The prestigious Hartford Doctoral Fellows Program in Geriatric Social Work has selected twelve outstanding students to conduct research on aging topics. The fellows will receive a $50,000 dissertation grant and matching support from their home institutions to focus on their research projects over the next two years.
A national study found that Medicare patients discharged to skilled nursing facilities are at high risk of needing long-term care. The study suggests that programs aimed at helping older patients recover at home could improve their health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
The MetLife Foundation Journalists in Aging Fellows Program will develop major aging-focused stories or series, covering concerns such as seniors drowning in debt and the struggles of Iraqi and Afghan refugees. The program aims to cultivate public awareness of these issues, which affect all generations and cultures.
The Gerontological Society of America is releasing two new publications to improve pain relief and medication for seniors. These resources address shortfalls in pain assessment and treatment, as well as labeling changes for acetaminophen, to provide better care and quality of life for older adults.
A new supplemental issue of Journals of Gerontology Series B explores the relationship between cognitive aging and health, highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. The studies presented in the issue aim to understand the complex interplay between age-related socioeconomic, racial/ethnic, gender, and health disparities.
Kenneth Ferraro, a renowned sociologist and gerontologist, has been awarded the 2011 Distinguished Mentorship in Gerontology Award by the Gerontological Society of America. He is recognized for his significant impact on fostering excellence in the field through mentoring and inspiring students and colleagues.
Barry Bittman, a neurologist and researcher, is awarded the Gene D. Cohen Research Award for his work on the benefits of music-making protocols for individuals with age-related stress responses. His research has shown significant reductions in burnout and mood disturbances among long-term care workers.
Bass, American University provost, receives the award for his professional leadership and contributions to advancing aging research and practice. The honor recognizes his translation of research findings into practical use.
Vishwa Deep Dixit, a researcher at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, has been awarded the 2011 Nathan Shock New Investigator Award by the Gerontological Society of America. The award recognizes his outstanding contributions to new knowledge about aging through basic biological research.
Dr. Luigi Ferrucci is recognized for his work developing ways to reduce disease and disability in older adults through the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. He has also made significant contributions to gerontology education and research.
Robert Binstock, a professor at Case Western Reserve University, has made a significant impact on policies regarding aging. His research has improved the targeting of services to economically and socially disadvantaged older persons.
Kahana recognized for her novel conceptualizations that consider the adaptation of individuals in a sociological and environmental context. Her research highlights the positive aspects of later life, focusing on social achievements and strengths among older adults.
Jazwinski's research focuses on genetics of aging, molecular genetics, and population genetics, and has expanded to human aging with key findings on gene-gene interactions in longevity and healthy aging.
Denis Gerstorf, PhD, receives the award for his research on heterogeneity and differential development in old and advanced old age. His studies show that major life events affect well-being and aging outcomes.
Alan Jette, a renowned expert in rehabilitation and aging, has been awarded the 2011 Excellence in Rehabilitation of Aging Persons Award by The Gerontological Society of America. His work focuses on measuring function and disability, with a particular emphasis on developing innovative outcome measurement instruments.
XinQi Dong, MD, MPH, receives the award for translating research into practical application and policy, focusing on elder abuse and neglect issues. The award recognizes his work in bridging research and practice, particularly in promoting understanding and civic engagement among Chinese communities.
Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, has received the 2011 Doris Schwartz Gerontological Nursing Research Award from the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) for her sustained contributions to geriatric nursing research. Her program of research focuses on acute care of the elderly and elder abuse and neglect.
Chandra Mehrotra, a professor at the College of St. Scholastica, has been awarded the Task Force on Minority Issues in Gerontology Outstanding Mentorship Award by the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) for his dedication to mentoring minority researchers in aging. He will receive the award at GSA's 64th Annual Scientific Meeting.
Charles was chosen for her article, 'Strength and Vulnerability Integration: A Model of Emotional Well-Being Across Adulthood,' which presents a strong theory with empirical examples. The Strength and Vulnerability Integration (SAVI) model posits that effective emotion regulation strategies can preserve well-being in older adults.
The Gerontological Society of America recommends including ethnically diverse populations in aging research. Minority participants are key to developing recruitment and retention methods that address unique cultural and sociopolitical challenges.
The Hartford Faculty Scholars Program has granted 11 geriatric social work researchers a two-year award to improve healthy outcomes for the country's aging population. The program partners with the Veterans Health Administration (VA) to support applied research on older veterans and their caregivers.
The MetLife Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to support a fellowship program that brings aging-focused reporters to the Gerontological Society of America's Annual Scientific Meeting. The program aims to increase media coverage on aging issues, which are expected to grow significantly in the next 40 years.
Improved pain management can significantly reduce disability in older adults, associated with increased sleep difficulty and numerous problems. Strategies include physical activity, pain protocol interventions, and medication use to optimize patient well-being.
The Association for Gerontology in Higher Education has elected new officers, including Janet Frank as President-Elect and Kathryn Hyer as Treasurer. The organization also recognized several individuals with awards for their outstanding contributions to gerontological education, including Edward F. Ansello with the Clark Tibbitts Award...
Research indicates that without Social Security, half of women aged 65+ would live in poverty. With the program, the poverty rate drops to 12%. The new publication highlights the importance of Social Security for women's financial security and provides recommendations for restoring solvency.
