Caregivers navigate the healthcare system, manage expenses and medications and coordinate with family members, all while keeping vigilant of safety concerns and behavioral changes. 

In 2024, caregivers across the United States devoted an estimated 19.2 billion hours to unpaid help for dementia patients, including 102 million hours in Maine and 252 million in Massachusetts, according to the . Among those surveyed, 59% reported high or very high stress due to caregiving. 

To help, researchers at the 91±¬ĮĻ are testing if an online platform called Care-Wallet, which provides personalized support for planning care, collaborating with family members and accessing benefits and resources, could provide some support. The program includes personalized sessions with care managers and access to an online care management platform.

ā€œCaring for a loved one with dementia is incredibly demanding. Immediate needs can overwhelm thoughtful, longer-term planning,” says Tom Meuser, a clinical psychologist and gerontologist who provided input on the platformā€™s development. ā€œCare-Wallet offers expert, evidence-informed guidance that recognizes these challenges, providing personalized, flexible support to address changing needs.ā€  

Caregivers who provide or organize care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease ā€” or any type of dementia ā€” and are interested in growing their confidence as a caregiver are invited to participate. Participants must be new or newer users of Care-Wallet, and support dementia patients who do not live in full-time care facilities and reside in Maine or Massachusetts. 

The study is open to both new and experienced caregivers. Early results suggest that those who are starting may benefit most, but seasoned caregivers ā€” especially those helping loved ones through transitions to home-based palliative or hospice care ā€” may also find valuable support.

Participation is completed online and entails using Care-Wallet and answering questions through three surveys and a 30-minute interview. The estimated time commitment is five to eight hours spread over several weeks. All information provided will be kept confidential.  

Participants will receive $100 for completing surveys and an interview, as well as free access to the Care-Wallet program. Those who wish to participate must complete a screening survey and may email the studyā€™s coordinator, Rachel Coleman, with questions. 

This study is led by Jennifer Crittenden, associate professor of social work at 91±¬ĮĻ and associate director for research at 91±¬ĮĻā€™s Center on Aging in collaboration with EmTech Care Labs.

Contact: Erin Miller, erin.miller@maine.edu 

With the population of Maine ā€” the oldest in the nation ā€” growing older, a team of 91±¬ĮĻ researchers, led by Ph.D. candidate Ines Khiyara, developed a new device that improves gait, and therefore mobility, among seniors by targeting an overlooked aspect of gait training: arm movement.  

The device, a small wearable haptic feedback system, attaches to the userā€™s arms and sends vibrations telling them when to move their arms. The vibrations guide users to swing their arms in a specific rhythm based on their individual walking pace, helping them increase or reduce their arm cycle time, which inversely affects their walking speed.

Walking requires coordinated arm and leg movements. Current methods for gait training focus on improving leg movements but often overlook the importance of arm movement, particularly arm swing, which impacts stability, balance and the efficiency of energy use while walking.

With its small size, low cost and accessible use, researchers hope their wearable haptic cueing system could someday be used for at-home gait training and be incorporated into existing rehabilitation practices. 

ā€œThis could help older adults walk more confidently and safely, lowering their risk of falls and helping them stay independent ā€” not just in Maine, but anywhere aging populations are growing,ā€ said Khiyara, who is studying mechanical engineering with a concentration in biomechanics and biorobotics.

Khiyara conducted the study using a wearable haptic cueing system developed in her lab, under the supervision of her Ph.D. advisor, Babak Hejrati, associate professor of mechanical engineering.

The research team tested their device through a study involving 20 participants between the ages of 65 and 92, with an average age of 73. When the device provided feedback, the participants immediately swung their arms forward, synchronizing their arm swing with the rhythmic cues. The coordination between participantsā€™ arm and leg movements improved and, as a result, so did their gait speed and symmetry. Participants also reported feeling more balanced. 

Researchers reported their findings in a recent paper published in the academic journal .

This new device will be one of two incorporated into a comprehensive wearable robotic system that enables home-based and independent walking training for older adults. Spearheaded by Hejrati, also director of the Biorobotics and Biomechanics Laboratory, this system will be able to help induce proper whole body response and enhance walking ability. The research also examines how the neural circuits that control limb movements interact while walking at different speeds to produce coordinated arm and leg movements in subjects without mobility issues.

