Research
SCHOOL OF AGING STUDIES RESEARCH PROGRAM
The School of Aging Studies conducts significant research on applied aging, aimed at improving clinical practice, public policy, and the well-being of older adults and their families. Our research is funded by federal, state, and private agencies and focuses on four major areas.
Aging and Mental Health:
Studies examine the effects of age-related conditions on quality of life, including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, obesity, osteoarthritis, and terminal illness.
This research includes interventions to promote healthy aging and improve quality of life of older adults and their families in the context of chronic mental health problems, physical disease, and disability. This research includes interventions to promote healthy aging in older adults and their families in context of long-term care, chronic mental health programs, physical disease, and disability.
Aging and Health Disparities:
Studies of disparities in health care and outcomes among minority older adults. This research includes studies of African-American and Hispanic elders with chronic conditions such as arthritis, stroke, and cancer.
Cognitive Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease:
Studies of aging and memory, preclinical detection of Alzheimer’s disease, impact of cancer treatment and illness on cognition, and the role of lifestyle factors in preventing and delaying cognitive decline.
This research includes interventions to improve cognitive functioning and activities such as driving in older adults.
Public Policy and Long-Term Care:
Studies examine the effects of informal care- giving, assisted living, nursing homes, hospice and palliative care on cost, quality of care, and the health and well-being of older adults. This research informs the development and evaluation of programs and policies to improve long-term care, assisted living, and end-of-life care.
POSITIVE AGING LAB
PAL is a research laboratory devoted to the translation of innovations in integrative
health into practice. We are interested in applying a multidisciplinary approach to
promote the integration of social engagement and mindfulness in daily health behaviors
(real food, restful sleep, and efficient movement) in mid to late life. We use a combination
of primary and secondary data collections/analyses to uncover the power of integrative
health and to develop innovative and cost-effective interventions to improve health
and wellbeing among middle-aged and older adults. We work closely with our community
and industry partners to ensure that the interventions are feasible, efficient, and
pragmatic.
PAL LAB WEBSITE
PALLIATIVE CARE EDUCATION IN ASSISTED LIVING
The Palliative Care Education in Assisted Living (PCEAL) Lab’s mission is to implement
interventions to improve quality of end-of-life care outcomes for persons who live
in assisted living, educate providers of persons with life-limiting illnesses with
dementia in assisted living about how to provide palliative care, and serve as an
outlet for educational resources and tools for assisted living communities so they
can provide quality palliative and end-of-life care.
PCEAL LAB WEBSITE
HOSPICE, PALLIATIVE CARE AND END-OF-LIFE
The Center for Hospice, Palliative Care and End-of-Life Studies at USF is an innovative
research and education center in that we are an equal partnership between an academic
medical center/research one university and community provider agencies. Our approach
to research is collaborative – in many cases university researchers approach community
agencies as sites to conduct research and have access to patient populations. In our
work at the Center we conceptualize, conduct, and disseminate research findings as
partners.
END OF LIFE CENTER WEBSITE
The Managing Emergencies and Natural Disasters (MEND)
Lab in the School of Aging Studies at USF combines the research of faculty members concerning disaster preparedness for older adults and caregivers. This work includes federal and foundation grant-funded projects on the effects of hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic and disaster preparedness policies and practices.