Current Projects

The Institute on Aging faculty is composed of a multidisciplinary group of nationally and internationally recognized scholars. Substantive and theoretical perspectives are represented from such social science disciplines as psychology, sociology, political science, urban studies, economics, social work, speech communication, and public administration.

Project Title: The World Health Organization's Age-Friendly Cities Project in Portland, Oregon

Key Staff: Margaret Neal, PhD (Principal Investigator); Alan De La Torre, Doctoral Student (Co-Investigator)

Funding Source: Portland State University

Duration: November 2007 - Present

Description: Age-Friendly Cities Project

The Institute on Aging (IOA) and the School of Community Health (SCH) at Portland State University (PSU) have been selected to collaborate with the World Health Organization (WHO) on its “Age-Friendly Cities Project.” This is an unfunded project designed to identify specific indicators of an age-friendly city, with 27 cities from around the world. Portland is the only U.S. city involved in the project. The protocol, including research design, focus group scripts, and analyses to be conducted, is prescribed by the WHO.

The outcome will be a practical guide developed by WHO intended to stimulate and guide advocacy, community development, and policy change to make urban communities more age-friendly. Additionally, local dissemination of the results will occur through discussions and the exchange of information (e.g., final publications) based on the results of the focus groups conducted here in Portland. Organizations involved in the focus groups, as well as other local and regional leaders, voluntary organizations, academics, businesspeople, and older adults in the Portland region, will be informed of the results of the study in an attempt to increase awareness of local needs, gaps and good ideas for improvement in order to stimulate development of more age-friendly urban settings.

To view the Portland summary of findings, click here

To view Portland report to the World Health Organization, click here

To view the World Health Organization's Global Age-Friendly Cities: A Guide, click here

Project Title: The Older Driver in Oregon: A Survey of Driving Behavior and Cessation

Key Staff: Margaret Neal, PhD (Principal Investigator); Sharon Baggett, PhD (Co-Investigator); Kathleen Sullivan (Project Manager); Tyrae Mahan, PhD (Data Analyst); Gretchen Luhr, Nicole Iroz-Elardo, and Asia Spilotros (Graduate Research Assistants)

Funding Source: Oregon Department of Transportation

Time Period: July 1, 2006 to September 30, 2007

Description: This study was undertaken to assist ODOT in planning for the transit needs of the growing population of older Oregonians (aged 65+), both those who drive and those who have chosen to stop driving (termed “ceasers”). A statewide mail survey (N=500) and telephone interviews (N=100) were conducted with both current drivers and ceasers. Older adults in rural areas were oversampled to enable comparisons to be made between the experiences of older adults in rural versus urban areas. The sample was identified using records provided by Oregon’s Driver and Motor Vehicle Services.

In both the mail survey and the telephone interviews, analyses focused on similarities between drivers and ceasers, as well as contrasts between urban and rural drivers, and between drivers and ceasers. Among the most significant findings were those concerning the different demographic characteristics of drivers versus ceasers, the differences in availability of public transportation in urban versus rural areas, the lack of knowledge on the part of both drivers and ceasers about what transportation options exist other than driving or relying on family and friends, the limitations seen in existing public transit, the gradual nature of the changes made by individuals in their driving behavior as they age, the lack of interest in relocation to areas in which public transit is more available, the negative impacts of ceasing to drive on individuals’ social well-being, and the wide range of improvements viewed as needed to meet the transportation needs of older adults.

Project Title: Age-Related Shifts in Housing and Transportation Demand: A Multidisciplinary Study Conducted for Metro by Portland State University's College of Urban and Public Affairs

Key Staff: Margaret Neal, PhD - Institute on Aging; Sheila Martin, PhD - Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies; Nancy Chapman, PhD - Urban Studies & Planning; Jennifer Dill, PhD - Center for Urban Studies; Irina Sharkova, PhD - Center for Population Research and Census; Alan De la Torre, Doctoral Student - Institute on Aging; Kathleen Sullivan, Graduate Research Assistant - Institute on Aging; Tomoko Kanai, MURP - Center for Urban Studies

Funding Source: Metro

Duration: 2006

Description: Metro adopted a regional growth management strategy known as Region 2040 a decade ago. Throughout that period, Metro and local governments in the region have been implementing those growth management policies – encouraging efficient use of
land, providing an array of transportation options that move people and goods,
helping communities to provide diverse housing options, providing parks and natural
areas, protecting the natural environment and enabling communities to enhance their
sense of place.

