Every day VCU Gerontology and College of Health Professions students, alumni, faculty and staff do extraordinary things. Read more about our latest achievements and Department news here.
The Virginia Geriatric Education Center (VGEC) at Virginia Commonwealth University has recently been awarded a $5 million grant renewal to help address the emerging health needs of this growing population.
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) has awarded $28 million in funding through its Elder Justice Innovation Grants Program. This initiative aims to enhance the safety and well-being of older adults by increasing the availability of emergency and transitional housing and supportive services for older adults, including those with disabilities, who experience abuse, neglect and/or exploitation. The Virginia Center on Aging is one of the six grantees chosen for its significant contribution to addressing issues related to the well-being and safety of older adults. The funding will empower the Center to develop new strategies and resources that will help combat elder abuse and improve the lives of older adults.
What if the concept of "you're only as old as you feel" wasn't as helpful as you may have thought? In her TEDx talk, Dr. Tracey Gendron explains what feeling your age really means, and how we can change the way we think about growing older.
The Health Humanities Lab (HHL) at the Humanities Research Center and the Office of Health Equity (OHE) are happy to announce the 2024-25 Health Equity Fellows:
However, some experts argue that these concerns are rooted in ageism rather than fact.
Tracey Gendron, Ph.D., executive director, Virginia Center on Aging, and chair and professor of Gerontology, and others weigh in on whether the concern that the presidential candidates are too old to run is rooted in ageism. Listen to the Cincinnati Edition to hear about the implications of age in the presidential race.
Kimberly Ivey, Leland "Bert" Waters, and Sarah A. Marrs recently published Don't Treat Us Like Fragile Babies: Mentors' Perspectives of an Intergenerational Mentoring Program for Medical Students in the Journal of Intergenerational Relationships. In the article, the research shows the importance of reciprocal relationships in addressing ageism in health care. This research builds off of previous studies involving older adults mentoring medical students.
The Richmond Brain Health Institute (RBHI) provides dementia-related screening, education, coaching, referrals for support and monitoring, and research opportunities in Richmond. RBHI particularly targets areas of low-income, largely Black and African American communities that are disproportionately affected by long-standing economic and social conditions that leave residents without adequate health care options.
Jennifer Pryor was selected as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Virginia for 2023. She is the Graduate Program Director for the Department of Gerontology at Virginia Commonwealth University. She also serves as the Co-Director for the NAB-accredited assisted living administration specialty area within the Master of Science in Gerontology program where she is an instructor, advisor, and supervisor to students who are in pursuit of their license as an assisted living administrator. At the undergraduate level, Jennifer serves as the Director of Service Learning for the Bachelor of Science in Health Services program in the College of Health Professions where she also teaches and works with students to develop their skills in healthcare management. Finally, at the national level, Jennifer serves as the Vice Chair of the Education Committee with the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB). To support her work in all of these roles, Jennifer maintains a valid Virginia License in Assisted Living Administration.
A network of long-term care medical directors and clinicians will develop best practices around COVID-19 treatments and infection prevention guidelines for senior living communities, nursing homes and other congregate care settings in Virginia.
VCU’s Department of Gerontology in the College of Health Professions was founded in 1976 and remains the only MS in Gerontology in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Our mission to promote optimal aging for individuals and communities is evident through our
Rachel Ramirez, executive director of the Lifelong Learning Institute in Chesterfield, recently took part in a podcast for "Chesterfield Behind the Mic." Here, she talks about the mission and work of the non-profit, the way it serves residents, and why it’s so important for us to continue to find ways to learn.
Tracey Gendron, Ph.D., director of the Virginia Center on Aging at VCU, is the author of the new book "Ageism Unmasked: Exploring Age Bias and How to End It." (Tom Kojcsich, University Marketing)
By Malorie Burkett and Kim Ivey
VCU College of Health Professions
By Malorie Burkett
VCU College of Health Professions
mgburkett@vcu.edu
Annie Rhodes has been named by her alma mater, Virginia Commonwealth University, as one of the university’s top 10 graduates of the past decade.
Jenny Inker, assistant professor and co-director for Assisted Living Administration and Tracey Gendron, chair and associate professor in the Department of Gerontology, recently were honored with Innovative Research on Aging Awards. The awards recognize excellent applied research that offers important implications for the senior living industry.
After a long year of pandemic, older Virginians finally have some something they've longed for - hugs. And hope. Richmond Time Dispatch interviews Tracey Gendron, Ph.D., on her thoughts about the rise of ageism in our nation over the Covid-19 Pandemic.