Conference Program

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22
7:00–8:00 AM | Morning Exercise
WE101 Chair Chi: Seated Tai Chi for
Movement Impaired Populations
7:00 AM | Plaza A (East Tower, Green Level)
Chair Chi is a gentle exercise program developed by Pat Griffith to
help people receive the benefits of traditional Tai Chi Chuan in the
comfort and safety of their chair. This allows people who cannot
stand or do not feel confident with their balance to participate.
Presenter: Patrick Griffith, Founder, Chair Chi.
WE103 YogaRate Stretch and Connect
7:00 AM | Plaza B (East Tower, Green Level)
YogaRate Stretch and Connect is a 60-minute morning exercise
session with gentle, easy-to-follow yoga poses and postures
blended with basic martial art techniques. YogaRate is geared
toward balance, flexibility, and physical conditioning. Guided
techniques encourage stress release, mental focus, improved
flexibility, and increased energy and vitality to start the day. All
levels and abilities.
Presenter: Crystal McGaha, NSU Graduate Student of Gerontology.
8:00–9:00 AM | Morning Exercise
WE105 Group Drumming for Wellness
8:00 AM | Riverside Exhibition Center
(East Tower, Purple Level)
Warm up your body and spirit by making MUSIC! We’ll use our
bodies, drums, and various hand percussion instruments to
groove together. You’ll also learn techniques and resources for
bringing these group drumming experiences back to your
community. No prior music experience required! You may bring
your own drum; instruments will also be provided.
Presenter: Rachelle Norman, MA, MT-BC, Founder, Soundscaping
Source LLC.
9:00–10:30 AM | 90-Minute Workshops
Aging in Community
WE107 Housing With Services: A Model That Works
9:00 AM | Haymarket (West Tower, Bronze Level)
Affordable Housing for seniors is no longer just bricks and
mortar. Creative Housing and Services has created a team
approach to housing that provides services and activities to care
for the whole person (mind, body and spirit) through their
Creative Plus Program. The team will share their challenges,
funding opportunities and resident success stories.
Presenters: Christina Cerrato, MA, COS, CPM, Director of Operations,
Affordable Housing; Sylvia Karl, MSG, Vice President,
Affordable Housing; both of Episcopal Community and Services.
7:00–8:00 AM and 9:00–10:30 AM
WE109 The Community Reinvestment Program:
How Illinois Is Improving the
Way We Serve Seniors
9:00 AM | Wrigley (West Tower, Bronze Level)
Learn how the Illinois Department on Aging has launched an
innovative new initiative serving seniors in Illinois who are not
eligible for Medicaid. This person-centered program will allow the
state to continue providing services to older adults in Illinois in a
fiscally responsible manner regardless of their Medicaid eligibility
status while offering greater flexibility in service delivery.
Presenters: Jean Bohnhoff, Director; Jennifer Reif, Deputy Director;
Matt Ryan, Chief of Staff; all of Illinois Department on Aging.
WE111 The Well-Home Network:
Building Partnerships to Advance a
National System of Services and Supports
9:00 AM | Columbus GH (East Tower, Gold Level)
National Center for Healthy Housing, Families USA and Leading-
Age are forming The Well-Home Network, a national network of
housing where person-directed care and services can make
aging safely at home a reality for all American seniors. The panel
will discuss the financing, data and policy barriers—and
solutions—to building this national network.
Presenters: Joseph Ditre, JD, Consultant; Nancy Rockett Eldridge,
MS, Executive Director, National Center for Healthy Housing; Robyn
Stone, DrPH, Executive Director, Center for Applied Research,
LeadingAge.
Business & Leadership
WE113 Age Smart Employer Awards: A Replicable
Model for Innovative Employer Engagement
9:00 AM | Toronto (West Tower, Gold Level)
Learn about how the Age Smart Employer Awards reward
employers who recruit, retain and engage workers of all ages,
including older workers, and encourage others to do the
same. Innovative approaches to employer engagement will
be discussed.
Presenters: Caitlin Adams, MA, Staff Associate, Columbia Aging
Center; Dorian Block, MS, Senior Staff Associate, Columbia Aging
Center; Ruth Finkelstein, ScD, Associate Director, Robert N. Butler
Columbia Aging Center; Amy Scherber, Founder, President, Amy’s
Breads; Clayton Shedd, MPA, Senior Director of Business Development,
Columbia Business School.
WE115 Starting a Jobs Center for Workers 45+
9:00 AM | Acapulco (West Tower, Gold Level)
Many job seekers would like to work longer, but many find it
challenging to find that next job. Learn how a jobs center for
workers 45+ offers candidates retraining options, coaching,
professional networking groups and job clubs, job seeker/
employer events, a resource room, a free job board and paid and
unpaid internships. Candidates get what they need and find
work in half the time that it takes others.
Presenters: Joan Cirillo, MS, Executive Director; Martha Fields, MA,
Program Manager, ABLE AgeWorks; Mark Gyurina, MS, Chief
Program Officer; all of Operation A.B.L.E. of Greater Boston.
96 2017 Aging in America Conference