- Statham, Georgia, United States
- The University of Georgia, Housing & Consumer Economics, Faculty Memberadd
- Psychometrics, Importance of Gerontology to Adult Education, Aging, Aging and Age Friendly Community Design, Aging and Environment, Senior Housing, and 10 moreMedicaid home and community based services, HCBS, HCBS policy, Spiritual/religious coping, Health Care Management, Healthcare Management, Migration Studies, Relocation, Adult Development And Aging, and Psychologyedit
- My expertise is in aging and environment, particularly focused on where and how older people choose to live. My resea... moreMy expertise is in aging and environment, particularly focused on where and how older people choose to live. My research has included aging-in-place, relocation decision-making, senior housing (including independent, assisted living, and continuing care retirement communities), use of home and community-based servicesedit
Research Interests: Long Term Care and Family
PurposeFrom the consumer side, this paper aims to highlight some of the various characteristics that older renters seek out from their apartment buildings, relative to conventional multifamily residential buildings and, from the... more
PurposeFrom the consumer side, this paper aims to highlight some of the various characteristics that older renters seek out from their apartment buildings, relative to conventional multifamily residential buildings and, from the operational side, to examine some of the costs involved in daily operation of such buildings.Design/methodology/approachThe Rental Housing Finance Survey provides data that enables scholars to test empirical differences in amenities and costs between senior-oriented communities and other apartment buildings.FindingsOccupancy rates outpace the rate for all other apartment communities. Regarding amenities, senior apartment communities are more likely than other communities to have a fitness center on premises, but less likely to have a swimming pool. Market value for senior properties is usually less than properties marketed toward multi-family property tenants. This difference may be due to a higher pattern of both operating/capital expenses within senior communities. Part of these increases in operating costs is due to a higher propensity to hire professional management companies and a higher fee for managing senior apartment communities.Originality/valueLiterature on seniors living within apartment communities is somewhat sparse, particularly regarding the operational aspects of managing apartment communities. There is a dearth of information on industry success measurements known as operating and capital expenditures. This study triangulates multiple sources of data to investigate differences in cost of senior housing apartment communities, as well as amenity structures.
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Universities must adapt by expanding their understanding of inclusivity in higher education, acknowledging new aging-related career opportunities for students and their role as destinations for lifelong learning and community engagement... more
Universities must adapt by expanding their understanding of inclusivity in higher education, acknowledging new aging-related career opportunities for students and their role as destinations for lifelong learning and community engagement for older adults. Accordingly, nearly 100 institutions have committed to age-inclusivity on their campuses by achieving Age-Friendly University (AFU) designation. For those interested in pursuing this designation at their institutions, an important part of the process is learning from one another about strategies used at other campuses that could be tailored to their own needs. With this in mind, this poster presentation will outline the initial strategies and resulting outcomes of the path to AFU designation at the University of Indianapolis (UIndy) via a preliminary “discovery” phase. Using GSA’s Tools for Advancing Age Inclusivity in Higher Education as a guide, AGHE members at the University of Indianapolis are in the beginning stages of their own process, characterized by discussions with various campus stakeholders during the recent spring semester. This “listening tour” has revealed strong support of the AFU principles and an eagerness to be part of an age-inclusive vision. These conversations have identified existing infrastructure and other strengths that support age-inclusivity, as well as current challenges to be managed and new opportunities to pursue. The authors will also describe the next phase of the process, including interviews with older UIndy alumni and retired faculty and staff about engagement with retired community members, as well as subsequent steps, such as working with colleagues to design viable age-friendly initiatives.
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This study of stress experienced during the transition from one’s own home into an independent/assisted senior housing community among older women was conducted using a mixed-methods approach that included (a) qualitative data collection... more
This study of stress experienced during the transition from one’s own home into an independent/assisted senior housing community among older women was conducted using a mixed-methods approach that included (a) qualitative data collection via time-use diaries and open-ended interview questions, (b) quantitative data collected through structured interview questions and empirically validated scales that measured stress perceptions and coping behaviors, and (c) biological measures of stress reactivity through salivary cortisol. Designed to capture the adaptation period, the study was conducted longitudinally with repeated measures consisting of three interviews, six time diaries, and six sets of saliva collection beginning within 1 month of the move through the first 6 months in residence. The data allowed for triangulation of stressful events, perceptions of stress, and physiological reactivity, and yielded interesting preliminary results. Challenges included veracity of self-report responses, correct timing of saliva collection per protocol specifications, and maintenance of researcher–participant boundaries.
