| This page provides summaries of recent grant funded research
that I.D.E.A.S., Inc. has conducted in the field of geriatrics. We update
this page as new projects are completed.
Assistive Technologies
for Long-Term Care Settings
Online Courses on
Home Modifications for Seniors
Designing a Better
Closet to Promote Safe and Independent Dressing
Online Resources
for People with Hearing Impairments
Comprehensive Information
on Design for People with Dementia
Training Videos
on HIV Associated Dementia and Related Cognitive Disorders
Online Courses
on HIV Associated Cognitive Impairments
Models of Care in
Special Care Units
Environmental Assessment
Protocol for Special Care Units
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Assistive
Technologies for Long-Term Care Settings
Development and efficacy testing of www.TechforLTC.org,
a website with comprehensive information on assistive technologies used
in nursing homes, assisted living, and homes in the community.
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9/06 - 8/07 National Institute on Aging, $100,000
11/02 - 10-04 Funding awarded to the Polisher Research Institute, by the
Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, $300,000.
Objective: This project has developed a web-based,, informational database of existing and emerging technologies for frail and disabled individuals who require long-term care, and particularly individuals who live in nursing homes and other shared residential settings. Facility staff who are looking for information on assistance call systems, incontinence and bathing products, systems to manage wandering or falls, devices to support safe lifting and transferring or medication management will find a comprehensive list of products at www.TechfotLTC.org This project is a joint effort of I.D.E.A.S., Inc. and Polisher Research Institute. For information on barriers to implementing technologies in long-term care, please go to http://www.gerontechnology.info/Journal/Content/Volume_4/nr_2/pdf/86-100.pdf |
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Online
Courses on Home Modifications for Seniors
This project developed a series of online courses on home modifications for people with sensory limitations, for people with mobility problems, for people at risk of falling, and for people with dementia.
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5/03 - 11/07 National Institute on Aging, $835,925
Objective: To create an online course about home modifications for people with dementia living at home. Courses were developed in both an asynchronous/self-study format and a synchronous/interactive version. They were tested with therapists, social workers, contractors and other aging professionals.
Method: Quasi-experimental design,
tests of efficacy and satisfaction.
Results: Participants demonstrated significant learning after taking all four courses. The courses were rated highly, and participants indicated they would definitely recommend the courses to their colleagues. Self-study version of the online courses are available at http://ideasconsultinginc.com/pages/OnlineHome.asp, while the synchronous courses are available through University of Southern California. http://www.homemods.org/ |
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Designing
a Better Closet to Promote Safe and Independent Dressing
This project evaluates the impact of resident safety and independence in dressing by using a new, Assistive Wardrobe.
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9/03 - 8/08 National Institute on Aging, $821,749
Objective: : The goal of this project is to create an assistive closet/wardrobe (developed in conjunction with Clafflin Contract Furnishings) that supports greater independence in dressing in frail individuals living in nursing homes, assisted living or other senior housing. A second objective is to create a new research instrument that accurately assesses those aspects of dressing that relate to accessing one's clothes.
Method: This study uses a quasi-experimental design, comparing individuals using their existing wardrobe, then using the Assistive Wardrobe. Residents and staff were given training and interviews were conducted to ask what features residents and staff liked or felt were most useful.
Results: In Phase I, residents using the assistive wardrobe were significantly more independent and rated as safer than when using their existing wardrobes. Further research will assess the impact on staff time providing dressing assistance. |
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Online
Resources for People with Hearing Impairments
Project developed a website with information about assistive listening devices, including hearing aids, and other communication strategies for people with hearing loss.
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9/03
- 8/05 National Institute on Aging, $200,000
Objective:
This project created an online course for older adults and their family members about the need for and use of assistive technologies related to hearing impairments. The on-line course was compared with a traditional classroom taught format with the same content.
Method: Quasi-experimental design, which tested learning efficacy and satisfaction of both seniors and some service providers.
Results: There were virtually no differences in learning between people who took the online course and those in the classroom setting. Taking the course, however, not only increased knowledge but decreased the functional impact of hearing loss over a 2 month period. Seniors reported that they did not like the course format, and preferred to be able to access the information they were interested in without having to go through all the material. So the information was restructured as a searchable website, and the information can be found at http://ideasconsultinginc.com/stay-independent/about.asp |
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Comprehensive
Information on Design for People with Dementia
This multi-stage project is developing a website with searchable information about design of nursing homes and assisted living for people with dementia.
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9/03 - 4/04 National Institute on Aging, $101,255
6/02 - 6/04 Funding awarded to the Polisher Research Institute, by Alzheimer's Association, $239,973
Objective: The objective of this project is to create www.DementiaDesignInfo.org, a web-based resource for designers and long-term care providers that provides a comprehensive database of information on designs for dementia which is: systematically organized, easily searchable, linked with potential outcomes (resident, staff, family, and organization), and weighted for confidence in the impact/outcome.
Method:
Quasi-experimental, tests of efficacy and satisfaction, user surveys.
Results: In general, people who used the web-based resource were able to provide a more detailed and accurate analysis of design features that were supportive of people with dementia than people who used a design guide book or had no resource.
The website is being further developed in conjunction with the Institute on Aging and Environment at the School of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/IAE/
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Training
Videos on HIV Associated Dementia and Related Cognitive Disorders
This project developed a series of staff training videos on cognitive changes associated with HIV/AIDS. |
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9/98 - 9/01 Funded by National Institute of Mental Health.
$849,422
Objective: To develop a set of caregiver training videos, made available in both English and Spanish, utilizing behavioral and environmental solutions for HIV-Associated Dementia. Settings included long term care, community/family home and group home settings.
Method: Quasi-experimental design, tests of efficacy and satisfaction, focus groups.
Results: Participants demonstrated statistically significant learning from pretest to posttest.
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Online
Courses on HIV Associated Cognitive Impairments
This project converted the material from the HIV staff training videos into
an on-line resource.
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10/01 - 3/02 National Institute of Mental Health, $100,000
Objective: To create an online version of the HIV training. Course was developed with HIV Insight, and tested with 35 participants.
Method: Quasi-experimental design, tests of efficacy and satisfaction. |
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Models
of Care in Special Care Units
This project explored differences between special care units for people with dementia that reflect an institutional, homelike, resort-based or a wellness model of care.
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12/98 - 8/99 Funded by National Institute on Aging $100,000
Objective:
To develop a typology of models of dementia care, assess the relationship between different models and quality indicators, and ultimately develop a training program to help long-term care facilities select and implement a cohesive model of care.
Method: Qualitative and quantitative analysis from surveys, focus groups, delphi technique, interviews |
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Environmental
Assessment Protocol for Special Care Units
This project developed a detailed self-assessment tool for special care units for people with dementia.
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8/94 - 9/98 Funded by National Institute on Aging $823,979
Objective: To develop a cost-effective alternative to traditional consultation services for care settings serving people with dementia. To develop facility administered questionnaires and caregiver instructional videos for three areas of concern: 1) minimizing disruptive behaviors, 2) maximizing cognitive and functional abilities, and 3) enhancing self and sense of home.
Method: Modified Delphi technique, empirical goal derivation, validity and reliability
Results: Participating facilities were able to complete the
questionnaire, and IDEAS staff were able to successfully develop a comprehensive
report to the facility, detailing recommendations for how to modify their
environment. The information has been reformatted into Creating Successful
Dementia Care Settings: Vols: 1-4 and is available through http://www.healthpropress.com/store/calkins-2718/bio.htm |
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