The purpose of our research is to better understand older adults’ perceptions about fall detection devices. When an older adult experiences a fall, the results can be dramatically life altering or even fatal compared to an individual in a different age group. This led us to question what views older adults have about existing measures in place to monitor and analyze falls, such as fall detection devices or other technologies, as well as what demographic factors may influence these views. Using data from a parent study, we are currently in the process of analyzing focus group transcripts to compare perceptions of older adults from high and low socio-economic status using qualitative descriptive methods. We are analyzing transcripts for common themes that may lead to the identification of areas for further study. By studying older adults’ perceptions of fall detection devices, we hope to gain a better understanding of their needs and preferences when it comes to such devices. We hope exploring and understanding demographic or other factors that affect these perceptions may lead to more open conversations on falls, and thus better our ability to customize fall detection devices and their features, and fall prevention plans for older adults.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is an issue that seriously affects people of all ages; older adults with TBI have the highest rates of hospitalization and death. Additionally the overall recovery is significantly poorer than a younger person with a similar TBI. With normal aging, there is a reduction in the number of white blood cells (WBCs). However, in certain chronic diseases with an inflammatory component that are more common with older age, such as diabetes, there may be an ongoing activation of available WBCs which could affect viability in response to injury. This investigation used data from an ongoing parent study of the immune response following TBI in order to examine the number of and viability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) within 24 hours of TBI in both older and younger adults as well as non-injured controls (N=133). Older age was defined as 55 and older for the purposes of this study. Whole blood was collected and processed for plasma and WBCs from subjects using Ficoll technique (separation of blood components). Cells were manually counted and viability of cells was determined using the trypan blue method (type of stain to observe cells). Data analysis is underway. Descriptive statistics were performed along with ANOVA to assess for group differences in cell count and viability. Time from blood draw to processing will be used as a covariate. The results of this study will enable us to determine if lower cell counts or cell viability differ by age and injury status. This will provide support for or refute the hypothesis that the immune response following injury is different in older adults which could impact patient outcomes. By understanding this relationship, we can implement clinical changes to potentially help change the immune response and improve the outcomes older adults experience post injury.

Conservatively estimated, about one in every ten youth experiences severe depression during adolescence. This is concerning because depression is known to be responsive to prevention as well as to early interventions when accessible to youth. Those who experience early onset depression are at increased risk for other negative outcomes including substance use and suicidal behavior. The effects of depression carry over into young adulthood and are linked with psychiatric and medical hospitalizations, suicidal behavior, and lower educational accomplishments. Youth identified as academically at-risk are particularly susceptible to experiencing depression as well as other co-occurring health risks. Research reveals that family processes serve as a protective influence on the development of depression. Few studies, however, have examined the role of familial risk and protective factors in the development or progression of depression for academically at-risk youth. This research was designed to investigate patterns of depression across time and the influence of family-level risk (family conflict, authoritative parenting style and parental substance use) and protective factors (parental involvement/monitoring and family support) on these patterns. These factors will be compared in terms of their strength of influence on depression. This predictive study is based on survey data collected from a randomly selected, ethnically diverse sample (n=149) of students from two Washington State school districts who were subsequently followed from middle into high school (8th-10th grade). The sample includes youth randomly assigned to the control condition in a school-based prevention study. Depression is expected to be positively associated with family risk factors and negatively associated with protective factors. We anticipate distinguishing differences in the relative influence of family factors on adolescent depression. This detailed examination of key factors influencing adolescent depression will contribute to designing new interventions that are more clearly and specifically targeted, and thus more meaningful, for vulnerable youth and their families.