Lois K Evans, PhD, FAAN, RN
van Ameringen Professsor in Nursing Excellence
Contact Information
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
Room 419 Fagin Hall
418 Curie Blvd.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-4217
UNITED STATES
tel: (215) 898-2140
email: evans@nursing.upenn.edu
Dr. Evans received her BSN from West Virginia University and her MSN and PhD degrees from The Catholic University of America. She has been at Penn since 1984, distinguishing herself as a teacher, researcher, scholar, practitioner, and administrator. Dr. Evans is one of the nation's foremost researchers in care of the elderly. Along with her colleague, Dr. Neville Strumpf, Dr. Evans developed new ground-breaking research lessening the use of restraints on frail elders in the nation's nursing homes and hospitals. As faculty director, Dr. Evans played a major role in launching academic clinical practices of the School of Nursing, offering primary care to both frail elders and low-income families who otherwise might go without health care. During her tenure as Family and Community Health Division Chair, she facilitated the development and implementation of a faculty mentorship program.
Teaching
At the graduate level, Dr. Evans teaches a required mental health and aging c ourse (N628) and mentors doctoral and postdoctoral students in their research related to behavioral symptoms in older adults, mental health and health systems. "Increasing awareness through coursework among a broader range of students of the experiences and needs of older adults and their families in coping with age-related issues is one important way to extend mental health services to this group."
Research
Dr. Evans' investigation in nursing facilities of a commonly observed phenomenon, the sundown syndrome, led to a program of collaborative, award-winning research with her colleague, Dr. Neville Strumpf, on reducing the use of physical restraints with older adults in nursing homes and hospitals. Related research interests include individualized care, mental health, behaviors in dementia, organizational culture thriving, and models and outcomes of care for frail elders.
• Currently Funded Grants
• Center for Integrative Science in Aging
Clinical Practice
Drawing from her extensive background in aging, mental health, long term care and health care systems, Dr. Evans most recently provided leadership for the development and implementation of the School's model network of academic nursing practices that offer a broad range of community-based and -focused services, including a geriatric day hospital and a Program of All-inclusive Care for Elders [PACE]. Currently, she is engaged in national efforts to enhance geropsychiatric nursing education and practice.
| Publications (select year) 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 and Prior | In Press | More Publications |
The vital importance of gerontologic and geropsychiatric nursing for an aging society is underscored by rapidly shifting demographics, both nationally and globally. Development of knowledge that will help to provide individualized care to the most vulnerable among older adults, especially those with dementia, is crucial. Our research on clinical problems of frail elders is contributing to assuring quality of life for this high risk population. 