Mary M. Ball, Ph.D.
Director of Research and Associate Research Professor, Gerontology Institute
605 One Park Place
Gerontology Institute
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404.413.5215
Fax: 404.413.5219
E-mail: germmb@langate.gsu.edu
Ph.D., Georgia State University
M.A., Emory University
M.S., Emory University
B.A., Emory University
Interests:
Dr. Ball directs the Gerontology Institute's research program. Her primary research interest is in long-term care and minority aging with a focus on how elders view quality of life and the role of dependency and the value of autonomy in their lives. Her current research, funded by the National Institute on Aging, investigates how to maximize staff retention and satisfaction. Previous studies focused on maximizing independence and autonomy in personal care homes.
Recent Publications:
2005
Ball, M.M., Perkins, M.M., Whittington, F.J., Hollingsworth, C., King, S.V., & Combs, B.L. Communities of Care: Assisted Living for African American Elders. The Johns Hopkins University Press.
Whittington, F. J., Ball, M. M., & Perkins, M. M. Ageism in Assisted Living. In E. B. Palmore, L. G. Branch, & D. Harris (Eds.), The Concise Encyclopedia of Ageism. New York: The Haworth Press.
2004
Ball, M. M., Perkins, M. M., Whittington, F. J., Connell, B., Hollingsworth, C., King, S. V., Elrod, C., & Combs, B. Managing decline in assisted living: The key to aging in place. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences. Vol. 59B, 4, S202-212
Ball, M. M., Perkins, M. M., Whittington, F. J., Hollingsworth, C., King, S. V., & Combs, B. Independence in assisted living. Journal of Aging Studies , 18, 467-483.
Perkins, M.M., Ball, M. M., Whittington, F.J., & Combs, B. Managing the needs of low-income board and care residents: A process of negotiating risks. Qualitative Health Research. Forthcoming.
Patacca, D., Rosenbloom, C., Kicklighter, J., & Ball, M. Using a focus group approach to determine older adult's opinions and attitudes toward a nutrition education program . Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly, 23.
2003
Taylor, L., Whittington, F. J., Hollingsworth, C., Ball, M.M., King, S. V., Diwan, S., Rosenbloom, C., Patterson, V., & Neel, A. A comparison of functional outcomes following a physical activity intervention for frail older adults in personal care homes. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy, 29 , 7-11.
Patterson, V. L., King, S. V., Ball, M. M., Whittington, F. J., & Perkins, M. M., Coping with Change: Religious activities and beliefs of residents in assisted living facilities. Journal of Religious Gerontology, 14, 79-94.
Taylor, L. F., Whittington, F. J., Hollingsworth, C., Ball, M. M., King, S. V., Patterson, V., Diwan, S., Rosenbloom, C., & Neel, A. Assessing the effectiveness of a walking program on physical function of residents of an assisted living facility. Journal of Community Health Nursing, 20 (1), 15-26.
2000
Ball, M. M., Whittington, F. J., Perkins, M. M., Patterson, V. L., Hollingsworth, C., King, S. V., & Combs, B. Quality of life of assisted living residents: Viewpoints of residents. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 19, 304-325.
1995
Ball, M. M. & Whittington, F. J. Surviving Dependence: Voices of African American Elders . Amityville, N.Y.: Baywood Publishing Co.
