Do you know of courses or classes at the university that address psychological intervention in older people?
Thank to you all

I’m a registered nurse (bachelors) of 4 years in the US, and I don’t plan on working the floor for the rest of my life. Currently 26 years old.

I’ve been working with geriatrics for the last 10 years professionally and want to make a difference. Whether that be policy, human services, or staying in healthcare. My current 5-10 year goal is to work for in patient hospice, stay on the floor for as long as I can handle it physically and mentally. I live in a major city in Texas and know of many AACOG facilities on the city/county level but want to try to get in on the state or federal level for the benefits and tenure. Once I have kids I would like to not be working inpatient. Is the return of investment on a Masters in Gero/Aging worth it?

Hey, I am a graduant student from germany. My biggest question right now is, what I am doing after school. I want to go to a german university and maybe study gerontology. I am interested in the question how people get older and most important how we can stop/reverse this process. But my close enviroment is telling me, that studying gerontology only to go into research is very difficult. Most of the jobs (in germany at least) are in retirement homes, but I have no interest in going down the path of nursing/caring. What are your advices for me? What would you do in my position?

Hi! I’m new here and I’m not a gerontologist, but I am a clinical social worker of 16 years specializing in gerontology.

A little context—thus far, I was the associate director of aging services for a federally-qualified health center focused on LGBTQ+ care (full Ryan White services, TGNC healthcare, etc.). The organization has been struggling for years. As part of a mass layoff, the entire Aging Services team and I have been laid off.

My team not only worked closely with the Geriatric Medicine team and with our Research department but we also provided comprehensive, specialized case management and care coordination to hundreds of patients, as well as 8 support and therapy groups catering to LGBTQ+ older adults. The whole team is comprised either of older adults or staff who have worked specifically with older adults for most of our careers.

At this point, I am working with my supervisor to try to get most of our groups facilitated by new teams, and some of our case management clients will be reassigned to new case managers, but the specialized care will no longer exist.

In the meantime, our ELT is spinning this with the claim that our aging community won’t be impacted at all, and that “integrated care” is better for everyone. While I know they had to cut from somewhere and I’m happy to be leaving, I wholeheartedly disagree that dumping our work onto already overworked teams who specialized in other work (largely Ryan White services) won’t negatively impact the patient population that is already underserved.

Is anyone familiar with research or data that shows the importance of specialized care for older adults?

Thank you!

To watch:

Proquest
Alexander Street
Plex (with ads)

A group of elders spends their weekdays in a retirement home in Sandim, in the north of Portugal, where they talk, do arts and crafts, practice yoga and pray. We follow them between October 2012 and March 2013, when an economic crisis overshadowed Portuguese society and unemployment rates reached record levels. Meanwhile, arrangements are made for the Carnival ball. Will they bring the first place home this time?

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2990342/
Letteboxd: https://boxd.it/nHqQ

Title. I’m very interested in older populations with dementia/neurodegenerative disorders. My goal has always been neuropsychology, but now I’m discovering gerontology.

I had a theory that we are constantly surrounded by information on healthy living and anti-aging. In this vast sea of data, if we could distill the most useful longevity hacks into a single book, would this be helpful?

So I got inspired and decided to figure out what the most common anti-aging advice is across books and websites. I’m planning to make the ultimate guide to longevity, In my upcoming FREE e book, you'll discover powerful anti-aging tips that will have you looking and feeling younger.

Here are the first 10 hacks from my free ebook, which will contain many more

If you would like a copy of the book please let me know.

Hack 01: Dairy vs Plant based milk.

A study published in the British Medical Journal followed 100,000 Swedish participants over a span of 20 years to investigate the relationship between milk intake and mortality rates. The study revealed that individuals with higher milk consumption tended to experience earlier deaths.

Recent scientific research indicates that milk, can significantly impact aging and overall health. Milk contains compounds that activate growth pathways in cells, like insulin receptors and mTOR receptors, potentially accelerating aging and increasing the likelihood of age-related diseases. Furthermore, milk's galactose content has been linked to aging and inflammation. Acne; journal of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Non-dairy milk options are often fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, making them suitable for those concerned about calcium intake or following a vegan lifestyle. Each type of alternative milk has unique nutritional properties.

Try hemp milk which is high in omega-3 and omega-6 fats or oat milk which is rich in fiber.

Hack 02: Natural vs processed sugars.

Interested in preserving your youthfulness? It's time to take a serious stance against the temptation of sugary treats. Rather than indulging in processed sweets, opt for the natural sweetness of fruits and vegetables (more specifically these). Why the switch? Processed sugars, unlike those found in natural sources, bind to proteins and fats in your body, forming harmful AGEs. These AGEs wreak havoc on collagen and elastin, essential components for maintaining youthful skin. Collagen provides structural support, while elastin ensures resilience. When AGEs hinder collagen repair and affect elastin, premature aging becomes inevitable. Not only does excessive sugar consumption age your skin, but it also contributes to weight gain and serious health conditions like cancer and Alzheimer's.

