The Cedars of Chapel Hill Community Survey
The Cedars study was designed to gather data from the initial cohort of in-movers to The Cedars Continuing Care Retirement Community and to conduct a follow-up study some time later so as to assess changes over time in social behavior, health status, and involvement with the community.
The initial stimulus for this study came from Ernie Friedl-Harmel, Ph.D. and Ethel Weinberg, M.D.. It was nurtured by the Advisory Board listed below and could not be implemented without the active support of Mr. Bob Woodruff, President of The Cedars. Jill Ridkey provided advice in the early phases of the study. Funding for phase I of the study was provided by two donors from the Advisory Board and by the UNC Institute on Aging.
The purpose of this study is to understand more about the concerns and expectations of residents who planned to move into senior living retirement communities such as the Cedars of Chapel Hill and to assess the extent to which expectations are met, concerns are satisfied, or new concerns arise. We also hope to inform our understanding of changes that might occur as a result of the move. For example, would physical activity increase or decrease?
Phase I of the study was a survey of in-movers to the Cedars in July 2004. In the first phase we achieved a response rate of approximately 57%. We consider this to be good for a survey of this type, especially since the respondents were busy at the time of the survey, with planning for their moves. A feedback report was distributed to all residents at the Cedars in March, 2005 outlining the results of phase I.
Phase II of the study is comprised of two surveys. We are currently surveying individuals who are planned in-movers to The Cedars as of September 1, 2005 using the phase I survey. We are also currently surveying current residents of the survey with a post-move questionnaire. The only residents of The Cedars that will be excluded from this survey are individuals who returned a survey in phase I and checked that they would not like to be contacted again.
Phase II is being funded by a generous contribution from
Liberty Healthcare.
Advisory Board Members:
Dr. Ethel Weinberg (Cedars Resident)
Dr. Ernie Friedl-Harmel (Cedars Resident)
Peachee Wicker (Cedars Resident)
Marie Eldridge (Cedars Resident)
Mrs. Joan Langenderfer (Cedars Resident)
Mr. Mel and Mrs. Zora Rashkis (Cedars Residents)
Dr. Davis Bingham (Cedars Resident)
Mrs. Ross Baker (Cedars Resident)
Mr. Bob Woodruff (President of the Cedars)
Ms. Ashley Harrison (Assistant to the President)
Mr. Carl Wilkins (Manager of the Cedars)
Study Team Members:
Victor W. Marshall, Ph.D. (Principal Investigator)
Debra Dobbs, Ph.D. (Investigator and Project Coordinator)
Malcolm Cutchin, Ph.D. (Investigator)
Jennifer Craft Morgan, Ph.D. (Investigator)
Jenny McNeill, (Project Research Assistant)
