UNCW Gerontology Program

Job Opening

See the Project C.A.R.E. position:

Project C.A.R.E. Program Specialist/No Wrong Door Consultant About the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS): The Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) is responsible for State oversight of the 100 county departments of social services' (DSS) aging and adult social services programs and two Special Assistance benefits programs..The Division of Agi...

Job Opening
Service Operations, Division of Aging, NC Department of Health and Human Services is hiring a Healthy Aging Specialist. This position will be .5 health promotion and .5 nutrition. Please share as you see fit. Thank you!

Healthy Aging Specialist About the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS): The Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) is responsible for State oversight of the 100 county departments of social services' (DSS) aging and adult social services programs and two Special Assistance benefits programs..The Division of Agi...

Interested in joining the Cape Fear Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging team as our Aging Specialist?

https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4045829088

Title: Aging Specialist
Department: Area Agency on Aging
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Revised Date: September 2024
Hiring Range: $47,552 – $49,942

Cape Fear Council of Governments hiring Aging Specialist in Wilmington, North Carolina, United States | LinkedIn Posted 6:22:03 PM. AGING SPECIALIST General Statement of DutiesThe Aging Specialist oversees and coordinates with the…See this and similar jobs on LinkedIn.

Support the UNCW Gerontology Students in their Walk to End Alzheimer's

Gerontology Generations UNCW's Walk to End Alzheimer's Team Page Support Gerontology Generations UNCW in the fight to end Alzheimer's. Donate today to help them reach their goal.

Aging in Place provides the perfect link between Occupational Therapy & Gerontology! Check out this story from the September 2024 Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity Newsletter:

Occupational Therapy & Affordable Housing: The Perfect Match

Abby, a student at Methodist University, spent the summer here at Cape Fear Habitat doing research as part of her Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. Her research and skills fit perfectly with Habitat’s Critical Home Repair Program, which serves primarily seniors and provides critical repairs to make homes safer and more livable. She and Repair Program Manager, Roger, worked closely together, visiting the homes of Repair clients and talking with them about their needs and experiences. "She was a tremendous help to the Repair team," Roger said, "in discovering and meeting the needs of our homeowners."

Occupational Therapy (OT) may not sound like the typical Habitat focus, but it fits into the homeownership program perfectly. “In housing,” Abby said, “we look at accessibility and usability of the house for the person. Occupational therapy’s main focus is enhancing independence in all aspects of your life.” Even the simplest tasks, like brushing your teeth or getting dressed, are OT considerations. When looking at the Habitat model of affordable housing, Abby highlights the beauty of low-cost modifications, even as simple as adding a chair rail along a wall for someone who is visually impaired.

In Abby’s three months at Cape Fear Habitat, she implemented a needs assessment for seniors and disabled Repair clients; wrote up ways to modify construction sites for those with disabilities or medical conditions; created educational material for home modifications; and found additional resources for fall risk and prevention Cape Fear Habitat may not be able to perform.

Looking to make OT-aligned improvements to your home? Abby’s list of safety tips is a great place to start!

Arrange your furniture in ways that prevent tripping, falling, or bumping into pieces.
Get rid of environmental tripping hazards like rugs, or attach them to the floor or wall.
Rearrange your cabinets so that your most used things are at eye-level to avoid reaching outside your base of support.
Ensure each room is well-lit, and consider installing nightlights or motion sensor lights to avoid accidents at night.
Consider your own personal safety by installing grab bars, ramps, and more as needed.

Cape Fear Habitat is thankful to Abby for the work she’s done in improving our construction department—we can’t wait to see what she does next! If you’re looking to learn more about what Cape Fear Habitat can do for you, whether it be offering affordable homeownership or installing safety features in your home through our Critical Home Repair Program, click here. If you have a skill you’ve developed over your career, like Abby, that you think could benefit Cape Fear Habitat, visit our website to learn more!

September is Healthy Aging Month! Stay tuned for upcoming posts from our Gerontology program!

Perfect timing for Healthy Aging Month!

It's official! Governor Roy Cooper signed this year's proclamation to recognize September as PACE Month, so we'll be sharing observances and essential information as we celebrate. We love being able to provide head-to-toe healthcare to seniors, and we're proud to do so alongside our fellow PACE organizations across the state. If we can offer support to you or your loved ones, please let us know! Call 910-767-0931.

