“I used to introduce myself by saying I am an elder in denial and I’m also a recovering Tribal Chairman,” laughs Karen Washinawatok. She’s no longer in denial. In November, Washinawatok spent a week at …
Newsletter
Found in Translation: Health Equity for Hmong Elders
As we age, our healthcare needs often change. For example, we might experience hearing loss or chronic pain. We might want to engage in advance care planning. Now imagine that simply communicating with healthcare providers …
The Pandemic this Time: What Will We Learn from COVID-19?
“How will we remember this pandemic?” asked Susan McFadden, PhD, Professor Emerita of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. “And how will we act on the lessons we have learned?” She was speaking to …
Helping Improve Care for Others: One Patient Advisor’s Experiences
“I don’t want this to happen to anyone else, so I got involved,” says Rosie Bartel. Bartel describes herself as a wife, mother, grandmother, and educator. She’s also a patient advisor to health researchers and …
From Accelerated Aging to Black Well-Being
As we age, our cells accumulate damage. Over time, the damage can lead to disease, disability, or death. Yet time does not affect everyone’s cells equally. Some public health practitioners argue that time should be …
When Purple is a Red Flag: Preventing Pressure Injuries in Patients with Dark Skin
In June 2020, University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing graduate student Courtney Maurer, DNP, RN was coming up with ideas for her year-long scholarly project. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, student access to care settings …
Necessary but Complicated: The Push for Nursing Home Reform
Following the tragic impact of the ongoing COVID pandemic on nursing home residents and staff, is there new momentum for reform? Some signs point to yes. In February 2022, the White House outlined actions through …
The Center for Aging Research and Education: Improving How We Age
America needs nurses, and the UW–Madison School of Nursing is focused on mitigating that shortage. Established by the university in 2011, the Center for Aging Research and Education (CARE) is building bridges, addressing health disparities …
Championing Careers in Aging Across Health Professions
Healthcare professionals who work with older adults are sleuths who dig deep to understand their patients. They collaborate across disciplines to support individuals’ health and improve care systems. They are experts in anticipating and avoiding …
Our House: The Benefits of Intergenerational Housing
“As a nurse, I never felt that nursing homes or dementia units provided what was needed for people to flourish,” said Karin Krause, ‘79 RN, a University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing alumna and founder …