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Research Interests: Health Services Research, Medicine, Activities of Daily Living, Discriminant Analysis, Humans, and 15 moreNeeds Assessment, Health Services, Female, Male, Behavior Modeling, Relocation, Health Status, Clinical Sciences, Aged, Questionnaires, Chi Square Distribution, Geriatric Assessment, Predictive value of tests, Leisure Activities, and Marital Status
This study examines the reasons given for relocation to an upstate New York continuing care retirement community (CCRC) for 91 affluent adults ages 65 to 95 who subsequently moved to this CCRC. Reasons most frequently given for moving... more
This study examines the reasons given for relocation to an upstate New York continuing care retirement community (CCRC) for 91 affluent adults ages 65 to 95 who subsequently moved to this CCRC. Reasons most frequently given for moving involved the anticipation of future needs, such as a desire for continued care, freedom from upkeep and maintenance of current residence, and the desire not to be dependent on or a burden to anyone. Reasons for relocating to this particular CCRC, include continued care, facility's reputation and management style, and it's location near family and friends. Logistic regressions reveal that demographic variables predicted the reasons for selecting this particular CCRC, namely, marital status and/or gender, education, income, and perceived health. The authors conclude that the movers to this CCRC sought to avoid potential problems of “aging in place,” and were also attracted by the nature and location of the particular CCRC they had selected.
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Background and Objectives The novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) resulted in the need for multiple mitigation strategies. The impacts of these safety measures were felt more extremely by healthcare providers. This qualitative study focused... more
Background and Objectives The novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) resulted in the need for multiple mitigation strategies. The impacts of these safety measures were felt more extremely by healthcare providers. This qualitative study focused on the experiences of staff in skilled nursing facilities, specifically in locked memory care units, during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research Design and Methods This study used a basic interpretive methodology. In-depth interviews were conducted with skilled nursing staff members who worked in a locked memory care unit during the 2020 calendar year. Thematic analysis was used to organize and interpret the data. Results A total of 11 participants provided data that resulted in themes around reasons for working on a locked memory care unit, experiences working with people who have behavioral and psychological symptoms due to dementia, training, outcomes of shared experiences, outcomes of policy changes, management support, and suggestions for a future pandemic. Discussion and Implications The results of this study may have implications for skilled nursing facilities with locked memory care units that continue to grapple with the realities of providing care during a pandemic. Providing appropriate training, social support, and the appropriate protective equipment are among some of the suggestions.
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ABSTRACT Workers serving Ohio's aging population will require increased levels of gerontological education. Using data from 55 Ohio counties, this project investigated the educational needs and reasons for seeking education from... more
ABSTRACT Workers serving Ohio's aging population will require increased levels of gerontological education. Using data from 55 Ohio counties, this project investigated the educational needs and reasons for seeking education from professionals in aging. Respondents reported interest in attaining aging related education. Preferred delivery methods included web based and interactive satellite instruction. Continuing education credit was preferred over college credit even though a high percentage indicated a desire for an additional degree (69.8%). Despite over 30 years of Ohio's universities providing aging related education, 58.6% of respondents have no formal aging related training, and 11.7% have only a single course in aging. Gerontological topics that most interested participants in an area for further understanding were Alzheimer's/dementia, medication, and mental health issues.
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ABSTRACT One key component to facilitate older adults’ ability to remain independent and age in place is the provision of formal services in their community. However, elder-targeted services are lacking for many older adults depending on... more
ABSTRACT One key component to facilitate older adults’ ability to remain independent and age in place is the provision of formal services in their community. However, elder-targeted services are lacking for many older adults depending on their area of residence. This study explores the disparity of formal service utilization by residence among adults aged 50 years and older (N = 672). We compared elders living in the community, elders living in service-poor housing (e.g., subsidized public housing), and elders living in service-rich housing (e.g., continuing care retirement community). Results suggest that older adults living in service-poor housing have greater physical and mental health concerns compared to those in service-rich housing. Those in service-poor housing also have less social and economic resources. These factors may decrease the ability to age in place if residents cannot afford services or cannot navigate the system. Opportunities and challenges based on these data are discussed.
