Jefferson Elder Care

Research & Publications

These publications and presentations provide key evidence of the effectiveness of Jefferson Elder Care interventions offered for older adults, people with dementia and those who care for them.

  • Algase, D.L., et al. (1996). Need-driven dementia-compromised behavior: An alternative view of disruptive behavior. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, 11, 10-19.
  • Allen, C.K. & Blue, T. (1998). Cognitive disabilities model: How to make clinical judgments. In N. Katz (Ed.) Cognition and occupation in rehabilitation: Cognitive models for intervention in occupational therapy (pp. 225-280). Bethesda, MD: American Occupational Therapy Association.
  • Antony, R, Vause-Earland, T, Chernett, N, and Waddell-Terry, T. (2010). Depression in Culturally Diverse Older Adults. Depression Management Series. Eastern Pennsylvania Delaware Geriatric Education Center. Retrieved from: http://epadgec.jefferson.edu/modules/optimzing_quality/
  • Berg, D., Barr, A., Herge, E. A., Zapletal, A., Berg, K. (2009-10, Winter). Advanced physical diagnosis: An innovative interdisciplinary curriculum for teaching clinical skills to senior medical students. Interprofessional Education and Care Newsletter, 1(1).
  • Cohen-Mansfield, J. (2002). Managing agitation in elderly patients with dementia. Psychiatric Times, 19(1), 77-78.
  • Easton, L. & Herge, E. A. (2011). Adult day care: Promoting meaningful and purposeful leisure. OT Practice , 16(1), 20-27.
  • Gitlin, L.N. (2002). Evaluating home environments of persons with dementia: Interrater reliability and validity of the Home Environmental Assessment Protocol (HEAP). Disability and Rehabilitation, 24, 59-71.
  • Gitlin, L.N., Winter, L., Dennis, M.P., Hodgson, N., Hauck, W.W. (2010). A biobehavioral home-based intervention and the well-being of patients with dementia and their caregivers. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 304, 983-991.
  • Gitlin, L.N., Winter, L., Dennis, M.P., Hodgson, N., Hauck, W.W. (2010). Targeting and managing behavioral symptoms in individuals with dementia: A randomized trial of a nonpharmacological intervention. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 58, 1465-1475.
  • Gitlin, L. N. & Corcoran, M. (2005). Occupational therapy and dementia care: The home environment skill-building program for individuals and families. Bethesda, MD: American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.
  • Gitlin L. N., Corcoran, M., Winter, L., Boyce, A., Hauck, W. (2001). A randomized, controlled trial of a home environmental intervention: Effect on efficacy and upset in caregivers and on daily function of persons with dementia. The Gerontologist, 41, 4-14.
  • Gitlin, L. N. & Earland, T.V. (2009). Improving Quality of Life in Individuals with Dementia: The Role of Nonpharmacologic approaches in rehabilitation. In: J. H. Stone, M. Blouin, Eds, International Encyclopedia of Rehabilitation.
  • Gitlin, L.N., Earland, T.V., Piersol, C.V., & Shaw, G. (2010) Enhancing quality of life in functionally vulnerable older adults: from randomized trial to standard care. Generations: Journal of the American Society on Aging, 34, 84-87.
  • Gitlin, L. N., Winter, L., Earland, T. V., Herge, E. A., Chernett, N., L., Piersol, C. V., Burke, J. P. (2009). The tailored activity program (TAP) to reduce behavioral symptoms in individuals with dementia: Feasibility, acceptability, and replication potential, The Gerontologist, 49, 428-439.
  • Gitlin, L. N., Hauck, W. W., Dennis, M. P. & Winter, L. (2005). Maintenance of effects of the home environmental skill-building program for family caregivers and individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, 60A, 368-374.
  • Gitlin, L. N., Hauck, W. W., Dennis, M. & Schulz, R. (2007). Depressive symptoms in African American and White older adults with functional difficulty: The role of control strategies. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 55, 1023-1030.
  • Gitlin, L. N., Hauck, W. W., Dennis, M. P., Winter L., Hodgson, N, & Schinfeld. (2009). Long-term effect on mortality of a home intervention that reduces functional difficulties in older adults: Results from a randomized trial. Journal of American Geriatrics Society, 57, 476-481.
  • Gitlin, L. N., Hauck, W. W., Winter, L., Dennis, M. & Schulz, R. (2006). Effect of an in-home occupational and physical therapy intervention on reducing mortality in functionally vulnerable elders: Preliminary findings. The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 54, 950-955.
  • Gitlin, L., Hodgson, N, Jutkowitz, E., & Pizzi, L. (2010). The Cost-effectiveness of a Nonpharmacologic Intervention for Individuals with Dementia and Family Caregivers: The Tailored Activity Program. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, special issue on Dementia Care.
  • Gitlin, L. N., Hodgson, N., Piersol, C.V., Hauck, W.W., & Hess, E. (2013). Correlates of quality of life for individuals with dementia living at home: the role of home environment, caregiver and patient-related characteristics. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 22, 587-597.
  • Gitlin, L.N., Jacobs, M., & Earland, T.V. (2010). Translation of a dementia caregiver intervention for delivery in homecare as a reimbursable Medicare service: Outcomes and lessons learned. The Gerontologist, 50, 847-854.
  • Gitlin, L. N., Winter, L., Dennis, M., Corcoran, M., Schinfeld, S. & Hauck, W. (2006). A randomized trial of a multi-component home intervention to reduce functional difficulties in older adults. The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 54, 809-816.
  • Gitlin, L. N., Winter, L., Burke, J., Chernett, N., Dennis, M. & Hauck, W. W. (2008). Tailored activities to manage neuropsychiatric behaviors in persons with dementia and reduce caregiver burden: A randomized pilot study. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 16, 229-239.
  • Gitlin, L. N., Winter, L., Corcoran, M., Dennis, M., Schinfeld, S., & Hauck, W. (2003). Effects of the Home Environmental Skill-building Program on the Caregiver-Care Recipient Dyad: Six-month outcomes from the Philadelphia REACH Initiative. The Gerontologist, 43, 532-546.
  • Gitlin, L. N., Winter, L., Earland, T. V., Herge, E. A., Chernett, N. L., Piersol, C. V., & Burke, J. P. (2009). The tailored activity program (TAP): A nonpharmacologic approach to improving quality of life at home for person with dementia and their family caregivers. The Gerontologist, Practice Concepts, 49, 428-439.
  • Graff, M. J. L., Vernoonij-Dassen, M. J. M., Thijssen, M., Dekker, J., Hoefnagels, W. H. L., Olde Rikkert, M. G. M. (2006). Community based occupational therapy for patients with dementia and their care givers: Randomized controlled trial. British Medical Journal, 10, 1-6.
  • Hall G. R., & Buckwalter, K. C. (1987). Progressively lowered stress threshold: A conceptual model for care of adults with Alzheimer’s disease. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 1, 399–406.
  • Piersol, C.V. (2013). Examining Caregiver Appraisal of Functional Capacity in Family Members with Dementia (Dissertation). Ann Arbor, MI: ProQuest Information and Learning Company.
  • Piersol, C., Earland, T., & Burke, J. P. (2012). A model for social behavioral care: Community-based dementia treatment [Abstract]. Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, 8(4), 430.
  • Piersol, C.V., Earland, T.V., Herge, E. A. (2012). Meeting the needs of caregivers of persons with dementia: An important role for occupational therapy, OT Practice, 17 (5), 8-13.
  • Piersol, C.V. & Flynn, M. (2014). Implementing interprofessional evidence-based approaches in home and community practice for older adults and their families. Home and Community Special Interest Section Quarterly, 21(2), 1-4. Bethesda, MD: AOTA Press.
  • Teri, L. & Logsdon, R.G. (2000). Assessment and management of behavioral disturbances in Alzheimer’s disease. Comprehensive Therapy, 26(3), 169–175.
  • Volicer and Hurley (2003). Management of behavioral symptoms in progressive degenerative dementias. Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, 58A, 837-845.
  • Yura, H., & Walsh, M.B. (1983). Human Needs and the Nursing Process, 3rd Edition. New York, NY: Appleton-Century-Crofts.

