Gerontology Program at Missouri State University

Dr. Templeman will be joining MSU GER this Fall! She is especially interested in caregiving and diversity in aging.

The snow didn’t stop our GER Club picnic during Careers in Aging week! We enjoyed pizza (Yani Ortiz) and prizes (Lydia Nekula). Cornhole Champions were Rachell Maue and Emily Bruinsma. Nikki Casteel avoided the Jenga topple then Dakota Burnett refused to allow the tower to fall, so Mikayla Kirk bravely faced the crash! All attendees filled the whiteboard with the many jobs and positions that a degree in Gerontology can lead to. Careers of the Future are here Today at MSU GER!

I asked a friend who has crossed 70 & is heading towards 80 what sort of changes she is feeling in herself? She sent me the following: 1 After loving my parents..., my siblings, my spouse, my children and my friends, I have now started loving myself. 2 I have realized that I am not Atlas. The world does not rest on my shoulders. 3 I have stopped bargaining with vegetable & fruit vendors. A few pennies more is not going to break me, but it might help the poor fellow save for his daughter’s school fees. 4 I leave my waitress a big tip. The extra money might bring a smile to her face. She is toiling much harder for a living than I am. 5 I stopped telling the elderly that they've already narrated that story many times. The story makes them walk down memory lane & relive their past. 6 I have learned not to correct people even when I know they are wrong. The onus of making everyone perfect is not on me. Peace is more precious than perfection. 7 I give compliments freely & generously. Compliments are a mood enhancer not only for the recipient, but also for me. And a small tip for the recipient of a compliment, never, NEVER turn it down, just say "Thank You. 8 I have learned not to bother about a crease or a spot on my shirt. Personality speaks louder than appearances. 9 I walk away from people who don't value me. They might not know my worth, but I do. 10 I remain cool when someone plays dirty to outrun me in the rat race. I am not a rat & neither am I in any race. 11 I am learning not to be embarrassed by my emotions. It’s my emotions that make me human. 12 I have learned that it's better to drop the ego than to break a relationship. My ego will keep me aloof, whereas with relationships, I will never be alone. 13 I have learned to live each day as if it's the last. After all, it might be the last. 14 I am doing what makes me happy. I am responsible for my happiness, and I owe it to myself. Happiness is a choice. You can be happy at any time, just choose to be! I decided to share this for all my friends. Why do we have to wait to be 60 or 70 or 80, why can't we practice this at any stage and age?

Would you like an MSU Gerontology t-shirt? If so, please take this poll to help us decide on colors and layout. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HMQBKXL

Shout outs to SeniorAge and Northview in this episode. https://video.optv.org//helping-seniors-during-a-pandemic/

Rachell, Deyanira, Lydia, Mason, Travis, Nikki, and Gracie WALKed on this beautiful morning TO END ALZHEIMER’S. Thanks to everyone who donated to support the Gerontology Club in their fundraising efforts for the Alzheimer’s Association.

Are you in your twenties? Do you work with people over 55? Please realize your actions can become their consequences. https://www.aarp.org//coronavirus-survivors-face-ptsd.html

GER Club members are raising money and WALKing TO END Alzheimer's. One minute to donate $5 NOW might save you years of spending thousands. On behalf of the 5 million + persons with AD and their families, thank you for your awareness and action!

Do you appreciate the fulfillment that comes from helping others? Do you enjoy having nights and weekends free? Do you appreciate generous benefits and a wonder...ful work environment? Then SeniorAge is for you! Job Summary The Meal Program Assistant, under the direct supervision of the Lead Cook, assists in the preparation and serving of frozen meals for delivery, hot meals for service in the center, as well as the cleaning of all food storage, preparation, and service areas. Performs the duties of the Lead Cook in the occasional event of his/her absence. Qualifications Ability to read and write Kitchen experience preferred, will train otherwise qualifying candidates who share our values Basic safe technical skills Be able to lift 50 pounds Be able to stand for extended periods of time

Thank goodness for local resources at this time of limited connection. Leave the tv, mask up, greet attendees with a wave, physical distance, share and listen, laugh and smile, feel better, wash hands, and repeat each Monday at 10:30am!

Follow our GER pages on ALL social media platforms to stay in the know about what is going on within our program!

First official day of Fall 2020 semester. Masks, physical distancing, connectivity via technology...Proud of MSU students’ resilience and dedication!First official day of Fall 2020 semester. Masks, physical distancing, connectivity via technology...Proud of MSU students’ resilience and dedication!

Dear Young People, please realize that the older adults of today were once your age. Many feel so vibrant that when they look in the mirror, the gray hair and wrinkles surprise them. Every human would like their totality to be recognized. Next time you see an older adult, try to guess what they looked like in their 20s, what their career entailed and, most importantly, what their loved ones think of them.

Here is one person’s top 3 pro-aging policy priorities. What do you think needs to happen for our nation to become more age friendly? https://thehill.com//511158-both-parties-need-to-create-a-