SEARCH!

E-Newsletter Students Exploring Aging Related Careers in Health

Fall 2010 Volume 7, Issue 7

Let’s play a game of discovery… Why would anyone choose to hire a Gerontologist to consult on the dilemma of returning elderly citizens to the community after time-served in prisons? Why not hire a social worker or a sociologist or a criminal justice professional or a public policy analyst? What added value can a Gerontologist provide that the others can’t? What does a Gerontologist offer that differ-entiates them from the competition?

Do you think that a Gerontologist would be sought out for this role? Do you think the hiring manager would even think to seek a Gerontologist?

I attended the Richmond Forum on Prisoner Re-entry a few weeks ago.

About 100 people listened to a panel of experts deliberate about the criti-

cal issues, the needs of these returning citizens for employment, housing,

voting rights, acceptance. When the audience was invited to write ques-

tions for the panel, dozens of 3x5 cards were filled out and handed for-

ward. In the end, there was only time left for one question…mine was se-

lected by the moderator. “What is being done to address the overwhelm-

ing needs of the elderly being released from prisons in Virginia?” The panel

was stumped. They expressed lots of concern, lots of recognition of the

bleak reality of the situation, even genuine acknowledgement that this is a

national problem…but little in terms of solutions. Some panelists and oth-

ers in the general audience looked like they had never given this any

thought before hearing the question. Could a Gerontologist on this com-

mission help bring this issue to the forefront, create a comprehensive

strategy to plan and solve for this aging issue?

Con’t on page 6...

New Brand Gerontologist By Helene Bumbalo

Unlike any film before, Gen Silent startlingly discovers how oppression in the years before Stonewall still affects generations of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people with feelings of distrust and dangerous isolation. Many who fought for equality are dying prematurely because they don't ask for help and are estranged from their families. This hour-long documentary also shows the wide range in quality of paid caregivers --from those who are specifically trained to make LGBT seniors feel safe, to the other end of the spectrum and places where LGBT elders face discrimination or conversion by paid care givers and bullying by other seniors.

Down at the DoG

Department of Gerontology at the Premiere of

Gen Silent

Memory Walk 2010 Memory Walk is the nation’s largest event

to raise awareness and funds for Alz-heimer care, support and research—and it calls on people of all ages to take actions in the fight. Year-round our participants are leaders in the effort to defeat this

devastating disease.

Thank you to our fantastic Memory Walk participants!

We had 14 team members walk and raised over $1,010.00!!

Gatherings

MCV Foundation Brunch Given in honor of those students who received

Endowed Scholarships, including Theresa Thomas, Iris Parham, Cathy Saunders Career Gerontologist Award,

and Dementia Education Fund.

80% of our students receive scholarships. Without that support, education would not be possible, for many of them.

Student / Alumni Spotlight

I came back to my hometown this spring and started working at a nursing home, which is owned

by my family, as a social worker. I also continue to study at Tokyo Metropolitan University. I have become a doctoral candidate this year, and now I am writing a doctoral dissertation. My research

topic is “factors associated with long-term home care among severely disabled elders under the

public long-term care system in Japan”.

Takashi Ishizuki

Takashi Ishizuki (MSG, 2006) with his family.

Spring Classes 2011

GERONOLOGY

Undergraduate Courses: 12940 002 GRTY 410 Intro to Gerontology Blackboard Watson Core Gerontology Courses: 12944 901 GRTY 606 Aging & Human Values Welleford Tues 7:00-9:40 TROW 1015 24223 001 GRTY 606 Aging & Human Values Blackboard Welleford 22012 901 GRTY 605 Research Methods Gendron Wed 7:00-9:40 24221 002 GRTY 605 Research Methods Blackboard Gendron 22014 901 GRTY 604 Prob, Iss, and Trends Cotter Thurs 7:00-9:40 TROW 1015 24222 002 GRTY 604 Prob, Iss, and Trends Blackboard Cotter Gerontology Practice/Elective Courses: 25079 901 GRTY 619 Geriatric Care Mngmnt Pracitcum Bognar 23138 901 GRTY 609 Career Planning 1 cr Bumbalo Wed 6:00-8:00 Jan 26th-Feb 23rd TROW 25902 902 GRTY 613 GLBT and Aging 2 cr Witten Mon 6:00-8:30 Jan 24th-Apr 4th 25080 902 GRTY 692 The Future of Aging 1 cr Waters Wed 6:00-8:40 Apr 5th-May 4th 23112 801 GRTY 608 Independent Study Gendron Grant writing 2 cr 24224 002 GRTY 692 Macro Topical Seminar 1 cr Cotter

SEACH E-NEWSLETTER : Coordinators:

