Dear
Louise
May
2008 Volume 2, Number 4
A publication
of the University of Utah Center on Aging
phone:
801.585.9540
email: aging@hsc.utah.edu
News and Events
Institute of Medicine Task Force Report
Released"The Institute of Medicine charged the ad hoc
Committee on the Future Health Care Workforce for Older Americans to
determine the health care needs of Americans over 65 years of age
and to assess those needs through an analysis of the forces that
shape the health care workforce, including education and training,
models of care, and public and private programs.” Their report,
“Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Health Care Workforce”
was released April 14 and is available on-line at http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3809/40113/53452.aspx
Many
Center on Aging members are actively discussing how we can work to
implement the IOM recommendations to address these pressing
workforce needs. Please see the next item for one example.
Utah Commission on Aging Hosts Provider
ReceptionThe Utah Commission on Aging held a reception
at the home of the Commission’s Chair, Norma Matheson, on May 7, for
health care providers from multiple disciplines who are involved in
geriatrics. Those attending were briefed about several current
Commission activities – e.g. education and training surrounding
Utah’s new advance directive, and plans to introduce legislation to
support a geriatrics loan forgiveness program. In addition, the
group discussed the level of interest in forming a Utah state
affiliate of the American Geriatrics Society, perhaps partnering
with the existing Utah Aging Alliance (formerly Utah Gerontological
Society). Please contact Dr. Supiano if you would like additional
information regarding these activities.
Center on Aging Faculty Member Spotlight: Paul
LaStayoPaul LaStayo, PhD, PT is a steering committee
member of the Center on Aging and Director of the Skeletal Muscle
Exercise Research Facility (SMERF) in the Department of Physical
Therapy. The SMERF team focuses on muscle structure and function as
it relates to improving clinical conditions in older individuals.
His investigations span from the molecule to whole body,
three-dimensional movement and attempt to better understand the
linkages between structural changes in the neuromuscular system and
the functional results that impact mobility.
Projects in the
SMERF are characteristically interdisciplinary in nature as
exemplified by a trio of NIH-supported studies with older
individuals who have fallen (1R01 AG031255-01), elderly cancer
survivors (1R21 CA114523-01) and older individuals with Parkinsons
disease (1R15 CA114523-01). In conjunction with his colleagues in
the SMERF, Robin Marcus, PhD, PT and Lee Dibble, PhD, PT, Dr LaStayo
has exposed a novel muscular intervention where muscle performs work
while undergoing a lengthening (eccentric) contraction, which occurs
when an external load exceeds the muscle's ability to generate
force. Resistance exercise via negative, eccentrically-induced work
(RENEW) is ideally designed for older individuals as the very low
energy required to perform eccentric muscle contractions makes the
task easy to perform. The very high mechanical load to muscle (high
force production), however, makes RENEW a potent stimulus for muscle
growth, strength and power. While founded on 60 years of sound
muscle physiology, the SMERF team is the first to bring the
“negative work” concept to the clinical rehabilitation environment.
When engaged in other forms of negative work, i.e.,
relaxing, he and his wife Linda can be found exploring the outdoors
and trying to find quiet amidst raising 4 teenage children.
Pilot Grant ProgramThe 2008 call for
proposals for the Center’s Pilot Grant Program resulted in the
submission of 16 applications spanning eight schools and colleges.
The proposals are currently being reviewed by external and internal
reviewers. The Steering Committee will meet in late June to review
the applications and select the proposals that will be funded this
year. It is anticipated that the funded proposals will be announced
by early July.
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 About our logo: The bristlecone
pine tree (Pinus longaeva) -
the earth’s oldest inhabitant
with a life span of 4,000 years -
is found only in Utah and
five other western states.
Its extraordinary longevity and
ability to adapt and
survive in extremely harsh
environmental conditions
above 10,000 feet embodies the
investigative spirit
and mission of the Utah Center on
Aging.
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If you
have questions about the University of Utah Center on Aging, please
visit us online at http://aging.utah.edu
801-585-9540 or aging@hsc.utah.edu
Best,
Mark
A. Supiano, MD
Executive Director - Center on
Aging
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