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BackgroundPesticides are widely used in agriculture, and off-target pesticide drift exposes workers and the public to harmful chemicals.ObjectiveWe estimated the incidence of acute illnesses from pesticide drift from outdoor agricultural applications and characterized drift exposure and illnesses.MethodsData were obtained from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risks-Pesticides program and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Drift included off-target movement of pesticide spray, volatiles, and contaminated dust. Acute illness cases were characterized by demographics, pesticide and application variables, health effects, and contributing factors.ResultsFrom 1998 through 2006, we identified 2,945 cases associated with agricultural pesticide drift from 11 states. Our findings indicate that 47% were exposed at work, 92% experienced low-severity illness, and 14% were children (< 15 years). The annual incidence ranged from 1.39 to 5.32 per million persons over the 9-year period. The overall incidence (in million person-years) was 114.3 for agricultural workers, 0.79 for other workers, 1.56 for nonoccupational cases, and 42.2 for residents in five agriculture-intensive counties in California. Soil applications with fumigants were responsible for the largest percentage (45%) of cases. Aerial applications accounted for 24% of cases. Common factors contributing to drift cases included weather conditions, improper seal of the fumigation site, and applicator carelessness near nontarget areas.ConclusionsAgricultural workers and residents in agricultural regions had the highest rate of pesticide poisoning from drift exposure, and soil fumigations were a major hazard, causing large drift incidents. Our findings highlight areas where interventions to reduce off-target drift could be focused.

Objective: While medical advances are enabling more children with cancer to live into adulthood, a large majority of them suffer from the late effects of treatment and about 30% experience infertility. Infertility impacts both male and female survivors complicating typical development for emerging young adults (EYAs) who typically spend this developmental period actively constructing their identities related to family and gender roles, attaining professional skills, and establishing social views. As literature is limited on identity formation and coping with infertility in young survivors, this study aimed to understand the experiences of childhood cancer survivors who are faced with infertility as a late treatment effect while reconstructing their identity. Method : A qualitative descriptive approach was used to explore the experiences and effects of childhood cancer complications on the identity development of six emerging adults (ages 18–29). Guided by the theoretical framework of identity development data were collected using semistructured interviews. Results : Four distinct themes emerged after the data analyses: restricted exploration and uncertain future, challenges to intimacy and communication, restructuring identity through redefining roles, and coping through familial support. Conclusions: Findings indicate that developmental processes of identity formation are complicated by the challenges stemming from infertility and require specific efforts to reconstruct core identity and redefine desired parental roles. Experimentation and self-discovery may be restricted for EYA cancer survivors as they reevaluate their views on intimate relationships, communication, potential professional roles, and family composition. Practical recommendations for multidisciplinary team members to support this growing population are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is based on ethnographic research that explored experiences of suffering in late life. From a group of 60 oldest-old (age 80 and above) male participants, four were primary, at-home caregivers for wives with dementia. Men's narratives showed the inter-relation between masculinities, a sense of personal control, and experiences of suffering within caregiving. Three thematic 'tools' of control emerged as strategies men used to mediate their suffering: 1) the power of the little; 2) preserving self-identity and marriage-identity and, 3) finding purpose in the role of caregiver. We offer insight into the world of the oldest-old male caregiver through men's accounts of suffering, their daily tasks, thoughts about themselves as caregivers, and the manner in which they embody their masculinity in caregiving. Keywords: husband caregivers, oldest-old men, suffering, masculinities, control, Current literature in the broad domain of healthcare addresses suffering as an experience that affects persons, not bodies (Cassell, 1982). This speaks to the all-encompassing nature of suffering as the [...]

