Aging smart

Aging SMART: The Utah Sourcebook of Education and Retraining Opportunities for Older Adults and Guide to Educational Programs in the Field of Aging By Denise Brooks The purpose of this project was to develop a sourcebook and web site that would serve as a highly accessible - comprehensive - coordinated - and renewable "one-stop shopping" resource for citizens in the state of Utah by providing information about retraining and upgrading of skills for older adults, as well as a comprehensive listing of programs and courses in the field of aging. The web site fwww.aging.utah.edu/agingsmart~) and Sourcebook is called Aging SMART (Services for Meaningful Access to Resources and Training). The project was also overseen by the members of the Education Special Committee of the Utah Commission on Aging. The project consists of the following components: 1) Literature review regarding the national justification and state rationale regarding education and retraining opportunities for older adults and professional development programs in the field of aging, 2) Assessment of status quo national and state resources, 3) Listing of education and retraining opportunities for older adults by county in the state of Utah, 4) Professional development programs and courses in the field of aging by county in the state of Utah, and 5) Significant economic implications for seniors, employers, state, and the nation by extending work and educational productivity of baby boomers, keeping them in the workforce longer and providing opportunities for people to continue to be personally engaged. Nearly every profession, especially those related to health, would be better able to meet the needs of a rapidly aging population by recognizing the relevancy of gerontological education. In other words, knowledge about gerontology should be incorporated into all aspects of society.