This is a list of professional and academic organizations for Aging Studies scholars and practitioners. If you would like to add an organization, please email the name of the organization and the URL to linda.hess@philhist.uni-augsburg.de.
Note: organization descriptions are taken verbatim from the organizations’ websites. Readers are encouraged to acquaint themselves fully with an organization before joining.
AARP
“We are a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that helps people 50 and over improve the quality of their lives.”
“Human Values in Aging” is an excellent, free e-newsletter edited by Harry (Rick) Moody and published by AARP’s Office of Academic Affairs. To request a subscription, contact hrmoody@aarp.org.
Administration on Aging
The Administration on Aging (AOA) is the principal agency of the U.S Department of Health and Human Services designated to carry out the provisions of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (OAA), as amended (42 U.S.C.A. § 3001 et seq.). The OAA promotes the well-being of older individuals by providing services and programs designed to help them live independently in their homes and communities. The Act also empowers the federal government to distribute funds to the states for supportive services for individuals over the age of 60.
http://www.acl.gov/about-acl/administration-aging
Age & Opportunity
Age & Opportunity is the national organisation that inspires everyone to reach their full potential as they age. Our goal is to turn the period from age 50 onwards into one of the most satisfying times in people’s lives, by facilitating:
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- opportunities to engage in arts and cultural activities
- opportunities for sport and physical activity
- opportunities to learn and be involved as active citizens
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We work with public and private partners to deliver established innovative programmes like the Bealtaine arts festival, and Go for Life – the national sports programme for older people. We are also developing a series of exciting positive ageing programmes.
http://www.ageandopportunity.ie
Age in Action
Age in Action is a 20-page quarterly published jointly by the Virginia Center on Aging and the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services. Its target audience includes professionals in the field of aging, gerontologists, geriatricians, health professionals and administrators, adult home and community professionals, and others interested in aging-related education and research in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
http://www.vcoa.chp.vcu.edu/publications–media/age-in-action-quarterly-publication/
Ageing in Europe
We are an association of researchers who are interested in ageing. We aim to facilitate contacts and collaboration among these researchers, and to provide them with up-to-date information. To attain these goals, we organize conferences and workshops, publish a regular newsletter, and maintain an email list. Because we are part of the European Sociological Association (ESA), many of our members work in sociology. However, we also have members who work in other disciplines, such as social policy or psychology.
http://www.ageing-in-europe.net/
Alliance For Aging Research (AFAR)
The Alliance for Aging Research is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the pace of scientific discoveries and their application to vastly improve the universal human experience of aging and health. The Alliance was founded in 1986 in Washington, D.C., and has since become a valued advocacy organization and a respected influential voice with policymakers.
Alliance for Retired Americans
The mission of the Alliance for Retired Americans is to ensure social and economic justice and full civil rights for all citizens so that they may enjoy lives of dignity, personal and family fulfillment and security.
Alzheimer Research Forum
Founded in 1996, Alzforum is a news website and information resource dedicated to helping researchers accelerate discovery and advance development of diagnostics and treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.
American Society on Aging
Founded in 1954, the American Society on Aging is an association of diverse individuals bound by a common goal: to support the commitment and enhance the knowledge and skills of those who seek to improve the quality of life of older adults and their families. The membership of ASA is multidisciplinary and inclusive of professionals who are concerned with the physical, emotional, social, economic and spiritual aspects of aging.
ArtSage
ArtSage is a connector, convener and catalyst for the field of arts and aging. Through training, consulting and access to resources, we prepare artists, organizations and senior-serving communities to provide creative arts experiences that improve the lives of older adults.
http://www.facebook.com/ArtSageMN
Arts for the Aging, Inc.
Since 1988, Arts for the Aging, Inc., (AFTA) has been providing artistic outreach services to psychologically and physically impaired seniors in senior day care centers and not-for-profit nursing homes in the metropolitan Washington, DC area. AFTA’s mission is to work closely with these senior day care centers and foster participation of seniors in creative and stimulating art activities, allowing them to enjoy an enhanced and healthy aging process as well as feel a deep sense of accomplishment and enjoyment. Although AFTA programs serve seniors with a broad range of age related impairments, emphasis is on those suffering from age related dementia, including Alzheimer’s. Seventy to eighty percent of senior day care center participants have a mild to moderate form of dementia.
