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Health Care and Aging Environments
Research
General
Disability
The CABSR's Health and Aging research is always
consumer based. As such, it relies on direct input from people
with impairments as well as their families and professional
caregivers. Populations studied to date include people with
Alzheimer's disease, the frail elderly and people with disabilities
of a physical and/or cognitive nature. A particular emphasis
has been placed on people with developmental disabilities.
The research is systematic and employs both qualitative and
quantitative methodologies. Studies utilize standard behavioral
science techniques such as interviews, questionnaires, direct
observation and assessment scales.
The following projects have been funded by the
New Jersey Developmental Disabilities Council-Rutgers University
Research Consortium:
- Two phased study of consumers' evaluations
of their group home environments.
- Study of consumers' evaluations of their
supervised apartments or supported living environments.
- Evaluations of community living by former
residents of developmental centers with comparisons drawn
to institutional life.
- Investigation of the needs and concerns of
older people with chronic disabilities as they confront
aging in the community.
- Investigation of the issues and concerns
of older people caring for an adult family member with a
disability at home and their preferences for future care
options.
Work In Progress
Development of a research-based manual
for parents raising a physically disabled child at home.
The manual will contain recommendations for creating a safe
and supportive home environment and for modifying the home
over time as the needs of the maturing child change (Funded
by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation).
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Alzheimer's Disease
and Related Dementias
The CABSR's Health and Aging research is always
consumer based. As such, it relies on direct input from people
with impairments as well as their families and professional
caregivers. Populations studied to date include people with
Alzheimer's disease, the frail elderly and people with disabilities
of a physical and/or cognitive nature. A particular emphasis
has been placed on people with developmental disabilities.
The research is systematic and employs both qualitative and
quantitative methodologies. Studies utilize standard behavioral
science techniques such as interviews, questionnaires, direct
observation and assessment scales.
- Development and evaluation of two "Media
Memory Lane "interventions in an Alzheimer's daycare
center to determine the ability of nostalgic music and videos,
presented in an easy-to-access format, to engage people with
dementia and to stimulate positive behaviors (Funded by the
Alzheimer's Association)
- Evaluation of the ability of specially designed
recreational interventions to reduce agitation and boredom
among nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease (Funded
by the National Institute on Aging)
- Study of the impact of a temporary change in
environment on the behaviors of dementia daycare clients (Funded
by the Alzheimer's Association)
- Development and publication of a research-based
manual for family members caring for a loved one with dementia
at home. The publication, Homes That Help, contains recommendations
and guidelines for creating a safe and supportive home through
physical modifications and behavioral management strategies
(Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation) Also published
in Japanese.
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A House for
all Children: Planning a Supportive Home Environment for Children
with Disabilities
For more information on this research
project please visit the website http://www.ahouseforallchildren.njit.edu/
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"Generating new knowledge to improve the built
environment and enhance quality of life"
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