Understanding how aging affects the ability to work and finding ways to help.
Official title: Identifying Targets for Interventions to Improve Functional Ability to Work over the Life Course
Funded at Harvard Medical School · NIH-11056765 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how getting older affects our ability to work and aims to find ways to help older adults stay active and engaged in their jobs by improving their mental, physical, and social skills.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $598,624 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG078301-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11056765 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 65 and older who may be experiencing declines in their functional abilities related to work.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 65 or those who do not have any functional impairments related to work may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how aging impacts the functional abilities necessary for work, focusing on cognitive, physical, and psychosocial factors. It aims to identify which specific ability losses most significantly affect work capacity and whether public health interventions can prevent or restore these losses. By analyzing data and methods from disability assessments, the project seeks to develop effective, low-cost interventions to improve the work capacity of older adults. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance healthy aging by enabling continued engagement in productive activities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective interventions that help older adults maintain their ability to work and engage in meaningful activities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in identifying interventions for maintaining functional abilities in older adults, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Medical School
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maestas, Nicole a — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Maestas, Nicole a
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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.