Association for Gerontology in Higher Education
Established in 1974 (as the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education), the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) is the GSA’s education organization of colleges and universities that offer education, training, and research programs in the field of aging. AGHE currently has more than 60 institutional members throughout the United States, Canada, and abroad.
“Bringing LGBT Seniors Together”
Formed by the Spectrum LGBT Center of Marin County (http://www.spectrumlgbtcenter.org), with outreach efforts funded by Horizons Foundation (http://www.horizonsfoundation.org).
Canadian Association on Gerontology
The Canadian Association on Gerontology (CAG) is a national, multidisciplinary scientific and educational association established to provide leadership in matters related to the aging population.
Caring across Generations Campaign
Every eight seconds, an American turns 65. In the coming years, more and more members of our communities will need care, just as more and more workers will need quality, dignified jobs. At a time when we desperately need new jobs and new solutions to persistent crises in care, a broad coalition of people from all walks of life are coming together to push for change. Visit the Caring Across Generations campaign website to learn more about this exciting and necessary campaign.
Center for Aging and Translational Research
The UWM Center for Aging and Translational Research facilitates research, education, and training excellence and aims to translate effective interventional strategies to broadly promote successful aging in Southeastern Wisconsin and beyond. The Center is committed to foster programs and projects that will have meaningful impact for the lives of seniors.
Center for Demography of Health and Aging
The Center for Demography of Health and Aging (CDHA) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is one of eleven demography of aging centers funded by the National Institute on Aging (P30 AG017266). Through the integration of research, training, and teaching, CDHA aims to increase the understanding of behavioral processes related to health and aging.
The interdisciplinary research program at CDHA is designed to create links between social demography, biomedical, and epidemiological research on health and aging. Research focuses on five major themes: aging and the life course; biodemography; determinants of disparities of aging trajectories; health economics and health services research; and impacts of place on aging processes.
Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland (CARDI)
Advocates for and advance the ageing research agenda by identifying, coordinating, stimulating, and communicating strategic research on ageing and older people as a means to improve the lives of older people in Ireland (North and South) especially those who are disadvantaged.
Communities for a Lifetime
A statewide initiative that assists Florida cities, towns and counties in planning and implementing improvements that benefit their residents, both youth and elder.
http://communitiesforalifetime.org/
Communities for All Ages
A multi-site community building initiative coordinated by the Temple University Center for Intergenerational Learning (www.templecil.org) that intentionally promotes the well-being of children, youth, and older adults, strengthens families, and provides opportunities for ongoing interaction across ages. It focuses on transforming varied age groups and organizations from competitors to allies.
http://www.communitiesforallages.org/
Department of Childhood Studies
Childhood Studies listserv: https://email.rutgers.edu/mailman/listinfo/exploring_childhood_studies.
From the Department of Childhood Studies at Rutgers University-Camden; welcomes CFPs, Announcements of conferences, events, new books, articles and other resources, requests for information, and information on new programs and departments.
European Network in Aging Studies (ENAS)
The European Network in Aging Studies (ENAS) facilitates sustainable international and multi-disciplinary collaboration among all researchers interested in the study of cultural aging.
Exit International
A leading End of Life Choices information & advocacy non-profit.
http://www.exitinternational.net/
Florida Coalition for Optimal Mental Health and Aging
Provides opportunities for individuals, professionals, consumers, researchers, government and private organizations to work together towards improving the availability and quality of mental health and substance abuse services for older Floridians and their families through training, education, research, and increased public awareness.
Gerontological Society of America
A non-profit professional organization with more than 5000 members in the field of aging. GSA provides researchers, educators, practitioners, and policy makers with opportunities to understand, advance, integrate, and use basic and applied research on aging to improve the quality of life as one ages.
Grantmakers in Aging
Grantmakers In Aging is dedicated to promoting and strengthening grantmaking for an aging society.