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Research Interests: Psychology, Nursing, Long Term Care, Family, Quality of life, and 15 moreMedicine, Humans, Geriatric Nursing, Nursing Homes, Psychological Intervention, Regression Analysis, Aged, Questionnaires, Gerontological Nursing, Kentucky, Psychological Models, Cooperative Behavior, Predictive value of tests, Nursing staff, and Health Facility Environment
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Research Interests: Geriatrics, Gerontology, Educational Measurement, Medicine, Interdisciplinary Studies, and 15 moreMedical Students, Humans, Doctoral education, Classification, Growth and development, Education Systems, Graduate medical education, Career Choice, Longitudinal Studies, Longitudinal Study, First Year, Educational Status, Clinical Competence, Competency Based Education, and Internet
... Heidi H. Holmes is Research Assistant, PhD Program in Gerontology, The University of ... Address correspondence to: Joseph E. Gaugler, Assistant Professor, Department of Behavioral ... Pillemer, Suiter, Henderson, Meador, Schulz,... more
... Heidi H. Holmes is Research Assistant, PhD Program in Gerontology, The University of ... Address correspondence to: Joseph E. Gaugler, Assistant Professor, Department of Behavioral ... Pillemer, Suiter, Henderson, Meador, Schulz, Robison, and Hegeman (2003) developed a ...
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This paper reports on the development of a novel 10-item scale that measures beliefs about aging as well as religious-based beliefs about aging. The Religious Beliefs and Aging Scale (RBAS) shows acceptable internal consistency (α = 0.74)... more
This paper reports on the development of a novel 10-item scale that measures beliefs about aging as well as religious-based beliefs about aging. The Religious Beliefs and Aging Scale (RBAS) shows acceptable internal consistency (α = 0.74) and is bolstered by a strong correlation (r = 0.70) with the Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality. Exploratory factor analysis elucidated two belief subscales: Afterlife (i.e., how age is experienced in the afterlife; α = 0.897) and Punishment (i.e., aging and dementia as a punishment for sin; α = 0.868). This scale can be used in research regarding end-of-life planning, ageism, and self-care practices.
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This paper reports on the development of a novel 10-item scale that measures beliefs about aging as well as religious-based beliefs about aging. The Religious Beliefs and Aging Scale (RBAS) shows acceptable internal consistency (α = 0.74)... more
This paper reports on the development of a novel 10-item scale that measures beliefs about aging as well as religious-based beliefs about aging. The Religious Beliefs and Aging Scale (RBAS) shows acceptable internal consistency (α = 0.74) and is bolstered by a strong correlation (r = 0.70) with the Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality. Exploratory factor analysis elucidated two belief subscales: Afterlife (i.e., how age is experienced in the afterlife; α = 0.897) and Punishment (i.e., aging and dementia as a punishment for sin; α = 0.868). This scale can be used in research regarding end-of-life planning, ageism, and self-care practices.
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This study of stress experienced during the transition from one’s own home into an independent/assisted senior housing community among older women was conducted using a mixed-methods approach that included (a) qualitative data collection... more
This study of stress experienced during the transition from one’s own home into an independent/assisted senior housing community among older women was conducted using a mixed-methods approach that included (a) qualitative data collection via time-use diaries and open-ended interview questions, (b) quantitative data collected through structured interview questions and empirically validated scales that measured stress perceptions and coping behaviors, and (c) biological measures of stress reactivity through salivary cortisol. Designed to capture the adaptation period, the study was conducted longitudinally with repeated measures consisting of three interviews, six time diaries, and six sets of saliva collection beginning within 1 month of the move through the first 6 months in residence. The data allowed for triangulation of stressful events, perceptions of stress, and physiological reactivity, and yielded interesting preliminary results. Challenges included veracity of self-report responses, correct timing of saliva collection per protocol specifications, and maintenance of researcher–participant boundaries.
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PurposeFrom the consumer side, this paper aims to highlight some of the various characteristics that older renters seek out from their apartment buildings, relative to conventional multifamily residential buildings and, from the... more
PurposeFrom the consumer side, this paper aims to highlight some of the various characteristics that older renters seek out from their apartment buildings, relative to conventional multifamily residential buildings and, from the operational side, to examine some of the costs involved in daily operation of such buildings.Design/methodology/approachThe Rental Housing Finance Survey provides data that enables scholars to test empirical differences in amenities and costs between senior-oriented communities and other apartment buildings.FindingsOccupancy rates outpace the rate for all other apartment communities. Regarding amenities, senior apartment communities are more likely than other communities to have a fitness center on premises, but less likely to have a swimming pool. Market value for senior properties is usually less than properties marketed toward multi-family property tenants. This difference may be due to a higher pattern of both operating/capital expenses within senior com...
