Aging research represents a field of science that investigates the underlying causes for why and how human bodies get older. Aging research includes healthy aging, health services, and the quality of life for older adults; it examines what happens to our bodies as people age (e.g., biological, physiological, genetic) as well as psychological and social factors that affect our aging process.
Life course aims at analyzing human development throughout the lifespan, with time being the central consideration. Behaviors, such as smoking and physical activity, may change over time. Pandemics, such as COVID-19, also affect the life course (i.e., infection exposure to vaccination). Changes in policies and medical care advancements may also affect health over time.
Major Projects
Major projects within this research theme that are being led by School of Nursing faculty include:
- Collaborative Approach for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Research and Education (principal investigator: Van Ta Park)
- Hospice Use in Older Adults With Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias: Patterns, Policies and Caregiver Experiences (principal investigator: Lauren Hunt)
- Access and Use of Long-Term Services and Supports for Older Adults Living Alone With Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias From Four Racial/Ethnic Groups (principal investigator: Elena Portacolone)
- Relationships of Dementia Care Workforce Experiences, Training, and Work Environment to Resident Outcomes in Skilled Nursing Facilities (principal investigator: Laura Wagner)
- Reducing the Social and Economic Impacts of Caregiving for Older Adults With Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias in the In-Home Supportive Services System Through Training (principal investigator: Jarmin Yeh)