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Research
Interdisciplinary research is a major focus for MU faculty and many have come together to focus their research expertise on improving the lives of older people. There are several large research projects funded by the National Science Foundation and the Administration on Aging underway developing and applying technology to help residents of TigerPlace age in place. Research teams are pursuing multiple ways to measure physical function, detect falls, and early illness recognition. Other grant proposals to NIH, NSF, and other funding agencies are under development at this time with PIs from Computer Engineering, Health Management and Informatics, Social Work, and Nursing.
Current grants involving TigerPlace:
- Technology to Enhance Aging in Place at TigerPlace, Administration on Aging, Marilyn Rantz, PI, $979,104
- Technology Interventions for Elders with Mobility and Cognitive Impairments, National Science Foundation, Margorie Skubic, PI, $2,154,241
- Elder-Centered Recognition Technology for the Assessment of Physical Function, National Science Foundation, Margorie Skubic, PI, $1,785,335
- A Smart Carpet for Monitoring Safety of Older Adults with Alzheimer's Disease, Alzheimer's Association, Harry Tyrer, PI, $246,947
- Technology and Interventions: Seniors Aging in Place, NIH National Institute on Aging, Zhihai He, PI, $250,000
- Technology to Automatically Detect Fall and Assess Fall Risk in Senior Housing, National Institute of Health, NINR, Marilyn Rantz, PI, $1,148,623 (pending)
Education
From an educational point of view, TigerPlace combines an exciting wellness-focused nursing practice with a creatively designed environment, innovative educational opportunities for students across all of MU’s colleges and schools, and an ideal practice environment for health care providers of the future to create and implement better ways of caring for older people. MU student involvement at TigerPlace truly enhances their educational experiences and the lives of the residents, too.
Student involvement includes:
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Two Social Work Master’s students interned at Sinclair Home Care and visited clients at TigerPlace.
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Business and engineering students through EMILE have studied the senior population and collaborated to produce and market new products specific to their needs. Approximately 25-30 students each semester since Fall 2001.
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25 students from Occupational Therapy attended lectures and tours of TigerPlace.
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An Occupational Therapy Master’s student completed his thesis on Universal Design using TigerPlace and the residents as his study focus.
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7 students from the Horticulture program completed capstone projects at TigerPlace.
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Nursing students have had experiences at Sinclair Home Care every semester since Sinclair Home Care’s inception in 1999 totaling over 556 students.
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Students from other Schools and Colleges will be involved in future semesters at TigerPlace and with Sinclair Home Care including students from nursing, medicine, veterinary medicine, agriculture and others.
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Students at the undergraduate and graduate levels are working with the faculty on the research efforts outlined below: Nursing, Engineering, Health Informatics.
Practice
TigerPlace offers a variety of exciting opportunities for practice for employees of the University of Missouri and for students of the university to gain experience with older adults.
Sinclair Home Care, the Home Health Agency of the MU Sinclair School of Nursing, provides care to the residents of TigerPlace. Sinclair Home Care employees as well as faculty from the School of Nursing have participated in providing care to the residents. Residents receive the following services as part of their rent:
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4 home health visits per year
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A semi-annual health assessment
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Access to the Wellness center 3 days per week
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Exercise classes 5 days per week
- Tai Chi 3 days a week presented by an Occupational Therapist
- Yoga 2 days a week with a certified instructor
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Additional services available for purchase or payment by Medicare or private insurance
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Personal care – help with bathing, grooming, and dressing
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Medication management - setting up medication planners or a medication dispensing machine
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Rehabilitation services (Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy)
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Links to needed services, such as hospice care
Life Enrichment – connection to campus events
- Theatre events
- Art exhibits
- Museums
- University Concert Series events
- University Sporting events
Monthly MU Interdisciplinary Center on Aging research seminar presentations -
Social work services to help residents transition to TigerPlace or deal with adjustments to life transitions - the social worker also connects residents with community services they may need such as Men’s Caregiver Support Group, Grief Network, and help with Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage)
- Connection to students – teaching students about healthy aging and receiving services from the students
- STEP Program – linking medical students to residents in the community
- Nursing students
- Occupational Therapy students
- Business students
- Landscaping Services students
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The opportunity to participate in research which offers free technology to detect symptoms early while maintaining privacy
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Happy Feet – includes foot soak, exfoliation, and massage
- Twice a month Celebrity Poker game
- Holiday activities throughout the year
- Special presentations by MU Sinclair School of Nursing Faculty
- Monthly sewing and laughter
- Monthly tea event
Residents may contract for additional services from Sinclair Home Care to help them remain active and independent.
Last Updated:
Thursday, February 7, 2008
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