The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an urgent health crisis, physically and psychologically, for vulnerable older adults. Solutions rely on scientific evidence to guide practice and policy. However, research activities are restricted due to the pandemic. The presenters will share their strategies to overcome challenges at different stages of the study process during the pandemic. The research projects include work conducted in acute care and nursing homes. The challenges in continuing an ongoing research project, and strategies to engage stakeholders and a new protocol for recruitment and in-person data collection with older adults with dementia in nursing homes, will be shared. The barriers and facilitators of conducting an ongoing clinical trial with older adults with dementia across hospital and community settings will be presented as well as strategies to meet project goals including modifications to the protocol and analytic plan.  The presenters will highlight policy and research implications for the COVID-19 pandemic as well as other emergency situations.