After ten years of experience, a need exists to evaluate Region 2040 and to engage
the region on a number of fundamental policy issues concerning growth and quality
of life. Crucial to this process is an understanding of the impact age-related shifts on
housing and transportation demand.

Portland State University’s College of Urban and Public Affairs, via its Institute on Aging,
was contracted to examine this issue, and a multidisciplinary team of faculty and graduate
students was assembled. The literature reviewed and the analyses presented here are
intended to inform Metro’s Regional Forecast and modeling assumptions and to stimulate
policy discussions pertaining to managing the region’s land supply and investing in
transportation infrastructure.

To view the final report, click here.

Project Title: Evaluation of Aging and Disability Services' Information and Assistance Service

Key Staff: Sharon Baggett (Co-PI), Margaret Neal (Co-PI), Kathleen Sullivan (GRA)

Funding Source: Multnomah County

Duration: Biannual 2004, 2006

Description: As part of Multnomah County's Aging and Disability Services' (ADS) performance measurement process, the agency assesses customers satisfaction with a variety of services, including Information and Assistance (I&A). ADS provides information to consumers through its business hours Helpline, through community-based district service centers, and through a contracted after-hours service. The goal of the project is telephone survey a sample of consumers who have called the Helpline and district centers to assess satisfaction with their call. In 2004, after-hours callers were queried about their experiences in focus groups. In 2006, Multnomah County's staff will conduct a simultaneous on-line survey with users of the after-hours service and the telephone and on-line data will be merged for analysis of overall consumer satisfaction with the I&A services provided by ADS.

Project title: Arthritis Among Hispanics in Oregon: Developing Community Solutions
Key staff: Chad Cheriel (PI), Margaret Neal (Co-PI), Mark Kaplan (Co-Investigator) Sharon Baggett (Co-Investigator), Amanda Ziegler (Project Coordinator), Lilliana Leal (Project Coordinator)
Funding source: Northwest Health Foundation
Duration: 1/05 to 1/08
Description: This project focuses on the challenges of arthritis among the Hispanic population in a four-county area of Oregon. The potential costs and consequences of arthritis for Hispanics are immense, but we lack the necessary knowledge to deal with the problem. The project goal is to improve the quality of life of the Hispanic population in the state by gathering together key community partners and working as a collaborative to: (1) develop a database on the characteristics of, beliefs about, and treatment behaviors related to arthritis; (2) develop a comprehensive plan for minimizing the ill effects of arthritis; and (3) field test one or more strategies developed and evaluate the results. Through interviews, surveys and focus groups, we will build the database and develop a comprehensive arthritis plan. It is hoped that the database, findings and successful model(s) developed from the research ultimately will result in reduced disabilities, improved health, and improved quality of life for Oregon's Hispanic population.

Project title: Short- and Long-Term Suicide Risk Factors
Key staff: Mark S. Kaplan (PI), Bentson McFarland (Co-Investigator), Jason Newsom (Co-Investigator)
Funding source: National Institute on Mental Health
Duration: 8/04 to 7/06
Description: Nearly 30,000 people complete suicide in the United States every year. Suicide is the 8th leading cause of death for males and the 19th for females. Much of our knowledge about short-term (12 months or less) risk factors for suicide derives from retrospective studies such as psychological autopsies or mortality follow-back projects. Prospective data on long-term (more than one year) suicide risk factors come chiefly from highly selected groups such as psychiatric hospital inpatients. This project uses secondary analysis of prospective data to identify (a) "short term" risk factors for suicide within 12 months of baseline, (b) "long-term" risk factors for suicide more than a year after baseline, (c) short-term risk factors for death from natural causes and from external factors (such as accidents or homicides), and (d) long-term risk factors for death from natural causes and from external factors. The results of this epidemiologic study will help us better understand proximal and distal suicide risk factors.

