Interesting 10

Spring 2012

Volume 13, Issue 3

Sigma Phi Omega Induction Ceremony &

Business Meeting 2012

For a large print

copy, please call

617-287-7300

Inside this issue:

SPO Induction

Ceremony

1

Alumni Spotlight:

Bei Wu

2

Recent

Accomplishments

3

Gerontology

Students Around

Campus

5

Speaker Series 6

Upcoming Events 7

GeroNews A newsletter about the Gerontology Graduate Programs John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies University of Massachusetts Boston www.Gerontology.umb.edu

T he Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Phi Omega (SPO), the Gerontology

Honor Society inducted 51 new members this Spring (those in attendance,

pictured above). On April 2, 2012 the chapter and faculty advisers,

Pamela Nadash, PhD and Beth Dugan, PhD hosted the new members for an

annual business meeting and induction ceremony. In addition, the chapter

inducted the new SPO officers (pictured below), while new and current members

alike mingled and enjoyed refreshments. The keynote speech was delivered by a

UMB Gerontology Alumni Bei Wu, PhD.

From Left: New officers Hayley Gravette, Kristen Porter and Andrea Lindemer

are preceded in duty by Corina Oala, Kelli Barton and Jane Tavares.

Barbara Graceffa with Jeffrey Burr

Although she was thrilled to be back at her

alma mater, she was somewhat

apprehensive. Although this

distinguished international scholar had de-

livered hundreds of academic presentations

on her research, she chuckled and admitted

she had the same jitters she felt ten years

earlier defending her dissertation.

Bei Wu, PhD, is an alumna of the doctoral

program in gerontology at the McCormack

Graduate School of Policy and Global

Studies. Wu returned to campus on April 2

to deliver a guest lecture on “Aging, Race/

Ethnicity, and Oral Health in the U.S.” to a large group of students, faculty and staff. According to Department

Chair Jeff Burr, “We are starting a new tradition today." He indicated that moving forward, the Gerontology

Department will be inviting one or two graduates back to campus each year to provide lectures and to visit

with students.

With data from three national surveys and numbers from both self-reported and clinical studies, Dr. Wu shared

fascinating research findings on the correlation between oral health and aging. Her research includes analyses

of tooth loss, denture use, periodontal disease, tooth decay, and dry mouth, and their relationships to

accelerated aging, mortality, and such systemic diseases like diabetes, arthritis, depression, stroke,

osteoporosis, hypertension, and other cardiovascular diseases. Other findings demonstrate oral health

disparities among racial groups. Wu and her research colleagues found that Blacks and Hispanics have a

higher number of missing or untreated decayed teeth while Whites, who have better access to dental care,

have a higher number of filled teeth.

To meet the future needs of elder oral health care, she calls for a four-pronged approach. First, clinical care

needs to develop models to meet the diverse needs of the increasing number of older adults. Second, more

research has to be done and disseminated on the connection between systemic conditions and oral diseases as

people age. Next, education is key; there are too few dentists in the US right now and even less trained to

address elder issues. Finally, at the policy level, a comprehensive approach of sustainable treatment and

prevention programs is required.

Bei Wu is a professor and director of international research at Duke University. She holds a number of

additional appointments at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, the University of North Carolina

at Chapel Hill and at the West Virginia University School of Dentistry. She also holds adjunct professor/

senior fellow positions in three academic institutions in China, conducting numerous aging-related studies

there. Her research focuses on aging and health, including dementia, caregiving, oral health, long-term care,

and health services utilization among older adults.

Alumna Bei Wei Presents Guest Lecture on Aging and Oral Health

GeroNews Volume 13

Issue 3

Recent Accomplishments

A Newsletter about the Gerontology Graduate Programs John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies University of Massachusetts Boston www.Gerontology.umb.edu

Awards:

Maria Frances Devine, third year doctoral student received 2nd place in the Massachusetts Gerontology As-

sociation (MGA) student paper award for her paper entitled, Marital Status and Retirement Satisfaction:

Does Gender Matter?

