Residents at Balfour Senior Living in Louisville have an unusual perk alongside the coffee bar and group activities — easy access to medical research, if they choose to participate.

The community and the University of Colorado’s Anschutz and Boulder campuses have partnered on the first “living lab” in the state. The model brings existing health studies to retirement communities and gives residents a say in future research.

Older people are underrepresented in medical research, and bringing studies to them makes it more feasible to take part, said Jodi Waterhouse, director of strategic partnerships and programs at the CU Anschutz Multidisciplinary Center on Aging .

The underrepresentation is a particular problem because older people typically have a greater need for new medications and

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