de Tornyay Center for Healthy Aging

The center was excited to host a delegation from the National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Science to Seattle and the University of Washington School of Nursing last week!

We are excited to announce Professor Hilaire Thompson will serve as the next executive dean for the School of Nursing effective Aug 1. Dr. Thompson has been a faculty member since 2006 and has held several leadership roles. Her research centers on improving outcomes following geriatric traumatic brain injury, as well as fall prevention.

We are confident that Dr. Thompson will bring a wealth of knowledge to the School as well as a comprehensive understanding of the profession and the opportunities for the School to advance its history of excellence.

Read more: https://nursing.uw.edu/article/hilaire-thompson-executive-dean/

"'We know it can build community. We can do it alone, we can do it with others. You can do it with a 5-year-old, you can do it with an 85-year-old.'" Center director, Dr. Basia Belza was quoted in a recent Yahoo Life article about mall walking:

Is mall walking the summer's coolest exercise? Mall walking is finding new (and younger) fans. Experts break down its appeal.

de Tornyay Center scholar and University of Washington School of Nursing PhD student Shao-Yun Chien discusses social isolation in Chinese immigrants and more in her spotlight interview:
https://dtc.nursing.uw.edu/2024/05/23/scholar-spotlight-shao-yun-chien/

This year's theme for Older Americans Month is Powered by Connection! Learn about the SHARP walking program, co-sponsored by the center, which aims to support cognitive health in Black older adults through walking, reminiscing and social connection:

Building a Culturally Engaging Brain Health Program for African American Communities, One Step at a Time - Memory and Brain Wellness Center The SHARP study aims to forestall memory loss through walking and reminiscing in Portland's historically Black neighborhoods, led by Raina Croff, PhD, of Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine. Now, we are working with an amazing team to pilot the program in Seattle!

This year's theme for Older Americans Month is Powered by Connection! Read more about the importance of social connection in center predoctoral scholar Yanjing Liang's editorial on social isolation in Chinese American older adults: https://journals.healio.com/doi/10.3928/00989134-20240207-01?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR21hlYj38vQyDedJYmE7edu-aXLcP0T0g5JHrVTajE-pfx5wGHeauuy_Xs_aem_AdQJTOIQ35MO85xrx3---QkQr-nyMnjNnw7hoAXGpbBTRRQLy_u7w_Tlzu_GxEEzKKBJjkVWCzjqCf5NcBQFprmz

🗓️ May is Older Americans Month! This year's theme is Powered by Connection, led by the Administration for Community Living, recognizing the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being.

This theme offers the opportunity to explore the vital role that connectedness plays in supporting independence and aging in place by combatting isolation, loneliness, and other issues. Learn how you can participate in and explore our resources from a few initiatives that represent the vision of Powered by Connection: https://ow.ly/qytU50RpyJT

Today is the birthday of Dr. Rheba de Tornyay! We're proud to be a part of continuing Dr. de Tornyay's legacy of innovation in gerontological nursing science, practice and education. Learn more: https://dtc.nursing.uw.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/deTornyayRheba3846-Copy.jpg

"I’m always fascinated by how music can reach people when somebody seems to have exhausted options." University of Washington School of Nursing PhD student and music therapist Megumi Azekawa speaks about music and health in the center's recent Northwest Primetime article: https://northwestprimetime.com/news/2024/apr/11/how-music-can-boost-health/

Hear de Tornyay Center pre-doctoral scholar Sarah McKiddy speak on a panel about playing music while aging at the June 11 UW Retirement Association event, "Keeping the beat: Adapting your music-making to age-related changes", 1 pm - 2 pm. We hope to see you there!

Learn more and register: https://events.uw.edu/event/8f808061-c323-408e-92d7-7e36aca046c2/summary

Meet Hsin-Ni Lee, University of Washington School of Nursing BSN student and the center’s 2023-2024 Myrene C. McAninch Undergraduate Scholar, in her recent scholar spotlight interview: https://dtc.nursing.uw.edu/2024/02/20/scholar-spotlight-hsin-ni-lee/

2024 Systems Biology of Aging Virtual Workshop On May 9, 2024, ISB will host a virtual workshop on the systems biology of aging.

