Education & Information Transfer Core

The Education and Information Transfer Core (EITC) functions as a vital link between the UK-ADC and local and state communities to:

• Support recruitment and retention activities for the clinical core of the ADC.
• Increase awareness of AD and other dementias for patients, family members, the general public, and community organizations that provide care for dementia with an emphasis on maintaining a strong presence in the African-American community.
• Expand university, community, and regional partnerships in aging and dementia to meet the needs of community and professional audiences and UK researchers.

A primary function of this core is to support the recruitment and retention of participants for research and to provide programs that stimulate research by faculty and students. Efforts developed with the African-American population at the Minority Gateway Satellite Clinic have expanded so that UK-ADC research studies reflect greater participation by African Americans, the largest minority group in Kentucky.  The African-American Dementia Outreach Partnership (AADOP) was created to improve dementia care through community involvement and education. The EITC designs outreach to increase awareness of AD and other dementias for patients, family members, the general public and community organizations that provide care for dementia patients. Community awareness programs emphasize the importance of research and encourage participation in studies available through our Center. Through partnerships with national, state and local organizations and other ADCs, this core designs and offers dementia-specific training to meet the needs of health care and other professional audiences. These programs promote improved health and services for patients and their family members throughout Kentucky. Research has been enhanced through a variety of regularly scheduled programs to educate investigators about AD and to foster increased collaboration among faculty and students from diverse disciplines.

Programs developed by this core are systematically evaluated to determine short and long term outcomes and to aid in decision making.

Education

Educational programs at SBCoA are coordinated through the EITC.  Programs include monthly seminars on Alzheimer’s disease for professionals and students. Community events are offered in collaboration with the local Alzheimer’s Association and groups such as the Area Agency on Aging and the Geriatric Education Center. One of our most popular programs is caregiver training for family caregivers. This one-day program is offered every other month and at sites surrounding Lexington when requested. Professional and community conferences on topics of special interest are offered through the UK-ADC and products are developed to meet community needs, e.g., the Book of Alzheimer’s for African-American Churches. Faculty and staff make numerous presentations in Lexington and surrounding areas.

During 2010, 77 community events were held reaching almost 20,000 participants and 30% of these programs educated African Americans about AD.

Outreach and Support Services

The UK-ADC and the SBCoA have partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association, KY Telecare, and the Area Health Education Center in the development of educational outreach and clinical care to rural areas of Kentucky. This program was designed specifically to bring the resources of the UK-ADC, SBCoA and the Alzheimer’s Association directly into underserved rural communities.

Postdoctoral Scholars and Graduate Students Training

From 2000 to 2008, 90 postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, or visiting faculty have been trained and/or mentored by SBCoA faculty.

Deborah D. Danner, PhD - Core Director

Address Room 113, Sanders-Brown Center on Aging 800 South Limestone Street Lexington, KY 40536-0230 Email dddann00@uky.edu

Phone Number (859) 257-1412 x230 Fax Number (859) 323-2866

Senior Investigator Linda J. Van Eldik, PhD