The University of Arizona has been named a member of the Global Network of Age Friendly Universities, a group of institutions of higher education committed to promoting positive and healthy aging and improving the lives of older members of the global community. Innovations in healthy aginga University of Arizona Health Sciences strategic initiative, led the effort to make the new name possible.
AFU’s global network consists of nearly 100 higher education institutions committed to supporting 10 principles of an adult-friendly university. Any institution demonstrates a commitment to promoting positive and healthy aging through innovative educational programs; research programs; curriculum development; online learning; health and wellness activities; arts and culture programs; and opportunities for civic engagement.
“I am delighted that the university is being recognized for its efforts to promote an age-friendly university. This designation reaffirms our commitment to optimizing health across the lifespan and addressing both the opportunities and challenges that come with aging,” said Kathleen Insel, MD, RNdirector of Innovations in Healthy Aging and professor at Arizona College of Nursing. “AFU’s global network is doing the critical work needed to create new opportunities and innovative practices to meet the changing needs of society.”
According to the Census Bureau, the number of elderly people in the United States has grown by a third in the past decade to more than 55 million. There was a 48% increase in Arizona’s senior population during the same period.
Several innovations in Healthy Aging programs support AFU’s principles, including the Healthy Aging Lecture Series, which features expert advice on aging through regularly scheduled hybrid presentations. The initiative also maintains an online list of research studies seeking participation from older adults and offers events such as poetry circles, awe walks, and dance or movement instruction through its Aging and the Arts program.
“Innovation in Healthy Aging has built a multi-collegiate and transdisciplinary network of researchers, professors and leaders to enable greater dissemination of information, multifaceted problem solving and the ability to meet the needs of an aging population,” Insel said, adding that innovation in Healthy Aging provides an organizational framework and structure to facilitate the research and promotion work already being done by various programs, institutes and centers at the University of Arizona.
For example, on Arizona Center on Aging at Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson has promoted long, healthy, and functional lives for older adults through research, education and training, clinical care, and community engagement since it was established as a long-term care gerontology center funded under Title IV-E of the Older Americans Act in 1980 Mr. Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning offers hundreds of classes, field trips and social events annually for adults 55 and older and Arizona Arthritis Center at Tucson College of Medicine offers community outreach events, including lectures and activities on health and good physical and mental condition. In addition to the university Office of Continuing and Professional Education provides career training to lifelong learners as well as programs and certificates in several age-related studies.
Census Bureau data show that by 2034, the number of Americans age 65 and older will outnumber those under 18 for the first time. The University of Arizona and other institutions belonging to the AFU Global Network are well positioned to share best practices, introduce new approaches, and engage with an aging society.
