Vicki Schmall's Biography
Having served as the executive director of Aging Concerns in West Linn, Oregon, for
over 25 years, Dr. Schmall has garnered a laudable reputation for her expertise in
gerontology. She has specialized in such matters as aging and health-related physical,
psychological and social changes, caregiving issues for Alzheimer's and other forms
of dementia, mental health issues, sexuality and more.
Dr. Schmall contributed for over two decades in academia at Oregon State University
as the director of the Program on Gerontology and as Gerontology Specialist before
retiring in 1994 with the distinguished title of a professor emeritus.
During the course of her career, Dr. Schmall developed Powerful Tools for Caregivers, a six-week self-care program for family caregivers. The program is in 42 states,
Canada and South Korea, and has received several awards.
She has presented over 2,500 workshops for staff, families, older adults and professionals,
created nationally distributed educational games, multi-media packaged training programs,
videos, and CD-Roms. Additionally, Dr. Schmall has written numerous training guides,
book chapters, bulletins and more than 50 scholarly articles on age-related issues
and concerns. She authored two books, "Home Sweet Home: How to Help Older Adults Live
Independently" and "The Caregiver Helpbook: Powerful Tools for Caregiving."
Dr. Schmall has consulted with the CARE-Pro Project of the American Society on Aging,
with the Be EPIC Dementia Program, Community Health and Research through Western University
in Ontario, Canada, and with Legacy Health Systems in Portland, Oregon. She has been
a consultant and trainer for older adult sensitivity for Pfizer since
1999. As an avid community advocate, Dr. Schmall has provided her expertise with the
American Society on Aging as a board member and trainer, and the American Association
of Homes and Services as a trainer for the aging retirement housing managers certificate
program. She is currently a board director for Re-Building Together Rogue Valley and
Ride Connection. She is also ambassador for caregiving with Oregon AARP.
Dr. Schmall received a Bachelor of Science at Montana State University in 1970. She
later earned a Doctor of Philosophy at Oregon State University in 1977. She has remained
an active member of the Oregon Gerontological Association, and the American Society
on Aging. Dr. Schmall is an elected fellow of the Gerontological Society America as
well.
Renowned for her achievements, Dr. Schmall was named as One of 100 Most Distinguished
Alumni at Montana State University since its founding in 1893. Shortly thereafter,
she was recognized with an Achievement Award from the Multiple Sclerosis Society's
Oregon chapter in Portland in 1994 and received a Bronze Award from the National Mature
Media in 1997.
Other accolades to her credit include the Gloria Cavanaugh Award from the American
Society on Aging in 2002, the Ebi Bassi Outstanding Contribution Award from the Institute
on Aging Center for Elderly Suicide Prevention in 2005, a Distinguished Alumni Award
from Montana State University's College of Education and Human Development in 2006,
a National Alliance on Caregiving Award in 2007, and local Northwest Pilot Project
Community Impact Award, 2021.
Vicki Schmall, Ph.D.
Gerontology Specialist Emeritus
Oregon State University Extension
Executive Director, Aging Concerns
[email protected]