Senior Health Advocacy Internship

Health Professions Advising | Soka Clinical & Advocacy Programs

Advancing Health, Well-Being, and Purpose Across the Lifespan

The Senior Health Advocacy Internship engages undergraduate students in community-based programming, campus education, and research focused on aging, health, and well-being. Interns work directly with older adults, develop public-facing programming, and contribute to ongoing scholarship on aging and residential care.

Community Engagement

Interns design and facilitate interactive workshops at Belmont Village Senior Living in Aliso Viejo on topics related to health, meaning, and well-being in later life. These sessions emphasize respectful, intergenerational engagement and translate research into accessible, practical conversations with residents. In Fall 2025, programming explored longevity practices from global “Blue Zones.” In Spring 2026, workshops focus on beauty and well-being, in domains such as nature, poetry, music, human connection and contributive citizenship. We are also excited to host our Belmont Village friends on a campus lunch and tour.

Campus Education and Awareness

Interns also host events on campus that raise awareness about aging, neurodegenerative diseases, and ways to promote brain health across the lifespan. These events intend to offer the campus community and the public broadly venues to discuss prevention, caregiving, and the social and emotional dimensions of aging while highlighting practical strategies that support cognitive health and well-being.

Research and Scholarship

The internship also connects community engagement with research. Interns explore what supports meaning, connection, and well-being in later life and how residential care settings can better support older adults. All interns are also members of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), connecting them to a national professional community in aging research, policy, and practice.

Current Research Focus: Meaning and Well-Being in Later Life

Our current project examines the concept of ikigai, a Japanese idea often translated as “a reason for living.” For many older adults, this sense of purpose comes from relationships, daily routines, creativity, contributing to others, and feeling valued. Research links ikigai to stronger well-being, better health, and longevity, yet most studies focus on older adults living independently. This project asks how residential care environments shape purpose, engagement, and quality of life, and what programs and practices best support older adults in these settings.

Interns contribute by reviewing research, synthesizing findings, and helping translate insights into programming and educational materials for both community and campus audiences. Students may also participate in conference submissions and presentations, gaining experience in research, writing, and public communication about aging and health. The long-term goal is to strengthen connections between research, education, and community engagement while preparing students to advocate for healthy aging, dignity, and well-being in later life.

Looking Ahead

We plan to continue community workshops, campus programming, and research initiatives in the next academic year. A call for the next cohort of interns will be available in late summer 2026.