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 313-664-2607 or send the link to cheryldeep@wayne.edu.
Aging Well with Cathy Lysack
(October 27, 2011, 26: 58 minute clip, mp3 format)
Deputy Director Dr. Cathy Lysack talks with Bob Allison about new research by IOG student trainees on Aging and Function.
New health workshops (held by the HBEC) on cancer and men-only topics
(September 2011, 0:23:50 minute clip, mp3 format)
Our Community Education Coordinator, Pat Rencher, talks to Bob Allison about fascinating new health workshops on cancer and men-only topics.
Invisible Poverty
(August 2011, 0:19:00 minute clip, mp3 format)
Associate Director of Research Tom Jankowski talks to radio host Tony Trupiano (AM 1310) about the economic struggles of Michigan's older adults.
Minorities lag in mental health treatment, but some are working to change that
(July 2011, online)
For African Americans, 14 percent of those diagnosed with depression received the acceptable standard of care; for Mexican Americans, it was 12 percent, according to a National Institute of Mental Health study published last year. The study showed that only about half of Americans diagnosed with major depression in a given year are treated, and only one in five of those get treatment consistent with American Psychiatric Association guidelines. African Americans and Mexican Americans had the lowest rates of those getting the care they need. “First and foremost, identifying the problem is the big challenge," Wayne State University professor and clinical psychologist Hector Gonzalez told the Detroit Free Press on July 16. Gonzalez, the lead author on the study, went on to say, "Some cultures, particularly a lot of people in the black community, are not open or receptive to admitting to mental health problems. People end up acting out their mental health issues in ways that are destructive to themselves and others."
Is it realistic to expect the elderly to survive on social security alone?
(July 2011, online)
Thomas Jankowski, associate director of research at the Institute of Gerontology and the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute at Wayne State University, spoke with Craig Fahle about the Elder Security Index from Elder Law of Michigan. Jankowski discussed the economic security of people 65 years of age and older in the region and the rate of poverty among seniors in rural and urban areas.
Michigan senior citizens struggling economically, report says
(July 2011, online)
At least 1 in 4 senior citizens struggles to make ends meet, according to the paper by lead author Thomas Jankowski, "Invisible Poverty: New Measure Unveils Financial Hardship in Michigan's Older Population."
Study: Third of Lansing-area seniors are struggling financially
(July 2011, online)
Researchers at Wayne State University have found that more than one-third of Michigan's senior citizens are struggling to pay for food, housing, transportation and medical care they need.
WSU study: Spinal cord injury sufferers express positive view of their health
(July 2011, online)
Researchers at Wayne State University have found that adults with spinal cord injuries do not correlate the severity of their injuries with overall health.
Minorities lag in mental health treatment, but some are working to change that
(July 2011, online)
Clinical psychologist and Wayne State University professor Hector Gonzales, comments about the lack of understanding and knowledge about mental illness.
What's New with Healthier Black Elders?
(May 2011, 0:28:13 minute clip, mp3 format)
Outreach Coordinator Karen Daniels explains the mission of the Healthier Black Elders Center, new programs and the needs of our community.
(January 2011, pdf format)
IOG Director Peter Lichtenberg is quoted extensively in this detailed article from January's Downtown Birmingham & Bloomfield Magazine.
Do Different Races Receive Different Medical Care?
(February 2011, 0:27:46 minute clip, mp3 format)
Elham Mahmoudi, a Ph.D. candidate at the IOG, discusses the differences between racial and ethnic groups in their access to medical care. Older African Americans and Hispanics showed less access to physician care than Caucasians over the seven-year span of her research.
Smart Computer Use
(January 2010, 0:27:34 minute clip, mp3 format)
Nearly half of all persons age 65 and older now use computers. Dr. Cresci has taught computer skills to hundreds of inner-city seniors to help them access medical information, increase social interaction and keep their information safe online. Learn her valuable tips to use computers with ease and wisdom.
Invisible Depression
(December 2010, 0:29:35 minute clip, mp3 format)
Depression in older adults is a serious problem often hidden from loved ones because symptoms can be confused with other ailments. Learn what depression looks like in older adults, medications and illnesses that can cause it, and tips for relieving it. (Interview with IOG spokesperson Cheryl Deep)
Seniors Victimized by Fraud
(December 2010, 0:19:59 minute clip, mp3 format)
IOG Director Peter Lichtenberg discusses why seniors fall prey to con artists; downsizing problems for Michigan's older adults who are "rusting in place," financial gerontology and latest research from the Gerontological Society of America.
WWJ, 11/14
(November 2010, online)
Peter Lichtenberg, psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience professor and director of Wayne State’s Institute of Gerontology, comments about local seniors who reported being scammed during the last year.
