initially as a grassroots movement in response to stigmatized and often socially isolated people with HIV/AIDS dying in the community. Volunteer care teams later expanded to individuals with other serious illnesses. This model spread as a means of meeting the growing need for practical support for seriously ill homebound individuals. Yet, little has been reported in the scientific literature about the interworkings of these teams and their optimal level of functioning. Qualitative inquiry, in the form of semi-structured interviews, explored perspectives of 10 volunteers with experience in volunteer team caring and identified the social processes that shaped their work. The volunteers discussed balance between positive life meaning gained from volunteer work, lessons learned...
Research Interests: Social Work, Focus Groups, Humans, Female, Male, and 6 moreMiddle Aged, Adult, Patient Care Team, Volunteers, Alabama, and Terminal care
Research has demonstrated that treating cancer patients' psychological... more
Research has demonstrated that treating cancer patients' psychological and physical health leads to improved overall health. This may be especially true for palliative care patients facing serious illness. This study examines the proportion and determinants of psychology service utilization in an outpatient palliative care population. Data from an existing clinical database in an outpatient palliative clinic utilizing a collaborative care model to deliver psychology services were explored. This study was framed by Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Service Use, which incorporates three main components: predisposing, enabling, and need factors to model health service utilization. The sample (N = 149) was majority middle aged, female, and White with a primary diagnosis of cancer. Cross-tabulations were conducted to determine how many patients who met screening criteria for depression or anxiety sought psychology services. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess for predisposing, enabling, and need factor determinants of psychology service utilization. Among patients who met criteria for moderate depression or anxiety, 50% did not access readily available psychology services. Enabling factors were the strongest determinant of psychology utilization. Factors associated with need for psychology services (i.e., emotional distress and psychological symptom burden) did not reach significance in determining psychology service use. This study extends current knowledge about psychology utilization to palliative care outpatients receiving care within a collaborative care model. Directions for future research include further investigation of care models that optimize enabling strategies to enhance access to these services, and examination of patient-reported barriers to receiving this care.
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Background: It is currently estimated that the resident population of individuals over the age of 65 living in nursing homes will double by 2020. Nearly one-third of all nursing home residents have difficulty seeing or hearing, 46% have... more
Background: It is currently estimated that the resident population of individuals over the age of 65 living in nursing homes will double by 2020. Nearly one-third of all nursing home residents have difficulty seeing or hearing, 46% have some form of dementia, and 30–84% of those with dementia in nursing homes show some form of agitation. Nursing home residents who do not receive appropriate audiological services may experience social isolation, cognitive decline and decreased mobility. Purpose: To examine the effectiveness of standard audiological testing procedures for nursing home residents and to discuss the purpose of adapting assessment procedures that can lead to more effective audiological assessments for this population. Research Design: A retrospective chart analyses. A 33-item coding form was used to complete descriptive analysis of original audiological data and demographic data for 307 nursing home residents for a study to examine the effects of auditory stimulation on d...
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Background: The purpose of this analysis was to describe the presence and timing of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders for imminently dying patients in VA Medical Centers, and to examine factors associated with these processes. Methods: Data... more
Background: The purpose of this analysis was to describe the presence and timing of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders for imminently dying patients in VA Medical Centers, and to examine factors associated with these processes. Methods: Data on DNR orders in the last 7 days of life were abstracted from the medical records of 1,069 veterans who had died in one of six VA hospitals in 2005. Results: Of the 1069 records, 681 (63.7%) had an active DNR order at time of death. Among these, records indicated that the order was written within the last 24 hours for 219 (32.2%), 1-2 days prior to death for 54 (7.9%), 3-7 days prior to death for 256 (37.6%), and > 7 days prior to death for 152 (22.3%). Veterans with a family member present at time of death and those who received pastoral care visits were more likely to have DNR orders. African American veterans and veterans who died unexpectedly were less likely to have DNR orders. Compared with those dying on a general medicine unit, veterans ...
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Objectives: Adults hold negative attitudes toward sexual expression in late life. We investigated knowledge and attitudes about older adult sexuality and dementia among staff in nursing homes (NHs). Method: We acquired staff demographics,... more
Objectives: Adults hold negative attitudes toward sexual expression in late life. We investigated knowledge and attitudes about older adult sexuality and dementia among staff in nursing homes (NHs). Method: We acquired staff demographics, knowledge of dementia and sexuality, and attitudes of sexuality. Staff participated in focus groups and received continuing education credit. Results: The three NHs had an average census of 178 beds. Participants’ ( N = 100) mean age was 38.53. The most common type of sexual contact reported was nondemented male with nondemented female (67.5%), followed by demented male with demented female (53.6%). Participants endorsed neutral attitudes about late-life sexuality. Focus groups revealed a need for more training and effective interventions to balance resident safety and autonomy. Discussion: Staffs’ knowledge of sexuality and dementia, desire for guidance in “managing” sexual expression, and neutral attitudes toward late-life sexuality supports the ...
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To explore the implications of limited English proficiency (LEP) for disparities in health status and healthcare service use of older Latino and Asian immigrants.