An introduction to the profession of Activity Directors, Therapeutic activity practice, and their integration into health care. An examination of practice standards, practitioner behavior, activity planning, and service delivery.

An orientation from practitioners in the community and from an academic interdisciplinary perspective to programs, services, issues, and problems in working with older persons. (Same as SOCL 2026, formerly SOCL and GERO 4026.)

An examination of issues related to the economic status of persons as they grow older. Attention will be given to problems and policies which relate to income maintenance, planned and unplanned expenditures, inflation, reduced income, post-retirement employment, public and private pensions, health insurance, pre-retirement employment, public and private pensions, health insurance, pre-retirement counseling and legislative reforms. (Same as ECON 4010.)

Examines the life experiences of women as they age. Emphasis is on sociological influences on perceptions of aging among women and on aging women's roles in society. (Same as SOCL 4024)

Exploration of the social organization of dying, including a view on cross-cultural perspectives on death, treatment of the dying patient, and the grief process. (Same as GERO 4025)

Student placement in a senior center, social service agency, nursing home, or hospital for nine hours per week. Students already employed in an agency will take Sociology 4028. Prerequisite: approval of department head.

Individual examination of a relevant problem in Gerontology as approved and directed by student's major professor. Prerequisite: approval of department head.

An examination of the definition, causes, and theories associated with the problem of elder abuse and neglect. Relevant research regarding the historical perspectives, recognition of abuse and neglect, assessment techniques, and interventions will be presented.

An examination of legal challenges older Americans are facing as they plan their later years and seek to maximize their quality of life. These challenges include age discrimination in employment, housing alternatives and options, financial management and planning, medical needs and attention, and consent, and long-term care.

Examination and application of the guidelines, issues and choices associated with housing disruption and re-location of the elderly. (Same as FCSC 4035.)

Application of basic concepts of nutrition directed toward improving nutritional status and health. Federal, state and community programs will be discussed. (Same as FCSC 4036)

An examination of different types of qualitative research, techniques of data collection, analysis, and presentation, and ethical issues; exploration of the strengths and limitations of this type of interpretive work. (Formerly SOCL 495F)

Provides foundational knowledge and skills necessary to address public health issues across all age groups and populations covering a life span with a special focus on geriatric issues. Prerequisite(s): For Undergraduate course: Junior or Senior standing For Graduate course: Instructor or Program Director permission required to enroll

The focus of this course is to identify methods and mechanisms that enhance children's perception of old age and develop age-related sensitivity toward elderly individuals. The goal of the course is to prevent ageism, as a social problem, by developing age-sensitivity at an early age.

This course focuses on an inter-professional team approach to person-centered evidence-based diagnosis, assessment, and interventions for different types/forms of dementia syndromes with an emphasis on Alzheimer's dementia.

A sociological investigation into leisure activities among the aged, issues in pre-retirement and retirement, managing resources, holistic health and lifestyle changes, nutrition, and stress reduction. (Same as Sociology 5002.)

A review of the fundamental aspects of biological aging; age-related anatomical and physiological changes displayed by humans and other mammals at the molecular, cellular, and organismic levels. (Same as Biology 5010.)

An examination of social aspects of adjustment to aging, attitudes toward aging, social-psychological and sociological theories of aging, successful aging, family patterns, intergenerational relationships, leisure, and retirement. Attention will be given to demographic changes, middle age, minority aged, and adult socialization. (Same as Sociology 5012. Formerly Sociology 510 - Sociology of Aging.)

This course will examine the current state of gerontological knowledge about each of the federally designated minority group populations: African Americans, American Indians, Asian/Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics. Each student will have the opportunity to explore the state of knowledge about a particular group or a research issue across populations. Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor.

An examination of ethnic and cultural variations in physical and mental health status among minority aged individuals. Topics include morality, morbidity, social and environmental influences oh health status, individual risk factors, functional impairment, and the relation of these issues to the use of health care services.

The study of communication processes among gerontological professionals, staff, patients, healhcare providers, and administrators. Emphasis on research strategies and practical learning experiences to facilitate interaction. (Same as GERO 5026.)

This course focuses on identifying, examining, and describing grief and bereavement experienced due to different types of losses experienced by people across their lifespan. Course topics will include a description and examination of grief and bereavement related to different types of life situations and life experiences.

This course will focus on the different types of assessment tools and intervention methods used by professional grief care managers to address functional management of normal and complicated grief.

An investigation of geriatric care management techniques in different healthcare and social program settings. Details are given on the social significance of human resources and skill building for conducting assessment, care, and case management for senior clients for achievement of goal. The course will prepare students for certification in geriatric care and case management. Prerequisite: Permission of Department Head.

An examination of ethnic and cultural factors influencing the planning and delivery of health and social services to the aged and handicapped. Topics include important service delivery issues such as estimating service needs; theoretical models of service utilization; barriers, outreach and targeting; diverse cultural values, culturally appropriate service modalities; and impact of cultural values on planning, policy, and practice.

A review of the various types of community based care with attention to the types of environments and services offered, the process of entry into care systems, physical and socio-emotional care, relations between residents and staff members, and social relationships inside and outside of care facilities. Health and quality of care, medical ethics, environmental health, and the delivery of services are addressed. (Same as Sociology 5065. Formerly Introduction to Long-Term Care.)

This seminar will take a comprehensive look at what is known about informal, family caregiving in the U.S. Assignments will identify who assumes care, the types of problems caregivers confront, caregiving tasks, caregiver appraisal of the situation, caregiver burden, and the psychological, social, work, and health consequences of caregiving. Attitudes towards and use of services will also be addressed. To the extent possible, the seminar will cover what is known about caregiving in each of the major populations: African American, American Indian, Asian & Pacific Islander, Latino, and non-Hispanic whites.

Analysis of the Older American's Act, national and state programs on aging, and other legislative/congressional acts: their effects on research, training, and grant development in the field of gerontology. (Same as Sociology 5067. Formerly Analysis of Programs and Practice in the Aging Network.)

An examination of legislation that provides the foundation for the aging network, the programs and services available, and the theories that help predict service use by elders. Relevant research regarding social context of community resource delivery, community, support, and long-term care services, and the future of programs and services for the older adult will be presented.

Integration and application of research designs used in gerontology; examines the impact of research on programs, policy, and planning; attention given to grant writing for research support. Prerequisite: Undergraduate methods course or approval of gerontology graduate coordinator. (Same as Sociology 5075.)

In depth analysis and discussion of significant contemporary issues in aging. Will cover state-of-the question issues on timely topics in gerontology. May be repeated for credit as topics vary up to a maximum of nine hours. Prerequisite: Approval of Instructor.

An intensive analysis of the theories of aging that have been advanced by researchers in the social and behavioral sciences from 1950 to the present. Classic statements and formulations are complimented by more recent theoretical discussions and empirical tests of each theory. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

An overview of the departments and their functions, personnel issues, fiscal resources, ethics, facility maintenance, nutrition, and medical/social service terminology, and relations with families, volunteers, and residents.

In-depth examination of Federal, state, and local regulatory agencies, their mandated policies and procedures, and enforcement. Prerequisite: Gerontology 5087.

A field experience for those graduate students interested in research experience or applied aspects of gerontology. Students will be assigned to a program involving research activities, service provision, or administration of programs related to the aging and aged populations. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor. (Formerly Sociology 590.)

This course is a required capstone course for the Master's degree in Gerontology. It consists of a modular synthesis of the course material covered in the degree program. (requires permission of the instructor and/or the Program Director).

Grades of CR (Credit) or NC (No Credit) will be awarded.