Aging Services Digital Badge

Contact Information

The Aging Services badge is a competency badge offered by the Department of Health Professions. While not clinical in nature, the Aging Services badge provides content required of all employees working in the Long-Term Care field.

Earning Criteria

Participants earning this badge are required to meet with a faculty advisor specializing in aging services in the Department of Health Professions. Students will submit academic coursework related to aging services and long-term care, a public awareness campaign, and reflect on an immersive aging services experience (e.g., workshop, interview, panel discussion). Additionally, participants will complete Ageism First Aid (AFA) training offered by The Gerontological Society of America.

Competencies Demonstrated

1. Academic planning with a faculty advisor.
2. Career planning with a faculty advisor.
3. Identify characteristics and needs of older adults.
4. Describe shifts in population aging.
5. Investigate common health disparities.
6. Distinguish the differences between ageism and ableism and apply examples of each.
7. Recognize myths and stereotypes related to ageism and ableism.
8. Demonstrate essential vocabulary for discussing ageism and ableism.
9. Acknowledge the social stigmatization connected to ageism and ableism.
10. Learn specific/nuanced interpersonal communication skills for interacting with older adults and/or those working in the aging services field (i.e., tone, noise level, jargon, acronyms, etc.)
11. Demonstrate knowledge of current trends and issues facing residents and/or employees living or working in aging services.
12. Investigate aging services career roles and /or needs of older persons as they age.
13. Develop a personal plan for future participation in the care of aging adults.
14. Completion of Ageism First Aid (AFA) training from The Gerontological Society of America.