Supporting Well-Being Through Education, Research, and Service

In the United States, 10,000 people turn 65 years old every day. By 2034, there will be more people 65 and older than under age 18. Aging is not a “problem” to be solved, but an opportunity for the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) to serve as a catalyst for innovation and change.

As an institute of higher learning with six professional schools and a contemporary graduate school, we have a responsibility to train our current and future workforce to engage and lead in a society that is aging. Our strong history of teaching, research, and service activities embody the principles of an age-friendly university, and we are pleased to be a member of the Age-Friendly University Global Network.

The Age-Friendly University network is a group of higher education institutions around the globe that endorse the 10 principles of an age-friendly university and are committed to becoming more age-friendly in programs and policies.

Age-Friendly University status means we are committed to being more intentional and systematic in our approach to our aging, intergenerational population as we build meaningful and measurable collaborations. UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, discussed the initiative and opportunities for collaboration during a Virtual Face to Face interview with members of our AFU Steering Committee and Maryland Secretary of Aging Rona Kramer.

UMB’s initiative aligns with the 10 Age-Friendly University principles and is organized into five themes:

1. Support Workforce Development

   Programming and initiatives to promote aging-focused professionals knowledgeable in geriatrics and gerontology to meet the diverse needs of our growing population of older adults; promote personal and career development in the second half of life and support those who wish to pursue second careers. 

2. Broaden Community Engagement

   Enhance access for older adults to the university’s range of health and wellness programs and its arts and cultural activities; engage actively with the university’s own retired community; community-based educational opportunities that promote access to healthcare and aging-in-place.  

3. Expand Engagement in Aging Research and Dissemination

   Encourage participation of older adults in the university’s educational and research programs; advance the university’s research agenda so it is informed by the needs of an aging society; and promote public discourse on how higher education can better respond to the varied interests and needs of older adults.     

4. Address Barriers Related to Aging and Our Physical Environment

   Enhance physical access to on-campus resources and to online educational opportunities for older adults; expand tele-health opportunities to older adults in our community 

5. Facilitate Age-Friendly Efforts Across the State of Maryland

   Ensure regular dialogue with organizations representing the interests of the aging population; engage partner institutions across the state in Age-Friendly initiatives. 

We invite you to explore our website to get a sense of how we incorporate our Age-Friendly UMB status as we empower our students, faculty, and staff to optimize the aging experience and improve quality of life.

Interested in becoming involved in age-friendly efforts at UMB? Contact Diane Martin, PhD, Director, Geriatrics and Gerontology Education and Research (GGEAR) Program.