Far from being an inconvenience, disturbed sleep has serious health consequences ranging from increased likelihood of chronic illness to increased risk for falls, motor vehicle accidents, and institutionalization. The vital role that sleep plays in overall health and well-being is increasingly being recognized on a public health level, and research is seeking to better define effects of sleep and its disorders, as well as the risks and benefits of interventions that address sleep disturbances. This Momentum Discussion reviews emerging data that is helping to better define the risks and benefits of sleep aid use (nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic) by older adults, to better identify effective interventions, and to encourage appropriate medication-taking behaviors among older adults. This Discussion also reviews emerging research to better manage sleep health.
Panelists:
Elizabeth Galik, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, Professor, Chair of the Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Past President, Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association
Christopher N. Kaufmann, PhD, Assistant Professor, Division of Epidemiology and Data Science in Gerontology, Department of Aging and Geriatric Research, University of Florida College of Medicine
Katie L. Stone, PhD, Professor, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, Senior Scientist, California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute
Adam P. Spira, PhD, Professor, Vice Chair for Research & Faculty, Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Michael V. Vitiello, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle
This Momentum Discussion was designed by GSA along with our clinical partner, the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association. The program has received an educational grant from Eisai Pharmaceuticals.
Momentum Discussion Podcast
Successful Conversations with Older Adults about Sleep Disturbances
This episode addresses the need for effective communication with older adults who have sleep disturbances. As a condition that is underdiagnosed and undertreated, it is important to understand how to address this issue with older people to ensure that the right treatments are provided, and that health and well-being are attained.
Guest:
Michael V. Vitiello, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle
Host:
Elizabeth Galik, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, Professor, Chair of the Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, University of Maryland School of Nursing; Past President of the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA)
This podcast episode was designed by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) along with our clinical partner, the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association. The program has received an educational grant from Eisai Pharmaceuticals.
Webinar
Chronic Insomnia in Older Adults: Epidemiology and Approaches to Assessment in the Primary Care Setting
In this webinar, sleep health experts present information on the value of detecting and treating insomnia in older adult patients in the primary care setting. The presentation addresses insomnia’s impact on various clinical outcomes in older adults and its relationship with other clinical conditions. Appropriate screening tools for primary care teams and key elements of an evaluation are discussed. Presenters also review a clinical case study to illustrate the webinar’s practical implications.
Presented by:
Elizabeth Galik, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, Professor, Chair of the Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, University of Maryland School of Nursing; Past President, Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association
Christopher N. Kaufmann, PhD, Assistant Professor, Division of Epidemiology and Data Science in Gerontology, Department of Aging and Geriatric Research, University of Florida College of Medicine
Adam P. Spira, PhD, Professor, Vice Chair for Research & Faculty, Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Katie L. Stone, PhD, Professor, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco; Senior Scientist, California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute
This webinar is co-developed with Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) and supported by Eisai Inc.
What's Hot Newsletter
Cellular Nutrition and Its Influence on Age-Associated Cellular Decline
Researchers have identified several molecular pathways and cellular processes that appear to underlie both aging and age-related chronic disease. Cellular changes associated with aging are cumulatively referred to as AACD and include defects in mitochondrial function. Emerging research indicates that certain nutritional factors may influence AACD processes. This publication discusses the developing research that indicates that nutritional components that target specific mechanisms associated with AACD hold promise for improving the health and well-being of adults and how dietary supplementation with these components may be an alternative or complementary approach to lifestyle interventions targeting AACD. Further, it reviews how identifying AACD risk factors and intervening with cellular nutrients earlier in the aging process, before major mobility disabilities and disease-driven limitations emerge, could help improve overall healthy aging.
Researchers have identified several molecular pathways at a cellular level, including within the mitochondria, which appear to influence both aging and age-related chronic disease. These cellular changes associated with aging are cumulatively referred to as age-associated cellular decline, or AACD. Identifying AACD risk factors and intervening with cellular nutrients earlier in the aging process, before major mobility disabilities and disease driven limitations emerge, could help improve overall healthy aging. A set of three podcast discussions from the panel of the What’s Hot on Cellular Nutrition and Its Influence on Age-Associated Cellular Decline, explores various elements of AACD and the care of older adults. This episode explores how to apply what is currently known about AACD to the care of patients and older adults in clinical practice.
