Exceptional Longevity in Rural Environments

Peter Martin	D. Lee Alekel	Karen Bermann	Christine Cook	Warren Franke
Craig Gundersen	Fred Lorenz	Ann Smiley-Oyen	Steve Garasky

Principal Investigators
Peter Martin, PI, HDFS
D. Lee Alekel, Co-PI, FSHN
Karen Bermann, Co-PI, Arch
Christine Cook, Co-PI, HDFS
Warren Franke, Co-PI, HHP
Craig Gundersen, Co-PI, HDFS
Fred Lorenz, Co-PI, Statistics
Ann Smiley-Oyen, Co-PI, HHP
Steve Garasky, Co-PI, HDFS.

Amount Awarded: $19,892

Duration: 1 year

Contact: Peter Martin, pxmartin@iastate.edu

Abstract: The Exceptional Longevity in Rural Environments initiative proposes to study very old adults, their optimal ways of adaptation, and their exceptional survivorship skills. The initiative funding will support collection and analysis of preliminary data design to support a larger scale proposal to the National Institutes of Health.

The project has four specific aims: First, to study exceptional survivorship in rural environments; second, to collaborate with faculty members in the Department of Computer Sciences to enhance smart home technology that will promote aging in place; third, to collaborate with researchers in cognitive aging including geriatric physicians who maintain active memory clinics with an emphasis on mild cognitive impairment; and fourth, to collaborate with faculty in the Family Policy Center to assess economic dependencies, care giving expenses, and services provided to older adults.