Associate Director of Research and Senior Research Scholar, Scripps Gerontology Center, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Gerontology
Sociology and Gerontology, Scripps Gerontology Center
Applied Qualitative Methodology; Survey Research; Program Evaluation; Family Caregiving; Long-term Care Practice, Policy, and Programs; Direct Care Workers; End-of-Life Values and Decision-Making
Research Interests
Communication and care coordination within caregiving families; end-of-life values and decision-making; long-term services and supports; long-term care consumer satisfaction; dementia-inclusive and capable communities; age-friendly communities; intergenerational engagement; program evaluation
Biographical Sketch
Jennifer Heston-Mullins, PhD, LISW is the Associate Director of Research and a Senior Research Scholar with Scripps Gerontology Center and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Gerontology. Dr. Heston-Mullins is active in qualitative methods, survey research, and evaluation of long-term care practice, policy and programs. She is also engaged in age-friendly community and state initiatives, where she focuses on strategies to increase intergenerational connection and community accessibility. Prior to her research career, Dr. Heston-Mullins worked within the aging network as a direct care worker and social worker in residential long-term care.
Selected Publications
Heston-Mullins, J., Primetica, B., Bibbo, J., Bollin, S., Wyrostek, L., Barrett, D., Williman, M., Burman, B., Haas, A., Scharf, L., Huth, M., Hudak, J., & Kinzig, E. (2025). A Case Study of Aging and Intellectual and Developmental Disability Collaboration in Ohio, The Gerontologist, 65(7). https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnaf137
Koumoutzis, A., Heston-Mullins, J., Reece, H. R., Abbott, K. M., Bowblis, J. R., & Applebaum, R. (2025). To opt-in or opt-out? The choice behind financial alignment for dual-eligible beneficiaries in Ohio. Journal of Aging and Social Policy.https://doi.org/10.1080/08959420.2025.2528582
Koumoutzis, A., Heston-Mullins, J., Mayberry, P. S., & Applebaum, R. (2022). If you ask them, they will support: A national study of local initiatives developed to provide social care to older adults in the community. Journal of Applied Gerontology. 41(8), 1860-1869. https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648221090945
Koumoutzis, A., Mayberry, P., Heston-Mullins, J., & Applebaum, R. (2021). Using local initiatives to fund in-home services: Ohio leads the nation. Scripps Gerontology Center, Miami University.
Applebaum, R. & Heston-Mullins, J. (2020). Local initiatives to fund services for older Americans: A growing option for states. AARP Public Policy Institute 2020 LTSS State Scorecard Promising Practices and Emerging Innovations Series. Available at http://www.longtermscorecard.org/publications/promising-practices/local-tax-levies
Koumoutzis, A., Stemen, S. E., Maharjan, R., Heston-Mullins, J., Mayberry, P., & Applebaum, R. (2020). Local initiatives to fund services for older Americans: Community recognition of the importance of social care. Journal of Applied Gerontology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464820944325
