VCU Gerontology

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VCU Gerontology

VCU Gerontology & The Virginia Center on Aging The Virginia Center on Aging (VCoA) is a statewide agency located in the VCU Department of Gerontology.

VCU Gerontology and Virginia Center on Aging

VCU Gerontology, part of the VCU College of Health Professions, is well-known for the quality and innovation of its programs and for the scholarship and expertise of its faculty. VCU Gerontology offers a variety of degree programs based on an interdisciplinary approach using the bio-psycho-social-spiritual model. With a mission of promoting optimal agi

ng for individuals and communities, VCU Gerontology graduates further the person-centered mission of the department largely in the areas of administration, education, advocacy, and entrepreneurship. VCoA was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1978 [Code of Virginia 23.1 2311]. VCoA's mission is to advance health, well-being and equity for the elders of today and tomorrow. Our innovative research, critical education and impactful service strive to make Virginia a place where its people can thrive at every age. Our expert faculty and staff foster innovation, power our research and dissemination hub, and lead VCoA's efforts as a statewide resource.

09/01/2026

Join us for a virtual training sessions dedicated to elevating the quality of care for nursing home residents, this free series will equip nursing home staff with innovative, evidence-based insights and practical approaches designed to strengthen performance across essential areas of resident care.

In Falls with Major Injury Part 2: Moving to Prevention, we will continue to examine diagnostic stewardship relative to falls with major injury and cover implementation of AHQR’s fall prevention toolkit, using person-centered care strategies to prevent FMIs, and team roles in FMI prevention.

Live Webinar: Sept. 22, 2026, 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET

Huddle-Up: Oct. 27, 2026, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. ET

(Registering for the webinar automatically registers you for the optional Huddle-Up)

Register here: https://form.jotform.com/261244198942160

08/28/2026

Housing instability requires unique, empathetic approaches. VCU Gerontology and Virginia Center on Aging will soon launch an online training to develop learners' skills in trauma-informed, narrative approaches to care for older adults who are experiencing housing instability.

Created in partnership with USAging, The Span Center and Homeward, the two-hour asynchronous training focuses on person-centered story-listening and offers strategies to counter ageism and ableism. Selected pilot participants will receive a $100 gift card.

Interested in completing the pilot training course? Click the link to learn more https://homestories.vcu.edu/course/.

08/24/2026

Are you preparing to take the NAB RCAL/CORE exams for licensure? Join Jenny Inker and Jen Yanez Pryor in a full day prep course to help you feel more confident on exam day.

When: Thursday, Sept. 24 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: VCU's College of Health Professions, 900 E. Leigh Street, 1st Floor, Room 1030
Cost: $300

This new and improved course is taught by two licensed Assisted Living Facility Administrators who are also faculty members in the VCU Department of Gerontology. VCU Department of Gerontology has the ONLY NAB accredited Assisted Living Administration program resulting in a Master's in Gerontology with an emphasis on Assisted Living Administration in the United States.

Complimentary parking in the 8th street deck, plus breakfast and lunch will be provided.

In this day long class you will receive:
➡️ Overview and in depth review of all four domains of practice based on NAB competencies
➡️ Test-taking strategies to help you prepare for the day of the exam
➡️ Mindfulness strategies to help alleviate anxiety
➡️ One NAB practice exam
➡️ Practice applying skills throughout the course
➡️ Handouts to help aid self studying outside of the classroom

Register Today: https://vcuagewaveevents.virginiainteractive.org/Home/Detail/762

08/20/2026

Virginia Center on Aging and Project Empower, part of VCU Health's Injury and Violence Prevention Program, will be at this year's National Sexual Assault Conference in Washington, DC! Cassie Michelle and reed bohn will be presenting a session featuring older adults.

Learn more at nationalsexualassaultconference.org.

08/12/2026

Speak up! Help Virginia age better.

The Virginia Center on Aging is conducting a needs assessment to inform the development of the next Virginia State Plan for Aging Services. We want to hear from: Adults Age 60+, Caregivers and Aging Services Professionals who are residents of Virginia.

This statewide assessment survey for aging services will be open until Sept. 25. All responses are anonymous. We respect your privacy. Questions? Call 804-662-7093.

Complete the survey today: https://redcap.vcu.edu/surveys/?s=8JDCFCWEHPP9W47M.