We examined whether gender plays a role in how financial strain moderates the relationship between health status and objective burden among employed family caregivers. Using data from "Caregiving in the U.S., 2015," the sample included 704 employed caregivers (311 males and 393 females) of adults 50 years of age and older. The relationship between objective caregiver burden and self-reported health was moderated by financial strain in the full sample. However, in separate analyses by gender, this moderated relationship was limited to females. Findings inform interventions to improve caregiver health while accounting for the financial strain experienced by women in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the application of an empowerment evaluation approach to nurturing the growth and priority setting of a regional organization. A model is provided of the processes whereby the Southern Gerontological Society (SGS) identified research and service priorities by conducting a survey of stakeholder perceptions of regional needs. The survey goal was to identify important issues faced by older adults in the South as a prelude to refining SGS research and service priorities and developing its contemporary regional gerontological agenda. We trace how the survey findings were translated into actions including shaping the annual meeting program, creating new standing committees, and developing service activities. Underlying the process of developing and refining this agenda are a set of key principles that have come to characterize the operation of SGS. These principles are discussed and provide a model for comparable organizations seeking to develop agendas consistent with their mission and identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study explored how couples, in which one partner self-reported receiving a medical diagnosis of stage one or two cancer, fostered a relational perspective regarding cancer via narrative therapy interventions. This is a qualitative study with a multiple case study design and thematic analysis. Eight heterosexual couples (N =16) participated in dyadic, researcher-facilitated, audio-recorded therapeutic sessions (i.e., 208 sessions in one year). In-depth interviews were conducted with couples in a therapeutic setting. Three themes emerged: (a) increased vulnerability, (b) increased mindfulness, and (c) improved communication. Findings support the use of psychosocial therapeutic interventions based on narrative therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides an in-depth literature review on the dyadic function of couples with cancer. Specifically, the literature review will explore: (a) the impact of cancer on romantic relationship quality and stability, (b) the biopsychosocial-spiritual correlates of cancer and their connections to romantic relationship quality and stability, and (c) the recommendations for future study and implications for couple therapists working with couples facing cancer. Additionally, we present a detailed examination of relevant theoretical foundations for working with couples with cancer. First, the biopsychosocial-spiritual (BPSS) framework, and second, the Vulnerability-Stress-Adaptation (VSA) model, are examined. Combined, these two theoretical approaches offer a comprehensive foundation for examining the relationships of romantic couples with cancer. The paper concludes with recommendations and implications for couple therapists, with the hope of helping couples with cancer find higher levels of quality and stability in their romantic relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To develop more culturally appropriate and effective intervention strategies, this qualitative study explored Korean American women's barriers to mammography and their coping strategies within their sociocultural context. Methodology: Semistructured individual interviews were conducted with 30 Korean American women in 2016. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data and identify themes. Results: Four themes and their associated subthemes emerged from the data: (1) barriers to accessing mammography (cost, time consuming and complicated procedure, and language barriers), (2) psychosocial concerns related to mammography (pain, discomfort and embarrassment, and exposure to radiation), (3) strategies to access mammography (identifying ways to get a cost-free mammogram and having procedure done in home country), and (4) ways to deal with psychosocial concerns (being positive and avoiding or postponing the procedures). Discussion: Health professionals should account for cultural differences including, but not limited to, patients' concerns, access to care, and beliefs surrounding screening processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to understand the barriers that a particularly vulnerable sub-population of older adults experience in adhering to cancer treatments in rural eastern North Carolina. Qualitative descriptive interviews were completed with 16 individuals (8 cancer patients and their caregivers) about the challenges they face in adhering to cancer treatments. Three themes emerged based on the analysis which included transportation and financial barriers, and assistance that facilitated patients to adhere to treatment protocols. Transportation barriers were those associated with both the formal and informal systems. Financial barriers were related to costs associated with treatment. Participants also reported on ways in which adherence was facilitated via both formal and informal means. Our findings support those of previous research on treatment adherence and add information on the actions patients take in response to barriers that can negatively impact their disease trajectory. The knowledge gained can inform service providers about the issues in treatment adherence and help identify interventions that could support caregivers and patients to circumvent such challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between 2008 and 2016, students in an Introduction to Gerontology course were required to complete a dynamic case study project simulating caregiving arrangement decision making. Students were divided into groups representing typical multigenerational families and were required to determine how to develop caregiving arrangements to respond to an older family member' s changing levels of need. The assignment concluded with students writing a final paper summarizing what they learned. This study examined the themes emerging from student group case study papers to gain an understanding of the challenges students face in understanding the dynamics of making family-based caregiving decisions. This is of particular importance as many students were seeking careers in human services and would be assisting clients in such decision-making processes, as well as involvement in decision making for their own family members. Themes that emerged from group papers and the implications related to gerontology education and policy are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study addressed the experiences of older caregivers of cancer patients in the 2 weeks following a hospital discharge. It sought to understand the challenges they face in providing supportive care to patients at home.Methods: Qualitative descriptive interviews with a narrative approach were conducted with each caregiver at 1 and 2 weeks following the patient's discharge from the hospital. A thematic analysis approach was used to identify the themes that emerged from the caregiver interviews.Results: Caregivers were primarily Caucasian (77%), were mostly 68 years of age or older (62%), and were primarily caring for a spouse (69%). Three key themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: caregiver and patient wellness are connected, caregivers' struggle with control issues, and challenges in communication with health professionals.Conclusions: These findings highlight psychosocial changes that caregivers experience over the 2-week time period following hospital discharge. Implications include the need to identify interventions to better prepare caregivers for the post-discharge period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]