Publications and Reports:

Burr, J., Lowenstein, A., Tavares, J., Coyle, C., Mutchler, J., Katz, R., & Khatusky, G. (2012-forthcoming). Living

Arrangements of Older Immigrants from the Former Soviet Union: Comparing Israel and the United States. Journal of

Aging Studies. [in press]

Day, R. & Nadash, P.(2012). New State Insurance Exchanges Should Follow the Example of Massachusetts By Simpli-

fying Choices Among Health Plans. Health Affairs 31(5).

Elliott, S., Ivanescu, A., Leland, N., Fogo, J., Painter, J., & Trujillo, L. (2012). The Feasibility of Interdisciplinary

Community-based Fall Risk Screening. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66, 161–168.

Gerst, K., & Burr, J. (2012: forthcoming). The Demography of Minority Aging: Changes and Implications. In. T.

Baker & K. Whitfield (Eds.), Handbook of Minority Aging. New York: Springer.

Gerst, K., & Burr, J. (2012-forthcoming). Welfare Use and Entitlement Program Use Among Older Immigrants. Public

Policy and Aging Report. Washington, DC: National Academy on an Aging Society.

Leland, N., Elliott S., O’Malley L., Murphy, S..L. (2012). Occupational Therapy Interventions to Decrease Fall risk: A

scoping review. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66, 149–160.

Leland, N., Elliott S., Johnson K. (2012). Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Productive Aging: The com-

munity-dwelling older adult. Bethesda, MD: AOTA Press

Leland, N., Elliott, S.(2012). From the desk of the guest editors. A Special Issue on Productive Aging: Evidence and

Opportunities for Occupational Therapy Practitioners. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66, 263-265

Miller, E.A., Rosenheck, R., and Schneider, L. (2012). Caregiver Burden, Health Utilities and Institutional Service Use

in Alzheimer’s Disease. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 27(4):382-93.

Miller, E.A. (2012). The Affordable Care Act and Long-Term Care: Meaningful Reform or Just Tinkering Around the

Edges? Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 24(2):101-117.

Miller, E.A. Blanding, D. (2012). Pressure Cooker Politics: Partisanship and Symbolism in State Certification of

Federal Stimulus Funds, 12(1):58-74.

Miller, E.A., Wang, L., Feng, Z., and Mor, V. (2012). Improving Direct Care Compensation in Nursing Homes: Wage

Mandate Adoption, 1999-2003, Journal of Health Politics, Policy & Law, 37(3). [In Press].

Miller, E.A., and Intrator, O. Veterans Use of Non-VA Services: Implications for Policy and Planning. Journal of Social

Work in Public Health, 27(4). [In Press].

Recent Accomplishments (Continued)

GeroNews Volume 13

Issue 3

Wagner, D., Lindemer, A., Niles-Yokum, K., & DeFreest, M. (2012). Best Practices in Workplace Eldercare: March

2012. National Alliance for Caregiving, http://www.caregiving.org/

Presentations:

Devine, M. Marital Status and Retirement Satisfaction: Does Gender Matter? Massachusetts Gerontology Association

Conference, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, May 15, 202. [Poster]

Inacio, C. Physical Performance as a Determinant of Balance Confidence in Community-Dwelling Adults. National

Physical Therapy Association Annual Conference, Tampa, Florida, June 6-9, 2012 [Poster]

Lyu, J., Agrigoroaei, S. Childhood Disadvantage and Cognitive Functioning: The Mediational Role of Psychosocial and

Behavioral Lifestyle Factors. Massachusetts Gerontology Association Conference, Brandeis University, Waltham,

Massachusetts, May 15, 202. [Poster]

Martin, L. Women in the Workforce: Wages, Pensions, and Retirement.. Sociology 342: Ageing & Society, University

of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, April, 17 2012. [Oral]

Miller, E.A. The CLASS Act: What Was It and Where Did It Go? Or If Long-Term Care Financing Reform Is Enacted

But Not Implemented, Did It Really Happen. Department of Health Policy and Management, Columbia University, New

York, New York, May 9, 2012. [Oral]

Miller, E.A., Doherty, J. Medicaid Pay-for-Performance in Five States: Lessons from the Nursing Home Sector.