A comprehensive overview of volunteering and service activities among older people is now available. The book features essays from leading scholars and classic research articles from the Gerontological Society of America's peer-reviewed journals.
A new report commissioned by The National Academy on an Aging Society finds that older adults with diabetes have a lower life expectancy than those without the disease. The analysis, based on data from the Health and Retirement Study, reveals a significant increase in diabetes prevalence among boomers and seniors.
Children who experience parental divorce are over twice as likely to suffer a stroke at some point in their lives, according to new research. This association remains strong even after adjusting for various risk factors, suggesting a potential link between early family disruption and cardiovascular health.
Eight outstanding students have been awarded prestigious Hartford Doctoral Fellowships in geriatric social work to focus on their dissertation research projects. The fellowships provide $50,000 grants and matching support to cultivate the next generation of geriatric social work faculty.
The Noices were recognized for their groundbreaking work on the connections between art, science, and human cognition in older adults. Their research has produced numerous peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
The program aims to cultivate public awareness of aging issues through diverse reporters. The fellows will develop a major aging-focused story or series, exploring topics such as grandparents raising grandchildren, elder-friendly housing, and seniors' use of new technology.
Edward F. Ansello, PhD, receives AGHE's Tibbitts Award for his over 30-year commitment to advancing gerontology as a field of study in institutions of higher education. The award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of gerontology.
Dena Shenk, PhD, of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte has been awarded AGHE's Friedsam Mentorship Award for her contributions to gerontological education through outstanding mentorship. She is a cultural anthropologist focusing on aging cross-culturally and director of UNC Charlotte's Gerontology Program.
The CLASS Act has the potential to transform long-term care financing in the US by introducing a voluntary, federally administered insurance program. This program would provide middle-class Americans with the choice to plan ahead for personal care and supportive service needs.
Pillemer receives the prestigious award for his groundbreaking work on human development over the life course and prevention of elder abuse. His research has played a crucial role in contemporary legislative efforts, leading to practical applications that improve the lives of older adults.
Kapahi is recognized for his work on the role of target of rapamycin (TOR) in mediating lifespan extension by dietary restriction, a method with broad significance for age-related diseases. His laboratory employs an interdisciplinary approach to understand how dietary restriction affects lifespan and metabolism in diverse species.
Chen, a renowned scholar, has been recognized for his tireless efforts to apply research to policy making. He has participated in numerous White House Conferences and presented testimony to congressional committees.
Ada C. Mui, PhD, has been recognized for her outstanding commitment and dedication to mentoring minority researchers in the field of aging. She will receive the Task Force on Minority Issues in Gerontology Outstanding Mentorship Award at GSA's 63rd Annual Scientific Meeting.
Krause received the award for his book 'Aging in the Church: How Social Relationships Affect Health,' which explores the relationship between church-based social support and physical/mental health outcomes. The GSA recognized his work as state-of-the-art thinking in aging and life course development.
Linda George will receive the 2010 Distinguished Career Contribution to Gerontology Award for her significant contributions to the field of aging. Her research interests include social factors and depression, stress, coping, religion, and health.
Mezey received the award for her contributions to advancing gerontological education, including developing defined geriatric competencies and enhancing faculty knowledge in geriatrics. The recognition acknowledges her work in promoting gerontological care and research through her collaborations with nursing organizations.
Dr. Helene Fung, a Chinese University of Hong Kong associate professor, is the recipient of the 2010 Baltes Foundation Award for her work on goal changes across adulthood and their impacts on social relationships, emotional regulation, and cognition. The award recognizes her efforts to promote psychology and aging research in China.
Mary Tinetti, MD, MPH, received the 2010 Maxwell A. Pollack Award for her innovative program to reduce falls among older adults in Connecticut. The award recognizes her successful translation of research into practical application, improving public health and policy.
Kathleen Buckwalter, PhD, RN, FAAN, receives the 2010 Doris Schwartz Gerontological Nursing Research Award for her outstanding and sustained contributions to geriatric nursing research. She has published extensively on improving mental health services and community-based care for chronically ill older persons.
Lewis Lipsitz has been recognized for his groundbreaking research on abnormal blood pressure regulation and its relationship to falls and syncope in the elderly. The 2010 Joseph T. Freeman Award winner will present a lecture at the GSA's Annual Scientific Meeting.
Whitfield, a professor at Duke University, will receive the award for his influential work on aging and health disparities. He has mentored numerous colleagues and developed research programs focused on African-American communities, making him a prominent figure in the field of gerontology.
A recent study found that older adults who sometimes neglected their medications experienced a 50 percent increased rate of falls compared to those who took their medications as directed. The study, which analyzed data from over 700 seniors in Boston, highlights the importance of medication adherence for preventing falls.
The Hartford Doctoral Fellows Program has awarded $800,000 in new grants to 10 researchers studying topics such as advance care planning and Chinese American Alzheimer's family caregivers. The program aims to improve the health and well-being of older adults by increasing geriatric social worker training.
The study collected data from 3,005 older adults across the US, finding that men tend to have more positive attitudes towards sex and are more likely to be sexually active. The research also highlights the importance of promoting positive social relationships in older age.
A new newsletter highlights health care utilization patterns among older Asian minorities and perceived job discrimination among older workers. The Gerontological Society of America emphasizes the need for research to resolve barriers in seeking health care for minority elders.