How neighborhoods affected older adults' memory and thinking after COVID-19
Aging in Place since the COVID-19 Pandemic Onset: A Study of Neighborhoods and Cognitive Health among Older Americans
This project compares neighborhood features before and after the COVID-19 pandemic and how they relate to thinking and memory in Americans aged 51 and older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boulder, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11158649 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work uses data from the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study to follow thinking and memory over time in U.S. adults aged 51+. The team combines survey data and cognitive tests with neighborhood information (like parks, libraries, and shops) and interviews to understand social, intellectual, and physical activity opportunities. They compare cognitive trajectories from before the pandemic to changes that happened after COVID-related closures and isolation. The mixed-methods approach aims to show which community features helped protect or harmed memory so families and planners can better support people aging in place.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are U.S. adults aged 51 or older who live in their own communities, including those with memory concerns or early cognitive change.
Not a fit: People under 51, residents of long-term care institutions, or those without consistent neighborhood ties are unlikely to be represented or directly helped by this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to neighborhood features and policies that help protect memory and thinking for older adults and guide community supports.
How similar studies have performed: Previous observational studies have linked neighborhood social and built features to slower cognitive decline, but using national HRS data to compare pre- and post-pandemic neighborhood impacts with mixed methods is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Boulder, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado — Boulder, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Finlay, Jessica Marie — University of Colorado
- Study coordinator: Finlay, Jessica Marie
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.