Geriatrics Research
Purpose
Research interests in the Office of Geriatric Medicine / Gerontology predominantly
relate to issues in the care and management of
people with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. In addition to clinical aspects
of care, office faculty are interested in psychosocial
issues such as caregiver stress and burden and interventions to help caregivers cope.
The office collects a database of information for clinical
and research purposes from the caregivers of the patients seen in the Dementia & Memory
Center. Faculty in the office have also been
conducting a study looking at the process and outcome of hospitalization for dementia
patients with comorbidities.
Office faculty are
also interested in other chronic problems older adults experience. A new interdepartmental
project will focus on nocturnal incontinence in older
adults and the use of the drug desmopressin.
Students have also been involved with research projects in the office. One medical
student
helped to develop a survey to understand the information needs and resources of primary
care physicians, particularly regarding mental health
issues and the elderly. Another student is working on a proposal to study medication
compliance in older adults.
A strength of the
office is the various disciplines that are represented by the faculty, bringing a
biopsychosocial approach to research and educational
activities, as well as the delivery of medical care to older adults.
Projects
Coming Soon!