At Belmont Village Senior Living in La Jolla, residents don’t have to leave home to take part in cutting-edge aging research. Inside a welcoming sixth-floor apartment, the Living Lab brings UC San Diego researchers and older adults together to explore what helps people stay strong, resilient and connected as they age — turning everyday experiences into insights that can improve lives.
Created in partnership with UC San Diego’s Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging, the Living Lab was integrated into Belmont Village’s plan for the community, ensuring research is woven into daily life. The Belmont Village community includes residents in independent living, assisted living and memory care, allowing studies to reflect the full spectrum of aging. By meeting people where they are, the Living Lab lowers the barriers to participation and invites seniors to shape the research that affects them. Current projects examine how practices like mindfulness meditation influence cognition and the aging brain.
Pilot studies developed at the Living Lab serve as a springboard for broader research that can benefit more older adults. In one project, residents tested an online fall-prevention program that combined small-group instruction with personalized feedback — a critical intervention, since falls are a major cause of declining health and loss of function. Over 12 weeks, participants built strength, improved posture and balance and reported high satisfaction with the intervention. Researchers also documented improvements in mitochondrial function, showing how targeted training can boost the body’s energy systems. With these promising results, the team is working to make the program accessible to a wider community. It’s one example of how the Living Lab turns resident-focused innovation into practical tools that enhance everyday care.
