Residents at Balfour Senior Living in Louisville are enjoying a unique benefit alongside their coffee bar and group activities – the opportunity to participate in medical research. This innovative partnership between the community and the University of Colorado’s Anschutz and Boulder campuses has established the first “living lab” in the state. This model brings health studies directly to retirement communities, allowing residents to have a say in shaping future research initiatives.
The initiative aims to address the underrepresentation of older adults in medical research. By bringing studies to the residents, it becomes more accessible for them to participate. This is crucial as older adults often have a greater need for new medications and therapies. Statistics show that a significant portion of individuals over 65 are dealing with health conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cancer history, and diabetes.
The living lab at Balfour is just the beginning of this inclusive approach to research. The ultimate goal is to expand this model to more communities, either by setting up labs on-site or conducting research road shows at various retirement communities and long-term care facilities. By increasing participation from residents, researchers can explore how different ideas and treatments work within diverse demographics and care needs.
Residents at Balfour have the opportunity to be actively involved in the research process. A committee of fifteen residents decides which studies are suitable for the community. The partnership with the University of Colorado also provides a dedicated space within Balfour for conducting studies, including consultations and basic procedures like blood draws.
The research process is not only beneficial for the residents but also contributes to the broader community. By combining the experiences of residents and researchers, valuable insights can be gained that may challenge stereotypes about older adults’ abilities. The research projects approved so far focus on treating hearing loss to lower blood pressure and testing electrical stimulation to improve walking speed.
As the collaboration progresses, the goal is to move towards co-creating studies with residents and researchers working together. This innovative approach to medical research aims to think outside the box and potentially lead to groundbreaking discoveries. By involving older adults in research initiatives, the hope is to develop treatments that are meaningful and impactful for this demographic.
(Source: Denver Post)