Guest:
Nathan K. LeBrasseur, PT, PhD, Professor and Co-Chair of Research, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic; Scientific Director, Office of Translation to Practice, Mayo Clinic; Co-Director, Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research, Mayo Clinic
Host:
Roger A. Fielding, PhD, Associate Director, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University; Lead Scientist and Senior Scientist Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, and Sarcopenia Team, Tufts University; Professor of Nutrition Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University; Professor of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine; Associate Director, Boston Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center
This podcast series was developed by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA). This program has received a grant from Nestle Health Science.
Researchers have identified several molecular pathways at a cellular level, including within the mitochondria, which appear to influence both aging and age-related chronic disease. These cellular changes associated with aging are cumulatively referred to as age-associated cellular decline, or AACD. Identifying AACD risk factors and intervening with cellular nutrients earlier in the aging process, before major mobility disabilities and disease driven limitations emerge, could help improve overall healthy aging. A set of three podcast discussions from the panel of the What’s Hot on Cellular Nutrition and Its Influence on Age-Associated Cellular Decline, explores various elements of AACD and the care of older adults. This episode focuses specifically on what researchers are learning about the importance of mitochondrial function.
Guest:
Anthony J. A. Molina, PhD, Vice Chief of Research, Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology, and Palliative Care, University of California San Diego School of Medicine; Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine
Host:
Roger A. Fielding, PhD, Associate Director, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University; Lead Scientist and Senior Scientist Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, and Sarcopenia Team, Tufts University; Professor of Nutrition Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University; Professor of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine; Associate Director, Boston Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center
This podcast series was developed by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA). This program has received a grant from Nestle Health Science.
Researchers have identified several molecular pathways at a cellular level, including within the mitochondria, which appear to influence both aging and age-related chronic disease. These cellular changes associated with aging are cumulatively referred to as age-associated cellular decline, or AACD. Identifying AACD risk factors and intervening with cellular nutrients earlier in the aging process, before major mobility disabilities and disease driven limitations emerge, could help improve overall healthy aging. A set of three podcast discussions from the panel of the What’s Hot on Cellular Nutrition and Its Influence on Age-Associated Cellular Decline, explores various elements of AACD and the care of older adults. This episode focuses on the nutritional interventions that have the potential to extend human health span, as well as those that may slow age associated cellular decision and may impact longevity.
Guest:
Sai Krupa Das, PhD, Scientist I, Energy Metabolism Team, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging; Associate Professor, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University
Host:
Roger A. Fielding, PhD, Associate Director, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University; Lead Scientist and Senior Scientist Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, and Sarcopenia Team, Tufts University; Professor of Nutrition Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University; Professor of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine; Associate Director, Boston Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center
This podcast series was developed by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA). This program has received a grant from Nestle Health Science.
Symposium
C. difficile Infection in the Older Adult
November 11, 2021
An industry-supported symposium presented during the GSA 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting Online for a live audience. Sponsored by Pfizer.
C. difficile is a public health threat that is often under recognized and under diagnosed in patients around the world. In older adults aged 65+ years, C. difficile infections take the lives of 1 in 11 patients within a month of diagnosis. Commonly thought of as a disease associated with hospital settings, community-associated C. difficile infections are on the rise. It is important to understand the prevalence and persistence of C. difficile and how C. difficile disproportionately affects adult patients. During this symposium, a panel of experts will discuss the risks and clinical considerations regarding the management of C. difficile.
