Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence

Our Research Focus

The United States is undergoing a population change never before seen. Simply put, our world is aging. In Oklahoma, 13.3% of the population (475,000 adults) is over 65 with a higher percentage in rural versus urban counties. By 2020, the population over 65 is projected to grow 67%. And Oklahoma has poor health outcomes compared to other states, leading the nation in cardiovascular deaths and among the states with the highest cancer and total mortality rates. At the same time, system changes including shorter hospital stays and limited nursing homes leave a growing number of older adults at home for health care.

Coined aging in place, a new approach to supports and interventions for older adults is emerging—one that enables older adults to maintain as much independence and dignity for as long as possible in their preferred setting, typically the home environment. Solutions to support aging in place cross disciplinary boundaries, encompassing nursing, medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nutritional science, kinesiology, social work, and fields such as communication science, computer and information science, anthropology, informatics, engineering, architecture, environmental design and public administration.

In response to such growing need, the Donald W. Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence focuses on research that addresses solutions to support community-based aging in place in Oklahoma.