Falls are a leading cause of severe injury and loss of independence among older adults. Each year, millions of older Americans fall, with one in five falls resulting in a significant injury (CDC, 2023). In Texas, where the aging population is growing faster than both the national average and the overall state population, the incidence of falls is projected to increase drastically in the coming decades (Severance et al., 2022; Texas Demographic Center, 2016).

Developing Innovative Nutrition Experiences (DINE) in Texas 2023-2026 PROJECT DESCRIPTION In partnership with three Senior Nutrition Programs (SNPs) in rural Texas and supported by their respective Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), the DINE in Texas project aims to implement selected features from and assess fidelity to [...]

Management & Engagement for Aging LearnerS (MEALS) 2023 - 2027 PROJECT DESCRIPTION Of the exponentially growing aging population in Texas, people 65 and older have high rates of chronic conditions addressing which is a significant cost burden on the state, a problem that will exacerbate over [...]

LONG-TERM SERVICES & SUPPORTS QUALITY REVIEW 2017-19 MAKE A DIFFERENCE The Texas Department of Health and Human Services, formerly the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), administers multiple long-term services and supports programs for the aging, for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and for people [...]

STAR KIDS: SCREENING AND ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS 2014-2018 MAKE A DIFFERENCE PPRI was a subcontractor to the Texas A&M University School of Public Health for this project. The goal of this project was to develop a standardized, modular, care needs screening and assessment instrument that is comprehensive, person-centered, evidence-based, [...]

PROJECT CHILD 2010 MAKE A DIFFERENCE The Public Policy Research Institute (PPRI) at Texas A&M University, in partnership with the Doha International Institute for Family Studies and Development (DIIFSD), would like to share with you the Special Report of Project CHILD Voices from Around the World. PPRI and [...]

TEXAS CONGREGATE MEAL INITIATIVE 2019-PRESENT PROJECT DESCRIPTION A significant portion of US adults over age 60 suffer from social isolation and food insecurity. Congregate meal programs offer social interaction with peers, nutrition services, health education, and other activities tailored to the needs of seniors, but participation [...]