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The Community Connection at the Sealy Center on AgingStay Connected. Stay Engaged. Stay Inspired.

Welcome

At the Sealy Center on Aging, we believe that growing older should mean growing stronger, through knowledge, community, and meaningful opportunities. That’s why we created the Community Connection, a program designed to keep older adults in Galveston County informed, engaged, and empowered.

Launched in 2022, the Community Connection has more than 1,300 subscribers who receive our quarterly newsletter by email or traditional mail. Each issue is filled with valuable updates, including:

  • Spotlights on groundbreaking aging research at UTMB Health
  • Invitations to participate in clinical studies that can improve health and wellbeing for older adults everywhere
  • Local events and programs tailored to seniors in our community
  • Volunteer opportunities, such as AmeriCorps Seniors, where you can give back and stay active

Why Join?

The Community Connection is more than a newsletter! It’s a way to stay plugged into the latest discoveries, connect with people who share your interests, and find new ways to stay involved in your local community.

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Contact Us

Sealy Center on Aging (SCOA)
301 University Blvd.
Galveston, TX 77555-0177
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Phone: (409) 747-0008
Email: aging.research@utmb.edu

Newsletter Team

  Community Connection Newsletter  Volunteer for Research on Aging  Caregiver Connection Support Group  Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

We're Growing, Together!

Thanks to strong community partnerships and outreach, the Community Connection is expanding every day. Whether you hear about us through a senior center, social media, or a postcard at an event, the invitation is the same: be part of a growing network of older adults shaping the future of aging in Galveston County.

  • Sign up for the Community Connection newsletter and become part of a vibrant community of older adults making a difference.
  • Follow and engage with us on Facebook, where we share news and resources as well as event announcements that are relevant to local older adults.
  • Learn more about getting involved with AmeriCorps Seniors.
  • Visit the Learning Center, now located at the Osher Long Life Institute at UTMB Health. 
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Newsletter Archive

Current Studies

News from the Sealy Center on Aging

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Study Tests Physical Rehabilitation for Older Patients with Acute Heart Failure

Feb 13, 2025, 08:32 AM by SCOA

The “Physical Rehabilitation for Older Patients with Acute Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (REHAB-HFpEF)” trial at UTMB is being conducted with qualified patients admitted to UTMB Clear Lake or Galveston hospitals. This study examines whether a new type of physical rehabilitation can help improve health outcomes for patients with heart failure.

Press Release: Researchers Receive $30 Million Award to Study Novel Rehab Program for Heart Failure Patients

Study Overview:

The REHAB-HFpEF trial is testing whether a new physical rehabilitation program can help people who were hospitalized for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). HFpEF is a condition mostly affecting older adults, and there are limited treatment options available. The main goal of the study is to see if this program can reduce hospital readmissions and deaths, and improve mobility over a 6-month period.

What the Study is About:

The REHAB-HFpEF trial is a large study involving 880 patients aged 60 and older, who were hospitalized for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The trial will test whether a special, personalized physical rehabilitation program can help these patients live better. The program includes exercises aimed at improving strength, balance, endurance, and mobility, and will start while the patients are still in the hospital. They’ll continue the program for 12 weeks after they leave the hospital, with exercises three times a week in an outpatient setting. 

Researchers will track whether the program helps reduce the chances of being readmitted to the hospital or dying within 6 months, which is the main goal. They’ll also look at whether it helps improve mobility and reduce major disability.

Participants will be randomly assigned to either the rehabilitation program or a control group. Those in the control group won’t receive specific exercise recommendations but will stay in touch with study staff for regular updates on their health. Everyone will continue to receive the usual care prescribed by their doctors.

This study builds on earlier research that suggests this kind of rehabilitation could be very helpful for older adults with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction, a group with limited treatment options.

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