CDA’s Older Americans Act State Plan Public Hearings

The California Department of Aging (CDA) is developing California’s next Older Americans Act (OAA) State Plan and is seeking robust and diverse public input on the plan through upcoming remote hearings and online surveys. All information about the OAA State Plan is posted on our website. California’s OAA State Plan for 2021-2025 will guide the Older Americans Act programs and funding and will align CDA’s OAA goals with Area Plans submitted by the 33 Area Agencies on Aging, the Governor’s Master Plan for Aging, and CDA’s Strategic Plan. OAA State Plans are due from CDA, as California’s designated unit on aging, to the Administration for Community Living every four years. The plan currently in development will be effective from October 1, 2021 through 2025.  The OAA State Plan draft report and a summary power point are posted on the webpage, for public review.   CDA, in partnership with the California Commission on Aging (CCoA), will hold two virtual public hearings and offer a survey and email box during April to gather input on the draft 2021-25 Older Americans Act State Plan. CDA and CCoA are interested in receiving input from older adults, people with disabilities, family and friend caregivers, and agencies, advocates, and allies that work with these individuals, as well as the general public. Please share this information with your networks, so a broad range of public comment can be provided and incorporated into the final OAA plan. There are three ways to provide your comments: Provide input during one of the two public hearings (the two hearings will cover the same information) – information below Send your input via this short survey Email questions and comments to oaastateplan@aging.ca.gov Virtual Hearing #1 Monday, April 26, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Android device: Please click this URL to join. https://zoom.us/j/92694092281?pwd=ME5lSEN2dTlDbWdVcU84TUJjei9VQT09 Passcode: 587332   Or join by phone (toll free) 888-788-0099 Webinar ID: 926 9409 2281 Passcode: 587332 Virtual Hearing #2 Thursday, April 29, 9:00 am to 10:30 am Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Android device: Please click this URL to join. https://zoom.us/j/98778693882?pwd=Y3BsMmlYaTBERTB1ZC9uYWtNSmw4UT09 Passcode: 395242   Or join by phone (toll free) 888-788-0099 Webinar ID: 987 7869 3882 Passcode: 395242

SAGE: Advocacy & Services for LGBT Elders invites you to contact your senator to urge him/her to support the Equality Act.

From the SAGE website:

Discrimination is still commonplace for LGBTQ+ Americans. Federal LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination protections like the ones outlined in the Equality Act would ensure that all LGBTQ+ Americans can live, work, and access public spaces free from discrimination, no matter what state they call home.

This is especially crucial for our LGBTQ+ pioneers who have waited long enough for this vital legislation. 

Visit: https://oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edit?promo_id=12307 for a quick and easy way to advocate.

Recognizing that April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day, please join us on April 22, 2021 at 9:00 am for the first

CALIFORNIA MASTER PLAN for AGING event in Orange County. Local experts will discuss this statewide directive to improve access

to Palliative Care and to encourage completion of Advance Healthcare Directives and when appropriate, POLST forms.

Click here to register http://bit.ly/ACPApril22

The California Master Plan for Aging https://mpa.aging.ca.gov/ was released in January. Among the bold goals, many initiatives important to the well-being of Californians as we age are included. Two important initiatives called out are under Strategy B, Health Care as We Age, Initiatives 49 and 50.

“Highlight to Medi-Cal plans and providers the value of Palliative care to improve patient outcomes and support patient and family choices for care, and Identify ways to promote care wishes – such as Advance Planning Directives and Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) – for all ages.”

Click here to register http://bit.ly/ACPApril22

California Council on Gerontology and Geriatrics

2021 SPRING SHOWCASE

The California Council on Gerontology and Geriatrics (CCGG) will be hosting a Spring Showcase for students, faculty, and the greater community to share their work and research. Due to the pandemic, we had our first showcase in the fall in lieu of the annual conference. While we look forward to one day being able to meet in a large group in-person, the spring and fall showcases provide a wonderful forum to connect and learn about the work that our colleagues are doing. It is also great for presenters to be able to share their information with a smaller, highly engaged audience. 

The 2021 Spring Showcase is on April 29 from 9:00-11:00am and will be held via Zoom video conferencing.  Please mark your calendar to join us even if you are not interested in presenting your research/work. Our initial 2020 Fall Showcase was a big hit, and we’re looking forward to the next one!

Students, faculty members, aging service providers, and all others working in gerontology and geriatrics throughout the state of California are invited to apply. If you are interested in submitting a proposal for the Spring Showcase, please see the “Presenter Information” below. A new addition this year is that the attendees will be voting on presentation award(s) for the “Best in Show” with an award for the winner!

Presenter Information

CCGG is currently seeking abstracts for short virtual presentations on recent research. You will have 10 minutes for the presentation and 5 minutes for Q&A. Presentations will occur over Zoom, and presenters may create 6-7 PPT slides or a poster to share during their presentation (templates will be available). The PPT slides or poster will be submitted online 1 week in advance of the Showcase.

Prepare the following before you enter the submission survey:

1. Presentation Title

2. Primary Author/Presenter (Name, Degree, Institutional Affiliation, Email, Phone Number)

3. Co-Authors (Name, Degree, Institutional Affiliation, Email Address)

4. Abstract* (250 words or less)

• Background
• Objective(s)
• Methodology
• Results / Analysis
• Conclusions / Implications

Proposal Process/Notification of Acceptance

We welcome abstracts which examine a variety of gerontology and geriatric issues such as housing/lack of housing, scientific, education, workforce development, recreation, technology, policy, and advocacy issues in the field of aging.  

When you are ready to submit your proposal, visit the submission site: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VT838Q5

The deadline of submission is March 8, 2021.
We will notify our decision via email by no later than March 26, 2021.

