# Reducing COVID-19 Related Disability in Rural Community-Dwelling Older Adults Using Smart Technology

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA · 2021 · $820,180

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract.
Over 85% of Missouri is rural and individuals in these areas are older and have reduced access to regular
healthcare, compared to individuals living in urban areas of Missouri. Those with disabilities, particularly older
adults, are at higher risk for contracting COVID-19. There is a critical need to reduce disability and improve
quality of life for community-dwelling older adults with disabilities for successful aging-in-place during the
COVID-19 pandemic. We have developed, with our partner company Foresite Healthcare, a proven sensor-
based technology solution for monitoring health-related behaviors in the home. In a multi-site randomized
controlled trial, we demonstrated that the sensor system with nursing care coordination prevents declines in
function for older adults living in assisted living facilities. The long-term goal of this research is to support
independent living for older adults with disabilities for as long as possible. The purpose of this project is to
deploy the sensor system in the homes of rural community-dwelling older adults with disabilities and evaluate
the effect of the sensor system on reducing disability and improving health-related quality of life. Using a two-
arm randomized controlled trial, the sensor system will be installed in the homes of 64 older adults.
Participants randomized to Study Arm 1 will receive a multidisciplinary (nursing, occupational therapy, and
social work) self-management intervention paired with the sensor system. This intervention is based on the
5As self-management approach and is a direct translation of the nursing care coordination in our prior
research. Participants randomized to Study Arm 2 will have standard health education paired with the sensor
system. An implementation guide for future use with different partner agencies will be developed using
individual and setting level data collected from Aims 1, 2 and 3 using the RE-AIM framework. The project will
be accomplished in three aims. In Aim 1, we evaluate the effect of a sensor system paired with a
multidisciplinary self-management intervention as compared to the sensor system paired with standard health
education care on disability and health-related quality of life after 1 year. In Aim 2, we will evaluate the effect of
the sensor system on secondary health outcomes (depression, anxiety, occupational performance, and
caregiver burden), rates of falls, and healthcare usage. In Aim 3, we will collect individual participant data for
satisfaction and adoption and stakeholder data about organizational setting. Data from Aims 1, 2 and 3 will be
analyzed using RE-AIM to produce implementation guidance contextualized by organizational setting. For
older adults with disabilities living in rural areas, the sensor system has the potential to change the approach to
healthcare and disability management.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10360303
- **Project number:** 1R01AG072935-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Rachel Marie Wolpert
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $820,180
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-30 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10360303

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10360303, Reducing COVID-19 Related Disability in Rural Community-Dwelling Older Adults Using Smart Technology (1R01AG072935-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10360303. Licensed CC0.

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