Breakout Sessions at VGCOA 2025

 

 

Creating a Culture of Connection: More than a Volunteer Ride
According to the US surgeon general, there is an epidemic of social isolation and loneliness affecting all Americans- but especially older adults. In this session, we will the impact of a volunteer transportation network on seniors- both from a rider and driver perspective. Volunteer rides are an important "vehicle" to connect seniors to one another and to important services like healthcare and errands. We will explore our survey data from both rider and driver populations to share evidence- based strategies to combat the loneliness and social isolation epidemic. Volunteer driving creates vital connections and deep relationships- we will share strategies to bring this service to your community. 
 
Emily Braley, RN, MSN
Manager Volunteer Services, Pozez JCC
 
Elena Alergant, MS
Manager, NV Rides
 
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Village Sponsorship: Collaborations to Reduce Social Isolation of Older Virginians​
The Surgeon General’s 2023 Advisory reports that the U.S. is experiencing an epidemic of social isolation resulting in serious cognitive and physical health risks, especially among older adults. Community-based programs, such as Villages, are widely recognized as a key way to address this public health issue. Villages are virtual communities that empower older adults to remain safely and independently in their homes. Villages reduce isolation by providing peer-to-peer connections responsive to individual needs and interests and offering opportunities for social engagement. Learn about the Village “secret sauce” and how your program might benefit from partnering with or sponsoring a Village. 
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Carol Paquette, J.D.
Convenor, Virginia Villages Collective
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Mary-Jane Atwater, M.A.
Steering Committee, Virginia Villages Collective
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Ray Parks
Executive Director, New River Valley Agency on Aging
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Senior Living Communities: A Strategically Planned Housing Solution​
Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens owns and operates a mobile home park adjacent to the central office that provides housing for individuals 55 and older. Wheelchair-accessible transportation to grocery stores, medical appointments, shopping and community activities is provided through AASC’s Four County Transit. For individuals who qualify for PACE services, healthcare access is another component of services provided by AASC. AASC’s strategically planned senior living community offers an integrated solution and thoughtful approach to aging by coordinating housing, healthcare and transportation. Participants in this session will learn how to balance between promoting independence and providing necessary support for older adults.
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Brian Beck, MBA
Chief Executive Officer at Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens
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Caleb Perkins
Executive Assistant at Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens
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Cooking Up Connections: Intergenerational Culinary Programs as a Recipe for Healthy Aging in Virginia
Learn how "Cooking Up Connections," an intergenerational culinary program, fostered meaningful connections, promoted healthy eating, and addressed critical needs within the aging community. This session will present program outcomes, policy recommendations, and a vision for a more age-friendly Virginia.
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Duane Brown, M.A., Organizational Leadership
Chef/Owner, Culinary Coach LLC

Aging in Community: Fostering and facilitating difficult, yet critical conversations on aging, through education, reflection, synthesis, and personal growth.
Attend this session to learn how Virginia Tech piloted and launched an alumni engagement program centered on five key components to positive aging based on the Aging in Community curriculum developed in the New River Valley. Presenters will discuss lessons learned and best practices for facilitating Aging in Community workgroups in any locality in Virginia, as well as other states.

J. Shannon Hammons, M.S.
Assistant Director, Cornerstone Alumni Relations and Engagement

E. Carlisle Shealy, Ph.D., MPH
Assistant Director, Virginia Tech Center for Gerontology

Pamela B. Teaster, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., NREMT
Professor and Director, Virginia Tech Center for Gerontology

Understanding Income & Poverty Statistics
Do you use income statistics to administer a program, apply for grants, or target community outreach? In this session, a statistician will share tips to help you find the numbers you need and use them to further your goals. We’ll review terminology and basic concepts, touch on pitfalls to avoid when aggregating statistics, and use data to tell compelling stories. This is NOT a statistics class full of complicated formulas - we’ll use a fun, interactive group activity to explore income measures in an imaginary community and observe how government policies impact real-life situations.

