Palo Alto University Commits to Serving the Needs of Older Adults

Palo Alto University (PAU) has joined the Age-Friendly University (AFU) Global Network, a group of colleges and universities dedicated to meeting and serving the needs of older adults, reports Yahoo! Finance . "Given PAU's commitment to underserved and marginalized communities, using AFU's 10 principles to further our ongoing efforts to address the needs of a rapidly aging population makes perfect sense," said Palo Alto University Professor Lisa M. Brown. Those principles include encouraging the participation of older adults in all core activities of the university, including educational and research programs; promoting personal and career development in the second half of life and supporting those who want to pursue second careers; and recognizing the scope of older adults' educational requirements. PAU's concentration on cultural competency, its diverse program, and its undergraduate and graduate degree offerings in both on-campus and online formats place the school in a prime position to serve older adults interested in changing careers, promoting personal development, or probing leadership opportunities. "It's our responsibility as leaders to commit to meeting the diverse needs of our society, regardless of age," said Palo Alto University President Maureen O'Connor. "Educating students who are providing mental health care to older patients is an active form of social justice. I feel proud to have Palo Alto University be a member of the Age-Friendly University Global Network as their principles are well aligned with PAU's core values."