New Nursing Research Center Focuses on Improving Senior Health Care

Dec. 10, 2001 - A new nursing research center at The University of Akron is working to improve the quality of life for the aging population. The College of Nursing's Center for Gerontological Health Nursing and Advocacy focuses on research, education and service to address health care issues, and advocacy for older adults in northern Ohio.

Dr. Victoria Schirm, UA professor of nursing and director of the center, says the center is unique because of its focus on evidence-based nursing research.

"Nursing is at the heart of older adult care," Schirm says. "Our challenge is to expand the knowledge base for elder care providers to make a difference in actual practice settings. The collaborative relationship with UA's Institute for Health and Social Policy and other health-related units on campus also will help multidisciplinary research that is important to health care and quality of life for older adults."

The center's first major project will investigate and develop best practices for urinary incontinence and end-of-life care. The program is funded by a $503,000 grant from the Administration on Aging and partners The College of Nursing with HealthRays Alliance, a consortium of 26 long-term care organizations serving more than 7,500 older adults in Northeastern Ohio.

"Urinary incontinence and end-of-life care are of special concern to older adults," Schirm explains. "Urinary incontinence is a leading cause of nursing home placement. It also is experienced by 15 to 35 percent of noninstitutionalized persons over 60 years old, with women having twice the prevalence as men."

Schirm also explains that recent studies indicate consumers and health care providers need more reliable and valid information related to end-of-life care.

Dr. Cynthia Flynn Capers, dean of the College of Nursing, says the center's activities will help meet the need for better-trained personnel to care for the elderly. "By linking our academic nursing center with health care settings, we will expand the knowledge and understanding of care issues important to the older population," Capers says. "Older adults will benefit because the best nursing practice knowledge will be made available immediately for care delivery."

The Center for Gerontological Health Nursing and Advocacy builds upon a strong UA undergraduate program in gerontological nursing and extensive faculty research. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the John A. Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing named UA the 1999 recipient of the Award for Exceptional Undergraduate Curriculum in Gerontological Nursing.

"By coupling our resources with national and regional agencies we can positively affect the quality of care of older adults," Capers says. " We intend to be a leading resource center on best practices for gerontological care not only in northern Ohio but also nationally."

For more information about the Center call Dr. Schirm at 330-972-7371.

The University of Akron is the public research university for northern Ohio. Founded in 1870, it is the only public university in Ohio with a science/engineering program ranked among the nation's top five by U.S. News & World Report. Serving approximately 24,000 students, the University offers more than 350 associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral and law degree programs and approximately 100 certificate programs at its main campus in Akron, its Wayne College branch campus in Orrville, and at sites throughout Medina and Summit counties.