This line research is backed by grants that Hejrati received, including a $551,912 National Science Foundation CAREER Award ā€” one of the organizationā€™s most prestigious awards in support of early-career faculty ā€” gifted to Hejrati in 2022, as well as a $432,000 grant from the National Institute on Aging allocated in 2024.  

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu

The Civic Engagement and Volunteering (CEV) supplement to the Current Population Study, the nationā€™s most comprehensive report on civic engagement, also revealed that hybrid volunteering ā€” combining online and in-person activities ā€” is also on the rise. Together, these models have enabled over 13.4 million Americans to engage in online or partially online volunteer work in 2023, representing 18% of formal volunteers.

Virtual and hybrid volunteers not only increased in number, but also contributed over 1.2 billion service hours in 2023, equivalent to an estimated $41.5 billion in economic value, according to data from . These volunteers logged an average of 95 service hours per year, significantly more than the 64 hours reported by in-person volunteers.

Virtual and hybrid volunteerism was included for the first time ever in the CEV, conducted by AmeriCorps and the U.S. Census every other year to track how Americans make a difference in their communities and promote the common good, thanks in part to Rachel Coleman and Jennifer Crittenden from 91±¬ĮĻā€™s Center on Aging. Coleman, a project manager for the center, and Crittenden, its associate director and a 91±¬ĮĻ assistant professor of social work, authored a brief about that was included in the CEV.

Coleman and Crittenden also helped AmeriCorps develop the first measure of virtual and hybrid volunteering ever included in the CEV survey, underscoring its growing relevance in a digitally connected world. The project was part of a $1.7 million grant from AmeriCorps led by Crittenden to examine virtual volunteerism practices and workforce development models that include volunteer work and training for older adults navigating career transitions.

ā€œThe AmeriCorps Office of Research and Evaluation is proud to support the 91±¬ĮĻā€™s cutting-edge research about virtual volunteering through our ,ā€ said Laura Hanson Schlachter, survey statistician at AmeriCorps. ā€œWeā€™re grateful to Dr. Crittenden and Dr. Coleman who lent their expertise to help develop a new measure of virtual volunteering that will allow us to track national trends over time. This is a great example of the research-to-practice-to-research cycle in action.ā€

Virtual volunteering: A growing avenue for civic engagement

The report also highlights how virtual and hybrid volunteering opportunities improve access for those who may not be able to volunteer otherwise. Older adults, individuals with disabilities and those with higher levels of education had higher rates of virtual and hybrid volunteerism. This suggests that online platforms may create inclusive pathways for those who may face barriers to traditional in-person service opportunities.

Virtual and hybrid volunteering also complements other forms of civic engagement. The report finds that these volunteers are more likely to informally help neighbors, belong to organizations and donate to charity compared to in-person volunteers. For instance, 74% of virtual and hybrid volunteers were 11% more likely to donate to charity and 19% more likely to be members of an organization than in-person volunteers. 

Implications for the future of volunteering

The findings underscore the potential of virtual and hybrid volunteering to foster civic engagement and strengthen communities. As online platforms continue to evolve, these models may further expand access to service opportunities, particularly for mid-life and older adults and individuals with disabilities.

ā€œBy offering virtual and hybrid options, organizations can engage a wider pool of volunteers, enhance flexibility, and create more inclusive opportunities for civic participation,ā€ Crittenden said.

Contact: Erin Miller, erin.miller@maine.edu

Sandra Butler, professor and director of the School of Social Work, will be honored at the Alumni Achievement Awards Dinner and Celebration, , on Friday, April 26 at Wells Conference Center. 

ā€œI am profoundly honored to receive this award, especially at this stage of my career at the 91±¬ĮĻ. The award resonates as validation of my research about and advocacy for low-income individuals and families in Maine and of my focus on preparing social work students to be agents of change toward a more economically, socially, racially and environmentally just world,ā€ Butler said. 

