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Spring Update
Supporting Optimal Aging for Individuals and Communities
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By Dr. Tracey Gendron,
Chair and Associate Professor
COVID-19 abruptly changed our lives in many ways. For the VCU Gerontology community the pandemic served to strengthen our commitment to advocate for equitable treatment for all older members of society. The pandemic has provided an unprecedented opportunity for gerontologists to raise their voices and share what we have long-known - that older lives represent a valuable and meaningful contribution to society.
Ageism in the era of COVID-19
has provided me the opportunity to reflect on how several foundational gerontological theories are relevant in my everyday life. Theories that remind me of the value of slowing down (Gerotranscendence, 1989) investing in activities that are most personally enriching (Selective Optimization with Compensation, Baltes & Baltes, 1990), and focusing on substantive relationships (Socioemotional Selectivity Theory, 1993). I have also reflected on the challenges, struggles and heartbreak that we are witnessing like the crisis in our long-term care communities (person-environment fit; Lawton, 1982), and the inequity between social class and access to resources (Political Economy of Aging, Estes, 1991).
There is much work to be done to create a culture of inclusion and equity for all. But we also have so many successes to celebrate. Thank you to everyone that has worked tirelessly throughout this time to support the interests of older adults. For example, gerontology students working with JABA working to find new ways to support clients and our incredible community partner,
LeadingAge Virginia
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working around the clock to develop resources and supports for residents and staff members of Virginia's Long-Term Care communities. Also a special thank you to ALL the frontline staff members supporting and enriching the lives of older adults every day.
During the pandemic one thing has been abundantly clear - the world needs gerontologists. Education in the foundations of gerontology creates a world that not only values older people but actively seeks their guidance and mentorship. Gerontological training is a gateway to personal and professional development that prepares us for elderhood. To this end, we are pleased to announce that we no longer require a GRE/MAT exam score for acceptance to our Master's program and we are offering new scholarship opportunities to support new students. We are also developing continuing education micro-certificates and badges on the foundations of longevity and aging.
More guidance on the "return to learn" plan for VCU students will be forthcoming in the next couple of weeks. Whether in person, virtual or in combination VCU Gerontology students will be gathering this summer and fall to share in incredible learning experiences.
We are filled with gratitude for our students, alumni and community partners as we all continue to find new ways to grow our community and shape a path toward aging into elderhood.
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Since we are unable to celebrate together in person, the VCU Gerontology faculty and staff have come together to record a Graduation Celebration!
Please watch this video to hear about the AMAZING accomplishments of our spring 2020 grads. We are in awe of all of you and we cannot wait to see more. We are proud and excited to welcome you to in your new role as VCU Gerontology Alumni! Congratulations, again, and all the best wishes for your future!
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Students Apply Knowledge During COVID-19 at JABA
By Marta M. Keane, Chief Executive Officer JABA (Jefferson Area Board for Aging)
JABA has two staff members who have been working on their masters in Gerontology at VCU. Emily Foreman is the Manager of the Senior Nutrition Program, which encompasses the Community Senior Centers for congregate meals and socialization, and the Home-Delivered Meals program. Kaleb Campbell is an Options Counselor for Charlottesville and Nelson County.
When the first positive case of COVID-19 was identified in our region, the way in which JABA provides services and supports to seniors changed immediately.
Emily has been facilitating a task force on Community Centers of the Future, so that gave her a platform for applying agility and creativity to how to handle shutting down the physical locations and yet staying connected with the seniors during a time of increased isolation for them. It has been inspiring to see how the centers had a plan in place within the first week. All members are called once to twice a week by a staff member, sometimes the center manager or the activities assistant or the nurse or the options counselor.
The members were also offered home-delivered meals since they would not be getting a congregate meal, and more than half applied. And the fun part is that staff are conducting conference call bingo, trivia and health talks. They have also sent out activity kits and newsletters monthly. These are well-received and they like they are connecting with each other. Staff and volunteers are also putting programming on Facebook Live-Healthy Steps, cooking classes, musical numbers, jokes, poems. The list goes on!
