The purpose of this study was to examine the experience of Senior Companions with telephone reassurance program training delivered via Zoom and the feasibility of using teleconferencing as a platform for training older adult volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Volunteers were recruited from a local Senior Companion Program. We assessed…

Since 2004, we have offered a postgraduate training program in aging research for social work faculty from across the country. The overarching goal of the program is to expand the pool of social work faculty engaged in aging research. This, in turn, will reinvigorate participants' teaching; prepare them to update aging-related content in the…

Objective: To describe the annual operational costs of a mature Experience Corps[R] program in elementary schools in the Baltimore City Public School System. Methods: Systematic records of expenditures kept by the community partner, Greater Homewood Community Corporation, to be reported to funders were made available for analysis. Expenditures…

Mentoring junior faculty in geropsychology is becoming more critical due to the paucity of geropsychologists and the financial and talent costs experienced by universities of faculty turnover. This paper presents the unique aspects of mentoring junior faculty as opposed to mentoring of graduate students or interns. It also examines some of the…

Describes a model project developed to teach effective coping skills to the aged. Lists objectives of the program workshops and describes approaches to coping with stress due to life transitions. (Author/RC)

Offers practical suggestions for the design and implementation of peer counseling programs for older adults. General suggestions include trainee selection, setting goals, and providing followup. Also presents specific recommendations on group size, format, leadership qualities, and conducting training. (Author/JAC)

Reports the planning, implementation, and evaluation of a training program for foster grandparents employed at a residential center for disturbed children. Describes training objectives focused on the role of the foster grandparents in helping their charges to develop socially acceptable behavior. A cognitive problem-solving strategy was taught.…

This study of futurism is important to gerontology in order to bridge the gap between theory, policy statement, and actual practice in the field of aging. There is a need to prepare competent individuals for direct service, and to provide increased exposure to gerontology throughout the curriculum. (Author/LPG)

Emphasizes preservice education and training of older persons for work with their peers. Describes three training programs with older participants: the Senior Companion Program, the Health and Fitness Program, and the Closing the Generation Gap Project. (RC)

Relates the theory of learned helplessness to the losses of aging, and describes a brief experiential training program for service providers, teaching interpersonal skills useful in working with the depressed elderly. Focuses on reducing helplessness by allowing the elderly to have impact within the counseling interaction. (RC)

This article reports a model for the preparation of gerontologists and health workers concerned about increasing cooperation and understanding between these professions. The project discussed entailed the cooperative efforts of the Oregon State University gerontology program and Department of Health, a tricounty area agency on aging, and community…

Describes and analyzes a pilot social work education program in the mental health of older women. It discusses developmental activities related to planning, implementation, and evaluation of the model. The preliminary outcomes of this five-year project may offer some guidelines and alternatives for training professionals. (Author)

Describes a short-term experiential project for gerontology students in minority/ethnic communities which can serve as a model for universities. Results indicate the project enhanced academic study and provided students a meaningful introduction to designing and implementing effective health and social service programs for minority/ ethnic…

Relating course material in adult development and aging to other academic areas is discussed. A number of suggestions for programs are given that take into account the needs of students, the amount of support from the institution, and the availability of resources for student placement. (Author)

Describes a one-year certificate program designed to meet inservice and preservice training needs in educational gerontology. The curriculum uses a modular format and stresses communication skills, culture variability, gerontology, management and service skills. Found over half the students are adults or community professionals. (Author/JAC)