Check out this free webinar "Understanding Guardianship:
Independence, Autonomy, and Alternatives"

“Music to Remember” is a benefit concert for the Alzheimer's Association. Alzheimer's disease and other dementias have touched the lives of each performer in this concert and affect more than 55 million people worldwide. For tickets visit: https://uncwarts.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=1955

Job opening for an Underserved Victim Advocate position. The deadline to submit a resume and cover letter is August 14, 2024.

🔎 underserved victim advocate positions wilmington nc - Google Search

New Hanover County is seeking a dynamic and experienced Nutrition Services Program Manager to join our team and lead the Senior Resource Center’s (SRC) nutrition programs and initiatives. This essential role is dedicated to improving nutritional access for older adults, ensuring high-quality services, and implementing innovative solutions. As a critical member of the SRC leadership team, the Nutrition Services Program Manager will provide outstanding leadership and management, driving the advancement of the organization’s strategic Master Aging Plan. The focus is on the effective and efficient delivery of services, enhancing customer satisfaction, and achieving strategic goals. This position offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on the health and well-being of our community’s older adults while contributing to a supportive and growth-oriented work environment. To learn more about the SRC, visit SRC.nhcgov.com
Qualified individuals can apply at NHCgov.com https://www.nhcgov.com/305/Careers

Careers | New Hanover County, NC Working for New Hanover County is more than a job. It’s a chance to make a difference in your own life and in the lives of people around you.

Gracie Ellington presented a poster session on her Master of Science in Applied Gerontology final project entitled, "Comparing Objective and Subjective Indices of Quality of Care between Medicare and Medicaid-based Skilled Nursing Facilities: A Preliminary Qualitative Study", at the Southern Gerontological Society Annual Meeting and Conference in Greenville, SC on April 2, 2024. The SGS board recognized the quality of her study and presentation, and overall value of her project, and awarded Gracie First Place for the SGS Student Poster Award. Gracie was given a Certificate of Achievement and monetary award for this honor.
Way to go Gracie!

Creativity across the life span is so important! Check out the upcoming performance by the Encore Creativity for Older Adults, the nation’s largest choral arts organization for adults 55 and older. Side note of the day, an alum of our program did her final project on the relationship between participating in a chorale group and quality of life.

Encore Creativity for Older Adults, the nation’s largest choral arts organization for adults 55 and older, returns with the Encore Chorale of Cape Fear’s free spring concert on Sunday, April 21, at 3 PM. The local group, conducted by Angela Burns, will sing a fun and uplifting mix of choral arrangements of popular songs.

ENCORE CHORALE SPRING HOLIDAY CONCERT
APRIL 21 @ 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Free; Registration Required

Visit cameronartmuseum.org to register

Join us this Friday, March 1 for "Daring to Care: Diverse Perspectives on End-of-Life Planning & Decision Making" with Dr. Aparna Gupta from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

Our Gerontology Program will be represented at the upcoming Health Graduate Program Fair!

Job openings with Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS):

Please see the posting for DAAS Deputy Director. https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/northcarolina/jobs/4321841

Please see the posting for the DAAS Service Operations Section Chief. . https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/northcarolina/jobs/4321973

Please see the posting for the Planning Chief position at DAAS. https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/northcarolina/jobs/4327413

Chief of Planning About the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS):The Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) is responsible for State oversight of the 100 county departments of social services' (DSS) aging and adult social services programs and two Special Assistance benefits programs.. The Division of Ag...

Support the 7th annual CHHS Giving Tree! We are collecting gift cards for the over 650 older adults receiving home delivered meals in our county through the Senior Resource Center. Help us this holiday season help an area older adult in need by participating in the CHHS Holiday Giving Tree and spreading some joy by purchasing a gift card to any area grocery store, Target or Walmart in an amount from $10-$50.
To participate, you may:
1) Visit our virtual tree and commit to purchasing a gift card: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C44AEA623A0F94-46055089-2023 #/
Once you shop, drop off your gift card to SWK McNeill Hall 3019, SON McNeill Hall 3080, SSC McNeill Hall 1009, SHAHS Veterans Hall 2509, CHHS Dean’s Office Veterans Hall 3536, BCST Veterans Hall 3539
2) Contribute via Venmo (message us and we'll provide details)

All donations are due by December 12.

