• To promote healthy aging through the services that prevent or treat aging-related issues
• To promote and support the independence and self determination of older adults
• To enhance the emotional and physical health of older adults resulting in an improved health status
• To develop the recognition of the value of maturity and the contribution of older adults
• To empower older adults, their families, and care providers in resolving aging related concerns
• To advocate for the needs of older adults
• To sustain an organizational environment committed to professional development
• To promote a commitment to quality, innovation, responsiveness, cost effectiveness, and stewardship as a foundation for all adults
• To collaborate on efforts to maximize the use of community services for the aging

History
Gerontology Network was established in 1979 to improve the lives of older adults in West Michigan, while preparing for the increasing aging population. Since its inception, Gerontology Network has been continuously providing a variety of services and programs to meet the ever-changing needs of adults as they age at home.

1979

• Kent County Community Mental Health requests proposals for provision of geriatric mental health services in response to Task Force recommendations.
• Catholic Social Services awarded contract for establishment of the Gerontology Program which will soon become Gerontology Network.

• Gerontology Program appointed as gerontological mental health designate of Kent County Community Mental Health for provision of range of services to older adults.
• Gerontology Program selected as one of six sites in the state for Nursing Home Consultation Project Model.
• Gerontology Program appointed by Kent County Community Mental Health as designate for contracts with Kent County Nursing Homes.
• Gerontology Program assists in development and initiation of Grand Rapids Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

1981

• Comprehensive mental health consultancy agreements established with all Kent County nursing home facilities.
• United Way establishes support for services of older adults.
• Gerontology Program formally evaluated by Michigan Department of Mental Health (DMH) to be most effective Nursing Home Consultation Project in the state based on results of Department of Mental Health client and facility focused evaluation.
• Volunteer Program established.

1982

• Gerontology Program becomes the Advisory Center for Mental Health and Aging (ACMHA), affiliated with The Advisory Center for Teens.
• Initiation of intergenerational services through The Advisory Centers Program.
• The Advisory Center for Mental Health and Aging chosen as site for State Model B Project (Placement Support Project) -- a program sponsored by Kent County Community Mental Health and Michigan Department of Mental Health, providing a comprehensive range of services to facilitate community placement and deter recidivism into institutions.
• Completion of assessment of Pre-76 population with development of report: "A Descriptive Study of the Pre-76 Older Adult Population in Kent County, Michigan."
• Formation of State sponsored Evaluation Team, in conjunction with the Office of Services to the Aging, Michigan Department of Mental Health, Kent County Community Mental Health, and the Institute of Gerontology, to develop and conduct a comprehensive evaluative research initiative of the Placement Support Project.
• Placement Support Evaluation initiated.
• Friendship Place joins ACMHA. Friendship Place located at Mount Mercy.
• ACMHA awarded contract to provide older adult substance abuse services (prevention and case finding) by M/I/N/K Substance Abuse Coordinating Agency.
• ACMHA chosen by OSA as site for Building Ties Project, focusing on training and needs assessment with Adult Foster Care homes.

1984

• Foster Grandparent Program joins ACMHA.

1985

• ACMHA awarded Senior Companion Program.
• Billing for client services begins.

1986

• ACMHA awarded contract for Elder Care Program.
• Specialized Day Care Program established for individuals with dementia.
• Horizons Program established in conjunction with Hope Rehab to provide residential and case management services for individuals with long-term mental health needs.

1987

• ACMHA awarded contract to provide substance abuse treatment services by M/I/N/K Substance Abuse Coordinating Agency.
• ACMHA awarded Alzheimer's Training Project grant.
• Friendship Place recognized by Offices of Services to the Aging in Independence Award competition for provision of services enhancing independence of older adults.
• Western Michigan University MSW Program conducts an initial feasibility study and develops a business plan for ACMHA for older adult residential development.
• Advisory Centers Board decides ACMHA should become an independent organization.

1988

• ACMHA becomes the Gerontology Network of West Michigan, an independent not-for-profit organization.
• Quality Assurance Program reorganizes to facilitate a more clinical focus.
• Automation study conducted to assess needs for system development.
• On-site financial capacity established.

