Roybal Center for Elder Mistreatment Intervention

The Roybal Center for Elder Mistreatment Intervention Research supports research studies of behavioral and social interventions that aim to reduce exposure to elder mistreatment and its mental and physical impacts on community-dwelling older adults and their caregivers. All research follows the NIH Stage Model for Behavioral Intervention Development.

Funding Opportunities

What we fund: The UTHealth Houston Roybal Center funds innovative elder mistreatment research projects that focus on stages 0-2 of the NIH Stage Model of Behavioral Intervention Development and include a clearly defined mechanism. All proposals must include a clinical trial with adequate statistical power to test the mechanism of behavior change and/or efficacy of the intervention.

Get the details about our current call for applications, and join our mailing list to receive news and notices of funding opportunities.

Consultation Services

The UTHealth Roybal Center for Elder Mistreatment Intervention Research is dedicated to advancing research and practice in the field of elder mistreatment. In support of this mission, we are pleased to offer consultation services for students, faculty, researchers, and community professionals.

Please complete this form, and a member of our team will reach out to discuss your consultation request.

The Problem

15% of community-dwelling older adults experience mistreatment
50% of those living with dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders experience mistreatment

Elder mistreatment is a complex phenomenon that results from the interaction of many different factors. It can manifest as physical, psychological, and/or sexual abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect. Self-neglect exists when health or safety is compromised due to an individual not meeting their own needs related to food, water, clothing, shelter, personal hygiene, or safety precautions.