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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT JANET LANCI AT 203-332-8584 OR ANSON SMITH AT 203-332-5229 TO EDITORS: IF YOU USE THIS ARTICLE, PLEASE CONSIDER RUNNING IT UNDER THE FOLLOWING BYLINE. THE WRITER IS A JOURNALISM STUDENT AT HOUSATONIC COMMUNITY COLLEGE. NO COMPENSATION IS EXPECTED. HCC DISPELS THE STEREOTYPES OF AGINGBy Carol Mihelik BRIDGEPORT—This year, a retired Connecticut pilot, 70, became the oldest person to swim the English Channel. More than 10,000 athletes participated at the Senior Olympics in Pittsburgh in June These are hardly images of a white-haired grandparent sitting in a rocking chair on the front porch. It is this apparent contradiction that makes aging-related courses at Housatonic Community College a relevant class as the population grows older. In 2011, baby boomers, with a population of 76 million strong, will officially enter their “Golden Years.” These courses, says Professor Janet Lanci of Beacon Falls, are designed to bridge the gap. “If we don’t do something soon, we’ll be caught unprepared to meet the needs of the baby boomers,” says Lanci. The courses are designed to provide this preparation. Advocacy in Human Services, which will be taught this fall, will acquaint students with this activity, which is crucial to meeting the needs of seniors and a wide variety of other clients served by the human services system. “Students will learn how to effectively lobby human service agencies to ensure that they best serve the interest of these clients,” Lanci says, “They’ll be introduced to both the theory and practice of advocacy Gerontology, which has been offered online and on campus and is slated to be offered again next Spring, studies the aging process, including physical, psychological and social change and the accompanying economic changes. One goal of this class is breaking down the stereotypes of aging, looking at such things as demeaning birthday and other cards that propagate these stereotypes, Lanci says. Other areas touched on are social services, importance of family, economic differences and death and dying. Sometimes, a class-trip to a funeral home is arranged. Lanci says, “You shouldn’t learn about death and dying when you are grieving. It’s a business, a process, you’re going to need it at some point.” Students who have taken these courses range from recent high school graduates to a retired lawyer and from nursing aides to students with an elderly parent. According to Lanci, the retired lawyer knew the legal aspects of growing old but, he learned a lot about the social aspects. She adds that, “Everyone can gain from these courses, they’re not just for a specific major.” “Business people who want to market to seniors will also find the courses valuable.” Lanci says. “It’s not the same as if you’re marketing to 24-year olds. People don’t want to admit they’re getting old so you would want to market a senior citizen home to the children, not the parents.” One student, Danielle Urbano of Shelton, a sociology major, wants to get a Masters in Gerontology and is currently is interning with A.A.R.P. Another student, Gurgetha Pettway of Stratford, took the gerontology class because it was an elective but as someone who works with the elderly at a Bridgeport agency she says, “What I’ve learned here so far has helped me understand why my clients are the way they are. I have a better understanding of Alzheimer’s and I’ve done a lot of research and Professor Lanci has given a lot of information and so I can be more knowledgeable—from the beginning to the end stages.” Another student, Janet Ortiz also took the gerontology course because it was required but she is glad she did. “A lot of the information is a good thing and I think everyone should take this course. It makes us more sensitive to what they’re going through.” Other age-related courses offered include Death and Dying and The Psychology of Adult Development & Aging. Students taking these classes have seen their perceptions and viewpoints on aging change. So the next time that they see a motorcycle go down the road, they won’t be surprised if it’s someone like Professor Lanci, motorcycle enthusiast and proud grandmother of two. Carol Mihelik of Bridgeport is a journalism intern at Housatonic Community College.
Anson C. Smith |
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