Our Mission
The overall mission of the UCLA Academic Geriatric Resource Center (AGRC) is to promote intra- and inter- disciplinary training in geriatrics and gerontology throughout the campus and community.

Needs of an Aging Society
Dramatic demographic shifts have led to an unprecedented aging of our society that will reach its peak in the year 2030. At this time, there will be as many persons over the age of 65 as persons from infancy to 17 years of age. California, in particular, has the largest number of elderly persons in the nation- over 3.5 million in 1997. By 2010 an estimated 5 million Californians will be in this age group and by 2020, the number will grow to over 7 million.

One of the societal areas most affected by these demographic trends is that of health care. The health care needs of the 65 and older age group are enormous and will account for over half of all health care expenditures early in the 21st century.

In response to these demographic projections, the UCLA AGRC has initiated a broad effort to increase the training of health professionals to adequately meet the health care needs of older Californians. In addition, the UCLA AGRC has begun efforts to develop interests in aging among undergraduate students, to recruit health profession students to specialize in caring for older persons, and to educate community-dwelling older persons and their families on health issues.

Program Overview
In September 1984, California Governor George Deukmejian signed legislation which appropriated $1,000,000 per year to The Regents of the University of California for the purposes of providing funding to establish academic geriatric resource programs at the University of California health sciences campuses. In January 1985, The Regents administered the Academic Geriatric Resource Program (AGRP), and the President subsequently delegated program-oversight authority to the Vice President for Health Affairs. An AGRP Systemwide Advisory Committee (SAC) has functioned in an advisory capacity to the Vice President on a wide range of policy, budget, and other administrative matters.

The AGRP SAC includes representatives from the six UC Health Sciences campuses, one at-large nursing representative, and two proposed new members in three different categories for the next fiscal year- a community representative and an individual who is both a curriculum expert and a national leader in the field of aging. Current members include:

The mission of the AGRP includes the development of geriatrics and gerontology education and training in each of the six UC Health Sciences campuses; presentation of educational programs for the general public; supporting research in long term care settings; maintaining a resource to lead and coordinate all efforts; and establishing clinical training sites as needed.

• UCLA Academic Geriatric Resource Center
• AGRC Distinguished Professors
• Directory of Faculty with an Interest in Aging
• Governance and Leadership
• Contact Information/UCLA AGRC Organizational Chart
• Other University of California AGRC Website Links

Last Updated: March 3, 2006 © 2000 UCLA GeroNet