The overall goal and theme of NERI's proposed Center of Research on Applied Gerontology is the promotion of physical activity to enhance the functioning of disabled older persons. NERI's Center will address this theme through the application of theoretically grounded cognitive/behavioral interventions aimed at helping disabled older persons increase activity levels within daily life. We hypothesize that enhanced levels of activity among disabled older persons will break the downward cycle of disablement by interrupting or retarding the progression of disability and thereby improve their overall functioning. We have chosen to test our major hypotheses in two important high risk groups of older persons: the sedentary disabled older person and the elderly who are afraid of falling. The proposed theme for NERI's Center derives from our understanding that disability is not an inherent part of the aging process, solely determined by biological losses or restrictions, but rather, that it is influenced by many factors (physical, cognitive, and social), some of which are amenable to change. Our philosophical point of departure is the belief that the cycle of disablement is a long-term, dynamic process that can fluctuate in severity and extent throughout the life course. Within this paradigm, prevention of disability' emphasizes efforts aimed at ameliorating the secondary impairments and functional limitations that can develop after the onset of acute or chronic injury or disease. Disability preventive interventions that emerge from this new paradigm need to be designed for use throughout the remaining life course to enhance the overall functioning of the older person. Our primary target group is the community-dwelling, disabled older person. Our strategy for identifying, recruiting, and enrolling this difficult to reach target group is to collaborate with an existing community-wide social service network operating within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Home Care Corporation network. Project I will modify Lachman's cognitive restructuring intervention approach for the disabled, older population. Two intervention trials will be conducted with two special needs subgroups within the disabled older population. Project 2 focuses on sedentary, older persons who have not incorporated exercise into their normal lifestyle. Project 3 targets disabled older persons who have restricted their activity levels because of fear of falling. Future efforts of the Center will apply these interventions to other disabled subgroups of the population.
| Neupert, Shevaun D; Lachman, Margie E; Whitbourne, Stacey B (2009) Exercise self-efficacy and control beliefs: effects on exercise behavior after an exercise intervention for older adults. J Aging Phys Act 17:1-16 |
| Scarborough, Donna Moxley; McGibbon, Chris A; Krebs, David E (2007) Chair rise strategies in older adults with functional limitations. J Rehabil Res Dev 44:33-42 |
| Krebs, David E; Scarborough, Donna Moxley; McGibbon, Chris A (2007) Functional vs. strength training in disabled elderly outpatients. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 86:93-103 |
| Lachman, Margie E; Neupert, Shevaun D; Bertrand, Rosanna et al. (2006) The effects of strength training on memory in older adults. J Aging Phys Act 14:59-73 |
| LeBrasseur, Nathan K; Sayers, Stephen P; Ouellette, Michelle M et al. (2006) Muscle impairments and behavioral factors mediate functional limitations and disability following stroke. Phys Ther 86:1342-50 |
| Lyons, Kathleen Doyle; Tickle-Degnen, Linda (2005) Reliability and validity of a videotape method to describe expressive behavior in persons with Parkinson's disease. Am J Occup Ther 59:41-9 |
| Pinto, Bernardine M; Goldstein, Michael G; Ashba, Jacqueline et al. (2005) Randomized controlled trial of physical activity counseling for older primary care patients. Am J Prev Med 29:247-55 |
| Keysor, Julie; Jette, Alan; Haley, Stephen (2005) Development of the home and community environment (HACE) instrument. J Rehabil Med 37:37-44 |
| Lyons, Kathleen Doyle; Tickle-Degnen, Linda; Henry, Alexis et al. (2004) Behavioural cues of personality in Parkinson's disease. Disabil Rehabil 26:463-70 |
| Dubuc, Nicole; Haley, Stephen M; Kooyoomjian, Jill T et al. (2004) Assessing disability in older adults: the effects of asking questions with and without health attribution. J Rehabil Med 36:226-31 |
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