A Decade of Successful Aging

The Center for Successful Aging Celebrates 10th Anniversary

April 29, 2008

By Mimi Ko Cruz

Cal State Fullerton's Center for Successful Aging is marking its 10th anniversary with a free, public conference and health fair Saturday, May 3.

The event is being sponsored by the center, departments of Kinesiology and Health Sciences and the College of Health and Human Development.

The celebration begins at 9 a.m. in Room 199 of the Kinesiology and Health Science Building with welcoming remarks from President Milton A. Gordon and Roberta E. Rikli, dean of the College of Health and Human Development.

Here is the schedule for the rest of the day's events:

9:30 – 10 a.m.: An introduction to the center and its programs and research.
10:15 – 10:45 a.m.: "Healthy Nutrition for Successful Aging" presented by nutrition specialist Sylvia Galleli. She will outline simple changes that can improve diets.
10:45 – 11:15 a.m.: Interactive workshops
11:15 – 11:45 a.m.: "Nurturing the Mind for Successful Aging" by C. Jessie Jones, professor of health science and co-director of the center. Jones will teach strategies to using the mind-body connection to take advantage of the brain's neuroplasticity.
11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: "Nurturing the Body for Successful Aging" by Debra J. Rose, professor of kinesiology and co-director of the center. Rose will provide tips on how to how to add fun daily activities in to benefit the body.
12:15 – 1 p.m.: Interactive workshops and health fair

The Center for Successful Aging conducts interdisciplinary research on issues related to healthy aging; provides training to prepare gerontologists, health care practitioners, rehabilitative specialists and fitness leaders to work with seniors; offers health, physical, psychological and functional assessments; conducts health, fitness and rehabilitation programs; collaborates and partners with community agencies; provides services to improve the quality of life of seniors; and serves as an advocate for affecting public policy related to healthy aging.

Its programs include a Senior Fitness Program, which provides individualized and group fitness classes throughout the year; a Balance and Mobility Program, which adopts a multidimensional approach to the assessment and treatment of balance-related problems; and a Health Promotion Program that provides traditional and alternative approaches to wellness, including health education, physical and psychosocial assessments, massage therapy, therapeutic touch and mind-body exercises, including yoga and tai chi.In addition, an Outdoor Explorations Program provides golf lessons, outings and tournaments.

Balance and mobility training classes are offered through the center at various Orange County locations.

The center also offers a Balance and Mobility Specialist Instructor Certificate Program designed to provide health care professionals with knowledge and practical skills needed to develop and implement fall risk reduction programs in their communities.

Jones said the center has garnered about $3.5 million in grants during the past decade, and plans for the future include seeking more funding to support ongoing research projects. She said plans also call for expanding the center's wellness program, offer programs and research on brain education and nutrition; and develop and implement a physical activity instruction of older adults certification program.

For more information about the center, visit http://hdcs.fullerton.edu/csa, call 657-278-7012 or e-mail successaging@fullerton.edu.