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Systematic review of the physical home environment and the relationship to psychological well-being among community-dwelling older adults
- Authors:
- TRECARTIN Shannon M., CUMMINGS Sherry M.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 61(5), 2018, pp.567-582.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Older adults with functional impairments are at risk of being excluded from participation in day-to-day life. This exclusion can have detrimental effects on psychological well-being. The physical home environment is a potential force for both enhancing and limiting participation for this population. This systematic review of literature examined relationships between the physical home environment, functional impairment, and psychological well-being among older adults who live in community settings. The Ecological Model of Aging served as the guiding framework for this review. Results suggest that knowledge of the relationships between these constructs is still in the early stages. While associational relationships are established, the nature of these relationships is clouded by the inconsistency of measurement across studies, as well as design challenges. Objective and subjective features of the physical home environment are linked to psychological well-being throughout the literature. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that personal competence serves as a moderator of those relationships. (Edited publisher abstract)
Aging with a severe mental illness: challenges and treatments
- Authors:
- CUMMINGS Sherry M., KROPF Nancy P.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 54(2), February 2011, pp.175-188.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Severe mental illness (SMI) impacts on many different aspects of individuals' lives. As they age, older adults with SMI must contend not only with the symptoms and consequences of their psychiatric disorder but also with the increased physical illnesses, functional impairment, cognitive deficits, and social disability often encountered in later life. Estimates suggest that the move away from institutionalisation is such that 85% of older people with SMI now live in the community. The authors discuss effective social work practice with this population and highlight the major biopsychosocial and family issues of aging with a psychiatric diagnosis, such as barriers to receiving services and family care giving issues. Effective intervention approaches are summarised along with ways to coordinate services across multiple service providers. The article concludes by looking at future directions in practice and research aimed at providing better support for older adults with SMI and their families.
Motivational interviewing to affect behavioral change in older adults
- Authors:
- CUMMINGS Sherry M., COOPER R. Lyle, CASSIE Kim McClure
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 19(2), March 2009, pp.195-204.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This article reviews and assesses the existing research literature on the efficacy of motivational interviewing (MI) to promote lifestyle changes and improve functioning among older adults confronting serious health challenges. A comprehensive literature review was conducted of intervention studies that tested the use of MI to achieve behavioural change among older adults with acute and chronic illnesses. Although limited in number, the studies revealed a significant improvement in physical activity, diet, cholesterol, blood pressure and glycemic control, and increased smoking cessation following MI. MI and its derivatives can be useful in dealing with a range of health issues faced by older adults. Further research to extend findings and address methodological issues is recommended. The integration of MI into social work courses focused on practice with older adults should be considered.
Overview of evidence-based practice with older adults and their families
- Authors:
- CUMMINGS Sherry M., KROPF Nancy P.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 50(S1), 2008, pp.1-10.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Provides an overview and summary of the articles in this special edition of the Journal of Gerontological Social Work. The issue covers psychosocial interventions available to address the health, mental health/cognitive, and social role changes faced by older people and their family caregivers.
Diversity and aging in the social environment
- Editors:
- CUMMINGS Sherry M., GALAMBOS Colleen, (eds.)
- Publisher:
- Haworth Social Work Practice Press
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 227p.
- Place of publication:
- Binghamton, NY
This book explores the impact of race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and geographic location on elders’ strengths, challenges, needs, and resources to provide you with a more complete understanding of the issues elders face. In order to be more responsive to older adults, social workers and other human service professionals need to enhance their knowledge of the aging population and the factors that impact the way seniors interact with society, organizations, community resources, neighborhoods, support networks, kinship groups, family, and friends. Diversity and Aging in the Social Environment examines differences in race, ethnicity, geographical location, sexual orientation, religion, and health status to help current and future human service professionals provide culturally competent services to the diverse range of elderly people they serve. In addition, it addresses the wide disparity that exists for older Americans in terms of income and assets, number of chronic conditions, functional and cognitive impairment, housing arrangements, and access to health care.
Evidenced-based treatment for older adults
- Authors:
- CUMMINGS Sherry M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work, 1(4), 2004, pp.53-81.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This article reviews the outcomes research literature related to individual and group treatments for older adults and their familial caregivers. Empirically based research studies published between 1985 and the present were examined for this review. Results indicate an emerging evidence base of efficacious psychosocial interventions for older individuals and their families. Most consistent support was found for treatments employing cognitive-behavioral, problem-solving, and reminiscence therapies. Many gaps do exist in the literature, however, and replication studies are needed. Implications are discussed.
Predictors of graduate social work students' interest in aging-related work
- Authors:
- CUMMINGS Sherry M., GALAMBOS Colleen
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 39(3), 2002, pp.77-94.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The increasing population of older adults in this country has created a growing demand for gerontological social workers. Despite this demand, few graduate level social work students indicate a preference for working with older clients. Using symbolic interactionism as a theoretical framework, this study sought to identify factors predictive of MSW students' interest in securing post-graduate geriatric employment. The contributions of closeness to elders, contact with elders, education, attitudes toward aging, and rewarding interactions with elders were examined. In the final model rewarding interactions with older clients, contact frequency, and geriatric skill level emerged as significant predictors of students' desire to pursue aging-related employment (F (8, 128) = 17.8, p < .0001, R2 = .54). Implications for social work education are discussed. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Functional impairment as a predictor of depressive symptomatology: the role of race, religiosity, and social support
- Authors:
- CUMMINGS Sherry M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Work, 28(1), February 2003, pp.23-32.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This article examines the relationship between depressive symptomatology and functional impairment between white and African American older people and investigated the role of race, religiosity, and social support relationship.
The efficacy of an intergrated group treatment program for depressed assisted living residents
- Author:
- CUMMINGS Sherry M.
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 13(5), September 2003, pp.608-621.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Assisted living facilities have quickly developed as a housing alternative for older people who are no longer able to live alone in the community but do not yet need nursing home care. Research suggests that whereas many assisted living residents experience depression, few receive needed mental health services. This American study examines the effectiveness of a group treatment programme in promoting the psychological well-being of depressed assisted living older people. Seventeen older people participated in 10 group therapy sessions that combined remotivation and supportive therapy techniques. Pre- and posttest measures and a programme satisfaction survey were administered by research assistants. Following the conclusion of the twice weekly sessions, participants experienced a significant decrease in depressive symptoms and a significant increase in life satisfaction and perceived social support. Concludes that the utility and efficacy of the integrated group treatment model is suggested by study findings and calls for further research.