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Geriatrics Research Programs
Vada Kinman-Oldfield
Alzheimers Research Award
Colonel Barney and Mrs. Vada Oldsfield
(Visit the Oldsfield website)
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Nancy and Ronald Reagan Alzheimer's Scholarship
"Alois Alzheimer: The Man" Article written by Gertrude Gibbs (in PDF format)
- The Section of Geriatrics offers rich clinical research opportunities to staff, fellows, residents, and students. Dr. Jane F. Potter and Dr. Brenda K. Keller have served as research mentors for trainees at all levels.
- The Geriatric Assessment Clinic at UNMC has been the source of a comprehensive clinical database on geriatric functional status, physical and emotional well-being, social interactions as well as severity and etiology of dementia. It contains over 2,000 subjects and 1,600 variables.
- Within this database is additional in-depth information about vision changes in aging and dementia. The Geriatric Assessment Clinic database has been the source of multiple abstracts and more than 15 research manuscripts.
- An additional database of outpatient geriatric continuity patients focuses on screening for functional disability in the general elderly population.
- Research trainees may also explore other geriatric topics of their own interest.
- Students, Residents and Fellows interested in research opportunities at the University Geriatric Center may email Dr. Keller at bkkeller@unmc.edu
PREVIOUS STUDENT and HOUSE OFFICER PROJECTS
UNDERGRADUATES:
- Elizabeth Waldman, M.D. A prospective evaluation of the cumulative illness rating scale. 1992.
- Morton, Joy, PharmD., The Relationship between Sensory Impairment and Functional Status in Frail Elders. 1995. Drug-induced cognitive impairment in geriatric assessment clinic patients. 1996.
- Jin, Fawn. Serum cholesterol and nutritional state. 1996.
- Cernin, Paul. Color Perception in Alzheimer's Patients: Can we improve object recognition with color cues. 1998.
- Anderson, Jill. Medical students' attitudes regarding end of life care. 1999.
- Kahle, Kristin, MS. Factors affecting the evaluation of functional disability found on 10 item screening. 1999.
- Bazant, Mark. The Relationship between Visual and Hearing Impairment and Depression in Geriatric Assessment Clinic Patients. 2001. Visual Impairment and Psychosis in the Frail Elderly. 2002.
- Langdon, Melissa. Prevalence of use of hip protectors for fracture prevention in rural nursing homes. 2003.
- Shook, Gina. Illumination and Function. 2003.
- Gustafson, Annie. Illumination, Function & Eye Pathologies. 2004.
- Lee, Jan. Contrast Sensitivity & Function. 2005
- Olson, Emily. The Availability of Mental Health Services in Nursing Homes: Medical Director Perceptions. 2007
MEDICAL STUDENTS:
- Brown, Lisa. Caregiver burden should be evaluated during geriatric assessment. 1990.
- Kaspar-Cope, Shelly. Caregivers of strongly supported dependent individuals still experience substantial burden. 1991.
- Manganaro, Maureen. Detection of alcohol use and misuse in older outpatient veterans. 1993.
- Magnuson, Thomas. The Significance of Social Network in a Geriatric Assessment Population. 1995.
- Demidovich, Tatiana. Outcomes of rehabilitation on a geriatric rehabilitation unit (GRU). 1997.
- Endo, Justin. Is there an association between vitamin B-12 deficiency and incontinence in older patients? 2000. Alcohol Use in Assisted Living Facilities. 2001.
- Ortmann, Laura. The Relationship between Multiple Functional Impairments and Mortality in Geriatric Medicine Clinic Outpatients. 2001.
HOUSE OFFICERS/FELLOWS:
- Scholer, Susan. Does the Williams manual test predict service use among community dwelling elderly? 1990.
- Malloy, Timothy. Relationship of hearing impairment to dementia. 1990.
- Goodwin, Linda. Factors influencing neuroleptic drug use in nursing homes. 1990.
- Siegel, Mitch . A controlled trial of oral hygiene to improve oral health in nursing facilities. 1991
- Keller, Brenda. Predictors of mortality in outpatient geriatric evaluation and management of patients. 1993.
- Osborne, Tracy. The prevalence, composition, and function of ethics committees in nursing facilities: Results of a random national survey of American Health Care Association members. 1998.
- Ayedun, Aodele. Appropriate use of bladder catheters upon discharge from an acute care hospital. 1998.
- Choudhary, Ranu. Predictors of time to death in community dwelling patients with mild Alzheimer's disease. 1998.
- Assadullah, Saira. Is there an association between vitamin B-12 deficiency and incontinence in older patients? 2000.
- Biswas, Neena. Evaluation and treatment of chronic pain in older patients. 2000.
- Mostek, Debra. Estrogen and NSAID use and the Onset and Course of Dementia. 2000.
- Suslow, Alexandra. The Effect of Infection Control Policies and Procedures on the Incidence of MRSA and VRE in Nursing Facilities in Nebraska. 2001.
- Arora, Amit. Factors Predicting Screening Mammography Before and After Geriatric Assessment. 2002.
- Wolpert, Lawrence. Vitamin D Deficiency in the Elderly. 2004
- CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS: Illumination and Function in the Elderly, Visual Acuity and Functional Status in an Outpatient Geriatric Evaluation and Management Clinic Population. The Effectiveness of Functional Screening Follow-up in an Outpatient Geriatrics Clinic. Comorbid illness and survival in persons with dementia.
- POTENTIAL PROJECTS: Prevalence of use of hip protectors for fracture prevention in out state nursing homes. The Reliability of Objective Measures of Visual Acuity in Patients with Dementia. Retrospective data analysis of the geriatric assessment database to explore factors related to function and disability in older outpatients.
- SPECIALIZED LABORATORY/CLINICAL RESEARCH RESOURCES: Tools to assess visual impairment: Pelli-Robson Chart, ETDRS-Type Charts, D-15 Color Test, Teller Acuity Cards, Pseudo-Isochromatic Plates, Stereopsis tests.
The Geriatric Clinic database contains baseline data on health, functional, cognitive and affective status on over 2500 patients. This database may be used to explore a variety of issues related to frailty and aging.
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