Anita M M Souza she,her

My program of research addresses the care and support of older adults across the cognitive continuum, including those in the early stages of memory loss. Specifically, I focus on the psychosocial and health care needs of those with cognitive decline who live alone and reside in the community. I have had a breadth of clinical experience in gerontology and in the community utilizing Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) methods. I have helped develop and deliver educational programs to older adults living with dementia and counseled individuals and families on dementia-related care issues. My dissertation work led to further study of cognitively impaired individuals who have experienced homelessness. My research aims to better understand the needs and challenges of providing care to homeless older adults with cognitive impairment by examining social network factors (mobility, housing, family and friend networks) that contribute to health care access in older homeless adults, and the associations with chronic disease and cognitive health.