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Background: The majority of older adults prefer to remain in their homes, or to "age-in-place." To accomplish this goal, many older adults will rely upon home- and community-based services (HCBS) for support. However, the... more
Background: The majority of older adults prefer to remain in their homes, or to "age-in-place." To accomplish this goal, many older adults will rely upon home- and community-based services (HCBS) for support. However, the availability and accessibility of HCBS may differ based on whether the older adult lives in the community or in a senior housing apartment facility. Methods: This paper reports findings from the Pathways to Life Quality study of residential change and stability among seniors in upstate New York. Data were analyzed from 663 older adults living in one of three housing types: service-rich facilities, service-poor facilities, and community-dwelling in single-family homes. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to examine factors associated with residence type. A linear regression model was fitted to examine factors associated with HCBS utilization. Results: When compared to community-dwelling older adults, those residing in service-rich and service-...
Research Interests: Health Behavior, Housing, Multidisciplinary, Independent Living, Humans, and 15 moreOlder people, Environmental public health, Nursing Homes, Female, Male, Health Status, New York, Aged, HCBS, Residence, Logistic Models, Home Care Services, Health services for the aged, Community health services, and Residence Characteristics
Understanding death in long-term care (LTC) facilities and the preexisting standards and policies pertaining to the death experience in LTC is essential. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 administrators of CCRCs and data... more
Understanding death in long-term care (LTC) facilities and the preexisting standards and policies pertaining to the death experience in LTC is essential. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 administrators of CCRCs and data analyzed through content analysis. Results of the current study reveal that administrators spoke of approaching death in their facility similar to any other procedural task, removal of the residents' bodies varied by community, and coordination responsibilities ranged from maintenance crews to management. Notification practices for residents and staff were also inconsistent. Differences existed in internal cultures on providing forms of respect. These practices were standard for some facilities while others were flexible to accommodate family requests. The majority of the sites did not offer additional training on death and dying for staff members. Findings suggest the need for consistency regarding how senior housing administrators approach the deat...
Research Interests: Management, Nursing, Qualitative Methods, Long Term Care, Healthcare workers, and 15 moreQuality of life, Bereavement, Qualitative Research, Best Practices, Health Care Management, Medicine, Older Adults, Humans, Geriatric Nursing, Healthcare Administration and Management, Assisted living facilities, Grief and bereavement, Elsevier, Nursing staff, and Administrative Personnel
One question asked by generations of gerontology doctoral students is what types of employment can be secured after completing the PhD in Gerontology. The Gerontology Education Longitudinal Study (GELS) has surveyed graduate students and... more
One question asked by generations of gerontology doctoral students is what types of employment can be secured after completing the PhD in Gerontology. The Gerontology Education Longitudinal Study (GELS) has surveyed graduate students and alumni of the various doctoral programs in order to understand the career trajectories of graduates. Of 102 alumni surveyed in 2014 (42% response rate), the majority (60%) were not working with other people who had degrees in gerontology, yet 51% report working with at least some people who have experience with aging and older adults. On the job, graduates say that their duties require knowledge and mastery of public policy issues, health and medical aspects related to aging, and psychological theories. As aging experts, it is inherent in their work to combat ageism and reduce age-related stereotypes. As such, gerontologists are using substantive content expertise within their careers and serving as experts in aging.
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ABSTRACT One key component to facilitate older adults’ ability to remain independent and age in place is the provision of formal services in their community. However, elder-targeted services are lacking for many older adults depending on... more
ABSTRACT One key component to facilitate older adults’ ability to remain independent and age in place is the provision of formal services in their community. However, elder-targeted services are lacking for many older adults depending on their area of residence. This study explores the disparity of formal service utilization by residence among adults aged 50 years and older (N = 672). We compared elders living in the community, elders living in service-poor housing (e.g., subsidized public housing), and elders living in service-rich housing (e.g., continuing care retirement community). Results suggest that older adults living in service-poor housing have greater physical and mental health concerns compared to those in service-rich housing. Those in service-poor housing also have less social and economic resources. These factors may decrease the ability to age in place if residents cannot afford services or cannot navigate the system. Opportunities and challenges based on these data are discussed.
