The Impact of Philanthropy

The age of unheard-of potential — the promise of healthy aging — truly is at hand. Advances in medicine and in our understanding of the aging process have made it possible to manage most of the conditions that caused premature death or disability for our grandparents. The UAB Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging is committed to improving the health and well-being of all older adults and their families through research, education, community programs, and specialty care. With support from patients, friends, and community supports, the UAB Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging has experienced tremendous growth.

The opening of the McDonald Clinic in 2004 was made possible with a gift from a Birmingham family who wanted to honor their parents by creating a place where older adults could receive convenient, comfortable, and expert care. Staffed by physicians and nurses from the UAB Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging, the McDonald Clinic has made it possible to double the numbers of patients served. In addition, we have developed programs to improve care for patients in the hospital, such as the newly launched Acute Care for Elders (ACE) Unit.

With support from grateful patients and other community supporters, we have been able to improve the education and training of physicians and nurses caring for older adults, and to develop web pages with the latest information about aging for professionals at www.aging.uab.edu and for the community at AgeWell.com. Other gifts have permitted us to enhance programs for older adult with memory problems and those with heart failure.

But there is much more to do, and you can help. As noted above, many of the advances at the UAB Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging would not have been possible without the support of our community. Gifts of all sizes will help the UAB Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging continue to offer specialty care services, as well as

• Recruit and support the research of talented faculty members
• Enrich educational and training experiences
• Engage in community programs
• Establish new and enhance ongoing specialty care programs such as the McDonald Clinic and the ACE Unit

By supporting the UAB Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging, you provide vital resources to create opportunities for older adults to enjoy good health and independence. You also help ensure that services for family members and caregivers will be available when needed.

Your contribution to the UAB Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging helps add years to life — and life to years.