Purpose

The purpose of this institute is to provide regional leadership in social gerontology and social work practice with older adults through scholarship, curricular innovation, and community-based solutions.  The purpose of this institute is consistent with the mission of the State System of Higher Education and Kutztown University.

Principal Investigator

Varsha Pandya, PhD, ACSW

pandya@kutztown.edu

Community Activities and Presentations

Gasker, J. & Vafeas, J. (2005, December).  A Task group in support of retention for direct care workers in Aging Services:  Evaluation of group process, outcome and participant feedback.  A program evaluation report for Berks County Area Agency on Aging.

April 2005--Professor Hackman provided a workshop to Berks County Office of Aging regarding Family Dynamics.

Hackman, R. & Kolar, P. (2005, February).  It’s in there!:  Recognizing and infusing aging content throughout the curriculum. National Gerontological Social Work Conference, New York, NY.

Hackman, R. & Kolar, P. (2005, February).  It’s in there!:  Infusing aging content in social work field placements. National Gerontological Social Work Conference, New York, NY.

Gasker, J. & Vafeas, J. (2005, February).  Workforce development for Latino direct service workers:  A Program evaluation. National Gerontological Social Work Conference, New York, NY.

Gasker, J. & Vafeas, J. (2004, September).  Workforce development program for recruiting, training and retaining Latino direct care workers in Aging Services:  A program evaluation report for Berks County Area Agency on Aging.

Gasker, J. & Vafeas, J. (2004, September).  Peer support groups in support of retention for direct care workers in Aging Services:  Evaluation and feedback for Berks County Area Agency on Aging.

Gasker, J. & Vafeas, J. (2004, September).  Technical assistance with recruitment, retention and culture change issues.  Workshop presented at Phoebe Institute on Aging and the Lehigh Valley Alliance on Aging Conference, "Who Will Care for Us?" Addressing the Elder Care Workforce Crisis.  Allentown, PA.

Gasker, J. & Vafeas, J. (2004, February).  Home care workers as Mentors:  An evaluation of impact on staff retention.  National Gerontological Social Work Conference, Anaheim, CA.

Research and Publications

Long-term Care Planning for Immigrant Elders: An Exploratory Study Focusing on Culture, Religion and Social Support - Ruthanne Hackman

Workforce development for Latino direct service workers:  A Program evaluation - Dr. Janice Gasker & Dr. John Vafeas

The Effects of a Campaign against Elder Abuse Among Latino and African American Communities - Dr. John Vafeas

Community Perspectives of Elder Abuse - Dr. John Vafeas

Outcomes Evaluations of Practice in Community-based Social Work Services for the Elderly - Dr. John Vafeas

Gasker, J & Vafeas, J. (2007).  Bienvenidos A Bordo:  Unase a nosotros: Trabajadores de Cuidado  Directo Proveen Consejos para los Primeros Noventa Días en su Trabajo.  Berks Office of Aging, Reading, PA

Gasker, J. & Vafeas, J. (2006).  Come aboard - Join us:  Direct care workers provide tips for the first ninety days on the job.  Reading, PA:  Berks County Office of Aging. 
Publication prepared with input from focus groups of direct care workers in aging services.  The groups and publication were designed and facilitated by Drs. Janice Gasker and John Vafeas.  Booklet is systematically distributed to new direct care workers across Berks County to aid in employee retention in the beleaguered field of home health care.

Vafeas, J.  Direct care workers in Aging Services:  The effect of mentoring on staff retention.  Kutztown University, Social Work Program Institute on Aging

Collaborators

Related Courses

SWK290 Social Gerontology and Social Welfare

Agencies Hosting Interns

Berks County Office of Aging

Berks Visiting Nurse Association

Friend, Inc.

Valley Youth House

Women And Their Children Heal (WATCH)

Additional Information

Currently, we are seeking community partners for various projects.  Let us know what your need or interest may be.

In accordance with the Gerontological Society of America's (2005) Interdisciplinary Mandate, we are welcoming colleagues from all disciplines for collaborative projects.
 

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