ageism

Gerontological Society of America Presenters November 2024

jpocock — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 20:06:12 +0000

Gerontological Society of America Presenters November 2024 jpocock Fri, 11/08/2024 - 15:06

Associate Professors Gilbert Gimm and Megumi Inoue elected as 2024 Fellows of the Gerontological Society of America. Read more.

In This Story

Li-Mei Chen, PhD

Sang D. Choi, PhD

Gilbert Gimm, PhD, FGSA

Michelle D. Hand, PhD, MSW, LSW

Emily Ihara, PhD, MSW, FGSA

Megumi Inoue, PhD

Naoru Koizumi

Lucas R. Prieto, PhD, MSW

Dr. Cathy Tompkins

GSA 2024 Presenters

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

6:00 PM - 7:15 PM
Exhibit Hall 4AB - Preventing Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Older Adults With Dementia: Findings and Insights From Japan
Li-Mei Chen, Megumi Inoue (Poster Board 35)

Thursday, November 14, 2024

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Room 602 - Impact of Group-Based Digital Gaming Intervention Among Individuals Living With Early to Moderate Dementia
Megumi Inoue, Michelle Hand, Naoru Koizumi, Li-Mei Chen, Emma Booker (Symposium Presentation: Interventions for Caregivers and Persons Living with Dementia Across the Long-Term Care Continuum)

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Room 205 - The Mason CARES Study: Effects of a Stress Management Intervention on Male Family Caregiver Burden Scores
Gilbert Gimm, Chair; Gilbert Gimm, Shannon Layman, Megumi Inoue, Emily Ihara, Cathy Tompkins
(Symposium Presentation: Underrepresented Family Caregivers: Building Trust to Strengthen Recruitment and Retention)

2:00 PM - 3:15 PM (Poster Session)
Exhibit Hall 4AB - Early Childhood Experiences and Late Life Cognitive Function Among Older Chinese Adults
Li-Mei Chen (Poster Board 33)

Exhibit Hall 4AB - Community Engagement, Social Support, and Relationship Dynamics Among Older Adults Post-COVID-19
Li-Mei Chen (Poster Board 130)

Exhibit Hall 4AB - Technology that Supports Extending Dementia-Friendly Community Based Care: A Scoping Review
Nina Buckley, Elizabeth Hewitt, Li-Mei Chen, Sang Choi (Poster Board 132)

Exhibit Hall 4AB - Factors Associated With Sexual Satisfaction Among Older Gay Men
Lucas Prieto (Poster Board 225)

Exhibit Hall 4AB - Perceived Efficacy of Two Nonpharmacological Interventions: A Qualitative Exploration of Caregivers of Dementia
Megumi Inoue, Cathy Tompkins, Emily Ihara, Shannon Layman, McKenzie Lauber, Sewon Kim, Gilbert Gimm (Poster Board 309)

4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Room 604 - East Meets West: Working Together Toward an Age-Inclusive Society Through Research on Ageism
Li-Mei Chen (co-chair) (Symposium)

Friday, November 15, 2024

4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Room 614 - Exploring the Generativity of a Mentoring Program for Medical Students and Older Adults
Leland Waters, Shannon Arnette, Madeline McIntyre, Cathy Tompkins, Sarah Marrs
Emily Ihara (discussant)
(Symposium: Intergenerational Engagement in Medical Education: The Pivotal Role of Older Adult Mentors)

Saturday, November 16, 2024

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Room 604 - East Meets West: Working Together Toward an Age-Inclusive Society Through Research on Ageism
Megumi Inoue (chair) (Symposium)

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Room 3B - Adaptations in a Drumming and Horticulture Intervention for Older People Living With Intellectual Disabilities
Emily Ihara, Michelle Hand (Symposium: The Benefits of Creative Activities for Diverse Groups of Older Adults)

