As life expectancy in the United States continues to increase, there is a need to enhance interest and competency in working with older adults. There have been efforts to do so in recent years, but research indicates that there are barriers, such as lack of awareness and negative perceptions of aging. This qualitative study examines the…

An educational program was developed to train practitioners to provide care for patients and families that are responsive to cultural concerns. The aim was to increase knowledge and improve attitudes toward providing culturally proficient and culturally sensitive care for patients and families facing life-threatening illnesses. The program…

A review of recent trends in multidisciplinarity shows some ambivalence about efforts to integrate gerontology education in higher education. Gerontology instruction is in danger of becoming fragmented and specialized. (SK)

A faculty development program combining social services, human performance, psychology, nutrition, audiology, and nursing had four phases: study of gerontology theories, practical experience, course development, and test of curriculum materials. Ten faculty developed 50 instructional units; 300 undergraduate students demonstrated significant gains…

An end-of-life interdisciplinary graduate seminar incorporated culture throughout the course. Cultural variability related to the life course, ethical/moral issues, and spirituality were presented by an anthropologist, nurse ethicist, and sociologist with the intention of increasing cross-cultural understanding. (Contains 28 references.) (SK)

Describes a two-year, multisite, curriculum-development project aimed to increase the pool of professionals trained in geriatric and/or gerontological social work. Methods included providing advanced training in aging, cultural competence, and interdisciplinary practice; developing, implementing, and testing an innovative student curriculum based…

A three-component geriatric-gerontology program developed at the University of Utah is described that consists of a lecture course, clinical clerkships, and a gerontology certificate program. This multidisciplinary approach enables students to gain a broad perspective in the complex health care of the elderly. (Author/MLW)

The program development project described in this report was undertaken at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to develop faculty expertise and experience in undergraduate teaching in gerontology and to lay the foundation for an interdisciplinary, undergraduate minor in gerontology. Three core courses for the minor in gerontology were…

A pilot project to explore the feasibility of using the clinical Adult Service Psychiatry Consultation-Liaison Program at the University of Michigan as the locus for teaching medical gerontology to psychiatric and medical/surgical residents and medical students is described. The goals, techniques, content, and implementation procedures are…

Distance education online in gerontology in academic settings is designed to reflect content relevant to gerontology practices, academic standards, teaching strategies, and technology that embrace content delivery while enhancing learning. A balance with community services and needs for older adult populations, academic integrity, stakeholders,…

This paper discusses the need for teaching about aging as part of the school curriculum; examines some of the important issues about aging in American society; relates aging to the various disciplines of the social sciences; and suggests teaching strategies, learning activities, and resources materials for grades K-12. The first chapter answers…

This manual is designed to aid elementary and secondary teachers in creating programs to teach about aging. Goals of this program are to (1) provide young people with a better understanding of the aging process, (2) provide a perspective of the meaning of education in one's own life, (3) establish cross-generational understanding and cooperation,…