About $200,000 is being made available to Cal State Long Beach faculty who develop projects that can serve the needs of older adults, it was announced today.
With funding provided by American Gold Star Manor, private grant-making organization Archstone Foundation and SCAN, CSULB faculty are invited to submit proposals—focusing on social programs, transit solutions or navigation supports—to the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) until November 15.
“The increase in human longevity has led to profound changes in the age structure of society and has implications for essential functions such as healthcare, recreation and leisure, policy planning and communications, among others,” stated CHHS Dean Monica Lounsbery. “These sectors face considerable challenges in adapting to the rapid growth of the older adult population, yet offer a wealth of opportunities for scientific and applied innovation. CHHS is uniquely poised to address these challenges and is incredibly fortunate to have support from American Gold Star Manor, Archstone Foundation, SCAN and other community partners to effect positive change for seniors.”
The money is part of a grant program designed to enhance the quality of life for residents at American Gold Star Manor, a local senior retirement community, and beyond, according to a release.
“With selected projects required to incorporate a service learning component, report on measurable outcomes and more, we’re confident the research will contribute significantly to current understanding of how to prepare the next generation of workforce to meet the social, intellectual, functional and healthcare needs of older adults,” stated Terry Geiling, president and CEO of American Gold Star Manor.
Those behind the grant program also hope “to build a multidisciplinary network of researchers and community partners to advance the base of evidence on successful aging,” the release stated, with an additional goal to apply the program’s successful findings and practices across the broader older adult population.
The CHHS grants will give preference to projects tapping interdisciplinary teams of faculty. Submissions will be evaluated by a committee comprised of community partners and other expert reviewers from diverse disciplines, the release stated.
Part of the funding for the grant program stems in part from SCAN’s $40,000 contribution to the college in April during the senior health insurance agency’s 40th anniversary of service.