- Phone: (585) 275-8891
- Email: Bethel Powers
Bethel Powers, PhD, RN, FSAA, FGSA
- Professor Emerita
Education
- PhD in Anthropology, 1980. University of Rochester. Rochester, NY
- MA in Anthropology, 1974. University of Rochester. Rochester, NY
- Masters in Nursing, 1971. University of Rochester. Rochester, NY
- BS in Nursing, 1965. Alderson-Broaddus College. Philippi, WV
Bio
Bethel Powers is a master's-prepared nurse with master's and PhD degrees in social anthropology. The overall theme of her program of research is improving older adults' health and quality of life. Her earliest investigations have included multiple studies of nursing home culture and issues involving care of nursing home residents with dementia. Her research-based book, entitled Nursing Home Ethics, reviews the conditions for which nursing home care becomes a necessity and discusses practical approaches to the many everyday ethical issues that arise in long-term care. Studies involving older institutionalized persons and their families have focused on social networks and social support, delivery of palliative care, and spiritual nurturance.
Dr. Powers also served as a co-investigator on two NIH-funded interdisciplinary team-based studies: a randomized controlled clinical trial of an intervention for improving outcomes of hospitalized older adults and their family caregivers, and an ethnographic study of acute care hospital-based palliative care consultation services. Her current co-investigator role is focused on the study of nurse in-home visiting interventions for community-dwelling older persons with existing disability and depression.
As director of the school's PhD programs, Dr. Powers is committed to mentoring graduate students and working with faculty colleagues to prepare scientists and produce leaders who contribute to the dissemination, teaching, and advancement of research in academic and clinical settings and in national and international arenas.
Director PhD Programs, University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, NY, US. 8/2011 - Current
Professor, University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, NY, US. 2005 - Current
Director, Evaluation Office, University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, NY, US. 2004 - Current
Associate Director, Center for Nursing Research on Aging, University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, NY, US. 1999 - 2010
Associate Professor, University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, NY, US. 1987 - 2005
Interim Chair, Division of Health Restoration, University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, NY, US. 7/1993 - 1995
Chair, Division of Health Promotion and Maintenance, University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, NY, US. 7/1990 - 1995
Associate Professor (Secondary Joint Appointment), Graduate School of Education and Human Development, Rochester, NY, US. 1987 - 1995
Interim Chair, Division of Health Promotion and Maintenance, University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, NY, US. 1989 - 1990
Assistant Professor, University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, NY, US. 1980 - 1987
Doctoral Student/Candidate, University of Rochester (Department of Anthropology), Rochester, NY, US. 1972 - 1980
Nursing Supervisor, University of Rochester Medical Center, Strong Memorial Hospital (Medicine & Rehabilitation), Rochester, NY, US. 1967 - 1974
Head Nurse/Staff Nurse, Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center (Medical Oncology/Neurology), Bronx, NY, US. 1965 - 1967
Received $600,000 will provide scholarship and stipend support for 4 students each year for the next 3 years entering our MS/PhD or PhD programs
Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN Program), 2015
American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award
American Nurses Association, 2005
Journal of Gerontological Nursing Edna Stilwell Writing Award
SLACK Publishing, 2004
Fellow
Gerontological Society of America, 2001
Excellence in Nursing Research Award
Epsilon Xi Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau, 1997
Fellow
Society for Applied Anthropology, 1995
Distinguished Nurse Researcher Award
Foundation of New York State Nurses, 1991
Outstanding Faculty Colleague Award
University of Rochester School of Nursing, 1990
Faculty Bridging Fellowship Award
University of Rochester, 1985
National Nursing Honor Society
Sigma Theta Tau International, 1982
Opioid use for the palliation of terminal dyspnea in older adults with heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Annual Scientific Sessions, Eastern Nursing Research Society, 2012
New Haven, Connecticut
