Fairfax County Intrinsic Capacity for Older People Study

The Virginia Fairfax Intrinsic Capacity for Older People (VFICOPE) Study is looking for volunteers living in Fairfax County to help us understand how aging affects physical and mental abilities. ICOPE is a framework developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote healthy aging by preventing, slowing, or reversing declines in physical and mental capacity among older adults. It emphasizes person-centered, community-based care and is designed to support older adults in maintaining their independence and quality of life.
Requirements to Participate:

• 65 years of age or older
• Living independently (no care assistance)
• Living in Fairfax County

What will participation look like?Participants will take part in a one-hour session where we’ll assess different aspects of their health, including mobility, balance, vision, and hearing, as well as gather information on their diet, self-care abilities, and social interactions. We can come to your preferred location for the assessment and have great flexibility in scheduling. There is no follow up after the initial assessment. Participation is voluntarily and participants can withdraw at any stage.
Why participate?We hope that the results from this study are going to provide useful information to the local and regional public health authorities regarding older adult’s intrinsic capacity status (i.e. mental and physical ability) and related risk factors so they can enhance long-term healthcare intervention and prevention planning in Virginia and the rest of the US states. The data collected will help build the first U.S. database on intrinsic capacity, contributing to better aging policies and interventions. Previous studies showed that intrinsic capacity impairment limited self-care, increased dependence, and increased hospitalization visits. However, how intrinsic capacity is connected with other factors like dietary habits and psychosocial well-being (such as loneliness or social engagement) remains unclear not only for the USA but on a global level. So, there is an urgent need to measure intrinsic capacity and its determinants among older adults, through studies like this.
If you are interested in participating or would like further information, please contact:

• Stefanos Tyrovolas, PhD, Associate Professor
  Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, College of Public Health, George Mason University
  [email protected]
• Bri Schuh, Graduate Student 
  Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, College of Public Health, George Mason University
  [email protected]

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