The Sealy Center on Aging

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

NEWSLETTER

ISSUE 001
AUGUST 2022

The UTMB Sealy Center on Aging (SCOA) has been a leader in aging research since 1995. Our goal is to improve the health and well-being of older adults through research, education, and community service.

Get to Know Us

Researcher Highlight

Elena Volpi, MD, PhD, is an expert in clinical aging research and applying it in ways that directly help older adults. Her expertise includes muscle aging, recovery from illness in older adults, diabetes and metabolism, and dementia care.

“Working in aging research makes me feel that we are doing something impactful for the lives of seniors, for their caregivers, and for our future selves. After spending many hours with senior participants, I realized that they are involved in research because they are truly and selflessly interested in finding ways to improve the lives of all older adults. I also enjoyed talking with them, and their wisdom. I learned a lot, and not just about science.” ~ Dr. Volpi

BRAIN GAME: Come up with words for each letter of the alphabet that begin and end with the same letter. (Example: Treat) For an extra brain boost, see how many words you can get in 3 minutes. HINT: J, Q, and Z have none. Good Luck!

HEALTH TIP: The National Institute on Aging (NIA) recommends 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise weekly or about 20 minutes a day. Find out more from the NIA at https://tinyurl.com/yyoqo7n7

Research News

HISPANIC AGING INITIATIVES

The Sealy Center on Aging (SCOA) at UTMB has been redesignated a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Collaborating Centre through 2026. Our mission is to improve the health of older adults in the Americas, with a focus on eliminating health disparities. We emphasize research on health behaviors and outcomes among older adults in Latin America and the Caribbean and Hispanic populations in the United States. Associate Director of SCOA, Rebeca Wong, PhD, directs the PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre at UTMB. Dr. Wong was recently appointed as the Sheridan Lorenz Distinguished Professor in Aging and Health in the new School of Public and Population Health and is the Principal Investigator of the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS).

The Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) is a national longitudinal study of adults 50 years and older in Mexico. The study is a collaborative effort among researchers from UTMB, the Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía, the University of Wisconsin, the Instituto Nacional de Geriatría, the Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, and University of California Los Angeles. See two factsheets published by MHAS below.

AGING IN MEXICO: FRAILTY

MHAS Fact: Sheet 20-3, October 2020 What is frailty? A condition associated with adverse outcomes such as dependency or mortality when exposed to daily life stressors. It is commonly measured using a variety of recognized tools such as the frailty phenotype and the frailty index.

AGING IN MEXICO: DISABILITY

MHAS Fact Sheet 20-1, April 2020 In older adults, disability is commonly measured by the presence of physical limitations. These limitations refer to difficulties completing activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, using the toilet, getting in and out of bed, and eating.

Volunteer Opportunities

AMERICORPS SENIORS

AmeriCorps Seniors (RSVP) are volunteers, ages 55 and older, who serve the Galveston County community. There are no time requirements to volunteer. You decide the amount of time you give with the non-profit you are helping. You can jump into a project that happens once each year, such as Walk to End Alzheimer’s. If you have more time, you could help at a food pantry, serve/deliver meals, assist with fundraisers, visit with or make calls to people living alone, or help veterans returning home. Choose from several fulfilling volunteer activities! We are here to help you find a location that offers an opportunity you will enjoy. There is something for everyone and plenty of needs awaiting you in our community.

VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT

Norma Alvey, AmeriCorps Seniors

The first time I delivered Meals on Wheels, I was assisting my sister-in-law. I really enjoyed it. Soon after, I was given my very own route. I really love interacting with my recipients every week. I began volunteering after I retired. It gave me something to look forward to. I feel that volunteering has changed my life somewhat. I meet new people from all walks of life, and I am amazed at some of the things they tell me about themselves. I would encourage anyone who has a few hours of free time every week to try it. I think you will love it also.

Community Events

CAREGIVER CONNECTION

The Caregiver Connection Support Group meets monthly on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday from 12 -1 PM via Zoom, telephone, or in-person at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UTMB (1200 Market St., Galveston). The group is open to any family caregiver who is caring for an older adult. Contact Alice Williams to sign up at alwillia@utmb.edu or 409-266-9647.

Volunteer to Participate

IN AGING RESEARCH

Researchers in Galveston studying physical function, strength, and recovery from illness are enrolling adult volunteers for their studies. You may learn more about your own health by participating in studies with the Sealy Center on Aging.

BRASS (BED REST IN ACCELERATED SARCOPENIA STUDY)

Seeking volunteers ages 60-85 with Type 2 Diabetes for a study on bed rest, nutrition, & muscle growth. For information, please contact Paula Skinkis at (409) 772-1907 or pskinkis@utmb.edu.

MUSCLE DISUSE STUDY

We are looking for healthy, middle-aged men and postmenopausal women (50-65 years) in the Galveston area to examine changes in skeletal muscle during periods of disuse (knee brace) and rehabilitation. Contact Liza Durgens, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, lidurgen@utmb.edu or (409) 747-6820 or Sean Kilroe, PhD, at spkilroe@utmb.edu or (832) 413-2352.

STEP-HI (STARTING A TESTOSTERONE AND EXERCISE PROGRAM AFTER HIP INJURY)

Seeking women volunteers for a study on hip fracture recovery: ‘STEP-HI’ Back to a Life in Motion. Contact: Eloisa Martinez at (409) 266-9643 or esmartin@utmb.edu. Website: stephistudy.wustl.edu.