Current Projects

Demonstrating the Benefits of Sustainable Streets for Active Aging

This project, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, is intended to demonstrate the benefits of "green streets" for older and younger adults, as well as the environment and economy. The research includes a survey of residents in two neighborhoods with green street features and two matched control neighborhoods and an environmental assessment of the green street treatments and an analysis of housing values. The project is guided by an advisory council composed of members of various stakeholder organizations and representing different types of expertise.

Margaret Neal, Ph.D. and Jennifer Dill, Ph.D. (Urban Studies)

Oregon Geriatric Education Center

The OGEC, funded by the Public Health Service's Health Resources and Services Administration, is a consortium of three Oregon educational institutions, OHSU, PSU, and OSU, aimed at improving health for older adults in Oregon by increasing geriatric education of health professional throughout the state.

Margaret Neal, Ph.D.

Life by Design Northwest Evaluation

PSU is one of several partner organizations in this project aimed at supporting people as they age in discovering their passion and purpose so the engage their wisdom and skill to strengthen the community and achieve personal fulfillment. Funds have been provided by Atlantic Philanthropies, Meyer Memorial Trust, and the Oregon Community Foundation. PSU's role is to evaluate the success of the project. Other partners include Portland Community College, Oregon Public Broadcasting, Multnomah County Library, Hands on Greater Portland, AARP Oregon, Express Employment Professionals, NW Natural, and Bloom Anew.

Margaret Neal, Ph.D.

Health Behavior Trajectories Following Chronic Illness in Mid- to Late-Life

Funded by the National Institute on Aging, this project investigates changes in physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and diet after the diagnosis of a chronic health condition. Changes in health behaviors over a 16-year period are studies in the Health and Retirement Study and the Canadian National Population Health Survey. A principal goal of the research is to identify demographic, socioeconomic, psychology al, and health predictors of changes in health behaviors following diagnosis of the illness. Results from this project will suggest new avenues for interventions and will be instrumental in advancing public health policy regarding chronic disease management.

Jason Newsom, Ph.D.

Creating Enriched Clinical Learning Environments through Partnerships (ECLEPs) in Long-Term Care

Funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the purpose is to develop exemplary clinical sites in nursing home and community-based lont-term care settings for nursing students enrolled in the Oregon Consortium of Nursing Education Curriculum and to promote LTC nursing as a career. A pilot project (funded by the Northwest Health Foundation) identified clinical sites and created professional development activities for staff nurses and learning activities for students in the Portland metropolitan area. The project was successful in helping students to learn from expert nurses and gain appreciation of the complexity and rewards of LTC nursing. The current project will expand on faculty development, collaboration with community colleges, and implementation in rural communities.

Diana White, Ph. D.; Juliana Cartwright, Ph.D., RN (OHSU); Jost Lottes, Ph.D. The Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing is the primary grantee and partner.

Options Counseling for Long-Term Care Services: Training and Evaluation

Oregon Senior & People with Disabilities were awarded a grant from the Administration on aging to develop an Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) in Oregon. ADRCs support older adults and their families to navigate a full range of long-care services, with emphasis on community living, personal choice, and independence. SPD subcontracted with PSU to develop and implement training for SPD employees in options counseling, a cornerstone of ADRC services. The training program will be evaluated and information used to revise the program and implement training statewide.

Diana White, Ph.D.; Paula Carder, Ph.D.; William Baney M.Ed. (SSW); Susie Barrios, MSW (SSW)

Housing Matters in Portland, Oregon

As part of the Aging Matters, Locally and Globally Initiative, this research project seeks to identify how older persons who live in apartment buildings use informal and formal types of assistance in order to live as independently as possible. Participants include affordable housing property managers, service coordinators, and older tenants, as well as older persons who are on waiting lists for subsidized housing. Data are being collected through in-depth interviews, photo-voice, and ethnographic observation. The project is designed to inform our understanding of how an individual's social and physical environment affects their perceptions and experience of independent living.

Paula Carder, Ph.D.; Jenny Weinstein, MSW, MURP

Aging Matters: Locally and Globally Initiative

This project, funded by a private gift from Keren Brown Wilson and Michael DeShane (two PSU alumni), intends to conduct social and policy research to identify and disseminate information about innovative community-based strategies for responding to low-income older adults who have challenging housing and/or supportive service needs. Using a variety of methods, including policy analysis, demographic studies, qualitative (e.g. photo-voice and ethnography), and quantitative methods, this project seeks to make visible ‘life on the edge' for low-income adults who have chronic health conditions and unstable housing. The local component is based in Portland, OR, and the international component in Nicaragua, SA

Margaret Neal, Ph.D.; Paula Carder, Ph.D.; Andree Tremoulet, Ph.D.; Jenny Weinstein, MSW, MURP; Alan DeLaTorre, Doctoral Candidate; Melissa Cannon, Doctoral Student; Betsy Nolan