The annual Distinguished Maine Professor Award honors a 91±¬ĮĻ professor who exemplifies the highest qualities of teaching, research and public service. It is sponsored by the 91±¬ĮĻ classes of 1942 and 2002, and administered by the 91±¬ĮĻ Alumni Association. Diane Rowland, dean of the College of Earth, Life and Health Sciences, nominated Butler for this yearā€™s award. 

ā€œDr. Butler embodies the best of what 91±¬ĮĻ values in our faculty ā€” an inspiring educator, an impactful researcher and a change maker for the betterment of society,ā€ Rowland wrote in her nomination letter. ā€œDr. Butler has achieved all this while being a champion for the most fragile populations of our state and nation. Our college is especially proud of Dr. Sandy Butlerā€™s dedication to helping others through all aspects of her work.ā€

Butler joined 91±¬ĮĻ as an assistant professor in 1991, and has played many critical roles in the School of Social Work over the years. 

In 2020, Butler became director of the school after intermittently serving as interim or acting director for several years. She became the coordinator of the Masters of Social Work at 91±¬ĮĻ in 2006 ā€” the same year she was promoted to professor ā€” and has served as its coordinator ever since. The program has become one of the largest graduate programs the university offers. Butler has also participated in several service and research projects as a resident scholar and associate with the universityā€™s Center on Aging since its inception in 2001. During her tenure, she has served on numerous committees for the school; the College of Earth, Life and Health Sciences; the university and the 91±¬ĮĻ System. 

While Butler has taught many undergraduate- and graduate-level courses over the years, she primarily focuses on instruction related to social welfare policy. As 91±¬ĮĻā€™s lead educator in this field, Butler also provides guidance to other instructors and works with them on updating course content. 

Butler said her teaching philosophy ā€œis strengths-based and inclusive.ā€ She provides prompt and extensive feedback on studentsā€™ work, is attentive to their concerns and suggestions and demonstrates her strong passion for the field. 

ā€œSandy is the reason I am a licensed social worker today, and she was the most significant factor in my decision to pursue both MSW (Masters in Social Work) and doctoral studies at the 91±¬ĮĻ,ā€ wrote Amy Frankel, who is now a lecturer in social work at 91±¬ĮĻ, in her letter of support for Butlerā€™s nomination. ā€œI am grateful to have this wonderful professor and scholar as a role model in my life and for all of us to have her as an example of the kind of compassionate greatness that universities rarely celebrate in appropriate measure.ā€

Over the past 32 years, Butler has authored more than 100 scholarly articles, books, book chapters, policy briefs, legislative testimonies and newspaper op-eds pertaining to the health needs and social welfare experiences of low-income individuals and particularly women of all ages. 

Her scholarly publications focus on poverty, direct care workers, public assistance, older workers, rural aging, the impact of higher education for low-income mothers, LGBTQ+ aging, lesbian health, homelessness, teen parenting and pregnancy and policy practice. Her ability to research issues related to aging expanded when she served as a Hartford Geriatric Social Work Faculty Scholar from 2001-2003. In 2010, she became a Hartford Faculty Research Mentor. 

ā€œShe exudes as a quintessential social work professional speaking clearly in her words and deeds in keeping with the core values of the profession of social work and leading research with over 30 years of scholarship in areas of financial insecurity and elevating the voices of low-income populations and older adults,ā€ wrote Noell Rowan, professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, in her  letter of support. ā€œThis volume of research speaks to her unwavering commitment and devotion to rigorous scholarship about too often hidden voices in society.ā€

Dedicated to equity and justice, Butler has used her research and expertise to advocate for social welfare policy changes in Augusta, Maine and Washington, D.C. 

She has worked in collaboration with the Maine Womenā€™s Lobby and Maine Equal Justice for years by researching the impact of state policy on low-income populations. Her research on families receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children in the early 1990s contributed to the launch of a statewide Parents as Scholars program (PaS), which helps low-income parents afford college degrees. With her University of Southern Maine colleague, Dr. Luisa Deprez, she carried out a longitudinal study about the experiences of student parents in PaS from 1999 through 2006. Her research has also focused on the impact of time limits for families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and recently, again with Dr. Deprez, the effects for low-income student parents of receiving unrestricted cash assistance for financial emergencies through the Build Hope Fund. Her research on aging has included a longitudinal study examining recruitment and retention of home care workers in Maine. 

