Research

Research and Events

• The 2019 Forum featured keynote speaker Janet Barnes-Farrell, PhD, Professor of Psychological Sciences, Associate Department Head for Research & Resources, University of Connecticut. She spoke about “Aging and Work – Advancing Workplace Health Protection and Promotion for an Aging Workforce."
• The 2018 Forum featured keynote speaker Michael E. Festa, Esq., director of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Massachusetts. He discussed “The CARE Act: It’s the Law,” which was adopted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in November 2017.
• The 2017 Forum featured keynote speaker Alice Bonner, Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs.
• The 2016 Forum featured six keynote researchers, including Assoc. Prof. Deborah D’Avolia of UMass Lowell, who discussed “Unmet Healthcare Needs of Older Adults.” View the event poster for more speakers and topic areas.
• The 2015 Forum featured keynote speaker Rob Schreiber, M.D., who discussed "Challenges for Healthy Aging: Balancing Living Well with the Reality of Multiple Chronic Conditions." 

• UMass Lowell's Program for the Age-Friendly University
• Presenters: Professor Ramraj Gautam and Prof. Emerita Karen Devereaux Melillo; Prof. Carol McDonough 
• Two Mondays, 1–3 p.m.: March 22, 29, 2021
• Members of the UMass Lowell Center for Gerontology Research and Partnerships (CGRP) presented two aging related sessions. Associate Teaching Professor Ramraj Gautam and Prof. Emerita Karen Devereaux Melillo co-presented the concept of Age-Friendly University (AFU) Initiative, and the opportunities and challenges at UMass Lowell. Prof. Carol McDonough offered a session on Technology and Aging. Older adults in the United States and globally have a much lower rate of internet use. We will discuss reasons for this age-based digital divide and strategies for reducing it.
• Coordinator: Susan Lemire

Publications about aging 

Presentations

• Gautam, R. (Chair), Melillo, K.D., Clark, K., Elfenbein, P. & Townsend, M. (2022). Innovations in Age-Friendly University (AFU) campus practices: Engaging community, Symposium, at the 77th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Nov. 2-6, 2022, Indianapolis, IN.
• Gautam, R., Melillo, K.D., Sritan, S., & Khumrungsee, M. (2022). An Age-Friendly University initiative: Emeriti professors’ interest in intergenerational activities, for Symposium entitled, “Innovations in Age-Friendly University (AFU) campus practices: Engaging community, at the 77th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Nov. 2-6, 2022, Indianapolis, IN.
• Melillo, K.D., Gautam, R., Sritan, S., & Khumrungsee, M. (2022). Emeritus professors’ perceptions: Qualitative research exploring Age-Friendly University principles, for Symposium entitled, “Innovations in Age-Friendly University (AFU) campus practices: Engaging community, at the 77th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Nov. 2-6, 2022, Indianapolis, IN.
• Townsend, M., Cornell, D.J., Hostetler, A.J., Toof, R., Melillo, K.D., & Noel, S.E. (2022). Age Friendly Lowell: Intergenerational connection through experiential learning opportunities. Symposium entitled, Innovations in Age-Friendly University (AFU) campus practices: Engaging community presented at the 77th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Nov. 2-6, 2022, Indianapolis, IN.
• Gautam, R., Melillo, K.D., & McDonough, C. (2021). A step backward and forward in an Age-Friendly University initiative: Adapting a campus learning partnership, for symposium entitled, “Advancing Age Inclusivity in a Pandemic: Age-Friendly University (AFU) Campuses Respond”, submitted for the Annual Gerontological Society of American Scientific Meeting (Montepare, J.M., Chair; Farah, K.S., Co-Chair), Phoenix, AZ, Nov. 10-14, 2021.
• Gautam, R., Melillo, K.D., & Hostetler, A. (2020). Age-Friendly University Inventory: Process and outcome from UMass Lowell campus, for Symposium entitled, “Assessing age-friendliness in higher education:  Introducing the inventory and campus climate surveys. Silverstein, N., Bell, L., Whitbourne Krauss, S., at the 75th Annual Gerontological Society of America Scientific Meeting (Silverstein, N., Bell, L., Whitbourne Krauss, S.), virtual, Nov. 4-8, 2020.
• Melillo, K.D., Gautam, R., Hostetler, A., & Markkanen, on behalf of the Center for Gerontology Research and Partnerships (2019).  “Establishing an Age-Friendly University designation:  Findings from Annual Healthy Aging – Living Well Forum participant group discussions. UMass Lowell”, National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence 2019 Leadership Conference on Aging. Austin, TX:  Nov. 12-13, 2019.