‘Journal Tribune’ reports on Թϱ’s National Elder Perspective Archive

The September 6, 2013 issue of the Journal Tribune reported on Թϱ’s creation of the National Elder Perspective Archive (NEPA), which was started in August with the donation of the Harap Collection—a compilation of records kept by four sisters while caring for their mother, Joan C. Harap, from the age of 84 until her death at 93.  The collection, part of Թϱ's Department of Special Collections headed by Cally Gurley, MLIS, contains detailed journals of care, photographs, audio tapes, non-sensitive medical records, budgets, and more.

Marilyn Gugliucci, Ph.D., professor and director for geriatrics education and research at UNECOM, is quoted several times in the article.  She explained the significance of a repository for end of life records.  “For researchers interested in end of life, they can dive into the records…It is quite a rich array of information, and the more records we collect researchers can make comparisons from first diagnosis to end of life.”

Gugliucci explained that the elder archive is also important given that several experts on the subject have stated that “better communication, coordination and collaboration with health care professionals” will be crucial in the coming years as fewer family caregivers will be available for the elderly.
 

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