Aging and Care Research

In 2023, I conducted preliminary dissertation fieldwork in Dubuque, IA, looking at various independent retirement communities and local non-profit organizations across Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. My research focused on examining the available care systems for local residents, delving into questions about who provides care in these communities and the disparities in access. This research was funded by the IU Anthropology SKOMP Pre-Dissertation Fellowship.

In 2024-2026 I am in the process of collecting ethnographic data with various Senior Centers in Indiana. This data ranges from nutritional, social and healthcare resources, and data surrounding evidence based programing. This research was funded by SoAR (report published in 2025), and the Irsay Institute Graduate Fellowship.

My dissertation project investigates the different meanings of care for older adults in the American Midwest. My main objective is to understand what care means for low-income aging populations. When resources are lacking, how do aging populations or their caregivers overcome these shortages? The main objective is to understand how community members maintain consistent care while navigating social, legal, and institutional barriers.