Alexis Bender
Overview
Dr. Alexis Bender, Associate Professor of Medicine, is a medical sociologist and social gerontologist based in the Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology. Dr. Bender completed her PhD in Sociology with a concentration in family, health, and the life course and an interdisciplinary certificate in gerontology from Georgia State University. Following her graduate work, Dr. Bender worked with the Army Public Health Center in Maryland conducting mixed methods research and evaluation of social and behavioral health among active duty soldiers and their families (e.g. behavioral health access, suicide, violence). Her research focuses on aging with disability and chronic disease with an emphasis on relationships over the life course, including patient-provider interactions and social and intimate relationships. Her research continues to explore the psychosocial aspects of disability and chronic disease management for patients, health professionals, and families over time. Dr. Bender is a Fellow of the Southern Gerontological Society, the past chair of the Disability and Society Section of the American Sociological Association, and an alumni of the UCSD Sustained Training in Aging & HIV Research (STAHR) Program (R25MH108389).
Academic Appointment
- Associate Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Emory University
Education
Degrees
- PhD, Sociology from Georgia State University
- M.A., Sociology from Georgia State University
Research
Publications
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"I Don't Wake Up Completely": Older Adults' Trade-Offs Between Nighttime Ambulation Safety and Sleep Quality.
J Am Geriatr Soc
04/11/2025 Authors: Jing ZY; Johnson TM; Bender AA -
Differing Realities Among Assisted Living Residents With Dementia: Understanding Care Partner Responses.
Gerontologist Volume: 65
04/09/2025 Authors: Kemp CL; Anglin E; Morgan JC; Perkins MM; Burgess EO; Bender AA -
"The Heart of the Center": Exploring the Role of the Patient Care Technician in US Dialysis Care.
Kidney Med Volume: 7 Page(s): 100934
01/01/2025 Authors: Urbanski M; Blythe E; Hamblin A; Bender AA; Hoge C; Douglas-Ajayi C; Rickenbach F; Joseph J; Damron KC; Morgan JC -
A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the NIH Emotions Toolbox Among People Living with HIV and Who May Use Methamphetamine.
AIDS Behav Volume: 29 Page(s): 55 - 63
01/01/2025 Authors: Bender AA; Moore DJ; Perkins MM; Hunt R; Haardrfer R -
Dementia Care Among United States Dialysis Providers: A Mixed Methods Study Evaluating Clinician Comfort and Knowledge.
Kidney Med Volume: 6 Page(s): 100884
10/01/2024 Authors: Bender AA; Urbanski M; Morgan JC; Hoge C; Joseph J; Damron KC; Douglas-Ajayi C; Rickenbach F; Jaar BG; Sheshadri A -
Resident and Caregiver Dyads Talk About Death and Dying in Assisted Living: A Typology of Communication Behaviors.
Am J Hosp Palliat Care Volume: 41 Page(s): 1011 - 1017
09/01/2024 Authors: Vandenberg AE; Bender AA; Kemp CL; Perkins MM -
Engaging partners, lay persons, and learners through effective marketing and messaging.
J Am Geriatr Soc Volume: 72 Suppl 3 Page(s): S43 - S46
08/01/2024 Authors: Johnson TM; Freiji J; Moore MA; Bender AA; Munroe D; Geresu H; Baxter GG; Epps F; Taylor LF; Bussey-Jones J -
Barriers to Community Service Use Among Persons With Dementia and Their Care Partners: A Focus on Consumers of a Novel Statewide Dementia Care Program.
J Appl Gerontol Volume: 43 Page(s): 612 - 622
05/01/2024 Authors: Bender AA; Pier E; Moore M; Jungerman J; Davis A; Perkins MM -
Patient Care Technician Staffing and Outcomes Among US Patients Receiving In-Center Hemodialysis.
JAMA Netw Open Volume: 7 Page(s): e241722
03/04/2024 Authors: Plantinga LC; Bender AA; Urbanski M; Douglas-Ajayi C; Morgan JC; Woo K; Jaar BG -
Patient Care Technician Staffing in US Hemodialysis Facilities: An Ecological Study.
Kidney Med Volume: 6 Page(s): 100782
03/01/2024 Authors: Plantinga LC; Urbanski M; Hoge C; Rickenbach F; Douglas-Ajayi C; Morgan JC; Bender AA; Jaar BG