E. Ayn Welleford, MSG, PhD , Chair & Associate Professor Department of Gerontology

Tracey Gendron, MSG, Instructor/Clinical Coordinator Department of Gerontology ,Virginia Commonwealth University

Editors: Kimberly Williams, Department of Gerontology Education Coordinator Assistant

Con’t from page 1 To brand Gerontologists as THE right profession to engage in aging issues like this will re-quire three things from each of you reading this newsletter; you must know and articulate what is unique about Gerontologists, understand and take your message to the expanding target audience and honestly rank your profession against the competition. Careers in Gerontology can move beyond traditional roles addressing topics such as health and long-term care and extend to the broader realm of issues for the aging population. In order to do so, however, the “NEW BRAND Gerontologist” must instantly conjure up a mes-sage that hits the target audience in the gut and lingers there as the only possible choice, not unlike BMW or Starbucks or iPhone. Discerning employers will realize that Gerontolo-gists are the required experts to hire for public commissions, as policy analysts, as market-ing consultants, as social educators, as product developers or any other role where what you know sets you apart.

That is the challenge…can we discuss this? Please submit your responses and let me know

what you identify as your uniqueness as a Gerontologist. Some will show up in the next is-

sue of SEARCH, so send in your BRAND STATEMENTS today! Let’s discover who you are and

create what the “NEW BRAND Gerontologist” will be.

Some questions to get you started… As a GERONTOLOGIST,

What moves me? Where do I find joy? What do I consistently get recognized for? Why do I do what I do? What am I insanely great at doing? What do I want to be known for? If I ceased to exist, what difference would it make on the world? What can I unabashedly brag about? What emotions would I like my brand to produce in others? Am I a MAC or a PC?

Helene M. Bumbalo, MS., Career Development Consultant & Gerontology Practice Faculty

Important Facts about Aging, Mental

Health, and Minorities

Minorities will be the fastest growing portion of persons 65 years of age and older 20% of the population in 2010, 42% in 2050

1 in every 8 people over 65 years of age has Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) The most prevalent form of dementia

across all ethnicities is AD African Americans experience a disproportion-

ate amount of Vascular Dementia (VaD) and AD VaD is more prevalent for African Ameri-

cans and Asians African Americans and Hispanics 85 years of

age and older have the highest risks for AD Asians have a greater prevalence for dementia

than whites Misdiagnosis and under diagnosis for dementia

are more likely to occur for minorities

Barriers and Disparities in Health Care

for Aging Minorities

Minorities have trouble accessing mental health services

Lack of knowledge about dementia and rele-vant services

Due to trouble with access, education Some cultures view dementia as a normal

part of aging and do not seek medical attention for the person with the condi-tion

Minorities mistrust formal health care systems These first three barriers result in delayed treatment of dementia, which exacerbates health care costs and caregiver burden. Minorities are not well-represented in demen-

tia research Elders and minorities are disadvantaged finan-

cially and are often uninsured Asians and Hispanics are the top two unin-

sured groups among persons over 65 years of age

Recommendations for Addressing

Barriers

Help locate dementia care in or near one’s community

Inform minority caregivers and families about

dementia and the full array of formal ser-vices available to them

Inform and familiarize individuals and families with the health care system through pam-phlets

Create information pamphlets using culturally relevant language and concepts for those from different cultural backgrounds

Train health care workers to be culturally sen-sitive and competent (more below)

Encourage research participation in minority groups

To Address Disparities, Health Care Pro-

viders Can:

Develop a rapport with available members of caregiver network

Communicate and clarify with caregivers what they need to know about patients

Inform the patient’s family with pamphlets and internet resources about the cause of dementia and about its progression

What Can Practitioners Who Work with

Older Adults Do to Resolve Disparities?

We can develop cultural competence, which is the ability to provide care to persons with di-verse beliefs, values, and behaviors and to tai-lor care to deliver to their linguistic, social, and cultural needs. Further, we can develop cultural humility, which is a full embrace and understanding of cultural differences. These principles can be practiced by: Considering each person as both an individual

and a product of their cultural background, heritage, language, and family

Understanding the linguistic, social, and cul-tural barriers that individuals from differ-ent backgrounds may face

Considering the culture’s typical perceptions of aging, caring for the elderly, and cognitive impairment

Understanding that there are ethnic differ-ences within a group

Being conscious of cultural dynamics when cul-tures interact

Developing programs and service that reflect diversity!

Aging and Health Care Disparities A Fact Sheet by Ryan Duffy

Check out these resources on the internet:

National Center for Cultural Competence (NCCC) http://www11.georgetown.edu/research/gucchd/nccc/

Alzheimer’s Association http://alz.org/index/asp