News & Events

Past Webinar – The Impact of Light Exposure on Sleep: A Pilot Study, Erik Page (Blue Iris Labs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcBlsqpNYeg Abstract: Light exposure is the primary regulator of human circadian rhythms, influencing many aspects of our physiology and behavior, including sleep, alertness, and mood, as well as many neuroendocrine and cognitive functions. While we have evolved experiencing “bright days and dark nights,” most of us now experience significantly darker days and brighter nights than our pre-modern ancestors, likely resulting in widespread circadian disruption. And as we age, the relationship between light exposure, circadian rhythms, and sleep can be further compromised both through normal aging (e.g., less light reaching the retina due to clouding of the lens) and age-related risk factors, such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), which is known to damage the brain’s master clock. This webinar will review the current science related to light exposure, circadian rhythms, and sleep, looking at aging and AD…

Continue ReadingPast Webinar – The Impact of Light Exposure on Sleep: A Pilot Study, Erik Page (Blue Iris Labs)

Grant Funding: R41 AG092119

Continuation of VR technology development focused on the caregiver side of the dyad. Public Health Relevance Statement: The VR-CARES project is an innovative, collaborative effort that invites home health dementia caregivers into the design process of a virtual reality platform seeking to mitigate their work-related burden and social isolation by cultivating a virtual community of support. The co-created, caregiver-specific VR platform will serve as a safe, communal space where caregivers can remotely connect with their peers, share fun experiences together, access support, learn self-care and build resilience within a supportive virtual network to enhance their social and mental health and job satisfaction. Central to VR-CARES is the principle of user-led innovation, ensuring that the technology not only serves but is informed and successfully adopted by the very individuals it intends to benefit, an important standard…

Continue ReadingGrant Funding: R41 AG092119

Publication: Returning Individualized Wearable Sensor Results to Older Adult Research Participants: A Pilot Study

Authors: Shelby L Bachman, Krista S Leonard-Corzo, Jennifer M Blankenship, Michael A Busa, Corinna Serviente, Matthew W Limoges, Robert T Marcotte, Ieuan Clay, Kate Lyden Abstract Background: Wearable sensors that monitor physical behaviors are increasingly adopted in clinical research. Older adult research participants have expressed interest in tracking and receiving feedback on their physical behaviors. Simultaneously, researchers and clinical trial sponsors are interested in returning results to participants, but the question of how to return individual study results derived from research-grade wearable sensors remains unanswered. In this study, we (1) assessed the feasibility of returning individual physical behavior results to older adult research participants and (2) obtained participant feedback on the returned results. Methods: Older adult participants (N = 20; ages 67-96) underwent 14 days of remote monitoring with 2 wearable sensors. We then used a semiautomated…

Continue ReadingPublication: Returning Individualized Wearable Sensor Results to Older Adult Research Participants: A Pilot Study

Past Webinar – Harnessing the Power of Technology to Change the Way We Age, Alex Glazebrook (OATS from AARP)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ao6Sif3Q5Y Abstract: Our society is aging alongside a rapid increase in the evolution and advancement of technology that mediates daily life. The use and adoption of technology by older adults has increased in the recent past, but differences remain with their younger counterparts and the effects of digital disconnection in later life are more acute. This session will present recent technology adoption and use trends among older adults as well as accompanying solutions that can aid in the adoption of technology by older adults, including future directions and expected developments. Biography: Alex Glazebrook, PhD, VP of Programs at Older Adults Technology Services from AARP As VP of Programs, Alex Glazebrook is responsible for ensuring an outstanding experience for the older adults who participate in the many training and support programs that OATS offers. Alex earned…

Continue ReadingPast Webinar – Harnessing the Power of Technology to Change the Way We Age, Alex Glazebrook (OATS from AARP)