Dorothy  Edwards, Ph.D.

My work is focused on Alzheimer's disease, stroke, stroke recovery and rehabilitation, normal aging, effects of cognitive impairment on performance of complex life tasks, caregiving, minority aging, functional assessment and minority research participation.

My research examines the effects of cognition on performance of complex life tasks and quality of life.   My studies have examined healthy older adults, individuals with Alzheimer's disease and persons with stroke.

Stroke is the major cause of disability in adults in the United States. Disability due to stroke is a major public health problem that costs an estimated 13 billion dollars per year. Although most people who survive stroke recover to some degree, this recovery is often incomplete, leaving the individual with significant occupational performance deficits. We know very little about the factors influencing the full recovery of life roles and participation in prior activities. These deficits often produce long term need for assistance from caregivers and society. One goal of these studies is to identify reliable, valid and clinically viable measures to guide occupational therapists treating persons with stroke. The second goal is to examine the outcomes of stroke rehabilitation in order to provide data to support the creation of new rehabilitation models designed to decrease secondary disability and increase quality of life for both individuals and families coping with the aftermath of stroke.

My studies also focus on individuals with progressive degenerative neurologic disease. It is estimated that Alzheimer's disease affects 12 % of persons over the age of 65. However, little is known about the medical, social, and functional status of minorities and low income older persons with dementia who for cultural, economic or social reasons do not seek help from existing medical and social service systems.   My research examines the cultural sensitivity and accuracy of the assessment tools developed for use with white middle class elders in our sample of minority and low income older adults.

The work in my laboratory is directed toward understanding the mechanisms which support independence and quality of life in the community for older adults. The focus of our research includes: 1) examination of the performance of basic and instrumental activities of daily living in context, 2) describing the environmental factors which support or prevent community participation of older adults with neurological disease, 3) documenting the impact of neurological disease and functional impairment on family caregivers and 4) determinants of quality of life.