Aging Events
Upcoming Events
TBD
Past Events
- 2024 Age-Friendly Ecosystem Summit
October 8-9 & 15-16, 2024
The George Washington University's Center for Aging, Health and Humanities hosted the fourth annual Age-Friendly Ecosystem Summit virtually. This free, regional, collaborative event was held in partnership with Age-Friendly Alexandria, Arlington, DC, Howard County, Hyattsville, Montgomery County, Orange County NC, and the Georgetown University Aging & Health Program.
Shaping Tomorrow: Unlocking the Potential of Longevity, Age-Friendly, and Multisector Planning
Explore the dynamic landscape of aging populations and the transformative role of age-friendly initiatives. This session will explore the historical perspective of age-friendly initiatives and look at some of the best policies and models across the nation. Delve into research findings, federal policy, and best practices to understand how communities are evolving to meet the needs of older adults. Discover innovative approaches to age-friendly work, livability, and community partnerships that shape vibrant, intergenerational environments. Whether you're a policymaker, community planner, healthcare professional, advocate, or interested community member, gain actionable insights to foster thriving age-friendly ecosystems. Join us to drive positive change and create inclusive communities for all ages.
Speaker time stamps
AARP Livability Index™ Platform and Livable Communities - Shannon Guzman - 4:40
Investing in an Age-Integrated Society - Lindsay Goldman - 22:15
A National Plan for Aging through Multisector Partnerships - Kelly Cronin - 37:30
Advancing Multisector Planning for Aging at the State and Federal Level - Amy Herr - 52:38
All Ages, All Stages NC: A Roadmap to Aging and Living Well - Divya Venkataganesan - 1:06:45
Closing the Information Gap: A Portal to Navigate Healthy, Connected Aging in Place - Marie Brodsky - 1:22:44
Q&A - all speakers - 1:32:35
Inclusive by Design: Strategies for Age-Friendly and Dementia-Friendly Businesses
Whether you are an employer, an employee, or a consumer, join us to learn why age-friendly and dementia-friendly businesses matter! Discover actionable strategies for employers to develop adaptable policies, training programs, and workplace adjustments that can enhance employee well-being, productivity, and retention. Learn the importance of inclusive design, communication techniques (online, in print, and in-person), and staff training to create welcoming environments that enhance customer experiences for older adults and individuals with dementia. Gain insights into adapting physical spaces, services, and products to meet diverse needs, and fostering customer loyalty and community engagement. Learn how to cultivate environments that promote dignity, respect, and accessibility for all patrons. Don't miss this opportunity to transform your business into a beacon of inclusivity.
Speaker time stamps
Aging is a Four-Letter Word: Storytelling and Age-Friendly Communities - Bradley Schurman - 4:05
What's Driving Age-Friendly Employers? - Tim Driver - 21:07
Empowering Experience: Workforce Opportunities for Seasoned Professionals - Kenneth Walker - 33:26
Dementia Friendly Communities - Alison Smith - 48:11
Creating Dementia-Friendly Environments: A Social Enterprise Approach - Daniela Hurtado - 1:04:41
"Next Gen" Senior Living through University Retirement Communities (URCs) - Andrew Carle - 1:17:03
Q&A - all speakers - 1:34:29
October 15, 2024 (1-3PM) - Unlocking Potential: Lifelong Learning for a Thriving Society
Explore proven strategies and innovative educational models to cultivate enriching experiences for lifelong learners. Discover the power of accessible technology and multi-generational programs in fostering continuous growth and engagement. Learn innovative approaches to community education, profitable skill development, and social connection that transcend age barriers. Whether you're an educator, community organizer, or a lifelong learner, gain practical insights into the variety of inclusive learning environments that empower individuals of all ages.
