Community Outreach
Long-running, Multi-year Programs to Engage and
Educate Seniors, Health Professionals and the Public
Established in 1965, the Institute of Gerontology has long been a leader in outreach to both professionals and members of the community. As a nationally recognized authority on aging issues, our mission is to conduct research and to translate the findings of our current knowledge to seniors and their caregivers. Our team of faculty, students and staff, as well as countless volunteeers shares a passion and dedication to the promotion of successful aging. Their talent and expertise combine to create the following signature IOG programs:
Hosted by Institute of Gerontology
Annual Art of Aging Successfully Conference
Our volunteer core, The Elder Advisors to Research joined with the IOG faculty in 1999 to create a conference organized by seniors for seniors. What began as an experiment has evolved into a much-anticipated annual event for a sell-out crowd of almost 500 seniors (and growing). The conference, anchored by a well-respected keynote speaker and featuring several break-out workshops, promotes creative expression, social connection and information on ways to positively embrace all facets of aging.
For more information use this link or contact Donna MacDonald at (313) 875-6834 or donnamacdonald@wayne.edu.
IOG Weekly Colloquium and Professional Development
Each week during the academic year, we invite local and national speakers, students and community professionals to provide a one-hour presentation on a topic related to aging and health. Recent titles include: End-of-Life Care, Hypertension Interventions, Low Impact Stress, Circadian Rhythms, and Successful Aging. Sessions are free and open to the public.
For more information use this link or contact Patricia Rencher at (313) 577-2297 x351 or patrencher@wayne.edu.
The Institute's Issues in Aging Conference provides health professionals with two full days of expert presentations that earn continuing education credits. May 11, 2009 - Caring and Controversy: Latest in Medical and Behavioral Care for Dementia and May 12, 2009 New Findings and Practices in Physical and Mental Health Promotion. This conference is held locally and draws approximately 250 attendees each year. Health Professionals: CE/ME Credits are now available.
For more information use this link or contact Donna MacDonald at (313) 875-6834 or donnamacdonald@wayne.edu.
IOG Faculty Speakers Bureau
We offer the expertise of our diverse range of faculty and pre-doctoral students to speak on a variety of relevant topics to health professionals, seniors, families and caregivers. We have given community presentations across the greater Detroit area to a cumulative audience of more than 1,000.
For more information or to schedule a speaker, contact Terri Bailey at (313) 577-2297 x235 or tbailey@wayne.edu or Donna MacDonald at (313) 875-6834 or donnamacdonald@wayne.edu. You may also use this link.
Windows on the World of Aging Learning Series
A dynamic new learning series developed by the outreach department at the IOG to educate seniors on the cutting edge research being done in the world of gerontology. These series are designed to expand our educational outreach to seniors and caregivers who might have difficulty attending a larger event. These events take place in smaller venues such as community centers and cultural facilities and include one or more presenters on topics.
For more information please use this link or contact Donna MacDonald at (313) 875-6834 or donnamacdonald@wayne.edu.
Hosted by Institute of Gerontology and University of Michigan
Healthier Black Elders Center Health (HBEC)
HBEC Consumer Health Learning Series
HBEC has begun its commitment to connect Detroit's seniors and their families to current knowledge about aging and health. This year's HBEC free learn series have expanded to include new locations with a broader list of speakers and topics. The learning series are held once a month between February through April and then again in October and November on a weekday at various metro locations.
For more information please contact Patricia Rencher at (313) 577-2297 x351 or patrencher@wayne.edu
HBEC Annual Health Reception
Older African Americans have much higher rates of chronic disease and poverty than older Caucasians, a disparity that the IOG has investigated for over a decade. As one means of reversing this trend and helping to make the African American community more comfortable with health interventions, the IOG created, the Healthier Black Elders Celebration held each June. This event draws approximately hundreds of elders and their families to a free day of inspirational and educational speeches, health screenings, a nutritious lunch, exercise, music and dance. We educate while we celebrate!
For more information on the above events please use this link or contact either Karen L. Daniels at kldaniels@wayne.edu.
Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research (MCUAAAR) Annual Summer Training Workshop on African American Aging Research
The MCUAAAR summer workshops are aimed at providing less experienced investigators with opportunities to expand their knowledge and understanding of methodologies utilized in conducting research on racial/ethnic health disparities in elderly African Americans.
For more information, please use this link or contact Minti Henderson at (734) 615-3629 or minti@isr.umich.edu.
"With the constant changing needs and trends of our senior population
we feel that education is the key to a healthy, productive way of life. “