Erik R. Dubberke, MD, MSPH, Professor of Medicine, Clinical Director, Transplant Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri (Chair)
Fayola Delica, BSHSE, BSN, RN, MSN-FNP(s), D. Min (Hon), Fayola Delica, LLC, Fort Lauderdale, Florida \
Ruth Carrico, PhD, DNP, FSHEA, FNAP, FAAN, Executive Director, Norton Infectious Diseases Institute, Norton Healthcare, Professor, gratis faculty, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
Stefan Gravenstein, MD, MPH, Professor of Medicine and Health Services Policy & Practice, David S. Greer Professor of Geriatric Medicine, Director, Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Associate Director, COIN-LTSS, Providence, VAMC
Publications
Understanding Pseudobulbar Affect
Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a relatively common disorder in patients with neurologic conditions that can have a substantial negative impact on quality of life. Characterized by sudden bouts of uncontrollable crying and/or laughing that are disproportionate or inappropriate to the social context and are not associated with depression or anxiety, PBA is often underrecognized and undertreated. Treatment options available for PBA can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life, and coordinated care from the interprofessional health care team, along with the patient’s caregivers, can optimize management and outcomes for patients.
The recently published ICD-11 is the eleventh revision of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). ICD is a common language for the reporting and monitoring of disease in countries around the world. ICD codes are widely used by clinicians, researchers, funders, governments, public health agencies, and insurance providers to report diagnoses. The data can be used to track disease prevalence and epidemics, and they allow for comparisons across ages and geographic areas, including the reporting of worldwide, national, or regional mortality and morbidity statistics. Data collection based on ICD codes can also be used to predict future health care expenditures and guide research and development of new therapies and practices.
Countries are able to report health data using ICD-11 now, but none have adopted it yet. In the United States, it likely will not be adopted until 2025 or later. Among the changes included in this update to the ICD, “old age” is classified under general symptoms (code MG2A) and there is an extension code for age-related disease (XT9T). This classification of old age as a disease raises numerous issues of concern to the gerontology and geriatrics community. Join GSA leaders for a conversation on the insights and implications.
Presented by:
Matt Kaeberlein, PhD, FAAAS, FAAA, FGSA, Professor of Pathology, Adjunct Professor of Genome Sciences, and Adjunct Professor of Oral Health Sciences, University of Washington ("Aging as a Disease—Insights")
Becca Levy, PhD, FGSA, Professor of Public Health and Psychology, Yale University School of Public Health; Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health ("Impact of Ageism on Individuals and Their Well-Being—Implications")
Nancy Morrow-Howell, PhD, MSW, ACSW, FGSA, Bettie Bofinger Brown Distinguished Professor, and Director, Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging, Washington University in St. Louis ("Impact on the Conversation on Aging—Implications")
John W. Rowe, MD, FAAAS, FGSA, Julius B. Richmond Professor of Health Policy and Aging, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health ("Why Aging Should Not Be Classified as a Disease—Insights")
Peter Lichtenberg, PhD, ABPP, FGSA, FAPA, President, The Gerontological Society of America; Director, Institute of Gerontology, and Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Wayne State University (Moderator)
GSA Manuscript Writing and Reviewer Skills Program
The value of publishing in gerontology extends beyond the investigator to other researchers, scholars, practitioners, and ultimately improvements in life for older adults and society alike. With this in mind, GSA is offering a live webinar series with practical advice on manuscript writing and reviewing. Graduate students and emerging professionals as well as experienced scholars who want to hone their writing and reviewing skills and become more involved in the publishing process will benefit from the hands-on practice, discussion of the “human side” of publishing, pointers from authors of manuscripts accepted by journals, and the insiders’ view with a panel of editors on what constitutes a good paper.
How to Register for a GSA Manuscript Writing and Reviewer Skills Program
Click the white “Login” button on the top right corner of the page.
Enter your GSA username and password.*
If you have forgotten your password, select “Forgot your password.”
Once logged in, click the white “My Account” button on the top right corner of the page.
Click “My GSA Dashboard” and then “Register for an Event” to begin the registration process.
*If you have previously been active with The Gerontological Society of America, you should have an existing account. If unsure, click “Forgot your password” to see if your e-mail address is in the system.
Manuscript Writing (GSA Manuscript Writing and Reviewer Skills Program)
The value of publishing in gerontology extends beyond the investigator to other researchers, scholars, practitioners, and ultimately improvements in life for older adults and society alike. With this in mind, GSA is offering a live webinar series with practical advice on manuscript writing and reviewing. Graduate students and emerging professionals as well as experienced scholars who want to hone their writing and reviewing skills and become more involved in the publishing process will benefit from the hands-on practice, discussion of the “human side” of publishing, pointers from authors of manuscripts accepted by journals, and the insiders’ view with a panel of editors on what constitutes a good paper.
