EP55: Age-Friendly Universities with Dr. Joann M. Montepare

<p><strong><em>Age-Friendly Universities </em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Colleges and universities are preparing future leaders, who will interact with older adults; yet we don't give them the essential skill set for interacting with that population and how to tailor to their needs </em></strong></p> <p><strong>-Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FGSA, FAAN</strong></p> <p><span style= "font-weight: 400;">______________________________________________</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Higher education in the United States has historically centered on delivering programs for younger people. By 2025, students aged 25 years old and above will make up 42% of the United States' college and university student populations. Evidence has established that universities can not only significantly impact older adults' later-life advancement, but content on aging is critical in higher education to prepare younger generations for the workforce.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Age-Friendly Universities are gaining traction. There are currently over 70 state colleges and universities worldwide that are members of the Age-Friendly University Global Network with schools in Australia, Canada, Asia, Europe, and the United States. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In today's episode, we will be talking about Age-Friendly Universities. I am joined by Dr. Joann Montepare, Professor of Psychology from Lasell University and the</span> <a href= "https://www.geron.org/stay-connected/interest-groups#afu"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Convener of the AFU Research Interest Group</span></a> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">with the Gerontological Society of America.</span></p> <p><strong>Part One of 'Age-Friendly Universities '</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Administration on Aging of the Department of Health and Human Services has reported that the United State's population of older adults is expected to more than double by 2060. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">7