New Directions | March 2021 |
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A Message From the President |
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We have many things going on at NHCGNE, with opportunities for faculty from our member schools and those of you who have joined NHCGNE through individual memberships. Our committee activity is gearing up for the year, and there is plenty of room for you to express your passion for leadership and excellence in gerontological nursing. I would ask that you check to ensure your school has paid their dues for 2020 and if you are not on a committee (and want to be on a committee) to email our Executive Director
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Coronavirus and Older Adults |
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When Can Older Americans Expect to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine? |
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As the first COVID-19 vaccines have become available in the U.S., a state-by-state patchwork has emerged for where and when older adults can get inoculated.

Even in states that have started offering vaccines to older adults — to those 65 and over, 70 and over, 75 and over or 80 and over, depending on the state — getting a vaccination appointment can be a huge challenge. State and county vaccination sign-up websites have crashed under the weight of tremendous traffic, and health department phone lines have been overwhelmed. Scheduling issues and ever-evolving state distribution plans have led to a slow vaccine rollout. More than 27 million doses of vaccines have been shipped across the country, but fewer than 10 million people had received their first dose as of Jan. 13.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Leaves Most Older Adults Confused Where to Get Shots |
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Older Americans eager to get vaccinated against Covid-19 may need to exercise some patience.
While Medicare — which insures much of the 65-and-older crowd — recently changed its rules so it can fully cover a fast-tracked vaccine, the availability of doses will be initially limited. And, individual states are tasked with actually distributing the vaccine and identifying priority populations to innoculate.
“I think there are still major issues to resolve with vaccine distribution, which is being primarily left up to states to work out,” said Juliette Cubanski, deputy director for the Kaiser Family Foundation’s program on Medicare policy.
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Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing Spotlight Articles |
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Impact of Social Isolation on Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults Living in Assisted Living |
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Vaunette Fay, PhD, FNP, GNP-BC
Professor
University of Texas Health
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Social isolation and loneliness in older adults is a growing public health concern that is gaining attention especially during the COVID 19 pandemic. Social isolation and loneliness are frequently used interchangeable; however, they are not synonymous and describe different aspects of limited social connectedness (Steinman & Casey 2020 ). Social isolation is defined as the absence of social interactions, contacts, and relationships with family and friends and on a broader level with “society at large” and is a more quantitative term. Loneliness is subjective and defined as a distressing feeling of social isolation or perceived deficits in social connections and support (Hoogendijk et al, 2020, Smith, Steinman & Casey, 2020). Social isolation and loneliness significantly influence major physical, mental, and cognitive health outcomes. In physical health, the strongest evidence relates to cardiovascular health, such as cardiovascular disease and stroke, and there is evidence that poorer social connection is associated with poorer general health and well-being (Cacioppo, 2011, Smith, Steinman & Casey 2020). Among mental and cognitive health outcomes, data support the influence of poor social connection on risk for depression, poorer cognitive function, and dementia (Holt-Lunstad, 2020, Cacioppo, 2014). |
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Promoting Intergenerational Connection During a Time of Social Isolation |
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Elizabeth Long, DNP, APRN-BC, GNP, CNS
Assistant Professor
Lamar University
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Loneliness and isolation in the older adult population is a growing concern with 1 in 3 reporting a lack of regular companionship (AARP, 2018; CIGNA, 2020). Feelings of loneliness and isolation may be compounded in the older adult residing in a long-term care facility (LTCF) and are of even greater concern during the recent COVID-19 pandemic with social distancing and visitor restrictions to long term care and assisted living facilities (CDC, 2020a). Prior to the pandemic, surveys suggested (CIGNA, 2020) young adults aged 18 to 22 experienced the greatest degree of loneliness with 79% reporting being lonely and that loneliness was not restricted to the older adult. |
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Check Out This Great Read! |
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There are two new pieces of encouraging news about the pandemic — and two worrisome developments. Let’s take them one at a time, starting with the positive.
- Nursing Home Deaths Are Way Down
They have plummeted, falling by more than 60 percent between late December and early February. The main cause is straightforward: Nursing home residents have been among the first people to be vaccinated.
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A virtual conference in gerontology nursing. Nurses working with the older adult in hospitals, long term care settings or in the community will learn relevant and timely information about providing excellent care for this special population. A breakout session in pharmacotherapeutics will be available for the APRN. Nursing contact hours will be awarded for the successful completion of this activity.
Cost: Free, registration fee for this conference is generously supported by the Deerbrook Charitable Trust.
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The GSA 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting taking place November 10-14 in Phoenix, Arizona brings together thousands of thought leaders, industry pioneers, scientists, researchers, clinicians, educators and innovators from across multiple disciplines in the fields of aging, human health, and disease.
GSA seeks dynamic and knowledgeable presenters for the GSA 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting who address the industry's most-pressing challenges and generate actionable insights to share with over 4,000 colleagues from over 40 countries. Research presented at the conference will be published in GSA™s open access journal, Innovation in Aging.
The call for abstracts for the GSA 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting will be open February 1 through March 11, 2021.
