Category: Blog

By Nancy Verdin, MSW Similar to an aging house that requires periodic renovations to stay liveable, Social Security requires significant updates to serve its purpose effectively. While it provides crucial income support to older adults, individuals with disabilities, and survivors of deceased workers, there are repairs needed to address the long standing program. Established in…

By Fernando Reyes, CEAL Peer Support Advisor Since its inception in 1963, Older Americans Month (OAM) has been an annual celebration held every May, shining a spotlight on the invaluable contributions of older adults to our communities. Led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), OAM serves as a poignant reminder to honor the wisdom,…

By Nancy Verdin, Graduate Assistant, SDSU Social Policy Institute Imagine going through a major shift in your life, perhaps you’ve lost your long time friend, you’ve become homebound due to limited mobility, or the people you once saw on a daily basis are just no longer part of your social circle. Now, picture being told, “that’s…

By Jocelyn Smith, Graduate Assistant, SDSU Social Policy Institute On the top shelf of my closet, there is a colorful box jam-packed with journals, chronicling the ups and downs of my life from my teens to my early 30s. Every ill-fated romance, academic pursuit, career shift, and “AH HA!” moment scrawled in sloppy cursive with more…

By Afrah Shah, Graduate Intern, SPI Social Policy Institute In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Center for Excellence in Aging and Longevity (CEAL) pays tribute to the remarkable contributions made by women in the fields of gerontology and healthy aging. Their contributions have not only enriched the field of gerontology but have also significantly…

By Jocelyn Smith, Graduate Assistant, SDSU Social Policy Institute When we think about sex education, most of us can conjure up the stereotyped, yet widely suffered (and terribly mortifying) high school encounter involving a health teacher, a banana, and a condom.  And… that might be it. Getting proper sexual health education and support across the lifespan…

Conclusion of the 3-part series by Nancy Verdin, Graduate Assistant, SDSU Social Policy Institute The existing home care service cycle is riddled with numerous vulnerabilities that leave many individuals overlooked and underserved. Addressing the gaps will require a collaborative effort involving diverse stakeholders from various sectors. Currently, proactive measures are already underway to overcome the challenges.…

Part two of a three-part series by Nancy Verdin, Graduate Assistant, SDSU Social Policy Institute Addressing access to home care aid involves confronting two immense challenges: housing and healthcare. These critical domains represent two of the five factors within the social determinants of health that play a role in influencing health outcomes. The absence of support in these…

Part one of a three-part series by Nancy Verdin, Graduate Assistant, SDSU Social Policy Institute Our personal autonomy ebbs and flows throughout our lives. The first steps of a child signify the emergence of newfound independence, yet even in those moments, the reach for a reassuring guiding hand accompanies each wobbly step. This process of self-discovery and interdependence…

By Etta Thordarson, MSW Intern, SDSU Social Policy Institute Loneliness is increasingly recognized as a devastating issue across the United States, particularly impacting older adults (60+). While many acknowledge the common health risks associated with aging, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and dementia, fewer consider the impact of social loneliness on health.  Did you…