Media Coverage
Recent coverage of IOG events by local and national news agencies is posted here as a print article, an audio file or a podcast. If you spot a reference to the Institute of Gerontology, its research or its community outreach events that is not posted here, please contact Cheryl Deep, Media Relations Manager, at 313-577-2297 (ext. 285) or send the link to cheryldeep@aol.com.
More of Detroit's aged go hungry as economy falters
(January 2009, pdf format)
Concerns about seniors during this downward economic spiral we need to make sure the seniors in our lives are eating and have other basic needs met.
Caring for Aging Parents
(December 2008, 1:07 minute clip, mp3 format)
Detroit's WWJ 950 NewsRadio Pat Sweeting, IOG Director Dr. Peter Lichtenberg and a recent study gives a better understanding of how we age.
American House Foundation Gives Food, Clothes To Select Seniors
(December 2008, pdf format)
On Dec. 22, 2008, 100 seniors in need received free food and clothing at the Central United Methodist Church, 23 E. Adams Ave., Detroit 48226, from 10:45 am to 1:00 pm.
Dr Gonzalez to address dementia on nation's largest Hispanic TV network
(December 2008, pdf format)
WSU School of Medicine assistant professor was interviewed about dementia and other health problems among the Latino population by the nation’s largest private non-profit Spanish-language network of non-commercial telecommunications systems.
Local Agencies Receive Funds to Track Senior Population Trends (WWJ-Caring for Your Aging Parents)
Wayne State University, nonprofit share grant to study seniors (Crain's Detroit Business)
(December 2008, pdf format)
IOG will partner with Adult Well-Being Services will share $275,000 to conduct a two-year pilot program entitled Seniors Count to help older adults!
(December 2008, pdf format)
Patricia Pasick describes the work of three Ann Arbor couples (IOG's Dr. Mark Luborsky) in Rwanda, and how the country has changed their lives.
League Focuses on Mental Health and Aging
(December 2008, 1:21 minute clip, mp3 format)
Reporter Tracy Clemons and IOG Director Dr. Peter Lichtenberg discuss how depression affects between 30 and 50 percent of long-term nursing care patients.
Fall 2008 Interviews on Detroit Area Agency on Aging 1-B Senior Solution Radio WGPR 107.5 FM
Listen to IOG Director Dr. Peter Lichtenberg’s previously recorded interviews with experts in aging from around the country as he guest-hosted the Detroit Area Agency on Aging 1-B Senior Solution Radio Show, WGPR 107.5 FM. Tune into the Senior Solution live every Saturday morning from 10 – 11 am, to hear host Paul Bridgewater, president and CEO of the Detroit Area Agency on Aging, discuss topics of interest to older adults and their caregivers.
Respecting Research Participants
(9:08 minute clip, mp3 format)
Terry Mills, PhD, Dean of the Division of Humanities & Social Science, Morehouse College. Dr. Mills explains the field of ethnogerontology that explores the causes, processes and consequences of race, minority status or ethnic group status on biological, psychological and social aging. He emphasizes the importance of cultural competence and sensitivity in connecting with diverse populations to build trust and foster reliable research.
Avoiding Disability
(6:36 minute clip, mp3 format)
Brooke Schneider, MA, Institute of Gerontology graduate student, discusses her research into the physical and cognitive changes (including mood) that can predict disability in older African American adults. Brooke also explains how research participants are identified and how this type of research is conducted. Specific memory, thinking and physical tests were administered to determine status.
Lessons Learned After Heart Failure
(11:25 minute clip, mp3 format)
Faith Pratt Hopp, Ph.D., assistant professor in the School of Social Work at Wayne State University, lead focus-groups and interviews of persons who had experienced heart failure. The interviews examined patients’ understanding of their condition and knowledge of symptoms that could alert them to future heart problems. Results noted important barriers to heart failure care and the fear most patients felt on diagnosis. It also highlighted the positive coping strategies emerging from patients’ spiritual and community interactions.
Social Connections Keep Older Adults Healthier
(12:40 minute clip, mp3 format)
Carlos Mendes de Leon, Ph.D., professor in the department of internal medicine, Rush University Medical Center, discusses the social factors that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease and other aging-related disabilities. Friendships, relationships and social connections positively affect health and well-being in older adults in both Caucasian and African American communities. A convenient physical lay-out of a neighborhood can significantly foster these connections.
Movement and Aging
(8:59 minute clip, mp3 format)
Diane Adamo, Ph.D., post-doctoral fellow at the Institute of Gerontology, talks about how aging can change our ability to use sensory information and affect our ability to perform motor tasks. In general, we move more slowly and take longer to organize tasks as we get older. Sometimes this can make older adults reluctant to leave the known and comfortable environment of their home and venture into less known situations. Often, though, some motor skill deficiencies can be restored with physical and cognitive training.
Is Gambling Harmful for Older Adults?
(August 2008, 27 minute interview, mp3 format)
IOG Director Dr. Peter Lichtenberg was interviewed on WDET101.9FM - Detroit Today show to discuss his latest study on how casual gambling can lead to serious problems among older adults. Discussion includes why older adults can be particularly vulnerable to problems, the nature of gambling addiction, and what can be done to help.
Taking Care of Elderly -- by Remote Control
(June 2007, 1:23 minute clip, mp3 format)
Technological devices such as QuietCare can help resolve some of the conflicts by allowing seniors to stay in their home and have privacy, said Thomas B. Jankowski, IOG Associate Director of Research. "This kind of technology has a lot of promise," he said. "It gives (seniors) control. It's very disruptive for someone who has lived in their home for so many years to up and move."