08/10/2026

Join us for the final session in the Greater Richmond Elder Justice Shelter Initiative Workforce Support Training Series, funded by the Administration for Community Living.

Tuesday, Aug. 25 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Virtual

Presented by Sydney Palinkas, Coordinator of the RAFT Dementia Support Program and President of the Virginia Coalition for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, this session will explore the intersection of dementia and elder mistreatment.

Older adults living with dementia are at increased risk of abuse, neglect and financial exploitation, yet these experiences often go unrecognized because changes in memory, communication and judgment can make disclosure more difficult. Whether you work in aging services, homelessness, healthcare, housing or social services, understanding how dementia affects communication and decision-making is essential to recognizing risk and providing person-centered support.

Participants will:
- Develop a practical understanding of dementia and how it affects memory, language, communication and judgment.
- Learn how dementia can increase vulnerability to abuse, neglect and exploitation.
- Explore strategies for communicating effectively with individuals living with dementia during interviews and service encounters.
- Recognize warning signs that may indicate elder mistreatment and consider appropriate next steps for support and referral.

We hope you'll join us for this final session as we conclude the Workforce Support Training Series.
Registration is free, but advance registration is required.
Please register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/MBUu41rnSuGvqntgCpF3uQ

08/07/2026

Virginia’s guardianship system has experienced significant transformation in recent years, driven by legislative changes and a growing emphasis on person-centered care.

Join Ellie Rest with the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) on Aug. 26 at 10 a.m. as we discuss the legal foundations of guardianship in Virginia, the roles and responsibilities of court-appointed guardians, recent legislative changes such as the new mandatory training for guardians and enhanced protections for adults served under guardianship.

Whether you are new to guardianship or seeking to stay current with policy and practice updates, this session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to better support individuals navigating this complex system — and to help shape its future.

Register today: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zPNa0uAmRzOPEAn0pf9DQQ #/registration."

08/06/2026

At USAging: Answers on Aging Conference, Adrienne Cummins and Gigi Amateau, Ph.D. accepted an honorable mention for Poetry on the River at the Aging Innovations & Achievement Awards Luncheon.

Launched in 2005, the awards program recognizes AAA and Title VI Native American Aging Programs that exemplify innovation and sound management practices.

The award was presented by with Duana Patton, USAging President, Mike Eidsaune, CEO of Caregiving.com and John Byer, CEO of Cumulus.care.

(Photo by The Span Center and Joe Lipstein/Courtesy of USAging)

08/05/2026

Join us for a virtual training sessions designed especially for Virginia’s nursing home employees. In this training session, you will be challenged to think differently about what person-centered dementia care is and how you put it into practice in your nursing home.

Deepening Your Person-Centered, Dementia Care Practice: A Learning and Relearning Journey with national person-centered dementia care experts Sonya Barsness and Karen Stobbe -- Creating a Learning Community

In this session, we will unpack what it means to be a learning community and why that is important to person-centered dementia care. We will explore that a learning community is not about cookie cutter solutions but hardwiring curiosity, creativity and problem solving into everything we do.

Live Webinar: August 12, 2026, 1:00pm - 3:00pm ET

Huddle-Up: September 9, 2026, 1:00pm - 2:00pm ET

(Registering for the webinar automatically registers you for the optional Huddle-Up)

Register here: https://form.jotform.com/260437441770153.

08/04/2026

Creating Interprofessional Readiness for Complex & Aging Adults (CIRCAA)
An Interprofessional Development Program for Faculty and Clinicians
2026-2027 Application Deadline September 1st

CIRCAA is a practical, case-based, interprofessional learning experience. The curriculum enhances the ability of clinicians and educators to help patients, learners, care providers and interprofessional teams to care for people aging with complex medical conditions. The nine-month curriculum (September - May) is guided by the Interprofessional Education Collaborative competencies, as well as discipline-specific competencies, and the Hartford Foundation’s “4Ms” framework for age-friendly health systems. Our Scholars come from many professions, including medicine, occupational therapy, physical therapy, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, social work, gerontology and case management.

For complete program details, including the schedule and application, please visit the CIRCAA website. http://go.vcu.edu/circaa

Address

900 E Leigh Street
Richmond, VA
23298

Telephone

+18048281565

Website

https://gerontology.chp.vcu.edu/, https://vcoa.chp.vcu.edu/

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