Hebrew SeniorLife Researchers Honored for Study on Room Temperature and Cognitive Function

Hebrew SeniorLife researchers have received the Mather Institute Bronze Award in its 2025 Innovative Research on Aging Awards competition for their study on the impact of home temperature on cognitive function in older adults.

The Mather Institute created the awards to inspire evidence-based practices that can improve the lives of older adults.

Amir Baniassadi, PhD, assistant scientist at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, and his colleagues conducted an observational study involving 47 community-dwelling older adults in Boston with an average age of 79. The study participants completed surveys twice daily for up to 12 months, reporting their perceived attention and thermal comfort. Simultaneously, the researchers continuously monitored their home’s ambient temperature and humidity using smart sensors.

The findings revealed a U-shaped relationship between home ambient temperature and older adults’ self-reported difficulty maintaining attention. Specifically, attention was optimal at temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 24°C (75.2°F) and worsened significantly outside this range, with the odds of attention difficulty doubling with just a 4°C shift in either direction.

The longitudinal observational study, entitled “Home Ambient Temperature and Self-reported Attention in Community-Dwelling Older Adults,” was published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences.

“This Innovative Research on Aging Award honors Harvard Medical School and Dr. Amir Baniassadi for their study on how home ambient temperature affects the ability of older adults to maintain attention during daily activities,” said Jennifer L. Smith, PhD, assistant vice president and director, Mather Institute. “These awards recognize applied research with practical takeaways for the senior living industry. We aim for these findings to inspire innovations within senior living organizations around the country and the world.”

As an internationally recognized resource for research and information about wellness, aging, and trends in senior living, Mather Institute invited submissions by researchers from universities and organizations around the world for this year’s awards. The awards cover a variety of categories, from Aging in Place to Technological Advancements for Older Adults and beyond.

The report on all the award recipients, 2025 Innovative Research on Aging Awards, is available for download at Innovative Research on Aging Awards | Mather Institute.

About Hebrew SeniorLife
Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is a national senior services leader uniquely dedicated to rethinking, researching, and redefining the possibilities of aging. Hebrew SeniorLife cares for more than 4,500 seniors a day across seven campuses throughout Greater Boston. Locations include: Hebrew Rehabilitation Center-Boston and Hebrew Rehabilitation Center-NewBridge in Dedham; NewBridge on the Charles, Dedham; Orchard Cove, Canton; Simon C. Fireman Community, Randolph; Center Communities of Brookline, Brookline; Jack Satter House, Revere; and Leyland Community, Dorchester. Founded in 1903, Hebrew SeniorLife also conducts influential research into aging at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, which has a portfolio of more than $98 million, making it one of the largest gerontological research facilities in the U.S. in a clinical setting. It also trains more than 500 geriatric care providers each year. For more information about Hebrew SeniorLife, follow us on our blog, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn. about Hebrew SeniorLife, follow us on our blog, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn.

About the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research
Scientists at the Marcus Institute seek to transform the human experience of aging by conducting research that will ensure a life of health, dignity, and productivity into advanced age. The Marcus Institute carries out rigorous studies that discover the mechanisms of age-related disease and disability; lead to the prevention, treatment, and cure of disease; advance the standard of care for older people; and inform public decision-making.

About Mather
Founded in 1941, Mather is a nondenominational not-for-profit organization based in Evanston, Illinois, that creates Ways to Age Well Mather Institute is its research area of service, and serves as an award-winning resource for research and information about wellness, aging, trends in senior living, and successful aging service innovations. To learn more, find your way to matherinstitute.com.