Speaker time stamps
Advancing Age-Inclusive Campuses for Students, Faculty, and Staff - Joann M. Montepare - 5:10
Curiosity Never Retires – The Value of Lifelong Learning - Tony Long - 20:40
Partnerships to Support Digital Equity - Malarie Burgess - 35:23
Partnering with the Adult learner for Success - Thomas Gore - 56:05
JCA Employment Programs - Preparing 50+ Jobseekers for 21st Century Jobs – Changing Lives One Job at a Time! - Jodie Rasch - 1:12:41
Q&A - all speakers - 1:32:33
October 16, 2024 (10AM-12PM) - Healthy Communities and Healthier Aging: Collaborative Solutions
Join us to discuss the importance of community health as we grow older. Explore evidence-based strategies to promote health equity, prevent chronic diseases, and enhance well-being of all residents. Delve into community-based interventions, policy frameworks, and collaborative approaches that recognize the unique needs of aging populations. Whether you're a healthcare professional, policymaker, community leader, or advocate, gain actionable insights into fostering age-friendly environments that prioritize health, nutrition, physical activity, housing, and inclusivity for all. Don't miss this opportunity to drive positive change and create healthier communities for generations to come.
Speaker time stamps
Creating a Dementia-Friendly Hospital - Kittra Felton - 00:40
Co-Designing Systems with Older Adults for Healthier Housing - Natalie Talis - 13:12
Connecting Long-Term Care Residents to Services and Supports through a Regional Diversion Program for Older Adults with Behavioral Health Needs - Maimoona Bah-Duckenfield - 27:50
Teamwork, Not Silos: Building an Equitable Long-Term Care Continuum - Susan Ryan - 43:13
Aging-in-Place and Multi-Generational Communities through Long-Term Planning - Khalid Afzal - 57:23
Building a Public Health Focused Community - Katrina Polk - 1:17:30
Q&A - all speakers - 1:34:19
- 2023 Age-Friendly Ecosystem Summit
September 26-27 & October 3-4, 2023
The George Washington University's Center for Aging, Health and Humanities hosted the third annual Age-Friendly Ecosystem Summit virtually this fall. This free, regional, collaborative event was held in partnership with Age-Friendly Alexandria, Arlington, DC, Howard County, Hyattsville, Montgomery County, and the Georgetown University Aging & Health Program.
This year we hosted four sessions on September 26 & 27 and October 3 & 4. Each session was focused on a theme that cuts across all age-friendly domains: ageism, inclusivity, communica
tions , and creativity. Speakers presented their age-friendly initiatives through the lens of the session theme.Ageism
Internalized negative beliefs about aging and external forms of discrimination based on age are both prevalent issues that can decrease a person’s lifespan and impact quality of life. Age-friendly communities must address negative beliefs about aging and ageist elements in the environment to ensure that individuals of all ages are able to pursue goals important to them. Participants will learn how to recognize implicit ageist bias, ageism, and their impact on life span and quality of life.
Speaker time stamps
Still Kicking: Confronting Ageism and Ableism - Ashton Applewhite - 6:25
Disrupt Aging in the Community - Katherine Ponds - 31:56
I might be moving differently, but I’m still moving: Increasing Ageism Awareness Using a Multi-Pronged Approach - Morgan Spliedt - 49:51
Changing the narrative: ageism in healthcare - Kris Geerken - 1:12:09
Q&A - all speakers - 1:29:50
Inclusivity
Diverse populations often experience discrimination and exclusion because of the intersectionality of their age with other identities (e.g., race, sexual orientation, ability, language). Inclusive age-friendly communities strive to ensure that services, opportunities, information, and respect are available to all - regardless of age and other characteristics that distinguish us from one another. Participants will learn how to engage diverse, inter-generational populations to improve equitable access to age-friendly services.