Her service also includes advising state and national groups that advocate for social welfare policy changes, particularly as a member of their boards. She is affiliated with the American Society on Aging and the Gerontological Society of America, where she is a fellow. She has served on the Maine Womenā€™s Lobby and Policy Center Advisory Boards, the Maine Center for Economic Policyā€™s Advisory Board and Development Committee, the Maine Long-term Care Ombudsman Advisory Committee, the Family Connections Advisory Committee, the Spruce Run Steering Committee and the Mabel Wadsworth Womenā€™s Health Center Board of Directors. 

Butler is not only a tireless advocate, but also an educator who encourages her students to fight inequity and help those who are underserved and underrepresented.

ā€œAs a former policy maker, I want to relay that Sandy Butlerā€™s work was imperative for lawmakers to successfully do their work and to lift families up. We simply cannot make policy without data and research,ā€ wrote former Maine House Speaker and State Rep. Sara Gideon in her letter of support for Butlerā€™s nomination. ā€œProfessor Sandy Butler is so incredibly skilled in doing this.ā€

The instruction, research and community service Butler has provided over the years have earned her several honors and accolades. They include receiving the Leadership Award from the Association for Gerontology Education in Social Work, being named a Fulbright specialist, earning the Influencing State Policy of Council on Social Work Education Faculty Award and being given the Feminist Scholarship Award by the Council of Social Work. She received a Rising Tide Career Award from the 91±¬ĮĻ Rising Tide Center in 2015.

ā€œDr. Butler is an extremely effective and productive scholar,ā€ wrote Sue Steiner, a professor with the California State University Chico School of Social Work, in her letter of support. ā€œHer work is well-respected and influential within and beyond social work.ā€ 

Contact: Shelby Hartin, shelby.hartin@maine.edu

Director of the Center on Aging and professor of social work Lenard Kaye will present “Aging Well in the Pine Tree State: Lessons Learned from the Research.ā€

Free and open to the public, the event will be held Tuesday, Feb. 6 from 4-5 p.m. at Black Bear Brewing, located at 19 Mill St. in Orono.

The is a resource center and research institute affiliated with the School of Social Work in the College of Earth, Life and Health Sciences.

ā€œThis three-day gathering features scientists who live and work in Maine,ā€ said Cecile Ferguson, a program manager at the 91±¬ĮĻ Institute of Medicine. ā€œItā€™s a great way, in a short period of time, to understand, experience and appreciate the full spectrum of advanced research thatā€™s being conducted in our state. The new knowledge being generated through local research efforts is helping to create the jobs of the future and improve Maine citizensā€™ quality of life.ā€

The first day of the event will be divided into two educational tracks. Track A, at the Wells Conference Center, will be devoted to speakers participating in the 18th Annual 91±¬ĮĻ Clinical Geriatrics Colloquium. Educators and practitioners from across the state will address topics related to aging at this academic conference. Included among the invited speakers are Dr. Cliff Singer, chief or the Center for Geriatric and Mental Health at Acadia Hospital. He will be the featured speaker at the 91±¬ĮĻ Institute of Medicineā€™s Distinguished Mental Health Lecture. This yearā€™s topic is the Impact of Alzheimer disease in older adults. Dr. Amanda Gesselman from the Kinsey Institute and more than a dozen other experts in various age-related disciplines will also be making presentations.

Track B at the Collins Center for the Arts that day will be focusing on mental health. Topics will include presentations on Alzheimerā€™s Disease, youth suicide, rural mental health, religious leadersā€™ mental well-being, psychosis specialty care and much more.

Research related to medicine and health care will be the focus of two more tracks open to attendees as part of the symposiumā€™s second day at the Wells Conference Center on Thursday, Oct. 26. Track A will be devoted to oncology, translational medicine and an industry workshop. Track B will include research into the microscopic aspects of cells and other objects that cannot be seen with the naked eye (microscopy), cell signaling, kidney health and pathogen research.

The Maine Research Symposium will continue at the Wells Conference Center on Oct. 27 in Room 1. Symposium presentations on Friday will be devoted to clinical research, rural medicine and public health.