Job Opening: Director - Beard Center on Aging, University of Lynchburg - Lynchburg, VA

Regular Part-Time, Benefits Eligible

The Director of the Beard Center on Aging is responsible for carrying out Center and University missions including:
· Offer intergenerational opportunities for University students to learn immersively through research initiatives, meaningful outreach, educational programs, professional conferences, and workshops to prepare them to live and work in our aging society.
· Collaborate with University faculty and staff and local, state, and national agencies, businesses, nonprofits, and organizations to address the needs of older citizens through community education, engagement, and outreach.

Director, Beard Center on Aging Director, Beard Center on Aging The University of Lynchburg, a private, regional university in the beautiful foothills of the...

The Gerontology Generations student organization is doing a fundraiser to benefit the Walk to End Alzheimer’s!
We are selling tickets to the Sunday, December 10 UNCW Men’s Basketball Game vs. Montreat taking place at 2:00 in Trask Coliseum. For every ticket sold through us, $10 will go to the Alzheimer's Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer's! If you are interested, you can buy tickets through the link below or use the Promo Code: HAWKS.
https://uncwsports.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventInfo?ticketCode=PR%3AATHLETICS%3AMBB2324%3AMBB05%3AHAWKS&linkID=uncw-athletics&shopperContext=&caller=PR&appCode=&prc=HAWKS&ppc=HAWKS&dataAccId=836&locale=en_US&siteId=ev_uncw-athletics

When: November 17, 2023, 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Equity Matters

Senior's: Holding Back the Year's is the theme of this month's Equity Matters. Since it is National Alzheimer's Awareness Month, we would like to invite you to listen to our panelists discuss the best methods to celebrate the holidays while keeping their loved ones' memories alive, provide community resources, and use techniques to enhance your personal health.

Our panelists will be:
• Brooke Banson Vallely Program Manager, Alzheimer's Association, Eastern North Carolina Chapter
• Kandace Gary, Family Caregiver Specialist, Area Agency on Aging
• Chiquita Gooding-Register, Adult Services Supervisor
• Holly Pilson, Director, Area Agency on Aging
• J'vanete Skiba, Director of the Resiliency Task Force
• Moderator: Fawn Rhodes, NHC HHS Equity Coordinator

Equity Matters is a webinar that explores why and how we practice health equity in the workplace and the community. It aims to emphasize programs, partners, and individuals promoting health equity in Southeastern North Carolina and give their agency or organization a platform to inform the public about all the services they provide.

Register in advance for this webinar.
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yDhWEL-bRkCKwHU2100nbA


After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

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Webinar Speakers

Brooke Banson Vallely (Program Manager 's Association, Eastern North Carolina Chapter)

Brooke Banson Vallely is a Greenville, NC, native who graduated from East Carolina University with a BA in Communications and has worked in the marketing, media, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors, including many years as the Marketing Manager at The Daily Reflector in Greenville, where she was recognized as the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber Ambassador of the Year, and as a Membership Executive for the Girl Scouts of North Carolina Coastal Pines.

As Program Manager with the Alzheimer's Association Eastern NC Chapter, she is responsible for implementing the chapter's volunteer-powered delivery strategy, developing sustainable strategic community partnerships, and increasing awareness and education of Alzheimer's and other related dementias in 29 eastern and coastal NC counties. She was invited to serve on the Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Health Equity Advisory Council to address disparities in hospice and palliative care access among the county’s most vulnerable populations and is the Education Committee Chair of Dementia Partners Coalition, a team of local organizations in New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties collaborating to meet the needs of individuals and families living with the challenge of dementia.

Kandace Gary (Family Caregiver Specialist Agency on Aging)

Kandace Lego Gray has always had a love for older adults. She has provided advocacy and care to older adults both in her professional career and her personal life, beginning with her grandmother.
Having earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Services Management with a minor in Business from East Carolina University, Kandace interned with the Duke University Hospital CEO and learned quickly that she enjoyed helping caregivers navigate the aging support system.

Kandace has worked across a continuum of care in the arena of caregiving, from working as a Certified Nursing Assistant at the Forest at Duke to marketing and outreach at an independent living facility to private duty, in-home care.
Continuing her pursuit of advocacy for the underserved adult population, Kandace joined the Cape Fear Area Agency on Aging in 2016 as a Long-Term Care Ombudsman, later transitioning to her current role as a Caregiver Resource Specialist in 2021. Kandace facilitates support groups, manages caregiver grants, provides caregiver education, and offers day-to-day resources and support to families and her cohorts.
Continuing her professional growth, in 2021 she received her Positive Approach to Care Consultant Certification by professional Teepa Snow. In addition, she is a certified dementia friend trainer and is collaborating with other area professionals and the community to help make the Cape Fear Region a dementia-friendly community. Her love of older adults and the immense respect she has for those in the caregiving role make Kandace’s job feel like a privilege and an honor to serve those in need.