Julie Northcott-Wilson, MS, MCP
Statistician, Bay Aging

Statewide Initiatives Addressing the Shortage of Qualified Workers in the Aging Services Arena
This presentation will explore strategies to address workforce shortages in the aging services sector. Panelists will include members of Virginia’s Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, the VCU Mobil Health and Wellness Program, the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority, and the Virginia Community Health Worker Association. Initiatives including a dementia education ambassador program tailored for Community Health Workers and geriatrics education for Virginia’s Area Health Education Programs will be shared. Attendees will engage in discussions that bridge historical wisdom with forward-thinking innovations, contributing to a shared vision for a future where Virginia leads as a model for inclusive and sustainable aging communities.

Leland "Bert" Waters, PhD​
Director, Virginia Geriatric Education Center, VCU

The Invisible Arlingtonians: Examining Community Discrepancies using the ACSM American Fitness Index
The CDC and the American College of Sports Medicine's Fitness Index program, launched in 2008, compares population health measures and community resources to evaluate health at the city level. Arlington, VA, has been ranked America’s "Fittest City" for seven years, yet disparities exist in access to fitness spaces for racial/ethnic minorities and low-income older adults. This session explores the Fitness Index framework, Arlington's health equity challenges, and the ALOHA project as an example strategy to address these gaps. Attendees will gain insights into equitable health promotion and strategies to improve access for vulnerable populations in Northern Virginia.
 
​Erin Staker, BS
Research Coordinator, Center for Optimal Aging, Marymount University

Co-Creating a Roadmap to a Stronger Aging Services Workforce

Join us for a lively, creative, and highly interactive brainstorming session to co-create a Roadmap to a stronger aging services workforce that will result in a shareable infographic after the conference that can guide the actions of all organizations working in and supporting the aging network and older adults. We will explore the personal and professional benefits of careers in aging, the training, education, and competencies that make us effective, the workplace cultures that support us, the opportunities for professional development and growth, and the way compensation and benefits can support our strengths.

Jennifer Yanez Pryor, MS
Gerontology Program Director, Virginia Commonwealth University

Jenny Inker, PhD
Associate Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University

Pushing the Boundaries of Dementia Care: Medicare’s Innovative GUIDE Model

Discover how Medicare's innovative GUIDE model is transforming dementia care by prioritizing caregiver support. Learn about its groundbreaking approach, benefits, and how it's reshaping the future of dementia treatment through a joint presentation with At Home Harmony, a home-based medical practice for the aging, and the SPAN Center, the Capital Area on Aging. 

Helen Tanner, MPH, MPAS, PA-C
VP, Clinical Development; At Home Harmony

Tara Beatty, MS, CDP, PACT, PACC, CDES, LALFA
Dementia Care Navigator, At Home Harmony

Adrienne Cummins, MS-G, CDP
Gerontologist, The SPAN Center

"Delivery With A Ring" Doorbell Program
Piedmont Senior Resources’ "Delivery With A Ring" program ensures older adults never miss a meal. After clients reported missing deliveries due to not hearing the knock, PSR provided doorbells with two receivers for those in need. Clients can place the receivers at different ends of their homes, reducing the chance of missed meals. The doorbells feature adjustable volumes and lights, making them easier for older adults to hear and see when a delivery arrives. Our friendly drivers install these easy-to-use doorbells during their regular meal deliveries, enhancing both safety and convenience for those we serve.

Nikki Dean, B.A. in Economics
Nutrition Program Coordinator, Piedmont Senior Resources Area Agency on Aging

Addressing Dental Care Access Barriers Faced By Aging Virginians
Learn how a collaborative effort between the Virginia Center on Aging, the Better Housing Coalition and the Lucy Corr Foundation Dental Clinic is addressing dental care access barriers faced by aging Virginians.