Accepted presenters will be asked to provide their presentation slides by April 22. Questions?  Contact us at donna.jensen@csus.edu

The Department of Human Services at the University of Illinois Springfield is actively recruiting for the Pre-Doctoral Fellowship (see job ad). This opportunity is provided to doctoral candidates that are set to complete their dissertation in the 2021-2022 academic year and are seeking experience in the academy with the potential for a transition to a tenure-track role upon the completion of their Fellowship. As a part of the university’s effort to actively recruit candidates from underrepresented populations, this Fellowship seeks to provide such candidates with unique opportunities to take part in the duties of a faculty member while still be ABD. Within the Fellows contract, they are expected to teach a 1-1 course load and are provided with research funds to assist in the completion of the dissertation and the development of their future research agenda. Likewise, the aspirations of the Department are to select a candidate that will complete their dissertation, fulfill their duties in the Fellowship, and be retained the following year in a tenure-track role.

Specific to the expectations of the Fellowship, the Department is actively seeking a candidate with expertise in Gerontology and the ability to teach in the newly revised graduate program in Gerontology. In particular, teaching capacity for some or all of the following courses is desired: Survey of Aging through Films; Neurobiological Health and Wellness in Aging; Aging and the Family; The Psycho-Social Aspects of Aging in the 21^st Century; Sociology of Death, Dying and Bereavement; Senior Care Administration. Attached is a document provided summaries of the courses. While these courses are the primary need for the Department, we are excited to announce a new graduate program in Nursing Home Administration that incorporates some of the previously mentioned courses. A candidate’s additional expertise through research, teaching, or experience in nursing home administration is particularly welcomed, but not required.

We are actively requesting your willingness to share this information with colleagues, doctoral candidates, professional organizations, etc. in an effort to maximize our recruitment efforts and provide an exciting opportunity to a potential future colleague. The deadline for submissions is February 24^th and the committee will be reviewing applicants as they complete their submissions. Please note this is a university-wide effort and the job advertisement is not meant to state that candidates from different Departments will be competitive. Only candidates fitting the description I’ve provided will compete with one another for the opening that is exclusive to our Department. Should you have any questions or need for clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out. Furthermore, if candidates wish to contact me, please encourage them to do so!

On behalf of Dr. Denise Bockmier-Sommers

Department of Human Services – Chair
University of Illinois Springfield 
One University Plaza, BRK 344

Springfield, IL 62703-5407 

O- (217) 206-6908; F-(217) 206-6775

dsomm2@uis.edu

By Sharon Wagner

After you’ve spent much of your life working and saving for retirement, the last thing you may want in your golden years is to re-enter the workforce. However, a recent survey on retirement showed that approximately 19 percent of retired respondents were already working part-time—and about 27 percent of pre-retirees planned on working at least part-time once they did retire.

Whether for financial or lifestyle reasons, there are many reasons to work after you retire—especially if your retirement savings are lacking, you need medical coverage and you’re too young to qualify for Medicare, or you’re looking to keep your mind engaged by exploring a new line of work. Plus, plenty of flexible job opportunities are available so you won’t miss out on the best of your senior years. To explore some of the best career opportunities for retired seniors, read these tips from the California Council on Gerontology & Geriatrics.

Teach Others

If you’re an expert in a certain area, have a teaching background, and/or you enjoy helping others, becoming an academic tutor or teacher could be the perfect post-retirement job for you. If you worked as a teacher prior to retirement, for instance, you could look into private tutoring, test preparation, part-time substitute teaching, or you could become an online tutor if you like the idea of working from home. While not all teaching and tutoring positions require a related background, many require a bachelor’s degree.

Assist Others Virtually

If you worked as an administrative assistant or secretary before retirement and you’re comfortable writing and using technology, taking on a part-time role as a virtual assistant could be ideal for you. To work as a virtual assistant, you typically need a reliable internet connection, access to phone and email, strong organizational skills, and experience using Microsoft Office.

Walk Dogs or Sit for Pet Owners

If you love animals and you’re looking for active work that gets you out of the house and moving around, the perfect post-retirement job for you could be a part-time dog walker or pet sitter. Plus, mobile apps like Rover, Wag, and Fetch connect you to pet owners in need of these services—and you can set your own hours and rates.

Start a Business

Whether you’ve recently retired or you’ve been out of the workforce for years, retirement is the perfect time to start a business of your own. Starting a business allows you to use a special skill or expertise to supplement your retirement income—all while setting your own hours and pace.

One important step in starting a business is choosing a business entity, such as an LLC or corporation. With a California LLC, for example, you get tax perks, meaning that your business is exempt from federal taxes. You’ll also be in good standing with the government and can avoid potential penalties if you register your LLC early on.

Also, keep in mind that all working professionals—especially small business owners—need a reliable mobile device that allows them to stay in touch with their customers, respond to email inquiries, and monitor their company’s online presence. If your current phone is old, outdated, or doesn’t connect to the internet, it’s time to upgrade to a reliable smartphone that comes equipped with everything you need to successfully run a business in your golden years.

Set Up a Home Office

If your new career allows you to work from home, you should dedicate a space in your home that’s quiet and provides privacy. You’ll want quality equipment to help with productivity. It’s also a good idea to invest in comfortable furniture. For example, an ergonomic office chair can improve your posture and minimize the likelihood of joint pain.

Don’t Miss Out on Your Golden Years

In conclusion, if you’re going to work in retirement, doing something you enjoy is crucial. However, working in retirement isn’t ideal for everyone, and it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of doing so before deciding whether a part-time job will be right for you.

If you’d like to learn more about how the California Council on Gerontology and Geriatrics provides support to seniors, please visit our website or contact us at (888) 963-9123.