Institute of Gerontology

History
The Institute of Gerontology was established in the late 1960s. It was initially funded by the then Administration on Aging of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare (now the Department of Health and Human Services) to serve as the multi-disciplinary center for research, teaching, and service in aging at the University of Albany. By the late 1970s, the Institute was granted official status as an organized research unit within the University. From 1981 to 1997, in recognition of the support received from Rhoda and Stan Ringel, the Institute was called the Ringel Institute of Gerontology. The Institute of Gerontology serves as the centerpiece of the University at Albany's multi-faceted approach to respond to the needs of the diverse, rapidly growing population of older persons in the Capital region, New York State, and the nation.

Mission
The Institute promotes principles of engagement and social responsibility as faculty and students join with the community and state agencies to foster improved outcomes for the aged and caregivers in the region. Fostering knowledge and inventive new practices and policies, the Institute's work reaches the most vulnerable elderly. The Institute's work is conducted through two Centers, the Center on Aging Research. Through the Center on Aging Research, the Institute leads in stimulating interest in collaborative gerontological research, education, and practice at the University; works aggressively to increase the Institute's capacity to generate such high quality research; develops interdisciplinary partnerships with New York State and community agencies to foster policy and practice relevant gerontological research with national significance; and facilitates the dissemination of important research findings through local, state, and national forums.

Current Research and Activities
In recent years, the Institute has conducted a variety of applied aging research projects sponsored by federal, state, and foundation sources. Some of the current activities of the Institute include a grant funded by three foundations for an evaluation of the advanced illness care coordination program; two grants funded by the Health Services Research and Development Office of the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs on the topics of 1) the effectiveness of a health education program in a primary care setting and 2) the effectiveness of the FairCare system for patients with advanced illness; and a U.S. Administration on Aging grant for the evaluation of telephone groups for caregivers.

Projects Affiliated with the Institute of Gerontology

Aging and Mental Health (Gellis, Z., McGinty, J., Tierney, L., Jordan, C., Palm, J., Kim, J.)

Anxiety Disorders in Older Adults (Gellis, Z., Carroll, S., Melechio, J.)

Cultural Factors in Family Elderly Caregiving Among Latinos (Ramos, B.)

Depression Screening and Treatment Program: Randomized Control Trial for Elderly Home Care Recipients (Gellis, Z., McGinty, J.,Kim, J., Kieval, S.)

Effectiveness of a Health Education Program in a Primary Care Setting (Toseland, R.)

Effectiveness of the FairCare System for Patients with Advanced Illness (Toseland, R.)

An Evaluation of Telephone Groups for Caregivers (Toseland, R., Smith, T.)

An Evaluation of the Advanced Illness Care Coordination Program (Toseland, R.)

An Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Efficiency of a Health Education Program in an HMO funded by the Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research (Toseland, R., P., Ramos, B.)

Evidence-Based Practices in Mental Health (Gellis, Z.)

Family, Health, and Labor Force Transitions in Midlife (Bures, R.)

Intergenerational Housing on a University Campus (Sherman, S.)

Management of Anxiety Disorders for Emergency Services Workers in New York City (Gellis, Z., Lienhard, W., Seyfried, C.)

Promoting Positive Behaviors: A Team Approach in Interventions in Nursing Homes for Residents with Dementia (Toseland, R.)

Public Education on Geriatric Health Issues (Gellis, Z., Margolis, R.)

Randomized Control Trial of a Screening and Treatment Program for Anxiety Disorders in Older Adults (Gellis, Z., Horowitz, A., MacMillan, T., Reinhardt, J.)

The Relationship Between Depression and Self-Efficacy in Japanese American Elderly (Gellis, Z.)