Tech-enabled Aids to Help Older Adults Stay Independent
Official title: Tech-enabled Functional Health: Bridging Primary Care Gaps for Older Adults with Functional Disabilities
Funded at University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences · NIH-11423709 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A 3-year program tests a low-cost, group-based assistive technology approach to help adults 65+ stay independent by improving daily activities and quality of life in primary care clinics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Juan, United States) |
| Project start | September 25, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $505,618 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NR021305-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11423709 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 65 and older who experience difficulties with activities of daily living and have access to participating primary care clinics.
✕Less likely to help
Older adults without functional disabilities or without access to the participating clinics may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on older adults who have functional disabilities and live in the community. It tests a group-based assistive technology program called VIVE-AT, designed to fit into primary care settings. The study will compare the VIVE-AT program to a waitlist control to see if it reduces daily-life difficulties and improves well-being. The goal is to make a scalable, cost-effective way to prevent disability progression and reduce falls and loss of independence.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could become a standard preventive care option in clinics, helping older adults maintain independence and reduce healthcare costs.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies suggest assistive technology can reduce disability progression, but large-scale implementation in primary care remains underexplored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences
San Juan, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Orellano-Colon, Elsa M — University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences
- Study coordinator: Orellano-Colon, Elsa M
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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.