Current research

Current Research

Pilot #3: Patient and Caregiver Perspectives on Falls, (Patricia Matsuda, PI)

Falls and their consequences are known to be a major contributor to decreased health and well-being in older adults. While to most people it may seem obvious what a fall is, there are actually a variety of definitions, from a requirement that a person goes all the way to the ground, to trips, slips, or near-falls (e.g., going down to a lower surface or catching oneself before going to the ground). Health care providers (HCPs) may inquire about falls, yet usually they do not provide a definition of what types of falls they are interested in, causing confusion for the patient. In addition, older adults and people living with a disability may be reluctant to report falls to their HCPs for a variety of reasons, including the fear of losing their independence or viewing falls as an inevitable part of their everyday lives. This study will assess the perspective on falls, on conditions and circumstances surrounding falls, on consequences of falls on populations of interest including community-dwelling individuals with MS, with and without cognitive impairment, and their families/caregivers.

Pilot #4: Racism-Related Stress and Coping among Long-Term Care Professionals of Color Caring for Cognitively Impaired Adults (Cyndy Snyder, PI)

Research has documented that healthcare providers and caregivers in long-term care (LTC) settings experience racism from residents, residents’ families, and colleagues. This study will explore the racialized experiences and strategies for coping with racism among long-term care professionals of color caring for cognitively impaired adults in an effort to improve the well-being and opportunities of professionals that care for older adults with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other cognitive impairments. The pilot study will employ qualitative interviews to explore racism-related stress and coping among a diverse sample of 15-20 long-term care professionals of color (who self-identify solely or in combination as Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Native Alaskan, and or Pacific Islander) caring for cognitively impaired older adults in long term care facilities in Washington state.