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JoAnn
Damron-Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Summary
of Research:
The
central focus is health services research related to the interaction
of informal and formal providers of long-term care. This research
examines the dynamics of complementary or conflicting roles
of family/friends and professional service providers in care
provision for functionally limited older adults living in
the community. Access of services by minority elderly are
of particular concern. An additional research focus is education
to prepare health professionals for practice with the growing
older population.
Current
health service projects are:
- Analysis
of crime data in Los Angeles as a factor in health provider's
decisions in the delivery of home health care.
- Description
of health perception and health practices of minority elderly.
- Examination
of Assisted Living and Residential Care Facilities for the
Elderly (RCFE) and their potential for providing an assisted
living environment for functionally limited elderly.
Nancy
Harada, Ph.D., P.T.
Summary
of Research:
The
overall research focus is geriatric rehabilitation. Through
the UCLA/VA/RAND MEDTEP Center research projects have been
expanded to Asian and Pacific Islander populations. Projects
involve analysis of both primary and secondary data.
Ongoing
projects:
- Comparison
of 3 Self-Report Activity Measures in Elders. This project
is being conducted in collaboration with Anita Stewart,
Ph.D. at the University of California, San Francisco. The
overall aim of the project is to establish the reliability
and validity of 3 self-report activity questionnaires commonly
used in elderly populations. Validity is being assessed
by comparing self-reported activity with activity monitoring
and selected clinical measures.
- Understanding
Physical Activity in Elderly Japanese Americans. This project
is being conducted in collaboration with the UCLA/VA/RAND
MEDTEP Center for Asians and Pacific Islanders. The specific
aims of this study are to describe levels of physical activity
among elderly Japanese Americans, to compare levels of activity
to levels of self-reported health status, and to identify
cultural, health-related, and personal factors associated
with physical activity. Information related to physical
activity, self-reported health, medical conditions, and
demographic characteristics will be obtained through a survey
that will be distributed to a random sample of Japanese
American households.
- Physical
Therapy Utilization and Outcomes Among Hospitalized Elderly
Patients. This project is being conducted in collaboration
with Alein Chun, Ph.D., Cedars Sinai. The aims of this study
are to determine which patient-related and clinical factors
are associated with the utilization of physical therapy
services in the acute care hospital, and to determine which
patient-related and clinical factors are associated with
better outcomes for elderly patients who receive physical
therapy.
- Knowledge
and Concerns for Treatment of Urinary Incontinence in a
Physical Therapy Patient Population. This project is being
conducted in collaboration with the Physical Therapy Alliance
for Quality. The aims of this project are to determine the
knowledge level and prevalence of urinary incontinence in
a general population of patients who are seen in outpatient
physical therapy clinics. In addition, the project will
determine which demographic and clinical factors are associated
with urinary incontinence for this population.
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