WHAT'S NEW?AMAR Participates in IPADE Conferences
The Mexican Association for Retirement Communities will be participating actively in a series of conferences organized by IPADE (Pan American Institute for High Business Direction).
The series of conferences is called 50+ Communities, opportunities in Mexico during the crisis" and it will take place all around Mexico. The tour will start in Mexico City, following other important cities such as Hermosillo, Guadalajara, Monterrey and Leon. Our President, Mr. Javier Godínez, will be giving a conference about "Emerging trends in Aging Services", along with Mr. Sergio Raimond that will be speaking about the “Ongoing international financial crisis: US and Canadian citizens opportunities to live in Mexico”.Unfortunately these conferences will not be open to the public, but if you want to listen to similar topics we invite you to register to our AMAR Conference in Mexico City.
University Establishes First International and Niche Housing Internships for Assisted Living Students
Internships in United Kingdom and Asian-American Retirement Communities offer Unique Learning Experiences
FAIRFAX, Va., October30, 2007 – Building on its national reputation for innovative curricula, the George Mason University Program in Assisted Living/Senior Housing Administration has implemented two first-in-industry internships to be completed by students during the fall 2007 semester.
Justin Roberts, 25, of Leesburg, Va., is currently completing an internship within the Sunrise at Guildford assisted living community in Peasmarsh, England. The community is part of the International Division of Virginia-based Sunrise Senior Living, which operates more than 450 assisted living and related senior housing communities in the U.S., Canada, UK, and Germany.
During his internship Mr. Roberts is living in the 93-resident community while completing a daytime rotation through all administrative, clinical and operational areas. He will also complete a project to develop a performance management tool for the community’s emergency call system, for presentation to college faculty upon his return to the United States.
“Justin already worked as an assisted living coordinator for Sunrise in the U.S.,” says Andrew Carle, assistant professor and director of the Mason program. “But aging populations are a worldwide phenomenon. By taking advantage of his company’s international locations, Justin can gain a global and cultural perspective on how other countries are dealing with this issue.”
“He has been a real asset, and it has been exciting for the Residents to have him here,” said Phil Smith, executive director of the Guildford community. “Using a web cam, Justin has even set up a virtual ‘trivia game’ between the residents of our community, and those in his community back in Virginia.”
Connie Chen, 27, is completing an internship within Áegis Gardens, an award winning assisted living community designed for Asian-Americans in the San Francisco Bay area. Chen is originally from Taiwan, and fluent in Mandarin, Taiwanese and Cantonese.
The 64-resident community, owned by Redmond, Washington-based Áegis Living, has been nationally recognized for architecture incorporating Feng Shui design, staff fluent in Chinese and Japanese, activities including Tai Chi, and meals featuring sushi and wok cooking.
“It’s valuable to see they have done things like avoid the use of the number ‘4’ or the color blue in the architecture, which are bad luck symbols in Asian culture,” says Chen. “The Mason program stresses the need to recognize and respect individuality in seniors. This community is an example of that philosophy put into action.”
During her stay, Chen will complete a project that includes development of a resident satisfaction survey customized to the cultural and language needs of Asian-American residents. Like Roberts, she also resides in the community while completing a rotation through operational areas during the day.
“We are happy to have someone with Connie’s skill set here and to be able to support her education,” states Emily Poon, executive director at Áegis Gardens. The company is reimbursing Chen for her airfare, as well as providing a room and meals in the community during her stay.
Both Roberts and Chen are graduate students completing a Master’s in Health Administration with a concentration in Assisted Living/Senior Housing Administration. The Mason program, begun in 2001, is the first in the nation to offer both undergraduate and graduate curricula dedicated exclusively to the rapidly growing senior housing field. The program established the industry’s first student internships in 2002, completing nearly 50 such assignments in independent, assisted, Alzheimer’s, and continuing care retirement communities since that time. Internships have also been completed through Walt Disney World Resorts, for students with previous clinical but no hospitality service experience.
“We believe an internship should advance a student’s skill level and offer opportunities they might never have again,” says Carle. “We don’t want them duplicating work they’ve already done, or just doing it to complete the credit hours. The industry and assisted living residents deserve the most highly trained and innovative executives we can produce.”
About George Mason University
George Mason University, located in the heart of Northern Virginia’s technology corridor near Washington, D.C., is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in a range of academic fields. With strong undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering, information technology, biotechnology and health care, Mason prepares its students to succeed in the work force and meet the needs of the region and the world. Mason professors conduct groundbreaking research in areas such as cancer, climate change, information technology and the biosciences, and Mason’s Center for the Arts brings world-renowned artists, musicians and actors to its stage. Its School of Law is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 35 law schools in the United States.
The Director of the only academic program dedicated exclusively to Senior Housing administration is very interested in creating along with AMAR, (the Mexican Association for Retirement Communities), potential internship opportunities in Mexico for the students of the George Mason University’s Program in Assisted Living/Senior Housing Administration. If you are interested in receiving students at your assisted living facility please contact us and we can help you get in touch with the right person for this purpose. info@amar.org.mx
ICAA online Student Intern Directory now accepting listings
The International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) is now accepting listings from provider organizations, universities, colleges and other educational institutions for ICAA’s free online student internship database.
The purpose of the ICAA Student Intern Directory is to aid active-aging and senior-living industry recruitment efforts by linking potential interns with employers.
To ensure your organization or educational institution is listed in the online directory, please visit the following webpage to complete and submit your online application form: http://www..icaa.cc/careercenter/student_inter_directory.htm
