News & Highlights
Dr. Peggye Dilworth-Anderson Elected GSA President
Dr. Peggye Dilworth-Anderson, UNC IOA Director for Aging and Diversity and Director of the Center for Aging and Diversity, has been elected president of the Gerontological Society of America. She will initially serve as president-elect, and assume the presidency in 2009. Read the news release.
A Note From IOA Associate Director For Research Jennifer Craft Morgan
Insights gained from study abroad by graduate students in gerontology at Appalachian State University is the subject of this month's Showcasing Aging Research in North Carolina. Dr. Ed Rosenberg and Lynsey Capone, MA (a very recent graduate of ASU’s Gerontology program!) have recently conducted research to investigate approaches developed in the Netherlands aimed at improving the quality of life individuals with severe dementia. Read the whole story...
IOA Appoints Three New Research Scientists
The UNC Institute on Aging has appointed three new research scientists. Janet Freburger, PT, PhD, has been appointed a Research Scientist effective June 1. Janet developed a project, “Disparities in Post-Acute Rehabilitation Care,” with support from the Institute’s Research Stimulus Grants Program in Aging. This has recently received funding as an R-21 from the National Institutes of Health (R21 HD057980-01), and the research will be conducted through the IOA. John Calvin Scott, J.D., Ph.D., has been appointed a Research Scientist effective July 1, when he will join the Department of Public Policy at UNC. John’s research interests are in the workforce and retirement, including patterns of occupational careers over the life course and applying the concept of risk to studies of pension and health insurance behavior. Paul Solomon, MBA, PhD, has been appointed Senior Research Scientist effective July 1. He has been Senior Associate Dean of the UNC Chapel Hill School of Information and Library Science for the past 8 years. This fall he will become a Professor at the University of South Carolina School of Library and Information Science but will maintain a presence with the IOA. He is a co-investigator on the WILIS (Workforce Issues in Library and Information Science) and the WILIS2 projects at the Institute.
NC Falls Prevention Initiative Organized
To reduce falls and fall-related deaths and injuries in our state, the NC Falls Prevention Coalition convened for its inaugural meeting in Raleigh on April 30th. The NC Division of Aging and Adult Services, the NC Division of Public Health, the UNC Insititute on Aging, and the Carolina Geriatric Education Center are coordinating the coalition of public and private organizations to create and maintain a statewide structure to better coordinate falls prevention awareness, education, and programs in the state. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older adults. As our population ages, falls are expected to increase, negatively affecting older adults' independence and quality of life and costing billions of dollars in direct health care expenditures. The good news is that most falls are preventable. For more information about the NC Falls Prevention Coalition, please contact Ellen Schneider, UNC Institute on Aging, at 919-843-8528, and see the related News & Observer article published on May 29, 2008.
NCCOA Offers A Full Calendar; Registration Open
Mark your calendars to join us in Greenville, NC for this year's North Carolina Conference on Aging, October 28-30, 2008. The Conference will feature plenary and track sessions, as well as workshops, papers, symposia, roundtable discussions, posters, exhibits and two evening events. A Welcome Reception with musical entertainment provided by an ECU jazz ensemble will take place on the first evening, and the next night will feature a bus tour of the East Carolina University Medical Center and Central Campus, followed by a pig pickin' at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, all courtesy of ECU. Registration is now open. Information on sponsoring, exhibiting and advertising is also available on the conference web site, and space is filling quickly.
Inaugural "Train The Trainer" Institute Held At IOA
Over the past three months, the inaugural class of the UNC Institute on Aging “Train the Trainer” Coaching Supervision Institute completed 80 contact hours of training toward certification by the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute (PHI), to deliver the Coaching Supervision introductory curriculum to long-term care supervisors and managers in North Carolina. Read more...
Aging Expert To Speak At UNC-CH In July
The AARP Director of Academic Affairs, Harry “Rick” Moody, Ph.D., will speak at Hyde Hall on Tuesday, July 29th, from 9:00-10:30am, in an event co-sponsored by the Institute on Aging (IOA) and the Institute for the Arts and Humanities (IAH). He will lead a seminar titled, "The Humanities and Aging: At the Frontier of Interdisciplinary Inquiry," followed by an open discussion. To assist the IOA in planning for this seminar, please RSVP by sending a message to diane_wurzinger@unc.edu and include in the message your discipline or home department. Read more...