Ready for Tomorrow? Seniors Count! Can Help
(November 2010, pdf format)
Seniors Count! is profiling older adults throughout southeast Michigan to find out who they are and what services they need. This joint project between the IOG and Adult Well-Being Services has posted its first results on the new website: www.seniorscount.org. Learn more about this critical database and future project goals.
Link to loneliness found as senior fraud runs rampant
(November 2010, online)
An excellent article about seniors being victimized by fraud appeared on the front page of today's Free Press. The article was inspired by Director Peter Lichtenberg's research into the circumstances, personalities and emotional status of seniors that leave them vulnerable to fraud and scams. We're especially pleased with the accurate and thorough reporting of these important results.
Time, Money and Aging
(October 2010, 0:28:17 minute clip, mp3 format)
Much of the research done by IOG fellow Dr. Jennifer Ward-Batts revolves around time and money. How do people spend their time as they grow older, before and after they retire? How is their financial status affected by a sudden health problem? The quality of our later years can be greatly impacted by these two issues. Click here to learn more as Dr. Ward-Batts discusses these time, money and aging with Aging Well host Bob Allison.
When Grandma is Mom
(October 2010, online)
Read about Detroit's grandparents who are bravely raising their grandchildren when their children cannot. Lifespan research done at the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute and the Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State is cited in the article.
It's a Good Bet You'll Find Lots of Elders in Casinos
(October 2010, online)
The column notes the potential problems when older adults become fixated on gambling as a way to stave off loneliness and add excitement to their lives. Mr. Stock writes about aging issues, so expect to see more information from the Institute of Gerontology in his articles in the future.
Low Testosterone Linked to Alzheimer's Risk
(October 2010, online)
IOG associate professor Dr. Scott Moffat adds a cautionary note to studies showing that low testosterone may be a precursor to Alzheimer's disease. MedicineNet is an online newsletter that is part of WebMD and dedicated to health, research and medical news announcements.
Bringing more balance to your life
(September 2010, 0:27:46 minute clip, mp3 format)
Dr. Allon Goldberg, faculty fellow at the IOG, gives tips for older adults on how to maintain balance skills and spot problems that could lead to a fall. Find out who is at risk and where to get help. Want to learn more about research on balance skills in older adults? Call Dr. Goldberg at 313-577-8608.
Lifelong Learning Workshops
(August 2010, 0:28:08 minute clip, mp3 format)
Outreach specialist Karen Daniels details the IOG's upcoming lifelong learning workshops to teach Detroit's older adults about healthy aging. The fall 2010 program includes free health screenings around the city, presentations on cooking with diabetes, managing chronic pain, and stroke prevention. Programs are part of the Healthier Black Elders Consumer Learning Series.
Grandparenting
(July 2010, 0:27:45 minute clip, mp3 format)
Lisa Ficker, Ph.D., discusses the growing number of grandparents who are parenting or co-parenting their grandchildren. The number of grandparents raising grandchildren in Detroit has increased from about 17,086 in 1990 to almost 27,000 in 2000. An additional rise is expected in the latest census numbers. What are the benefits and potential problems when older adults raise young children?
New Educational Seminars in Aging
(June 2010, 0:28:22 minute clip, mp3 format)
Terri Bailey describes the IOG's new Crossing Borders CE training on October 27 and the Be Assured, Your Insured seminar on Nov. 6. Crossing Borders brings financial planners, elder law attorneys, nurses, social workers, caregivers, and administrators together to understand the multiple aspects of care needed when older adults face major physical or cognitive changes. Be Assured, Your Insured
offers "one-stop shopping" for information direct from insurers about health care coverage and health reform during this critical open enrollment period. To learn more, call the IOG at 313-577-2297.
The Growing Need for Geriatric Nurses and Aging Expertise Across Specialties
(June 2010, online)
Dr. Kay Cresci's comments in a recent NurseZone article about the serious shortage of gerontological nurses.
The Keys to Extreme Aging
(May 2010, 0:27:17 minute clip, mp3 format)
Dr. John Woodard, this year's faculty fellow at the Institute of Gerontology, discusses living to 100. He is a researcher with the Georgia Centenarian study working with about 244 persons age 98 to 108 to learn the important factors for a long, productive life. Alzheimer's and dementia are not inevitable, and attitude definitely matters. Click here for the complete interview.
Wayne State Study: Childhood Economics Linked To Later Life Disability
(May 2010, online)
Having parents with a low level of education or an absent or deceased father during childhood may raise a person's risk for being disabled later in life, a recent study by two Wayne State researchers suggests.Principal investigator Mary Bowen, former National Institute on Aging postdoctoral research fellow at WSU and current resident of Tampa, Fla., and co-author Hector González, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Institute of Gerontology and the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences in WSU’s School of Medicine, were published in the American Journal of Public Health for their study examining early childhood economic conditions and risk for disability in older adulthood.
