Healthy Aging & Participating in Research

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Overview of Topics

• Why research is important to healthy aging• What you need to know about research studies • How YOU can make a difference for yourself

and future generations by participating

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Research and healthy aging

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Living longer and healthierIn 1900: • Life expectancy: 50 years• Top causes of death:

pneumonia/flu & tuberculosis

Today:• Life expectancy: 74+ years• Pneumonia & tuberculosis

prevented or treated

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Research and your healthDiscoveries from research led to the medicines and treatments we take for granted today:• Vaccines to prevent infectious diseases

such as tuberculosis• Antibiotics to treat bacterial diseases

such as pneumonia• Medications to manage ongoing

conditions such as high blood pressure and pain

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Continuing to look for answers• How can we prevent, or cure:– Heart disease and stroke?– Cancer?– Alzheimer’s disease and

dementia?• How can we improve care and

quality of life?

To find answers, scientists conduct research studies

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Example: Alzheimer’s Disease • Brain disease that destroys memory and thinking• Affects as many as 5 million Americans age 65+• A leading cause of death • Currently no cure or treatment

Major research underway to understand the disease and learn how to prevent, cure, and treat it

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“When I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I wanted to do everything possible to fight the disease.

I talked with my doctor to find a clinical study that was right for me.

I know I’m doing something that might help my children and grandchildren avoid the disease.”

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What you need to know about research studies

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Many types of research that need people• Interviews and surveys• Understanding disease • Improving detection and diagnosis• Prevention• Testing drugs and non-drug

treatments for safety and effectiveness

• Testing ways to support caregivers

Benefits of volunteering for research

Help others, including future generations of your family who may be at risk

Learn more about your health conditions

from experts

Receive regular monitoring by health

professionals

Get information about support groups and resources in your community

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Protecting your safety and privacyResearchers are required to follow strict rules, enforced by the Federal Government, to protect participants’ safety and privacy.• Institutional Review Board• Data Safety Monitoring

Committee• Informed Consent• Right to Withdraw• Privacy

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Concerns about participating?

• If you have many health problems, can you participate in a study that is looking at only one condition?

• If you are frail or have a disability, will you be strong enough to participate?

• If you no longer drive, how can you get to the study site?

Get your questions and concerns answered

by your doctor and the research team.

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Research Studies Need Everyone – Including YOU!

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How YOU can make a difference for yourself and future generations

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Join in to make a difference!

Many research studies are going on right now that urgently need a large number of volunteers.

Can you help?

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One easy way to make a difference

Sign up with a research registry or matching service.• You will be contacted when studies

are looking for people like you.• You can learn more about a study

and decide if you would like to participate.

• It’s always your choice whether or not to take part in a study.

• Your information will remain confidential.

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ResearchMatch

Go to http://www.ResearchMatch.org/roar

You must have an email address to sign up with ResearchMatch. You can call 1-866-321-0259 if you need help with online registration.

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Alzheimer’s Registries

• Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry http://www.endALZnow.org/

• Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch http://trialmatch.alz.org 1-800-272-3900

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“All of the progress that’s been made in medical treatments has occurred because people have stepped up to the plate and participated in clinical trials.

They may have been your neighbor, they may have been your relative, they may have been someone who you do not know and will never know.

But it’s through the efforts of those individuals and many thousands like them that we can make a difference.”

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More information

• Video: Why Participate in Clinical Research? (ResearchMatch)http://youtu.be/-Fo5OB--TYc

• Tip Sheet: Clinical Trials and Older People (National Institute on Aging): http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/clinical-trials-and-older-people

• Website: NIH Clinical Research Trials & You:http://www.nih.gov/health/clinicaltrials/

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Resources in our community

Placeholder here for any local resources or research studies currently recruiting

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Join your family, neighbors and friends participating in research to make a difference

for yourself and future generations!

Go to www.ResearchMatch.org/roar or for help registering online call 1-866-321-0259