Kaleb has been fielding new requests from seniors in the community to help them identify the resources they need to stay in isolation and stay safe. He has worked with the community center manager in Nelson on the Senior Food Bag program, through the local food bank. And his creativity was on display as he was the first Options Counselor to create a video to post on Facebook to introduce himself to the new (to him) community of Nelson and explain what an Options Counselor does.
Earlier this year, Kaleb was trained to present the evidence-informed workbook, "Dealing with Dementia: Caregiver's Guide," to groups. He has adapted this review of the workbook to be presented virtually so that as more caregivers need more support this is a wonderful way to provide it.
These two students are a great example of the VCU Gerontology program and the services that JABA can provide in our region.
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Assisted Living Administration Update
By Jennifer Pryor, Program Director, Co-Director for Assisted Living Administration Director of Community Education
The COVID-19 pandemic has me reflecting on my roles as a Gerontologist and educator, and what it means to be a licensed long-term care administrator during this time. Lock down orders, physical distancing, and discovering new and creative ways to deliver person-centered care started months ago. Along with all of this has come a great deal of anxiety. Anxiety for individuals living in long-term care settings, staff working in these communities, administrators, and families. At first, I was overloaded with so much information talking to just about everyone except families. Since the beginning of all of this, more articles have come out adding the family voice to the conversation. For that I am glad because we know that they are an essential part of providing person-centered care.
Over the course of the past couple of months, I have had the privilege of speaking with some family members and friends working in long-term care settings about staying connected. I heard two different sides of the story. The family members I spoke with felt at a loss. In one case in particular, a husband whose wife is living with severe cognitive impairment in a nursing home has not been able to see or speak to his wife since her community closed its doors to visitors. Other conversations highlighted for me the importance of building trusting relationships with family members. A woman who just moved her father into assisted living a few months before this started has added anxiety due to not having that well developed relationship with the administration and staff of the community.
My friends working in these settings tell me that they are trying to provide as many opportunities as possible to help families and residents stay connected. They have tablets that can be used for video calls, they allow residents to make long-distance calls from the community's phones if they do not otherwise have access, and they have increased their use of social media to show how they continue to engage residents in activity. I know that some communities are also making efforts to call family members to keep them up to date about what is going on in their community, what safety precautions they have in place to protect their loved ones, and how they can help families to stay connected.
I think it's fair to say that having a loved one in long-term care, whether it's a nursing home or an assisted living community is especially difficult right now. Because of this virus, people are getting sick, and many people are dying. As leaders in this sector, we have to continue to fight for the protective equipment we need to keep all people safe. We also have to make sure to spread all of our compassion, kindness, and understanding around to everyone: residents, families, coworkers, and ourselves. Right now we need to make greater efforts to keep families connected. We need to use the resources we have, and try our best to facilitate social connections. Families also need to make great efforts in reaching out to communities to see what resources they have access to, what they might need, and how they can work together to continue to provide high quality, person-centered care in the time of COVID-19.
This time has reminded me that now, more than ever, we should be working to grow our profession. The students who are enrolled in our Master's in Gerontology, Assisted Living Administration specialty area will need AIT placement sites in the fall and spring semesters. I encourage administrators and preceptors to reach out to me to find out how you can help our students become eligible for licensure. And I want to personally thank Greg Cole, President/CEO of The Woodland in Farmville for being one of those people who has hired one of our AIT students as she works toward completing her hours for licensure. Our students come to you with a strong foundation in gerontology, ethics, leadership, and teamwork. They have the passion, knowledge, skills, and desire to make a positive impact in this sector. I hope to hear from you soon. If you are interested in providing employment, mentorship, and guidance to our AIT students, please email me directly at pryorjm@vcu.edu.
To learn more about the Assisted Living Administration and Long Term Care Administration programs, email pryorjm@vcu.edu.
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Community Update
News about the rebrand was also included in our May Local Government Leadership Meeting. Over 100 attendees from around the region joined us via webinar to hear from representatives from each of the eight localities in planning district 15, who presented on their remarkable responses to COVID-19. The scope, agility, and quality of service provision we learned about at this meeting was truly inspiring. PLUS we shared an update about the currently under-construction Longevity Center on Senior Connection's first floor. Please watch the meeting recording and see more materials from local governments here.
