GERDA-project GERDA-project is an interdisciplinary collaboration project that focuses on living circumstances for old people. Project partners are Novia University of Applied Sciences, Åbo Akademi University and Umeå University. The main purpose is to, through research and development, deepen the knowledge about the meaning of good aging and a good life for old people and also to establish a GERDA Resource Centre. The intention is to create prerequisites for development of political strategies for elderly in the Kvarken straits region and in a longer perspective contribute to improvement of old people's living circumstances and to development of geriatric care in the area. GERDA-project is financed by Interreg, the Regional Council of Ostrobothnia, the Municipality of Umeå and participating universities. Contact: Yngve Gustafson, yngve.gustafson@umu.se. Official website (in Swedish) FOPANU The FOPANU study ("the Frail Older People - Activity and Nutrition Study in Umeå") is a large intervention study that was performed at 9 institutional care facilities in Umeå. The study evaluated both an exercise intervention compared to a control activity and a nutritional intervention compared to placebo. Contact: Erik Rosendahl, erik.rosendahl@germed.umu.se. Ortoger This collaboration project between the Geriatric and Orthopedic departments was started in 2000. The purpose was to evaluate guidelines for postoperative care for people who have suffered a hip fracture, in the form of a randomized controlled study. The project showed great benefits for society and for the patients in terms of shorter time at hospital, fewer postoperative complications and in the long run, a better physical performance. The project has resulted in several theses and publications in well-reputed journals. Some articles remain to be published. Contact: Michael Stenvall, michael.stenvall@germed.umu.se. Hemrehab This project is a continuation of the aforementioned Ortoger project and is a randomized controlled study that has been going on since 2008. The purpose is to evaluate home rehabilitation, after a period of rehabilitation at the hospital. Inclusion to the project is planned to continue throughout 2010. Contact: Michael Stenvall, michael.stenvall@germed.umu.se. Umeå Herpes-Alzheimer study In this project, blood samples from individuals with diagnosed Alzheimer's disease as well as healthy controls will be analyzed. The blood samples will be retrieved from the Medical Biobank. Contact: Hugo Lövheim, hugo.lovheim@germed.umu.se. Measurement instrument for stroke patiens Purpose: To develop a new measurement instrument for assessing how individuals with stroke use their paretic arm in bimanual every-day tasks. A common clinical phenomena among people with stroke is that they, when performing every-day tasks, primarily use the strong hand and arm even though they could solve the task with aid from the weak side. This instrument will be useful in identifying persons with stroke that do not use the weak arm to its full capacity when performing every-day tasks and it can serve as a foundation for making decisions about appropriate interventions and to evaluate interventions performed. The instrument will be useful for physiotherapists and occupational therapists in inpatient as well as outpatient settings and also in research within the area of stroke rehabilitation. Contact: Marie Omgren, marie.omgren@germed.umu.se. Femoral nerve blockade in hip fracture patients In the spring of 2009 a project with the purpose to improve preoperative care for patiens who have suffered a hip fracture was started. Patients that present with hip fractures are in pain. Traditionally, their pain is treated with opioids. Another option is to numb the femoral nerve in the groin (femoral nerve blockade) to accomplish a better analgesic effect with a reduced need for morphine and other pain killers and hence maybe also reduce the risk of delirium. Inclusion to the project is planned to continue throughout 2010. Contact: Birgitta Olofsson, birgitta.olofsson@germed.umu.se.