Health and Aging Policy Newsletter
The Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program provides a unique opportunity for professionals in health and aging to gain the experience and skills necessary to make a positive contribution to the development and implementation of health policies that affect older Americans.
http://www.healthandagingpolicy.org/
Helen Bader Foundation, Alzheimer’s and Healthy Aging
Our partners are committed to helping older adults remain safe in order to age in place; to creating opportunities for older adults to learn and use technology in order to stay connected with family and friends; and to providing caregivers, professionals and students with educational opportunities. Our current Alzheimer’s & Healthy Aging strategies include:
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- Independence, Wellness and Risk-Reduction;
- Technology and Applied Research for Program Development;
- Education/Training for Caregivers, Professionals, and Students.
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http://www.bader.org/programs/alzheimers-healthy-aging/
HelpAge
HelpAgeUSA builds awareness of global aging issues among US audiences; advocates for the empowerment of older, vulnerable adults in the developing world; and raises funds to support the programs of the HelpAge network.
http://www.helpageusa.org/index.html.
International Federation on Aging
IFA has consistently campaigned for the rights of older people as the UN Principles for Older Persons, actively advocates for older people to be recognized in the UN Sustainable Development Goals and maintains a strong voice in the dialogue on how to best protect the rights of older people globally.
Itineraries
A journal that begins a year-long exploration of “The Spirituality of Later Life” with its Winter 2011 issue on “Writing As a Spiritual Practice,” guest edited by Ellen Ryan.
Kairos Dance
An intergenerational dance company committed to sharing the joy of dance and unleashing its power to nurture and heal. The Dancing Heart program improves flexibility, energy, balance, memory and socialization of older, frail adults through movement, dance and storytelling: Transforming lives through movement and story.
The Life Story Center
Established in 1988 as the Center for the Study of Lives, a research, educational, and service unit of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Southern Maine. They offer a proprietary protocol for telling life stories online, along with an ever-expanding archive of life stories, beginning with its existing archive of over 400 life stories, each one averaging about 20 pages in length, that is fully searchable.
http://loc.gov/folklife/civilrights/survey/view-repository.php?rep_id=1505
Modern Language Association, Age Studies discussion group
For the study of age, aging, and old age in literature and culture, and the pedagogy of those topics in the literature, composition, and foreign language classrooms.
National Asian Pacific Center on Aging
With over 40 years of working on behalf of AAPI older adults, NAPCA is more committed than ever to promoting their dignity, well-being, and quality of life.
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a)
The leading voice on aging issues for Area Agencies on Aging and a champion for Title VI Native American aging programs. Through advocacy, training and technical assistance, we support the national network of 650 AAAs and 240 Title VI programs.
National Association for Hispanic Elderly/Asociacion Nacional pro Personas Mayoras
The National Association for Hispanic Elderly/Asociación Nacional Pro Personas Mayores (NAHE) is committed to achieving social change by focusing on the needs of low-income minority and Hispanic/Latino older persons, thus impacting the Hispanic/Latino community and the nation as a whole.
National Caucus and Center on Black Aging
NCBA is one of the country’s oldest organizations dedicated to aging issues and the only national organization devoted to minority and low-income aging.
National Indian Council on Aging
The National Indian Council on Aging, Inc. (NICOA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1976 by members of the National Tribal Chairmen’s Association who called for a national organization focused on the needs of aging American Indian and Alaska Native elders. The mission of NICOA is to advocate for improved comprehensive health, social services and economic wellbeing for American Indian and Alaska Native elders.
National Institute on Aging (an Institute of the National Institute of Health)
NIA, one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of NIH, leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. In 1974, Congress granted authority to form NIA to provide leadership in aging research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs relevant to aging and older people.
National Institute on Aging, Connections
The newsletter of the National Institute on Aging’s Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center, is available in a free e-subscription. Other free ADEAR publications are also available.
National Hispanic Council on Aging
The National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA) is the leading national organization working to improve the lives of Hispanic older adults, their families and their caregivers.
National Network of Libraries of Medicine
The goal of the NNLM is to advance the progress of medicine and improve public health by providing U.S. health professionals with equal access to biomedical information and improving individuals’ access to information to enable them to make informed decisions about their health.
