Research

Statistics on older adults and current clinical research studies

When we know more about the needs of older adults, we can better serve those in our community.

CICOA has participated in a number of national, state and local surveys designed to give statistically relevant information about the needs of older adults in our community. Data from these surveys is used in planning services for Central Indiana.

Surveys

Indianapolis Food Communities

The City of Indianapolis wants to hear from as many Marion County residents as possible related to food access and food insecurity. The data is needed to help formulate an action plan to address and improve upon food access and insecurity across Indianapolis. Have your voice heard by clicking the link below to complete the survey.

Take the Survey

Research Study Opportunities

Interested in partnering with CICOA for a research study?

Contact the CICOA Research Institute

CARE Focus Groups

This study aims to gather feedback about a technology platform to engage and educate African American communities about brain health and Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias clinical research.

CARE Focus Groups

Indiana University School of Nursing

Collaborative for Aging Research and Engagement (CARE)

This study aims to gather feedback about a technology platform to engage and educate African American communities about brain health and Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias clinical research.

Participants

  • 45 or older
  • Black/African-American

Study Overview

  • 90-minute focus groups will be conducted in September/October. 
  • Participants will receive a $40 gift card.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Bianca Cureton by email bcureto@iu.edu or contact (317) 408-8036 to get more information.

CARE Focus Groups Flyer

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Self-Care While Caregiving

This study aims to understand the barriers and motivations among older adult caregivers to engage in physical activity.

Self-Care While Caregiving

Indiana University Health and Human Sciences

This study aims to understand the barriers and motivations among older adult caregivers to engage in physical activity. The findings of this study will be used to propose a remotely delivered physical activity program for caregivers to stay active and connected with other caregivers.

Participants

  • 60 or older
  • Live in Marion County
  • Caregiver for someone with a dementia or Alzheimer's Disease diagnosis

Study Overview

  • Wear a physical activity tracker (like a fit bit) for 1 week/month for 4 consecutive months.
  • Complete an online survey for 4 consecutive months.

If you are interested in participating, please complete the consent form and email prevmed@iu.edu or contact (317) 278-9598 to get more information.

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Alzheimer's Partner/Spousal Caregiver

This study will explore how partner/spousal caregivers deal with the challenges of caring for persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD).

Alzheimer's Partner/Spousal Caregiver

Rush University College of Nursing

This study will explore how partner/spousal caregivers manage/deal with the challenges of caring for persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Additionally, the study will explore the feasibility and acceptability of recruiting, interviewing, and consenting partner/spousal caregivers using technology.

Participants

  • At least 65 years old
  • Self-identify as a partner/spousal caregiver
  • Partner/spouse has been diagnosed with an ADRD by a healthcare professional
  • Partner/spouse is at least 65 years old
  • Partner/spouse resides in the same household

Study Overview

  • One 60 minute interview
  • Interview via Zoom
  • $25 Target gift card

If interested in participating, please contact Shandra Burton at Shandra_burton@rush.edu or (463) 701-1565.

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Aging with Pride: IDEA

This is the first federally funded research study examining ways to improve the health and quality of life for adults aged 50 and older in the LGBTQ+ community.

Aging with Pride: IDEA

Innovations in Dementia Empowerment and Advocacy

National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health; University of Washington School of Social Work

Aging with Pride: IDEA is the first federally funded research study examining ways to improve the health and quality of life for adults aged 50 and older in the LGBTQ+ community with memory loss and their care partners. This study seeks to determine if an intervention developed by leading experts in dementia is effective in helping those in the LGBTQ+ community. A trained coach provides nine individualized virtual sessions to address problem solving techniques for behavioral issues and communication. Coaches also teach a low-impact exercise program including stretching, flexibility, balance and endurance to strengthen the body, reduce injury and improve mood.

Participants

  • Study participants include both the person with memory loss and their care partner as a pair. At least one of them must be LGBTQ+.
  • Person with memory loss must be 50 years of age or older
  • Both must live in the community, not in a long-term care setting
  • Participants do not need to live together, but both must live in the US

Study Overview

  • The pair has 9 one-hour virtual sessions over a 6-week period with a trained coach.
  • Care partner completes 5 telephone interviews over a 13-month period.
  • If the pair does not have a device, a tablet with connectivity and tech support can be provided.
  • The pair is compensated $25 for each telephone interview completed.

To learn more call 1-888-655-6646 or email ageIDEA@uw.edu. Visit us at https://ageidea.org.

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LEAF: Life Enhancing Activities for Family Caregivers

This program for caregivers of people with Alzheimer's Disease is designed to increase levels of positive emotion and support ways of coping with stress.

LEAF: Life Enhancing Activities for Family Caregivers

University of California, San Francisco and Northwestern University; National Institute on Aging

The purpose of this study is to test a program for adult family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's Disease. The program is designed to increase levels of positive emotion, which in turn can help lower stress and support ways of coping with the stresses of caregiving.

Participants

  • 18 or older
  • Identify as the primary caregiver of someone with Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Have consistent access to a reliable Wi-Fi connection for your weekly sessions
  • Speaks and reads English

Study Overview

  • (6) hour long positive emotion-based skill-building sessions, delivered over 6 weeks.
    • Participants will be assigned to access the 6 sessions via a self-guided platform online or via Zoom videoconferencing with one of the trained LEAF facilitators.
  • Nightly home practice and online emotion check-ins.
  • A tablet will be provided by the study.  Participants are invited to keep the tablet at the end of the study.

