Center for Integrative Science in Aging  

Mission:
The overall mission of the Center for Integrative Science in Aging is to build integrative science addressing common and complex problems associated with aging - such as cognitive and functional decline, injury, pain, sleep, and sensory deficits – that hinder older adults from living independently, coping with illness, and maintaining quality of life.

We define Integrative Science as research that transcends disciplinary, paradigmatic, and methodological boundaries. Integrative Science embraces an approach to scientific inquiry that surpasses any one discipline’s knowledge boundaries.

Goals:
1)  Conduct research that addresses common and complex problems associated with aging that hinder older adults from living independently, coping with illness, and maintaining quality of life.

2)  Build integrative science theory and methodologies that transcend disciplines and paradigms.

3)  Mentor and develop the next generation of scientists in aging. 

History:
The Center for Integrative Science in Aging (CISA) was established in 1998 as the Center for Gerontological Nursing Science.  Since its inception, the Center has been dedicated to facilitating state-of-the-science aging research, education, and practice.  Since 2001 CISA has been partially supported by The John A. Hartford Foundation as a Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence (HCGNE). 

All faculty and students with interests in aging research are embraced by the Center for Integrative Science in Aging. Faculty members form independent research groups with common agendas. The CISA endorses and promotes cross-center and cross-disciplinary science to achieve the greatest social relevance.

The Center is equally committed to building geriatric nursing leadership and capacity to address the demand for older adult health care. The influence of the HCGNE on practice is evident at many levels, including individualized care, public and private providers and insurers, and in health policy. CISA supports nurse-managed academic practice settings that enhance student clinical experiences and supportive research environments. These settings contribute to the development of research based practice guidelines. To stimulate the creation of innovative practice models of care, the Center maintains a strong affiliation with the LIFE (Living Independently For Elders) Program (a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE), Penn Nursing Consultation Service (PNCS), and community partnerships.