April 13, 2022 | By Brittany Sylvestri | News Home

Florida Atlantic University has been named a member of the Age-Friendly University (AFU) Global Network.

The AFU network consists of institutions of higher education around the globe who have endorsed the AFU principles and committed themselves to becoming more age-friendly in their programs and policies.

Members of the network have a shared challenge to promote an inclusive approach to healthy and active aging through research, enhanced learning opportunities for people across generations, and innovations that address issues affecting older adults.

“We are delighted at our recent designation as an Age-Friendly University,” said Provost Bret Danilowicz. “A pillar of the University’s Strategic Plan for the Race to Excellence, healthy aging and initiatives that facilitate a continued focus on improving not only the overall well-being of the aging population but its relationship with the wider community, remains a priority for Florida Atlantic and will for years to come.”

FAU has established Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLI) at its Boca Raton, Jupiter, and Fort Lauderdale campuses that are dedicated to offering intellectually enriching educational experiences. The centers offer non-credit courses and programs, along with concerts and entertainment. The courses are taught by FAU professors and distinguished guest lecturers.

Several of FAU’s pillars are focused on intergenerational approaches to improving health and health care delivery to older adults. The I-Health pillar is redesigning the health care infrastructure to create novel intervention programs to provide patients and the community with health care for everyday needs as well as the most specialized services for complex diseases, illnesses and injuries.

The FAU Healthy Aging Certificate Program prepares students for a career in service of diverse aging populations. The certificate program provides a specialized knowledge and skill base in practice, practice-evaluation, research and policy areas to ensure the delivery of quality services to diverse aging groups.

“Programs for age-diverse learners can benefit our institution in a number of ways,” said Michele Hawkins, Ph.D., vice provost for academic affairs at FAU. “FAU meets the principles of the AFU initiative, and we look forward to collaborating with other AFU-designated universities to discover additional best practices.”