TSA's "Granny groping" is a goner...

…At least in four US airports. Sort of.  In response to public outrage, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced recently that it will ease security screening measures for travelers 75 and older at four airports around the nation.  The changes may soon be employed at additional airports.

The modified screening techniques follow those enacted last fall when the TSA decided children under 12 years of age no longer had to remove their shoes or light jackets for screening, and allow a second scan for anomalies rather than a physical pat-down.  Many people (of all ages) have protested the increased physical screenings conducted by the TSA over the past year. 

The policy shift is part of a new TSA focus to put more scrutiny on potentially high-risk passengers.  According to Kathleen Petrowsky, the TSA federal security director at O'Hare, TSA screeners will make a visual assessment to determine which passengers are 75 or older and inform them of changes to the screening procedures.

Whooo boy, I think this opens up a can of worms.  I’m not even sure where to start. So, let’s just scratch the surface.

OK, so first, the assumption is that aging people are not likely to be a threat.  Statistically speaking, perhaps this has been the case with airport incidents.  However, ideology doesn’t magically disappear because one turns 75 (and who decided that was the magic “old” number anyway?).  This feels a bit dismissive of our intelligence. 

Second, the TSA officers will decide by “visual assessment” who looks 75 and older. Sure, maybe it makes it easier on those who don’t have to go through the extra security measures, but I don’t know a single woman who would want to be selected for that group because she looks 75.  Can you imagine the indignation if the TSA officer gets it wrong?  In all seriousness though, doesn’t this seem like the same concept as racial profiling, albeit in reverse? 

I get it.  Really, I do.  It is a decision made to ease the burden for the aging.  It can be difficult to take off and put on shoes.  A pat-down can be embarrassing, perhaps especially so to an often more modest generation.  The rushed feeling of the security line can be very disconcerting or cause stress.  I am not a heartless young person who doesn’t understand the dimensions of aging. I just had a gut reaction to this announcement that was somewhat negative, or at the very least questioning.

Maybe this is the right thing to do.  Maybe it isn’t.  In the end, they didn’t actually ask my opinion before enacting this, and I’m OK with that too.  I do think it provides an interesting point for conversation though!  What do you think about it?

Kristin Huff

Senior Projects Director

In addition to being the Center's Senior Projects Director, Kristin Huff teaches courses for the Center's new Project Management Certificate for Human Services Professionals. 

Assistive technology: Advancing independence in elderly populations

In a recent class lecture, I learned about some great opportunities for the aging population, and thought what would be better than sharing my new resource on the All Things Aging blog. As an occupational therapy graduate student who loves the older population, I may be a little biased, but I found the lecture on assistive technology options to be very interesting and helpful for people of any age. You may not need a piece of equipment to help you perform in your daily activities right now, but odds are you know someone who does…or at some point you will. Assistive technology doesn’t always involve a fancy iPod or high tech gadget.

"The term 'assistive technology device' means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities."
- Assistive Technology Act of 1998

Easter Seals Crossroads has been providing assistive technology solutions in Indiana since 1979. Easter Seals Crossroads joined with the State of Indiana, Bureau of Rehabilitative Services in 2007 to create the Indiana Assistive Technology Act (INDATA) Project. The INDATA Project is one of 56 federally-funded projects intended to enhance access and awareness of assistive technology. Who knew we had such a great resource located right in Indiana! 

The program offers an equipment loan library for residents of Indiana who have a visual, cognitive, hearing, mobility, learning, and other impairments. 

INDATA core services include: 

• information and referral
• funding assistance
• public awareness and education
• device demonstration
• device loan
• re-utilized computers
• equipment re-utilization

Assistive equipment can range from simple to complex. Equipment may include materials for low vision individuals to write out a check for financial management, adaptive equipment for feeding and eating, mobility devices, or modified devices to help people participate in leisure activities such as sewing or playing cards. Check out the INDATA blog for frequent news about available and useful technologies.

For a list of all 56 federally-funded assistive technology centers, click here.  

Sara Walton

CAC Graduate Assistant

Sara is pursuing her master's degree in occupational therapy and a graduate certificate in gerontology.

