Luci Baines Johnson and Ian J. Turpin
Americans aged 65 and older are estimated to number over 57.8 million. This number could rise to nearly 81 million in 2040. The fastest-growing age group in the U.S. and Texas is, by far, octogenarians. The rising number of older Americans represents a demographic shift that will continue to have intense social, economic, and health impacts on our state for many decades to come. The Luci Baines Johnson and Ian J. Turpin Center for Gerontological Nursing (LBJ/IJT-CGN), like the National Institute on Aging (NIA), seeks to understand the nature of aging and the aging process, and diseases and conditions associated with growing older. Aging itself remains the most important risk factor for many devastating diseases and conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD), disability, most forms of cancer, many types of heart disease, osteoporosis and hip fracture, kidney failure, and diabetes (NIA, 2021). The LBJ/IJT – CGN endeavors to address these issues through our core values that underpin our vision and mission while driving plans for execution.
VISION: BETTER EVERYDAY HEALTH FOR TEXAS OLDER ADULTS
Background
The Challenge for our region: Texas is a multi-cultural, diverse region with a growing proportion of seniors who require a high level of health and disability-related care in their respective communities.
- Texas has the fourth-largest population of older individuals in the nation.
- Texas is highly diverse, with the second-largest number of Hispanic elders in the nation.
- Life expectancy in Texas remains below the national average (CDC, 2019). This may be because:
- Poverty – 22% live at or below the poverty level.
- Rural location – only 30% of Texas counties are considered metropolitan.
- Disability – Among Texans over age 65, 1.3 million (32%) have a disability.
- Lack of provider knowledge of challenges specific to aging and resources to enhance everyday health for older adults.
Mission
The Mission of the Luci Baines Johnson and Ian J. Turpin Center for Gerontological Nursing is to support excellence in gerontological nursing education, research, and practice by preparing nurses to effectively lead care for older adults while positively impacting communities where we live and work.
Goals
- Lead innovative community-based and clinical research that will benefit the health, independence, and well-being of diverse aging adults and their caregivers.
- Mentor a new generation of nursing scholars and clinicians in gerontology.
- Disseminate knowledge and strategies to promote well-being for older adults and their families.
- Advance leadership that supports innovative and collaborative practice across care environments.
Values
The values of the Luci Baines Johnson and Ian J. Turpin Center for Gerontological Nursing parallel those of The University of Texas at Austin: Learning, Discovery, Freedom, Leadership, Individual Opportunity, and Responsibility.
Conceptual Model
The conceptual model for the Luci Baines Johnson and Ian J. Turpin Center for Gerontological Nursing is drive by 5 pillars:
- Leadership
- Research
- Education
- Practice
- Collaboration