Center for Older Adult Independence: SeniorSMARTTM

Director:
Paul Eleazor, MD
Palmetto Health and University of South Carolina



Inception:
2007

News:
April 17, 2008-- Fraunhofer Institute to partner with the University of South Carolina, Palmetto Health, Lutheran Homes of South Carolina on Technology targeted at preserving the independence of seniors.  Click here to view the press release. 

Pictures from the Press Conference

The Center for Older Adult Independence, also known as the SeniorSMART CoEE, seeks to accelerate the state’s ability to meet seniors’ needs, and in process, make our state a national leader. The SeniorSMART Center—short for Senior Supporting Mobility Activity Rehabilitation through Transportation/ Technology—is a partnership that includes Clemson University, Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center, the Medical University of South Carolina, Palmetto Health, and the University of South Carolina. Its purpose is to enhance the health and well being of older adults through integrated research and education, with an overarching goal of maintaining independence across the life span. SeniorSMART also seeks to create economic opportunities in the form of licensed technology and spin-off companies.

Research will fall under three major themes: SHARP Brain, focusing on helping seniors maintain intellectual activity; SMART Wheels, promoting independent mobility outside the home for seniors; and SMART Home, helping seniors maintain independent mobility inside the home. The Center is the only center that incorporates all three areas into a comprehensive model.

SeniorSMART^TM will leverage its efforts by building upon the work of existing CoEEs and other programs. Natural synergies exist with the USC and Palmetto Health McCausland Brain Imaging Center; Clemson’s International Center for Automotive Research (CU ICAR) and the Institute for Engaged Aging; as well as the Center for Clinical Effectiveness and Patient Safety and the Stroke Center, both based at MUSC. 

Additional partnerships with the Lutheran Homes of South Carolina and the South Carolina Episcopal Homes at Still Hopes have been established to test emerging technology in real-life settings.  Other public and private relationships are being developed.

In addition, a memorandum of understanding will be signed on April 17^th between the University of South Carolina, Palmetto Health, the Fraunhofer Institute, the University of Kaiserslautern, and Lutheran Homes of South Carolina that will promote collaborative research on the SmartHOME^TM portion of the SeniorSMART^TM Center. The Fraunhofer Institute and the University of Kaiserlautern are both based in Germany and are leaders in the field of software design and bringing products to market.

The state of South Carolina is presently in a position to lead the nation in research, care, and education geared toward the older adult. The first in the nation geriatric loan forgiveness program, championed by S.C. Representative Nathan Ballantine of Irmo and Senator Ray Cleary of Georgetown, is now serving as a model for geriatric loan forgiveness legislation being considered in California and other states.  The successful implementation of the SeniorSMART program has the same potential to demonstrate a new and innovative approach to the complex problems surrounding our aging population.


For more information click here to visit the SeniorSMART^TM web site.