About Us
The Virginia Center on Aging (VCoA) is a statewide agency created by the Virginia General Assembly, with our home at Virginia Commonwealth University in the College of Health Professions. VCoA was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1978 (Code of Virginia 23.1-2311). Since 1978, VCoA has worked to protect and improve the quality of life of older Virginians, so that they might remain interdependent and contributing members to life in Virginia. Partnerships with others have made our initiatives possible. Please contact us if you wish to join us in accomplishing this work.
Mission
VCoA advances health, well-being and equity for the elders of today and tomorrow. Our innovative research, critical education and impactful service strive to make Virginia a place where its people can thrive at every age.
Vision
- Fostering Innovation
- Lifespan approach to Aging | Challenging Ageism to Embrace Aging
- Research and Dissemination Hub
- Sharing Successful Approaches | Obtain funding from external agencies to elevate responsive research
- Statewide Data Resource
- Helping inform legislative decisions
VCoA is guided by four foundational objectives:
- Research: To conduct and disseminate gerontological and geriatric research to create and share evidence-based, best-practice approaches to improve health, well-being and equity.
- Education: To provide high-quality educational opportunities in gerontology and geriatrics to students, staff, faculty, the community and health and human service providers throughout the Commonwealth and beyond.
- Service: To identify and respond to evolving community needs in order to advance the quality of life through real-world impact.
- Resource: Leveraging our wide reach and the high level of expertise of VCoA’s faculty and staff, we serve as a Statewide Resource Center to disseminate and translate knowledge for key decision-makers, professionals, elders, advocates and aging services providers.