Aging Exchange Set For October, 2008
The Institute on Aging will sponsor the 5th Annual Aging Exchange on October 16, 2008 at the Friday Center. The Exchange will be different this year, in that it will feature work not only of graduate students, postdoctoral and clinical fellows, but of faculty and other researchers in aging at UNC. This change is a reflection of the increased efforts to promote collaboration and interdisciplinarity in research. The event is organized by the IOA in collaboration this year with ICARUS and other aging units on the campus, and it receives financial support for student prizes from several of the schools and centers on campus.
Good News For NC Colleagues
Jim Mitchell, Director of the ECU Center on Aging and IOA Associate Director for Multi-Campus Initiatives, has received $50,000 in funding from UNC at Chapel Hill for additional courses, enhancement and support for the NC Gerontology Consortium.
Peter Stein, IOA Assistant Director of Aging Workforce Initiatives, will have an article on dual-income families published in the forthcoming Encyclopedia of Social Problems, edited by Vincent Parrillo (Sage, June 2008).
National Recognition For UNC Asheville's NC Center For Creative Retirement
The North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement, directed by Dr. Ron Manheimer at UNC-Asheville, has received national publicity for its quality programming in the area of retirement preparation. The program was mentioned in the June 14th issue of the Wall Street Journal, and discussed in detail in the June 2008 issue of Kiplinger's Retirement Report. Twice each year, the center offers a "Paths to Creative Retirement Workshop." The next workshop is scheduled for August 29-31, 2008; the three-day seminar will help participants explore possibilities in later life and give them an action plan.
NC Senior Games Call For Volunteers
North Carolina Senior Games would be delighted to have YOU as a State Finals volunteer this fall. Be one of the first to sign-up and receive your first choice of events. Please share this information with your friends and family as well.
Elder Law Clinic Spring Newsletter Available
The Wake Forest University Elder Law Clinic has published its spring newsletter, highlighting stories of elderly clients assisted by law students this season. Read the E-Clinic News.
DAAS Summer Newsletter Available
The latest edition of the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services' online newsletter, "At a Glance," is now available on their website.
New from NC Researchers
Bradley, Don E.; Longino, Charles F., Jr.; Stoller, Eleanor P.; Haas, William H., III. (2008). Actuation of mobility intentions among the young-old: an event-history analysis. The Gerontologist 48(2): 190-202.
Coppola, S.; Elliott, S., Toto, P. (eds). (2008). Strategies to advance gerontology excellence: Promoting best practice in occupational therapy. Bethesda: AOTA Press.
Coppola, S. (2008). Foundations for a dynamic and satisfying practice in gerontology. In S. Coppola, S. Elliott, & P. Toto (eds.) Strategies to advance gerontology excellence: Promoting best practice in occupational therapy. Bethesda: AOTA Press. (pp. 1-9)
Coppola, S. (2008). Transactional approach to understanding meanings and benefits of occupation in older adulthood. In S. Coppola, S. Elliott, & P. Toto (eds.) Strategies to advance gerontology excellence: Promoting best practice in occupational therapy. Bethesda: AOTA Press. (pp.15-58)
Elliott, S.; Coppola, S. (2008). Best practice in gerontology. In S. Coppola, S. Elliott, P. Toto (eds.) Strategies to advance gerontology excellence: Promoting best practice in occupational therapy. Bethesda: AOTA Press. (pp. 319-348)
Giuliani, Carol A.; Gruber-Baldini, Ann L.; Park, Nan S.; Schrodt, Lori A.; Rokoske, Franzi; Sloane, Philip D.; Zimmerman, Sheryl. (2008). Physical performance characteristics of assisted living residents and risk for adverse health outcomes. The Gerontologist 48(2): 203-212.
Stearns, Sally C.; D'Arcy, Laura P. (2008). Staying the course: facility and profession retention among nursing assistants in nursing homes. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences 63B(3): S113-S121.
Wickrama, K.A.S.; Surjadi, Florensia F.; Lorenz, Frederick O.; Elder, Glen H., Jr. (2008). The influence of work control trajectories on men's mental and physical health during the middle years: mediational role of personal control. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences 63B(3): S135-S145.
