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It’s hard to predict the future, but one thing is certain, people are living longer and the number of older persons is growing. Declining fertility and increasing life expectancy are fostering a rapidly aging world. Thus it was most fitting that creating a University Institute on Aging in the 21st Century was embraced by the Boston College Board of Trustees as a key component of the new strategic plan. The Institute will enable Boston College to excel as a beacon for expertise addressing the challenges and exploiting the opportunities presented by individual and societal aging. A distinguishing characteristic of the Boston College Institute on Aging is its holistic approach to the challenges and opportunities of aging in the 21st Century. The Institute will foster interdisciplinary education, research and knowledge dissemination regarding spiritual, physical, social, financial and emotional dimensions of well-being of older adults and their families. The Institute will build upon the contributions of existing university centers whose primary focus is on older adults. Other campus organizations and individuals will be encouraged to participate in Institute on Aging (IOA) activities where appropriate. A major IOA agenda will be to broaden the scope of aging-related activities at Boston College beyond a small core of well established centers. |
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