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CAREERS IN AGING WEEK (April 10-16, 2011)
Event Summaries
Careers in Aging Week 2011 was a success! Students attended a number of University sponsored discussion panels, career fairs, and film screenings. The Geriatric Social Work Initiative thanks the Schools of Social Work below who planned and shared the successes from their CIAW events.
Click here to view a slide show of pictures from the 2011 CIAW events described below.
 CIAW Event Summaries
University of Arkansas School of SW
Some Things Get Better with Age: A Careers
in Aging Week Event. Nearly forty students, faculty, professionals and
community members attended the event held on April 12, 2011 at the Osher
Center for Lifelong Learning. MSW graduate student, Hannah Kimbrough used
Prezi technology to illustrate diverse job opportunities in aging in Northwest
Arkansas. The presentation included professional interviews, pictures,
statistics and myths about aging, client remarks, and information about local
organizations. A panel of five local professionals followed, discussing their
jobs and answering questions from the audience. The panel included Valerie
Alsbrook, BSN, RN of the Schmieding Center, Kathleen Dorn, M. ED, CPP of the
Osher Center for Lifelong Learning, Tammie Smith, CSN APN, Carolyn Wheeler,
LSW, CMC, of Schmieding C.A.R.E.S., and Gillian Woods, PH.D., LPE of
Washington Regional Senior Health. The event was hosted by the O.L.L.I and the
University of Arkansas School of Social Work.
The event was a success! Each participant was encouraged to complete an
evaluation form regarding the event. The feedback was very positive. When
asked to write something that you are taking away from today’s program, a
participant wrote, “How large the need is [for jobs working with older adults]
and is going to be in the future.” Quoting one participant, "I have gained a
greater appreciation for older adults." From this feedback, we were able to gain insight on how to improve on the event in the future. One student
suggested that we have information on hospice and possibly inform participants
about opportunities for volunteering. We were hoping to get representation on
the panel from the local hospice in our area; however, no one from hospice was
able to attend this year. Hopefully in the future they will be able to participate. Another participant suggested that we have, “some information
from clients about what kind of qualities and characteristics they want to see
in nurses or social workers, so we can develop into the professionals we need
to better suit their needs.” We really like this idea and want to incorporate
client testimonies and suggestions in the next event. Door prizes and snacks
were provided with funds from the CIAW grant.
New York University Silver School of SW
The Gerontology Student Collective of NYU Silver School of Social work held a
successful panel event on April 5th. The theme of our event was: Working with
and Advocating for Older Adults.
About 20 people attended and the audience was comprised of current social work
students (both graduate and undergraduate), alumni, and graduate students from
other schools at NYU. Our 3 panelists were: Dr. Daniel Gardner, Assistant Professor at NYU Silver
School of Social Work, Kimberly Williams, Director of the Geriatric Mental
Health Alliance of New York, and Shyvonne Noboa, a recent NYU Silver School
MSW Graduate, who now works as a social work coordinator helping Seniors.
The panelists spoke for 20 minutes each about their experience working in the
gerontological social work field. They then answered many varied questions
from the audience. There was lively discussion about upcoming policy and
funding issues, advocacy initiatives and direct practice questions. Everyone
also enjoyed the refreshments and Careers In Aging Week materials and goodies
that were available.
The majority of the audience was comprised of Gerontology Student Collective (GSC) members. We were very inspired by the success of this event and are
motivated to put on additional events in the future. We succeeded in
recruiting some new members and are confident that our group and our agenda
will grow in the coming months!
Indiana University School of SW
Indiana University School of Social Work (IUSSW) held its second annual ‘Careers in Aging Panel Presentation,’ offered to both BSW and MSW students, on Tuesday, April 12, 2011. The panel was comprised of six members of the Hartford Partnership Program for Aging Education (HPPAE) University-Community Partnership—four service providers and two HPPAE students. Panelists discussed their career paths, their current employment/practicum experiences, and what they like about working with older adults. Time was allotted for questions and answers. The panel discussion was presented during the lunch hour in the IUSSW Commons area. The SSW was pleased to have 26 attendees attend the event, in addition to the panelists.
