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This is the complete
article that could not, due to its length, appear in the
August
2001 UNCG
Gerontologist.
I hope that sharing my goals for the UNCG Graduate Program in Gerontology
will bring to you a
sense of expectation
and excitement.
Working for the program has done that for me.
Sincerely,
Jan
I am delighted to have
this opportunity to introduce myself, provide a brief sketch of my background,
and share my vision and
goals for the UNCG Gerontology Program. The potential for program growth, development,
and service at UNCG and the region is immense. It is going to be great fun
working with those at UNCG, service providers in the region, and the community,
to meet the challenges of an aging society.
My interest in aging grows from the fact that I come from a 'hardy stock' of women. My paternal grandmother lived to be 95 and my maternal grandmother lived to be 89. Both were independent until their very last years actively gardening, shopping, and crocheting while modeling healthy aging. My goal is to enjoy as long and healthy a life as they had. For more of my personal background, see my web page at http://www.uncg.edu/gro/jiw/personal.html.
My graduate training at Penn
State University, where I received my PhD in Demography
and Sociology with a Gerontology Minor, was interdisciplinary and supported
by a National Institute of Aging Training Grant. My post-doctorial research
at Duke University on women's pension coverage was also supported by NIA. While
at Duke, I was the Assistant Editor of Research on Aging, one of the top gerontological
journals. Since leaving Duke, I helped develop a degree program in the Commonwealth
College at Penn State University where I was an Assistant Professor in Sociology
and Director of Minor Degree Programs. On the national level, I have been active
in many professional organizations, serving on committees and I currently chair
the Gerontological Society of America's Student Awards Committee.
My research interests are many but they all stem from my interest in women in
mid-life and in families. Caregiving, as both tangible and non-tangible assistance
given by women (usually) to aging parents, is a natural area of concern therefore.
My interests have expanded over time to include couples as well, particularly
concerning the decisions surrounding retirement. Many factors come into play
with retirement decisions, including such causal factors as career timing, health
insurance coverage, physical health, and job opportunities. This area of interest
led me to my most recent study, conducted with the American Chemical Society,
of late-career chemists who, as a result of industry change and downsizing,
often are faced with retirement decisions before they are eligible for full
retirement benefits. One result of this career problem is the increasing use
of 'bridge' employment. Finally, I am also interested in the concept of healthy
aging and the impact of educational programs on middle-age individuals on modifying
behaviors to age healthily.
I just returned from the Sixth Annual North Carolina Summer Symposium on Aging hosted by UNCW. The theme, "Colleges and Communities Working Together," was perfect for a new Director by providing insight and ideas for UNCG's Gerontology Program. North Carolina's aging network and government are preparing for the demographics, which will challenge current agencies and resources serving the growing elderly and future elderly North Carolinians. It is now up to the universities to generate professionals to meet the expanding needs of the elderly and their families.
According to Census 2000, North Carolina's population increase was a whopping 21.4% while the national average increased only 13%. A portion of this increase comes from the ever-increasing number of retirees who have discovered North Carolina is the place to be! North Carolina currently ranks third in retirement immigration. The retiree migrants bring positives to North Carolina including retirement and investment incomes, demands for new businesses, services and professional opportunities to serve the elderly, and as potential volunteers to their new community. However, as the new retirees age in place often with no close family, and current older North Carolinians live longer, their service needs will increase at the same time the Baby Boomers begin to draw on services for themselves. Long-range planning is essential for successful transitioning of families, communities and aging networks so as to not strain societal and family resources.
One way UNCG is working to address these current and future needs of an aging society is the addition of the Master of Science in Gerontology Degree to its programs. But this is only the first step in a long walk of training professionals in gerontology while enriching the community and the region. The program will be a success if UNCG faculty and students, aging network, and community work collectively in training, service to the community, and job placement.
My broad goals are to enrich the program by the addition of courses with practical application for aging professionals, expansion of the UNCG Gerontology web page to become a resource for the regional aging population, their families and those interested in regional aging issues, and increased visibility and service of the program in the region. I have begun working on my goals since my July 1st appointment.
One area I've been working on is UNCG's course offerings. I am also meeting with faculty in an effort to expand and develop our course offerings and would appreciate insight and suggestions on courses. I look forward to hearing student input on their areas of interest. Some of the changes are as follows:
The core course, Critical Issues in Aging (GRO 501), will have several faculty guests lecturing. The faculty will be drawn from UNCG's Biology, Exercise and Sport Science, Nursing, Psychology and Sociology departments, and each will provide valuable insight to critical issues in their respective fields.
A new service learning opportunity will run concurrent with the course Social Aspects of Aging. Working in adult day care centers with individuals with Alzheimer's, we hope to replicate the exciting work of Anne Davis Basting using her Time Slips technique. This program has also been successful at UNCW, enriching the lives of elderly and young adults.
We hope to offer a one-credit course that will be team-taught by UNCG faculty and professionals from the aging network community. The topics will vary in different semesters but will be on such topical issues such as program development and administration for senior centers, in-home care services, the Medicare/Medicaid/Medigap maze, and the Older Adults Act and its influence on elder services on the local, regional, state and national levels.
Another area I've been working on is increasing UNCG's collaborative efforts. This year, Gerontology students will be working with the faculty and students in the Department of Interior Architecture on an aging in place project. I know this will be the first of many such interdisciplinary efforts.
I am beginning to be active on campus and in the aging resource network. I will chair a sub-committee of UNCG's Active Retirement Project. I've joined the Guilford County Caregiver Taskforce. I plan to be involved with the Regional Advisory Committee on Aging of the Piedmont Triad Area Agency on Aging. I have been appointed to the North Carolina Institute on Aging's Statewide Advisory Committee. UNCG plans to be very active in collaborative work with the Institute on Aging in the coming year.
Another change I want to make is that, to date, the Gerontology Advisory Committee has been composed solely of faculty but I would like to broaden its range with the addition of two aging professionals from the community. Eventually, I would like to have a second committee comprised of community members and those working in the aging network advising the program on educational needs of the workforce serving an aging society.
We're scheduling a series of programs, speakers, and events. Our students as well as members of the community need to have events scheduled in the evening as well as during the day so we will have "brownbag" lunches and suppers. In the spring, gerontology students will present their research or lead some of the brownbags.
I am committed to making these plans, and more, a reality for all of us. These first steps will lead to a long successful walk for the program as each of us, community, faculty, and students work and learn together.
I know that the strong program I found here at UNCG is a result of the enormous dedication and effort of people here on campus and in the community. Therefore, on behalf of the program, I would like to thank Dr. Eileen Jackson for her service last year as Interim Director. With the help of the faculty and community, this solid program will soon be a program of excellence. I value and welcome ideas and suggestions for the program. Please call me and introduce yourself!
Warm Regards,
Jan Wassel
Return to Dr. Janice Wassel's page
Return to UNCG Gerontology page