title: Demonstrating the value of gerontology in troubled times: taking the Future Self exercise from the classroom to the community.
abstract: Gerontologists at state-funded universities are being challenged to demonstrate the value of their programs amid looming budget cuts. This article, third in a series reporting research and development of the Future Self exercise, suggests that the latest iteration of the exercise is an effective way to demonstrate the value of a gerontology program to community members. The article describes adaptation of the classroom exercise, and results of evaluation of presentations of the adapted exercise to 15 community and professional groups in Nebraska and Kansas during the past two years. Implications for future research and practice are identified.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gerontology, University of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska 68588, USA. jmasters@unomaha.edu
authors.forename: Julie L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Masters
authors.forename: Lyn M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Holley
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D059031:Anticipation, Psychological; D003153:Community Health Services; D057172:Economic Recession / Q000639:trends*; D004522:Educational Status; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007615:Kansas; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009329:Nebraska; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012649:Self Concept; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014481:United States