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Data from a longitudinal study of older adults in an upstate New York county (N = 333) show that poor housing “fit” increases the likelihood that older adults are currently considering a move, as does lower residential satisfaction. Those... more
Data from a longitudinal study of older adults in an upstate New York county (N = 333) show that poor housing “fit” increases the likelihood that older adults are currently considering a move, as does lower residential satisfaction. Those adults who said only that they “might consider moving” focused on health transitions that might signal a need for a new
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... Heidi H. Holmes is Research Assistant, PhD Program in Gerontology, The University of ... Address correspondence to: Joseph E. Gaugler, Assistant Professor, Department of Behavioral ... Pillemer, Suiter, Henderson, Meador, Schulz,... more
... Heidi H. Holmes is Research Assistant, PhD Program in Gerontology, The University of ... Address correspondence to: Joseph E. Gaugler, Assistant Professor, Department of Behavioral ... Pillemer, Suiter, Henderson, Meador, Schulz, Robison, and Hegeman (2003) developed a ...
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Research Interests: Health Services Research, Medicine, Activities of Daily Living, Discriminant Analysis, Humans, and 15 moreNeeds Assessment, Health Services, Female, Male, Behavior Modeling, Risk factors, Health Status, Clinical Sciences, Aged, Questionnaires, Chi Square Distribution, Geriatric Assessment, Risk Factors, Predictive value of tests, and Leisure Activities
Musculoskeletal impairments and functional limitations are linked to disability in older adults. The purposes of this study were to identify the extremity musculoskeletal impairments that best predict functional limitations in older... more
Musculoskeletal impairments and functional limitations are linked to disability in older adults. The purposes of this study were to identify the extremity musculoskeletal impairments that best predict functional limitations in older adults and to assess the validity of measurements obtained for the Physical Performance Test (PPT) as a predictor of disability. Eighty-one older adults residing in independent and dependent care facilities were tested for extremity muscle force, range of motion, and function. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis to identify extremity impairments that predicted function scores and logistic regression analysis to determine whether PPT scores predicted subjects' living situation as dependent versus independent. Subject age, lower-extremity muscle force, and lower-extremity range of motion explained 77% of the variance in function as measured by the PPT. Results differed when analysis was done by subject living situation, with a higher percentage of the variance in function scores explained by musculoskeletal measures for the dependent living group as compared with the independent living group. Extremity musculoskeletal impairments have a strong relationship to function, especially in older adults living in dependent care settings. The results of this study can be used to design interventions to address the musculoskeletal disorders most related to function in the older population.
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This study examines the reasons given for relocation to an upstate New York continuing care retirement community (CCRC) for 91 affluent adults ages 65 to 95 who subsequently moved to this CCRC. Reasons most frequently given for moving... more
This study examines the reasons given for relocation to an upstate New York continuing care retirement community (CCRC) for 91 affluent adults ages 65 to 95 who subsequently moved to this CCRC. Reasons most frequently given for moving involved the anticipation of ...
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Objectives: Adjustment to senior housing entails significant lifestyle changes and is a stressful process. The adaptation process is dynamic and has yet to be studied using the conceptual model of allostasis. This article presents... more
Objectives: Adjustment to senior housing entails significant lifestyle changes and is a stressful process. The adaptation process is dynamic and has yet to be studied using the conceptual model of allostasis. This article presents exemplars of women whose profiles represent three allostatic states: successful adaptation (homeostasis), ongoing adaptation (allostasis), and maladaptation (allostatic load). Method: Older women who had relocated to senior housing participated in three interviews and monthly saliva sample collection over a 6-month period. Saliva was assayed for diurnal cortisol secretion. Triangulation of mixed methods was used to analyze data, and psychosocial data were mapped onto the cortisol graphs to illustrate changes in stress reactivity and well-being. Results: Coping abilities, perceptions of stressors, and cortisol measures provide a detailed picture of the interplay among events and perceptions and the effects of both on well-being. Discussion: The case exemplars provide detailed information on the complexity of psychosocial and physiological components of the model of allostasis. This study also fills a gap in knowledge on negative relocation outcomes using the allostatic model.