Patricia "Trish" Bonwell, RDH, PhD
Assistant Professor, Virginia Center on Aging, Virginia Geriatric Education Center, VCU

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD PEOPLE  Documentary-
A Case Study in Leveraging Film Media to Advocate for Better Care for Aging Populations
The public increasingly consumes information from social and streaming media. Thus, to be effective, advocates must leverage these avenues to educate the public and promote innovative solutions. This session investigates the use of storytelling via Film and TV to supplement traditional advocacy through a case study of the documentary NO COUNTRY FOR OLD PEOPLE. Attorney/producer Rick Mountcastle and filmmaker Susie Singer Carter will screen a preview/sizzle reel of the documentary and discuss its origins, funding challenges, research, content production, post-production, distribution, publicity, and the initiation of an education and advocacy program.

Rick Mountcastle, Retired United States Attorney (WDVA)
Producer, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD PEOPLE
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Susie Singer Carter, Filmmaker, Writer, Director, Producer
Owner, GoGirl Media
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Sharing Across Communities:  A PCTI (Person-Centered Trauma-Informed) Approach to Caregiving
The ancient Chinese proverb says:  When three perons walk together, there is always a teacher among them” -- which reflects the importance of learning from others.  The growing Asian- American Community in Virginia can learn a great deal from the Person-Centered Trauma-Informed (PCTI) Approach to family caregiving that was first innovated by the Jewish Community;  the lives of our AAPI immigrant elders throughout the 20th century was full of trauma.  Please join us as a daughter family caregiver of Chinese immigrant parents shares her lived experience applying PCTI principles during her caregiving journey and take away tips and resources about the importance of sharing best practices across diverse communities.
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Lily Liu, Family Caregiver 

 

Leah Bergen Miller

Director, Programs and Training, Jewish Federations of North America’s Center for Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care

Public Libraries: The Third Place for Older Adults
Public libraries are already equipped to serve older adults socially, informationally, and for job readiness. Public libraries are naturally social spaces, with programming of all kinds, informal opportunities for gathering, as well as formal learning to expand opportunities for social engagement, learning, working, and playing. Public libraries are a natural third space for older adults and this session will explore just some of the ways older adults can benefit from library engagement.

Barry Trott, M.L.S.
Adult Services Consultant, Library of Virginia
 
How Scammers are Using AI to Defraud Seniors
AI is quickly becoming a mainstream technology, affecting almost all aspects of industry and culture.  As with all good things, criminals have quickly adopted AI capabilities to commit a myriad of scams, resulting in stolen information, identities, and money.  This session will educate attendees on how scammers are using AI to commit crimes and discuss ways in which seniors can protect themselves from AI scams and report those scams should they become victims.
 
Shawn L. Smith
Senior Medicare Patrol, Virginia
 
 
Dementia and Elder Abuse: Best Practices for Supporting Survivors with Cognitive Impairments
Individuals living with dementia are particularly susceptible to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. This session will provide a foundational understanding of both dementia and elder abuse, along with strategies for communication and abuse screening. Finally, this session will discuss the Virginia Coalition for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, a state-wide coalition working to assure older Virginians live a life free of abuse, and the RAFT Dementia Support Program, a Northern Virginia regional project serving older adults living with dementia and their caregivers through education, resource coordination, and respite care. 
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Sydney Palinkas, LMSW, CDP
RAFT Dementia Education and Outreach Coordinator, RAFT Dementia Support Program 
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Carol Cooper Driskill
Advocate, disAbility Law Center of Virginia
 
Elder Justice Shelter Innovation: Lessons in Communication, Collaboration, and Cooperation
The greater Richmond area has seen the number of older adults seeking homeless services nearly double in the last six years. This staggering increase prompted the creation of an elder justice shelter model that aims to bring wrap-around services to older adults experiencing abuse. This workshop will feature a panel of project partners to offer insights into the development process. 
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Gigi Amateau, PhD​
Assistant Professor & Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed Care Lab Director; Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Gerontology & Virginia Center on Aging
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​Kelly King Horne, MA
 Executive Director, Homeward

Drilling Down on Guardianship in Virginia: What do New Studies Show?
The panelists have been diligently researching issues impacting adult guardianship in Virginia. The three studies included in the present research, funded respectively by the Department of Justice, the Borchard Foundation on Law and Aging, and the Administration on Aging, spotlight what we know – and what we do not know – about the nature and prevalence of abuse by guardians, the impact of guardian ad litem reports, and the consistency between the Code of Virginia and court practices. 

