Growing old can bring many gifts, including finding more meaning in life and for most older people, the happiest years of their lives. However, a decline in health can reduce our ability to enjoy this important phase of life, threatening our ability to maintain independence in our daily activities.
At the Florida State University College of Medicine, a community of researchers, physicians, physician assistants and others works together to find solutions to some of aging’ s most pressing problems. The ultimate goal: Help older adults stay healthy, independent and, when needed, receive high quality and appropriate care.
For instance, researchers study the links among loneliness,
sense of purpose, mental health and dementia risk. In
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addition, researchers are identifying ways to evaluate disease changes over time. They have also developed programs that are helping families caring for loved ones with dementia, including strategies that reduce stress and improve dementia-related behaviors. Finally, they are studying ways that brain exercises can help older adults stay engaged, think more clearly and feel less lonely.
Helping people remain in the community as long as possible, even if their health begins to decline, is another research priority. Investigators are studying ways that physical health, medical care and illness affect our emotions and relationships as we age. They are also identifying home-care supports and services that make it possible to live independently in the homes of our choosing for as long as possible, and which services reduce costs and prevent unnecessary moves to nursing homes.
“ People are living longer and may spend as much as a third of their lifetime identified as an older adult, someone 65 years of age and older,” said Lisa Granville, M. D., chair of the College of Medicine’ s Department of Geriatrics.“ Our perceptions of what aging means influences how we are treated in society and our individual health. Research has shown that positive perceptions of aging can increase a person’ s lifespan by more than seven and a half years.”
But an important challenge related to care of older adults is the limited number of health care professionals trained in geriatrics, she said.
“ As we age, multiple health conditions, cognitive decline and other complex health care needs may arise. The growing shortage of specialists for older adults demands that all health care members achieve a minimum competence in geriatrics to assist the delivery of individualized, safe and effective care.”
The college’ s Geriatrics Department is committed to training future health care workers in multiple professions to support a rapidly aging population. The department partners with faculty in other FSU colleges and staff at facilities and clinics across the region to expand geriatrics training. The clinical training focuses on four key areas: brain health, mobility, medicine safety and person-centered care, honoring individuals’ personal values. Faculty and staff study which skills and supports health care workers need in nursing homes and assisted living facilities to ensure that high-quality care is provided.
Florida is home to the highest proportion of adults 65 and older of any state in the country. College of Medicine researchers are working to help older adults stay healthy and get better care. The research and clinical training being done directly improves the lives of older adults and their families, and, according to Granville,“ We will continue to work to improve health care, make homecare better, support family caregivers and help our older residents live healthier, happier lives.”
Researchers in the Department of Geriatrics identify risk factors that contribute to Alzheimer’ s and other types of dementia, including ways to:
• Prevent dementia
• Reduce symptoms
• Improve the lives of those living with dementia and the lives of their families.
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