Ohio University Department of SW
Ohio University Department of Social Work partnered with the Gerontology Certificate Program to hold a “Careers in Aging Week” event on campus. More than 50 students attended a panel discussion featuring professionals working in speech and language pathology, social work, nursing, and long-term care administration. Discussants shared their experiences working with older adults and answered questions from the audience such as, “What’s a typical day like for you?” and “What do you think are some misconceptions people have about the work that you do?” Some of the feedback from students who attended:
"The panel opened my eyes to many aspects of working with older adults."
“'Rewarding' was a word that I heard a lot last Thursday from the professionals at the Careers in Aging Event."
"I enjoyed hearing different perspectives from different types of jobs in the gerontology field… Their talk of challenges in the field and things that they love I found to be the most interesting."
"I really enjoyed going to this panel discussion, and really learned a lot!"
An open house immediately followed the panel discussion where students could enjoy refreshments and browse information about the Social Work Department and the Gerontology Certificate Program.
Future projects include inviting gerontology faculty from across campus to start a committee to promote and strengthen the Gerontology Certificate Program at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Click here to view photos from this event.
University of Washington, School of SW
On Apirl 15th, a panel discussion titled "Aging is a Social Justice Issue: Ageism, Racism, Heterosexism" was held. Click here to view the video from this panel discussion.
Loyola University School of SW
On April 8, 2011, the Institute on Aging and Intergenerational Study and Practice within the School of Social Work, Loyola University Chicago, hosted a spectacular event, featuring the newest film of writer, director, Stu Maddux.
This was a memorable event!! Approximately 70 men and women, aged 23-70, gay, lesbian, transgendered and straight, gathered to share their experiences, watching the compelling film, GenSilent, listening to a lecture/discussion led by Stu Maddux, and facilitated by faculty members Michael Dentato and Marcia Spira.
The compelling reasons to share such a special film were evidenced by the audience reactions. The film which depicts the realities of growing old in the LGBT community and the resurgence of prejudice experienced by older members of the community as they seek health care, residence and acknowledgement of their relationships, provided nothing less than transformative moments for the attendees. One young woman, raised in an environment of homophobia and intolerance, shared her new found “consciousness” about the issues and her desire to learn more. Another young man who took for granted the acceptance of his sexual orientation grappled with the potential concerns of his anticipated older years.
This was an evening that stirred the hearts of all who were in attendance. The coordinators of the event are moving on to develop infusion curriculum for social work courses, as well as to promote further dialogue among the students and extend the internship opportunities to communities of older people. They will present a workshop at the Council for Social Work Education meetings in the fall of 2011.
Saint Louis University School of SW
The School of Social Work’s Aging Department hosted an activity further educating and celebrating Aging Week. The film “Away from Her” truly stimulated discussion amongst participants and panel members about dementia and issues that arise with the disease. Panelist Jan McGillick, Education Director of the Alzheimer’s Association St. Louis Chapter, discussed the different stages of Alzheimer’s disease, and ways in working with patients and their families. Myra Katz, President and owner of Aging in Place Home Solutions, discussed home modification to keep those with dementia safe and in their homes for as long as possible. Mike Malone, MSW graduate student, shared personal experience in living with a loved one with dementia, and also professional experience working with patients and families. Last but not least, Dr. Sue Tebb, discussed working with caregivers and older adults suffering from dementia.
A nice variety of healthy snacks and beverages, educational pamphlets, pens, bags and other goodies were provided with the CIAW grant monies. Overall, the film screening was a success because it provided education on dementia, working with older adults, and helped students network and see different ways in working in this field.
To view a list of 2011 Careers in Aging Week (CIAW) grant recipients, click here.
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