Front Line Forces: Caregiver Well-Being
The demands of caring for others can lead to high levels of stress in even the best of times. We all face our own set of stressors, related to work or life outside of work. All of these stressors impact our wellness and capacity as caregivers. Regulation activities can help us shift from a state of fear and overwhelm to a state of calm and focus. We invite you to try out some of the exercises from the videos in this module.
Neuroplasticity in Aging
Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain, at any age, to rewire itself to function in new ways in situations of new learning, experience, or injury. Janet M. Dubinsky, Ph.D. (Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, University of Minnesota) talks about this remarkable ability of the brain to be flexible, in both structure and function, to make new connections and adapt to the circumstances of life. In particular, she addresses what we can do for our brains to keep it healthy as we age.
Ways to Engage Family Members in Family History
Two presentations discuss ways to engage family members in family history.
Donna Weispfenning is currently working on a graphic memoir inspired by a visit to her grandmother in 1976. Donna showed us an eight-page draft of how she is transforming images from black and white photographs into drawings, paintings, and woodcuts to recapture the spirit of her time with the then-82-year-old family matriarch.
Jan Morlock and her brother, Jerry Morlock, described their efforts preparing for a major family reunion. Here is Jan's short take on the experience:
Age-positive Image Library
Age Without Limits has created the first free library showing positive and realistic images of over 50s. Photos show a more realistic and diverse depiction of ageing – to help challenge stereotypes of older people. The library, which contains over 3,000 images and is regularly updated, is available for anyone to use for free.
Source: Age Without Limits, 2024, https://libguides.umn.edu/az.php?a=a&t=30801
Geriatric Medicine and Healthy Aging
Geriatric Medicine and Healthy Aging supports the idea that living a long and healthy life is considered the foremost challenge of societies worldwide. Promoting healthy aging strategies, which involves enhancing physical, mental, and social well-being in older adults, is discussed throughout the book, considering different approaches. Among a range of practical strategies for promoting healthy aging, physical activity is considered a key recommendation for developing sustainable policies and action programs at the community level.
Optimizing Aging Collaborative Resource Center
This collection of resources provided by the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program at the University of California, San Francisco contains information for healthcare professionals and patients and caregivers:
1. Healthcare Providers (Physicians, Trainees, Nurses, Social Workers, and other healthcare professionals): Resources ranging from instruments, guides, and tools to enhance your practice.
2. Older Adults, Families, and Caregivers: Collection of information from connecting with community organizations to learning more about caring for the elderly.
Older Adult Nest Egg
Financial Exploitation of Older Adults: Dr. Peter Lichtenberg and his team have created tools and services for older adults to help prevent scams and fraud and to help those older adults and families impacted by financial exploitation. Professionals working with older adults are encouraged to create an account and take the training to use OANE’s cutting-edge tools. Older adults can complete the Financial Vulnerability Survey anonymously and get feedback about their vulnerability. Finally, caregivers and others can access training and tools customized to their needs.
Foundational Competencies in Older Adult Mental Health Certificate Program Online
The E4 Center of Excellence, in partnership with CATCH-ON, the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program based at Rush, and the Rush Center for Excellence in Aging has developed an online educational program that provides basic knowledge that every mental health clinician needs to work effectively with older adults. This 16-hour self-paced certificate program can serve as a first step in developing competency in older adult mental health.
EngAGED Social Engagement Innovations Hub
The engAGED Social Engagement Innovations Hub houses best and emerging social engagement programs. Searchable by a variety of filters—including social engagement intervention type, geographic area served or partners involved—the Innovations Hub gives you access to replicable examples to inspire and inform your organization’s social engagement efforts. Each program summary within the Innovations Hub contains all you need to know about that particular program, such as partners involved, outcomes demonstrated, lessons learned, resources needed and contact information to learn more.
Optimizing Health and Function as We Age Roundtable Report
The Optimizing Health and Functional Status as We Age Roundtable was held on April 14, 2023, in Rockville, Maryland. Sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the Roundtable’s purpose was to identify how AHRQ can have meaningful impact with respect to research, dissemination, and implementation of evidence to improve the organization and delivery of healthcare with the goal of optimizing the health, functional status, and well-being of the U.S. population as it ages.