GSA Momentum Discussions

Nutrition and Cellular 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 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. 

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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. 

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.

Understanding the Vaccine Development Process

The process of bringing a vaccine to market takes extensive research and safety monitoring. Dr. Gordon Douglas explains the steps from preclinical studies to vaccine licensure, and discusses his own experience developing vaccines at a major manufacturer for 30 years. He also shares lessons learned from clinical trials during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the importance of participant diversity.  

 Guest: R. Gordon Douglas, Jr, MD 
Professor Emeritus, Weill Cornell Medical College  

Host: Jo-Ana Chase, PhD, APRN-BC 
Associate Professor, Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri Health 

This podcast episode is supported by Seqirus. Content was developed by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA). 

Applying Risk Communication Models to Immunization Discussions

Communicating the risks and benefits of immunization can be challenging, as the language of science may not always be well understood by the public. Dr. Aaron Scherer shares his research on risk communication and infectious disease, what we can learn from outbreak communication with older adults, and his thoughts on future opportunities in the field.  

Guest: Aaron Scherer, MA, PhD
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine - General Internal Medicine, University of Iowa 

Host: Cheryl Ann Monturo, PhD, MBE, ACNP-BC
Senior Nurse Research Scientist Chester County Hospital/Penn Medicine; Professor of Nursing West Chester University 

This podcast episode is supported by Seqirus. Content was developed by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA). 

Integrating Immunization in Long-Term Care

A routine immunization program in long-term care facilities can protect residents who are most at risk of poor outcomes if they contract a vaccine-preventable disease, however systemic challenges contribute to stagnant vaccination rates among residents and low vaccination rates among staff. In this episode, Dr. Barbara Resnick discusses her work in improving immunization rates in long-term care, using behavior motivation techniques to encourage staff and residents to get vaccinated, and what she sees as opportunities for future researchers and practitioners.  

Guest: Barbara Resnick, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP  
Sonya Ziporkin Gershowitz Chair in Gerontology, University of Maryland School of Nursing 

Host: Justine Sefcik, PhD, RN 
Assistant Professor, Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions; Co-convener, GSA Interest Group on Nursing 

This podcast episode is supported by Seqirus. Content was developed by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA). 

Dementia-Related Psychosis in Long-Term Care: Series Part 3

Individuals with dementia-related psychosis experience worse outcomes than those who do not have psychosis, including but not being limited to accelerated time to being admitted to a long-term care facility and accelerated mortality. The manifestation of hallucinations and delusions in residents with dementia can also prove challenging for long-term care staff. Dr. Chad Worz discusses how appropriate documentation of a diagnosis of dementia-related psychosis and related care interventions are an important part of delivering individualized care for residents. 

Guest: Chad Worz, PharmD, BCGP
Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) 

Host: Judit Illes, BCL/LLB, MS, CPHQ 
Director, Strategic Alliances, The Gerontological Society of America 

For more information on dementia-related psychosis, see GSA’s February 2021 White Paper, Dementia-Related Psychosis: Strategies to Address Barriers to Care Across Settings. 

This podcast episode is supported by Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Content was developed by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA).

Dementia-Related Psychosis in Primary Care: Series Part 2

Primary care providers (PCPs) are ideally positioned to recognize, diagnose, and provide care planning for individuals with dementia who experience psychosis. Dr. Alexis Eastman discusses the important role of PCPs in team-based approaches to care and shares examples of innovative healthcare delivery models that can support PCPs in addressing dementia-related psychosis. 

Guest: Alexis Eastman, MD 
Medical Director of the Division of Geriatrics at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics; Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health; Member of GSA’s Workgroup on Dementia-Related Psychosis.   

Host: Judit Illes, BCL/LLB, MS, CPHQ
Director, Strategic Alliances, The Gerontological Society of America 

For more information on dementia-related psychosis, see GSA’s February 2021 White Paper, Dementia-Related Psychosis: Strategies to Address Barriers to Care Across Settings. 

This podcast episode is supported by Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Content was developed by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA).

Diagnosing Dementia-Related Psychosis: Series Part 1

Dementia-related psychosis, defined as hallucinations and delusions in individuals with dementia, is a distinct neuropsychiatric symptom. Dementia-related psychosis differs from psychosis that originates from delirium or a pre-existing psychotic disorder (e.g., schizophrenia). Dr. Gary Small explains the challenges to and approaches for detecting and diagnosing these symptoms.  

Guest: Gary Small, MD
Chair of Psychiatry at Hackensack University Medical Center and Physician in Chief for Behavioral Health; Chair of GSA’s Workgroup on Dementia-Related Psychosis 

Host: Judit Illes, BCL/LLB, MS, CPHQ
Director, Strategic Alliances, The Gerontological Society of America 

For more information on dementia-related psychosis, see GSA’s February 2021 White Paper, Dementia-Related Psychosis: Strategies to Address Barriers to Care Across Settings. 

This podcast episode is supported by Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Content was developed by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA).

Understanding Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Influenza, and COVID-19

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes 177,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths in older adults each year. Those over 65, adults with chronic heart or lung disease, and adults with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Yet RSV remains underdiagnosed. This podcast was originally recorded as a webinar, where Drs. Robin Jump and Lindsay Kim answer questions about RSV and its impact on older adults; the challenges of distinguishing between RSV, influenza, and COVID-19; and ways to keep older adults healthy with so many respiratory viruses circulating, particularly in a long-term care facility.

Guests:
Robin Jump, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, Case Western Reserve University and Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center
Lindsay Kim, MD, MPH
Medical Epidemiologist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Host: Elizabeth Sobczyk, MSW, MPH
Director, Strategic Alliances, The Gerontological Society of America

For more information, visit GSA’s National Adult Vaccination Program website.

This podcast episode is supported by Johnson and Johnson Health Systems, Inc. Content was developed by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA).

Understanding HIV in Older Adults: Part 2

Advances in medicine mean the number of older adults living with HIV/AIDS is increasing, which also presents new challenges to both aging service providers and HIV/AIDS service providers. In Part 2 of this series on Understanding HIV in Older Adults, Drs. Meredith Greene and Molly Perkins discuss the intersection of geriatric medicine and HIV specialists, as well as HIV prevention in older adults, medical, and psychosocial challenges for those who are aging with HIV, and the experience of those living with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guest: Meredith Greene, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, University of California San Francisco

Host: Molly Perkins, PhD
Associate Professor, School of Medicine and Graduate Faculty of Emory Sociology, Emory University

This podcast episode is supported by ViiV Healthcare. Content was developed by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA).