THE CUTTING EDGE OF GERONTOLOGICAL SCHOLARSHIP: THE GERONTOLOGIST’S EDITOR’S CHOICE SYMPOSIUM - Symposium Highlights

Sep 29, 2026

Symposium 1280 highlights recent Editor’s Choice articles in The Gerontologist, aligning with the journal’s mission to disseminate applied, multidisciplinary aging research and conceptually oriented work addressing late-life inequities. Presentations include a validated survey tool for Age-Friendly Community Initiatives; an implementation evaluation of STEADI across 34 outpatient rehabilitation clinics; feasibility and health effects of a pilot triadic walking program for older Black adults with mild cognitive impairment; and arguments for reducing dementia risk by focusing on barriers to behavior change while avoiding lifestyle stigma.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Symposium Overview

Editor’s Choice Article Highlights

88 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 SESSION 1280 (SYMPOSIUM) Abstract citation ID: igaf122.292 THE CUTTING EDGE OF GERONTOLOGICAL SCHOLARSHIP: THE GERONTOLOGIST’S EDITOR’S CHOICE SYMPOSIUM Chair: Joseph Gaugler Discussant: Joseph Gaugler The mission of The Gerontologist is to publish and disseminate “applied, multidisciplinary research and analysis on social issues related to human aging. It informs the broad community of disciplines and professions involved in understanding the aging process and providing care to older people.” In addition, the journal encourages “cutting-edge, conceptually-oriented work that addresses inequities in health, mental health, social status, and justice in late life as well as intersections among these areas with applicability to real-world-settings.”This symposium will highlight some of the recent and best examples of gerontological scholarship in The Gerontologist by highlighting select Editor’s Choice articles published in the past year. John Puxty, MbCbB, FRCP(C), Sarah Webster, MHS, and colleagues will share findings from a study that developed and validated a survey tool to evaluate Age-Friendly Community Initiatives, which will help researchers, members, and policymakers better discern the extent of age-friendliness in their communities. Jennifer Vincenzo, PhD, MPH, PT, and colleagues will present an implementation study of the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) Initiative across 34 outpatient rehabilitation clinics serving older adults in a large healthcare system. Dr. Raina Croff and colleagues will describe the feasibility and health effects of a pilot triadic walking program for older Black adults with mild cognitive impairment that emphasizes culturally-centered, celebratory social reminiscence. Nikki-Anne Wilson, PhD, and Kaarin Anstey, PhD, argue for increased attention on barriers to behavior changes to reduce dementia risk in order to avoid “lifestyle” stigma.

FAQs

What is the mission of The Gerontologist as described in the symposium text?

It focuses on applied, multidisciplinary research and analysis on social issues related to human aging, informing disciplines involved in understanding aging and providing care for older people.

Which study tools and initiatives are highlighted in this symposium?

The symposium highlights a validated survey tool for Age-Friendly Community Initiatives and an implementation study of the STEADI Initiative across outpatient rehabilitation clinics.

How does the symposium address dementia risk and stigma?

It argues for increased attention to barriers to behavior changes to reduce dementia risk, aiming to avoid “lifestyle” stigma.

Sep 29, 2026

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