About CASI
Improving Outcomes in Aging and Serious Illness
The Center for Aging and Serious Illness at Massachusetts General Hospital aims to improve the well-being of older adults and enhance the lived experience of those with advanced illnesses.
Our Story
The Center for Aging and Serious Illness (CASI) research center at Massachusetts General Hospital was established in the fall of 2019 to bring together researchers across Mass General and the Boston community to improve the well-being of older adults and enhance the lived experience of those with advanced illnesses.
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Demographically, the proportion of people who are older in the United States is on the rise. The U.S. Census Bureau predicts that there will be more older adults (persons over 65) than children (persons under 18) by 2034. CASI aims to improve the medical community’s understanding of how to meet the health care needs of this rapidly growing population, including its complex medical and social needs.
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Operating within the Mass General Mongan Institute — a research enterprise with the mission to improve the lives of people with complex health needs — CASI recognizes the importance of generating research in the fields of aging and serious illnesses to achieve health equity and holistically shape health policy.
Research Objectives
CASI’s objectives are to:
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Serve as a community engaged in aging and serious illness research
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Develop and evaluate innovative strategies to improve quality of care for older adults or those living with serious illness
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Augment well-being for older adults, those living with serious illness, and their caregivers
The CASI team applies methods from intervention, implementation, population health and health policy research to close the current evidence and care gaps in care of older or those living with advanced illnesses.
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CASI conducts monthly research salons to discuss research methods and project related to:
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Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD)
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Chronic pain
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Geriatric syndromes such as delirium, falls, and frailty
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Heart failure
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Multimorbidity
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Home-based care
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Palliative care
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Rehabilitation services
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Health equity