Programs to Engage and Educate Seniors and Their Caregivers
Established in 1965, the Institute of Gerontology has long been a leader in outreach to seniors and their caregivers. As a nationally recognized authority on aging issues, our mission is to conduct research and to translate the findings of our current knowledge. Our team of faculty, students and staff, as well as countless volunteers shares a passion and dedication to the promotion of successful aging. Their talent and expertise combine to create the following Community outreach programming.
Senior & Caregiver Calendar
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Annual Art of Aging Successfully Conference
The IOG's Art of Aging Successfully conference is an extraordinary day of art displays and breakout sessions. Hundreds of seniors attend ranging in age from 50 to 97. Art of Aging Successfully is not a craft show but a means of motivating all seniors to attempt creative expression as a way to communicate their life experiences.
For more information contact Donna MacDonald at (313) 664-2605 or donnamacdonald@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.
For more information Donna MacDonald at (313) 664-2605 or donnamacdonald@wayne.edu.
HBEC Lunch and Learn Series
HBEC is committed to providing Detroit's seniors and their families with current knowledge about aging and health. The HBEC's free lunch and learn series has 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) 664-2626 or patrencher@wayne.edu
Metro Detroit Learning Series
The IOG extends is outreach beyond Detroit by offering programming to share cutting edge research being done in the world of gerontology. Our programs are designed to reach 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 contact Donna MacDonald at (313) 664-2605 or donnamacdonald@wayne.edu.
Writers Workshop
Writers come in all colors, shapes, sizes, and ages. Being older as a writer is often a plus; the varied life experiences that come with age provide rich material. So it’s a natural fit for the IOG to not only encourage creative writing but to help older adults perfect their craft with monthly writing workshops called “Memories to Memoirs.”
May Berkley, a founding member of the Elder Advisors to Research at the IOG, also believed in the power of story telling and in giving back. When she passed away in 2006 at age 89, a memorial fund was established at the IOG in her honor. That fund helped the IOG provide the room, journals, lunch and instruction for the first writing classes. "Memories to Memoirs" continues on through the generosity of our partners.
For more information regarding senior programming contact Donna MacDonald at donnamacdonald@wayne.edu.Programs to Engage and Educate Seniors and their Caregivers
Established in 1965, the Institute of Gerontology has long been a leader in outreach to seniors and their caregivers. As a nationally recognized authority on aging issues, our mission is to conduct research and to translate the findings of our current knowledge. Our team of faculty, students and staff, as well as countless volunteers shares a passion and dedication to the promotion of successful aging. Their talent and expertise combine to create the following Community outreach programming.