Current Projects
Everyday Cognition
Purpose of the study: Functional independence in daily activities among seniors is a key component to emotional well-being while increasing dependence on others is associated with a host of negative outcomes. Our work in this area seeks to identify the cognitive and noncognitive factors (e.g., emotional factors, compensation, physical functioning, overall health) that lead to better everyday functioning. We are also interested in understanding subjective cognitive and functional concerns as an early risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases of aging, and how functional abilities and subjective concerns may vary across different ethnocultural groups. Ongoing work also examines the neurobiological underpinnings of everyday cognition.
Everyday Compensation
Our group has developed novel measures of compensation strategy use among older adults using both questionnaire and observation-based methods. Ongoing research in this area examines the association between these two methods of assessment, how compensation changes over time in relation to cognitive decline, and its impact on the development of cognitive impairment and dementia.
S. POINTER Trial
The S. POINTER Trial is the largest multidimensional behavioral intervention to delay cognitive decline and dementia of its kind. It is funded by the Alzheimer’s Association, and several ancillary studies are funded by the NIH. It is a multisite study that will enroll a total of 2000 older adults at risk for memory loss. The intervention focuses on exercise, diet, cognitive training and management of vascular risks can have a positive impact on cognition.
Digital Memory Notebook
Please review our Recruitment Flyer and visit the Digital Memory Notebook Study Pages site. This study is designed to train individuals who are at risk for memory and thinking problems to use an application (app) called the Digital Memory Notebook (DMN) to support brain health. This project is supported by a Society for Clinical Neuropsychology (APA Div. 40) Early Career Pilot Study Award.
Interactive Care (I-Care) platform
The Interactive-Care Platform (I-Care) is a web application modeled after an evidence-based cognitive rehabilitation tool for dementia care. I-Care supports everyday independence of individuals with cognitive impairment and enables remote caregiving support through messaging and dual content control. I-Care is supported through a gift endowed to UCD Healthy Aging in a Digital World initiative.
Dementia and Diabetes Prevention Program (DDPP) and The Good Life
Ecological Momentary Assessment of brain heath behavior