Geri-Series Spring - NW GWEC Home Spring 2024 – Dementia Session Details EVALUATION SURVEY Our speakers value your feedback. Please fill out a brief survey for each lecture. LECTURE LIBRARY Our online database of lectures (and hand-outs) for both our current series as […]

"As a Chinese nurse researcher, I grapple with acculturation, language barriers, and other challenges. These experiences fostered my empathy for Chinese American older adults experiencing social isolation." Center pre-doctoral scholar Yanjing Liang published a recent Journal of Gerontological Nursing editorial on "Chinese American Older Adults Through a Constructivist Lens": https://journals.healio.com/doi/10.3928/00989134-20240207-01

Tech Help starts up on Wed. Feb 28th! Do you have a question about using your smartphone, tablet or laptop? (Who doesn't?) Want help setting up an email account or social media account? Looking for tips on videoconferencing with Zoom or Teams?

Come sign up for a FREE 50-minute Tech Help appointment at the Memory Hub, courtesy of an AmeriCorps volunteer with Seattle Public Library! Spread the word about this valuable service

Appointments available between 10am and 1:30pm on Wednesdays: Feb 28, Mar 20, Apr 24, May 22, Jun 26.
More info:https://depts.washington.edu/.../Tech_Help_SPL_Flyer98.pdf

Join the Public Health Center of Excellence-Dementia Caregiving (PHCOE-DC) on MARCH 18 for their upcoming webinar "Using Crowdsourcing to Support Dementia Caregivers: Opportunities for Public Health"! Learn about the work of Dr. Ruggiano, PhD, Dr. Monica Anderson, PhD, and Dr. Zhe Jiang, PhD. Register at: https://bit.ly/CrowdsourcingandDementiaCaregiving

Sense of Place By Katie Scarlett Brandt( Editor-In-Chief )An award-winning journalist, Katie has written for Chicago Health since 2016 and currently serves as Editor-in-Chief. katiehappens.comStudies show that hearing loss increases a person’s risk of falling. Why might that be — and what can you do about it? ...

Calling all graduating DNP students! This annual award recognizes one outstanding project by a graduating UW School of Nursing DNP student and is presented along with a $100 prize. A brief application is due by Friday, March 1st, at 5 pm. Learn more: https://dtc.nursing.uw.edu/students/awards/

"Rheba [de Tornyay] was a trailblazer when it comes to nursing as well as gerontology. And so [Rheba and her husband's] belief in the center was really that we would accomplish four things. One is that we would foster partnerships with our community partners."

Center director Basia Belza spoke on the Answers for Elder's podcast about the center and the center's long-time partnership with Era Living.

Enhancing Senior Living: de Tornyay Center for Healthy Aging Courtesy of Era Living, Professor Basia Belza talks about the UW School of Nursing's de Tornyay Center for Healthy Aging.

de Tornyay Executive Team member Jean Tang, speaks about ways to maintain and boost your mental health in a recent NW Primetime article from the center:

Healthy Habits for your Mental Health Throughout our lifespan, it’s likely that we or someone we love will at some point deal with mental health issues

Congratulations to our 2023-2024 Healthy Aging Scholars! Learn about this year's scholars and their projects: https://dtc.nursing.uw.edu/2023/11/14/congratulations-to-our-2023-2024-healthy-aging-scholars/

Read a spotlight interview with PhD student and de Tornyay Center illustrator Lalipat Phianhasin: https://dtc.nursing.uw.edu/2023/12/05/scholar-spotlight-lalipat-phianhasin/

Meet Yanjing Liang, the center's newest predoctoral scholar, in her scholar spotlight interview: https://dtc.nursing.uw.edu/2023/11/28/scholar-spotlight-yanjing-liang/

The Seattle Times Now & Then column recently featured University of Washington School of Nursing emeritus faculty Doris Carnevali and her engaging with aging work. Check out the article:

Inspiring advice on aging from a Seattle woman who’s 101 The anecdotes and philosophy of local legend Doris Schölin Carnevali, who writes the "Engaging with Aging" blog, have been published in two books.

This is the first year SoN is participating in Giving Tuesday! Consider supporting the Smith Fund for Innovation in Nursing. Your gift empowers nurses to improve patient outcomes and transform healthcare systems. https://together.uw.edu/Campaign/givetonursing