GSA on Aging

Social isolation, loneliness, and social health are emerging as key determinants of health across the life course. Join GSA's 2025 Public Policy Intern Apoorva Rangan and Morgan Bailie, Policy Director at the Foundation for Social Connection Action Network, this Policy Profile Podcast explores the evolving federal policy and research landscape around addressing these issues in our communities. Join us as we delve into this critical topic. Transcript Speaker Morgan Bailie, MPH, Policy Director, Foundation for Social Connection Action Network Host Apoorva Rangan, O'Neill and Hyer Policy Intern, Gerontological Society of America Resources Foundation for Social Connection Action Network Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation Older Americans Act Reauthorization Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connection GSA Reconciliation Summary

As GSA and our partners celebrate Careers in Aging Month, join Patricia D’Antonio, GSA’s vice president of policy and professional affairs, and Amy York, executive director of the Eldercare Workforce Alliance, as they discuss policy implications for caregivers. Resources GSA’s Careers in Aging Month Eldercare Workforce Alliance Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act, S. 830 introduced on the Senate and House bill to be introduced soon Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers (ABC) Act to be reintroduced soon (Bill from last congress is available here) Family Caregiver Awareness, Resources, and Education (CARE) Partnerships Act (language here) to be introduced soon Transcript Speaker Amy York, MA, executive director of the Eldercare Workforce Alliance Host Patricia D’Antonio, BSPharm, MS, MBA, BCGP, GSA’s vice president of policy and professional affairs

Considering the Interplay of Research and Policy The dynamic interplay between research and policy affects geriatric/gerontology practice and research. Whether researcher, practitioner, or policy maker, understanding the context of each strengthens the reach of our work. HS SRPP joint development team included: Carol Geary, PhD, MBA, RN Julie Gordon, DrPH, CPHQ Jolie Harris, DNS RN Anju Paudel, PhD, MGS, RN Mentorship: Part 3 of 3 This GSA Section Podcast episode is hosted by Jolie Harris, explores mentorship from the mentor and mentee perspectives with insights shared by distinguished GSA members Ann Kolanowski and Jasmine Travers. Transcript Speakers Ann Kolanowski, PhD, RN, FGSA, FAAN Jasmine Travers, PhD, RN Host Jolie Harris, DNS RN This podcast episode is supported by the GSA Innovation Fund.

Considering the Interplay of Research and Policy The dynamic interplay between research and policy affects geriatric/gerontology practice and research. Whether researcher, practitioner, or policy maker, understanding the context of each strengthens the reach of our work. HS SRPP joint development team included: Carol Geary, PhD, MBA, RN Julie Gordon, DrPH, CPHQ Jolie Harris, DNS RN Anju Paudel , PhD, MGS, RN Using Research to Advance Policy: Part 1 of 3 (GSA Section) This GSA Section Podcast explores the interplay between research and policy in geriatrics and gerontology featuring the work and insights of esteemed GSA members Ann Kolanowski and Jasmine Travers. Hosted by Anju Paudel. Transcript Speakers Ann Kolanowski, PhD, RN, FGSA, FAAN Jasmine Travers, PhD, RN Host Anju Paudel, PhD, MGS, RN This podcast episode is supported by the GSA Innovation Fund.

The GSA Emerging Scholar and Professional Organization (ESPO) created and supports a limited podcast series called Talks With a Trailblazer. In this series, we invite leaders in the field of aging research, education, practice, and policy to share their experiences and wisdom to inspire up-and-coming GSA members and inform the general public about aging well. We will cover a variety of areas of interest, including career reviews, tips for people considering careers in aging, anecdotes from the featured trailblazers’ years of experience, and words of wisdom and practical pointers for people as they age. In this episode, the ESPO Chair, Dr. Brianna Morgan, interviews GSA Board of Directors Chair, Dr. James F. Nelson, about his career, experience with GSA, and advice for future scholars. Download the Transcript Guests: Tamara Baker, PhD, FGSA James Nelson, PhD, FGSA Hosts: Kalisha Bonds, PhD, RN Brianna Morgan, PhD, CRNP This podcast episode is supported by the GSA Innovation Fund. Click here to view our other Trailblazers podcast episode with Dr. Tamara Baker.

Thailand [6/6]: The GSA Interest Group on Common Data Elements for International Research in Residential Long-term Care has developed a limited podcast series to provide insights into how culture, competing population health priorities, political conflict, and resource limitations influence older adults, their families, and paid/formal caregivers in six nations along a trajectory of national development, including Brazil, China, East Jerusalem, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Thailand.