National Resource Center on LGBT Aging
The National Resource Center on LGBT Aging is the USA’s first and only technical assistance resource center aimed at improving the quality of services and supports offered to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults.
http://www.lgbtagingcenter.org/index.cfm
National Women’s Studies Association, Aging and Ageism Caucus
Established in 1977, NWSA is a professional organization dedicated to leading the field of women’s studies and gender studies, as well as its teaching, learning, research, and service wherever they be found.
New Dynamics of Ageing, a Cross-Council Research Programme (UK)
The NDA Programme is the largest research programme on ageing ever mounted in the UK and the first one to bring together five Research Councils (AHRC, BBSRC, EPSRC, ESRC and MRC) spanning all relevant research disciplines from the arts to biological sciences. This unique research venture is dedicated to the production of new knowledge about the ageing process, multidisciplinary collaboration and making an impact on the worlds of policy, practice and product development so that scientific inputs can be translated into real benefits for people as they age.
http://newdynamics.group.shef.ac.uk/
Oklahoma Geriatric Education Center
Includes on-demand webinars on topics such as “Ethical Issues in Aging: Decision Making Capacity.”
http://www.ouhsc.edu/okgec/default.asp
Old Women’s Project (USA)
The Old Women’s Project works to make visible how old women are directly affected by all issues of social justice, and to combat the ageist attitudes that ignore, trivialize or demean us.
Older Feminist Network (UK)
Gives voice to the concerns of older women which we felt were being ignored in feminist circles and in society generally.
http://www.olderfeminist.org.uk/
Website includes links to Third Age Press (http://www.thirdagepress.co.uk/) and to University of the Third Age (U3A) (http://www.u3a.org.uk), an international movement for older people who want to continue to enjoy learning in later life.
Omaha Poet’s Place
A friendly, safe space for teenage and elder poets to publish poems, find resources and communicate with each other.
OWL- Older Women’s League
Reports on activities and status of older women in the US, list of local chapters, reading suggestions, membership information, and photos.
Scripps Gerontology Center
Scripps Gerontology Center supports older adults, families, and aging societies through research, education, and service as a part of Miami University.
Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders
SAGE is the world’s oldest and largest non-profit agency dedicated to serving and advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender seniors.
http://www.sageusa.org/index.cfm
Silver Century Foundation
The Silver Century Foundation promotes a positive view of aging. The Foundation challenges entrenched and harmful stereotypes, encourages dialogue between generations, advocates planning for the second half of life, and raises awareness to educate and inspire everyone to live long, healthy, empowered lives.
http://silvercentury.org/index.cfm
Stonewall Communities
We created Stonewall Communities, a non-profit organization, to better understand and advocate for the needs of older lesbians, gay men, and their friends. We strive to support and enhance the well-being and independence of gay men and lesbians in their choice to age at home or in a Stonewall community. We are committed to creating community among older lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender adults by creating residential, educational, social and supportive opportunities.
http://idealist.org/en/nonprofit/d6cbb6436d034c57a45a97e3e3f46b57-stonewall-communities-boston
The Taos Institute
“Positive Aging” newsletter: The newsletter brings to light resources—from scientific research on aging, gerontology practices, and daily life—that contribute to an appreciation of the aging process. Challenging the longstanding view of aging as decline, the newsletter provides resources for understanding aging as an unprecedented period of human development.
http://www.taosinstitute.net/positive-aging-newsletter
TimeSlips
A nationally recognized storytelling program for people with dementia.
Transgender Aging Network
Exists to improve the lives of current and future trans/SOFFA (significant others, friends, family and allies) elders.
http://forge-forward.org/aging/
Trent Centre for Aging & Society
The Trent Centre for Aging and Society (est. 2013) is a new research initiative that draws on Trent’s reputation in interdisciplinary excellence to promote research and awareness about aging and old age. The Centre’s mandate is to mobilize a critically-informed academic and public dialogue that advocates for the diversity of the aging experience, challenges ageist policies and practices, and develops expertise for understanding and planning for Canada’s aging futures.
WOW
Wider Opportunities for Women. Includes a subgroup and newsletter focused on “Elder Economic Security.”
More Lists of Organizations
Compiled by Tony Nelson and updated by Ashley Rodencal, under the direction of Dr. Leni Marshall, with generous financial support from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
Last updated on 6/16/2020.
