Lori Woo

Background

About Lori Woo

I discovered gerontology as a teenager while serving as a volunteer musician at an Alzheimer's long-term care facility in my hometown of Austin, TX. I loved seeing residents light up and sing along as I played "Jingle Bells" or "You Are My Sunshine" on the piano. Music was my first love, but being able to help others with it was the first time I felt a clear purpose and calling in life. I am now a social worker at Era Living, serving the same population that initially captured my interest in social work. Witnessing the normalization of ageism, ableism, and overall dismissal of older adults' physical, emotional, and spiritual needs during the COVID-19 pandemic strengthened my resolve to uphold the dignity and value of our aging population. I am particularly interested in geriatric mental health, increasing accessibility of care, and supporting loved ones and patients receiving hospice care. My interest in mental health extends to other populations, including new mothers and college students. My undergraduate social work honors thesis,"Rock-A-Bye Baby Blues: An Ecological Systems Approach to Addressing Maternal Mental Health," examines how low-income women in Texas access formal and informal postpartum mental health support. I also have extensive experience facilitating workshops for undergraduate students on mental health topics (e.g, suicide prevention, stress management) and facilitating peer support groups for students struggling with body image concerns.