  • Burke, J.P., Piersol, C.V., & Vause-Earland, T. (May, 2013). "An Implementation Study of Community Based OT Dementia Intervention." 2nd Annual Occupational Therapy Summit of Scholars, Chicago IL.
  • Davis, N., Serruya, M., & Piersol, C.V. (May, 2012). "Bridging the Gap between Physician Office and Home: Meeting the Needs of patients with dementia and their Families through Interprofessional Collaboration." (Paper). Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Education (JCIPE) Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Flynn, M., Herge, E. A, Piersol, C., Kuczynski, C., & Regan, K. (April, 2013). "Effective assessments in dementia care for the occupational therapy tool kit." Poster sessions presented at American Occupational Therapy Association National Conference, San Diego, CA.
  • Gitlin, L.N., Bauer, L., Piersol, C.V. & Buske, K. (November, 2013). "Community-based Perspectives on Implementation and Dissemination Research." (Panel). Pre-conference Institute: Accelerating Translation of Knowledge to Community Practices for Older Adults- Family Caregiving to Persons with Dementia, Gerontological Society of America’s 2013 Annual Scientific Meeting, New Orleans, LA.
  • Gitlin, L.N., Jacobs, M., Vause-Earland, T. & Piersol, C.V. (August, 2011). "Implementation of Skills2Care: A Proven Dementia Program in Home Care: at the Intersection of Research Policy and Practice." Poster Presentation at Global Implementation Conference, Washington, DC.
  • Gitlin, L., Piersol, C. V., Earland, T.V. & Herge, E. A. (October, 2010). "Clinical program applications related to featured address." (Panel). Panel address presented at 8th Annual Cognitive Symposium 2010, King of Prussia, PA.
  • Gitlin, L., Earland, T.V., Piersol, C. (November, 2010). "Translating the Environmental Skill-building Program in Homecare as a Reimbursable Medicare Service." Symposium, Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting (National), New Orleans, LA.
  • Herge, E. A., & Piersol, C. V. (June, 2014). “Improving Lives through Caregiver Skill Building: Case Stories of Adults with Intellectual Disability and Dementia Living in the Community.” American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry, Princeton, NJ.
  • Herge, E. A. & Piersol, C. V. (March, 2014). “In Our Own Words: The Experience of Supporting Individuals with ID/Dementia Moving Agencies Toward Excellence.” MAXX Conference, Langhorne, PA.
  • Herge, E.A. & Piersol, C.V. & Earland, T.V. (April, 2012). Improving Lives through Caregiver Skill-building: Two Case Stories of Adults with Intellectual Disability and Dementia Living in the Community (poster). American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference and Exposition, Indianapolis, IN.
  • Herge, E. A. & Piersol, C. V. & Earland, T.V. (September, 2012). "Improving lives of caregivers through skill building." Poster session presented at Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association State Conference, Lancaster, PA.
  • Piersol, C.V. (June, 2013). "Non-Pharmacologic Management of Dementia Behaviors." (Plenary). Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware (EPaD) Geriatric Education Center Interprofessional Geriatric Education and Practice Institute.
  • Piersol, C.V. (December, 2014). Primary Care in Geriatrics: Context, Opportunities, and Resources for Occupational Therapy. (short course). AOTA Specialty Conference: Improving Health & Participation of Older Adults. Charlotte, NC.
  • Piersol, C.V. & Davis, N. (October, 2011). Evidence Informed Dementia Care: Collaborating with Caregivers to Address Challenging Behaviors and Promote Abilities of Persons with Dementia (workshop) AOTA Specialty Conference: Adult Cognition, St. Louis, MO.
  • Piersol, C.V., Davis, N. & Herge, E.A., (March, 2012). Improving the lives of individuals with ID and dementia by improving caregiver skills. (session). Montgomery County Association for Excellence Conference, Plymouth Meeting, PA.
  • Piersol, C.V. & Flynn, M. (April, 2013). Meeting the Needs of Older Adults and their Caregivers: Implementing the Evidence in Home and Community Practice Environments. (short course), American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference and Exposition, San Diego, CA.