Added sugars lurk in a staggering 74 percent of packaged goods on grocery store shelves. With over sixty-one different names, including agave nectar, corn syrup, and molasses, sugar can be deceivingly pervasive. To safeguard your health, the American Heart Association advises limiting daily added sugar intake to six teaspoons for women and nine teaspoons for men.

Hack 03: Stand up straight.

Maintaining good posture not only enhances your appearance, potentially shedding off up to 5 pounds visually, but it also plays a pivotal role in graceful aging. Posture is the foundation of your bodily functions, influencing everything from your breathing and digestion to your concentration and circulation. Furthermore, adopting better posture has a profound impact on your overall well-being. While poor posture has increasingly been linked to increase in back pain; in the last several years a recent study suggest that poor posture has much more serious consequences. A 2013 study conducted in Japan followed different groups, with the first group exhibiting the best posture, while the second and third groups demonstrated poorer posture. After a 4.5-year period of tracking, researchers analyzed the participants' ability to independently perform daily tasks and noted the mortality rate within each group. The first group, characterized by optimal posture, served as the standard against which all other groups were measured. Comparatively, the second group exhibited a 46% higher likelihood of requiring assistance with daily activities or facing mortality. This percentage escalated to 290% for the third group and a staggering 393% for the fourth group.

Hack 04: Check your Waistline

Your waist measurement serves as a crucial gauge of your susceptibility to various health conditions, including high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, and diabetes, all of which heighten the risk of heart disease and stroke. Additionally, obesity presents a distinct risk factor for heart disease.

Measuring your waist circumference emerges as a straightforward yet indispensable method to assess the threat posed by abdominal fat. To obtain an accurate measurement, encircle the tape measure around your natural waist, positioned just above your belly button. Men should strive for a waist circumference of less than forty inches, while women should aim for less than thirty-five inches, as recommended by the American Heart Association. By monitoring this vital metric, you can proactively safeguard your health and longevity.

Losing weight is a topic on everyone’s mind, as evidenced by the hype around weight management medications like Wegovy and Ozempic. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a higher dose of semaglutide (marketed as Wegovy) specifically for chronic weight management. This approval has fueled interest and demand.

Hack 05: Best exercises for longevity.

There is not just one way that is the best way to exercise for longevity. The 2018 physical activity guidelines recommend adults engage in at least 150 to 300 minutes per week of moderate exercise or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous movement. Surprisingly, exceeding these recommendations can lower the risk of death. Moderate activities include walking and weightlifting, while running and swimming fall under vigorous exercise.

Bottom line: maintaining adequate levels of physical activity, moderate and vigorous, is crucial for reducing mortality and improving health outcomes.

A study involving 116,221 adults found that doubling or quadrupling the recommended vigorous or moderate exercise amounts led to significant reductions in all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality. Combining moderate and vigorous activity levels can provide maximum mortality reduction.

The exercise routine should include a combination of:

·         Strength

·         Balance

·         Steady cardio

·         High intensity workout

You can start by getting three hours per week of exercise.

Hack 06: Drink Water Instead of Soda.

As mentioned earlier in hack #2 you should cut processed sugar from your diet wherever you can. Studies have linked the consumption of processed sugars, particularly from sources like soda, to an increased risk of premature death. Regular intake of sugary beverages has been associated with various health issues, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain types of cancer. Additionally, soda consumption is linked to inflammation, exacerbating skin conditions like acne and eczema. Internally, soda can accelerate aging, with daily consumption associated with aging immune cells and shorter telomeres, which are linked to various health risks. Switch that soda for your favorite sparkling water.

Hack 07: Count your drinks.

Alcohol has dehydrating effects on the skin which contribute to wrinkles. Long-term drinkers may exhibit more noticeable signs of aging compared to non-drinkers. Nondrinkers can look much younger—by as much as ten years, according to some experts.  Excessive consumption can lead to various negative outcomes, including brain damage, increased risk of cancer, heart problems, and a shortened lifespan. To mitigate risks, hydrate with water alongside alcohol and consider reducing intake. According to a study by the British Heart Foundation, the safe upper limit for alcohol consumption is five glasses per week.