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Key Dates:
- February 1 - March 11 - Online Abstract Submissions and Pre-Conference Workshop Applications
- February 8 - 25 - Call for Abstract Reviewers (GSA members only)
- March 11 - Online Abstract Submission and Pre-Conference Workshop Deadline
- Early June - Abstract Acceptance/Non-Acceptance Email Notifications to Submitters
- July 15 - Abstract Schedule and Session Information Email Notifications
- July 16 - August 26 - Late Breaker Poster Submissions
- November 10-14 - GSA 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting
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MARCH 10, 2021 | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM ET | VIRTUAL
Experts across the globe agree that we are at a tipping point to improve systems of long-term care for older adults; they also agree that pragmatic trials are the most promising strategy toward that end.
Led by the editors of JAMDA (The Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine), JAGS (The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society), and Geriatric Nursing, Pragmatic Trials in Long-Term Care: A Consensus Conference will look at priorities and best practices for pragmatic trials in long-term care, with a focus on care for persons with dementia.
Target Audience:
This conference is intended for providers, researchers, and policy makers who aim to promote better care in nursing homes, assisted living communities, and other residential settings that serve older adults.
Price:
$99 for Pragmatic Trials Only
OR Add it to your PALTC21 registration for only $75!
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Graduate Gerontology Healthcare Certificate |
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The University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing and Health Innovation has a new graduate gerontology healthcare certificate available, which combines your hands-on experience with our first-class education. Learn new skills, enhance your expertise and take your career to the next level while providing seniors specialized care they deserve.
The certificate program offers a curriculum designed to enhance your skills when working with older adults, their families and/or caregivers. GHC prepares you for the future, one where it is predicted adults 65 and over will represent 20 percent of the population by 2030.
If you have questions or are interested in learning more before applying, please contact Dr. Kathryn Daniel at kdaniel@uta.edu
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Claire Dumke Ryberg, R.N. Presidential Endowed Chair in End-of-Life/Palliative Care |
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The University of Utah College of Nursing seeks an established, visionary nurse scholar to become the inaugural holder of the Claire Dumke Ryberg, R.N. Presidential Endowed Chair in End-of-Life/Palliative Care. This Endowed Chair will help build the pipeline of palliative care clinicians, scholars and/or researchers, as well as advance the discovery, organization, transmission, and application of knowledge and health policies to meet the unique health care needs of patients living with serious illness and/or near end of life. The Endowed Chair is a 5- year tenure-line or career-line appointment, renewable upon successful review. Academic rank and salary for this full-time, 12-month appointment will be commensurate with qualifications. |
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Associate Dean, Mervyn M. Dymally School of Nursing |
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We are seeking a dynamic and innovative nurse educator/administrator as an Associate Dean, Mervyn M. Dymally School of Nursing who collaborates with and empowers faculty; fosters an environment of respect and inclusion; builds internal relationships across campus; and develops and nurtures community relationships. Competitive candidates should have a strong record of academic leadership, research funding or external funding for academic programs, and experience with program assessment and evaluation. For more information, visit https://jobs.cdrewu.edu/postings/3625
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UCLA Acute Care/Advanced Practice - Assistant Professor |
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The School of Nursing at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) seeks applications for one full-time, tenure-track, Assistant Professor faculty position.
Candidates must be nurse scientists who demonstrate exceptional promise as a principal investigator with a focused research program relevant to non-communicable disease, acute or chronic health conditions; examples include acute phases of cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease or diabetes.
Candidates must meet the academic and scholarly credentials to qualify for a tenure-track appointment at UCLA at the Assistant rank, including an earned research doctorate (PhD in nursing or related field), a defined program of research, and evidence of teaching and service excellence. Rank and salary will be commensurate with background and experience.
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Here is your opportunity to be part of an elite group of gerontological nursing leaders. NHCGNE's Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing Program, is a Hartford initiative that recognizes excellence in nurse education leadership. Take a look at our 2020 Distinguished Educators– these leaders work with students, faculty, providers, and older adults in diverse settings. You could be one of them! The deadline to apply is June 9, 2021.
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Notes from the Special Interest Group for International Engagement and Development |
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COVID-19 continues to impact on people gathering in large numbers. Conferences have all needed to reconsider meeting dates and options. The International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (IAGG) is no exception. IAGG host a world congress every four years and many NHCGNE members have participated over the years. The last world congress was in 2017 in San Francisco. The IAGG world congress was scheduled to meet in June of this year. However, it has been postponed until June 12-16, 2022 and will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The IAGG is an organization of gerontological organizations from around the world. Currently there are more than 66 member organizations and GSA represents the United States.
The NHCGNE’s Special Interest Group for International Engagement and Development (SIG-IED) is seeking members who might be interested in participating in a symposium. We have a couple of options for organizing and submitting a symposium. In fact, we could have more than one hosted by NHCGNE’s International SIG. The symposium could be on a particular subject such as COVID-19; pandemics and older adults, etc. Alternatively, the symposium could be a variety of topics that represent our membership.
We would like you to consider participating. No deadlines have been announced at this time, but we expect submission dates to be announced sometime late spring of 2021. To indicate interest in participating in a symposium please contact Catherine Van Son PhD, RN, ANEF, FGSA
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Say it with "Got Content"! |
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Next New Directions Content Submission Deadline:
May 2021
Deadline: April 20, 2020 (Publish May 5)
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Newsletter submissions should be sent to NHCGNE Staff at info@nhcgne.org with
NHCGNE New Directions Submission in the subject line.
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Do You Know Someone Who's Not Getting Our Newsletters? |
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Let us know of people who are not already receiving the News Digest mailing list for member schools. If you know of faculty or PhD students that are not receiving this - email us at info@nhcgne.org with their name and email address.
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