Program Overview

Introduction to the Older Adult Research Specialists Program

The Older Adult Research Specialists (OARS) program aims to provide resources for both community members and researchers to better include older adults in research, particularly those from historically marginalized groups, rural areas, and those with less formal education.

About the OARS Program

Older Adult Research Specialists are community members who have been trained in the OARS program and are eligible for hire to join research teams. They participate in a 14-week training program, including health navigation and research fundamentals. The program seeks to engage diverse older adults who can help researchers more effectively connect with and recruit older adults for research studies.

Roles of Older Adult Research Specialists

Older Adult Research Specialists serve a variety of roles, including:

• Innovators and change agents who identify and develop solutions to more effectively recruit and retain diverse older adults in research studies.
• Educators of older adults in communities and of co-workers on research teams, promoting key considerations for including older adults in research.
• Community engagement specialists who connect with diverse groups of older adults across Colorado.
• Communication specialists who help build bridges by more effectively communicating about research opportunities, participation, and findings.

Community Health Worker Training

Community Health Worker training is the first half of the OARS program and can be completed separately for those who wish to earn Health Navigator credentials. This training equips individuals to address barriers to quality care, including access to healthcare, insurance, health literacy, transportation, and childcare. Community health workers are trusted members of the community they serve, often due to shared lived experiences.

Program Components

The OARS program includes:

• A 14-week training program
• Health navigation and research fundamentals
• Community Health Worker training
• Opportunities for hire as Older Adult Research Specialists

Goals and Objectives

The primary goal of the OARS program is to increase the representation of older adults in research and clinical trials, thereby contributing to the reduction of health disparities and the advancement of equal healthcare for all. By providing trained Older Adult Research Specialists, the program aims to facilitate more effective connections between researchers and older adult communities, enhancing the recruitment and retention of diverse older adults in research studies.