Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC)

Durham GRECC

• Exercise/Physical Activity/Nutrition
• Osteoporosis/Falls/Fractures
• Immunizations/Infections/Immunology and Drugs
• Care Innovations/Models

• Immunogenicity, safety, efficacy and functional impact of zoster, influenza and COVID-19 vaccines in older adults
• Characterizing physical resilience and developing a prediction tool for shared decision making in adults with advanced renal disease
• Predicting recovery from orthopedic surgeries
• Protein supplementation interventions to restore physical function in obese older Veterans
• Examining implementation, health, and utilization outcomes from a national exercise program.
• Reducing fractures and mortality in Parkinson’s Disease with zoledronic acid
• Exercise interventions to improve function and mental health (e.g., PTSD) in older adults
• Medication use patterns and development of a deprescribing intervention
• Developing improved animal models of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease

• VHA Dementia Education and Training Committee
• Gerofit training in exercise assessments and implementation
• “Focus on Function” Geri Scholars clinical practicum
• Pharmacy benefits management and training on use of the recombinant zoster vaccine
• Geriatric Medicine Fellowship, Advanced Geriatric Fellows, and Associated Health Trainees in Pharmacy, Nursing, Social Work, Physical Therapy, Audiology/Speech Pathology, Chaplaincy and Psychology
• Elder Care in Hospital (ECHo) Geriatric Nursing Quality Scholars Program

• Gerofit is a VHA best practice model of care undergoing national dissemination based on outcomes associated with reduced risk of institutionalization
• Integrating geriatrics principles throughout the health care system in surgery through Preoperative Optimization of Senior Health (POSH)
• The care of hospitalized Veterans through the supervised inpatient walking program (STRIDE) and the nursing-led Elder Care in Hospital (ECHo) program
• Chronic disease care including kidney disease (Renal Silver) 
• Addressing geriatric conditions including a home-based dementia caregiver program (COACH)
• Falls and osteoporosis treatment (VISN 6 Bone Health Service) and telehealth fall prevention (FAME)

• Herpes Zoster Clin Geriatr Med https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27394022/
• Association of Neurocognitive and Physical Function With Gait Speed in Midlife JAMA Newt Openhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31603488/
• The 5Ts: Preliminary Development of a Framework to Support Inclusion of Older Adults in Research J Am Geriatr Soc https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30693952/
• Pilot randomized controlled trial of exercise training for older veterans with PTSD J Behav Med https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31264055/
• Association of Sensory and Cognitive Impairment With Healthcare Utilization and Cost in Older Adults J Am Geriatr Soc https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30924932/

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