Structure and process components associated with disability maintenance/improvement of a primary care affiliated home visiting nurse intervention
66th Annual Scientific Meeting, Gerontological Society of America, 2011
Boston, Massachusetts
Nursing home residents with dementia and the palliative care umbrella
The First National Palliative Care Summit, 2011
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Improving outcomes of family caregivers caring for hospitalized elders: The CARE Program
65th Annual Scientific Meeting, The Gerontological Society of America, 2010
New Orleans, Louisiana
Rules at the border: Passport to institutionalizing palliative care
Annual Assembly, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association, 2009
Austin, Texas
Nurse home visiting to older adults with disability: A qualitative study of program implementation
Annual Scientific Meeting, American Geriatrics Society, 2009
Chicago, Illinois
Weathering the storm: Nurse home visiting to prevent disability worsening
Annual Conference, State Society on Aging of New York, 2009
Rochester, New York
Nurse home visiting to older adults with disability: A qualitative study of program implementation
Annual Scientific Meeting, Gerontological Society of America, 2008
National Harbor, Maryland
A bioethical construct for issues of spirituality and religion
Spiritual Care Rounds, University of Rochester Medical Center, 2007
Rochester, New York
Nursing Home Ethics
Ethics Committee Luncheon, St. John's Home, 2004
Rochester, New York
Qualitative Methods
5th Annual Evidence-Based Practice Conference, Qualitative Methods Workshop, University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2004
Rochester, New York
Nursing Home Ethics
Annual Family and Ethics Committee Dinner Meeting, The Friendly Home, 2004
Rochester, New York
Nursing Home Ethics
Alzheimer's Association Professional Network Series, Monroe Community Hospital, 2004
Rochester, New York
Gauging Decline: End of Life Care of Residents with Dementia in Three Nursing Home Settings
Gerontological Society of America, 2003
San Diego, California
Everyday Decision Making by Residents in Assisted Living
Gerontological Society of America, 2003
San Diego, California
Spiritual Nurturance and Support for Nursing Home Residents with Dementia
Gerontological Society of America, 2001
Chicago, Illinois
At the Crossroads of Nursing Home Reform: Linkages Between Interpersonal and Organizational Ethics
Gerontological Society of America, 2000
Washington, District Of Columbia
Resolving Ethical Issues of Daily Living Affecting Nursing Home Residents with Dementia
Eastern Nursing Research Society, 2000
Newport, Rhode Island
Ethics in Action: An Appreciation for the Ordinary in Dementia Care
Society for Applied Anthropology, 2000
San Francisco, California
Naturally Occurring Humor of Nursing Home Staff and Residents with Dementia
Gerontological Society of America, 1997
Cincinnati, Ohio
Relationships Among Older Women Living in a Nursing Home
Society for Applied Anthropology, 1996
Baltimore, Maryland
New Theory From the Multicultural Study of Aging and Well-Being
Society for Applied Anthropology, 1993
San Antonio, Texas
Researching Dilemmas in Long-Term Care
Induction Ceremony, Sigma Theta Tau, Epsilon Xi Chapter, 1993
Rochester, New York
Everyday Ethics in Health Care
American Anthropological Association, 1992
San Francisco, California
Researching Dilemmas in Long-Term Care
Distinguished Nurse Researcher Presentation, Foundation of New York State Nurses, 1992
Rochester, New York
In the Hands of These Care People: New Grounds for Kinship Allegiances
American Anthropological Association, 1991
Chicago, Illinois
Beyond These Walls: Bridging to the Community
American Anthropological Association, 1990
New Orleans, Louisiana
Friendships Among Nursing Home Residents
Eastern Nursing Research Society, 1990
New York, New York
The Meaning of Nursing Home Friendships
American Anthropological Association, 1989
Washington, District Of Columbia
Roles Staff Play in the Social Networks of Elderly Institutionalized People
Co-Sponsored Session: Aging & Health in Cultural Context, American Anthropological Association, 1988
Phoenix, Arizona
Self Perceived Health of Elderly Institutionalized People
Co-Sponsored Session: Aging, Culture, and Health, American Anthropological Association, 1987
Chicago, Illinois
How Has it Been For You Here?...Social Networks of Elderly Institutionalized People
The Genesee Conference of Senior Citizen Directors, 6th Annual Aging Awareness Day Conference, Roberts Wesleyan College, 1987
Rochester, New York
The World of Elderly Institutionalized People: Making the Connection Between Interactional Patterns and Social Context
Annual Research Symposium, Sigma Theta Tau, Epsilon Xi Chapter, 1987
Rochester, New York
What Does it Mean to Grow Old?
