22 Jan Translating Research for the Benefit of Older Adults
The NRC translates assessment methods and evidence-based interventions from research to practice.
An estimated 15 million older adults in the United States suffer from cognitive impairment, a number that is expected to climb in coming years as the population continues to age.
Efforts to improve healthcare for this population received a recent boost with new National Institutes of Health funding for the Northwest Roybal Center (NRC) for Translational Research on Aging. The NRC, which is housed in the School of Nursing at the University of Washington, focuses on translating assessment methods and evidence-based interventions from research to the locations where cognitively impaired older adults live and receive care.
“Research in the area of cognitive impairment has really just begun to blossom in the last 10 years, so the opportunity to improve care for this population is phenomenal,” said Dr. Linda Teri, Director of the NRC and Professor of Psychosocial & Community Health in the UW School of Nursing. “My hope is the work of the Center will lead to a surge in research activity related to treatments and best practices.”
The NRC is focused on developing and maintaining a translational research infrastructure. The Center works within the five-state WWAMI region to build and maintain partnerships among researchers, clinicians, and community members to ensure the translation of evidence-based research to practice.
The NRC also offers the funding, technical, and scholarly support researchers need to implement pilot studies and disseminate their findings. The Center is currently supporting pilots that are investigating topics such as identifying mobility disability markers, reducing fall risks, testing online evidence-based staff training, and caregiving in American Indian communities.
“There is a fair amount of evidence indicating that the sooner you intervene, the more likely you are to effect change in older adults with dementia such as Alzheimer’s,” shared Dr. Teri. “The faster we can disseminate treatment information, the more likely we are to see reductions in those affected in terms of both human suffering and incurred costs.”
The Institute of Translational Health Sciences has supported the NRC since its inception. ITHS has facilitated national connections with translational researchers, offered expertise to the Center’s design and ongoing work, and supported dissemination of funding opportunities. ITHS also awarded Dr. Teri a pilot grant that supported the creation of a web-based training program for one of the NRC’s interventions.
“ITHS has really been instrumental in encouraging my work and interest in translational research,” explained Dr. Teri. “I find it is much easier to do research if there is a community of support and expertise available, which ITHS has provided. ITHS was also part of the foundation for our thinking of how to structure the Center when preparing our grant application.”
To learn more about how ITHS can support your research, please visit the ITHS website or contact the ITHS Research Navigator. More information about the work of the NRC can be found by visiting the Center’s website.
