The COVID-19 pandemic increased the importance of technology for all Americans, including older adults. Although a few studies have indicated that older adults might have increased their technology use during the COVID-19 pandemic, further research is needed to confirm these findings, especially among different populations, and using validated surveys. In particular, research on changes in technology use among previously hospitalized community-dwelling older adults, especially those with physical disability, is needed because older adults with multimorbidity and hospital associated deconditioning were a population greatly impacted by COVID-19 and related distancing measures. Obtaining knowledge regarding previously hospitalized older adults' technology use, before and during the pandemic, could inform the appropriateness of technology-based interventions for vulnerable older adults.
The purpose of this paper is to highlight the nurse scholars in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program (AMFDP). The challenge to increase the diversity, inclusivity, Â and equity of nurse scientists is a critical issue to enhance nursing knowledge development, health care, and health outcomes in the United States. A brief history of the development and evolution of RWJF programs to support faculty development of nurse scholars is described. The need to address issues of faculty development with specific attention to diversity, inclusion, and research excellence is highlighted. Profiles and the programs of research and scholarship of the current AMFDP nurse scholars are discussed. Scholars share lessons learned, and how the program has influenced their thinking and commitments to future action in service of nursing science, diversity efforts, and legacy leadership. The application and evaluation process for the AMFDP is described
Pain, insomnia, depression and anxiety are common in older adults and interfere with leisure activities. Few studies have examined interference with leisure activities based on associated symptoms. We conducted a cluster analysis to identify people with similar symptom clusters based on pain, insomnia, depression and anxiety in 7,508 older adults using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study. Chi-square tests were performed to describe 1) demographics and health-related factors; and 2) interference with valued leisure activities (visiting friends/family, attending religious services, participating in clubs/classes, and going out "for enjoyment") across clusters. We identified four clusters: 1-no symptoms (41%), 2-pain only (32%), 3-pain+moderate insomnia+mild depression+mild anxiety (17%), and 4-pain+moderate insomnia+severe depression+severe anxiety (10%). Compared to clusters 1 and 2, people experiencing clusters 3 and 4 tended to be older, Hispanic or non-Hispanic Black, female, have high school education or less, not live with a spouse, obese, and rate their health fair or poor. Older adults in this sample experienced interference with attending religious services (19%), participating in clubs/classes (11%), going out for enjoyment (9%) and visiting friends/family (8%). Interference with valued leisure activities differed across the clusters (all p<.001) with 6% – 17% of people in cluster 2 experiencing interference, 17 – 31% in cluster 3 and 26 – 48% in cluster 4. Insomnia and severity of depression and anxiety have a greater impact on valued leisure activities than pain only. Interventions targeting both number and severity of these symptoms may lead to increased participation in valued leisure activities.
Licensing of laboratory professionals has been a controversial issue for the individuals working in these professions for many years. In New York State (NYS), licensing of laboratory professionals has been debated for over three decades and did not become law until 2005. The NYS licensure law stipulates specific educational requirements that include course work as well as curricular content areas. In addition to these educational requirements, the licensure law stipulates successful completion of a certification examination for new licensure applicants. To determine if the new legislation in NYS has had a demonstrable impact on the ability to recruit qualified laboratory professionals, a survey tool was developed to gather baseline data for a longitudinal study on the same topic. A 20 item survey along with a letter of explanation and a self addressed return envelope was distributed by mail to managers and/or supervisors of laboratories in 150 hospitals that ranged in size from small community hospitals to large medical centers across the state of New York. Questions were created addressing each of the following categories: day to day laboratory staffing, increased cost of recruiting to the facility after licensure law, impact on ability to cross train and staff evenings and weekends, and impact on patient care. It is apparent from the survey results that the employers have already started experiencing difficulty to staff certain laboratory vacancies especially for Clinical Laboratory Technologists (CLT) and fear that this trend might continue over the years not only pertaining to CLT but also to other laboratory vacancies such as Histotechnologists-Histotechnicians and Cytotechnologists. The impact of the NYS licensure law on staffing, facility costs, patient care, and laboratory professionals are discussed.
Abstract There is a paucity of work focusing on the engagement of older African American women with technology. The aim of the pilot study was to test the Depression and Pain Perseverance through Empowered Recovery (DAPPER) program in a sample of older African American women living with pain and low mood (N=19). The research team hypothesized that most of the women would prefer virtual visits, thus both in-person and virtual options were available for program delivery. So far, of 11 participants, five women have opted to do in-person visits. When asked why, one participant said that having the nurse come to her house was “rewarding, [especially] when you live alone.” Another participant commented that she did not have a computer in her home. These findings demonstrate that older adults exist on a spectrum of comfort with and access to technology.
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