Conference Program

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22
WE491 Technology for Social Change
3:30 PM | Randolph 3 (East Tower, Bronze Level)
The presentation focuses on the social implications of models
that reframe what it means to age in today’s digital world. Learn
about a dynamic social impact organization that builds sustainable
new systems to change the way we age and works with
government agencies, community-based organizations, national
advocacy groups and major corporations to engineer solutions
that put technology into the hands of older adults.
Presenters: Kimberly Brennsteiner, MA, Director of Programs;
Thomas Kamber, PhD, Executive Director; both of Older Adults
Technology Services.
WE493 Tracking AAA Services Within Senior Centers
3:30 PM | Comiskey (West Tower, Bronze Level)
Area agencies on aging and community-based agencies do great
work to serve the aging population. One key step in making our
work known is to ensure an ability to track services provided.
Learn how the Los Angeles County Area Agency on Aging
implemented a data collection system for tracking clients.
MySeniorCenter is a fully automated, touchscreen check-in and
reporting system designed specifically for senior centers.
Presenters: Anna Avdalyan, MBA, Program Manager, Aging & Adult
Services; Lorenza Sanchez, Assistant Director; both of Los Angeles
County Community and Senior Services.
4:45–5:45 PM | Roundtables
Aging in Community
WE495 Aging Chicago Style: Volunteers
Shaping the Community for Their Future
4:45 PM | Riverside Center East, Table 40
Forward Chicago is an all-volunteer, grassroots nonprofit that
supports people of all ages to age in community. Forward
Chicago’s approach is different than other membership-based
initiatives as there is no cost involved for participants, volunteer
leaders drive the organization, and no paid staff. This session
explores the evolution of leadership where volunteers design
their own roles; successful volunteer-driven initiatives to
support aging in community; and lessons learned.
Presenters: Karen Kolb Flude, MS, RFG, Principal, Age with Ease;
Helene Wineberg, RN, Vice President, Forward Chicago.
WE497 Common Data Elements for
Residential Care Settings
4:45 PM | Riverside Center East, Table 28
This session addresses common data elements (CDEs) for
residential care settings. We will review the National Institutes
of Health CDE initiative and recent work identifying candidate
CDEs for residential care settings. We will engage in facilitated
discussion of the candidate CDEs with particular attention to
the feasibility of operationalizing the CDEs in practice, and will
rate the potential value of the candidate CDEs for supporting
high quality, person-centered, residential care.
3:30–4:30 PM and 4:45–5:45 PM
Presenter: Michael Lepore, PhD, Senior Health Policy and Health
Services Researcher, RTI International.
WE499 Employment and Housing Services
for Homeless Seniors
4:45 PM | Riverside Center East, Table 42
Justa Center is the only day resource center in the U.S. serving
seniors over 55. This presentation will outline how we staff and
fund comprehensive services for homeless seniors living on the
streets or in shelters. If our ultimate goal is to move them into
safe housing; what are the necessary components and the
process to be successful in our mission. How can other communities
replicate the Justa model knowing the homeless elder
population will double in the next four years?
Presenters: Mary Lynn Kasunic, MS, CPM, President & CEO, Area
Agency on Aging Region One; Barbara Lewkowitz, MPA, Executive
Director, Justa Center.
WE501 Increasing Disability and Service Needs
in Ohio’s Middle Age (45-64) Population
4:45 PM | Riverside Center East, Table 30
Nationally, there are higher percentages of adults approaching
retirement (i.e., ages 45-64) with disability and functional
limitations. In Ohio a similar trend is being seen with increasing
numbers of pre-retirement individuals using Medicaid paid
long-term services and supports. This session compares Ohio
and the nation’s population of 45 to 64 year olds on demographic,
health, and healthcare service use factors related to
increasing disability and service needs.
Presenters: Shahla Mehdizadeh, MA, PhD, Adjunct Associate
Professor, Department of Sociology & Gerontology and Senior
Research Scholar, Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University;
Heather Menne, PhD, Social Science Analyst, U.S. Administration
for Community Living.
WE503 Joyful Connections! A Structured Social
Club for People With Memory Loss
4:45 PM | | Riverside Center East, Table 43
Joyful Connections! meets every weekday for residents of JCHE
subsidized housing requiring extra support during late afternoon
hours when needs increase for those with memory loss. The
program is based on the Habilitation Therapy Model and is
designed to promote social connections, inspire creativity and
imagination, reduce negative behaviors and cultivate a sense of
purpose. Each two-hour session consists of exercise, healthy
refreshments and a therapeutic activity.
Presenter: Caren Silverlieb, MMHS, Director, Strategic Planning and
Partner, Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly.
WE505 Senior Center 2.0
4:45 PM | Riverside Center East, Table 16
See how a senior center is working to provide innovative and
holistic services which promote aging in place. Through the
development of an urban farm and greenhouse operation, Senior
Services Plus, Inc. is increasing seniors’ access to organic, fresh
food and healthy prepared meals. In addition, find out how they
are using holistic wellness services to improve quality of life for
seniors as they age.
118 2017 Aging in America Conference