News and Outreach

2023 Gerontological Society of America Poster Presentations

At the 2023 Gerontological Society of America in Tampa, Florida, three posters were presented by Dr. Vivian Miller, Jennifer Wagner, and other colleagues within the college on research conducted on nursing assistant turnover in long term care, home care, and acute care. This research was partially funded by Principle Business Enterprises.

While there is much research on the role of nursing assistants (NAs) across the care continuum, most studies that examine nurse aide turnover across the care continuum utilizes national datasets from such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid or current Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reports. Our study sought to explore the factors that contribute to high turnover rates directly from the direct care workforce of NAs in the field. Guided by a socioecological model (Bronfenbrenner, 1979, McLeroy, 1988) and job-demands resource model (Demerouti et al., 2001), this research focused on factors associated with workplace turnover that are perceived as enjoyable and least enjoyable, including activities and workplace relationships.

At the 2022 Gerontological Society of America in Indianapolis, IN, a research poster was presented by Dr Vivian Miller, Jennifer Wagner, and a colleague at the University of Southern Florida on nursing home administrator experiences during COVID-19 and intent to leave the profession. The majority of NHAs endorse a desire to step away from their role but indicate a commitment to residents keeps them from resigning. Findings indicate that NHAs, like other members of the NH team, have experienced the effects of COVID-19, and point to specific training and support needs to equip NHAs for work in the context of this pandemic and future emergencies.

Summer 2024 Camp Activities and Planning for Summer 2025

Board members presented at two BGSU High School Summer Camps: Discovering Hidden Health Care Careers and Explore Nursing Camp. We are eagerly planning Summer 2025 Camps. At each camp, faculty presented careers working with older adults and how to age optimally. Students engaged in interactive activities such as playing jeopardy style games, Kahoots, and learned about a few of the challenges that differently abled older adults may face. Students were given case studies and experienced what it might be like to drink thickened liquids for people with swallowing disorders, practice calling and texting while simulating having arthritis, and sorting colored candies to simulate setting up medications with cataracts,

Toledo and Perrsyburg Public Schools Health Career Day

Board members introduced middle schoolers from Toledo Public Schools and Perrysburg Schools on healthcare careers working with older adults by providing jeopardy style games and case studies.

WCCOA LivelyU Series

Many board members and BGSU faculty were active in presenting at the WCCOA LivelyU series. Some of the most notable were President Rogers, Dr Sandra Faulkner, Dr Wendy Watson, Dr Bob Lee, and Assistant Clinical Professors Laura Brubaker and Christina Olmstead.

OAGE, Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education Conference March 20-21, 2025

The College, OAI, COE and other HHS programs will be working to host the OAGE, Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education Conference March 20-21, 2025 here at BGSU. We are excited to announce that one of the keynote speakers is from BGSU, Dr Emilia McCuen, PT, DPT, GCS, CCS Assistant Clinical Professor in the School of Physical Therapy. Stay tuned for late breaking poster abstracts.