Heidi H. Ewen

University of Indianapolis · Interprofessional Health and Aging Studies

Late-life stressors often require individuals to make substantial alterations in behavior and lifestyle and can affect their overall health and well-being Relocation is a significant life stress regardless of age. The primary aim of this study is to elucidate the push-pull factors associated with moving into congregate senior housing. The secondary...

Social support is an important factor to consider in understanding the grief process. However, existing measures of social support fail to account adequately for the unique characteristics of grief experienced by healthcare workers in relation to the deaths of patients or nursing home residents. The purposes of this study were to develop and to tes...

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...

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...

Purpose From 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/appro...

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/Sp...

This paper reports on the development of a novel 10-item scale that measures beliefs about 12 aging as well as religious-based beliefs about aging. The Religious Beliefs and Aging Scale (RBAS) 13 shows acceptable internal consistency (α = .74) and is bolstered by a strong correlation (r = .70) with 14 the Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religious...

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 inte...

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 alum...

A better understanding of social environments will benefit facilitation of social cultures within senior housing communities. Social cliques naturally form among groups of people, particularly those living in close proximity. Research has shown that often older adults experience stigma based upon their health status and are excluded from social gro...

Religious beliefs provide many benefits to the population, and are linked to enhanced coping skills, improvements in quality of life, finding meaning in ones’ life, and maintaining hope in difficult situations. However, religious beliefs may also provide the groundwork for ageism or distorted views on the aging process. This study investigates the...

It is well established that older adults prefer to age-in-place, but their ability to do so is dependent upon their health and functional abilities as well as the structure and safety of their living environment. This study uses the second wave of data collected in the Pathways to Life Quality Study to investigate both the objective and subjective...

More than 300 individuals have earned doctoral degrees in gerontology since 1993 yet little is known about their training, professional placement and contributions to the field. Given this lack of information, we sought to define the emerging mass of doctoral gerontologists. In this study, we analyzed results from the 2014 Gerontology Education Lon...

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...

The purpose of this article is to introduce a theoretical model for an aging-in-place housing specialist for those living in congregate housing facilities. A “needs assessment” tool is outlined to help facilitate the successful implementation of a Health and Aging Residential Service Coordinator (HARSC), both from a research perspective and from im...

Purpose of the Study: This project surveyed health care professionals from both urban and rural care settings in Ohio and examined differences in professionals' needs and interests in continuing gerontological education. Design and Methods: The survey data were analyzed for 766 health care professionals descriptively, using cross-tabulations and c...

The purpose of this study was to explore approaches used by administrators to respond to grief and bereavement among staff after the death of a resident. Continuing care retirement community (CCRC) facilities (n = 10) were randomly selected from a larger study of 31 facilities. Open-ended interviews were conducted using a structured interview proto...

The current study investigated biopsychosocial resilience in an older adult caregiver. A case study was selected for in-depth exploration of resilience in caregiving identified through biopsychosocial (i.e., salivary cortisol) methods. An exemplar of a woman caring for an adult child dying from a genetic disease is presented in the context of multi...

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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 we...

Abstract An endless number of career trajectories are possible for gerontologists. With a growing aging population, our skills and areas of expertise are of high value to numerous industries. The purpose of this study is to describe the professional development and career trajectories of alumni of U.S. doctoral gerontology programs obtained through...

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 adap...

Internet-based survey research and recruitment via social media is a relatively new phenomenon. Crooks and Bauer (2008) state that internet-based surveys not only save money but can reduce social desirability responses. Additionally, participants are more likely to disclose information that they may not divulge through traditional survey methods, t...

Internet-based survey research and recruitment via social media is a relatively new phenomenon. Crooks and Bauer (2008) state that internet-based surveys not only save money but can reduce social desirability responses. Additionally, participants are more likely to disclose information that they may not divulge through traditional survey methods, t...

This research seeks to examine the characteristics and goals of students enrolled in gerontology doctoral education. The authors seek to identify the unique characteristics of scholars enrolled in the interdisciplinary study of aging and elicit discussion on the ways in which these scholars will contribute to the growth and development of the field...

