Over the last decade, increased attention has been placed on person-centered research. Person-centered research means that participants are engaged and have a voice in each stage of the research process from question generation to question prioritization to study initiation to result dissemination.
The participants in the Rush Center of Excellence on Disparities in HIV and Aging (CEDHA) represent a unique resource to understand the social and personal ramifications of healthy aging in persons living with or at risk for HIV.
By conducting qualitative interviews with participants in the Rush CEDHA Research Core, we complement the biomedical and behavioral research on the biologic and behavioral factors impacting healthy aging with qualitative inquiry into the experiences, views and opinions of older persons living with or at risk of HIV.
Understanding their perceptions on healthy aging can help focus research on issues that matter. Therefore, the results of the Rush CEDHA research program will be more likely to have an impact on how people and communities respond to issues surrounding HIV and aging in the near future.
We propose to gather qualitative data to answer the following research questions:
- What are the perceptions of health wellness and social well-being for individuals over 50 years of age?
- What factors play an important role in the construction of these concepts for seniors? At what age do these factors become more salient?
- What are the various health issues that impact and shape the wellness concept for seniors? How and when do they perceive these health factors as barriers to wellness? What strategies do they use to overcome these barriers?
- What are the other life issues that compete with concern for wellness as seniors age?
- How do individuals over age 50 seek information and assistance to improve their health as they age? Who are the various agents and resources (e.g., family, service organizations, advocacy groups, etc.) seniors seek out as they address their wellness needs? Where are these resources located?
Lydia K. Manning, PhD Associate Professor of Gerontology at Concordia University presented the poster on Perceptions of Healthy Aging: Exploring Aging Well for HIV Infected and Non-Infected Older People at the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics(IAGG) World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics, July 23-27, 2017 , San Franciso, California.
View Perceptions Of Healthy Aging poster.
Marcus B. Wolfe Sr., MSW, a PhD candidate in gerontology at Concordia University - Chicago presented the poster on Perceived Healthy Aging: The Role of Spirituality For Older Adults Diagnosed with HIV at the 7th International Conference on Ageing and Spirituality: "Transition and Transcendence: Transforming Aging Through Spirituality, June 4-7, 2017 at Concordia University - Chicago.
View Perceived Healthy Aging poster.
Entesaar F.M. Elsaady, MD, MSW, presented the poster on HIV Status and Psychotropic Medication Use in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study at the Rush Research Forum, February 21, 2015 at Rush University Medical Center.
View HIV Status and Psychotropic Medication Use in Older Adults poster.
