The Background of The Institute for Gerontology
In 2013, Felician University, in support of its Catholic-Franciscan mission, established an Institute for Gerontology (IFG) to address the human, spiritual, societal, and health conditions of a growing elderly population in the United States. The Institute, working in conjunction with community partners, provides educational programs, participates in workforce development, conducts research, and promotes public policy and legislative initiatives to enhance successful aging. By involving far reaching constituents, the IFG prepares future workforce members and assists community leaders in making a difference in the lives of an aging population.
The University works with a talented Advisory Committee whose expertise guides and assists the IFG in promoting it mission and vision. The members of the Advisory Committee advise the University on the needs of the elderly population along with identifying programs and resources that are available for successful aging.
Institute Purpose
Felician University, in support of its Catholic-Franciscan mission, created an Institute for Gerontology in 2013 to address the human, societal and health conditions of a growing elderly population in the United States.
Working in conjunction with community partners, the Institute provides educational programs, conducts research, and promotes public policy and legislative initiatives that enhance healthy aging. By involving far-reaching constituents, the Institute prepares and assists community leaders in making a difference in the lives of an aging population.
In addition to sponsoring community education programs, the Institute seeks to sponsor state-wide summits on aging. By engaging businesses, non-profit agencies, health care organizations, and educational partners, the Institute expects to reach a broad constituency of citizenry. External funding will be sought to help underwrite these Summits.
Institute for Gerontology Initiatives
- Educate students who will transform the national agenda and policy for promoting healthy aging.
- Graduate students who will work with the senior population in their community.
- Conduct research and design innovative projects aimed at improving the quality of life for older adults while focusing on the humanistic, biological and environmental conditions of aging.
- Publish and disseminate research and scholarly findings in healthcare, business, nursing, religious studies, sociology and political science to help promote healthy aging.
- Develop a community-based website with educational materials and links to social services and support resources for the elderly and their families.
- Partner with senior community agencies to advance senior care initiatives.
- Establish a process that facilitates opportunities for our graduate students to collaborate with our community partners on senior focused projects.
- Establish revenue generating programs for IFG.
