The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences partners with Residential Plaza to incorporate its residents in the PRISM 2.0 research study.
Miami, October 21, 2019.- Research has linked social isolation and loneliness, especially in older adults, to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental conditions: high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and even death. Residential Plaza is proactively engaging their residents, especially the ones in isolation, fulfilling its mission to enable vulnerable older adults to lead meaningful and dignified lives.
“The PRISM research study seemed like the perfect excuse to partner with the University of Miami offering our isolated residents the opportunity to have a positive hands-on experience with a tablet, potentially helping us to connect them socially to their families and the community that surrounds them”, commented Luisana Hung Salazar, Residential Plaza’s Development Director.
A Personalized Reminder Information and Social Management System (PRISM 2.0) is a research study being conducted by the Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement (CREATE) at The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. he National Institute of Aging sponsors the study.
The PRISM 2.0 system is a tablet application designed to help older adults who are living alone to support social connectivity, memory, skill-building, access to community resources, and to support their well-being and quality of life.
The objective of the research study is to obtain older adults’ perceptions of the PRISM 2.0 system; and to gather feedback about the impact of the PRISM 2.0 system on older adults’ feelings of social isolation, social support, functional health, and emotional well-being.
The PRISM 2.0 Program has had a great deal of success, helping older adults learn these systems and use them to connect with family and friends. Many participants have reported decreased feelings of social isolation and a decrease in depression and loneliness as a result of having access to and using these technologies.
“I found the work to be most rewarding when residents learned specific tasks that improved their everyday lives. Sometimes it was simple experiences, such as the resident who enjoyed classical music and learned how to navigate to YouTube and find videos that played all kinds of classical music that they very much enjoyed”, commented Peggy Gonzalez, spoke person on behalf of the PRISM Program.
Residential Plaza is proud to lead strategic alliances with key players in our community to keep bringing quality care and services to its residents.
About Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon
Residential Plaza provides an affordable home with assisted living services allowing 350 older adults to live in a safe, caring and supportive environment while maintaining their dignity, independence, and purpose. For more information visit: www.residentialplaza.com
About the PRISM 2.0 Program
A Personalized Reminder Information and Social Management System (PRISM 2.0) is a research study being conducted by the Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement (CREATE) at The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. The National Institute of Aging sponsors the study.