Lydia K. Manning

Biographical Sketch

Lydia K. Manning, MGS, PhD is the Director of Professional Education and Consulting Services at the Scripps Gerontology Center. In this role, she leads the development of professional education, consulting, and technical assistance initiatives that support the long-term services and supports (LTSS) sector and broader aging industry. Additionally, Lydia oversees the Scripps Aging Hub and continuing education offerings for the Center. Her work centers on translating gerontological research into practical solutions for organizations and communities.

Lydia’s research interests include resilience, spirituality, gerontology education, and gerontech. Prior to joining Scripps, she served as a Professor of Gerontology at Concordia University Chicago and is the co-founder of Circle Life Consulting, Inc., where she advances age-friendly and gerontological informed and sound practices across sectors.

Publications

Bouchard, L., Manning, L., Chava, C., & Flanagan, M. (2021). Connection, inclusion, support, and transition: The contextual significance of aging within faith communities. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 34(3), 226–244. https://doi.org/10.1080/15528030.2021.1891255 

Manning, L., & Bouchard, L. (2021). Medical cannabis use: Exploring the perceptions and experiences of older adults with chronic conditions. Clinical Gerontologist, 44(1), 32–41. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2020.1800040 

Manning, L., & Bouchard, L. (2019). Encounters with adversity: A framework for understanding resilience in later life. Aging & Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2019.1594162 

Manning, L., Ferris, M., Narvaez-Rosario, C., & Prues, M. (2019). Spiritual resilience: A model for exploring adversity in later life. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging. https://doi.org/10.1080/15528030.2018.1532859

Costello, M. C., Sizemore, S. J., O'Brien, K. E., & Manning, L. K. (2019). Talk or walk? Gait speed over self-report in association with cognitive speed in healthy older adults. GeroPsych: The Journal of Gerontopsychology and Geriatric Psychiatry, 32(1), 41–52. https://doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/a000202 

Manning, L., & Miles, A. (2018). Examining the effects of religion on resilience in the face of life course trauma: Is religion really beneficial? Journal of Religion and Health, 57(1), 191–208. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-017-0436-2 

Rajan, K., Rajan, R., Manning, L., & Evans, D. A. (2016). Aging audiences: Association of live performance attendance and cognitive decline in a biracial sample. Journal of Aging and Health. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898264316682907 

Manning, L., Carr, D., & Lennox-Kail, B. (2014). Do higher levels of resilience buffer the deleterious impact of chronic illness on disability in later life? The Gerontologist. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnu068 

Dassel, K., Ewen, H., Carr, D., Fitzgerald, K., Leach, C., & Manning, L. (2013). What can I do with a gerontology degree? Expanding your options. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 35(3), 277–284. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701960.2013.870901