Researchers from The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus are expanding their efforts beyond the university with the recent establishment of a “living lab” at Balfour Senior Living in Louisville. This initiative, launched on October 15, aims to facilitate greater participation of older adults in clinical research, addressing a significant gap identified in previous studies.
In 2019, researcher Kady Nearing discovered that a mere 25% of the university”s adult clinical trials included participants aged 50 and above. This underrepresentation raises concerns regarding the applicability of research findings to the older population, who often face more complex health issues. Cari Levy, a professor of geriatric medicine at CU Anschutz and a key figure in the lab”s creation, emphasized the need for a cultural shift in how researchers engage with the community.
“So often, the people who are enrolled in studies about medications are not the people we actually take care of,” Levy remarked. “We”re trying to change that culture on the Anschutz campus. It will take time and effort.”
The living lab is designed to bring research opportunities directly to older adults within a comfortable and familiar environment. A studio apartment on the Balfour campus has been transformed into a space for private research activities, such as blood draws. Additionally, the entire Balfour campus will serve as a research environment, with studies involving mobility taking place throughout the community.
The initiative draws inspiration from similar living lab concepts in the Netherlands, where government-funded senior living labs aim to foster scientific research and develop models for “person-centered aging.”
According to Michael Sell, business development director at Balfour, many residents are enthusiastic about contributing to research, seeking opportunities to engage academically and civically.
“They want opportunities to continue to contribute in what had been their professional capacities,” Sell stated.
While no clinical trials have commenced yet, Sell anticipates that one or two studies may start by the end of November. Research topics under consideration include the relationship between hypertension and hearing, as well as the potential of cannabis-based topical products for chronic joint pain relief. One approved study will investigate whether electrical stimulation can enhance mobility.
Residents at Balfour play an integral role in shaping the research conducted in the living lab. A council of residents, known as the Academic Research Advisory Council, reviews and approves research proposals. Jodi Waterhouse, director of strategic partnerships and programs at the CU Anschutz Multidisciplinary Center on Aging, noted that the council serves as ambassadors within the community, raising awareness about the lab and assisting researchers in identifying future study opportunities.
Mary Stamp, a resident and council member, expressed her eagerness to participate in studies and motivate her neighbors to join. “The fact that they really want to involve senior citizens is good, because we have a lot we can talk about,” she said.
However, challenges remain, particularly the common practice of setting upper age limits for studies, often excluding many residents whose average age exceeds 80. Elaine Lance, a Balfour resident of ten years, shared her disappointment at being deemed too old to qualify for a study she found intriguing.
“I thought, the older you are, the more they”d like to study you, but evidently not,” Lance lamented.
Levy aims to alter this perception among researchers, advocating for the inclusion of older adults in clinical trials. “Our job is to raise awareness that older adults need to be included in studies,” she stated, highlighting efforts to facilitate direct communication with principal investigators to improve recruitment efforts.
While Balfour residents will form the initial participant base, the living lab is open to older adults from the wider Louisville community. Research teams are responsible for recruitment, and Sell hopes to promote studies through local senior centers and healthcare providers. The possibility of collaboration with other universities, including interest from CU Boulder, is on the horizon.
Private sector partnerships may also emerge, especially with companies focusing on aging technology, although they will undergo thorough vetting processes. Cambria Jacobs, CEO of AgeTech CO, highlighted Colorado”s potential as a leader in aging research, noting that the state”s demographic of individuals over 60 is growing significantly.
Jacobs described the CU Anschutz and Balfour collaboration as Colorado”s “first public-private test site” for aging research in real-world settings, underscoring its potential as a national model. For now, the lab will concentrate on a limited number of studies while raising awareness among CU Anschutz researchers about the opportunities available.
