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Education

PhD, Social Gerontology, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø
MGS, Gerontological Studies, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø
BA, Sociology & Gerontology, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø

Research Interests

Qualitative data analysis; Direct care workforce issues related to retention and emotional health, such as self-compassion and emotional intelligence; Ageism, attitudes about aging, and incorporating ageism and age into diversity, equity, and inclusion competencies.

Biographical Sketch

Leah Janssen, MGS, PhD is the Associate Director for Academic ºÚÁÏÉçÇø and Research Support at the Scripps Gerontology Center. In this split position, Leah oversees the masters and doctoral programs in gerontology, as well as evaluates long-term care policies and programs. Prior to her position at Scripps, Leah worked in the nonprofit sector on several grant-funded programs, designing and implementing comprehensive workforce development and training programs that served marginalized and under-represented communities. Leah also worked in direct service and case management for low-income, community-dwelling older adults and adults with disabilities.

Selected Publications

Karmacharya, I., Janssen LM, Brekke, B. “Let them know that they’re appreciated”: The Importance of Work Culture on Direct Care Worker Retention. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 2023 August; 43(X):1-7. DOI:

Kinney, J., McLaughlin, S.J., Abbott, K., Janssen, L.M. & Applebaum, R. (2023). Bridging the Gap Between Education, Practice and Policy in Gerontology. Public Policy & Aging Report.

Janssen, L.M. & Abbott, K.M. (2022). “It hits me right here at my heart”: Promoting emotional health of home care workers. Journal of Applied Gerontology.

Janssen, L.M., Flores, V., & Cao, J. (2022). A North Star for Gerontology: Using the Threshold Concept Framework to Transform Ageism Education. The Gerontologist, 62(6) 797-802

Valenti, K.G., Janssen, L.M., Enguidanos, S., de Medeiros, K. (2021). “By the time she got sick it was just kind of too late”: A qualitative study on advanced care planning among bereaved lesbian, gay, and bisexual older women. Palliative Medicine. doi:

Janssen, L.M., Flores, V., & Cao, J. (2021). A North Star for Gerontology: Using the Threshold Concept Framework to Transform Ageism Education. The Gerontologist.  

Valenti, K.G., Janssen, L.M., de Medeiros, K., & Enguidanos, S. (2021). We speak a different language: End-of-life and bereavement experiences of older lesbian, gay, and bisexual women who have lost a spouse or partner. Qualitative Health Research, 1-10. 

Janssen, L.M., Kinney, J.M., Farfsing, K.M. (2020). Through the Montessori looking-glass: Barriers to implementing a Montessori-based intervention. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 1-5. 

Straker, J.K., Janssen, L.M., Stemen, S.E., Nelson, M., Young, M.A., Brottman, B.J. (2019, March). Implementation of the 2018 Ohio Nursing Home and Residential Care Facility Family Satisfaction Surveys. Scripps Gerontology Center and Ohio Department of Aging. 

Janssen, L. M. (2018). Meanings of age and aging among older, incarcerated women: Implications for adaptation and policy reform. In C. Wellin (Ed.), Critical gerontology comes of age (pp. 164-192). New York, NY: Routledge.