Chiquita Gooding-Register (Adult Services Supervisor Health and Human Services)
Chiquita Gooding-Register currently works with New Hanover County Health and Human Services in the role of Adult Services Supervisor. Her prior experience is in the field of social work. When she began her career about thirty years ago, Mrs. Gooding-Register has been assisting elderly individuals, with the majority of those years spent at the New Hanover County Department of Social Services. Her previous experience was serving as a social worker for nursing homes, as a case manager for the Community Alternatives Program, as a social worker for Adult Protective Services, and as a social worker for guardianships.

Mrs. Gooding-Register is responsible for supervising social workers who manage clients' cases, primarily in the areas of placement, adult day care and adult day health, in-home care, and guardianship.

Holly Pilson (Director Agency on Aging)

Holly Henderson Pilson has always had a love for older adults. She received a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in gerontology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She interned with the New Hanover County Department of Aging and became the manager of the Home Community Care Block Grant In-Home Aide Program with a local home care agency after graduation. Holly has worked for the Cape Fear Area Agency on Aging for 23 years, beginning as the Aging Program Developer and switching to the position of Caregiver Resource Specialist in 2001 after Congress approved and funded the National Family Caregiver Support Program under the Older Americans Act (as amended). She enjoyed helping caregivers navigate the aging support system, facilitating support groups, managing caregiver grants, and providing caregiver education in that role. She has been a master trainer and leader in many evidence-based programs, including but not limited to Matter of Balance, Chronic Disease Self-Management, Diabetes Self-Management, Caring for You, Caring for Me, and Powerful Tools for Caregivers. In late 2020, she was promoted to the Area Agency on Aging Director and is excited about continuing to grow the AAA programs while ensuring the region provides stellar services in Region O (Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, and Pender Counties).

J'vanete Skiba (Director Resiliency Task Force)

J'vaneté helps propel the vision of creating a more compassionate and resilient community where everyone can thrive by partnering with community leaders and organizations to offer thought leadership, facilitation and collaboration, and training in trauma-informed and resilience-focused practices. She is passionate about working for the Resiliency Task Force and strives to bring resilience skills to the community while making connections across sectors, from educators to first responders to businesses. J'vanete has a BA in Communication Studies from UNC Wilmington (’03) and a minor degree in English, and she is working toward her M. Ed. in Neuroscience and Trauma. She is a certified Community Resiliency Model teacher, a certified Reconnect for Resilience educator, and a Youth Mental Health First Aider. She leads the work of the task force’s subcommittees and coordinates all in-person and virtual movie screenings as well as workshops for the Community Resiliency Model (CRM) and Reconnect for Resilience (Reconnect). J’vaneté joined the staff of the Resiliency Task Force in January 2020 and was promoted to director in September 2023.

Fawn N. Rhodes

Job Opening: Lenoir County Council on Aging, Inc. Program Coordinator

From the NC Department of Health and Human Services: A new report, A Place to Thrive: Creating Opportunities to Age Well in North Carolina, from the NC Institute of Medicine’s Task Force on Healthy Aging recommends 30 actionable strategies for improving social connections, falls prevention, food and nutrition security, and mobility to support healthy aging for all North Carolinians. The report includes data and analysis to provide context for the healthy aging challenges and opportunities facing our state, as well as detailed recommendations and strategies for decision-makers in sectors including health care, public health, academia, the legislature, housing development and more. By 2028, one in five residents will be over age 65, and by 2038 most North Carolina counties will have more residents aged 60 or older than those under age 18, signifying major changes in the health care needs of our state. The report is the final product of the Task Force on Healthy Aging, composed of more than 60 members from health care, local and state government, faith communities, aging, academia and other sectors. The task force was supported, in part, by NCDHHS.
View it here:

nciom.org

Rufty-Holmes senior Center is hiring for an Executive Director. Job posting:

Executive Director - Salisbury, NC 28144 - Indeed.com Rufty-Holmes Senior Center