{"id":14475,"date":"2025-01-14T12:37:47","date_gmt":"2025-01-14T12:37:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tartuh.ee\/?page_id=14475"},"modified":"2026-10-13T13:11:14","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T13:11:14","slug":"geriatrics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.tartuh.ee\/en\/research-and-development\/research-groups-in-tartu-applied-health-sciences-university\/geriatrics\/","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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SKILLED SUPPORT FOR THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OLDER ADULTS AND EMPOWERMENT OF FAMILY CAREGIVERS RESEARCH GROUP<\/strong><\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n


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Collaborators: <\/strong>Estoninan Chamber of Disabled People, Estonian Association of Gerantology and Geriatrics, Dementia Competence Centre, Social and Health Service Department – Tartu City Government, Tartu Elderly Care Home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Keywords: <\/strong>healthy ageing, physical and mental well-being, geriatric syndromes (dementia, falls, pressure sores, pain, frailty, etc.), comprehensive geriatric assessment, interventions, palliative care, end-of-life care, ethical challenges, family caregiver empowerment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Overview of Main Activities<\/strong><\/strong>: The research group aims to advance the interdisciplinary fields of gerontology and geriatrics while fostering the empowerment of family caregivers. The group focuses on: 1) facilitating healthy ageing and improving the well-being of older adults through evidence-based strategies; 2) innovating geriatric nursing and physiotherapy practices in hospitals, long-care homes, and home-based care settings; 3) mitigating the burden on family caregivers by enhancing their knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy through targeted education and support initiatives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Research Group Members<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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MERLE VARIK, <\/strong>
PhD<\/strong> (social sciences)<\/strong>, Research Group Leader<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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EVE-MERIKE SOOV\u00c4LI, MSc (nursing sciences)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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IVI VAHER, PhD (sport sciences)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SVETLANA GROMOVA<\/strong>, MSc (health sciences)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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HELINA PEDAK, MSc (health sciences)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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MARJALIISA RAIV, MSc (nursing sciences)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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JANIKA PAEL<\/strong>, MSc <\/strong>
(health sciences)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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ERLE REMMELGAS<\/strong>, MSc (educational sciences)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PIRET SIMM-P\u00c4RLE, MSc (public health)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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MAIA-LIISA SUIGUSAAR, MSc (science teacher education)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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EVELIN KARJA, MSc (nursing sciences)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. Health Behavior and Healthy Aging<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ongoing research and projects:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n