Hack 08: Drink Water After Alcohol

Alcohol can cause wrinkles by dehydrating the skin, causing inflammation and damaging collagen production. This makes lifelong drinkers appear older compared to non-drinkers. Some studies suggest that moderate alcohol consumption, particularly red wine, may have benefits such as reducing the risk of heart disease and potentially aiding brain health due to antioxidants like resveratrol, other data indicates significant negative effects, such as brain damage, cancer risk, heart problems, and a shorter lifespan. To mitigate these risks, it's recommended to drink a glass of water with each alcoholic drink and reduce overall alcohol intake. The British Heart Foundation advises a maximum of five alcoholic drinks per week to stay within safe limits. Use moisturizing products to combat dryness and anti-inflammatory skincare products to reduce redness and puffiness. Regularly use sunscreen to protect the skin from UV damage, which can be exacerbated by alcohol-induced skin sensitivity.

Hack 9: Text neck

Tech neck, also known as Turtle Neck posture or anterior head syndrome, isn't just about structural back and neck issues—it can also trigger panic and breathing difficulties. This syndrome, characterized by a strain at the neck and stiffness in the shoulders, can lead to headaches and worsen spinal damage over time. Individuals with tech neck often experience at least two tender areas or small hard nodules, sometimes referred to as triggers.

Maintaining a forward-rolled posture can significantly impact breathing, with symptoms of tech neck initially presenting subtly. Many individuals suffer from tech neck or forward head syndrome, a painful and increasingly common condition caused by prolonged slumping over electronic devices for hours each day, resulting in the loss of the neck's natural curve.

To combat tech neck improve your neck mobility

Chin tucks: Maintain a straight sitting position and gently draw your chin towards your chest while keeping your head level. Hold this position for 5 seconds and repeat several times.

Neck stretches: Slowly tilt your head to one side, bringing your ear closer to your shoulder, and hold for 5 seconds. Repeat on the other side.

Shoulder shrugs: Elevate your shoulders towards your ears, hold for a few seconds, and then relax them downwards. Repeat this motion 10-15 times.

Hack 10: Gratitude

Make gratitude a nightly habit! Each night, as you brush your teeth, think of three things from your day that you’re grateful for. It could be as simple as positive interactions you had during the day or someone complimenting your work. Research shows that practicing gratitude can boost your overall health, improve your sleep, reduce anxiety and depression, and increase life satisfaction. Gratitude also triggers the release of endorphins, the "happy hormones," which can lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart attack. All of this combined can lead to a happier, longer life.

Many people want to practice gratitude but find it hard to remember daily. So, make it easy: right before you close your eyes each night, reflect on three things you’re grateful for. It’s a simple habit that can transform your life.

Ultimately my book aims to help people lead longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives, contributing to their overall well-being and happiness. If you would like a free copy of the book please let me know.

In Mexico, gerontology is not well recognized by other health professionals and users. How can I help it become better known?

In 2 Months the price of cocoa doubled, because of bad weather conditions. I guess Beschuss of climate change? If anyone here is a real geologist, who knows a thing or two about the weather in African countries, could you please tell me your prediction what you think will happen?

Thank you:)

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanhl/article/PIIS2666-7568(22)00102-7/fulltext

Hello!

I am currently in my last semester for a bachelors of science in Human Services. I am undecided if I want to continue my education with a masters degree. I've found some Masters in Gerontology and Post Bachelors Certificates in Gerontology but I'm not sure if I want to pursue them?. I currently work at the department of social services in the Medicaid department but would like to eventually transition over to the adult services side. I have a strong passion for working with older adults because I was raised by and lived with my grandparents. I've watched them struggle, as I've gotten older, with the growing technological world and learning how to navigate it. I've watched my grandfather struggle with finding resources available to him after my grandmother passed from cancer last summer. It tears me up to know and witness first hand the problems that the elderly face with just trying to survive these days. 

My original goal and path was to go into medical social work after having experienced set backs and lack of general care when my grandmother was sick. I didn't want to see anyone else's family members go through that if they didn't have the strong advocacy that we gave her. I don't think social work will be feasible though as I am unable to complete the necessary internship hours required while working a full time job. I'm also not sure that I need to have a degree in social work in order to give assistance to seniors, provide them with resources, act as an advocate, and just....care? Do you have any advice for me? Would either of them be beneficial to me? Should I look into something else?

Hi folks,

I am interested in pursuing a career in gerontology. I have an opportunity to apply for a Master of Applied Gerontology program at a university close to where I live. My undergrad is in social work and while I understand that the natural path is to go for an MSW, that is not an option for me at this time.

This course is a three-semester degree with a 300-hour practicum in the final semester. I guess I am wondering if this is a worthwhile endeavour? Would a combination BSW and MAG lead to good employment opportunities in the field? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Does it affect my life expectancy and how much? M19

does anyone have a free pdf of the book Introduction to Aging, 2nd Edition, Judith Sugar? if so pls send over its hella expensive

Or 100 y.o people wont be amazing?