Ethiopia [4/6]: The GSA Interest Group on Common Data Elements for International Research in Residential Long-term Care has developed a limited podcast series to provide insights into how culture, competing population health priorities, political conflict, and resource limitations influence older adults, their families, and paid/formal caregivers in six nations along a trajectory of national development, including Brazil, China, East Jerusalem, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Thailand.

China [2/6]: The GSA Interest Group on Common Data Elements for International Research in Residential Long-term Care has developed a limited podcast series to provide insights into how culture, competing population health priorities, political conflict, and resource limitations influence older adults, their families, and paid/formal caregivers in six nations along a trajectory of national development, including Brazil, China, East Jerusalem, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Thailand.

This episode is part of a continued series that will provide insights into the experiences of GSA Policy Interns from various cohorts. Bailee Brekke (’23) speaks with the 2021 interns, Lei Chen and Kaleigh Ligus, about their internship experience and how it has impacted their current work.

This episode is part of a continued series that will provide insights into the experiences of GSA Policy Interns from various cohorts. Join former Policy interns as they delve into details on how and where to learn more about this fantastic opportunity.

The podcast episode will tell specific stories to illustrate the wide range of work members of the interest group are conducting on the impact of human-animal interaction and aging. The members of this group represent the interdisciplinary nature of both gerontology and anthrozoology (i.e., the field of human-animal interaction). This episode will be comprised of two main topics: 1. The connections between gerontology and human-animal interaction and the establishment of the interest group in 2016; 2. Current work being conducted by members of the group around the world. Selected Citations from the episode: Ellingsen‐Dalskau, L. H., de Boer, B., & Pedersen, I. (2021). Comparing the care environment at farm‐based and regular day care for people with dementia in Norway—An observational study. Health & Social Care in the Community, 29(2), 506-514. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13113 Finnanger‐Garshol, B., Pedersen, I., Patil, G., Eriksen, S., & Ellingsen‐Dalskau, L. H. (2022). Emotional well‐being in people with dementia–A comparative study of farm‐based and regular day care services in Norway. Health & Social Care in the Community, 30(5), e1734-e1745. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13601 Friedmann, E., Gee, N. R., Simonsick, E. M., Barr, E., Resnick, B., Werthman, E., & Adesanya, I. (2023). Pet ownership and maintenance of physical function in older adults—Evidence from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). Innovation in Aging, 7(1), igac080. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igac080 Rosteius, K., de Boer, B., Staudacher, S., Schols, J., & Verbeek, H. (2022). How the interrelated physical, social and organizational environment impacts daily life of residents with dementia on a Green Care Farm. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 946962. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.946962 Takase, M., Ogino, R., Yoshida, K., Kusu, H., Kenmochi, T., & Goto, J. (2021). Qualitative research on the primary effect of fish pet ownership using the bottleium, a bottle-type aquarium, on community-dwelling older adults in Japan: A potential preventive measure towards social isolation. Geriatrics, 6(1), 17. https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics6010017 Guests: Nancy R. Gee, PhD, C-AISS, Professor of Psychiatry & Director of the Center for Human-Animal Interaction, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine Mai Takase, Researcher, Institute of Gerontology, The University of Tokyo Ingeborg Pedersen, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Public Health Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) Katharina Rosteius, PhD Student, Department of Health Services Research, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University Co-Hosts: Jessica Bibbo, PhD, Senior Research Scientist, Center Research and Education, Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging (GSA Human-Animal Interaction Interest Group Convener) Ashley Taeckens-Seabaugh, MSW, Former Research Fellow, Institute for Human-Animal Connection, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver; Current Director of Research, Hope Squad

Dr. Harry R. Moody joins the GSA Religion, Spirituality, and Aging Interest Group to share religious concerns and spiritual insights on paths to being a nobody. Listen for more as we plumb depths of storytelling, scientific research, public health, wisdom, love and aging. We hope our conversation will help hearts come alive, even for a tiny second. Recommended Reading: Dass, R. (2001). Still here: Embracing aging, changing, and dying. Penguin. Moody, H. R., & Carroll, D. (1998). The five stages of the soul: Charting the spiritual passages that shape our lives. Anchor. Maxwell, F. S. (1968). The measure of my days: One Woman's Vivid, Enduring Celebration of Life and Aging. Penguin. Rumi, J. A. D., & Barks, C. (1995). The Essential Rumi. Penguin. Tornstam, L. (1997). Gerotranscendence: The contemplative dimension of aging. Journal of Aging Studies, 11(2), 143-154. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0890-4065(97)90018-9 Guest: Harry (Rick) Moody, PhD, Visiting Faculty, Fielding Graduate University. Host: Stephen John Fogle, Doctoral Candidate, University of Nebraska at Omaha.