Office of External Communications

Houston, TX 77204-5017 Fax: 713.743.8199

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2005

Contact: Marisa Ramirez
713.743.8152 (office)
713.204.9798 (cell)
mrcannon@uh.edu

As you consider stories during Older Americans Month, please keep in mind these faculty experts from the University of Houston.

Old Time Rock n' Roll

Today's seniors like to rock. So, what's the concert experience like for older music fans? How do they relate to the music their children or grandchildren enjoy? Joseph Kotarba, professor of sociology, is finishing up his book "Baby Boomer Rock n' Roll Fans" and can offer insight on rock fans living in their golden years. The book is expected to be released in late 2005. He can be contacted at 713.743.3954, or jkotarba@uh.edu.

Golden Class Acts

Their octogenarian status may say retirement, but their actions might exhaust the heartiest of youth.

• Gerson David is a professor of social work, a speaker, writer and a founding member of the UH Graduate School of Social Work. He has seen the arena of social work evolve over several decades, and brings this unique perspective to both students and teachers alike. Contact him at 713.743.8180 or gdavid@uh.edu.
  
  
• By day Rodolfo Casparius is a professor of UH’s Latin American Hotel and Hospitality Management Program, but he moonlights as a newspaper columnist. Casparius has written “Burbujas” for the Los Angeles newspaper, La Opinion, since 1983 and has never missed a deadline. Reach him at 713.743.2416 or rcasparius@central.uh.edu.

These Boots are Made for Mobility

Wearing special inflatable boots can help inactive elderly maintain muscle function in their lower limbs, according to a study at the University of Houston Health and Human Performance Department. The study examined the effects of dynamic foot stimulation (DFS) in the elderly, an approach first examined as means of maintaining neuromuscular function in astronauts who experienced extended space flights. Contact Mark Clarke, principle investigator and associate professor of health and human performance, at 713.743.9854, or mclarke@mail.uh.edu.

Extreme Makeover

Is 60 years old the new 30? One UH professor bunks the trend to change the image of older Americans to one that is more youthful. Andrew Arenbach says even those organizations charged with motivating and catering to older populations push the idea of “rejuvenating over renewing.” Contact Arenbach at 713.743.8070, or achenbaum@uh.edu.

Social Security Scare

As the nation listens to politicians tout new ideas for rescuing Social Security, one UH professor provides insight to President Bush’s “Galveston Plan” and others. Howard Karger is a professor in the UH Graduate School of Social Work and can be reached at 713.743.8135, or hkarger@uh.edu

For more information about UH visit the university’s ‘Newsroom’ at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.