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SAIL is an evidence-based fall prevention program that incorporates cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and balance in a 60-minute class. It is designed for older adults and has been proven to improve fitness levels and decrease the risk of a fall. SAIL is offered 2-3x/week in community and senior centers, assisted living facilities, and faith-based and senior housing communities. The SAIL Leader training workshop sponsored by the Center for Optimal Aging and the GSA student chapter trained over 20 individuals to deliver the SAIL program within their organization or community. The training took 5 hours and at completion, individuals became certified SAIL leaders. After certification, the Regional Training Office at MU provided support to all leaders by providing class materials, matching leaders with sites, and assisting with logistics.
CAREERS IN AGING DAY
The Marymount University Center for Optimal Aging and GSA student chapter organized a Careers in Aging day to highlight the various working opportunities in the field of aging. Panelists Moira Denson, Marymount University, Tama Duffy Day, Gensler, Lindsey Vajpeyi, Insight Memory Care, Charity Ampong, Goodwin Living, Mary C. Jamison, Powerback, shared their journey and experiences in the field of aging. They highlighted how different sectors like interior design, memory care, nursing, and rehabilitation intersect to provide optimal aging. Students were able to learn how they can contribute and also learn about various volunteering and employment opportunities.
ADDRESSING FALLS THROUGH COMMUNITY-ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIPS
In this colloquium, our speakers, Dr. Cathy Elrod and Dr. Sara Pappa shared key project elements and lessons they learned from the development of a collaboration between Marymount University and community-based senior-focused organizations to adopt and implement three evidence-based falls prevention programs, Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL), a Matter of Balance (MOB), and the Otago Exercise Program, in an area where none previously existed.
The Center celebrated its one year anniversary with colleagues and our esteemed university president on February 02, 2021. The event included awards for our marvelous team, discussions on projects and successes and plans for the future.
The largest multidisciplinary research organization in the aging arena, the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), is currently accepting research abstracts for its 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting that will be held in Tampa, Florida from November 8 – 12 (https://www.gsa2023.org). You are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity for sharing your new scholarship with the meeting’s nearly 4,000 attendees. The deadline for submitting abstracts is March 9th, and you don’t need to be a GSA member to submit an abstract.
The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) Student Chapter held its launch event with pizza and refreshments on November 16th from 2 – 3 pm. The event also boasted presentations from Dr. Eric Bubar who pre-recorded clips to show how he is using modern technology to help older adults and Dr. Elrod who discussed fall prevention methodologies to achieve optimal aging.
The MU speaker series was an evening of conversations exploring ageism, caretaking, economics, harsh realities, and boundless joy through the lens of Duty-Free. The inspiring documentary presented the bucket list adventure of a lifetime. When Rebecca lost her job at 75, Sian-Pierre asked her to think about everything she could never do while she was working. Their quest to fulfill that list brought all of us into the larger conversation about the very real hopes, fears, and challenges of aging optimally when your resources have all but disappeared.
Sian-Pierre Regis, son, director, and activist; Rebecca Danigelis, mother, adventurer, and activist; Marta Hill Gray, Director of Culpepper Gardens; Rita Wong, Marymount University Associate Vice-President of Research; and Ramsey Alwin, CEO of National Council on Aging, discussed the film, the important facts about aging and caregiving, and the impact it can make in this community.