Community-Engaged Partnerships Symposium: Teaching Research, Service, University of Massachusetts Boston,

Boston, Massachusetts, April 5, 2012. [Poster] Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago,

Illinois, April 12-15, 2012. [Oral]

Miller, E.A., Rudder, C. The Role of Consumer Advocacy in Medicaid Nursing Home Reimbursement: Lessons from

New York and Minnesota. Community-Engaged Partnerships Symposium: Teaching Research, Service, University of

Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, April 5, 2012. [Poster]

Porter, K. LGBT Aging 101: What You Need to Know About Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Older Adults.

Sociology 342: Ageing & Society, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, March, 20 2012. [Oral]

Sullivan, D. Carework: The Provision of Care in Appalachia, Sarah Denman Faces of Appalachia Symposium, Marshall

University, Huntington, West Virginia, April 3, 2012.

Tavares, J. Volunteering and Hypertension Among Older Adults. Sociology 342: Ageing & Society, University of

Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, April, 3 2012. [Oral]

Other Services & Activities

Associate Professor Edward Alan Miller Guest Edited a special issue of the Journal of Aging & Social Policy, “Critical

Essay on Health Care Reform: The Affordable Care Act, Long-Term Care, and Elders.” The issue is available at: http://

www.tandfonline.com/loi/wasp20.

Associate Professor Edward Alan Miller served as Chair and Discussant of the “Individual Attitudes and Engagement

with U.S. Social Policy Programs” panel at the Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago,

Illinois, April 12-15, 2012.

A Newsletter about the Gerontology Graduate Programs John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies University of Massachusetts Boston www.Gerontology.umb.edu

UMB Represented at Asian American Studies Conference 2012

G erontology doctoral student Mai See Yang, a second

year student, recently attended the Association for

Asian American Studies Conference in Washington ,

D.C.. On April 12, 2012 she participated in a panel discussion

entitled, “Models of Communication and Community Organiz-

ing Across Generational Lines”. She is pictured with two assis-

tant professors from UMass Boston and the Executive Director

of the Chinese Progressive Association in San Francisco.

Yang’s research interests in the aging of Asian Ameri-

cans have allowed her to collaborate with not only other depart-

ments on the campus of UMB, but across the country!

S everal graduate students had

the opportunity to try their

hand at teaching this

semester. Caitlin Coyle, a third

year student was the instructor for

a sociology of aging course at

UMB. Among the guest lecturers

were Kristen Porter, Jane Tavares,

Lauren Martin, Mai See Yang . All

were invited to speak about their

research and areas of interest in

Gerontology. It was an opportunity

to educate undergraduates about

Gerontology and gain teaching

experience. In addition, a panel of guest s were invited to share with the undergraduates their experience in

working in the field of aging directly. Students from the Gerontology doctoral program have backgrounds in

social work, non profit, home and community based services provision and assisted living management. In

addition, guests included Charles Morris who is the founder of an area non profit charged with modifying

homes for older and disabled adults and Victor Martinez who is an entrepreneurial web-developer and a care-

giver at the Visiting Nurses Association of Boston.

From Left: Carolyn Wong, Loan Dao, Mai See Yang, and

Alex Tom

Several Students Gain Teaching Experience

From Left: Hayley Gravette, Kristina Turk, Charles Morris, Victor Martinez, and Andrea Lindemer

GeroNews Editorial Board

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Edward Miller, Edward.Miller@umb.edu

Managing Editor: Caitlin Coyle, Caitlin.Coyle001@umb.edu

GeroNews Volume 13

Issue 3

O n Monday March 26th, Dr. Jane Givens visited campus to speak to the Gerontology department

about her latest research. Dr. Givens is an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard University

and an assistant research scientist in palliative care research at Harvard & Hebrew Senior Life

Institute for Aging Research. Her presentation entitled, “Advances in Palliative Care" was well attended by

students and faculty from the Gerontology Department. Dr. Givens' main research interest focuses on the

area of mental health and quality of life for both patients and families at the end-of-life, with a particular

interest on patients with end-stage

dementia in the nursing home setting.