In the Conference Centerā€™s Rooms 2 and 3, the Maine Rural GME Education (MERGE) Collaborative will host its first Graduate Medical Education (GME) event devoted to rural health care. The MERGE Collaborative is part of a state-funded initiative designed to strengthen rural Maineā€™s health care workforce and delivery system. As part of this effort, the collaborative is promoting rural elective rotations for graduate medical education resident physicians. Sessions will include topics on teaching techniques for graduate medical education; rural workforce pressures in Maine; diversity, equity and inclusion in rural spaces and more.

As the MERGE Collaborative event is taking place, the Collins Center will be the location for a series of research symposium presentations about artificial intelligence applications in health, breast cancer tissue imaging, proteins and cell signaling, bone marrow, muscular dystrophy research, osteoporosis, dementia, obesity and diabetes, to name just a few.

ā€œThis symposium showcases the advanced cutting-edge research taking place in Maineā€™s public and private academic institutions, health care systems and private industries as it relates to biological and physiological disciplines, medicine, biomedical engineering and data science,ā€ said Tanya Pinkham, assistant director for development and administration at the 91±¬ĮĻ Institute of Medicine. ā€œThis event allows Maine scientists to network and share information in ways that will benefit their own research and the pursuit of knowledge being undertaken by others.ā€

October 25ā€“26 will also include separate poster sessions and receptions from 4:30ā€“6:30 p.m. in the Hudson Museum. During these sessions, posters summarizing research conducted by college faculty members, undergraduate students and graduate students will be on display. Student researchers will be standing next to their posters to answer questions from the public and judges. Judging will be conducted by faculty members from multiple universities, as well as industry leaders from biomedical and health care organizations.

One of the individuals who will have a poster on display is 91±¬ĮĻ graduate student Lucas Bennett, a Ph.D. candidate in biochemistry and molecular biology. According to Bennett, his research benefited from being able to work with a fluorescence photoactivation localization microscopy (FPALM) microscope.

ā€œWhile there arenā€™t very many of these types of microscopes in the world, there is one at the 91±¬ĮĻ. And the professor who developed this research technique, Dr. Samuel Hess, also teaches here. I donā€™t think I would have had the opportunity to do this specific type of research anywhere else in the world,ā€ Bennett said. ā€œBeing able to participate in groundbreaking research like this makes every day an adventure in scientific discovery.ā€ 

Sponsors for the second annual Maine Research Symposium on Biomedical Science and Engineering include the Bioscience Association of Maine (BIOME), 91±¬ĮĻā€™s Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering (GSBSE), MDI Bioscience, IDEXX, the Maine Technology Institute (MTI) and SimKit. Visit the symposium website for more information.

Contact: Eric Gordon, office: 207.581.3745, cell: 207.298.7254; eric.b.gordon@maine.edu

The 2023 Trailblazing Advocate Award recognizes the sustained contributions of trailblazers whose passion, actions and advocacy have made Maine a better place to age with dignity, health, purpose and security. Singer, who is also the chief of the Center for Geriatric Cognitive and Mental Health at Northern Light Acadia Hospital, was recognized for his work to ensure older Mainers living with cognitive challenges can gain access to timely diagnosis, and support and care. Throughout his career, he has focused on growing collaborative support and care for people living with dementia, securing funding for research and treatment and training professionals to treat, support and engage people living with dementia. In recent years, he has built a research program to helpĀ findĀ newĀ treatments ā€” and ultimately a cure ā€” for dementia,Ā and is working to make Maine a center for excellence when it comes to dementia care.Ā 

The Douglas O. Wilson Rising Tide Leadership Award, granted in partnership with Southern Maine Agency on Aging and Community Health Options, recognizes and celebrates the efforts of people who lift and inspire others to implement innovative solutions to challenges faced by older Mainers through collaborative partnerships, shared leadership and community building initiatives. Oh, who worked to make Bowdoinham Maineā€™s first World Health Organization-designated Age Friendly Community in 2014, has inspired everyday people to volunteer to build communities that work for a lifetime. She is the driving force behind the Lifelong Communities Fellows Program, an effort that places established leaders with developing communities, ensuring that thousands of older Mainers can live healthy, engaged and secure lives.

