RUTHERFORD, NJ – Older is Better (OIB) returned to Felician University’s Lodi Campus on Friday, October 1 at 1pm after being on hold since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Local seniors turned out for the program’s relaunch at Obal Hall on the Lodi Campus. OIB is an open membership program designed for men and woman 55 and older. Felician University faculty member and expert in the field of gerontology, Dr. Ann Guillory, gave the opening presentation, How Covid-19 has Changed Aging for the Next 25 Years. “Hopefully the information I imparted will stimulate a little bit of thought in terms of the positive aspects of aging, and some of the positive aspects that have come out of the pandemic, particularly telehealth for older people.”

Dr. Guillory shared a list of things seniors can do themselves from exercising to staying connected and engaged that can play a role in their own successful aging saying, “there is definitely still a lot that is under your control in terms of what are you going to do for yourself now that you have time for yourself? What are you going to do to engage with the community with a positive attitude? Yes, you may be old, but you are still a human being and still have an awful lot to offer.”

The message got through to those in attendance, many of whom have been waiting patiently for the Older is Better program to return to Felician University, including Joanne DiGiovanni of Paramus. “It’s just so nice to be with people, and it’s very important to have a little communication with friends. I am so happy to see that some people I recognize made it.” The relaunch of OIB was exciting news for Terry Richardson of Teaneck, who said, “We are so happy to be out in the world again because we all missed the lectures, the people, and the socializing.”

In addition to being a member of the School of Arts and Sciences Counseling Psychology Department at Felician University, Dr. Guillory is a member of the American Association of Gerontology in Higher Education, NJ Society on Aging, and the Gerontology Society of America, and other organizations focused on aging.

Both the attendees and the University community expressed gratitude for the opportunity to come together for the relaunch of the Older is Better program. Maura DeNicola V.P. of External Relations and Communications at Felician University asked the seniors to be ambassadors in telling friends, neighbors, and others who they think might benefit about Older is Better.

Older is Better participants enjoyed coffee, and cookies, and all went home with red carnations, a gift from past Director, Mary Mallia and a “Once About a Time” Older is Better cookbook. Older is Better meets Friday afternoons at 1pm in the second-floor Lecture Hall of Obal Hall on the Lodi campus. If interested in becoming an OIB member contact Bierka Paulino at PaulinoB@felician.edu or Aneta Wygonik at WygonikAa@felician.edu.