Eleanor Schildwachter McConnell

Dr. McConnell's program of research focuses on factors that influence functional decline in very frail older adults. She has been funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research and the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct a series of studies designed to identify modifiable risk factors for worsening self-care disability in long-stay nursing home residents with chronic cognitive impairment. She has also developed and tested a variety of interventions to modify risk factors for worsening disability.  Her research builds upon existing knowledge of the bio-physical determinants of disability as conceptualized in the Nagi Disablement Model. Dr. McConnell's academic interests include frailty in the aged, the role of the environment in promoting function, and the conduct and testing of nursing interventions to prevent decline in those with chronic illness.