Current
Researchthat's helping older adults
age well
Every day brings the promise of new possibilities and important breakthroughs
Mather Institute conducts research that offers important implications for the senior living industry. Committed to research that impacts the lives of older adults, the Institute continually looks for insights about senior living in order to benefit organizations and programs that are helping older adults to age well.
Life Plan Community Resident Wellness Assessment
Researchers are working with staff from Moorings Park to develop a wellness score/assessment that is specific to residents of Life Plan Communities. Objectives include motivating residents to participate in wellness behaviors, attracting residents to Life Plan Communities, and providing staff with a measure of wellness within their communities that they might then use to help determine programming.
Catherine O’Brien, PhD, MPHcobrien@mather.comAge Well Study
Conducted in partnership with Northwestern University, this five-year longitudinal study will evaluate the impact of living in a Life Plan Community on residents’ cognitive, physical, and psychosocial health and well-being. Residents will be asked to take a survey each year, which monitors attitudes, perceptions, and health.
Catherine O’Brien, PhD, MPHcobrien@mather.comEffect of Late-life Employment on Brain Health
This project examines the importance of employment and related factors as a risk factor or preventive tool against age-related cognitive decline. Data will be examined from existing brain scans in conjunction with additional data gathered on employment history, type, and other related factors. The results of this investigation may transform how we view our occupational life in terms of physical, neural and cognitive health.
Catherine O’Brien, PhD, MPHcobrien@mather.comHappiness Index
Drawing inspiration from Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness concept, the purpose of this study is to develop a Happiness Index for Life Plan Communities. The Happiness Index is intended to complement traditional economic and satisfaction/engagement measures of organizational performance. This study takes a multidimensional view of happiness, including factors associated with positive feelings, meaningful experiences, and community belonging, among others.
Jennifer L. Smith, PhDjsmith@mather.com