OBM Geriatrics is an Open Access journal published quarterly online by LIDSEN Publishing Inc. The journal takes the premise that innovative approaches – including gene therapy, cell therapy, and epigenetic modulation – will result in clinical interventions that alter the fundamental pathology and the clinical course of age-related human diseases. We will give strong preference to papers that emphasize an alteration (or a potential alteration) in the fundamental disease course of Alzheimer’s disease, vascular aging diseases, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, skin aging, immune senescence, and other age-related diseases.

Geriatric medicine is now entering a unique point in history, where the focus will no longer be on palliative, ameliorative, or social aspects of care for age-related disease, but will be capable of stopping, preventing, and reversing major disease constellations that have heretofore been entirely resistant to interventions based on “small molecular” pharmacological approaches. With the changing emphasis from genetic to epigenetic understandings of pathology (including telomere biology), with the use of gene delivery systems (including viral delivery systems), and with the use of cell-based therapies (including stem cell therapies), a fatalistic view of age-related disease is no longer a reasonable clinical default nor an appropriate clinical research paradigm.

Precedence will be given to papers describing fundamental interventions, including interventions that affect cell senescence, patterns of gene expression, telomere biology, stem cell biology, and other innovative, 21st century interventions, especially if the focus is on clinical applications, ongoing clinical trials, or animal trials preparatory to phase 1 human clinical trials.

Papers must be clear and concise, but detailed data is strongly encouraged. The journal publishes a variety of article types (Original Research, Review, Communication, Opinion, Comment, Conference Report, Technical Note, Book Review, etc.). There is no restriction on the length of the papers and we encourage scientists to publish their results in as much detail as possible.

Publication Speed (median values for papers published in 2023): Submission to First Decision: 5.7 weeks; Submission to Acceptance: 17.9 weeks; Acceptance to Publication: 7 days (1-2 days of FREE language polishing included)

Current Issue: 2024  Archive: 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017

Special Issue

Got Aging? Examining Later-life Development from a Positive Aging Perspective

Submission Deadline: October 31, 2018 (Closed) Submit Now

Guest Editor

Lisa A. Hollis-Sawyer, PhD

Gerontology Program Coordinator, Associate Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL, USA

Website | E-Mail

Research Interests: Aging workforce and retirement issues; elder care; older learners

About This Topic

The focus of the special issue will be the examination of positive aging processes and outcomes across different fields/disciplines and research approaches. The general theme of the special issue will be on the aging field's shift in focus from increasing older adults' quantity of years to increasing their quality of years. Topics will cover issues of later-life adaptation, resiliency, positive mental and physical health, and optimized person-environment "fit" in living environments, among other research topics.

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted through the LIDSEN Submission System. Detailed information on manuscript preparation and submission is available in the Instructions for Authors. All submitted articles will be thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process and will be processed following the Editorial Process and Quality Control policy. Upon acceptance, the article will be immediately published in a regular issue of the journal and will be listed together on the special issue website, with a label that the article belongs to the Special Issue. LIDSEN distributes articles under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) License in an open-access model. The authors own the copyright to the article, and the article can be free to access, distribute, and reuse provided that the original work is correctly cited.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). Research articles and review articles are highly invited. Authors are encouraged to send the tentative title and abstract of the planned paper to the Editorial Office (geriatrics@lidsen.com) for record. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Editorial Office.

Welcome your submission!

Publication

Open Access Research Article

Towards Positive Aging: Links between Forgiveness and Health

Received: 05 December 2018;  Published: 12 May 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2002118

Abstract

Forgiveness may serve as an essential positive resource to help individuals cope emotionally with stressful events, ultimately influencing health. Examination of how individuals forgive within the context of close relationships can provide useful information about positive aging. In this study, we examine how the severity of a recent transgres [...]
Open Access Research Article

Wrinkles and Smiles — What is Good Aging? A Technology Assessment Perspective

Received: 31 January 2019;  Published: 27 June 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1902058

Abstract

(1) Background: In the light of recent changes in the discourse on positive ageing approaches, we take a closer look at the way “quality ageing” is understood, expressed and dealt with in technology assessment (TA) that investigates desirable frameworks and futures for an ageing society from a citizen, stakeholder and expert perspective [...]
Open Access Review

Engagement and Utilization of Advance Care Planning and Hospice in Different Older Asian American Populations

Received: 31 October 2018;  Published: 08 April 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1902046

Abstract

This research review intended to examine the patterns of engagement in advance care planning (ACP) and utilization of end-of-life (EoL) care treatment services including, but not limited to hospice care, in distinct older Asian American ethnic groups. The research analysis suggested evidence that studies about different older subpopulations [...]
Open Access Research Article

Examining the Effectiveness of Two Types of Forgiveness Intervention to Enhance Well-Being in Adults from Young to Older Adulthood

Received: 30 October 2018;  Published: 03 April 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1902044

Abstract

Background: The present study examined the efficacy of two self-guided interventions, which aimed at enhancing adults’ wellbeing through the cultivation of forgiveness skills. Methods: A total of 11 men and 31 women aged 34-80 years were involved (M = 56.57, S.D. = 13.44). The participants were asked to complete questionnaires measuring [...]
Open Access Original Research

The Positive Power of Perception in Late Life: A Study on Subjective Aging and Health among Ethnic Minorities

Received: 17 September 2018;  Published: 29 March 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1901043

