Posted 08/1/2007

SeniorSMART CoEE to help senior citizens
 maintain independence
 

The review board that oversees the state's Centers of Economic Excellence (CoEE) Program has approved state funding for a new Center of Economic Excellence that will be a collaboration between the University of South Carolina and Clemson University with Health Sciences South Carolina (HSSC) contributing as a major non-state matching partner.

The newly approved SeniorSMART™ CoEE will focus on multidisciplinary research to foster independence for senior citizens. The center's research will fall under three major themes: SHARP BRAIN (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). In total, the SeniorSMART™ CoEE received a $5 million award, which must be matched dollar for dollar by private, federal or municipal funds.

Dr. Paul Eleazer, professor of internal medicine at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, will lead the project and will work with Dr. Dennis Poole, dean of the University of South Carolina's College of Social Work; Dr. William Logan, Director of Geriatrics at the Greenville Hospital System; Dr. Victor Hirth, USC/Palmetto Geriatrics; Dr. Johnell Brooks, Clemson University; Drs. Harriett Williams and James Laditka, of the university's Arnold School of Public Health; and Judy Baskins, RN, Palmetto Health/USC.

"Researchers will take advantage of the University of South Carolina's engineering, social work and medical schools and will work to develop new ways of retrofitting residences so that the elderly can stay in their own homes longer and enjoy a better quality of life," Eleazer said. "In addition, they will conduct research at Clemson University's International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) to develop cars that help older adults retain their ability to drive safely as they continue to age."

The CoEE will be housed primarily at the University of South Carolina's Columbia campus, with additional research taking place at Clemson and the Greenville Hospital System. Health Sciences South Carolina has already announced that it will provide a portion of the required non-state match.

The center also will support three endowed chairs. Two at Carolina will focus on memory and brain function, and community and social support, and the chair at Clemson will be designated for research on independence and driving ability.

"South Carolina has an excellent opportunity to become nationally competitive in the area of smart mobility," said Harris Pastides, vice president for research and health sciences at South Carolina. "The SeniorSMART™ CoEE leverages core competencies at our state's research universities to help us become a leader in this high-growth industry."

Poole said the research would enable older, frail adults to live at home.

"This is an exciting venture for the College of Social Work. The Endowed Professor of Community and Social Support will lead a team to develop technologies, products and services to allow older adults to live independently at home, even as they become frail," Poole said.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, South Carolina's senior (over-65) population is projected to grow by 133 percent between 2000 and 2030, stressing the state's physical and financial infrastructure. Unless society devises new ways to promote independence for older adults, the healthcare system and nursing homes will soon be hard pressed to accommodate the 80-and-over population.

"This Center will address a critical problem for the nation and especially for South Carolina and our surging retiree population," said CoEE Review Board Chair Paula Harper Bethea. "As increasing numbers of people reach their senior years of life, it's essential to provide ways for them to maintain their independence as long as possible. The approval of this Center is an important step in taking care of our aging population."

The S.C. Centers of Economic Excellence Program was established by the South Carolina General Assembly in 2002, with $200 million designated from the South Carolina Education Lottery Account to fund the program through 2010.

The legislation authorizes the state's three public research institutions (Clemson, MUSC and the University of South Carolina) to use state funds to create Centers of Economic Excellence in research areas that will advance South Carolina's economy. Each Center of Economic Excellence is awarded between $2 million to $5 million in state funds, which must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis with federal, private or municipal funds.

To receive funding, the research universities must submit proposals that undergo a rigorous three-tier review process involving technical experts, site visits and an external review panel.

HSSC, a public-private partnership of Clemson University, Greenville Hospital System, the Medical University of South Carolina, Palmetto Health, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System and the University of South Carolina, works to advance health-science education and research.