Minnesota Gerontological Society
Bridging the gap in Minnesota between research and practice in the field of aging, with special emphasis on developing and
supporting tomorrow’s leaders
News Bulletin
Offering updates in the field of Gerontology and information about MGS for its members
March 2012
Looking Back, Looking Ahead by Jim Tift, MGS President
Looking back, it was a beautiful summer day in August of 1976 when eighteen of us gathered at the
Campus Club at the Coffman Union at the University of Minnesota at the first organizational meeting of
what became the Minnesota Gerontological Society. Through the last 36 years, MGS has had many ups
and downs, in its membership numbers, in its finances and in its range of activities and programs, but
the rich tradition of gathering every spring for our conference has endured. As I’m sure you have
heard by now, this year’s MGS Annual Spring Conference will be held on Friday, April 27th at the Earle
Brown Conference Center in Brooklyn Center. I urge all of you to consider attending, sponsoring or
exhibiting this year. To do so, just go the the MGS website at www.mngero.org. Your support of MGS
will help the organization continue to remain strong as we look ahead.
2012 MGS Conference – Friday, April 27 – “Where Do We Age – Your Place Or Mine?”
Join Keynote Speaker Graham D. Rowles at the 2012 MGS annual conference. Dr. Rowles is a social
geographer with an interest in the humanistic tradition who for the past 30 years has focused his
research on the geography of aging and the aged. His research, in the field of environmental
gerontology, focuses on the lived experience of aging in different contexts. His focus is finding the
meaning of “place” and how to create that lived experience of a home. Early bird registration is now
available at www.mngero.org.
Nominations Solicited for 2012 Kastenbaum “Outstanding Gerontologist” Award
MGS established the Outstanding Gerontologist Award in 1984 to recognize individuals who have
contributed to lives of older persons throughout Minnesota. Contributions can be made to the field of
aging through practice, research, or academics. In 1998 the award was renamed the Dutch
Kastenbaum Award to honor Abraham “Dutch” Kastenbaum. Kastenbaum was trained as a social
worker, and was a champion in beginning service programs for older people. To nominate, download
the form at http://www.mngero.org/awards/gerontologist.html. Deadline is Friday, March 2.
University of Minnesota Summer Institute 2012
Many new programs are being launched in Minnesota. Learn about them and how you and your
organization can respond to these opportunities at the UMN Summer Institute 2012. Continuing
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education credits will be available. The Institute will be held June 12, 2012 at the Earle Brown Heritage
Center in Brooklyn Center. More information is available at http://www.coa.umn.edu.
Call for Papers – Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care
Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care features original research and conceptual
articles that explore issues crucial to individuals with serious, life-threatening, and life-limiting illness
and their families across the lifespan. Journal of Social Work in End-of Life and Palliative Care receives
all manuscript submissions electronically via the ScholarOne Manuscripts website located at:
http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/wswe. ScholarOne Manuscripts allows for rapid submission of
original and revised manuscripts, as well as facilitating the review process and internal communication
between authors, editors and reviewers via a web-based platform. ScholarOne Manuscripts technical
support can be accessed via http://scholarone.com/services/support. If you have any other requests
please contact the journal’s editor at ecsikai@sw.ua.edu.
Older Americans Month 2012 Materials Now Available
The Older Americans Month 2012 theme is "Never too old to Play." The theme encourages older
Americans to stay engaged, active and involved in their own lives and in their communities. The
Administration on Aging is pleased to provide materials to assist partners at the national, state, and
local levels plan for activities in commemoration of Older Americans Month. To view and download the
Older Americans Month 2012 logo and poster in both English and Spanish as well as other materials,
please visit www.aoa.gov.
Announcing the Ninth Annual Institute on Aging and Social Work
Nationally recognized experts in research methodology will lead a training institute specifically
designed for social work faculty who received their doctoral degree at least three years ago in any area
of social work. The institute, funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), NIH Office of Behavioral
and Social Research, and the Hartford Foundation, aims to strengthen participants’ knowledge and
skills essential for developing an active research agenda and integrating scholarship with teaching. Codirected by Barbara Berkman of Columbia University and Chandra Mehrotra of The College of St.
Scholastica, the institute will be held in Duluth, Minnesota overlooking beautiful Lake Superior July 16 23, 2012. Participants will have the opportunity to obtain individualized consultation with distinguished
professors and NIA staff and interact with members of last year’s cohort. For additional information
write to Dr. Chandra Mehrotra at cmehrotr@css.edu. Application deadline: March 28, 2012.
ABA Releases New Volunteer Guardianship Monitoring and Assistance Handbook for Courts
The American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging released a new online resource on
volunteer guardianship monitoring and assistance for courts. This handbook, an update to a 20-yearold manual by Legal Counsel for the Elderly, Inc. of AARP, is a concise, four part, readily accessible
electronic guide designed to provide court staff step by step instructions for developing a volunteer
guardianship monitoring and assistance program, recruiting and training volunteers, and compiling
community information that volunteers and guardians will need. Download the handbook at
http://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_aging/resources/guardianship_law_practice/court_voluntee
r_guardianshipmonitoring.html.
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Film Festival on Aging Explores Film to Promote Quality Care of Minnesota’s Diverse Aging
Population
Giving up the car keys at 99. Encore performances after a professional career. Revealing true
sexuality at 88. Coping with Alzheimer’s Disease as an African American. These are the
thought-provoking themes shared through five films and follow-up discussion at the Film
Festival on Aging, April 11, 8:15 – 3:30, at Pioneer Place on Fifth. The festival, sponsored by St.
Cloud Technical & Community College, Whitney Senior Center, Tubman Elder Rights, and
Central Minnesota Council on Aging, brings together healthcare professionals, educators,
community leaders, and businesses for candid conversations about policy, practices, research,
workforce competencies, and more. The Film Festival on Aging also offers continuing education
units for healthcare professionals, nursing home administrators, and social workers. The cost is
$50 for professionals and $25 for seniors/caregivers/college community. For a list of films and
event registration, log on to www.sctcc.edu/filmfestival.
Careers in Aging Week
On Minnesota campuses during April 1-7, special activities will be sponsored by members of the
Gerontology Educators Network (GEN) to highlight the variety of careers in the field of aging. Watch
www.mngero.org for the 2012 events.
2012 Minnesota Hospice & Palliative Care Conference
Sunday, April 15, 2012 through Tuesday, April 17, 2012. Keynoters include pre-conference speaker,
Richard Heinrich, MD who will present Suicide in Hospice: End of Life Clinical, Ethical and Legal
Perspectives; Monday’s speaker, Tom Hutchinson, MB, FRCP(C), speaking on Whole Person Care: A New
Healthcare Paradigm; and Frank Ostaseski’s keynote address Being a Compassionate Companion.
Brochure and Registration is now available.
Caring for a Person with Memory Loss Conference
From Dr. Joseph Gaugler - The next free “Caring for a Person with Memory Loss” conference will be on
Saturday, June 2nd, 2012, from 8AM to 4:30PM in Mayo Memorial Auditorium at the University of
Minnesota! Please visit the conference portal at http://tinyurl.com/CPWMLinfo for more details,
such as speaker information and program schedule.
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The Minnesota Gerontological Society (MGS) offers this free Bulletin to its members. To submit items contact
mgs@mngero.org. Inclusion in the newsletter does not necessarily mean endorsement by MGS staff or Board. MGS’
Bulletin is edited by Rajean P. Moone, PHD.
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