1989

• OBRA Assessment Program begins.
• GNS awarded Van from Independence for Life for transportation of older adults.
• Development Office initiated for purposes of fundraising, community relations, development of planned giving and public information.

• Life Connections, Personal Emergency Response System established.
• 456 Cherry site, an Older Adult Volunteer site opens, housing the Foster Grandparent Program, Senior Companion Program, OBRA Program, and Life Connections.

1991

• Nursing Home Consultation Treatment Program begins.
• GAPS Project, providing consultation throughout the state of Michigan, on Guardianship issues (Guardianship and Alternative Program Services) joins the Gerontology Network.
• Longford (Glenbeigh) Intensive Outpatient Program initiated as a joint endeavor with GNS offering specialized older adult outpatient treatment for individuals with substance abuse problems.

1992

• GNS designated as one of the five Geriatric Assessment Centers in Michigan by Department of Public Health.
• Strategic Planning Committee of the Board institutes GNS 2000 -- developing a long range plan for GNS.

1993

• Traveling Grannies Program begins, matching older adult volunteers with adolescent mothers.
• Federal Block Grant awarded for production of Dementia video.
• Family Consultation Service initiated by Elder Care providing support, information, referral, and problem-solving for families with members with dementia.
• Elder Care terminates services due to CMH funding cuts.

1994

• Dementia Response Program initiated offering crisis intervention, information, problem solving and support for caregivers of individuals with dementia.
• Veteran's Administration asks GNS to provide day health care services at Friendship Place for Grand Rapids area veterans.
• Senior Companion Program awarded a grant from the Visiting Nurses Association of America to work with local Visiting Nurses Association to provide Senior Companion services. GNS was one of the four agencies nationally to receive this grant.
• Dementia video "Dementia – Putting the Pieces Together" completed. Department of Mental Health will distribute the video nationally.

1995

• GNS signs agreement to service Life Connections units for lonia area.
• Traveling Grannies Program awarded major grants from Kellogg Foundation (through Grand Rapids Foundation) and Steelcase Foundation.

1997

• 4695 Danvers SE site opened.
• NBC Nightly News features American Dream segment on Traveling Grannies/Grandpas Program.

1998

• GNS is now known as GN, and the three corporations are: - Gerontology Network - Gerontology Network Resources, Inc., and - Gerontology Network Behavioral Health Services
• GN achieves JCAHO accreditation in August.

1999

• Lenawee County GN sites opens in Adrian, Michigan, in January.
• Resource Center on Aging Program is launched through Senior Millage funding in August.

2000

• 500 Cherry Street SE site opened in June.

2001

• Daybreak Adult Day Services opens in Lenawee County.
• CareTree Adult Day Services joins GN, located at 4065 Saladin Drive.
• GN achieves JCAHO accreditation renewal in August.

2002

• Spirit of Aging - the first signature event for Gerontology Network

2004

• GN initiates Business and Maturity Consultation Training Services for private business
• GN opens 800 East Beltline site joining CareTree Adult Day Services and Friendship Place

2006

• GN receives Grand Rapids Community Foundation "Creating Community for a Lifetime" grant to host Experience Corps, a national tutoring model that focuses on improving literacy skills in children
• GN initiates APOGEE - Behavioral Health Training and Consultation, a statewide joint educational venture with Touchstone innovare
• CareTree receives SCLS Grant for specialized day programming

2007

• Gerontology Network initiates CARF accreditation to replace existing JCAHO accreditation
• Gerontology Network obtained the first Experience Corps Program in Michigan through funding from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation

2008

• Gerontology Network receives three year CARF accreditation

2009

• Gerontology Network affiliates with Porter Hills Retirement Communities and Services (PHRCS)
• Reorganization of Lenawee Center from GN operated to locally operated by the Department on Aging and Community Health Services.

2011

• CareTree Adult Day Health Services - Cherry Street Campus opens
• New President/CEO begins