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Professional Publications & Contributions

• Silverstein, N.M., and Gottlieb, A.S., (2011). Chronic Disease Self Management Programs: Relevance for Persons with Dementia. Publisher: Gerontology Institute, University of Massachusetts Boston
• Wong, C., and Silverstein, N.M. (2011). Massachusetts’ Home Care Programs and Reasons for Discharge into Nursing Homes. Publisher: Gerontology Institute, University of Massachusetts Boston.
• Silverstein, N.M., Gottlieb, A.G., Eby, D.W., Molnar, L.J., Kwan, N., Materdey, T., Adler, G., & Van Ranst, E. (in press). Do Memory-Impaired Drivers and Their Family Members Agree on Driving Ability and Behaviors? Transportation Research Record.
• Silverstein, N.M., & Barton, K. (2010). Medical review of impaired drivers and fitness to drive: A survey of stakeholders. Transportation Research Record. (No. 2182): 55-61. doi: 10.3141/2182-08
• Silverstein, N.M., & Sherman, R. (2010). Taking control of Alzheimer’s Disease: A training evaluation. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education. 31 (3): 274-288. doi: 10.1080/02701960.2010.503136
• Silverstein, N.M., Wong, C.M., & Brueck, K.E. (2010). Adult day health care for participants with Alzheimer's Disease. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias. 25 (3): 276-283. doi:10.1177/1533317510361237
• Gottlieb, A., & Silverstein, N.M. (2003). Growing Pains and Challenges: GrandFamilies House Fourth Year Follow-Up Evaluation. University of Massachusetts Boston, Gerontology Institute Report, Boston, MA.
• Silverstein, N.M. (Fall 2002). Why long-term care facilities should be concerned about wandering behavior. Advice & Advances . 19 : 17-20.
• Silverstein, N.M., & Flaherty, G. (2003). Dementia and Wandering Behaviour in Long-term Care Facilities. Geriatrics and Aging . 6: 47-52

Additional Information

Nina M. Silverstein, PhD, is Professor of Gerontology at the University of Massachusetts Boston, College of Public and Community Service.  She received her PhD in 1980 from Brandeis University, a graduate of the Heller School.

She is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America and in 2010, was elected Chair-Elect of the Social Research Planning and Practice Section (SRPP). In 2007 she was honored as the person of the year by the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter. In 2008, she received the Louis Lowy Award from the Massachusetts Gerontology Association and was honored as the Foley Lecturer by the Alzheimer’s Association, Cleveland Chapter. In 2010, she received the David A. Peterson Award for best article in volume for her paper on Exploring Livable Communities from the Journal Gerontology & Geriatrics Education.

She has coauthored two books: Dementia and Wandering Behavior: Concern for the Lost Elder and Improving Hospital Care for Persons with Dementia (Springer Publishing: NY).  The former book received an American Journal of Nursing Book of The Year Award.  Recent publications have appeared in The Gerontologist, Gerontology and Geriatrics Education, Alzheimer’s & Dementia, The American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and the Transportation Research Record.  Technical research reports on transportation available through the Gerontology Institute, University of Massachusetts Boston include: Driving in Massachusetts: When to Stop and Who Should Decide, Promoting Safe Mobility Among Elders By Increasing Awareness of Vehicle Modifications, and Assessing Stakeholder Opinions of Impaired Drivers and Fitness to Drive:  Recommendations for Massachusetts.

Professor Silverstein spent a sabbatical in Washington, DC for the 2004-05 academic year where she divided her time between the Department of Transportation and the Alzheimer’s Association Public Policy Division. During that year, she coauthored an online report, Community Mobility and Dementia: A Review of the Literature. Recently, she was a Co-Investigator on an Alzheimer’s Association-funded study,  Fitness to Drive in Early Stage Dementia:  An Instrumented Vehicle Study.

Professor Silverstein has a national reputation for her research into the social impact of Alzheimer's disease. Since 1984, she has worked closely with the National Alzheimer's Association on projects relating to the Association's Helpline, its Safe Return Program, respite care, support groups for family caregivers, and home safety adaptations for people with dementia. She has also worked with the Association on their Acute Care Initiative. She is a former chairperson of Board of Directors of the Association's Massachusetts Chapter, and served on its Advisory Board. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Council on Aging in Needham, Massachusetts.