Presented by:
Suzanne Meeks, PhD, FGSA, The Gerontologist Editor-in-Chief
Theresa L. Abah, PhD, California State University
James J. Dowd, PhD, The University of Georgia
Jessica A. Kelley, PhD, FGSA, Social Sciences Editor-in-Chief, The Journals of Gerontology Series B
Karen D. Lincoln, PhD, MSW, MA, FGSA, Associate Editor, Mental Health/Social Determinants of Health, Innovation and Aging
Responding to Reviews (GSA Manuscript Writing and Reviewer Skills Program)
The value of publishing in gerontology extends beyond the investigator to other researchers, scholars, practitioners, and ultimately improvements in life for older adults and society alike. With this in mind, GSA is offering a live webinar series with practical advice on manuscript writing and reviewing. Graduate students and emerging professionals as well as experienced scholars who want to hone their writing and reviewing skills and become more involved in the publishing process will benefit from the hands-on practice, discussion of the “human side” of publishing, pointers from authors of manuscripts accepted by journals, and the insiders’ view with a panel of editors on what constitutes a good paper.
Presented by:
Sean N. Halpin, PhD, Evidera
Tamara Baker, PhD, FGSA, Editor-in-Chief of Ethnicity & Health; Editor Emeritus of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine
Scott Beach, PhD, FGSA, Director of the Survey Research Program at the University Center for Social and Urban Research
Elise Eifert, PhD, University of North Carolina Greensboro
Martina Roes, PhD, FGSA, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases
Laura Sands, PhD, FGSA, Inaugural Editor-in-Chief of Innovation in Aging
Tailoring Your Manuscripts (GSA Manuscript Writing and Reviewer Skills Program)
The value of publishing in gerontology extends beyond the investigator to other researchers, scholars, practitioners, and ultimately improvements in life for older adults and society alike. With this in mind, GSA is offering a live webinar series with practical advice on manuscript writing and reviewing. Graduate students and emerging professionals as well as experienced scholars who want to hone their writing and reviewing skills and become more involved in the publishing process will benefit from the hands-on practice, discussion of the “human side” of publishing, pointers from authors of manuscripts accepted by journals, and the insiders’ view with a panel of editors on what constitutes a good paper.
Presented by:
Deborah Carr, PhD, FGSA, Boston University
Allyson S. Graf, PhD, Northern Kentucky University
Brandy Wallace, PhD, FGSA, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Developed by the GSA Manuscript Writing and Reviewer Skills Program Workgroup:
Suzanne Meeks, The Gerontologist Editor-in-Chief
Theresa L. Abah, California State University
Harleah G. Buck, The University of Iowa
Deborah Carr, Boston University
James J. Dowd, The University of Georgia
Elise Eifert, University of North Carolina Greensboro
Allyson S. Graf, Northern Kentucky University
Sean N. Halpin, Evidera
Sunkyo P. Kwon, Hanyang University & ITSA, Co.
Martina Roes, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases
Brandy Wallace, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
GSA manuscript writing and reviewing in gerontology, professional development, and career enhancement resources
GSA Journals Opportunities for Mentors: For students or emerging scholars interested in participating in the review process for the GSA journals, we provide an opportunity for novice reviewers. Novice reviewers are added as a third reviewer to manuscripts that we send out for peer review. These reviews are given full consideration in the editorial decision. This process gives new professionals an opportunity not only to review a manuscript, but also to experience the review process, editorial decisions, and manuscript revision process. This also helps the novice reviewer learn how to publish in the GSA journals. After individuals successfully complete two or more reviews, novice reviewers will become regular reviewers. All reviewers are asked to return their reviews within 2 weeks. We encourage individuals to serve as a mentor to new professionals interested in the review process for the GSA journals. The current review form allows for this designation so that all invited reviews can be completed with a reviewer-in-training, if interested.
