Saint Louis University Research Wins National Award for Study of Hospital Transition
A published study led by researchers at Saint Louis University has been selected by Mather Institute as a Silver Award recipient of the 2021 Innovative Research on Aging Awards.
As an internationally recognized resource for research and information about wellness, aging, and trends in senior living, Mather Institute invited submissions by researchers from universities and organizations around the world for this year’s awards, which cover a variety of categories from Aging in Place to Technological Advancements for Older Adults, and more.
Saint Louis University was honored in the award category of Aging in Place based on a 2020 study of one hospital’s transition into an Age-Friendly Health System, and the impact on older patients.
“The Innovative Research on Aging Award honors the SLU research team for tracking outcomes of a major shift in a health care provider, which can allow more older adults to age in place. Their findings can help organizations consider paths to improved patient care,” said Cate O’Brien, Ph.D., VP and Director of Mather Institute. “These awards honor applied research with practical implications for the senior living industry. We hope these award-winning studies will spark ideas in senior living organizations across the country and around the world.”
The Saint Louis University Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program faculty and partners originally published the article, titled "An Age-Friendly Health System," in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
The study followed outcomes from the organizational transition of a critical care access hospital in rural Missouri from traditional care of older patients to an Age-Friendly Health System (a designation by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement).
"Our Saint Louis University Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program Team is honored to partner with Perry County Memorial Hospital and to have their innovative work to improve care for older adults be recognized through this award," said SLU School of Social Work professor Marla Berg-Weger, Ph.D., LCSW.
A full complimentary report on the Innovative Research on Aging Award recipients, Revealing Research 2021, is available for download at matherinstitute.com. Nominations will open in February for the 2022 Innovative Research on Aging Awards, with a submission deadline in mid-March.
About Mather
Founded in 1941, Mather is a nondenominational not-for-profit organization based in Evanston, Illinois, that creates Ways to Age Well. SM Mather Institute is its research area of service and serves as an award-winning resource for research and information about wellness, aging, trends in senior living, and successful aging service innovations. To learn more, find your way to mather.com.
College for Public Health and Social Justice
The Saint Louis University College for Public Health and Social Justice is the only academic unit of its kind, studying social, environmental and physical influences that together determine the health and well-being of people and communities. It also is the only accredited school or college of public health among nearly 250 Catholic institutions of higher education in the United States.
Guided by a mission of social justice and focus on finding innovative and collaborative solutions for complex health problems, the College offers nationally recognized programs in public health, social work, health administration, applied behavior analysis, and criminology and criminal justice.