The purpose of this study is to document current practices and understandings about globalization of gerontology education in the United States. Better understanding of aging requires international perspectives in global communities. However, little is known about how globalization of gerontology education is practiced in U.S. graduate-level degree...

Little is known about younger adults’ attitudes towards age-related sexual changes and behaviors. Research using the Aging Sexuality Knowledge and Attitudes Scale (ASKAS) (White, 1982) has been effective in determining knowledge and attitudes among the staff of long-term care facilities, nurses, undergraduate nursing students, health care educators...

This article reports on the Gerontology Doctoral Student Assessment Model (GDSAM), a comprehensive web-based system premised on developing an evaluation mechanism attuned to the special requirements of advanced graduate education at the doctoral level. The system focuses on longitudinal tracking of selected dimensions of intellectual, professional,...

The grief that nurses experience when patients and residents die can be complex and has been linked to both problematic (e.g., depression) and beneficial (e.g., gains in coping) outcomes. In this study, 380 nursing assistants working in the nursing home setting were surveyed to gain an understanding of the relationship between grief and well-being....

Gender-roles are based on gendered socialization, gendered perceptions and behaviors, as well as culturally accepted gendered stereotypes. Research shows both men and women have become more egalitarian in their attitudes toward gender roles and norms. This paper investigates the prediction of egalitarianism in U.S. married and cohabitating couples...

The Graduate Center for Gerontology at the University of Kentucky incorporates three levels of mentoring in its PhD program. This project assessed satisfaction with peer and faculty mentoring and explored their perceived benefits and purposes. Core and affiliate faculty and current and graduated students were surveyed. Participants seemed satisfied...

Sexual scripting is based on learned gendered norms and dictates what role men and women are to play during sexual behaviors. These scripts are based on an accumulation of cultural and societal expectations, including the historical and structural changes during their cohort aging process. In a recent World Health Organization bulletin, researchers...

Sexual scripting is based on learned gendered norms and dictates what role men and women are to play during sexual behaviors. These scripts are based on an accumulation of cultural and societal expectations, including the historical and structural changes during their cohort aging process. In a recent World Health Organization bulletin, researchers...

This study examined elder mentors' and students' roles, functions, and satisfaction with the Elder Mentorship program at the Graduate Center for Gerontology, University of Kentucky. The Elder Mentorship program matches gerontology doctoral students with older adults in the community. Parallel surveys were constructed to evaluate the program from th...

The integrative interdisciplinary nature of gerontology in education requires a new, multifaceted mentoring paradigm for emerging scholars. At the present time there are nine gerontology doctoral granting institutions within the United States, each comprised of faculty from a variety of “parent” disciplines. The interdisciplinary culture and traini...

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 f...

This study concerns the educational experiences and progression through the doctoral programs of two cohorts of students in 5 of the 6 gerontology doctoral programs within the United States. The project goals include assessments of change and/or stability in projected career trajectories, as well as an assessment of students' perceptions of the pro...

The objective of this study was to identify staff-, family-, facility-, and resident-level predictors of staff attitudes toward family members. Data were used from 41 care staff members recruited from 5 nursing homes, 5 assisted living facilities, and 16 family care homes. A multiple regression model found that staff who reported greater quality in...

Family care for older adults is often conceptualized as a 'career,' and one of the key transitions that may occur during the course of caregiving is the placement of an older relative in a residential long-term care facility (most commonly a nursing home). This literature review critiques and synthesizes existing intervention strategies designed to...

The objective of this review is to critically synthesise and evaluate prior research on families and the transition to residential long-term care (e.g., nursing homes). Descriptive studies that explain family adaptation to placement were identified and reviewed; in addition, intervention strategies designed to improve family involvement and residen...

The authors analyzed the use of 16 onsite services reported by 91 residents of a new continuing care retirement community (CCRC). The most frequently used services appear to be those of convenience to the residents, including an onsite pharmacy, insurance billing, and a bank, as well as health and fitness services. Perceived health and multiple ill...

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...

The authors analyzed the use of 16 onsite services reported by 91 residents of a new continuing care retirement community (CCRC). The most frequently used services appear to be those of convenience to the residents, including an onsite pharmacy , insurance billing, and a bank, as well as health and fitness services. Perceived health and multiple il...