Conference Program

1:00–2:30 PM
TH229 Positive Psychological Assessment
and Dementia
1:00 PM | Michigan 3 (East Tower, Bronze Level)
Learn about a two-phase study that developed and tested an
accessible protocol to assess the positive psychological experiences,
functions and attributes of people diagnosed with mild to
moderate dementia, specifically, meaning in life, optimism,
satisfaction with life, gratitude, subjective happiness and
resilience. Presenters will describe in detail how to utilize this
assessment protocol.
Presenters: Jocelyn McGee, MSG, PhD, Global Health, Culture
and Aging Research Fellow; Dennis Myers, PhD, LCSW, Kronzer
Professor of Family Studies, Department of Social Work; both of
Baylor University.
Symposium
Policy, Advocacy & Ethics
TH231 A Social Insurance Approach to
Financing Long-Term Care
1:00 PM | Columbian (West Tower, Bronze Level)
The lack of universal, cost-effective coverage for long-term care
(LTC) is a looming crisis for the U.S. One viable solution to the
challenge of financing LTC to support the daily living needs of
seniors and individuals with disabilities would be the creation of
a social insurance program dedicated to this purpose. The panel
will discuss how such a program could be structured and
implemented.
Presenters: Alexandra Bradley, MPH, Health Policy Analyst,
National Academy of Social Insurance; Howard Gleckman, Senior
Fellow, Tax Policy Center, The Urban Institute; Megan Juring,
Program Officer, The SCAN Foundation; Benjamin Veghte, PhD,
Vice President for Policy, National Academy of Social Insurance.
Symposium
TH233 Beltway Insiders Round-Up: What You
Need to Know About Aging Policy Now
1:00 PM | Crystal C (West Tower, Green Level)
Leading aging advocates will give attendees a comprehensive
overview of policy issues affecting older adults and caregivers.
Come learn about legislative and policy initiatives most likely to
move in a new Congress and Administration and how you can
help shape federal policy to the betterment of older adults.
Policy topics will include HCBS, Medicare, LTSS financing, older
workers and workforce development, federal budget, elder
justice, nutrition, accessible transportation and more.
Presenters: Howard Bedlin, JD, MPS, Vice President, Public Policy
and Advocacy, National Council on Aging; Bob Blancato, MPA,
President, Matz, Blancato & Associates; Jennifer Dexter, Assistant
Vice President, Government Relations, Easterseals National
Headquarters; Amy Gotwals, MA, Chief, Public Policy and External
Affairs, National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a);
Anthony Sarmiento, Executive Director, Senior Service America Inc.
Symposium
TH235 Innovative Strategies to Combat
Financial Exploitation
1:00 PM | Gold Coast (West Tower, Bronze Level)
This panel will provide information on new and innovative
strategies being employed to combat finanical exploitation of
older adults. Each panelist will provide a unique perspective
about implementation of strategies from the national policy level
to successful use of multidisciplinary teams, incorporation of
the financial services industry, the latest technological solutions
and how each impacts individual clients.
Presenters: Jilenne Gunther, MSW, JD, Senior Strategic Policy
Advisor, AARP; Shelly Jackson, PhD, Elder Abuse and Financial
Exploitation, US DOJ, Elder Justice Initiative; Judith Kozlowski, JD,
Expert Consultant, Administration for Community Living; Liz Loewy,
JD, General Counsel & Senior Vice President, EverSafe; Stephanie
Skees, MSW, Case Specialist, Elder Client Initiatives, Compliance
Department, Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC.
Symposium
TH237 The Growing Administrative Diversity of
Medicaid Long-Term Care Systems
1:00 PM | Randolph 3 (East Tower, Bronze Level)
Public long-term-care systems have been changing rapidly since
2000. This symposium will focus on the most important
changes from the perspective of the aging network.
Presenters: Robert Applebaum, MSW, PhD, Professor and Director
of Long-Term Care Project, Miami University Scripps Gerontology
Center; Larry Polivka, MSW, PhD, Director, Claude Pepper Center,
Florida State University; Robyn Stone, DrPH, Executive Director,
Center for Applied Research, LeadingAge.
Symposium
TH239 What’s in a Name: How Social Security
Terminology Affects Retirement Decisions
1:00 PM | Soldier Field (West Tower, Bronze Level)
Many people take Social Security benefits early. While there are
circumstances in which early retirement and claiming Social
Security as soon as possible can be emotionally and rationally
the right decision, in many cases it can have negative consequences
for the individuals and their family members. Join us to
learn about factors that affect this decision.
Presenters: Laith Alattar, PhD, Social Science Research Analyst,
Social Security Administration; Jeffrey Love, PhD, Director, Strategic
Issues Research, AARP; Rebecca Perron, PhD, Senior Research
Advisor, AARP; Debra Whitman, PhD, Executive Vice President
Policy, Strategy and International Affairs, AARP.
THURSDAY, MARCH 23
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