After 13 years of studying gerontological nursing, Judith Hertz, an associate professor of nursing, has been recognized for her work and research. Hertz received the 2004 Judith V. Braun Award, given by the National Gerontological Nursing Association.

Gerontological nursing is providing nursing care to older adults, Hertz said. Older adults are typically considered to be those over the age of 65.

“The population in this country is aging rapidly, especially for persons over 85,” Hertz said. “That age group is one of the fastest growing parts of the older adult population.”

Hertz has been working on her award-winning research project since 1991. The project is called “Perceived Autonomy, Social Support, Psychosocial Development Strengths and Health in Older Adults.”

Perceived autonomy is how people view their ability to do what’s best for themselves, Hertz said. Autonomy is the feeling that people are in control of their own lives.

The social aspect of Hertz’s research project involves the support people get from those around them.

“Sometimes that can be emotional support or help with things like shopping, balancing a checkbook, cleaning the house and transportation,” Hertz said.

Psychosocial developmental strengths are internal resources people can use for their own benefit, she said. People often develop these throughout their lifetime.

The final aspect of the research project is about health in older adults.

“I’ve been mostly studying older adults who are relatively healthy. My interest is in keeping healthy people as healthy as possible for as long as possible,” Hertz said.

Hertz said she plans to continue working with gerontological nursing and her research.

The NGNA is a national organization, so it’s a little bit overwhelming in some ways, she said.

“One thing that made it really exciting to get this award was that two NIU alumni were present at the awards meeting in Las Vegas and both of them had helped with some part of the research,” she said.

The Judith V. Braun award is chosen by an NGNA research committee that reviews abstracts of research and chooses a winner from those submissions.

“It’s wonderful to be recognized by your peers,” Hertz said.