Aging & Gerontology

Biography

Dr. Paul Falkowski's devotion to serving the people who live and work in long-term care communities is unwavering. Paul has a bachelor's degree from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Music, a master's degree in Gerontology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), and a doctorate in Gerontology from the University of Nebraska. His dissertation: "Volunteer Programming Impact on Long-Term Care Facilities," links volunteer programming and quality of care and was most recently cited in the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine report: "The National Imperative to Improve Nursing Home Quality of Care." Falkowski teaches online gerontology and volunteer management courses for the Department of Gerontology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He authored "Creating the Volun-Cheer Force: Rethinking how we use volunteers in nursing homes." His passion for volunteerism and improving the care of older adults is unwavering. Dr. Falkowski has won numerous awards. He was named "Distinguished Alumni – 2021" by the University of Nebraska at Omaha, College of Public Affairs and Community Service. Most recently, he formed the National Association of Long-Term Care Volunteers (NALTCV), drawing on his experience, research, and support from professionals in the field of aging. The NALTCV's mission is to 1) educate a volunteer workforce that makes a positive and measurable impact on the quality of care and quality of life of the people living in long-term care communities, 2) coordinate with existing volunteer efforts that are serving in long- term care communities, 3) spotlight the value of long-term care volunteers, 4) research the efficacy of volunteers to impact both the quality of care and quality of life of the people living and working in long-term care communities.