Story by Valerie Orleans '80
Images by Phil Channing

Broad-Based Gerontology Programs Reach Out to Seniors, Students and Caregivers

There is usually a honeymoon period after retirement, according to Pauline Abbott, director of Cal State Fullerton’s Institute of Gerontology. This can last anywhere from several months to a few years… but then what?

“How much golf can you play? How many times can you watch the same television programs?” Abbott asks. “Retirees often start asking themselves, ‘What else is there?’”

The answer – at least at Cal State Fullerton – is plenty. Through a partnership of academics, community service and lifelong learning opportunities, seniors are reaping the benefits of programs that help students, older adults and the community at large.

Programs such as CLE (Continuing Learning Experience) reach out to hundreds of seniors each week—providing classes that enable participants to expand or learn new skills. Members can also attend lecture series that typically feature university professors discussing topics ranging from politics to history to art. Or they may choose to participate in activities that focus on socializing, travel or community service.

The Center for Successful Aging focuses on programs, education, research and outreach related to healthy aging. A variety of health, physical, psychological and functional assessments are offered as well as health, fitness and rehabilitation programs. In addition, the center provides student and in-service training to prepare gerontologists, health care practitioners, rehabilitative specialists and fitness leaders to work with older adults.

The master of science in gerontology program provides students with the opportunity to learn more about the needs of older Americans as well as the challenges of facing an aging population. Departments such as psychology, sociology, biology, kinesiology, human services, counseling and many others offer programs designed with the needs of older adults in mind.

In addition, a number of faculty members continue to work on research projects that will directly impact the lives of senior citizens — everything from the impact of grandparents raising grandchildren to foot problems to how the elderly are integrated into families are being studied by academics and, often, their students.

The Ruby Gerontology Center, founded in 1979, provides a home for a variety of services which benefit older adults as well as Cal State Fullerton students. Here, lifelong learners have access to classrooms, a fully equipped auditorium, computer labs, health screening areas, exercise rooms and more.

A designated building ensures that older adults can participate in on-going programs with a minimum of disruption. And, the building was built with private funds — most provided by older adults of the community.

Certificate programs in a variety of subject areas are also offered through the university’s extended education programs for those who wish to work with older adults.

“As the population ages, the need for those who understand how to work with an older population increases,” said Abbott. “Older adults have special needs and Cal State Fullerton is in the forefront of training a workforce that understands these needs.”

The Institute of Gerontology, the umbrella under which most of these programs are run, also includes the Center for the Study of Economics and Aging (focusing on promoting the study of economics as it relates to aging — work, retirement, health, housing, etc.) and the Movement Enhancement Program.

“We pride ourselves on having something for everybody,” said Abbott. “We have programs for older adults, for family members of older adults, for students and for the community to help them learn more about the needs and desires of older adults.”

Programs range from “mini med” lecture series (focusing on various aspects of health and wellness), computer classes, balance and mobility programs, health screenings, programs on how to deal with specific issues (ranging from hoarding by older adult family members to how to deal with finances and caregiver issues), as well as research programs on a variety of issues. Working cooperatively with many community-based programs that provide service to older adults is another area of focus.

The Institute also takes an active interest in public policies that affect the lives of older adults. In fact, Abbott (as well as active CLE member Dee Urman of Placentia) have been appointed to the White House Council on Aging that will meet in Washington, D.C. this fall to discuss issues affecting senior citizens.

“We are very fortunate to work with local political leaders who recognize the importance of having strong programs to support older adults,” said Abbott. So, why would a university be interested in programs designed for older adults?

“The focus is on students,” Abbott says. “However, there’s no mistaking that our population is aging. Historically, universities have been focused on civic engagement. We are looking toward the future.

“Many of the jobs of the future will focus on involvement with an older population. We want to make sure that senior citizens receive the best possible care by helping to train a workforce that meets these needs. So I guess you could say our purpose is two-fold: First, to ensure that Cal State Fullerton students receive a sound education and training that will help them succeed in careers and secondly, to meet the needs of our communities which will increasingly be focused on older adults.

“Currently, in many instances, although not all, you need more licensing to cut hair than provide basic care to older adults,” Abbott reflected. “As an adult child, that should give you pause. There are credentials people must have before being able to care for children but, in many instances, there are no such credentials needed to work with older adults.”