Projects
Recent Presentations, Publications, and Reports
Shane Austin, "Perceptions of the Elderly as Affected by the Geriatric Medication Game." Poster presentation at the Student Research Symposium, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Feb. 27, 2010.
Katherine Beaucamp, "Perceptions of the Elderly Population by College Freshmen." Poster presentation at the Student Research Symposium, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, April 21, 2012.
Adam Bohn, "Modeling the Unfolding of the RRM2 of TDP-43 Molecule." Podium presentation at the Student Research Symposium, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Feb. 27, 2010.
Jonathan Day, "Assessment of Current Alzheimer's Disease Therapies Using Neuroimaging Biomarkers." Podium presentation at the Student Research Symposium, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, April 21, 2012.
Patrick E. Fontane and Maria C. Lombardo, Pharm.D. "Some Preliminary Conclusions About Senior Volunteers: To Improve the Local Community ... or for Public Recognition?" Podium presentation at the Midwest Sociological Society annual meeting in Chicago, Ill. March 31 to April 3, 2010.
Parick E. Fontane and Heather Kindermann, "Communit Assessment: Building Livable Communities." Summaries of five modules of community livability assessment conducted by MidEast Area Agency on Aging (2011).
Patrick Harper and Cathy Roe, "Thyroid Medication Use and Subsequent Development of Dementia of the Alzheimer Type," Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, 23(1):63-69 (March 2010).
Lauren Heimberger, "Effects of Religiosity on Feelings of Control in Older Adults." Podium presentation at the Student Research Symposium, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Feb. 27, 2010.
Amanda Hetland, "Development of Ligands that Target the Early Amyloid Beta Dimer." Podium presentation at the Student Research Symposium, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, April 21, 2012.
Hedva B. Levy, Marcus EL, Christen C. "Beyond the Beers Criteria: A Comparative Overview of Explicit Criteria. Annuals of Pharmacotherapy, 44:1968-75 (2010).
Samanthaa Straits, "Healthy Behaviors of Older Persons With High Cholestserol." Poster presentation at the Student Research Symposium, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, April 21, 2012.
Brent Venker, Bian Gage, M.D. "Safety and Efficacy of New Anticoagulants for the Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism After Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: A Meta-Analysis." Podium presentation at the Student Research Symposium, S. Louis College of Pharmacy, April 21, 2012.
Current Activities
Geriatric Medication Game
The revised and updated (2010) Geriatric Medication Game is available for purchase. This structured simulation allows participants to experience the U.S. health care system from the perspective of older persons. Inquiries should be addressed to Patrick Fontane at pfontane@stlcop.edu or 314.446.8447. Please see the Geriatric Medication Game on this Web site for information about the game.
Dimensions of Religiosity and Life Satisfaction Among a National Sample of Older Persons
There is consistent evidence of positive relationships linking religious behavior (e.g. attending religious services, group scripture study) and religious devotional activities (e.g. private prayer) to indicators of life satisfaction (e.g. "I look forward to beginning each new day") and general health (e.g. fewer days of illness). This is a secondary analysis of data gathered by Neil Krause in 2005 (NIA R01-AG-014749). Preliminary findings indicate that older persons' "religiousness" is related to a sense of control that includes perceived social support. Inquiries should be addressed to Patrick Fontane at pfontane@stlcop.edu or 314.446.8447.
Community Livability Expressed in Photographs by Senior Citizens
Understanding perspectives of aging in a specific community via photographs provided by older residents. This is an application of the Photovoice method of inquiry (participatory photography) to supplement a community livability assessment. Inquiries should be addressed to Elizabeth Rattine-Flaherty at Elizabeth.Rattine-Flaherty@stlcop.edu or 314.446.8458, or Patrick Fontane at pfontane@stlcop.edu or 314-446-8447.
Perceptions of Older Persons by Entering College Freshmen
The Perception of Older Persons project began in 2000 with the intention to survey freshmen college students about their perceptions of older persons. Data consists of results from a survey of students in Introduction to Sociology or Psychology classes at St. Louis College of Pharmacy each Fall semester. The primary purpose was to longitudinally chart young adult views of the older adult population; resurveying them at the end of their fifth year of study at the College. A secondary issue was to assess students in a health profession curriculum to learn if their perception of older persons would change as they neared graduation from that curriculum. Inquiries should be addressed to Parick Fontane at pfontane@stlcop.edu or 314-446-8447.
Click here for more information on the 2011 survey.
Past Projects of Selected Interest
Senior Center Survey
Healthful Aging and Leisure Activities of Senior Citizens Center Participants. The survey was conducted in October 2001; N=735 respondents; response rate exceeds 80 percent. Primary Investigator was Dr. Patrick Fontane. The purpose was to determine characteristics of persons who regularly attend community senior citizens centers, in this case, sponsored by the Mideast Area Agency on Aging (Manchester, Mo.). This survey was intended to obtain baseline information for program planning. Information from approximately one-third of respondents who volunteered was particularly insightful.
Senior Athletes Project
The Senior Athletes Project gathered survey data from participants in the U.S. Senior Games from the Senior Olympics between 1989 and 1999. The Senior Games occur in alternate years. Professors Patrick Fontane and Peter Hurd were the co-investigators. Approximately two-thirds of each survey contained the same questions. The remainder targeted a topic of special interest for the investigators. These topical areas, the year they were explored, and interim year surveys are listed.
1989 - Basic demographic information
1991 - Fitness regimens and equipment used
1992 - Leisure activities of national senior athletes*
1993 - Voluntary association memberships and leisure activities
1995 - Utilization of health care system
1996 - Treatment of athletic injuries among hypertensive national senior athletes*
1997 - Preparation for competition
1998 - Use of herbal and natural products among national senior athletes*
1999 - Reasons for athletic competition
*Student projects
The primary focus has been motives for maintaining regular exercise and competition. Competitive health, as the expression of one’s good health compared to peers, or stereotypes, has emerged as a common explanatory concept. Adjustment to retirement, and the camaraderie with those who are similar to themselves also have influenced the behavior choices of the senior athletes. Current focus is upon motives of older women who exercise to the level of athletic competition.