Call for New Committee Member: Honorary Secretary
We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented individual to join our team as the Honorary Secretary for the BG SIG. As a key member of our executive committee, you will be responsible for:
– Taking minutes at executive committee meetings– Collaborating with the Chair to create and distribute meeting agendas– Documenting and recording decisions– Managing our SharePoint drive and distributing important documents to the committee and membership
– Taking minutes at executive committee meetings– Collaborating with the Chair to create and distribute meeting agendas– Documenting and recording decisions– Managing our SharePoint drive and distributing important documents to the committee and membership
If you’re passionate about behavioral gerontology and have excellent communication and administrative skills, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity!
Application form
Application form
Spring 2024 Newsletter
Hot off the press!
Our Spring 2024 newsletter has arrived!
Check it out for the latest updates, including some exciting conference presentations you won’t want to miss at the upcoming ABAI convention!
https://bgsig.abainternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BGSIG-Spring-2024-Newsletter.pdf
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Behavioral Gerontology SIG
Behavioral gerontology is the application of behavior analysis to aging and age-related issues.
📚Research in Behavioral Gerontology - Michelle S. Bourgeois![]()
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Yorkston et al. (2010) discussed the impact of communication disorders on individuals as they age.![]()
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Interpersonal communication is vital for life adjustment, but when communication disorders arise, these connections can falter. These disorders, diverse in type and severity, can intersect with limitations in mobility, vision, endurance, and cognition. Disabilities associated with communication disorders evolve over time rather than as static events.![]()
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Two aging trajectories are outlined: those aging with or into disability. Strategies for maintaining and enhancing communication in older adults are discussed in this comprehensive research paper.![]()
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To learn more about these strategies, please read the full study here:![]()
🔗 doi.org/10.1016/j.pmr.2009.12.011![]()
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Reference: Yorkston, K. M., Bourgeois, M. S., & Baylor, C. R. (2010). Communication and aging. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics, 21(2), 309-319.
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📚Research in Behavioral Gerontology - Michelle S. Bourgeois![]()
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Burgio et al. (2001) examined the effects of communication skills training and the use of memory books by certified nursing assistants (CNAs) on their verbal interactions with nursing home residents with moderate cognitive impairments. The results showed that trained CNAs demonstrated improvements in their communication behaviors. The changes in CNA behavior were maintained 2 months after the research staff left the facility. The study highlights the importance of training nursing staff to enhance their communication skills and the use of tools like memory books to support person-centered care.![]()
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To learn more about the ways in which the communication behaviours improved, read the full study here:![]()
🔗 doi.org/10.1093/geront/41.4.449![]()
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Reference: Burgio, L. D., Allen-Burge, R., Roth, D. L., Bourgeois, M. S., Dijkstra, K., Gerstle, J., ... & Bankester, L. (2001). Come talk with me: Improving communication between nursing assistants and nursing home residents during care routines. The Gerontologist, 41(4), 449-460.
doi.org
Abstract. Purpose: We examined the effects of communication skills training and the use of memory books by certified nursing assistants (CNAs) on verbal in
📚Research in Behavioral Gerontology - Michelle S. Bourgeois![]()
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Chang and Bourgeois (2020) examined the decision-making capacity of individuals with mild to moderate dementia on end-of-life care when using visual aids. The researchers also aimed to determine whether naive judges would rate the participants' decisional abilities as better when supported by visual aids, validating the potential benefits of this approach. ![]()
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Twenty older adults with dementia participated in the study, demonstrating their understanding, expression of choice, reasoning, and appreciation under two conditions: verbal alone or verbal with visual aids. The findings have important implications for supporting the decision-making capacity of persons with dementia and empowering them to make informed choices about their care.![]()
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To learn more about the effect of visual aids, read the full study here:![]()
🔗 doi.org/10.1044/2019_AJSLP-19-0028![]()
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Reference: Chang, W. Z. D., & Bourgeois, M. S. (2020). Effects of visual aids for end-of-life care on decisional capacity of people with dementia. American Journal of speech-language Pathology, 29(1), 185-200.
Effects of Visual Aids for End-of-Life Care on Decisional Capacity of People With Dementia
doi.org
Purpose This study evaluated the decision-making capacity of persons with mild and moderate dementia on end-of-life care when using visual aids. ...
📚Research in Behavioral Gerontology - Michelle S. Bourgeois![]()
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In memory of Michelle S. Bourgeois, PhD, CCC-SLP, we're highlighting her groundbreaking research on enhancing care for individuals with severe dementia.![]()
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Burshnic and Bourgeois (2022) explored ways to support preference communication in residents with severe dementia, as they often face challenges expressing their preferences due to the disease. The researchers examined the effects of two assessment conditions - standard verbal questions versus visual-and-text supported questions - on preference consistency and communication behaviors.![]()
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Which assessment is more effective? Read the full study here![]()
🔗 doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2020.1764686![]()
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Reference: Burshnic, V. L., & Bourgeois, M. S. (2022). A seat at the table: Supporting persons with severe dementia in communicating their preferences. Clinical Gerontologist, 45(3), 647-660.
A Seat at the Table: Supporting Persons with Severe Dementia in Communicating Their Preferences
doi.org
Objective: Persons with severe dementia are less likely to have a role in preference assessment due to communication challenges associated with the disease. Research is limited on how to support pr...
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Dr. Michelle S. Bourgeois, a renowned behavioral scientist in the field of communication sciences and disorders, on July 10th, 2024 in Tampa, FL.![]()
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Dr. Bourgeois was internationally acclaimed for her pioneering research and development of therapies for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Her groundbreaking work has had a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals affected by neurogenic cognitive-communication disorders.![]()
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In recognition of her distinguished contributions, Dr. Bourgeois was elected Fellow in the Psychology Section of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences (AAAS) in 2019. This prestigious honor underscores her significant advancements in investigating behavioral treatments for individuals with neurogenic cognitive-communication disorders, as well as her efforts in developing caregiver training programs.![]()
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Dr. Bourgeois' legacy will continue to inspire and guide the field of communication sciences and disorders. She will be deeply missed, but her invaluable work and dedication will live on, benefiting generations to come.![]()
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Source of photo: www.usf.edu/cbcs/news/2024/michelle-bourgeois-obituary.aspx