University of Utah College of Social Work 395 South 1500 East Room 207 Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0260 (801) 585-9505 Fax: (801) 585-6865

The University of Utah College of Social Work’s W.D. Goodwill Initiatives on Aging was established in November, 2001 under the auspices of the Social Research Institute (SRI). As such, this aging unit has full access to the resources of SRI. The Initiatives on Aging was created to promote practice, policy, and research in aging that will help to improve the quality of life for the elderly and their families.

Practice initiatives center around the Neighbors Helping Neighbors program, which is designed to link older people in need with formal aging services and informal resources within the neighborhood by creating partnerships with various community members. Training opportunities include practicum placements for BSW, MSW, and Gerontology students with the Neighbors Helping Neighbors program in collaboration with other local agencies that serve the elderly. Other efforts the Initiatives on Aging is involved with in the community include the following: hosting support groups/workshops for grandparents raising grandchildren; collaborating with state and local entities to create a statewide caregiver coalition to serve family members who provide long-term care to needy elders; consulting with the University of Utah Elder Care Project, which is an elder care information and referral service; and representation on Project C.A.R.E. (Community Action to Reach the Elderly) coalition, which is part of a national campaign to prevent older persons from suffering the severe limitations of isolation and dependence that comes from the loss of self-sufficiency.

Policy issues being addressed focus on Medicaid funding, community long-term care, end-of-life care, elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, Medicare prescription drug coverage, caregiver support, health care, mental health care parity, and grandparents raising grandchildren. Other opportunities for involvement in aging-related policy issues are forthcoming.

Current research initiatives include a study of cultural differences in access to cancer treatments, the impact of aging on cancer screening and treatment, depression in the frail elderly, quality of life and long-term care for elderly adults in alternative placements to nursing homes, disability issues, and an examination of adult relationships in later life.