Retirement Concerns on Aging

Are you getting to that point in life where age has become a concern? Read on!!!Here’s a bit more context on the 2027 aging‐focused fellowships awarded jointly by the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) and the Journalists Network on Generations (JNoG): 1. Program Overview • Goal: Deepen public understanding of aging and intergenerational issues by supporting in‐depth reporting projects. • Partners: GSA (the nation’s oldest gerontology association) provides subject-matter expertise and mentorship; JNoG (a working group of the National Press Foundation) handles logistics and networking. • Award: Each fellow receives a modest stipend (typically $3,000–$5,000) plus access to GSA’s research library, expert webinars, and a peer cohort for feedback. 2. Selection & Scope • Applicants: Early‐ to mid-career U.S. reporters working in print, digital, radio or TV. • Criteria: Story originality, reporting plan, potential impact on public policy or community practices, and demonstrated ability to reach broad audiences. • This year’s cohort: Fifteen journalists based in locations from Maine to California, representing outlets as varied as local weeklies, NPR stations, national wire services, and digital‐only publications. 3. 2027 Project Themes • Social isolation in older adults—examining rural loneliness, intergenerational housing models, and the role of faith or community groups. • Long-term care innovations—covering shifts from traditional nursing homes to home-based care, staffing challenges, and emerging “micro-facility” concepts. • Health access and equity—spotlighting insurance gaps, telehealth uptake, dental care deserts, and culturally competent services for minority elders. • Digital change & aging—investigating seniors’ adoption of smart-home tech, online financial scams targeted at retirees, and digital literacy programs. 4. What to Expect in 2027 • Midyear check-in: Fellows present early findings at a virtual GSA symposium, receive targeted feedback from gerontology scholars, and refine narratives. • Final showcase: A November conference in Washington, D.C. where each reporter delivers a short broadcast segment or publishes a long-form article, followed by a policy roundtable. • Ongoing impact: Stories are syndicated through JNoG’s partner networks and archived on GSA’s website for use by educators, advocates, and policymakers. By highlighting these under‐reported facets of aging, the fellowship aims to inform public debate and inspire solutions—from new caregiving models to local volunteer initiatives that bridge generational divides. If you’re a journalist or editor interested in future cycles, keep an eye on both GSA’s fellowship page and JNoG’s call for proposals, typically announced each spring.