PSU Institute on Aging Newsletter, Summer 2026

While many of our team members have been traveling to conferences, conducting research, and enjoying some well-deserved vacations, we still have exciting updates to share! Read on for a condensed share-out from your dedicated crew at the IOA!

Are you a current or incoming graduate student passionate about older adults? We are seeking a Graduate Administrative Assistant for the Better with Age Initiative. Click here to view the full position description and apply on Handshake. Email Serena Hasworth, MPH (wserena@pdx.edu) with any questions!

How do US states define person-centered and family-involved care in assisted living (AL) regulations, co-authored by Paula Carder, Lindsey Smith, and a collaboration of other researchers, reveals substantial variation in whether and how states define and regulate person-centered and family-involved care for people living with dementia in AL.

Walking the talk for dementia: building social networks and collaborations is the 5th publication that explores the impact of the immersive annual event along the Camino de Santiago in Spain. This paper focuses on a social network analysis (SNA) of the global collaborations and partnerships related to dementia emerging from this event. Congratulations to Walt Dawson, Jenn Reed, Sherril Gelmon and the rest of the team for this important work that was initially funded by a GERI award from our Better with Age initiative!

Ozzy Tunalilar presented a poster titled “Quality Care in Assisted Living Communities During the COVID-19 Pandemic” at the IAGG World Conference in Amsterdam in July. Co-written with Sarah Dys and Paula Carder, the bottom line finding is that after COVID-19, the typical Oregon assisted living community went from 6 to 10 deficiencies per licensing visit, a 65% jump. The decline in care quality was broad-based across quality domains, not an artifact of the new pandemic-era rules.

We are excited to offer two courses this fall for those interested in aging and/or who are pursuing the Gerontology Graduate Certificate:

In June, the Senior Adult Learning Center (SALC) had a wonderful Donor Reception with 80+ guests in attendance, and a very funny and engaging guest speaker - Theater & English Professor, Daniel Pollack-Pelzner. We also presented Professor Joshua Eastin (Pol.Sci) with the SALC Outstanding Faculty award.

Promoting Older Adult Wellness and Evidence-Based Resources in Oregon (POWER-OR): This 3-year grant will increase the number of older adults and people living with disabilities in Oregon participating in structured evidence-based chronic disease self-management education (CDSME) and self-management support programs to address behavioral health challenges, specifically depression and substance use disorders. 

Evaluating Experiences with Connective Technology Programs:  We are currently evaluating technology-based programs designed to reduce social isolation and feelings of loneliness among older adults receiving long-term services and supports via Medicaid in Oregon for the Oregon Department of Human Services, Aging and People with Disabilities Division. We’ve been talking with participants of these programs across the state to learn more about their experiences, and we are concluding data collection this month. 

Older Adults, Gambling, and Behavioral Health: This contract with the Oregon Council on Problem Gambling (OCPG) is to conduct a gap analysis of Oregon’s higher education curriculum to determine the extent topics related to older adult behavioral health, including problem gambling are included in social work, psychology, counseling, and gerontology programs across Oregon.

We are a cross-disciplinary group of students - undergraduate and graduate - who are passionate about working in the aging field! Join our student chapter to build relationships, learn from each other, and collaborate on projects with and for older adults. We’ll pause our meetings over the summer, but be sure to stay tuned as we pick back up in Fall 2026! 

Aug 11: Medicaid 101: Basics and Recent Changes will include a basic primer on the Medicaid program and will be most suited to aging or disability advocates, legal aid advocates, and anyone new to Medicaid. Understanding Medicaid is key to understanding the health and long-term care delivery system for older adults.

Aug 19: Meet Me at the Museum - for people living with dementia and their care partners at the Clark County Historical Museum in Vancouver, WA. Explore history, connect, and enjoy time together!

Aug 26: Meet Me at the Riddgefield Wildlife Refuge - for people living with dementia and their care partners to enjoy a relaxed, supportive environment to take in fresh air, observe wildlife, and connect with others.

Aug 27: Bridging the Gap - Creating Sustainable Dementia Support Through Community Partnerships will explore how grant funding from the Administration for Community Living supported the launch of an initiative to strengthen dementia-capable services and expand supports for people living with dementia and their care partners across Kentucky.

Sept 15-16: OCEBHA's Behavioral Health & Aging Conference - Navigating the Intersection of Justice and Dignity in Older Adult Behavioral Health is a FREE conference in Wilsonville for those who are looking for more information, resources, and community in older adult behavioral health. Hope to see you there! 

Enroll in fall ECHO Trainings - free, online educational spaces! Are you a primary care clinician, behavioral health provider, nurse, or other healthcare team member looking to gain new skills and competencies for supporting older adult patients, creating valuable community connections, and receiving no-cost continuing education credits? There are plenty of older adult-specific trainings available for you!

We'd love to hear from you! You can connect with us on LinkedIn & sign up for an account on Portland State's alumni network, PSU Works.