ā€œOur annual awards shine a spotlight on Maine people who are quietly dedicating part or all of their careers to making Maine a healthier, safer, more inclusive place to live and work for older Mainers,ā€ says Jess Maurer, executive director of the Maine Council on Aging.Ā ā€œCombined these honorees have had an impressive impact on the lives of older Maines, and we honor them to ensure Maine people know about their important work and leadership.ā€

Singer and Oh will be honored for their work at the Maine Council on Agingā€™s Annual Meeting and Dinner on Sept. 26 and at its Wisdom Summit on Sept. 27. Summit registration information can be found .ĢżĢż

Over 20 in person and virtual events will occur throughout the week, all of which highlight the impact of research and creative work produced by Maineā€™s public research university. Most events are free and open to the public.

The week culminates in the 2023 91±¬ĮĻ Student Symposium (UMSS), held from 9 a.m.ā€“3 p.m. on Friday, April 14 at the Collins Center for the Arts. Students will present research and creative works through posters, oral presentations and exhibits. Projects cover a range of topics including the arts, humanities, health care, education, environment, science and engineering.

Other highlighted events during the week include:

• The Portland Gateway Open House from 4:30 p.m.ā€“6:30 p.m. on April 11 at 300 Fore St., Portland. This two-hour, open-house event celebrates the value and vibrancy of 91±¬ĮĻ research. It will bring together a wide variety of exhibitors to showcase interactive and engaging entry points to Maine-based and Maine-relevant research topics, including marine research related to Portland harbor, sustainable food solutions, aquaculture, the Maine brand survey and many others. Exhibitions will include videos, demonstrations and conversations with researchers.
• Center, institute and laboratory tours on April 14 at various times and locations. Participating facilities include the Advanced Structures and Composites Center, the Climate Change Institute, the Innovative Media Research and Commercialization Center, Hackerspace and VEMI Lab. 
• The Older Adult Health and Wellness Fair from 1:00 p.m. ā€“ 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11 at the Buchanan Alumni House. This event, hosted by the Center on Aging, will bring together a wide array of exhibitors and participants to provide wellness opportunities and health information to older adults and caregivers in our community. Health screenings, education opportunities and information about local volunteer groups are just some of the exciting presentations older adults can expect to find at the fair.
• The virtual Maine Food Waste Solutions Summit 2023 from 10:00 a.m.ā€“noon on April 14. The event brings together the stateā€™s key food system participants, including farms, food businesses, feeding partners, community leadership and government and nonprofit organizations to focus on ending food waste in Maine. 

Maine Impact Week is sponsored annually by 91±¬ĮĻā€™s Office of the Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School. The university is home to over 150 research centers, institutes and laboratories.

ā€œOur vision is to continue to succeed as a world-class R1 institution, recognized for our excellence in research and innovation. To achieve this vision, our faculty, staff, and students work together across disciplines and engage in interdisciplinary research that addresses complex societal challenges. Maine Impact Week is an excellent opportunity to celebrate this great work and engage with our outreach mission across the state and beyond. ā€ says Kody Varahramyan, the vice president for research and dean of the graduate school.

A full list of events and details such as registration links, can be found on the Maine Impact Week website. 

Contact: Tilan Copson 207.581.3038, tilan.copson@maine.edu

Maintenance of efficient walking ability is essential for high-quality and independent living in older adults. However, most older adults often demonstrate mild to moderate deficits in their walking that, if untreated, will lead to loss of mobility and increased risk of falls.

Many of the changes in walking seen with aging are a reflection of impaired motor control that are not ameliorated by conventional training interventions. Through this funded project, Hejrati and his team also will create training methods based on motor learning exercises to enhance older-adult usersā€™ neuromotor systems and generate more effective and long-lasting improvements in their walking. 

The long-term goal of this research is to merge the training unobtrusively into older-adult usersā€™ daily living through seamless and low-profile wearable devices because neuromotor skills can be improved by regular training. 

Hejrati is also a recipient of a CAREER award from the National Science Foundation (NSF), which will enable his team to further expand their translational research in the areas of robotics, gait training and clinical gerontology.  

Contact: Chris Karlen, christopher.karlen@maine.edu