Project title: Social Exchanges and Mortality: The Relative Importance of Conflict and Support
Key staff: Jason Newsom (PI), Karen Rook (Co-Investigator), Neal Krause (Co-Investigator)
Funding source: National Institute on Aging
Duration: 1/05 to 12/07
Description: This study is a follow-up to a national survey of mental health effects of social relationships among a sample of 916 older adults focusing on negative social interactions with family or friends, such as criticisms, intrusiveness, failure to provide needed help, and neglect or rejection by others. A wealth of experimental and epidemiological evidence suggests that positive, supportive relationships improve health and increase longevity, but much less is known about the effects of negative aspects of social relationships, particularly their potential connection to mortality.

Project title: Working Couples Caring for Children and Aging Parents: Effects on Work and Well-Being
Key staff: Margaret B. Neal (Co-PI) and Leslie B. Hammer (Co-PI); Kathleen JB Bonn (Graduate Research Assistant), and Jost Lottes, Ph.D., (Research Assistant).
Funding source: Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
Duration: 2003-2005
Description: This project involves disseminating the results of a national three-year research study concerning working, sandwiched-generation couples caring for children and aging parents, including preparation of a book manuscript and a supplemental marketing brochure. For more information, please visit the project website.

Project title: Oregon Geriatric Education Center (OGEC) Resource Center
Key staff: Margaret B. Neal (PI), Jost Lottes (Evaluation Specialist), Maryjane Dunne (Coordinator, Resource Center)
Funding source: HRSA
Duration: 2002-2007
Description: The OGEC is a collaborative project with the Institute on Aging, Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU), the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), and Oregon State University's Program on Gerontology and Extension Service. It offers education and training opportunities in geriatrics and gerontology for faculty and health professionals. The Institute on Aging houses a Resource Center, a lending library of model curricula, audiovisuals, and information on geriatrics and gerontology.

Project title: Geriatric Education for Oregon Tribes
Key staff: Elizabeth A. Kutza, (PI)
Funding source: HRSA
Duration: 2002-2005 (completed)
Description: A collaborative project with OHSU, Area Health Education Centers (AHECs), and the Multnomah Department of Health, this training project seeks to enhance the activities of tribal Community Health Workers and tribal health professionals. IOA's role is to provide continuing education in geriatrics and gerontology to tribal health officials in four designated Oregon tribes--The Confederated Tribes of Umatilla, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, the Klamath tribe and the Siletz tribe.

Project title: Impact of Negative Social Exchanges in Later Life
Key staff: Karen Rook (PI), David Morgan (Co-Investigator), Jason Newsom (Co-Investigator)
Funding source: National Institute on Aging
Duration: 9/98 to 8/04 (completed)
Description: This project investigated the psychological and health consequences of positive social support and negative social interactions.

Project title: Perceived Control in Older Adults Living in Long-Term Care
Key staff: Tyrae L. Mahan (PI), Mark Kaplan (Co-Investigator)
Funding source: Northwest Health Foundation
Duration: January to June 2005 (completed)
Description: Dissertation research to develop a scale for perceived control and to measure the perceived control and psychological well being of older adults living in adult foster care, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and residential care facilities.

Project title: Perceived Control in Older Adults Living in Long-Term Care
Key staff: Tyrae L. Mahan (PI), Nancy Chapman (Co-Investigator)
Funding source: Layton Center for Aging and Alzheimer's Disease, Oregon Health Sciences University
Duration: June 2004 to October 2005
Description: Dissertation research to measure perceptions of control and psychological well being of older adults living in adult foster care, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and residential care facilities. The study also investigates whether perceptions of control and well-being differ in older adults diagnosed with dementia and living in speciality care facilities.

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			CURRENT PROJECTS