1-day workshop on community planning, urban design & aging in place

A rapidly aging population which expects to age like no generation before it.  City centers left near-empty by suburban migration. A swelling demand for "green" living. These may seem like isolated issues, but a one-day workshop hosted by the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community will dispel that myth. Aging-in-place and urban design experts will show participants that the three issues - and their solutions - are remarkably interwoven.

Inside, Outside, All Around the Town

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

8:30am-3:30pm

Wheeler Arts Community ~ Fountain Square

1035 Sanders Street Indianapolis, IN

The Workshop

The workshop will use Indiana neighborhoods as real-life examples for identifying issues and planning solutions. The ideas and solutions will be transferable so that participants will leave with the understanding that the same issues, discussion and solutions apply to neighborhoods in their own communities.

Discussions will range from the narrow – considerations of aging in place at an individual level – to the broad – implications for community planning. Arguments will be made for the surging aging population as the catalyst for urban and green renewal. An emphasis will be made to demonstrate that livable communities are not solely beneficial to elders, but ultimately result in better communities for all.

Sessions will include:

•    Community Strategies
•    Household Strategies
•    Case Studies
•    Moderated Group Discussions
•    Small Group Exercises

The Faculty

Louis Tenenbaum, CAPS, CAASH - A former carpenter and contractor, Louis Tenenbaum is now a leading thinker, speaker and consultant on Aging in Place–the idea that our homes are the most desirable and economical place for housing and care. He is also the author of Aging in Place 2.0: Rethinking Solutions to the Home Care Challenge, published by the MetLife Mature Marketing Institute.

Zachary Benedict, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C - Senior Associate and LEED Accredited Professional at Morrison Kattman Menze, Inc. with expertise on how socio-economic diversity may begin to spark urban renewal within smaller communities as they attempt to respond to the challenges of unemployment, Brain Drain, community competitiveness, and a rapidly aging population.

Sharon Baggett, Ph.D. - Associate Professor of Aging Studies at the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community with over 30 years of experience in research design, implementation and evaluation with a focus on delivery of public services, social marketing, workforce development (especially among low-income and underserved) and community planning.

The Participants

This workshop is designed for community planners, builders, architects, interior designers, neighborhood representatives, aging housing experts, aging services providers and anyone else interested in creating communities that will serve citizens at all ages of life. Participation will be limited to 75 attendees.

The Cost

$20, due at the time of registration. Price includes continental breakfast and box lunch.

To register, visit our online registration page. 

This program is offered by the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community (CAC) in celebration of our 10th year of providing outstanding gerontology education, research, and consulting on issues important to older adults. For more information about CAC, visit our website.

What Peyton Manning & Boomers have in common

I'm referring to yesterday as "Blue Wednesday." It was the day that Peyton Manning -- OUR quarterback -- and the Indianapolis Colts -- OUR team -- parted ways. This day had been anticipated, blogged about, tweeted about and otherwise expected. That didn't make the official press conference any easier to watch.

After Peyton gave his tearful goodbye speech, the floor was opened for questions. One question, which I couldn't fully hear," suggested that perhaps Peyton should or might retire. His response:

"Well, I don't want to retire. And no, I don't feel like I have anything to prove. Nobody loves their job more than I do. And nobody loves playing quarterback more than I do. And I still want to play."

And that's when I made the connection between Peyton Manning and the Baby Boom generation. At almost 36 years old, Peyton is not a Boomer, not even close. But many Baby Boomers may find themselves in a similar situation -- that of not wanting to retire.

Some Boomers who don't want to retire may find themselves looking for new jobs that offer the kind of schedule and flexibility they are looking for. Perhaps they have been working in jobs with high physical demands and, while they want (or need) to keep working, the kind of work they choose to do might require a job change.

Wherever Peyton lands, working with a new team will require learning new plays, new procedures, even a new city. Older adults who intend to stay in the workforce often find themselves learning new things, too. New technologies, new processes, even new generations to interact with. 

The bottom line is that sometimes to stay in the game, you have to re-tool or move on, whether you're Peyton Manning or Joe Anonymous.

Goodbye Peyton. Thanks for the memories -- and the inspiration for this blog post. 


Amy Magan
Communications Manager