The Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging (WIHA) helps people take steps to improve their health and quality of life through home-grown, evidence-based programs and practices.

From the seed of an idea, WIHA develops and nurtures relationships between community organizations and researchers to test wellness interventions and – once proven effective – facilitates the spread of those programs and practices to people in Wisconsin and other parts of the country.

Our Partners

Community: Wisconsin Department of Health ServicesArea Agency on Aging of Dane CountyGreater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, Inc.Milwaukee County Department on AgingCounty & tribal aging units, health care providers and insurers, local aging coalitions, other community agencies & organizations

Academic: University of Wisconsin-MadisonResearchers from Medicine, Pharmacy, Industrial Systems Engineering, Family Medicine, Kinesiology, Psychology, Nursing, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Engineering, Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, Division of Continuing Studies - Behavioral Health, BiostatisticsUniversity of Wisconsin-La Crosse faculty from Public Health

From Research to Practice to People

W

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Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging

Research Staff:610 Walnut Street, Suite 330Madison, WI 53726Phone: (608) 263-9660 E-mail: Jill.Renken@gwaar.org

Program Dissemination Staff:1414 MacArthur Road, Suite BMadison, WI 53714 Phone: (608) 243-5690 E-mail: info@wihealthyaging.org

Contact UsExecutive DirectorBetsy Abramson

wihealthyaging.org

Advancing healthy aging in the tradition of

the Wisconsin Idea

The only organization of itskind in the country, the

Wisconsin Institute for HealthyAging is at the forefront of

community-based participatoryresearch in healthy aging.

WIHA embodies the Wisconsin Idea by

incubating and nurturingwellness innovations —

collaborating with Wisconsincommunities to test thosewith the most promise —

and bringing those proven effective to the

citizens of Wisconsin.

We take good ideas from research, to practice,

to people.

6/2017

Our Current Research Areasw Chronic Disease Management w Dementia Supportw Falls Prevention w Community Health Services Deliveryw Medication Management w Mental Health Supportw Patient-Provider Communication w Physical Activity

Our Role in Community-Based Research

Make Connections

w Match community and academic stakeholders

w Facilitate early meetings with potential community and academic partners to generate ideas and determine feasibility

Form Collaborations

w Facilitate project team meetings, provide grant writing guidance, and consult on project development

Conduct Research

w Facilitate initial project team meetingsw Provide consultation in protocol development, intervention

development, contracts and navigating the IRB

w Provide continual check-ins, resources, and assistancew Facilitate progression to next stages of research

Jane Mahoney, MDProfessor UW GeriatricsChief Medical OfficerWIHA

Jill Renken, MPH, Older Americans Act Consultant, Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources; Community Research Associate, WIHA

Research LeadershipFrom research . . .WIHA’s research arm — the Community Academic Aging Research Network (CAARN) — develops partnerships for community-based agingresearch projects.

Aligned with Wisconsin's state health plan (Healthiest Wisconsin 2020)and the mission of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), we providetraining and resources and connect community groups and academicresearchers to partner for community-based participatory aging research.

Number of projects funded

Number of individual grantsfunded

Total fundingawarded

# of funded Principal Investigators involved in CAARN research studies

34in 7 years

45in 7 years

$19,777,864 extramural

$2,006,811 intramural

41At-a-Glance:Our ResearchProjects

wihealthyaging.org

Web page: www.wihealthyaging.org/caarn-healthy-aging-research

C“CAARN connected us with community partners through the

state network of Aging & Disability Resource Centers that

enabled a patient-centeredstream of research I had long

wanted to do. We received external funding and created a

spinoff project that was funded.We now believe there is great

potential for wider dissemination.

None of this would have beenpossible without CAARN.

We are very grateful.”