Speaker time stamps
Understanding and Accessing Accommodations under the ADA - Ann Deschamps - 4:48
LGBTQ+ Aging and Long-term Care Equity - Sherrill Wayland - 25:09
Resources for Transgender Aging - Ames Simmons - 40:32
Uplifting Latino Voices: Essential as The Population Grows - Maria Theresa McPhail - 55:30
Destination 2027: who you are and where live can make a decade of difference - Reuben Varghese - 1:15:28
Creating Inclusive Communities for Neighbors of Different Ages, Abilities and Incomes - Mark Dunham - 1:29:33
Q&A - all speakers - 1:46:29
Communications
Communication pathways continue to evolve rapidly with technology, which creates multi-dimensional challenges that constantly require new strategies for effective and inclusive communication for all age groups. In age-friendly communities, learning how to communicate information about resources and opportunities to a diverse population in a clear manner is essential. Participants will learn effective communication strategies for various forms of media.
Speaker time stamps
Reframe Aging: The Power of Words & Images - Hannah Albers - 5:19
Guidelines for Effective Communication Using Print and Digital Media - Stuart Rosenthal - 29:24
Fostering Inclusivity through Dementia Friendly Communities - Darya Rahbar - 45:06
Senior Ambassador Program: A Model for Effective Community Outreach - Mary Lee Anderson - 1:01:34
Promotoras: Working Towards a Dignifies and Health Life for Older Adults - Maria Lemus - 1:15:15
Q&A - all speakers - 1:32:37
Communications - view recording
Creativity
Creativity includes artistic disciplines (e.g., visual arts, literature, crafts, dance, theater) and is integral to healthy aging. To increase access to the arts and community, more innovative approaches are needed to engage all people in reciprocal lifelong learning. Age-friendly communities with multi-sector creative programs improve overall well-being for everyone. Participants will learn about the positive health and social effects of creative programming for all ages.
Speaker time stamps
The Next Wave in Creative Aging: A Cross Industry Report - Pamela Saunders and Caroline Edasis - 4:17
Encore Creativity - Music for the brain, body and soul - Josh Vickery - 35:15
Increasing social connection and self-worth through Creative Aging programs - Aimee Olivo - 50:49
Let’s Look Closely: A Key to Living Healthier and Longer - L. Ann Benjamin - 1:09:13
Dancing On for an Age-Friendly Future - Cassie Meador and Judith Bauer - 1:37:29
Q&A - all speakers - 1:52:06
- 2022 Age-Friendly Ecosystem Summit
Wed, 9 November, 2022 9:00am - 5:00pm
The George Washington University's Center for Aging, Health and Humanities hosted the second annual Age-Friendly Ecosystem Summit virtually on November 9th, 2022 from 9am-5pm EST. This free regional collaborative event was held in partnership with Age-Friendly Alexandria, Arlington, DC, Hyattsville, Montgomery County, and the Georgetown University Aging & Health Program. Click to learn more.
Speaker time stamps:
Transportation
Overview of Transportation Challenges for Older Adults - Lynn Winchell-Mendy: 9:15
Lime Assist - Erika Duthely: 23:41
WMATA Travel Training - Christopher Colbert: 29:54
Paratransit Program - Katye North: 42:01
Safe Bicycling for Adults - Michelle Golden: 53:40
Vision Zero Panel - Charlie Willson, Christine Baker, Wade Holland, Andrea Lasker: 1:01:20
Housing
Overview: Regional Affordable Housing Plans - Justin Wilson: 1:33:47
Arlandria-Chirilagua - Helen McIvaine: 1:44:30
Home Sharing - Jennifer Hammer: 1:59:13
Affordable Assisted Living - Marta Hill-Gray: 2:07:15
Affordable Housing and Challenges - Jim Chandler: 2:18:34
Accessory Dwelling Units - Kol Peterson: 2:34:48
Faith-based Communities and Affordable Housing - Danielle Bridgeforth: 2:44:00
Faith-based Communities and Affordable Housing - Ray Biegun: 2:54:32
Long-term Care Workforce
Overview: Building the Long-term Care Workforce - Claudia Schlossberg: 3:10:58
Northern Virginia Aging Network - Erica Wood: 3:26:31
DC PACE Skyland - Amanda Davis: 3:36:58
