Improving the lives of older adults through human factors in design.
Human Factors of Aging Program
This study is all about making life better for older adults, especially those with Alzheimer's or memory issues, by teaching people who create medical devices how to design them in a way that really works for their needs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11001914 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research program focuses on enhancing the quality of life for older adults by educating researchers, clinicians, and students about the importance of human factors in the design of medical devices and interventions. It specifically addresses the challenges faced by individuals with cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease, emphasizing the need to consider physical, sensory, and cognitive changes that occur with aging. The program collaborates with the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center to ensure that findings are applicable and beneficial for those affected by these conditions. By integrating human factors into design processes, the research aims to create more effective solutions for older adults.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults, especially those diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or experiencing cognitive decline.
Not a fit: Patients who are younger than 21 years old or do not have age-related cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved medical devices and interventions that better meet the needs of older adults, particularly those with cognitive impairments.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in integrating human factors into medical device design, particularly for older populations, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Redfern, Mark S — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Redfern, Mark S
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.