Pilot Study Program

Cultural Life Review Program: A Community-based Intervention for African American and Caribbean American Older Adults
Jo Anne Sirey, Weill Cornell Medical College Cornell Institute of Geriatric Psychiatry)
Sharon McKenzie, NYU William and Silvia Silberstein Institute for Aging and Dementia
Katherine Martinez, Presbyterian Senior Services, NY, NY
David S. Taylor, Presbyterian Senior Services, NY, NY
2006 CITRA Pilot Grant
The goal of the project is to pilot test the usefulness of a community-based intervention, Cultural Life Review Program (CLRP) to improve social and psychological functioning among African Americans and African Caribbean elders with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). We propose a one-year pilot study to document feasibility, and effect-size estimates for the impact of the CLRP in reducing symptoms of depression and improving social integration. We will use a treatment control design, in which participants are randomly assigned to CLRP or to a series of crafts workshops. We believe that this intervention will improve social functioning and decrease depression by increasing social contacts and processing regrets that interfere with psychological health.
Proposal (187.2 KB)

Self-Neglect in Homebound Elderly
Maria P. Pavlou, MD, Weill Medical College of Cornell University
William J. Dionne, Executive Director, Burden Center for the Aging, Inc.
Suzannah Chandler, C.S.W., Executive Director, Search and Care, Inc
2005 CITRA Pilot Grant
This project will address the daunting, poorly studied topic of self-neglect, traditionally categorized under the umbrella of elder abuse and neglect. The implication that it is “selfinflicted” has sparked much debate about the moral, ethical and legal issues surrounding this topic. Little has been done however, in terms of epidemiological studies using standardized, widely accepted instruments, to better characterize self-neglect.
Progress Report (30.7 KB)
Progress Report (11.6 KB)

Aging Artists in New York City: A Network-Based Study using Respondent-Driven Sampling
Douglas D. Heckathorn, Professor of Sociology, Cornell University
Joan Jeffri, Director, Research Center for Arts and Culture, Teachers College Columbia University
2005 CITRA Pilot Grant
This study will provide the first needs assessment of aging artists in the New York Metro Area. The project will combine an innovative methodology, RDS, and a track record of twenty years of artist research by the Research Center for Arts and Culture. It will mark an important step in describing and analyzing artists’ network structure over time and will provide basic research for NYFA and other organizations to implement policy and programs based on systematic research and documentation on the condition, needs, and situation of the living artist in America, It will also provide a model for other sectors in society.
Progress Report (65.5 KB)
Progress Report (46.6 KB)

Understanding Characteristics of Elders Receiving Home-Delivered Meals in New York City and Implications for Program Targeting and Delivery
Edward A. Frongillo, Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University with Citymeals-on-Wheels of New York
2004 CITRA Pilot Grant
The overall aim of this project is to provide comprehensive, factual data about the range of abilities and needs of 17,000 frail elders in New York City who receive meals delivered at home by a network of funders and providers.
Progress Report (35.3 KB)
Progress Report (13.1 KB)

Investigating Attitudes and Beliefs of Asian-Indian Hindus Towards End-of-Life Care
Arun S. Rao, MD, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, Division of Geriatrics & Gerontology
2004 CITRA Pilot Grant
This pilot grant funded a pilot study using a convenience sample of older Hindu adults attending a community senior center in Queens, New York. The specific aims of this study were: 1. To estimate the prevalence of advance directives and end-of-life care preferences of an Asian-Indian Hindu population at a community center(s) in the borough of Queens in New York City using standardized instruments. 2. To qualitatively assess end-of-life care preferences of the Asian-Indian Hindu population in regard to truth telling, diagnosis/prognosis disclosure, medical decision-making, life-sustaining/prolonging measures, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and place of death. 3. To characterize the demographic, clinical, and psychosocial attributes of this population using standard and validated geriatrics tools.
Progress Report (36.9 KB)
Progress Report (23.2 KB)

Eating and Exercising for a Healthier Harlem
Erica G. Phillips, Division of General Internal Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University,
Mary Charlson, Weill Medical College of Cornell University,
Carla Boutin-Foster, Weill Medical College of Cornell University,
2004 CITRA Pilot Grant
This study is comprised of two phases: a qualitative phase and a pilot phase. This application is for support of the latter phase of the study where we will pilot a community based intervention that will increase physical activity and increase healthier eating among older (age > 50) overweight and obese African-American and Hispanic women residing in East and Central Harlem. The feasibility and acceptability of different approaches to healthier eating will be evaluated (low fat vs. lower carbohydrate). The results of this study would provide the necessary pilot data for a National Institute of Health proposal of a community-based, randomized control trial aimed at increasing physical activity and reducing obesity in high-risk populations.
Progress Report (35.3 KB)
Progress Report (20.0 KB)

Decision Support in the Treatment of Geriatric Depression in Home Health Care
Thomas Sheeran, PhD., ME, Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University
2003 CITRA Pilot Grant
My CITRA-sponsored activities have consisted of work aimed at improving depression-related care among geriatric home health patients. The primary project, “Fall Prevention Among Depressed Elderly Home Care Patients,” has been completed and resulted in two publications and submission of a 5-year career development grant. CITRA funding also has enabled the initiation of a new survey study, “Organizational Factors in Home Care Outcome Based Quality Indicators”, which is expected to begin this summer.
Progress Report (35.8 KB)
Progress Report (25.7 KB)

Trends in Relationships between Marital Status and Body Weight
Jeffery Sobal, Nutritional Sciences, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University
2003 CITRA Pilot Grant
The specific aim of this project is to examine trends in the relationship between marital status and body weight using data from the U.S. Behavioral Risk Factor Survey System (BRFSS). The rise in obesity in the U.S. since the 1980s suggests that changes in society may be linked to these increases in body weight. The institution of marriage and marital practices have changed dramatically during the late twentieth century, and a number of past studies suggest that marriage is related to body weight and obesity. This CITRA pilot project is examining the hypothesis that marital status changes, particularly more frequent divorce, may play a role in the recent rise in obesity.
Progress Report (30.7 KB)
Progress Report (9.2 KB)