Hopkins ElderPlus - Jonathan Aistrop: 3:50:09
WorkSource Montgomery - Cynthia Grissom: 4:02:01
Emergency Preparedness
Overview: Regional 3-1-1 Programs - Karima Holmes: 4:16:44
3-1-1 Panel - Brian Roberts, Marcellus Walker, Reggie Bagley, Tenesia Wells: 4:28:56
Villages Telephone Tree - Judy Berman: 5:16:47
9-8-8 Suicide Prevention Hotline - Tim Jansen: 5:24:24
- Dementia Friendly Webinar Series
- What Does it Mean to be a Dementia Friendly City An Overview
- Dementia Friendly Toolkit: Role Play Simulations for Care and Community Settings
- Environments To Improve the Quality of Life of People Living with Dementia
- Age Friendly Research
- The Care Ecosystem: Telephone based Care Navigation for People with Dementia and their Care
- 2021 Age-Friendly Ecosystem Summit
The George Washington University’s Center for Aging, Health and Humanities hosted the first annual Age-Friendly Ecosystem Summit May 4-5, 2021. In partnership with Age-Friendly DC, Montgomery County, Hyattsville, Arlington and Alexandria, this inaugural, live, virtual summit convened regional leaders and other multisector parties who are interested in advancing age-friendly initiatives. Click to learn more.
If you missed this event, you can check it out here in an online course for $100 and earn 10 Nursing CE Contact Hour(s) in the process.
The following podcasts were generated as outcomes from this event:
Age-Friendly Ecosystem Overview: Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN and Amy Berman, RN, John A. Hartford Foundation
Age-Friendly Health Systems: Alice Bonner, PhD, RN, Institute for Healthcare Improvement
a. 4M’s Framework: i. What Matters ii. Medication iii. Mentation iv. Mobility
Age-Friendly Public Health: Megan Wolfe, JD, Trust for America’s Health
Age-Friendly Universities: Joann Montepare, PhD, LaSell University
Age-Friendly Employers: Tim Driver, Age-Friendly Foundation
Age-Friendly Arts and Creativity
a. Creativity in Aging: Wendy Miller, PhD Author Sky Above Clouds and widow of founding CAHH Director, Dr. Gene Cohen
b. See Me at the Smithsonian: Robin Marquis and Amy Castine
Age-Friendly Housing
a. The Role of Place in Healthy Aging: Ryan Frederick, SmartLiving360
Age-Friendly Long-Term Care
a. Rethinking Nursing Homes and Care of Older Adults: Stuart Butler, Brookings Institute
- 2021 Age-Friendly Social Innovation Challenge
As a 2021 AARP Community Challenge Grant awardee, the George Washington University (GW) Center for Aging, Health and Humanities hosted the inaugural Age-Friendly Social Innovation Challenge on October 27th, 2021 from 1pm-4pm. This event was designed to bring a diverse, intergenerational group together to develop 90-second "moon shot" strategies for building the age-friendly infrastructures we will need over the next 25 years to improve the lives of all residents. This event built on the 2021 Age-Friendly Ecosystem Summit held in May and was held in partnership with GW Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service, Georgetown University and the 5 Age-Friendly municipalities of Alexandria, Arlington, the District of Columbia, Hyattsville, and Montgomery County.
The following podcasts were generated as outcomes from this event and the AARP Community Challenge Grant:
AARP/ Age-Friendly Social Innovation Challenge Overview
This episode is Part I: Overview of a special 10-part series related to several regional events we’ve held at the George Washington University’s Center for Aging, Health and Humanities. Learn from the outcomes of our collaborative projects with five regional age-friendly municipalities and our multi sector partners. This is the first time a region has worked together to create innovative solutions.
Anyone can be abused, regardless of age, gender, nationality, religion, ethnicity, or social background. Hundreds of thousands of adults over 60 years old are mistreated, neglected, or monetarily exploited every year. More than half a million reports of elder abuse are made to the police each year in the United States alone, and many more go unreported.
