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Last modified: Thursday, November 19, 2009

IU expert featured in documentary on aging

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 19, 2009

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Philip B. Stafford, director of the Center on Aging and Community at Indiana University Bloomington, will be a featured panelist on "When Did I Get Old? Reflections on Aging Today," a one-hour television documentary that premieres tonight (Nov. 19).

Philip Stafford

Philip Stafford

The program, presented by WFYI public television in Indianapolis, alternates studio discussions with experts on aging and profiles of active seniors in Indiana. It will air on WFYI at 9 p.m. today. WTIU, the Indiana University public television station in Bloomington, plans to broadcast it Dec. 18, at 10:30 p.m., and Dec. 20, at 5 p.m. Viewers of other stations should consult their local listings.

The documentary explores how Americans today are not only living longer, but are seeking richer, more meaningful experiences in their golden years as Baby Boomers redefine the concept of retirements. In researching this documentary, producer Gary Harrison, in cooperation with the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging and Community and the Center on Aging and Community at Indiana University, traveled across Indiana to examine the lives of older adults in a wide variety of settings and situations.

"When Did I Get Old?" will take viewers to the Midtown section of Gary, where people of all ages are working to clean-up the community in order to improve public safety for its predominately older residents. In Linton, a city-wide effort is under way to improve mobility (i.e., transportation, personal wellness and home modifications) for senior citizens, while in Vincennes, a man learns to overcome his disabilities by providing an invaluable service to the community with his information and referral phone service. And in Bloomington, viewers will meet a dedicated group of seniors who meet regularly for camaraderie and to discuss issues related to aging.

Veteran broadcast journalist Diane Willis serves as moderator for the studio discussion portion of the program. The panelists will address several key topics, including how society views the aging population; valuable preparations for retirement; discovering new interests and opportunities for volunteerism during one's golden years; and the need to establish a sense of community that addresses both seniors' physical and emotional needs.

In addition to Stafford, panelists will include Judy O'Bannon, former first lady of Indiana; Father Boniface Hardin, founder and president of emeritus of Martin University; and Ellen Miller, executive director of the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging and Community, a research institute based at Indiana University Bloomington.

The Indiana University Center on Aging and Community conducts research and provides training, assistance and information to individuals, families and professionals, seeking to enable older persons to lead self-determined lives within their communities. It is part of the Indiana Institute for Disability and Community at IU Bloomington. For more information, see https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/cac/index.htm.