Outreach, Recruitment and Engagement (ORE)

All of our efforts are focused on maintaining our brains for as long as possible and coming up with ways to reduce cognitive problems as we age.

Dr. Linda J. Van Eldik

Center Director

As the elderly population expands, the incidence and prevalence of Alzheimer's Disease and related dementia (ADRD) continue to pose a growing public health challenge. This is particularly true in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Our Outreach, Recruitment and Engagement (ORE) Core plays a central role in functioning as a key link between the Center and local and state communities to help improve well-being, independence, and quality of life for aging Kentuckians, specifically for older adults who are at elevated risk of developing dementia. ORE Core programs and activities have created and will maintain educated communities throughout Kentucky who are eager to receive updated information on brain health, ADRD, and to participate in our UK Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and affiliated research projects.

ORE Core Activities Chart Showing focus on at-risk elderly populations throughout Kentucky at various stages of aging and cognitive declinease

Goals of the Core

We will continue to further engage people in Kentucky and surrounding regions. We will maintain and further build on these efforts and partnerships through the following specific aims:

Promote community education

Promote community education related to the awareness of healthy brain aging and the importance of research. In partnership with our Community Advisory Board, we obtain feedback and evaluate the effectiveness of ORE Core efforts and products so that we may continue to improve our academic-community partnerships. We continue to work with other ADRC ORE Cores and national collaborative groups to advance AD/ADRD awareness and research engagement.

Strengthen and increase community outreach and engagement

Strengthen and increase our community outreach and engagement programs including expanded outreach to urban and rural at-risk communities throughout Kentucky. In partnership with the Clinical Core and the Community Advisory Board, we will sustain effective and initiate new community engagement activities that promote health literacy and are responsive to local stakeholder needs.

Kentucky map showing congressional districts noting that large parts of districts are rural. Red stars indicate ADRC participants' county locations.

Facilitate Recruitment and Maximize Retention

Facilitate recruitment and maximize retention of research participants to the UK-ADRC and affiliated research studies including clinical trials. The focus will be on at-risk elderly populations in urban and rural communities throughout Kentucky who are at disproportionate risk for cognitive impairment, multi-etiology dementia and dementia-related health problems. In collaboration with the Clinical Core, we plan to expand our outreach efforts to maximize engagement through the “Be-BRIGHT” engagement model that seeks to overcome barriers to research participation.

Be BRIGHT Model

The focus of the ORE Core over the next five years will shift from recruitment into the longitudinal cohort to participant retention and increased effort on education, outreach, and engagement of at-risk elders in both urban and rural areas across Kentucky to promote clinical research opportunities. The overall goal will be to increase the number of at-risk individuals reached and assist individuals through outreach and brain health education/literacy to move "up the levels" of research engagement while being sensitive to a person's ability to engage. Individuals may follow the steps shown in Figure 3 as they engage in research.

Outreach & Engagement

Markesbery Symposium

Annual event featuring a daylong scientific meeting with poster session followed by a half-day community session with an “Ask the Experts” panel

Mind Matters Health Summit

Annual event offering interactive booths, free health screenings, and healthy brain aging presentations! Launched in 2008 with a vision to reach the community with relevant, evidence-based, hands-on healthy brain aging information, the event still continues

The African American Dementia Outreach Partnership (AADOP) Advisory Council is a group committed to increasing awareness, education, and services throughout the community. The council includes community members including clergy, community-based services professionals, and community members. The council meets to develop innovative approaches to engaging the community and sharing pertinent information.

Main objectives include:

Increase awareness, provide early diagnostic services
Educate about research opportunities
Increase enrollment in appropriate research studies

Main objectives include:

Increase awareness, provide early diagnostic services
Educate about research opportunities
Increase enrollment in appropriate research studies

The Community Advisory Board of the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) helps connect the center with communities across Kentucky. Members of the Board work with UK-ADRC staff and faculty on education and research projects. This may include asking local residents about their health interests and helping the center use that information to better serve the community. The board also provides feedback on outreach efforts, supports healthy aging events, and act as Center ambassadors.

We are excited to support Dementia Friendly Lexington efforts to understand, support, and empower those with dementia and their families. Lexington is the first city in Kentucky to earn this designation and continues to be a state leader in this work.

Since 2019, over 80 businesses, faith communities, and organizations have gone through training to earn the Dementia Friendly Lexington designation. The initiative also facilities social engagement opportunities throughout the year. More details can be found at https://www.agefriendlylexington.com/age-friendly-lexington.

The Dementia Caregiver Workshop is designed for those who are caring for someone who is navigating the dementia journey. Join local and statewide experts who will provide you with a better understanding of the disease and strategies to help you and your loved one. Dementia Caregiver Workshops are provided in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association and the Bluegrass Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living (BGAAAIL). To find out more, call 1-859-323-5550.

We are proud to be a part of this long-time Lexington area conference that provides sessions focused on how to live your best life as you grow older! We have been a part of the planning, exhibits, and breakout sessions over the years. For more details, visit https://www.embracingthenextbestyears.org/.

The mission of the Engaged Aging Lab is to evaluate the connections among the environment, personal characteristics, and meaningful occupations (how one occupies their time) through a multi-disciplinary lens of translational science. This is conducted through training, advocacy, and research on telehealth/technology, health outcomes, and underlying biology with an emphasis on community-based research and maximizing health resources for all. For more information, visit https://engagedaging.createuky.net/meet-us/.

The Healthy Churches Coalition has been a grassroots collaboration with the African American Dementia Outreach Partnership (AADOP) and the Balm in Gilead to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease.

The Memory Cafe is a monthly social group providing a safe, comfortable environment where people with memory loss and their care partners can enjoy time together and remain socially connected with others. Offered in partnership with the Alzheimer's Association. Register by calling or e-mailing Meredith Plant at 859-391-1227 or maplant@alz.org.

Memory Sunday is a faith-based outreach initiative led by the Sanders Brown Center on Aging that raises awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other memory disorders. It equips churches with culturally sensitive tools, education, and resources to support individuals and families affected by memory loss. Through worship services, educational materials, and community engagement, Memory Sunday encourages congregations to recognize the impact of dementia and build supportive, informed faith communities.

The Annual Unity in the Community event in Frankfort, KY, hosted by the First Baptist Church of Frankfort (100 Clinton Street), brings together residents for a day of fellowship, health resources, food, and family activities, featuring a health fair. Held annually in June, it honors the late Rev. Dr. Rosby L. Glover, focusing on community health and strengthening local bonds.

Publications

The Book of Alzheimer's was designed to help faith community leaders provide support to their members. It shares what was learned during a four-year national grant to build Alzheimer's awareness and support for the Lexington/Bluegrass area. Since its inception, it has been adopted by the Balm in Gilead and is part of their Memory Sunday toolkit.

flip calendar cover showing a fairy dressed in purple

To raise awareness of healthy brain aging and understand how to detect warning signs of dementia, the ORE Core designed a daily flip calendar. This includes daily inspirational quotes, warning signs of dementia, trivia questions and recipes for better brain health.