Meet Lois Ricci, Gerontology Instructor

The elderly population will more than double between 2000 and 2030. By 2030, one in every four individuals will be over age 65 (U.S. Census Bureau). According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, services for the elderly and disabled is the third fastest-growing job industry in Georgia with a growth of 56% since 2008.

There are a variety of reasons why students register for our Professional Development in Gerontology Certificate program. Perhaps you want to learn successful techniques to care for your parents or grandparents. Or maybe you work in the healthcare field and desire assistance in relating to the older generation.

Who is Lois Ricci?
For nearly four years, Lois Ricci has instructed our Gerontology course. She has worked in the field of aging for more than 35 years in both the hospital and academic settings as a geriatric nurse practitioner/educator and consultant.  She holds master’s degrees in gerontology and nursing education and a doctorate in adult education.

A Seasoned Professional

• Lois and a colleague started a nonprofit Home Health Care/ Adult Day Care Service in upstate New York 20 years ago.
• She was the interventionist on the Tai Chi/Education study at Emory University, helping to reduce falls in the frail elderly population.
• She has coordinated and presented education programs for Emory and Mercer Senior Universities in the Atlanta area and promotes positive aging through community education programs.

Developing Educational Programs
Lois collaborated with the AARP, Department of Technical and Adult Education, Lifespan Resources, Mercer Senior University and Atlanta Regional Commission to develop a career tract for minority populations who want to become nursing assistants. This led to the development of continuing education programs for Certified Nursing Assistants and professionals in the field of aging. She also designed educational programs for several senior living facilities and adult programs in Atlanta.

An Expert in the Field
Her professional organization memberships include:

• American Nurses Association
• National Nursing Staff Development Association
• Georgia Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association
• Georgia Gerontology Society
• Volunteer and spokesperson for AARP

Meet Lois

• At one of our upcoming Career Training Expos

Her Next Class

• Professional Development in Gerontology Certificate