Williams, Sharon Wallace; Williams, Christianna S.; Zimmerman, Sheryl; Munn, Jean; Dobbs, Debra; Sloane, Philip D. (2008). Emotional and physical health of informal caregivers of residents at the end of life: the role of social support. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences 63B(3): S171-S183.
For a list of items recently published by North Carolina faculty, see New & Notable Publications.
Aging & Health Promotion News
North Carolina was recently named one of five states to receive a Chronic Disease Directors Senior Opportunity grant. The $25,000 grant is a joint proposal between the NC Division of Public Health and the NC Division of Aging and Adult services, with the UNC Institute on Aging managing the 18-month project. The grant will support the development of future oral health initiatives and will develop training seminars, technical assistance, and resources to facilitate rapid dissemination of the NC Healthy Aging Roadmap to guide the reach, adoption, implementation, and maintenance of evidence-based health promotion throughout the state.
The National Health Policy Forum announces the availability of two new
publications focused on programs that provide services to older Americans.
The Aging Services Network: Accomplishments and Challenges in Serving a
Growing Elderly Population, describes how the Older Americans Act of 1965 gave rise to the aging services network, which
refers to the agencies, programs, and activities that are sponsored by the Act. As the number of older people increases with
the aging of the baby boom population, the need for a wide spectrum of
services is expected to place pressure on aging services. Whether the aging
services network will be able to sustain its momentum and fully realize its
potential will depend on its ability to attract and retain additional
resources.
The Basics: Older Americans Act of 1965, presents and describes the
Act's seven titles and
multiple programs, with a chart showing FY2008 federal
appropriations.
New from the Digital Library
These are selected new additions to the AgeLib Digital Library. The links below will open a new window displaying the AgeLib record.
Age related policies: a global review on age discrimination legislation/ report
view the record
Beyond the golden age of retirement / report
view the record
Employment and training: most one-stop career centers are taking multiple actions to link employers and older workers/report
view the record
Encyclopedia of elder care/ book
view the record
Featured Web Site:
Quick Guide to Health Literacy and Older Adults
www.health.gov
Designed for those who serve older adults on health and aging issues. Provides background information on health literacy and strategies and suggestions for communicating with older adults, including those with specific issues such as visual, hearing or cognitive impairment. Lists additional online resources from federal agencies.
Upcoming Events In NC
June 25-28, 2008
American Institute of Financial Gerontology Summer Education Session
Greensboro, NC
http://www.aifg.org/schedule.cfm?type=rfg
July 9, 2008
Substance Abuse in the Elderly: Detection and Resources
Course for continuing education credit
Wynwood, Chapel Hill, 11am - 1pm
Information: Diana Gore, (919) 520-6844, dgore@brookdaleliving.com or Philshaunda Lee, (919) 358-6789, phlee@brookdaleliving.com
July 23, 2008
Optimal Aging: Wellness in Six Dimensions
Course for continuing education credit
Heritage, Raleigh, 11am - 1pm
Information: Diana Gore, (919) 520-6844, dgore@brookdaleliving.com or Philshaunda Lee, (919) 358-6789, phlee@brookdaleliving.com
July 29, 2008
"The Humanities and Aging: At the Frontier of Interdisciplinary Inquiry"
Speaker: Dr. Harry Moody, AARP Director of Academic Affairs
Co-Sponsors: UNC Institute on Aging and UNC Institute for the Arts and Humanities
9:00-10:30 am, Hyde Hall, UNC Chapel Hill campus
Please rsvp to Diane Wurzinger at the IOA at 919-966-9444
Save The Dates
October 16, 2008
The Aging Exchange
1:00-7:00 pm, William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education, Chapel Hill NC
October 28-30, 2008
7th Annual North Carolina Conference on Aging
Greenville, NC
http://www.aging.unc.edu/nccoa/index.html
View our complete events calendar at www.aging.unc.edu/events/.
Community Bulletin Board and Jobs in Aging
Don't forget to check the Community Bulletin Board for other aging-related announcements for seniors, educators, students and professionals. Current listings include research studies in need of subjects. The Jobs in Aging web page lists notices we have received regarding statewide and nationally available positions.Publication of this newsletter is announced via email listserv. Current and past issues may be viewed at any time at http://www.aging.unc.edu/news/newsletter.html . To join one of our lists, please visit www.aging.unc.edu/news/lists.html for more information. If you have information that you would like to include in this newsletter in the future, please send it to aginginfo@unc.edu at any time.