CPH Authors and Presenters for GSA 2024

Emma Booker, MSW
Nina Buckley
Li-Mei Chen, PhD
Sang Choi, PhD, MPH, MS, CSP, CPE
Gilbert Gimm, PhD, FGSA
Michelle Hand, PhD, MSW, LSW
Elizabeth Hewitt
Emily Ihara, PhD, MSW, FGSA
Megumi Inoue, PhD, MSW, FGSA
Sewon Kim
Naoru Koizumi, PhD
McKenzie Lauber, MSW
Shannon Layman, PhD
Lucas Prieto, PhD, MSW
Cathy Tompkins, PhD, MSW, FGSA

Topics

Gerontology

ageism

Medical Xpress: Lucas R. Prieto quoted in story about ageism’s impact on older, gay men.

tthoma8 — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 13:40:45 +0000

Medical Xpress: Lucas R. Prieto quoted in story about ageism’s impact on older, gay men. tthoma8 Wed, 08/07/2024 - 09:40

In This Story

Lucas R. Prieto, PhD, MSW

Body image and overall health found important to the sexual health of older gay men, according to new studies.

Topics

Department of Social Work

cph in the media

In the Media

Body image and overall health found important to the sexual health of older gay men, according to new studies

Mary Cunningham — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 15:12:30 +0000

Body image and overall health found important to the sexual health of older gay men, according to new studies Mary Cunningham Fri, 06/21/2024 - 11:12

In This Story

Lucas R. Prieto, PhD, MSW

Lucas R. Prieto, assistant professor in the Department of Social Work at George Mason University’s College of Public Health

According to a National Poll on Healthy Aging, 93% of people in the U.S. between 50-80 years old report experiencing at least one form of ageism from other people. Internalized ageism is when a person believes ageist ideas about themselves, such as thinking they had a “senior moment” or thinking they are too old to learn new technology. Internalizing ageist stereotypes can impact older people’s mental and physical health, including sexual health. Various aspects of older adults’ sexual health have been studied widely; however, studies focusing on older gay men, who often face disproportionate health disparities, are limited.

New research from Lucas R. Prieto, assistant professor in the Department of Social Work at George Mason University’s College of Public Health, found that internalized gay ageism affects some aspects of older gay men’s sexual health, but not all. Internalized gay ageism negatively impacts older gay men’s sexual satisfaction when mediated by body image. However, internalized gay ageism does not influence their erectile dysfunction. Internalized gay ageism (IGA) is the combination of internalized homophobia and ageism that captures the distinct experiences of older gay men, such as feeling invisible when they are with other gay men.

“A complete mediation effect was found, meaning that older gay men who internalize negative feelings about aging as a gay man (e.g. IGA), report lower body image and sexual satisfaction,” said Prieto, principal investigator. “Social and Mental Health Factors Associated with Sexual Satisfaction Among Older Gay Men” was published online in the Journal of Homosexuality in May 2024.

“Research shows that older adults who are sexually satisfied report better life satisfaction and quality of life; therefore, studies that explore sexual satisfaction among marginalized older adult populations, like older gay men, is needed. It is vital that providers understand the uniqueness of aging as a gay man to provide competent care,” said Prieto. The research also showed that older gay men in open relationships compared to being single or widowed were more likely to be sexually satisfied.

“Limiting our understanding of sexual satisfaction to older straight populations may lead to adverse health consequences for sexual minority groups. Our results indicate the need for health promoting interventions that are tailored to the cultural differences and experiences of older gay men,” said Prieto.

Additionally, Prieto explored the relationship between internalized gay ageism and erectile dysfunction (ED). Prieto found that age and overall health were factors that predicted ED in older gay men, but internalized gay ageism did not predict ED. These findings were published separately as “Factors Associated with Erectile Dysfunction Among Older Gay Men”, which was published online in the Archives of Sexual Behavior in June 2024.

Both papers’ findings came from a cross-sectional study titled “Study on Aging and Sexual Satisfaction among Gay Men (SASSY)” that surveyed gay men online on the topic of sexual health and well-being. Initial research for this study was done at Michigan State University, Prieto’s previous institution. Deirdre A. Shires and Yuan Xiong from Michigan State University are co-authors on both papers.