Betty Chewning, Ph.D., FAPhAProfessor, Apple Distinguished Chair

Director, Sonderegger Research CenterSchool of Pharmacy, UW-Madison

Shannon MyersDirector of ProgramImplementation &Community ResearchSpecialist, WIHA

Current # of active program Leaders in Wisconsin

Total # ofworkshopsheld in Wisconsinto date

Total # ofworkshopparticipantsin Wisconsinto date

. . . to practice

Our Role in Program Development & Dissemination

Program Protocols

w Develop uniform program structure for easy replication and program fidelity

w Develop systems for local program implementation

w Create uniform program materials

Leader Support

w Offer regular training opportunities for new program Leaders and refresher trainings for existing Leaders

w Provide online access to program materials

w Offer coaching and guidance for successful workshop implementation

Partnership Development

w Establish relationships to increase the number of workshops offered and participant referrals to programs

Data Collectionw Receive and analyze program data on participants, Leaders, and

workshops for use in strategic planning

Wisconsin Workshop Promotion

w Provide online access to statewide workshop listings and outreach materials to assist with local program promotion

Once tested and proven, WIHA transitions interventions into practiceby developing uniform processes and materials for use in disseminatingprograms throughout the state and country.

We train and support program Leaders, collect program data, supportcommunity organizations and health systems as they bring healthyaging programs to their communities, and provide tools and assistanceto develop and sustain programs locally.

At-a-Glance:ProgramSuccess

wihealthyaging.org

Over1,300

Over25,000

Over2,900

Betsy Abramson, JDExecutive Director WIHA

Michelle ComeauDirector of LeaderDevelopmentWIHA

Shannon MyersDirector of ProgramImplementation &Community ResearchSpecialist, WIHA

Program Dissemination Leadership

T“These days evidence iseverything – which is why

Security Health Plan truststhe Wisconsin Institute forHealthy Aging’s evidence-

based programs.

And if the research isn’tenough, our members tell

us how much they valuethese programs.”

Allison Machtan, MS, RDCommunity Benefits Program

Security Health Plan

. . . to people

Current Program OfferingsChronic ConditionsLiving Well with Chronic Conditions (and Spanish-language version Tomando Con-trol de su Salud) is a six-week self-management workshop providing informationand support to people with chronic health problems such as arthritis, high bloodpressure, heart disease, and more. An adaptation of the Living Well program —Healthy Living with Diabetes and Spanish-language version Vivir Saludable conDiabetes — is designed specifically for people with type 2 diabetes.

Falls PreventionStepping On is a seven-week workshop proven to reduce falls (with Spanish-language version Pisando Fuerte). It provides a safe, positive learning experiencefocused on improving balance and strength, home and environmental safety, vision, and a medication review.

Caregiver SupportPowerful Tools for Caregivers and its adaptation Powerful Tools for Caregivers ofChildren with Special Needs is a six-week workshop shown to improve self-care behaviors, manage feelings and emotions related to caregiving, increase confidencein coping with caregiving demands, and increase the use of local services.

Physical ActivityWalk With Ease is a six-week exercise program that has been shown to reducearthritis pain; increase balance, strength and walking pace; and improve over-all health.

Reduced riskof falls forStepping Onparticipantsin Wisconsin

Program cost to health caresavings ratio for Living Wellparticipants

Reduction in emer-gency department visits for Healthy Living with Diabetes participants

31% 53% 1:4

WIHA serves as a clearinghouse for evidence-based health promotionprograms for healthy aging and wellness. We provide informationand training on evidence-based practices and programs — those created at WIHA and others — and promote local workshops in Wisconsin as well as other proven healthy aging practices.

At-a-Glance:Healthier Agingwihealthyaging.org

IWhat participants say . . .

“I had a fall several yearsago and was afraid itwould happen again.

Stepping On changed mylife. I feel so much moreconfident in my ability to

get around.”

“When I was diagnosedwith diabetes, I felt like I’d

never be able to do thethings I wanted to do anymore. Living Well

gave me the tools Ineeded to take control ofmy condition. I like that.”

“Being a caregiver is utterlyexhausting. I was on the

brink of not being able todo it anymore. This pro-gram [Powerful Tools for

Caregivers] brought meback. Now I know that

caregiving starts with taking care of myself.”