Research & Other Projects The Institute on Aging specializes in research on a variety of topics, including:Best practices in housing and long-term carePlanning for age- and dementia-friendly communitiesAging services organizational decision makingWork-life issues and family caregivingSocial relationships in late lifeGlobal agingResearch methods Discover Institute on Aging publications on our PDX Scholar site.Our work has been funded by a variety of local, state, and national public agencies and private foundations, such as:National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of HealthGrantmakers in Aging, The Donaghue Foundation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Oregon Department of Human Services, Office of Aging and People with Disabilities, Multnomah County Aging and Disability Services Better with Age Gerontology Education & Research Initiative The Better with Age Initiative enables program and curriculum development, endows a Scholarship in Aging Studies, and provides critical support for faculty as they mentor students and pursue important research interests. Read More Current Projects Cost, Wages, and Staffing Study This three-part study examines expenses associated with the cost of resident care in Oregon’s community-based care settings, the average wages and benefits paid to direct care workers in these settings, and highlights direct care workers experiences as a resident care aide. Older Adult Behavioral Health Initiative (OABHI) The goal of the Older Adult Behavioral Health Initiative is to better meet the needs of older adults and people with disabilities by improving timely access to care from qualified providers who work together to provide coordinated, quality, and culturally responsive behavioral health and wellness services. Oregon Community-Based Care Project (CBC) The purpose of this project is to describe and track changes in Oregon's community-based care settings. Since 2015, the study team has conducted an annual survey of assisted living, residential care, and memory care communities, as well as a sample of adult foster homes. Climate Change and Older Adults: Impacts and Adaptations This series of studies includes research into heat vulnerability, state climate adaptation policy, and wildfire impact on AL/RC communities in Oregon. Oregon's Center for Excellence in Behavorial Health & Aging Oregon's Center for Excellence in Behavioral Health & Aging (OCEBHA) is a new center to address growing mental health and substance abuse disorders among older adults. Past Projects Administrator Turnover in Assisted Living and Residential Care Facilities This series of studies examines organizational, occupational, contextual, and personal factors associated with administrator turnover in assisted living (AL) and residential care (RC) facilities located in Oregon. How Assisted Living Regulations Impact Care This multi-site study examines how states’ assisted living regulations affect residents with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Resident View Resident VIEW (Voicing Importance, Experience, and Well-Being) is a measure designed to learn directly from long-term care residents the extent to which they experience support that matters most to them. ADRC of Oregon: Consumer Satisfaction Survey This project involved an ongoing consumer satisfaction survey for users of Call Center and Options Counseling ADRC services in Oregon. The results were used by state and local partners to describe progress toward meeting ADRC performance standards and to implement quality improvement efforts where standards fall below the baseline. Live Well The Institute on Aging evaluated the LiveWell Method, a quality improvement assurance and performance improvement approach created by The Malden Collective. The State of Aging in Portland The State of Aging in Portland study highlights historical, current, and projected trends related to older adults and the age structure in the city of Portland and the greater metropolitan area.