The Office of Aging and Long Term Care (OALTC)

The Office of Aging and Long Term Care (OALTC), led by Dr. Rosemary Chapin, is located in the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare. The office was created to improve social service practice and policy for older adults. The office also helps to develop faculty and student's knowledge and skills in working with older adults. Faculty and staff work with the Kansas Department on Aging (KDOA) and other state agencies, as well as a variety of other public and private service organizations to provide research, training and technical support.

OALTC in the News

PPAE Students Featured in KU News

Partnership for Productive Aging Education (PPAE) students Leslie Fuller and Julia Vering-Young were interviewed about their upcoming graduation and future careers in the field of aging. Click here to read the full article.

Hoarding Interview with Kansas Public Radio
The OALTC's research in hoarding among older adults was recently featured on "Research Matters." The Director of the OALTC, Dr. Rosemary Chapin, was interviewed regarding the project findings. Findings include a profile of older adults who hoard, an analysis of city and county codes that can affect individuals who hoard, and information regarding barriers, interventions, and next steps to addressing cases of hoarding from stakeholders in Kansas communities. Also discussed were interventions that support a hoarder's independence in the community as well as recommendations for utilizing existing community resources to address hoarding problems. Click here to listen to the interview.

Planning for Long-Term Care Services- Lawrence Journal World

According to Lawrence Journal World (LJW), KU is "ahead of the curve on geriatric work," which includes research conducted by the OALTC. Dr. Rosemary Chapin, was recently interviewed by LJW about her 2006 report entitled "Planning for Long Term Care Services in Kansas Before the Boom," which will help address the unique needs of the older adult population in Kansas. Click here to read the full article.

Mental Health Services for Older Adults - Kansas Health Institute
Dr. Rosemary Chapin was recently interviewed by Kansas Health Institute regarding the need for improved mental health services for the aging population. A study by the OALTC showed that nearly one-third of assisted living facility residents face mental illness but do not receive services. The effects of a limited service delivery system were discussed along with possible solutions for addressing the mental health needs of older adults. Click here to read the full article.

Awards and Recognition

Jess Bartlett and Mary Sheridan were selected as members of the Inaugural HPPAE Alumni and Student Committee on Leadership in Aging.

Holly Nelson-Becker received the Gene A. & Gretchen Budig Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Rosemary Chapin received the Suzanne & Harry Statland Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship.

Skye Leedahl was named a recipient of the 2008 Hartford Doctoral Fellows Pre-Dissertation Award, which is focused on promoting an interest in gerontological social work. This national award is funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation and administered by the Gerontological Society of American (GSA).

Skye Leedahl was chosen by GSA's Social Research, Policy, & Practice (SRPP) Section as the recipient of the 2007 SRPP Student Research Award in the Undergraduate/Master's level competition for her paper, Social Organizations & Aging: The Benefits of VFW Membership.

Skye Leedahl was chosen to receive the Emerging Scholar and Professional Organization Interdisciplinary Paper Award. Her paper, Social Organizations & Aging: The Benefits of VFW Membership was selected as the best interdisciplinary research paper on a topic related to aging by a GSA student member.

Beth Baca was named a recipient of the 2007 Hartford Doctoral Fellows Pre-Dissertation Award.

Holly Nelson-Becker was selected as a member of the National Program Advisory Committee for the Hartford Doctoral Fellows Program.

Holly Nelson-Becker was selected to attend the NIA Research Training in Aging and Social Work Institute in Duluth, Minnesota.

The Rose Dobrof award is given by the Journal of Gerontological Social Work for the best work among all published articles by this journal during that year. This following article was given this award: Nakashima, M., Chapin, R. K., Macmillan, K., & Zimmerman, M. (2004). Decision making in long-term care: Approaches used by older adults and implications for social work practice. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 43 (4), 79-102.

Revised: November 17, 2008.

/sh