Civic Engagement and Employment
With the population's aging, community engagement has become a critical factor in achieving healthy aging. Low levels of community engagement have been associated with higher death rates and social isolation. The active aging approach of the World Health Organization and the age-friendly community strategy are both participatory and empowering. They blend 'top-down' policy initiatives to encourage and facilitate community engagement and employment with 'bottom-up' participation of older adults in developing their activities.
Community Support and Health Services
The proportion of older adults with unmet care and support needs continues to grow significantly as care systems face significant problems in the United States of America. Although 20% of older adults aged 60 and over use home- and community-based support and health services, many older American’s and their families have a vague understanding of what is available for older adults.
Emergency Preparedness and Resilience
Older adults are at a greater risk of death, hospitalizations, and the impacts of chronic health conditions such as heart disease, renal disease, lung disease, and diabetes than younger people. Preparing older adults and their families is the foundation of a resilient community. Improved emergency preparedness aims to reduce harm while also enabling older adults to maintain their health.
One in every five Americans—nearly 80 million people—will be over 65 in 20 years, and surveys suggest that almost 90% intend to stay in their own homes as long as possible. However, the nation now lacks the affordable housing and accompanying social services required to meet these needs.
While 73% of older adults in the United States of America consider themselves lifelong learners, educational engagement tends to decline as people become older. Still, it's never too late to gain new skills and information. This presents a challenge to organizations, employers, and policymakers, who must guarantee that everyone has the opportunity to obtain, retain, and acquire new skills throughout their lives.
Long-term Care Workforce and Caregiving
As per American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living statistics from the January Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Situation data, a 6.7% drop in the assisted living workforce indicates a loss of 31,200 caregivers, from 463,100 workers in February 2020 to 431,900 in January 2022. To provide better care for millions of older Americans, the United States needs a roadmap to a sustainable, reinvented workforce of professional caregivers.
In the United States, almost a quarter of community-dwelling older adults are socially isolated, and 43% of these older adults report feeling lonely. Due to the crucial nature of such engagement for older individuals' health, its decrease has been linked to substantial health consequences, including a 29% increased chance of death.
One of the most prevalent forms of assistance offered by family members and caregivers is transportation. However, transporting older adults isn't always convenient or straightforward. For family members and caregivers, transportation is one of the most challenging tasks. According to a 2018 poll by the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC), almost 40% of caregivers spend roughly five hours each week providing or scheduling transportation.
- The Use of Social Media to Influence Policy
Wed, October 20, 2021
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Sponsored and led by the Fellowship in Health Policy and Media, please join GW Nursing's Dr. Melissa Batchelor as she discusses how to utilize social media to impact policy.
- The Conway Chair Conversation
“You Completed the Study .... Now to Tell the Study Story to Improve Practice"
The “gold standard” for advancing science remains publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals; but this approach has historically resulted in a 17-year delay before research findings actually reach the public and/ or change practice. Dr. Melissa Batchelor shared insights of her professional journey as a leader and innovator in blending "gold standards" with modern strategies that have fostered rapid translation of her science to the public, practice, and policymakers.
Tuesday, April 6, 2021 from 12:30p.m. - 1:30p.m.
- Culinary Medicine Conference
The conference took place June 4 through June 6, 2021 online and included lectures, expert panels, culinary skills-building programming and small group interactions with colleagues.
Health meets Food is dedicated to teaching medical professionals and the communities they serve about the important connection between good health and healthy eating.
Center Director, Melissa Batchelor, presented and demonstrated her handfeeding technique for people with dementia.
The conference will take place June 4 through June 6, 2021 online using a virtual conference platform that will allow for the full conference experience including lectures, expert panels, culinary skills-building programming and small group interactions with your colleagues.
Health meets Food is dedicated to teaching medical professionals and the communities they serve about the important connection between good health and healthy eating.
Center Director, Melissa Batchelor, will be presenting and demonstrating her handfeeding technique for people with dementia.