News

OAI Presents the 2020-2022 Executive Board and Committee Members

Thank you to all who applied to serve as OAI Executive Board and Committee Members. Twelve individuals from across the university and community were selected. Service on the Board is a two-year term and an opportunity to be of service and provide valuable input for the OAI to carry out the organizational goals in line with the 8 Dimensions of Health, Wellness, & Resiliency. 

OAI to present findings from local Northwest Ohio study at 2020 Gerontological Society of America Conference

Despite the current pandemic, scholars and faculty members across are still convening from the United States and around the world for conferences... however this year, it will be online! Dr. Vivian Miller, Director of the Optimal Aging Institute and Assistant Professor in Social Work, has been competitively selected to present at the GSA 2020 Annual Scientific Meeting Online. Dr. Miller, along with colleagues Dr. Jordan Wilfong, Dr. Melissa Burek, and Master of Criminal Justice alum, Logan Lanson, will present their project titled: “Identifying the transportation needs of a rural aging community: Findings from a community assessment.” This study presents findings that assess the current needs of the aging population in rural Northwest, OH. For this, a total of 9 focus groups were held (N=45) as part of a larger concurrent mixed-methodological study.  Through this work, senior center users identified limitations of the current required OAA senior center transportation. A lack of transportation options within the community was noted as a barrier to senior center use. Furthermore, accessibility of current transportation was a reported obstacle. Findings from this study confirm existing research that addresses disparities in rural transportation services (Henning-Smith et al., 2017), compared to low-density urban communities; a lack of transportation is a major obstacle to program completion. Recommendations to address the unique challenges and needs for transportation services for older adults in rural communities are presented.

Aging in place takes planning: Programs at library can help people prepare

Procrastination can be the biggest enemy for preparedness for those seeking to extend the years they can continue to live at home as they age. "Aging in Place: Is Your Home Ready?" is the topic of a three-part series being offered by the BGSU Optimal Aging Institute beginning April 7.

Dr. Nancy Orel talks with Fred LeFebvre on WSPD 1370 about opioid misuse and older adults

Dr. Orel discusses how the opioid epidemic is progressing, and the often undiscussed addiction older adults have. She also discusses the Optimal Aging Institute's newest research project, and what is to come.

Optimal Aging Institute launching initiative to tackle opioid problems among older population

Dr. Orel and Denise Niese discuss the launch of the newest Optimal Aging Institute initiative, which will partner with the Committee on Aging to provide information on addiction in older adults.

Collaborative local effort to craft strategy on opioid misuse among older adults

The Wood County Committee on Aging along with the Optimal Aging Institute of Bowling Green State University is developing a comprehensive strategy to address opioid use and misuse among an older population in Northwest Ohio.

BGSU Institute focuses on relationships, resources, research

The institute's mission includes not only educating on dimensions of elder wellness, but also reaching out to the community at large to provide a variety of lifelong learning and enrichment opportunities.

  • Class of 2022: Gerontology student develops initiative to combat social isolation in nursing homes through statewide scholars program Aug 4, 2022 10:30 AM Through the Ohio Scholars in Aging program, BGSU student Lindsey Murphy developed a program to strengthen nursing home residents' relationships and decrease social isolation.

  • Class of 2021: Alexia Larson finds perfect career path helping older adults May 4, 2021 4:45 PM BGSU May 2021 graduate Alexia Larson discovers her ideal gerontology career as long-term care ombudsman for Ohio.

  • BGSU students bridge the pandemic divide Mar 31, 2021 4:02 PM A group of Bowling Green State University students explored a different avenue of communication and found a landscape of exciting new connections with a long-term care facility in Columbus.

  • Class of 2020 Success Stories: Lone BGSU senior living on campus happy to have support to finish her semester May 11, 2020 10:15 AM Hayley Landers, a Bowling Green State University senior majoring in gerontology, is graduating in May after finishing out her semester as one of about 75 students still living on the Bowling Green campus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She is thankful for the on-campus support she received.

  • BGSU Health Services Executive program first to earn full national accreditation Jul 16, 2018 4:00 PM The BGSU gerontology long-term-care specialization undergraduate and graduate programs is the first Health Services Executive (HSE) programs in Ohio and the United States to be fully, nationally accredited by the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB).

