Orange County NC Website
16 <br /> Page 2 of 3 Susan Adams <br /> Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards: <br /> Boards/Commissions applied for: <br /> Advisory Board on Aging <br /> Background, education and experience relevant to this board: <br /> I am energized by solving problems and taking on challenges. With over 1 person turning 50 <br /> every second due to the dramatic achievements in public health, Orange County is poised to see <br /> a 67% increase in persons over 65 and a 43% increase in persons over 85 in the next 10 <br /> years. This trend continues through 2030 when persons over 65 will again increase by 42% and <br /> over 85 by 70%. Orange county is a leader in serving its senior population and I want to <br /> contribute to preparing and meeting these needs throughout the next 20 years. <br /> Although I worked as a chemical engineer for 15 years, I recently returned to school to get a BA <br /> in Multidisciplinary studies, with an emphasis on social sciences and the Socio-Ecological Model <br /> which shows that the health of an individual is based notjust on the person but withing the <br /> greater context of his relationships, his community and his society. Because of my interest in the <br /> aging process, I am currently completing a Masters in Gerontology from the University of <br /> Southern California. Through this program I have been able to receive the training and tools that <br /> will aid me in pursuing my goal of improving the disparity in the aging experience between the <br /> different economic classes. The research area where I am basing my concentration consists of <br /> early depression intervention for the home caregiver. Many home caregivers are thrust into their <br /> duties with little to no training and as more residents, especially in the rural areas, are deciding <br /> to age in place there will be a need for increased programs to address the adult child or <br /> spousal caregiver, many of whom are over 50. <br /> 1 am excited to be beginning this new phase of my life as I turn 50, and consider myself to be a <br /> life-long learner who believes that we are all part of something larger and there is purpose to all <br /> our lives. My belief system influences all I do and I value responsibility and high ethical <br /> standards. I believe that the strategic methods of problem solving I utilized as an engineer <br /> allows me to find and evaluate alternatives and seek innovative ways to get things done. I <br /> believe in community involvement as I was a member of the School Improvement Team (SIT) <br /> committee for McDougle Middle School for 2 years, worked as a volunteer at the Chapel Hill <br /> Museum for 3 years, and have been a member of the MAC-Mandarin Advisory Council for the <br /> dual language program in CHCCS since it began and my daughter has been part of the program <br /> for the past 8 years. As my children are growing up and moving on to new goals, I feel that I too <br /> must focus my time and energies on the future. <br /> I appreciate your time in considering me for this position. <br /> Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: <br /> Conflict of Interest: <br /> Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee <br /> Background, education and experience relevant to this board: <br /> I am graduating with my Masters of Arts in Gerontology in May 2014 from the University of <br /> Southern California. My BS is multi disciplinary in psychology and public health. My <br /> concentration of study is in environmental interventions to decrease agitation in persons with <br /> dementia. I currently volunteer at Galloway Ridge and care part time for my elderly parents who <br /> I relocated to Chatham County in 2008. <br /> Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: <br /> Conflict of Interest: <br /> Supplemental Questions: <br />