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PSU Institute on Aging Quarterly Newsletter, February 2022
Thank you for your interest in our work! In this newsletter, you'll find project updates, research publications, and more.
In recognition of Black History Month we encourage you to follow and learn from the work of Black Gerontologists by following BIGG (Black In Gerontology & Geriatrics) whose mission is to Amplify Black Excellence in Aging Research, Teaching, and Practice.
Twitter: @BlackInGeron
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Research: Recent IOA Publications
Walking and Talking: Recommendations for Doing Mobile Interviews with Older Adults. Paula Carder, Raina Croff, Aliza Tuttle & Juell Towns. Mobile methods, including walking interviews, have rarely been used in research with older adults. The authors compare and contrast two studies that engaged older adults in walking interviews. Older adults, including those with physical and mild cognitive impairment, can participate in walking interviews. Key decisions and advice for researchers interested in using mobile methods with this population, including participant safety, comfort abilities, and technology use, are provided.
Memory care reduces nursing home admissions among assisted-living residents with dementia. Lindsey Smith & Paula Carder. The authors compare nursing-home and hospital admissions among residents with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) in memory-care assisted living to those in general assisted living. Memory care is associated with reduced rates of nursing-home placement, particularly long-term stays, compared to general assisted living.
Supporting the Behavioral Health of Older Adults: Evaluating a Multi-Site, Multi-Actor, Multi-Agency Initiative. Allyson Stodola, MSW, Jason Z. Kyler-Yano, MA, Serena Hasworth, MPH, Jaclyn Winfree, MS, Walter D. Dawson, DPhil. Policymakers often overlook people living with physical disabilities and older adults’ behavioral health (BH) needs. Older adults experience alarmingly high rates of mental illness and substance use disorders, which often intersect with neurocognitive challenges. In 2015, Oregon established the Behavioral Health Initiative for Older Adults and People with Physical Disabilities.The findings of this evaluation indicate ways the Initiative can leverage initial successes to further support this population.
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Better With Age Initiative This quarter the Wilson-Deshane Aging Scholars got together to discuss our areas of interest and brainstorm what we might like to do as a group. We have created an online PSU Gerontology Network space where we hope students and faculty from many disciplines share ideas, opportunities, research, and more. We are also holding monthly student socials and working on a project to make PSU even more Age-Friendly.
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Welcome to our new SALC Program Coordinator, Wendy Forrester
I have happily joined SALC as the Program Coordinator and look forward to working with you. My professional background includes two distinct tracks: working as an administrator in higher education and as a psychotherapist. Having just moved from Boston to Portland, I look forward to all there is to enjoy about the Pacific Northwest. Originally from California, I’m happy to be back on the west coast after many decades of living and loving life in New Hampshire, Vermont, and most recently in Boston. I was motivated to move to Portland to live nearer to my son and daughter-in-law.
Prior to moving to Portland, I was an academic administrator managing five departments at Wellesley College. Now, in Portland, I’ve resumed my longtime career as a licensed psychotherapist and have launched a private practice. Working part-time as the SALC Program Coordinator is a wonderful complement to my primary work as a psychotherapist. It provides me the opportunity to join other colleagues as a team with a common mission and to meet many people in my new community––such as the SALC auditors––who share my passion for lifelong education.
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Remembering Dick Lycan
(1933 - 2021)
Dick was Professor Emeritus of Geography and worked with the Institute on Aging, where he volunteered his analytic and mapping talents to numerous research projects over the years. He will be remembered for his work ethic, love for canoeing and fishing, and expertise in geography, urban studies, and population trends.
There will be a celebration of life sometime this summer and you can read his obituary online.
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