  • Optimal aging studies examine emerging issues Jun 28, 2017 2:54 PM To help expand our understanding of the needs of the older generation, the University’s Optimal Aging Institute is supporting research projects including studies of LGBTQ individuals in senior living facilities and people who had planned to retire but who for financial reasons cannot.

  • Pet Therapy presentation kicks off spring series of Optimal Aging Institute Feb 24, 2017 3:30 PM The first program in the Optimal Aging Institute’s spring series focused on pet therapy and included a demonstration and research by students and faculty, with invited guests and pets. Drs. Cynthia Spitler, gerontology; Christopher Dunn, criminal justice; and community members shared the benefits of animal contact among the elderly and people with disabilities.

  • 2016 Success Stories: Connected to BGSU's values Dec 19, 2016 7:00 AM Katie Stygles had her first introduction to Bowling Green State University in 2003 as a member of AmeriCorps. Now, not only is Stygles graduating with a Ph.D. in higher education administration, her connection with BGSU is continuing as she was hired as the coordinator of LGBT Programs in December.

  • New learning community takes 360° approach Jul 26, 2016 2:50 PM Freshmen in BGSU’s brand new Health, Wellness and You Learning Community will be starting out on the right foot — and hand. They will be wearing FitBit® wristband activity trackers as “researchers on their own lives,” according to founding director Dr. Mary-Jon Ludy, public and allied health. “This is a great opportunity for students to get engaged in research using a technology and topic they can understand.”

  • BGSU to host inaugural Optimal Aging Community Fair Jul 18, 2016 9:59 AM Registration is underway for Bowling Green State University’s inaugural Optimal Aging Community Fair. The fair, which will be held Aug. 1, will feature an international keynote speaker, panel discussions, breakout sessions and health screenings. This is the new Optimal Aging Institute’s first event.

  • BGSU board adopts budget, approves gerontology social work master’s Jun 23, 2016 2:00 PM The BGSU Board of Trustees at its June 23 meeting set educational and general operating budgets for Fiscal Year 2017. The budget includes compensation increase pools for faculty and staff. Also approved was a master of social work, with a focus on gerontology.

  • Optimal Aging Institute names administrator, plans community fair Jun 22, 2016 2:30 PM BGSU’s new Optimal Aging Institute (OAI), based in the College of Health and Human Services http://www.bgsu.edu/health-and-human-services.html, is moving ahead. Its inaugural project administrator has been named and a community fair is planned. Paula Davis has been named project administrator effective July 11.

  • Class of 2016 Success Stories: Childhood lessons May 2, 2016 7:00 AM Allison Ehmen was just a child when her grandmother had a debilitating stroke. That traumatic event ultimately shaped her childhood and the adult she has become as she graduates from the BGSU College of Health and Human Services gerontology program with a cumulative 4.0 GPA.

  • BGSU Launches New Optimal Aging Institute Jun 16, 2015 1:56 PM Can one person make a difference? BGSU faculty and staff prove you can as they challenge students with tough questions, open doors to internship and international opportunities, and guide them through research and publishing processes with extraordinary results.

  • Gerontology with Long-Term Care Specialization Combines a major in gerontology with coursework in areas such as accounting, economics, and management. This specialization prepares students to sit for licensure.

  • Gerontology | Master's This master's program provides students with advanced studies in gerontological research, adult development, kinesiology, health promotion and the policies related to successful aging.

  • Health Services Administration | Master's | BGSU The Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA) degree prepares professionals for leadership positions in complex, rapidly changing structure and financing of healthcare and health service organizations.

For more information on the Optimal Aging Institute

Jennifer Wagner, MPH, HSE, LNHA, CEAL, Associate Practitioner Professor, Gerontology

oai@bgsu.edu 

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The Opioid Crisis: The Unseen Impact on Older Adults

There's a new face to opioid addiction...and it's older. Bowling Green State University's Optimal Aging Institute, the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc. and the Wood County Committee on Aging discuss the impact of the opioid crisis on middle-aged and older adults including grandparents who are raising the children of the opioid epidemic.

Updated: 05/28/2021 01:16PM