Improving the lives of older adults.

Mathios, D. Alan ; Q., Rebecca ; Dean, James C. Morgan 等

It is no secret that America's population is aging rapidly. With more people in our country enjoying longer, fuller lives, our societal, governmental, and cultural structures and norms will have to evolve to meet older peoples distinct needs and secure their health and well-being.

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In the College of Human Ecology, students and faculty are applying our signature multidisciplinary approach to investigate myriad issues facing the aging population--such as the impacts of the built environment on older adults; the psychological and neurological effects of aging; the economics of Social Security, Medicare, and other support programs; and custom-designed apparel, devices, and furnishings to enhance the daily lives of seniors. In each of the College's academic units, and through strategic partnerships with other Cornell colleges and the medical campus in New York City, students and faculty are translating research into solutions to ease the strains of aging.

I am particularly excited about the College's new gerontology minor (see page 8), an outgrowth of our longstanding gerontology certificate program. Human Ecology, with its breadth of collaborative disciplines and focus on improving the human condition, is the perfect home for this program. We are preparing students to address the unique challenges faced by older adults and to help them thrive throughout their golden years.

Sincerely, Alan D. Mathios Rebecca Q. and James C. Morgan Dean College of Human Ecology