Participant Resource Pool
(April 2010, 0:29:36 minute clip, mp3 format)
This Aging Well segment discusses the need for African Americans to volunteer for research. Patricia Rencher, the IOG's coordinator of research volunteers, talks about our Participant Resource Pool database of older African American adults who are willing to consider participating in research projects. The database always needs volunteers, so please call 313-577-2297, ext. 351, and ask for Pat to learn how you can help.
Healthier Black Elders Center (HBEC)
(March 2010, 19:33 minute clip, mp3 format)
Dr. Carmen Green, HBEC Director talks about the HBEC and its 2010 8th annual health reception on the Aging Well Radio Show hosted by Bob Allison.
Olivia Washington: What's Next
(February 2010, 29:02 minute clip, mp3 format)
Dr. Olivia Washington, talks about what she is doing now that she is retrired on the Aging Well Radio Show.
The Pain Gap - Pain Management Disparities by race, gender
(February 2010, online)
Pain—100 million Americans say they live with it, it is the leading cause of disability and it is still misunderstood by the medical establishment, especially in women and minorities.
Overview of 2010 Programs
(January 2010, 28:25 minute clip, mp3 format)
Cheryl Deep gives gives an overview of upcoming programs in 2010 on the Aging Well Radio Show hosted by Bob Allison.
Depression Largely Going Untreated
(January 2010, online)
More than one in ten people in the U.S. suffer from major depression, yet most of them aren't getting appropriate treatment for the disease.
Wayne State, UM Study: Few Depressed Get Full Care
(January 2010, online)
Only about half of Americans diagnosed with major depression in a given year receive treatment for it and even fewer -- about one-fifth -- receive treatment consistent with current practice guidelines, according to data from national surveys supported by the National Institute of Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health.
Americans With Depression Are Undertreated
(January 2010, online)
Mexican-Americans, Caribbean blacks, and African-Americans with depression were half as likely as others to receive any type of depression treatment or the recommended care.
Depressing News About Depression
(January 2010, online)
Depression is one of the most widespread disabilities in the United States, but the vast majority of depressed adults aren't getting proper treatment for it, according to a new studay.
Mental Ills Are Often Overtreated and Undertreated
(January 2010, online)
In national surveys of more than 15,000 adults, researchers found that 8.3% met the diagnostic criteria for major depression during the previous year. About half those diagnosed received some form of treatment for depression, but less than a quarter were treated using strategies considered effective and used in accordance with American Psychiatric Association practice guidelines, one study found.
Depression Treatment Lacking for Many People
(January 2010, online)
Treatment for major depression is abysmal, according to a study published today in the Archives of General Psychiatry. In a national survey of 15,762 people, it found that only half of all people with depression received treatment.
Half of Depressed Americans Get No Treatment
(January 2010, online)
About half of Americans with major depression do not receive treatment for the condition, and in many cases the therapies are not consistent with the standard of care, according to a new study.
The Wrong Story About Depression
(January 2010, online)
A study led by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania indicating that the antidepressants Paxil and imipramine work no better than placebos (“than sugar pills,” said CNN) for people with mild to moderate depression.
Mental Health - Deficiencies in Treatment of Depression
(January 2010, online)
Researchers reported last week that antidepressant drugs seemed to be effective mainly in people with severe depression, not those with milder forms. Now another study is reporting that only about half of all Americans with depression receive treatment of any kind.
Most Depressed Adults Going Without Treatment
(January 2010, online)
Mexican Americans most likely to get no treatment or be undertreated, study finds. Dr. Hector Gonzalez, WSU School of Medicine Assistant Professor is quoted in BusinessWeek.
Aging, Cognitive Change and Capacity
(December 2009, 28:25 minute clip, mp3 format)
Dr. Peter Litchtenberg discusses what happens to our brains and our thinking as we get older and what's normal and what isn't on the Aging Well Radio Show hosted by Bob Allison.
Depression and Dementia among Latinos and other Ethnic Groups
(August 2009, 26:27 minute clip, mp3 format)
Dr. Hector Gonzalez, WSU School of Medicine Assistant Professor discusses depression and dementia among Latinos and other ethnic groups.
IOG Director Edits Once-A-Decade Journal on Alzheimer's
(August 2009, pdf format)
IOG Director Peter Lichtenberg edits the much anticipated journal, "Generations: Update on Dementia." This issue identifies the major changes and trends over the past 10 years in diagnosis, treatment and care of persons with Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias.
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.