Current Projects

Service Delivery

  • Catherine Verrier Piersol, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
    Lori Eckert, MS, OTR/L
    • Home-based Demential Services for Elders and their Caregivers and Family Caregiver Workshops, programs supported by the Pew Charitable Trust
    • Family Caregiver Workshop Series for those caring for someone with dementia, program supported by the Hassel Foundation

Training

Consultation

  • Catherine Verrier Piersol, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTAE
    Adel Herge, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA
    • Philadelphia Coordinated Health Care collaboration to develop residency experience for entry-level occupational therapy doctoral students www.pchc.org
  • Catherine Verrier Piersol, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
    Tracey Vause Earland, PhD, OTR/L
    • Jefferson Geriatrics collaboration to provide services for older adults and develop residency experience for entry-level occupational therapy doctoral students

Scholarship & Research

  • E. Adel Herge, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA
    • National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities (ID) and Dementia Practices, collaboration to develop guidelines for care and services and evaluate impact of national training workshops on services for adults with ID and their caregivers http://aadmd.org/NTG
  • Catherine Verrier Piersol, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
    E. Adel Herge, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA
    • Developing and Evidence Based Program to Support Adults with Intellectual Disability and Dementia, funded by Jefferson College of Health Professions Dean's Award.  Translating the Skills2Care® for individuals with ID and dementia.