If you are interested in participating, fill out the pre-screen survey.

Study website: https://leafstudy.ucsf.edu/
Email LEAFstudy@northwestern.edu or call (312) 503-5247.

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PRIMA: Promoting Re-engagement in Meaningful Activity

This study provides a tool for adults with mild cognitive impairment and their caregivers to find out the best way to help them to support each other to engage in meaningful activities

PRIMA: Promoting Re-engagement in Meaningful Activity

National Institute of Health (NIH); National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR); Indiana University School of Nursing

In this study, we provide the Re-engagement in Daily Meaningful Activity Intervention for adults with mild cognitive impairment and their caregivers to find out the best way to help them to support each other to engage in meaningful activities and to cope with memory problems and evaluate how well it works to increase their health benefits. 

Eligible Participants

  • 59 or older
  • Can read and speak English
  • Mild cognitive impairment: defined as impairment that is noticeable to family and friends but does not affect the individual's ability to carry out everyday activities

Study Overview

  • 3 months
  • 1 face-to-face session (or via phone or Zoom if preferred) and 7 telephone sessions, all of which will be arranged for your convenience. During the face-to-face sessions, you will meet with the research staff in a private location.
  • Taking part in a skill-building program can help participants learn about important things they can do to manage the symptoms of MCI and stay engaged in meaningful activity.

For more information or to volunteer to participate, contact:
Andrea Bamford, CRC, Project Manager, Indiana University School of Nursing
317-274-4330; email abamford@iu.edu

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AD-REACH Survey

The purpose of this study is to learn what African-Americans in the greater Indianapolis metro area are doing to keep their brain healthy.

AD-REACH Survey

Indiana Alzheimer's Disease Research Center

The purpose of this study is to learn what African-Americans in the greater Indianapolis metro area are doing to keep their brain healthy.

Eligible Participants

  • 55 years or older
  • African-American or White
  • A resident of Indianapolis or surrounding areas
  • Have no prior history of Alzheimer's disease research participation that involves testing, medication, or observations.

Study Overview

  • A 20-minute survey to share how you are keeping your brain healthy, your understanding and beliefs about Alzheimer’s disease and research.
  • You can help researchers better understand the needs of the African-American community in terms of brain health and how we can better support them.
  • Compensation: A $35 Walmart gift card will be mailed to you within 2-4 weeks after you complete the survey.

Complete the survey at: ad-reach.org or call: (317) 962-9163.

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Rural Dementia Caregiver Project

This study is an online, interactive, small-group self-management, social support, and skills-building workshop for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia.

Rural Dementia Caregiver Project

University of California San Francisco; National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Building Better Caregivers is an online 6-week, interactive, small-group self-management, social support, and skills-building workshop developed for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. Primary outcomes will be caregiver stress and depression symptoms. The investigators will also identify key strengths and weaknesses of workshop implementation.

Participants

  • 18 or older
  • Caring for a person with dementia
  • Able to read and write in English
  • Able to access the Internet
  • Providing care for ≥ 10 hours per week
  • Reporting a minimum stress level of 4 or more on a 10-point scale
  • Living in rural area of United States

Study Overview

  • Length of participation: 12 months
  • Participants will log on to a small group self-management workshop 2-3 times a week at any time (day or night).
  • Participants receive a handbook to keep.
  • Complete four surveys at baseline, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months.
  • Participants are paid $20 cash for every survey they complete (up to $80 total).

Project website: caregiverproject.ucsf.edu

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Aging with a Disability

This study is a phone-based health/wellness coaching program for adults 45-64 years old who have been living with a disability.

Aging with a Disability

The University of Washington Department of Rehabilitation Medicine is seeking participants for a research study about aging with a physical disability. The Community Health Study is a telephone-based health/wellness coaching program for adults 45-64 years old who have been living with a physical disability/long-term health condition where symptoms started before age 40.

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Aging-in-Place

The purpose of this study is to understand how older adults maintain their health and well-being in their communities.

Aging-in-Place

Indiana University School of Liberal Arts/IUPUI Department of Sociology

The purpose of this study is to understand how older adults maintain their health and well-being in their communities.

Participants

  • 65 years or older
  • Living in Indiana
  • Living alone or with a spouse/partner, in the community

Study Overview

  • Approximately 60-90 minutes
  • Phone or virtual interview
  • $25 gift card (choice of Amazon, Kroger, Meijer or Walmart)

To learn more, contact Dr. Kenzie Mintus at agingind@iupui.edu or call 317-274-3943.

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CASOA Survey

To better understand the strengths and challenges of seniors aging in place, CICOA uses findings and statistics from the Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults (CASOA)™ to plan services for Central Indiana.

The CASOA survey is an opportunity for older adults to report on the strengths and needs of their community. The report summarizes how older residents view their community and its success in creating a thriving environment for older adults.

CASOA participants rate the overall quality of life in their community. They also evaluate their communities as livable communities for older adults within six domains:

  • Community Design
  • Employment and Finances
  • Equity and Inclusivity
  • Health and Wellness
  • Information and Assistance
  • Productive Activities.
CASOA Reports and Statistics