Issues 31, Host: Tom Ryan, WUHF-TV, 1987
Rochester, New York
The Social Networks of Elderly Institutionalized People
Invited Session: Implications of Anthropological Research for Practice, Planning and Policy Making in Gerontology, New York State Association of Gerontological Educators, 1986
Ellenville, New York
Smith, Joyce A.; Fuino, Robert L.; Pesis-Katz, Irena; Cai, Xueya; Powers, Bethel; Frazer, Maria; Markman, John D (2017). Differences in opioid prescribing in low back pain patients with and without depression: a cross-sectional study of a national sample from the United States. PAIN Reports. PMID: 29392221 PMCID: PMC5741361 DOI: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000000606
Liebel DV, Powers BA. (2015). Home health care nurse perceptions of geriatric depression and disability care management. Gerontologist, 55 (3), 448-61. PMID: 24158784 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnt125
Lowey, S.E., Smith, J.A., Xue, Y., Powers, B.A. (2015). Opioid Use in the Last Year of Life Among Medicare Beneficiaries With Advanced Illnesses A Retrospective Cohort Study. Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing, 17 (3), 242-248. DOI: 10.1097/NJH.0000000000000155
Liebel DV, Powers BA, Hauenstein EJ. (2015). Home health care nurse interactions with homebound geriatric patients with depression and disability. Res Gerontol Nurs., 8 (3), 130-9.
Liebel, DV; Friedman, B; Conwell, Y; Powers, BA (2015). Evaluation of Geriatric Home Healthcare Depression Assessment and Care Management: Are OASIS-C Depression Requirements Enough?. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, 23 (8), 794-806.
Friedman, B., Yanen, L., Liebel, D., & Powers, B. (2014). Effects of a home visiting nurse intervention versus care as usual on individual activities of daily living: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trail. BMC Geriatrics http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2318/14/24, 14 (24).
Friedman, B., Li, Y., Liebel D.V., Powers, B.A. (2014). Effects of a home visiting nurse intervention versus care as usual on individual activities of daily living: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trail. BMC Geriatrics, 14 (24).
Lowey, DV, Powers, BA, Xue, Y (2013). Short of breath and dying: State of the science on opioids for the palliation of refractory dyspnea in older adults.. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 39, 43-52.
Liebel, D.V., Powers, B.A., Friedman, B., & Watson, N.M. (2012). Barriers and facilitators to optimize function and prevent disability worsening: a content analysis of a nurse home visit intervention.. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 68 (1), 80-93.. PMID: 21645046 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2011.05717.x
Li, H., Powers, B., Melnyk, B.M., McCann, R., Koulouglioti, C., Anson, E., Smith, J.A., Xia, Y., Glose, S., & Tu, X. (2012). Randomized Controlled trial of CARE: An intervention to improve outcomes of hospitalized elders and family caregivers.. Research in Nursing and Health, 35, 533-549.. PMID: 22736271 PMCID: PMC3442140 DOI: 10.1002/nur.21491
Liebel, D. V., Friedman, B., Watson, N. M. & Powers, B. A. (2012). Which components of a primary care affiliated home visiting nurse program are associated with disability maintenance/improvement?. Home Health Care Services Quarterly DOI: 10. 1080/01621424.2012.681550, 31, 155-180.
Powers, B.A., Norton, S.A., Schmitt, M.H., Quill, T.E. & Metzger, M. (2011). Meaning and practice of palliative care for hospitalized older adults with life limiting illnesses.. Journal of Aging Research. PMID: 21584232 PMCID: PMC3092544 DOI: 10.4061/2011/406164
Powers, B.A. & Knapp, T.R. (2011). Dictionary of Nursing Theory and Research (Fourth Edition). New York: Springer Publishing Company.
