Art created by older adult participants of the UofL Trager Institute’s acrylic painting class, along with music by the Optimal Aging Choir, filled the room as part of the annual Optimal Aging Conference at the Founders Union on UofL’s Shelby Campus.
More than 230 attendees took part in the two-day conference May 15-16, hosted by the UofL Trager Institute Republic Bank Foundation Optimal Aging Clinic and Kentucky Association of Gerontology. The conference, focused on the theme Art of Aging: Advancements in Aging Care, explored healthy lifestyle practices, new technologies, advanced research and community care that improve people’s lives as they age. Sessions also explored how health care professionals, social workers and caregivers help serve older adults.
“When we talk about the art of aging, we’re talking about each person’s unique aging journey and the new approaches and advances in the aging field they can incorporate in a way that suits them and their needs. It’s not an exact science—we’re all defining what aging means to us as we go and refining how we navigate the joys and challenges along the way,” said Anna Faul, executive director of the Trager Institute Optimal Aging Clinic.
Joy Willenbrink-Conte, a music therapist from the University of Dayton and the conference’s opening keynote speaker, focused on breathing, vocalizing and singing for health and healing. Meantime, Josephine Gomes, a geriatrician at the Optimal Aging Clinic, gave a survey on the past, present and future of Alzheimer’s and related dementias during the day’s second keynote address. She discussed modifiable factors, which are ways people could alter their lifestyle to lower the risk of onset, and innovative care models, such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience, that can help people better navigate their diagnosis.
A reception with a demonstration of a HealthRHYTHMS drumming session and an opportunity for attendees to interact with the older adult painters showcasing their artwork concluded the first day.
On day two of the conference, keynote speakers Bob Blancato, executive director of the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs, and Sandy Markwood, CEO of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, provided a timely update on aging policy in a changing political environment. A panel of four octogenarians and nonagenarians closed out the conference with humor and wisdom.
“This year’s conference really hit the mark. It provided not only education on a wide range of topics such as artificial intelligence in dementia assessments, using improv to improve communication skills in care settings, integrating behavioral health into aging care, music therapy and more, but also levity and inspiration during a period of great uncertainty for older adult services,” reflected Barbara Gordon, the institute’s director of community engagement.
Learn more about the UofL Trager Institute.
View pictures from the conference on Flickr.
Article by Samantha Adams, UofL Trager Institute.
