Geriatric Education and Research Institute
Go To: Background | Purpose | Selected Internet Resources | Contact Information
DIRECTOR
Thomas J. Fairchild, Ph.D.
Special Projects on Aging
E-mail: tfairchi@hsc.unt.edu
Background
In the beginning of this century, only 25% of people in the United States
lived beyond 65 years. Currently, close to half of the population is expected
to live 80 years or longer, although added years of life may involve declining
health, loss of physical and mental capabilities, and increased social stress.
These problems contribute to loss of productivity, increased dependence
and reduction in quality of life. The problems of the elderly challenge
biomedical scientists to improve understanding of biological processes involved
in aging and age-associated diseases, and discover effective methods of
therapy and prevention. Similarly, providers of health care are challenged
to design and administer appropriate services in the face of an increasing
elderly population.
Purpose
The Biology of Aging. The Institute brings together basic
and clinical scientists to lead biomedical research programs that will break
new ground in understanding and treating wounds, vision loss, and memory
loss. Recent projects include the study of chronological versus photo-aging
human skin and the genetic and dietary modulation of age-related memory
decline.
Health Promotion and Older Adults. The traditional goal of
osteopathic medicine is to promote the health and well-being of individuals,
not to merely wait for ill patients to arrive at the door of the health
care provider. The Institute will establish and evaluate health programs
within the community that promote the physical, psychological and social
well-being of the elderly. Recent projects include in-home medical and dental
assessments of home-bound elderly to increase the length of independence
while addressing a quality of life that encourages good health.
Clinical Geriatric Care. Research in this area has traditionally
been identified with solving acute care problems of the aged. Geriatricians,
gerontologists, social workers, faculty and medical staff of the Institute
address the issue of establishing new clinical programs as well as evaluating
their effectiveness. Current projects include a five-year heart disease
prevention trial using middle-aged and older adults with moderately elevated
cholesterol levels and the assessment of functional ability of elderly patients
with osteopathic manipulative treatment.
Geriatrics Education and Training. Education and training
in geriatric medicine supports the institution's educational mission. The
most recent project is the Geriatric Medicine and Dentistry Fellowship Program
involving physicians and dentists in a two-year training program.
Other Projects. Pilot research projects sponsored by the Institute
include studies on Alzheimer's Disease; the health and social needs of older
adults; methods for improving compliance with medical prescriptions; and
the effects of water aerobics programs on the elderly.
- Administration on Aging (AoA).
It includes information for Older Americans and their families and those concerned about providing services and support for the elderly, as well as a nationwide Network of State and Area Agencies on Aging, and Other Federal Programs and Internet Resources for the Aging. - The ALZHEIMER Page
An educational service created by the Washington University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) in St.Louis, Missouri.This home page has direct links to gopher and Web sites related to Alzheimer and aging. - Andrus Gerontology
Center Library
University of Southern California. Provides useful links for the educators, researchers, practitioners, and other individuals interested in the study of gerontology and geriatrics. These are arranged into 6 different categories. - Directory of
WEB and Gopher Aging Sites
Compiled by Bruce M. Craig, at AoA Home Page. Links to community services and agencies and to other Web sites in aging. - EldercareWeb
This collection by Karen Stevenson Brown, include full-text documents dealing with many consumer aspects of aging and descriptions of organizations. The material is organized into the following sections: health care; living arrangements; aging, death, and dying; social, mental and spiritual; financial; law and legislation; statistics and demographics; state specific information; and provider locator. - GeroWeb
Wayne State University, Institute of Gerontology. GeroWeb is designed for researchers, educators, practitioners, and others interested in aging and older individuals. It contains information from Universities, Government Agencies, Institutions devoted to biomedical research and health care, Commercial and non-profit organizations, and other Sources. - Hardin
Meta Directory - Geriatrics
Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, University of Iowa. - Medweb:
Geriatrics
The Health Sciences Library at Emory University. Directory of links devoted to geriatrics and gerontology. - National Institute on Aging
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is one of the National Institutes of Health, the principal biomedical research agency of the United States Government. The NIA promotes healthy aging by conducting and supporting biomedical, social, and behavioral research and public education.
GERIATRICS EDUCATION AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE
University of North Texas Health Science Center
3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard - Blue House
Fort Worth, TX 76107
Phone: 817-735-0158
FAX: 817-735-0167
