During the 1940s, pioneers of science began to focus on gerontology, the study of care of the elderly.
It has been a department at Ball State University for about 20 years and its institute has several programs each year that reach out to the Muncie community.
Ball State's Fisher Institute for Wellness and Gerontology has been growing with the mission to "teach, promote, investigate, evaluate health and well being throughout the lifespan," according to its Web site.
David Haber, associate director of the Fisher Institute, said gerontology is multidisciplinary because it can be viewed from different perspectives.
"Students who finish their degree become directors of retirement, family counselors or director for aging activity centers," he said. "There is a wide variety of jobs for our students."
Haber said despite the economic meltdown, prospects are usually good for students finishing their degrees.
Program coordinator Judy Elton said as a part of the institute, the Community Center for Vital Aging, located downtown, gives graduate assistants the opportunity to work with senior citizens.
"The programs are run for older adults," she said. "And they include activities from learning how to use computers to exercising."
Besides the collaboration from students, Ball State faculty and staff members sometimes give lectures.
"Both retired faculty and professors that currently work at Ball State help us out," she said. "They teach physical education, computer, arts and food programs."
The center opened in 2001, with eight programs and fewer than 500 people on the mailing list. Today, the center has about 50 programs per semester and more than 2,400 people on the mailing list, Elton said.
"We outreach to the community," she said. "Students go to five facilities around the community to run programs because some seniors don't have the resources to come to the center."
Elton said the center works to give a different perspective about seniors.
"We are trying to get rid of old-fashioned ideas about seniors," she said. "[Seniors] are very involved individuals and an important part of the community."
Upcoming events
- 55th Annual Spring Kirkpatrick Lecture Series - Dr. Paul Nussbaum, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. today in the Alumni Center
- Hospice Foundation of America's Teleconference on Living with Grief, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. April 29 in the Worthen Arena Lounge
- 50 Over 50 reception and recognition, 4 to 5 p.m. May 28 in the Alumni Center
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