Helen Bader Office of Applied Gerontology

The mission of the Helen Bader Office of Applied Gerontology is to promote optimal aging and strengthen connections with community partners by advancing opportunities in gerontology education, research and training for students, faculty and the community.

Education Programs

• Graduate Certificate in Applied Gerontology
• Graduate Certificate in Applied Gerontology – Online Option
• Minor in Aging
• Undergraduate Certificate in Healthy Aging

Scholarships

Through the generosity and dedication of donors, the Helen Bader Office of Applied Gerontology consistently offers scholarships to students at all levels.

Upcoming Events

The Helen Bader Office of Applied Gerontology and the Student Gerontology Association are proud to collaborate on events throughout the year.

Annual events include:

• Community event – held in fall.
• Artistic Representations of Aging – held in spring.
• World Elder Abuse Awareness Day – held in early June.

Impact

2023 AGESW Leadership Award

The Association for Gerontology Education in Social Work (AGESW) selected Colleen Galambos for the 2023 AGESW Leadership Award.

This award recognizes a faculty member who has made significant contributions in aging research, teaching and scholarship and who has demonstrated outstanding service to AGESW and gerontological social work.

Vital Directions for Health and Health Care

Colleen Galambos, Helen Bader Endowed Chair in Applied Gerontology at UWM, was invited by the National Academy of Medicine to participate in the Vital Directions for Health and Health Care: Priorities for 2021 initiative.

This initiative provides expert guidance on U.S. health policy focus areas, including health care for older adults. Galambos co-authored the article “Actualizing Better Health and Health Care for Older Adults,” which outlines policy priorities that can help improve the care and quality of life for all older adults.

National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine’s Quality of Care in Nursing Homes Committee

Colleen Galambos was selected to serve on the National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine’s Quality of Care in Nursing Homes Committee.

Students and Alumni

The Aging Minor strengthened my BSW by giving me specialized knowledge about older adults, dementia care, and long-term care systems. It helped me connect classroom learning to real-world practice and enhanced my confidence as a future social worker.

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Whether your career path is an occupational therapist, nurse, or social worker, this program truly welcomes all as it highlights an interdisciplinary perspective and approach to supporting older adults.

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I liked that UWM has such an engaged student body, it seems like everyone is actively working with older adults and always open to consult. Also the professors, particularly Dr. Colleen Galambos and Dr. Yura Lee, are very distinguished in their fields and have a wealth of information.

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The Helen Bader Age and Community Scholarship has been instrumental in advancing my educational journey by easing financial constraints and allowing me to dedicate more time to rigorous research on aging, chronic disease management, and social support in older adults.

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I am specializing in a growing field where there is true need. I appreciate having the opportunity to learn all there is to know about the field of Gerontology. I am
able to take the information I am learning and directly apply it to the field position
I am in at a geriatric clinic.

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These courses have increased my understanding of the factors that shape the daily lives of older adults and clarified not only what effective, person-centered practice looks like, but also what a truly collaborative approach to elder care can be.

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