Dr. Britt Cusack, ANP-C, APNEndowed Chair of GerontologyUniversity of Tennessee at Chattanooga

“the comprehensive study of aging and the problems of the aged” (Merriam-Webster, 2015)

“the scientific study of old age, the process of aging, and the particular problems of old people”

Between 2010 to 2030 (the boxed section of this graph), the U.S. population over age 65 is projected to increase by 22 MILLION.

1. Post-WWII economic growth

2. Increase in marriage rates post-war

3. Increase in family sizea) 3.09 children in 1950b) 3.65 children in 1960

4. Decrease in infant mortality ratesa) 56 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1935b) 27 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1955c) 16 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1975

5. Increased life expectancy

6. Fewer major population declines impacting baby boomers

• Military conflictsWWI: 114, 516 deathsWW2: 405,399 deathsKorean War: 34,516 deathsVietnam War: 58,209 deathsGulf War: 294 deathsAfghanistan/ Iraq: 6,717 deaths

• Diseases & pandemicsSpanish Flu: 675,000 deaths (1918)Polio: 3,345 (1952)Asian Flu: 70,000 deaths (1957)Ebola: 2 (2014)

There will be an increased demand for HEALTHCARE WORKERS. From the Eldercare Workforce Alliance (2011):

• It is estimated that 3.5 million additional health care professionals will be needed by 2030, including more than one million additional direct-care workers who will be needed by 2018.

• Eldercare is projected to be the fastest-growing employment sector within the health care industry. Strengthening the eldercare workforce is not only vital to our social infrastructure and improving the quality of care, but also has the potential to drive long-term economic growth.

• “We must address the workforce shortage now. Not only because a strong, well-trained eldercare workforce will result in better care, but also because without interdisciplinary team care, greater demand will be put on family and informal caregivers,” noted Steven Dawson, co-convener with Ms. Lundebjerg of the Alliance.

Examples include (but are not limited to):• Nurses• Physicians• Pharmacists• Physical therapists• Occupational therapists• Dieticians• Social workers• Psychologists/ psychiatrists• Nursing home administrators (business majors, accountants, • marketing executives, etc)• Interior designers & architects focused on aging in the • built/ physical environment• Community/ regional/ city planners

Undergraduate-level courses focused on aging offered by UTC:

HHP4520 Problems in Health: Aging and Death Education HHP4410 Exercise and the Older AdultINTD4220 Aging in the Built EnvironmentNURS3500 The (Physical) Process of AgingNUTR4240 Nutrition for the Older Adult (coming soon!)PSY2230 Psychology of Aging PSY3130 Cognitive ProcessesSOC3570 Social and Cultural Studies of Aging OR ANTH3380 Sociocultural Studies of Aging SOCW4600 Social Work Practice with Aging FamiliesUSTU4000 Service Learning with the Elderly

Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies with a concentration in Gerontology

Integrated Studies is a unique programthat serves both traditional students and adult students with prior learning. Students design a course plan to fit their educational and career goals. Coursework from disciplines in all colleges on campus, including gerontology, can be integrated to form the degree. Prior learning can be assessed and applied to the degree. Additionally, students may select coursework that is entirely online. The gerontology concentration is comprised of interprofessional courses from departments such as nursing, psychology, health & human performance, nutrition, sociology, social work, and interior design.

More information can be obtained from http://www.utc.edu/integrated-studies/ or by contacting Dr. Britt Cusack @ Brittany-cusack@utc.edu

Interprofessional minor in Gerontology (coming soon, 2017)

The interdisciplinary minor in gerontology will help undergraduate students to cultivate an understanding of the many facets of the aging process, including the biological, psychological, and sociocultural aspects of adult development and aging. As the United States elderly population is only projected to increase, this minor will help prepare students to work with not only geriatric clients within the community but also with staff of varying disciplines. Being cognizant that there are other facets of gerontology aside from the biological, psychological, and sociocultural aspects, we will offer elective courses from areas including but not limited to interior design, nutrition, and social work as they apply to aging.

The curriculum included within this minor covers the competency statements published in 2014 by the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE). Forty-five service learning (clinical) hours in the community are required in the final practicum course, USTU4000.

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

The School of Nursing offers a master of science in nursing (MSN) and post-master’s (MSN) certificate as an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Upon completing the post-master’s requirements, the graduate will be eligible to sit for one of the national certification exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

The 49 semester hour Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner MSN concentration includes core courses in nursing, support courses in the sciences, and specialty courses in adult gerontology acute care nursing. An intensive clinical practicum (total 630 clock hours) parallels the didactic courses, thus providing ongoing opportunity for application of theory to clinical practice. The 24 semester hour Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner post-MSN concentration consists of specialty courses in adult gerontology acute care nursing and support courses in the sciences.

MSW Program with a Focus on Serving Older Adults

UTC begins offering a new Master’s of Social Work (MSW) program in the fall of 2016. The program prepares students for advanced social work practice with special emphasis on serving older adults and their families throughout the Chattanooga region.

Students entering the two-year MSW program complete 60 credit hours over two years of study. Professionals with an undergraduate degree in social work may be eligible for the Advanced Standing MSW program. Students in the Advanced Standing program complete 39 credit hours over 12 months of study.

Community education via presentations & participation at health fairsGeriatric newsletter, “Eldercare Express”, to disseminate geriatric-focused education to our community’s geriatric caregiversTwitter feed, @UTCGerontologyAnticipate beginning to provide CEUs in gerontology through UTC’s professional education department in September 2016And, of course, geriatric-focused programs of study

Contact me to learn more about gerontology @ UTC!

Dr. Britt Cusack, ANP-C, APNBrittany-cusack@utc.eduMetro Building, #332