In Brief

Empowering Seniors Through Film

A new initiative at the Rush Center for Excellence in Aging aims to aid older adults and healthcare students through short films. Through the Schaalman Senior Voices Program, which launched last year, older adults share their personal journeys, perspectives on aging, and what’s essential to their care. 

The short films are showcased on Rush’s website for healthcare students, older adults, and caregivers to view. The goal: to record and distribute the wisdom of older adults and increase their well-being. 

“The films are being used to teach future healthcare students about what matters to older adults, so when they’re doing their work with older adults, the students can come in and ask them what matters to them. It will make a huge difference,” says Robyn Golden, associate vice president of population health and aging at Rush.

One of the program’s chief benefits is the empowerment of older adults. “As we get older, we like to be a little more in control of our lives,” Golden says. “The Schaalman Senior Voices Program is a way of seniors grabbing that ownership and saying, ‘This is what matters to me.’”

Share
Published by
By Alexander Camp

Recent Posts

Looming Losses

Local hospitals anticipate increased costs, reduced access for everyone under Medicaid’s new rules Illinois hospitals…

1 week ago

Lessons from Dolly

Why caregivers need to safeguard their own health when caring for others Shortly after singer…

3 weeks ago

Finding Support After a Dementia Diagnosis

A diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, or another form of dementia can leave…

3 weeks ago

Grief’s Many Faces

How caregivers navigate guilt and loss when their caregiving responsibilities end Susan Skeldon, 72, of…

1 month ago

A Fest for the Ages

Chicago seniors celebrate aging, connect with resources in Millennium Park Thousands of seniors made their…

1 month ago

How New Research is Driving Opportunities to Reduce Dementia Risk

Chicagoans are increasingly thinking about brain health, and for good reason. As Alzheimer’s disease continues…

2 months ago

This website uses cookies.