Our research team specializes in aging services and community-based support and has a long history of helping organizations and communities to make data driven decisions about how to better serve and support older people. We specialize in developing tools and metrics for program planning, implementation, evaluation, and resource allocation. Analysis of activities, outputs, and impacts can help monitor and document progress and assess effectiveness. We involve our partners at each stage of throughout our engaged process to ensure that the results are relevant and actionable. We have worked with governmental and community-based organizations, aging service providers, and others in the aging network, whether through consultation or collaboration, so that they can get the information they need to make sound decisions. Learn more about our expertise and partners below, which includes:

Evaluation: Logic models, program evaluation, questionaire development, secondary data analysis

Visuals: Maps, infographics, presentations

Research Methods: Focus groups, individual interviews, survey instruments

Adovacy: Policy analysis, white papers

Partners: Community based organizations, foundations, and service providers we have worked with include:

Tools

Tools to enhance interactions with older adults

Communication 101: Guidelines for Improving Interactions with Older Adults 

Outreach & Engagement: Strategies for Connecting with Older Adults

Technology Support for Older Users: Video Tutorials

Caregiver Resources: Caregiver Connection: eStories & Resources for People Who Care

Publications & Reports

Leach, C., Schroeck, N., Blessman, J., Rorai, V., Cooper-Sargent, M., Lichtenberg, P. & Trentacosta, C. (2021). Engaged communication of environmental health science: Processes and outcomes of urban academic-community partnerships. Applied Environmental Education & Communication. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/1533015X.2021.1930609

Jankowski, T. & Leach, C. (2020). UP-SCAN Evaluation Summary. Report for Elder Law of Michigan., 113 pgs.

Leach, C. & Novak. J. (2019). Examining community-based service disconnects in late old age: Paths for reach through the communication ecology. [Abstract]. Innovation in Aging, vol. 3,Suppl 1 S904. doi: 10.1093/geroni/igz038.3302

Lichtenberg, P., Leach, C., Smith, B., Schroeck, N. & Blessman, J. (2017). Co-constructing environmental stewardship: A Detroit-driven participatory approach. Public Policy & Aging Report, 27(1), 37-39. doi:10.1093/ppar/prw026

Jankowski, T. & Leach, C. (2015). Monroe County Older Adult Needs Assessment Findings. Report to the Monroe County Commission on Aging, 270 pgs.

Jankowski, T. & Leach, C. (2013). Calhoun County Older Adult Needs Assessment Findings. Report to the Calhoun County Offices of Senior Services, 168 pgs.

Leach, C., Jankowski, T. & Russo, T. (2012). Huntington Woods Older Adult Needs Assessment: Report to the Huntington Woods City Management Office, 26 pgs.

Jankowski, T., and Booza, J., Leach, C. (2011). A Comparison of Poverty and Economic Insecurity Among Older Adult Singles and Couples in Michigan. [Abstract]. The Gerontologist, Volume 51, Issue suppl_2, November 2011, Pages 1–633, https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gns068

Jankowski, T., Booza, J., & Leach, C. (2011). Invisible poverty: New measure unveils financial hardship in Michigan's older adult population. Seniors Count! Working Paper Series, No. 3, 19 pgs.

Jankowski, T., Booza, J., & Leach, C. (2011). Gender Disparities of Older Adults in Southeast Michigan. Seniors Count! Working Paper Series, No. 2, 12 pgs.

Booza, J., Jankowski, T. B., & Leach, C. (2010). An Income Profile of Older Adult Householders in Southeast Michigan. Seniors Count! Working Paper Series, No. 1, 23 pgs.

Jankowski, T., Leach, C. & Graham, P. (2010). A Needs Assessment of Older Adults in the Tri-County Area. Report to the United Way of Southeast Michigan. Commissioned by the Senior Regional Collaborative publication, 91 pgs.

Leach, C. & Carr, J. (2010). Huntington Woods City Services Priority Survey Findings. Report to the Huntington Woods City Management Office, 28 pgs. 

Jankowski, T., Leach, C., and Booza, J. (2009). Seniors Count! A Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) Approach to Compiling and Disseminating Data on Aging. [Abstract]. The Gerontologist, 49 Suppl 2, 1–532. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnp148

For more information please contact Carrie Leach at carrieleach@wayne.edu or Tom Jankowski at t.jankowski@wayne.edu