Current Projects
The Sage Resource Project
The Sage Resource Project, funded by a Patient- Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Eugene Washington Engagement Award (EATR-18926), is a one-year project that aims to broaden the pool of researchers who engage older adults in their research (2020-2021). The project provides training and resources to researchers to build their capacity for partnering with providers to create research advisory boards made up of older adults receiving long term services and supports. Rachel Lessem is the Project Lead and Rebecca Berman is the Evaluator.
Alzheimer's Disease Program Initiative for Chicago's Chinese American Older Adults
CJE SeniorLife is contracted to conduct the evaluation of Chinese American Service League’s (CASL) Alzheimer’s Disease Program Initiative, who received a three-year grant from the Administration for Community Living in the Administration on Aging (2020-2023). The initiative aims to develop a dementia-capable home and community based system for the Chinese American community in Chicago via referral systems, staff training, community education, and services related to dementia and dementia care. Rebecca Berman and Rachel Lessem serve as co-lead evaluators.
The Effect of High Intensity Walking on Frailty
Dr. Margaret Danilovich is the PI of a four-year grant funded by the National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Aging (R01AG060162-03). Frailty is a major health problem affecting up to 60% of older adults and physical problems associated with frailty further limit an older adult’s ability to participate in physical activity and exercise, accelerating the frailty syndrome and worsening health. This study will use a cluster-randomized trial to investigate the impact of a high intensity walking program implemented within retirement communities compared with a casual-speed walking program for older adults with pre-frailty and frailty. Results from this project will provide critical knowledge on the specific intensity of walking to best reduce frailty and improve health among pre-frail and frail older adults.
High vs. Low Intensity Walking for Frailty, Physical Performance, and Cognition
In work funded by the Retirement Research Foundation, Dr. Margaret Danilovich (PI) and team are investigating the impact of a high compared to low intensity walking intervention among assisted living residents. Results from this project will provide key information to help those in assisted living communities know how best to dose walking activities to improve health outcomes.
Disseminating Evidence-based Falls Prevention Programs through Faith-Based Communities
The Administration for Community Living has given CJE (Dr. Danilovich PI) a three-year award to deliver evidence-based falls prevention programs throughout the agency and with partners in the Chicagoland community. The focus of this work is in providing opportunities for exercise and physical activity particularly for groups less commonly reached through traditional programming such as nursing home residents, people with mobility restrictions, and those with cognitive impairments.
Completed Projects
Evaluation of Patient Centered Outcomes Research for Employees (PCORE) of Milwaukee's Near West Side
This project aims to create, apply, and assess the PCORE Panel, a partnership between employees, academic researchers, and clinicians. The long-term objectives are to train the panel in Patient Centered Outcomes Research/Comparative Effectiveness Research (PCOR/CER) to serve as advisors to researchers at Marquette University; serve as advisors to local and national researchers planning worksite PCOR/CER; train research leads to help worksites conduct PCOR; and serve as champions for including the voice of workers with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) in PCOR/CER.
- Funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, with a sub-contract to CJE from Marquette University
- September 2018-August 2020
https://www.pcori.org/research-results/2018/patient-centered-outcomes-r…
Sages in Every Setting: Enhancing an innovative model to incorporate older adult voice into research
This project aims to expand and diversify the voice of older adults living with frailty in Patient Centered Outcomes Research/Comparative Effectiveness Research (PCOR/CER) by working with diverse stakeholders to translate the Bureau of Sages engagement model into a model that could be easily disseminated and implemented into more communities.
- Funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
- January 2018-December 2019
https://www.pcori.org/research-results/2017/sages-every-setting-enhanci…
Evaluation of the Orot Compassion Project
The Orot Compassion Project is a new pilot project at Orot: Center for New Jewish Learning. It provides Jewish mindfulness instruction to social service providers to promote self-care and greater attunement and empathy in clinical interventions. It will benefit social service providers at the Ark Chicago, Jewish Child and Family Services and its subsidiaries, Shalva, Ezra Multi-service Center, the Selfhelp Home, and other organizations that provide services to Chicago’s Jewish poor, mentally ill, and marginalized.
- Funded by the JUF Breakthrough Fund, with a sub-contract to CJE from Orot: Center for New Jewish Learning: http://www.orotcenter.org/
- July 2017-June 2019
Outcomes Measurement Framework
The objective of this project is to develop an outcomes measurement framework for CJE, inclusive of organization-wide outcomes, indicators for each outcome, and standard operating procedures for each department to ensure meaningful data collection and use for CQI and impact purposes.
- Funded by the Fogelson Foundation
- September 2016-June 2019
Evaluation of CATCH-ON, A Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program
CATCH-ON is focused on educating older adults, families, caregivers, students, and professionals about person-centered, culturally competent management of Multiple Chronic Conditions, and to transform existing primary care systems to meet the needs of older adults with Multiple Chronic Conditions.
- Funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration to Rush University Medical Center, with a sub-contract to CJE
- July 2015-June 2019
Emergency Department Eldercare Navigators (EDEN) Program
This pilot program consists of trained volunteers who will assist older adults living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias when they visit the Emergency Department. The research department is working with Weinberg staff on implementation of this project and in conducting quality improvement.
- Funded by Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, Institute for Advancement of Senior Care, and Washington Square Health Foundation
- September 2017-February 2019