Powers, B.A. & Watson, N.M. (2011). Spiritual nurturance and support for nursing home residents with dementia. Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 10 (1), 59-80.
Powers, B.A. (2011). Critically appraising qualitative evidence for clinical decision (Chapter 6); Generating evidence through qualitative research (Chapter 18); Walking the walk and talking the talk: An appraisal guide for qualitative evidence (Appendix C). In B.M. Melnyk, E. Fineout-Overholt(Eds.) Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare (2nd ed.). Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Norton, S., Powers, B.A., Schmitt, M.H., Metzger, M., Fairbanks, E., Deluca, J. and Quill, T. E. (2011). Navigating Tensions: Integrating Palliative Care Consultation Services into an Academic Medical Cneter Setting.. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management.
Powers, B.A. (2010). Comfort feeding for persons with advanced dementia.. New York Nurse, 41 (8), 14.
Powers, B. (2010). Avoiding Polypharmacy in Older Adults.. New York Nurse.
Grace, JT & Powers, BA (2009). Claiming our core: Appraising qualitative evidence for nursing questions about human response and meaning. Nursing Outlook, 57, 27-34. PMID: 19150264 DOI: 10.1016/j.outlook.2008.05.009
Liebel, DV, Friedman, B, Watson, NM, & Powers, BA (2009). Review of nurse home visiting interventions for community-dwelling older persons with existing disability. Medical Care Research and Review, 66, 119-146.
Messecar, D, Powers, BA, & Nagel, CL (2008). How to Try This: The Family Preferences Index. American Journal of Nursing, 108 (9), 52-60.
Powers, BA & Watson, NM (2008). The meaning and practice of palliative care in nursing homes for residents with dementia at end of life. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias, 23, 319-325.
Powers, BA (2008). Better palliative care for persons with dementia. New York Nurse, 39 (1), 14.
Powers, BA & Knapp TR (2006). Dictionary of nursing theory and research. (Third Edition). .
Powers, BA (2005). Critically appraising qualitative evidence (Chapter 6); Generating evidence through qualitative research (Chapter 11); Critically appraising qualitative research (Appendix B); & Looking for best evidence: 'A rose by any other name...' (Appendix F).. In B. M. Melnyk & E. Fineout-Overholt (Eds.), Evidence-based practice in nursing and health: A guide to best practice., 127-162; 283-298; 491-527; 547-555.
Powers, B.A. (2005). Everyday Ethics in Assisted Living Facilities: A Framework for Assessing Resident-Focused Issues. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 31, 31-37. PMID: 15675782 DOI: 10.3928/0098-9134-20050101-10
Powers, BA (2005). Nursing home ethics inside out.. Reflections on Nursing Leadership, 31 (3), 23-25.
Powers, BA (Book Review) (2004). Ethical patient care: A casebook for geriatric health teams by Mezey, Casse, Bottrell, Hyer, Howe, & Fulmer.. For Journal of Interprofessional Care, 18, 92-94.
Powers, B.A. (2003). The Significance of Losing Things for Nursing Home Residents with Dementia and Their Families (2004 Edna Stilwell Writing Award). Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 29, 43-52.
Powers, BA (2003). Nursing home ethics: Everyday issues affecting residents with dementia. (2004 American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award). .
Powers, B.A. (2001). Ethnographic Analysis of Everyday Ethics in the Care of Nursing Home Residents with Dementia: A Taxonomy. Nursing Research, 50, 332-339. PMID: 11725934 DOI: 10.1097/00006199-200111000-00002
Kitzman, H.J., Powers, B.A., Schmitt, M.H. (2000). The School of Nursing: Integrating Practice, Research, and Education. J. Cohen (Ed.), Teaching, Discovering, Caring: University of Rochester Medical Center 1925-2000.