Dr. Givens' research has examined the

influence of patient decision-making

on the treatment of depression and the

effect of depression on the health

outcomes of frail older adults. In addi-

tion, Dr. Givens' teaching activities

include inpatient attending on the

geriatric consult and medical service,

and perception of geriatric fellows in

the long-term care setting.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s 2012

Spring Speaker Series: Dr. Jane Givens

From Left: Wendy Wang, Andrea Lindemer, Ping Xu, Hayley Gravette, Dr. Jane Givens,

Emily Gadbois, Kristina Turk, Maryanne Nguyen and Kelli Barton.

T he Gerontology Department of UMass Boston is partici-

pating in the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alz-

heimer’s, the nation's largest event to raise awareness and

funds to fight Alzheimer’s disease. The team has already raised

over $1,000 for the Alzheimer’s Walk. By joining the team, you

can help end this epidemic and show your support for the more

than five million Americans living with the disease. The walk will

be held on Sunday September 23, 2012 in Cambridge Massachu-

setts.

The Alzheimer's Association is the world’s largest voluntary

health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research, and

the funds we raise will go directly toward supporting their efforts.

To view the UMass Boston Graduate Gerontology team page

visit the link be-

low.http://act.alz.org/site/TR?team_id=39662&pg=team&fr_id=18

F ourth year student, Jiyoung Lyu

recently performed with the Dud-

ley House Orchestra. The orches-

tra is primarily comprised of graduate

students from Harvard University and

includes other Boston area graduate stu-

dents.

Pictured above (from left): Chae Man

Lee, Andrea L indemer, Wendy Wang,

Mai See Yang, and Ping Xu, other

Gerontology doctoral students in at-

tendance to support Lyu.

GeroNews Department of Gerontology

University of Massachusetts Boston

100 Morrissey Blvd.

Boston, MA 02125-3393

Academic Calendar

Fall Semester 2012 September 4 Classes Begin September 11 Add/Drop Ends October 8 Columbus Day (Holiday) November 5 Spring Registration Begins November 8 Course Withdraw Deadline November 11 Veteran’s Day November 22-25 Thanksgiving Recess November 26 Classes Resume December 12 Classes End December 13 Study Period December 14-20 Final Exam Period December 21 Snow Day Winter Session 2013 January 7 Winter Session Classes Begin January 21 Martin Luther King Day (Holiday) January 25 Classes End

Department of Gerontology

100 Morrissey Blvd.

Boston, MA 02125-3393

Phone: 617-287-7300

Fax: 617-287-7080

Follow us on Facebook!

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umassgerontology

A Newsletter about the Gerontology Graduate Programs John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies University of Massachusetts Boston http://www.mccormack.umb.edu/academic/gerontology/index.php

Activities and Announcements

~ Upcoming Conferences ~

GSA 65th Annual Meeting Charting New Frontiers in Aging

November 14-18 2012 San Deigo, CA

AGHE’s Annual Meeting

AGHE's 39th Annual Meeting and Educational Leadership Conference

“Waves of Change: Charting the New Course for Gerontology Education”

February 28-March 3, 2013

St. Petersburg, FL

American Society on Aging

Annual Conference of the American Society on Aging

March 12-16, 2013

Chicago, IL

May is Older Americans Month, a perfect opportunity to show our appreciation for

the older adults in our communities. Since 1963, communities across the nation

have come together to celebrate Older Americans Month. The theme for Older

Americans Month 2012 is Never Too Old to Play. This theme encourages older

Americans to stay engaged, active and involved in their own lives and in their

communities. In celebration of Older Americans Month, the U.S. Administration

on Aging is pleased to provide this website which offers useful resources and tools

to help you plan and promote events and activities honoring older Americans.

http://www.olderamericansmonth.aoa.gov/ActivityToolkitAboutThisToolkit.aspx

Consider hosting a Day of Play with a team trivia night, intergenerational Wii bowling tournament or other fun activity!

Bring the community together by painting a mural or sponsoring a photo scavenger hunt. Whatever your community

does, make sure you have fun and consider making it intergenerational.

May is Older Americans Month!