The Riffin Research Lab examines how older adults and their family caregivers (relatives; friends) manage chronic illness, with a specific focus on families’ interactions with the health care system. Consistent with the aims of TRIPLL, a major focus of the Riffin Research Lab is to understand the experiences of families coping with dementia and pain conditions and develop evidence-based programs to support them. Ongoing research activities span the NIH Stage Model (Stage 0 to Stage II) and include population-based analyses that characterize the scope and consequences of caregiving; qualitative studies that explore interpersonal processes and communication within patient-caregiver-physician triads; and principle-driven interventions designed to support caregivers in health care contexts. The Lab’s interventions are guided by theories of behavior change and incorporate principles from implementation science to maximize their potential for future integration within real-world care delivery.
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