Powers, B.A. (2000). Everyday Ethics of Dementia Care in Nursing Home: A Definition and Taxonomy. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 15, 143-151.
Powers, B.A. (1997). Social Support, Social Networks, and the Problem of Loneliness in Elder Care. E.A. Swanson & T. Tripp-Reimer (Eds.) Advances in Gerontological Nursing: Chronic Illness and the Older Adult, 136-158.
Powers, B.A. (1996). Relationships Among Older Women Living in a Nursing Home. Journal of Women & Aging, 8 (4), 179-198.
Powers, BA & Knapp, TR (1995). A dictionary of nursing theory and research. (Revised and Expanded Second Edition). .
Powers, B.A. (1995). From the Inside Out: The World of the Institutionalized Elderly. J.N. Henderson & M. Vesperi (Eds.), The Culture of Long Term Care: Nursing Home Ethnography, 179-196.
Powers, BA (Book Review) (1993). Handbook of humanities and aging by Cole, Van Tassel, and Kastenbaum (Eds.). For Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 41, 1378-1379.
Powers, BA (Book Review) (1993). The ends of time: Life and work in nursing home by Savishinsky.. For Medical Anthropology Quarterly, 7 (1), 112-113.
Powers, B.A. (1992). The Roles Staff Play in the Social Networks of Elderly Institutionalized People. Social Science & Medicine, 34, 1335-1343.
Powers, B.A. (1991). The Meaning of Nursing Home Friendships. Advances in Nursing Science, 14 (2), 42-58.
Jurgens, J., Powers, B.A. (1991). An Exploratory Study of Menstrual Euphemisms, Beliefs, and Taboos of Head Start Mothers. D.Taylor & N. Woods (Eds.), Menstruation, Health, Illness, 35-40.
Powers, BA (Book Review) (1991). Aging in a technological society by Lesnoff-Caravaglia (Ed.). For The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 179 (4), 237-238.
Powers, BA (Book Review) (1991). Cross-cultural nursing: Anthropological approaches to nursing research by Morse (Ed.). For Medical Anthropology Quarterly, 5 (4), 412-413.
Powers, BA (Book Review) (1990). Nursing research: A quantitative and qualitative approach by Roberts & Burke. For Research in Nursing & Health, 13, 351-352.
Powers, B.A. (1990). Nursing and Aging. R. Rubenstein (Ed.) Anthropology and Aging, 69-105.
Powers, BA & Knapp, TR (1990). A dictionary of nursing theory and research. First Edition (Japanese Language Edition 1994 by Igaku-Shoin, Ltd, Tokyo).
Smith, T., Powers, B.A. (1990). An Integrative Approach to Quality Assurance. Nursing Management, 21 (6), 28-30.
Powers, BA (1988). Social support for elderly people.. Nursing Times, 84, 54-55.
Powers, B.A. (1988). Social Networks, Social Support, and Elderly Institutionalized People. Advances in Nursing Science, 10 (2), 40-58.
Powers, B.A. (1988). Self-Perceived Health of Elderly Institutionalized People. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 3, 299-321.
Powers, BA (1987). Special Features Editorial Commentary: Gerontological nursing research and anthropology of aging. Participants: Molly Dougherty (Florida) and Toni Tripp-Reimer (Iowa).. Association for Anthropology and Gerontology Newsletter, 8 (3), 3-5.
Powers, B.A. (1987). Taking Sides: A Response to Goodwin and Goodwin. Nursing Research, 36, 122-126.
Powers, B.A., Smith, T. (1986). An Approach to Undergraduate Student Investigations in Clinical Settings. Image: The Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 18, 15-17.
Powers, BA (1985). The social networks of elderly institutionalized people.. Proceedings, Sigma Theta Tau National Conference on Social Support and Health. University of Rochester, School of Nursing and Sigma Theta Tau, Epsilon Xi Chapter..
Powers, B.A. (1982). The Use of Orthodox and Black American Folk Medicine. Advances in Nursing Science, 4 (3), 35-47.