Aging and Life Course Health

The Institute for Health & Aging's (IHA) Aging and Life Course Health research portfolio covers a broad spectrum of projects focused on enhancing the quality of life for older adults and their caregivers. This work includes studies that improve dementia care, investigate ethical considerations in end-of-life care and support Alzheimer’s disease research and education. Many projects emphasize community engagement and culturally relevant approaches and target workforce training, such as specialized dementia care training for California’s In-Home Supportive Services caregivers. Additionally, IHA leads projects addressing the inclusion of underrepresented groups in Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials, particularly Latino and Asian communities. By addressing these challenges, IHA aims to create equitable and culturally responsive solutions in aging and lifespan health across diverse populations and settings.

Projects

AccelNet Implementation Phase 1: Growing Convergent Research to Advance Scientific Understanding and Applications of Coupled Brain Activity, Expressive Movement, and Music 

AccelNet fosters research to understand how music and movement affect brain function, creativity, and well-being across the lifespan.

Principal Investigator: Julene Johnson 

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

This study examines barriers and facilitators to long-term support services for older adults with cognitive impairment who live alone, aiming to develop policy recommendations. 

  • Principal Investigator: Elena Portacolone 
  • Funder: NIA 

Aging in SROs: Building Capacity Toward an Anti-Racist and Age-Friendly Praxis

This project investigates the challenges of aging in place for older adults in Single Room Occupancy hotels (SROs), involving residents as advisors. 

Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Facts and Figures in California: Current Status and Future Projections Report 

This report provides updated data on Alzheimer's disease in California, aiming to inform policy and raise awareness of Alzheimer’s impact. 

  • Principal Investigators: Jarmin Yeh, Suzanna Martinez (Co-PI)
  • Funder: California Department of Public Health

Centering Caregivers in Alzheimer's Research on Equity, Representation, Services, and Supports (C-CARERS) 

C-CARERS uses a community-engaged approach to understand the experiences of dementia caregivers from rural and underserved communities in Northern California. 

  • Principal Investigators: Jarmin Yeh, Jiwon Choi (Co-I), Suzanna Martinez (Co-PI)
  • Partners: Plumas District Hospital, Alzheimer's Association Northern California and Northern Nevada Chapter
  • Funder: California Department of Public Health

Clinical Providers’ Perspectives on the Ethical Implications of Utilizing Mortality Prediction Algorithms in End-of-Life Care 

This study explores healthcare providers' views on the ethical implications of using AI-driven mortality prediction algorithms in end-of-life care, focusing on the impact of these tools on patient-provider relationships. 

Principal Investigator: Anita Ho 

Club 75: Openhouse + OnLok Community Day Program 

This evaluation of a day program co-designed with LGBTQ+ older adults assesses outcomes for community day services in San Francisco. 

  • Principal Investigators: Jarmin Yeh, Jason Flatt (Co-PI)
  • Partners: On Lok, Open House
  • Funder: On Lok

Establishing a Consortium to Leverage Trusted Community-Based Organizations with National Reach to Increase Recruitment of Latinos in Dementia Research 

This multi-site intervention seeks to increase Latino participation in dementia research through culturally relevant community-based organizations. 

Feasibility and Acceptability Testing of a Culturally Tailored Music Therapy Intervention for Persons Living with Dementia and Their Care Partners 

This project tailors a music therapy intervention for Chinese/Chinese American dementia patients and their caregivers, focusing on culturally specific preferences. 

Feasibility of Tele-Singing at Home for Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Decline 

This study is examining the feasibility of a digital singing-based intervention for older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

Principal Investigators: Linda Chao, Julene Johnson (Co-PI)

High Road Training Partnership (HRTP) 

HRTP evaluates training programs for California’s In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) caregivers, focusing on Alzheimer's and dementia care as well as emergency preparedness. 

Inclusive ADRD Clinical Trials: Screening and Enrolling Latino Participants 

This study investigates barriers to enrolling Latino participants in Alzheimer's clinical trials, a population disproportionately affected by ADRD. 

INFORMED: Brain Health Project for Korean American Dementia Caregivers 

This project develops and tests a culturally tailored intervention to support Korean American dementia caregivers, improving knowledge and caregiving skills. 

Long-Term Care for Incarcerated Patients with Dementia: Developing a Community-Based Research Agenda 

This project addresses the needs of incarcerated dementia patients, exploring a community-based research agenda for long-term care. 

Reducing the Social and Economic Impacts of Caregiving for Older Adults with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) in the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) System through Training (IHSS+ ADRD Training Project) 

This project implements and evaluates a dementia training program for IHSS caregivers and clients in Alameda and Los Angeles counties to improve caregiving competencies. 

Research Network to Accelerate Mechanistic Studies of Music for Dementia 

This research network aims to accelerate mechanistic studies of music-based interventions in the context of dementia, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and facilitating pilot projects. 

Principal Investigator: Julene Johnson