Julie A Norstrand, PhD, graduated May 2014 from the School of Social Work at Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA. Julie also obtained her MSW from Boston College, and an MS in Clinical Psychology from Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA. Julie currently works as an adjunct professor at Regis College, Weston MA, teaching both undergraduate and graduate students of multiple disciplines. Julie also runs her business "Help My Aging Parents." This service is geared towards individuals / families who are getting increasingly concerned about the well-being of their aging relative, but do not know how to 'step in'. After a thorough consultation an effective action plan is developed, being tailored to the aging relative's needs and wishes. The goal is to ensure that there is a plan in place before a medical crisis occurs, which if unprepared, can result in major disruption at work and family life.

Julie previously worked as a research assistant at Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, as a group facilitator with Supportive Older Women's Network, Philadelphia, and as a research assistant at the Brain Behavior Laboratory at University of Pennsylvania. Julie has volunteered with Global Action on Aging, NYC, and the Delaware Valley Mental Health Aging Advocacy Committee, Philadelphia. Julie’s research interests include caregiving, elder friendly cities, aging workforce, civic engagement and global aging demography. Julie’s dissertation, funded by the John A. Hartford fellowship, focuses on social capital (i.e. community connectedness) and health among community dwelling older adults. Julie is committed to further developing age-friendly environments for older adults, with emphasis on maximizing opportunities for productive aging.