Community-Academic Aging Research Network CAARN Jill Ballard, MPH, CHES September 2011

Why is community-based aging research so important? Graying of the population Nationwide lack of preparedness to meet the health care needs of aging “boomers” –IOM, 2008

County figures from State Aging Plan showing graying of population: 2010

County figures from State Aging Plan showing graying of population: 2030

Why is community-based aging research so important? High cost of disease among older adults –Falls: total direct cost of $19 billion (2000) Estimated up to $54.9 billion in 2020 –Physical inactivity, sarcopenia, osteoporosis 32% of adults over 65 engage in no leisure time physical activity Sarcopenia costs estimated at $18.5 billion (2000) Osteoporosis affects 10 million adults over age 50, with cost of $18 billion per year –Chronic disease 80% of older persons have at least 1 chronic condition; 50% have at least 2 Cost estimated at $470 billion (1995); estimated at $864 billion by 2040

Community-Academic Aging Research Network (CAARN) 3 year grant from NIH (July 2010-June 2013)

CAARN grant specific aims Create a sustainable infrastructure, the Community- Academic Aging Research Network (CAARN), to bridge university and community entities to increase clinical and dissemination research in aging; Provide training programs, venues for networking, resources, and internet network structure, in order to facilitate engagement in aging research; Increase from Year One to Year Three: a) the number of aging network-academic researcher partnerships engaging in aging research; b) the number of intramurally and extramurally funded proposals for community-based clinical and dissemination aging research; and c) the health of older adults in Wisconsin participating in research studies conducted through this infrastructure.

CAARN continued… Priorities for partnerships based on State Public Health Plan, State Aging Plan, and UW research strengths –Falls, physical activity and musculoskeletal health, dementia, chronic disease management, mental health

What makes CAARN unique Community Research Associate State of Wisconsin Aging Network as community partner Building on history of partnering in research and dissemination Active involvement at all stages of partnership and project development, implementation, evaluation, dissemination – long term partnerships! Provides the structure to disseminate programs that have been shown to be efficacious CAARN is part of the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging (WIHA)

Aging Network Overview Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources (GWAAR) 70 County Aging Units Aging & Disability Resource Centers Local Community Senior Centers & other local, state, and regional community organizations 11 Tribal Aging Units Milwaukee County Area Agency on Aging (also a county aging unit and aging resource center) Dane County Area Agency on Aging (also a county aging unit) Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Bureau of Aging and Disability Resources

Aging Network Federal funding for community-base “titled” services through Older Americans Act State funding through Elders Act, in Wisconsin Statute Mandated services –Supportive Services (legal, financial, information and assistance) –Congregate and home delivered nutrition –Health promotion programs –Caregiver support

CAARN Process Assess researcher areas of expertise/research interests Assess community health need as well as organization need, interest, and readiness Match researchers with community organizations Facilitate initial conference call/meeting Go through application process Facilitate application for funding and pilot project development In the future: facilitate project

Current CAARN projects Well-being/mental health –status: partnership developed, funded, project implementation Medication management to decrease falls risk –status: partnership developed, intervention developed, funded, project implementation Virtual exercise program –status: partnership developed, applying for pilot funding Health literacy/communication with pharmacists –status: partnership developed, funded, project implementation Bone health –status: partnership developed, applying for pilot funding Others: initial discussions and partnership matching

Community Academic Aging Research Network CAARN Aging Network partnerships through August 2011 ' $ Washburn Burnett Douglas Bayfield Sawyer Ashland Iron Vilas Oneida Price Polk Barron Rusk Chippewa St. Croix Dunn Taylor Lincoln Langlade Forest Florence Marinette Oconto Clark Marathon Shawano Wood Portage Waupaca Menominee Door Kewaunee Brown Pierce Pepin BuffaloTremp- ealeau Eau Claire La Crosse Monroe Juneau Adams Waushara Outagamie Manitowoc Sauk Vernon Crawford Richland Grant Iowa Lafayette GreenRockWalworth Kenosha Racine Washington Ozaukee Columbia Dane Jefferson Dodge Milwaukee Fond du Lac Marquette Green- Lake Winnebago Jackson Waukesha Calu met Key Active Discussions Active Project Planning Funded Projects Sheboy gan

Keys to Success Connecting - matching research expertise with community need and organizational implementation capacity Training - bidirectional - highest need from our experience so far Facilitation of relationships at all levels –active participation in formulating research questions, designing, and conducting research; –translation and application of research findings to community-based practice and public health initiatives; –using research-generated evidence to support public health policy decisions.

Long-term goal Develop a sustainable Community- Academic Aging Research Network that will facilitate partnerships between University of Wisconsin researchers and the State of Wisconsin aging network in order to expand and accelerate transformation of aging research into practice in community settings.