Topics

Science Magazine: Highlights new study led by Emily Ihara and Catherine Tompkins on benefits of intergenerational mentoring programs in reducing ageism. Ihara quoted.

tthoma8 — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 16:33:17 +0000

Science Magazine: Highlights new study led by Emily Ihara and Catherine Tompkins on benefits of intergenerational mentoring programs in reducing ageism. Ihara quoted. tthoma8 Fri, 03/29/2024 - 12:33

In This Story

Emily Ihara, PhD, MSW, FGSA

Dr. Cathy Tompkins

‘Don’t treat us like fragile babies’: Can intergenerational mentorship programs reduce ageism in medicine? Also in BNN (Hong Kong).

Topics

ageism

Intergenerational Education

Public Health in Focus with Dean Melissa Perry: Fighting Ageism

Mary Cunningham — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 19:51:28 +0000

Public Health in Focus with Dean Melissa Perry: Fighting Ageism Mary Cunningham Fri, 03/08/2024 - 14:51

In This Story

Emily Ihara, PhD, MSW, FGSA

Melissa J. Perry, Sc.D., MHS

Dean Melissa Perry speaks with Dr. Emily Ihara, chair of the Department of Social Work, about ageism, how it affects healthcare, how intergenerational mentor programs can help, and small changes you can make to make a big difference. Watch the video or read the synopsis.

The estimates are that by 2040, 20% of all Americans will be 65 or older. That's a big number that has a huge impact from a population and a public health standpoint. Tell me more about ageism. What is it and why does it matter?

Ageism involves stereotypes, prejudice, or discrimination based on age. And it involves all sectors of our society. It's pervasive in our everyday life, and it happens across the globe. So as early as four years old, children learn their own cultures' stereotypes about age. And as they grow older, they internalize those ideas or those notions, and it shapes the way they view aging and view older people.

I understand that ageism can show up in a lot of different ways, for example, in the health care setting. How does it show up? How is it manifest? Why is it important?

Ageism in health care can be a life-and-death situation. It shapes the way patients are treated. It may mean underdiagnosing or incorrect diagnoses, it could lead to poor treatment or lack of treatment. And many of those notions of what people are saying, as some older people may not be believed that they're in pain or something like that. And so it can have really critical repercussions for their outcomes and their ability to lead healthy lives.

You have been studying these issues for a long time, and I know you have a big paper that came out recently about intergenerational mentoring. Tell us more about it.

The title of our paper is called “Don't Treat Us Like Fragile Babies.” And that was a quote from one of our participants. It just epitomizes they how they experienced the health care system. Oftentimes, you know, older people are infantilized and they're treated like children or they're not, again, not valued for what they're saying.

And in that in this regard, the analysis that we did was examining their perspectives of the health care system. So senior mentoring programs have been around since 2000. And initially, you know, the goal is to part A to match medical students, first-year medical students with community dwelling, older adults. And in this program, they have interactions with each other.

Some research shows that ageism is actually best addressed through education and intergenerational contact. So in in this type of a program, they get to learn about each other. There are mutual benefits for both parties. And in this particular study, we found the older mentors really expressed their desire to give back to the next generation to help guide future medical professionals to help them understand what their experiences have been in doctor's offices as patients, as older people.

Is there anything else that you would like to tell us about ageism?

Taking it back to National Social Work Month, one of the core values of social work is recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of a person. I think that one thing that we can do as a society is to change our language.

As an example, the use of the word “elderly” often brings to mind negative stereotypes, such as someone who is frail, dependent, or helpless. What I often tell my students is to drop the “l y” from elderly and use the word “elder” instead. Elder is often used in many cultures as a form of respect, and it disassociate that negative stereotype of elderly.

So there's one word is “elder” instead of “elderly.” And then another word would be to add the “e r” to “old,” so we're referring to people as “older” rather than “old.” It really helps to change our framing and how we think about the aging process since we are aging and all of us are aging every day. It's important to broaden our understanding of what aging means and to include all of the positive notions of how we age.

Topics

public health in focus

ageism

Social Work

Social Work Faculty