OARS Program
Older Adult Research Specialists are members from the community who have been trained in the OARS program to and are eligible for hire to join research teams to provide peer-to-peer connection between the older adult community and research. The OARS participate in a 14-week training program, including health navigation and research fundamentals. The MCoA is seeking to engage diverse older adults who can help researchers more effectively connect and community with people like yourself – your peers.
The Role
Older Adult Research Specialists are hired onto research teams serving in a variety of roles:
OARS play a key role in identifying and developing solutions to help researchers in academia and industry recruit and retain diverse older adults more effectively for research studies. They contribute a range of skills and knowledge to create resources that inform older adults about research studies. These resources include details about key findings, the impact of research on older adult health, and clear explanations of specific studies, including what participation entails.
OARS serve to educate older adults in communities and co-workers on research teams, with their contributions providing key considerations for including older adults in research
OARS connect with diverse groups across communities and serve as liaisons who can help build bridges by more effectively communicating older adults about opportunities to participate in research, what participation will involve, and research findings.
OARS Training
Older adult trainees bring a vast array of life experiences, professional expertise and insatiable curiosity to the OARS Research Role. To be eligible for hire OARS have to complete:
- Information Session to assess commitment to the rigorous training program
- Computer Literacy Training
- 7 weeks of Health Navigator Training and CAPE Assessment
- 7 weeks of Older Adult Research Specialist Training
- Team project with a presentation to University Leadership – About an innovative approach to improving education, recruitment and retainment of older adults in research across campus
The Benefits to Hiring An OAR
- Provides an intergenerational approach to team success, proven that intergenerational teams are more successful
- Provides a Peer-to-Peer interaction with community members for recruitment and engagement
- Flexible working schedules to better meet the needs of the research project
- Dedication to the research initiative