Panthers Rise to the Challenge, Attend to Elder Care Needs in Iowa
Across the country, a rise in aging adults—one of the most dramatic demographic shifts in history—has been accompanied by a scarcity of trained professionals to provide the care they need.
Elaine Eshbaugh, ’00, Adele Whitnack Davis professor of gerontology at the University of Northern Iowa, is one of a chorus of experts sounding the alarm.
“Unfortunately we really do have a crisis,” Eshbaugh explains. “From a healthcare standpoint, we are not prepared for the needs of the Baby Boom population as they age. When I look at tomorrow, I want my students to be a part of that solution.”
For 15 years, the University of Northern Iowa has been at the forefront of addressing the shortage of elder care workers, establishing the state’s first undergraduate gerontology program in 2006. Today, UNI remains home to Iowa’s only bachelor’s degree program in the field.
The university is also on the cutting edge of training caregivers, establishing a Dementia Simulation House on the south side of campus earlier this year. The unique experience provides a glimpse into what it’s like to live with dementia—an umbrella term that covers a range of conditions, including Alzheimer’s. The training simulates a variety of dementia symptoms including the decline in motor skills and the ability to focus.
Eshbaugh says it’s the only experience of its kind in the Midwest. More than 500 individuals have taken part in the training in just six months since the house opened its doors.
UNI’s gerontology program prepares students for a variety of careers in the field of aging, including nursing home administrators, senior fitness directors, case managers, nonprofit leaders and more.
Gerontology program alumna Megan Zimmerman, ’20 directs Dementia Friendly Iowa, an initiative of the Northeast Iowa Agency on Aging. The program educates communities across the state to support those living with various forms of dementia.
Zimmerman says her UNI education gave her the foundation to advocate on behalf of older adults. But with additional resources, she says, the gerontology program can make an even greater impact.
“There are so many dimensions to aging and the aging process,” Zimmerman explains. “Having more resources and additional faculty who specialize in different areas of aging would really help UNI take the next step for the program and give students a more comprehensive education to prepare them for working in the field.”
Through the Our Tomorrow campaign, the university is asking alumni and friends to help expand this program and meet the growing student interest in the field of aging. Gifts to gerontology will support strategic faculty positions to expand course offerings, as well as funding for scholarships and the UNI Dementia Simulation House.
“An investment in our gerontology program means that we will be able to do a better job producing a workforce that is prepared to work with people as they age,” Eshbaugh says. “Not only for people who are sick and need direct care, but also to give older adults opportunities to thrive.”
To discover the different ways you can leave a legacy and support UNI’s Our Tomorrow campaign, contact Jane Halverson at (319) 273-4665 or jane.halverson@uni.edu.