Henrico County Advocate for the Aging, Henrico County Public Libraries, and the Longevity Project have launched phone-based EngAGE at Home -- a way to stay connected while staying safe during COVID-19. All are welcome, and we encourage all to share this information with friends, neighbors, etc. who do not have access to a computer. Please click here to see the June schedule of sessions.
In case you missed it, the Longevity Project was recently featured on Style Weekly's cover, including quotes from co-leads Dr. Thelma Watson and Dr. Welleford. Below is an excerpt. Read the full piece here.
Finding Elderhood
Richmonders weigh in on growing old, confronting ageism and how the city can help everyone reach longevity.
How old is old enough to sacrifice someone for the economy?
Too many of us are hearing this question asked as the coronavirus continues to take more lives each day. Even government officials are pondering out loud whether older adults may be acceptable collateral damage in reopening the economy.
The Longevity Project for a greater Richmond is doing its best to counter this dangerous thinking by pursuing a broader mission to make our region a great place for all to grow old. We are, in fact, all aging. And we all deserve to reach longevity without being made to feel like a burden.
It has yet to be true in Richmond. It's been called the longevity gap. A 2015 study by the Virginia Commonwealth University Center on Society and Health says the gap is as wide as 20 years between Westover Hills and Gilpin Court. Meanwhile, the average lifespan in the Museum District, a majority-white area was 77 years, while majority black areas in the city's East End and South Side see residents with life spans of 67 and 69 years.
The pandemic has revealed and exacerbated disparate conditions of health care access within the systems serving older adults.
Continue reading ...
Contact: macdonaldcs@vcu.edu.
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Health Coaching to Prevent Alzheimer's Disease for Richmond Elders
By Annie Rhodes,
Research Associate for VCU Gerontology and Director of Special Projects, for the Longevity Project for a greater Richmond
Alzheimer's disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. While we await a cure, Dr. Faika Zanjani Ph.D., Associate Professor at VCU Gerontology, Institute for Inclusion, Inquiry and Innovation (iCubed), and her research team are on a mission to prevent the disease in Richmond.
In Dr. Zanjani's study, qualified elders of Richmond receive personalized, telephone-based health coaching. These coaching sessions are private, and person-centered, allowing the participant to self identify feasible lifestyle interventions, and work to create healthy habits. Because they are telephone based, participants enjoy the sessions in the comfort and privacy of their own home. This research design allows reach to populations that are typically underserved, including those without regular transportation access.
It has been estimated that up to a third of Alzheimer's disease cases are preventable. The key to this prevention is a healthy lifestyle, including exercise, nutrition, and social engagement. Unique to this study is the examination and development of positive attitudes about aging in both health coaches and coaching participants. We all know at VCU Gerontology that Disrupting Ageism is a critical component to living healthy lifestyles and elderhood.
The telephone-based design has been crucial in the time of uncertainty amid the COVID-19 pandemic. While many studies have had to pause, Dr. Zanjani and Annie Rhodes, study coordinator, worked hard to remain operable, offering additional health support for Richmond elders in this unprecedented time.
Health Coaching is an established intervention technique for many health conditions, including weight loss and substance abuse. Applying the health coaching model in a preclinical Alzheimer's prevention study is a novel approach. Together with Richmond elders, we hope this study creates a foundation for future innovations in community Alzheimer's prevention.
For more information contact: rhodesas2@mymail.vcu.edu
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Master of Science (Gerontology) Class Notes
In keeping with our mission of engaging our alumni, it is the Department of Gerontology's hope to utilize our newsletter to spotlight alumni voices and accomplishments. We will also utilize this information to educate our networks on the great work we are doing in the community. Please submit any alumni updates to agingstudies@vcu.edu. Please indicate name, year of graduation and your accomplishments.
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Calendar of Events
Please sign up for our new weekly events calendar by emailing agingstudies@vcu.edu. Updates are sent every Friday.
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VCU Gerontology |
(804) 828-1565
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