Abstract

The main objective of this empirical study was to investigate subjective aging in late life among ethnic minorities in the United States. Specifically, this study examined age identity, or how old one feels, in relation to psychological well-being (PWB) and functional health. The aims were trifold: (1) To examine whether this population feels [...]
Open Access Original Research

Exploring the Paradox of Care: Differences in Older Adult and Proxy Ratings of Health and Subjective Well-Being

Received: 27 August 2018;  Published: 27 February 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1901037

Abstract

(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to examine discrepancies in self-proxy agreement of biopsychosocial factors and the influence of objective well-being and psychosocial resources influence self and proxy appraisals of subjective well-being in older care recipients. (2) Methods: Seventy-two care recipient-proxy dyads rated the biops [...]
Open Access Research Article

An Examination of How the ‘Household Model' of Care Can Contribute to Positive Ageing for Residents in the ‘Fourth Age’

Received: 15 November 2018;  Published: 24 January 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1901030

Abstract

Promoting a good quality of life for the oldest members of society has become a top priority as evidenced in UK policy. The ‘household’ model is a departure from traditional approaches to care provision since it offers person-centred support - combing health and social care - to older people in specially-designed, small, homelike environme [...]
Open Access Research Article

Aging and the Art of Happiness: Time Effects of A Positive Psychology Program with Older Adults

Received: 31 October 2018;  Published: 10 January 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1901029

Abstract

Background: Research has shown that positive psychology interventions can enhance subjective well-being and reduce depression, however, the efficacy of these programs with older adult populations has not been widely examined. The present study studied the short and long term impact of an intervention enhancing happiness and overall mental [...]
Open Access Research Article

Acceptance of Information and Communication Technologies for Healthy and Active Aging: Results from Three Field Studies

Received: 31 October 2018;  Published: 04 January 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1901028

Abstract

Background: Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) could have a lot of potentialities to promote healthy aging and to increase the quality of life of elderly people. Several barriers like access, performance, psychological, and privacy issues still exist against fully deploying ICT solutions for the elderly. The investigation of [...]
Open Access Review

What Activities Count as Active Aging? The Challenge of Classifying Diversity

Received: 07 November 2018;  Published: 26 December 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1804027

Abstract

Active aging is a concept used to describe and promote lifestyles that contribute to successful aging. However, these lifestyles vary widely, and the concept of active aging encompasses many activities. This paper considers two axes to classify the range of activities that can contribute to active aging: the resources needed to carry out such [...]
Open Access Research Article

Wisdom and Curiosity Among Older Learners: Elucidating Themes of Well-Being from Beautiful Questions in Older Adulthood

Received: 30 October 2018;  Published: 24 December 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1804025

Abstract

(1) Background: Wisdom and curiosity require greater attention in the lifelong learning literature pertaining to older adulthood. Lifelong learning can assist older adults in amalgamating wisdom and pursuing their curiosities, but how wisdom is amalgamated and how curiosity is pursued in older adulthood needs more exploration. (2) Methods: [...]
Open Access Review

A Call to Arms for the Aged Care Sector: A Spotlight on Systematic Abuse and Neglect of Older Disabled Persons

Received: 17 July 2018;  Published: 28 November 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1804022

Abstract

With rapidly aging populations worldwide there will be an increasing need to focus attention on the expected increase in disability with advancing age. Drawing upon established literature this paper aims to highlight the contribution of anthropology including selected research findings and contemporary understandings surrounding aging and [...]
Open Access Original Research

Missing Voices and Aging in Prison: Religiosity’s Influence on Positive Aging through Forgiveness

Received: 24 August 2018;  Published: 06 November 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1804018

Abstract

Abstract Background: This study investigated the influence of positive psychological predictors, religiosity and forgiveness, on subjective and objective successful aging outcomes among incarcerated males. Methods: Male prison inmates (N=261), aged 45 to 82 and incarcerated in eight state-managed correctional facilities, were sampled from [...]
Open Access Review

Association between Oral Frailty and Geriatric Conditions

Received: 06 September 2018;  Published: 26 October 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1804016

Abstract

Japan is a steadily aging society, and the number of hospitalized elderly patients have been increasing. Elderly people are vulnerable with regard to poor health, and the number of hospitalized elderly patients has been increasing rapidly. A marked increase of elderly patients may weaken the economy because of the burden of medical expenses [...]
Open Access Original Research

Dementia: Aloneness, Social and Relational Engagement, and Psychological Growth in Families

Received: 23 June 2018;  Published: 08 October 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1804013

Abstract

Background: Minimal research investigates negative and positive perspectives of wellbeing in families, when a member with dementia is limited in their speech, or speech is absent. Methods: Seeking to explore this phenomenon further, semi-structured interviews sought negative and positive subjective interpretations from 27 family carers [...]
Open Access Review

Online Dating Profiles and Problems in Older Adults: A Review

Received: 28 April 2018;  Published: 25 September 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1803012

Abstract

This narrative review is based on literature searches of PubMed and PsycINFO using the terms online dating in older adults. The papers that met inclusion criteria include content analyses of online dating profiles and interviews with online dating individuals. The issues that emerged from this literature included online versus off-line advanta [...]
Open Access Short Report

Positive Life Experiences Following a Dementia Diagnosis

Received: 15 June 2018;  Published: 26 July 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1803006

Abstract

Background: Given the stigma and fear associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), many presume the diagnosis of AD or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to be a negative experience. Aims: To assess the psychological impact of a diagnosis of MCI or early dementia on positive well-being. Methods: Individuals with a diagnosis of MCI or AD were maile [...]
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