<h4></h4> <p>The purpose of this randomized, controlled trial was to test the efficacy of a community-based intervention, the Life Story Workshop, on depressive symptoms, operationalized as depression subscale scores on the Brief Symptom Inventory 18, in adults age 60 and older. Thirty-three men and women were randomly assigned to one of two groups: an intervention group that attended 2-hour workshops once a week for 10 weeks or a wait-list control group. The intervention provided an opportunity for older participants to reflect on, write, and share stories about their lived and current lives. The depression subscale of the Brief Symptom Inventory 18 was administered before and after the workshops. Mean depression scores were compared using Welch&rsquo;s <em>t</em> test. A significant improvement was measured for the intervention group compared with the control group (<em>p</em> = .03). This research supports the Life Story Workshop as an effective intervention for improving depressive symptoms in older adults.</p>

Contemporary society seldom associates creativity with people in later adult years. We challenge that perception. A continuum of creative programs defined here shows promise for eliciting late life creativeness offering elders in the community, in residential settings, in adult day care, and in home care new avenues for expression. Life story writing and sharing groups, Visible Lives storyboards, and TimeSlips storytelling method for patients with dementia equip caregivers with new tools to nourish creativity in all elders. Evidence suggests that stimulating creativity in elders at all levels of functioning improves health outcomes. This article introduces programs designed to engage, encourage, and inspire elders regardless of functionality. All three related but discreet interventions share core components of listening with intention, utilizing positive affirmation, and facilitating sharing in community as participants develop surprising new capabilities. Health care providers, community volunteers, and family members can develop skills and techniques to implement any of the programs described. Fostering creative expression through cognitive exercise and imagination among those in later years may forestall dementias, improve quality of life for elders and their caregivers, and meet unmet personal and societal needs. These programs demonstrate the possibility of growth and creative potential at every stage in life, including the latest years, even for those with dementias.

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Background: Patient-centered outcomes research seeks to answer patient-centered questions. The process includes varied locations and individuals throughout the care continuum to address individual differences and constraints in implementation and dissemination. Problem: This paper intends to answer this question: do academic nurses practice what they preach by assisting patient-centered outcomes research and researchers through their engagement with patients, caregivers, and other community stakeholder partners in nursing research? Approach: This paper provides an overview of how academic nurses in a single institution (the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston School of Nursing) began to embrace patient-centered outcomes research. Conclusion: Whether academic nurses are practicing what they preach in terms of patient-centered outcomes research remains uncertain. More examples from academia are required to make that determination. Academic nurses worldwide have embarked on a steep learning curve to embrace patient-centered outcomes research. This journey will require patience and a systematic strategy.