Endowed Professorship in Gerontology, Intergenerational Social Work Announced
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 15, 2007) − The University of Kentucky College of Social Work is
establishing its first endowed professorship in aging and intergenerational social work through
the efforts of associate professor Melanie Otis.
As a scholar and professor at the university, Otis is keenly aware that as the population of older adults rapidly expands, there is a critical need for scholarly work addressing the unique challenges and needs of our changing demographic landscape. Beyond her awareness of the need for scholarship and research in this area, she is committed to providing gerontology education for all social workers.
Noting this need in the social work arena and armed with her personal experiences with aging family members, Otis is establishing the endowed professorship in honor of her parents, Marquita Sivis and William H. Otis.
The William H. Otis and Marquita Sivis Otis Professorship is in honor of "the human spirit and the countless struggles we encounter as we move through the many stages of life," says Otis. "It represents how much people have in common with the aging process, but also how much they differ."
The professorship is particularly fitting in Otis' opinion since both of her parents had very different experiences as they were aging.
Otis' father died shortly after his 60th birthday due to a two-year battle with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. In the early stages of the diseases, his family was able to use services provided by the Helping Hand Program (now the Best Friends Day Center) and their Best Friends™ approach to care.
"The Helping Hands Program was a lifesaver for us, but availability of such programs remains limited," notes Otis. "With the growing number of aging baby boomers, the need for programs such as Helping Hands becomes even greater."
Conversely, Otis' mother continues to live a very dynamic life. Marquita is engaged in post-retirement employment and provides care as needed to her 89-year-old mother, who remains active in community and family life.
"She (Marquita) represents the second generation in a family with members that span five generations," says Otis. "Meeting the varying needs of a family whose ages span nearly 90 years requires intergenerational engagement and support."
With five-generation families and centenarians occurring much more often today than before, there is a greater demand for social workers with the knowledge and skills necessary to respond to a complex interplay of biopsychosocial aspects of aging throughout an individual's life course and across generations.
Otis hopes that creating this endowed professorship in gerontology and intergenerational social work will support research, teaching, policy development and practice dedicated to improving understanding of how best to meet the needs of an aging population.
The William H. Otis and Marquita Sivis Otis Professorship in Gerontology and Intergenerational Social Work, like all professorships, is a statement about the importance of asking questions and developing knowledge that contributes in some positive way to the lives of individuals and the communities in which they live. The College of Social Work will pursue filling this position in the fall of 2008.
For more information on the William H. Otis and Marquita Sivis Otis Professorship in Gerontology and Intergenerational Social Work endowment or the position, contact the UK College of Social Work at (859) 257-6649.
As a scholar and professor at the university, Otis is keenly aware that as the population of older adults rapidly expands, there is a critical need for scholarly work addressing the unique challenges and needs of our changing demographic landscape. Beyond her awareness of the need for scholarship and research in this area, she is committed to providing gerontology education for all social workers.
Noting this need in the social work arena and armed with her personal experiences with aging family members, Otis is establishing the endowed professorship in honor of her parents, Marquita Sivis and William H. Otis.
The William H. Otis and Marquita Sivis Otis Professorship is in honor of "the human spirit and the countless struggles we encounter as we move through the many stages of life," says Otis. "It represents how much people have in common with the aging process, but also how much they differ."
The professorship is particularly fitting in Otis' opinion since both of her parents had very different experiences as they were aging.
Otis' father died shortly after his 60th birthday due to a two-year battle with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. In the early stages of the diseases, his family was able to use services provided by the Helping Hand Program (now the Best Friends Day Center) and their Best Friends™ approach to care.
"The Helping Hands Program was a lifesaver for us, but availability of such programs remains limited," notes Otis. "With the growing number of aging baby boomers, the need for programs such as Helping Hands becomes even greater."
Conversely, Otis' mother continues to live a very dynamic life. Marquita is engaged in post-retirement employment and provides care as needed to her 89-year-old mother, who remains active in community and family life.
"She (Marquita) represents the second generation in a family with members that span five generations," says Otis. "Meeting the varying needs of a family whose ages span nearly 90 years requires intergenerational engagement and support."
With five-generation families and centenarians occurring much more often today than before, there is a greater demand for social workers with the knowledge and skills necessary to respond to a complex interplay of biopsychosocial aspects of aging throughout an individual's life course and across generations.
Otis hopes that creating this endowed professorship in gerontology and intergenerational social work will support research, teaching, policy development and practice dedicated to improving understanding of how best to meet the needs of an aging population.
The William H. Otis and Marquita Sivis Otis Professorship in Gerontology and Intergenerational Social Work, like all professorships, is a statement about the importance of asking questions and developing knowledge that contributes in some positive way to the lives of individuals and the communities in which they live. The College of Social Work will pursue filling this position in the fall of 2008.
For more information on the William H. Otis and Marquita Sivis Otis Professorship in Gerontology and Intergenerational Social Work endowment or the position, contact the UK College of Social Work at (859) 257-6649.