 This month is the 50th anniversary of the celebration of Older Americans Month. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy designated May as Senior Citizens Month. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter's proclamation changed the name to Older Americans Month, a time to celebrate those 65 and older through ceremonies, events and public recognition. We hope you'll join us for local celebrations (more below).
We've also highlighted two projects by IC students that show what students are learning about aging issues--one through research and another through photo activism. We'll be back in your mailbox in August, so until then, have a great summer!
Best wishes,
Rhoda Meador, Director
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Ever since 1963, May has been the month to appreciate and
celebrate the vitality and aspirations of older adults and their contributions and achievements. This year's Older Americans Month theme -- "Unleash the Power of Age!" -- emphasizes the important role of older adults and recognizes older Americans as productive, active, and influential members of society. Here in Tompkins county, two local agencies will celebrate the power of age at their annual meetings.
Lifelong will celebrate its 61st Annual Luncheon and Meeting on Thursday, May 16, Noon to 2 pm at the Ramada Inn in Ithaca. The keynote speaker will be our own Gerontology Institute director Rhoda Meador, Ph.D., who will discuss "Nature's Influence on Health and Happiness." Cost for the event is $20 per person. Please RSVP by calling 607.273.1511, or send an e-mail to frontdesk@tclifelong.org.
Then, on Tuesday, May 21, at noon at the Clarion Hotel in Ithaca, join others for the Tompkins County Office for the Aging Annual Luncheon. Keynote speaker for this event is Martha Stettinius, author of Inside the Dementia Epidemic: A Daughter's Memoir. Certificates of appreciation will be awarded to "Senior Citizen of the Year" and "Outstanding Contribution by a Senior Citizen." Reservations are $17, and RSVPs must be made by Tuesday, May 14. Call 607.274.5490, or send an e-mail to llunas@tompkins-co.org. Join us at one or both of these events to celebrate Older Americans Month!
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IC Student Wins First Place for Project Documenting Alzheimer's Disease
 Rachel Woolf '15, a major in documentary studies and production at Ithaca College, has won first place in the Park Award for Photo Activism program for her project detailing two couples' struggles with Alzheimer's Disease. This program is a joint venture of the Community Arts Partnership, Ithaca College's Park School, and the Park Foundation and was designed to serve as a link between students and the greater Ithaca community. A special credit-bearing documentary photography course led by IC Professor Janice Levy provided students with ongoing guidance and support. Woolf partnered with two couples at Longview, the retirement community with which Ithaca College has a partnership. The images that this young photographer captured are intimate and exceptionally powerful. The Buckleys and Barnards are to be commended for opening up their lives, struggles and hearts to this student with the aim of educating about the challenges of Alzheimer's and the struggle to continue to care for a loved one. The $1,000 award to Longview, provided by the Park Foundation in Woolf's honor, has been designated by Eleanor Barnard to Longview's garden Beautification/Horticulture Fund. The winning photos and narrative are now available on YouTube. Please be aware that these images may be disturbing to some people; however, we hope you agree that the love these couples manifest for each other transcends any viewer discomfort. |
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Aging Studies Senior Presents at Annual Meeting of the Eastern Sociological Society
 | Grace Goodhew '13 presenting her research in Boston
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When Aging Studies major Grace Goodhew graduates from Ithaca College on May 19th, her portfolio of accomplishments will include having presented a research poster at the Annual Meeting of the Eastern Sociological Society. Goodhew was one of five IC students who traveled to Boston in March to discuss their research.
Her project, "Retirement Savings: Perceptions versus Reality," surveyed a random sample of IC graduate and undergraduate students and revealed that they have "unrealistic expectations about both retirement savings needed as well as projected retirement age," Goodhew said. "An average of 87.5% of my respondents projected relying on Social Security, and projected retiring at the mean age of 63.85. This is far below the age of full benefits today, which is 67 years of age, and without a doubt that age of full Social Security benefits will rise significantly in the near future to reflect life expectancy and our country's crushing dependency ratio."
Goodhew feels these results indicate a greater need for financial literacy education among college students. "With this information, individuals could [learn] that saving even $15 a month when you're 25 could have a greater payoff than saving $250 at the age of 40," she said.
Editor's note: If only more of us had been taught that!
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 U.S. Census Bureau Presents Facts about Older Americans
41.4 million
Number of people who were 65 and older in the U.S. on July 1, 2011, up from 40.3 million on April 1, 2010. In 2011, this group accounted for 13.3% of the total population. 92.0 million
Projected population of people 65 and older in 2060, or just over one in five U.S. residents at that time. 2.4 million
Projected number of baby boomers in 2060. At that time, the youngest boomers would be 96 years old. 2056
The year in which, for the first time, the population 65 and older would outnumber people younger than 18 in the U.S. $33,118
The 2011 median income of households with householders 65 and older, not significantly different from the previous year. 8.7%
Percent of people 65 and older who were in poverty in 2011. There were 3.6 million seniors in poverty in 2011. $170,128
Median net worth for householders 65 and older in 2010, down from $195,890 in 2005. 16.1%
Percentage of people 65 and older who were in the labor force in 2010, up from 12.1% in 1990. By 2011, this rate had increased to 16.2%. 22.3%
Percentage of people 65 and older in Alaska in the labor force in 2011. Labor force participation rates for people 65 years and over ranged from 22.3% in Alaska to 12.5% in West Virginia. To see more facts about older Americans (education, marital status and living arrangements, voting, homeownership, centenarians, and more), go here.
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Our Mission
The Ithaca College Gerontology Institute provides high quality education to students and professionals, empowering them to positively impact the lives of older people. |
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