Aging & Geriatrics

By 2050, the number of people age 60 and older is expected to double worldwide. Scientists at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) are at the forefront of research to help older adults lead healthier lives.

Over 4 decades, our pioneering studies have helped answer important questions about aging, such as whether having surgery for cataracts can reduce the risk of dementia, what approaches can help older adults become more physically active, and whether widely used medications increase the risk of falls and fractures. 

KPWHRI’s studies and collaborations encompass many key areas of aging research, including brain health, cardiovascular health, physical activity and behavior change, medication safety, and chronic disease management.

Research highlights

Dementia research spanning decades
For more than 30 years, the Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) Study has examined risk factors for dementia, with the goal of finding new ways to delay or prevent Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline. Among its findings, ACT has linked commonly used medications (anticholinergics) to a raised dementia risk. ACT also provided early, compelling evidence that exercising regularly can delay or prevent the onset of dementia in older adults. More recent research has explored other factors that may influence the risk of Alzheimer's, including air pollution and traumatic brain injury. To learn more about ACT and its impact, visit the ACT Study website.

Advancements through collaborations
KPWHRI researchers have partnered with scientists across the country to advance our understanding of age-related health conditions. One example is KPWHRI’s collaboration with the Allen Institute for Brain Science. Using data and donated brains from participants of the ACT Study, researchers have developed the most detailed picture yet of how Alzheimer’s disease progresses at the cellular level​​​​​​.

Caring for chronic illnesses
People with heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses are living longer than ever before. The Chronic Care Model — developed at KPWHRI’s Center for Accelerating Care Transformation (ACT Center) — is widely recognized as the leading model to guide health systems to improve care for chronic conditions. It has been translated into more than 30 languages and used for more than 25 years by health care organizations worldwide.

Standing up for better health
A KPWHRI-led study found that reducing sitting time by about 30 minutes a day led to better blood pressure for older adults. Notably, these improvements were comparable to those found in studies where participants exercised more. In another KPWHRI study, researchers found that taking more frequent breaks from sitting may reduce the risk of serious blood clots in older women.

Diagnosing dementia earlier
KPWHRI is leading work to promote earlier recognition and diagnosis of dementia through the eRADAR risk score, which uses routine data from electronic health records to identify people at higher risk of having undiagnosed dementia. 

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