Pamela B. Teaster, Ph.D., M.A., M.S. , NREMT
Professor and Director, Virginia Tech Center for Gerontology

Erica F. Wood, J.D.
Former Assistant Director of the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging

Sally Balch Hurme, J.D.
Virginia Elder Law Attorney and retired AARP Attorney

 

   Denise McDonald, M.A.

         Guardianship Navigator

 

         Onyinye Mbanefo

         Graduate Research Assistant

         Center for Gerontology, Virginia Tech

Opening Minds Through Art
Did you know that art has the power to transform the lives of older adults and their caregivers? Join presenters from LeadingAge Virginia and Art for the Journey in a presentation that showcases the beauty and benefits of structured, evidence-based art programming that engages people living with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Attendees will experience the transformative properties of art through pictures and outcomes data from the three-year OMA initiative that engaged 2,000 nursing home residents in art sessions that improved their mood, encouraged socialization, and demonstrated positive outcomes among older adults, families, staff, and volunteers.

Dana Parsons
Vice President and Legislative Counsel, LeadingAge Virginia

Jamie Wigginton
COO, Art for the Journey 

Stephanie Shanks
Director of OMA Training Center and Volunteers 

What is PACE? 
What is PACE. PACE is the program of all-inclusive care for the elderly, but what this means is much more. PACE provides for not just medical needs, but psychological and social needs for the communities we serve. PACE is growing in the state of Virginia, and we now have over 2,000 participants in care. 

Jennifer Boyd, MBA, RN
Centra PACE Senior Director​

The APS Final Rule: Is Virginia Ready?
In June 2024, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) finalized regulations to elevate best practices and bring consistency to APS programs nationwide. For years, APS programs have operated under state laws and regulations with no oversight from the federal government. What will federal regulations mean for Virginia APS and its service population? 

Paige McCleary, MSW
APS Division Director, Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services 

Food Justice for Older Adults
Join presenters from PositiveAge and Richmond-based non-profit organizations including the SPAN Center and St. Thomas Food Pantry working together to address food insecurity and injustice among older adults receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.  Presenters will highlight the importance of directly involving older adults in advocacy and encourage attendees to collaborate with local partners to better align policy goals. Attendees will learn successful strategies to engage older adults in advocacy that result in powerful impact stories, measurable data, and aligned policy recommendations that promote positive aging in Virginia. 

Emily Varvil, MPH
Project Manager, PositiveAge (a LeadingAge Virginia Foundation)

Missi Boyer
Vice President of Nutrition, Wellness and Transportation  SPAN Center (formerly Senior Connections) 

Kristin Cummings, LCSW
St Thomas Episcopal Church Richmond Food Pantry Director

A Drink of Courage "Being Bold Enough to Problem Solve with Intergenerational Approaches"
A strategic approach to merge teens, young adults and older adults in fun and engaging activities that can lead to policy change, awareness, advocacy, and improved quality of life for older adults.  Innovative ways to bring teens to the table to establish an interest in older adults.  

Gregory Ford, Social Worker
Director of Program Development and Partnerships - Beacon Communities LLC

Team Building 101 
AASC’s team-building sessions are an avenue to help staff focus on the positive aspects of work. Employees get to know one another and learn how teamwork creates a strong rapport by communicating with coworkers, respecting each other and building trust, thereby increasing the agency’s ability to serve clients better. 
Session participants will be shown some of the team-building presentations and fun activities utilized by AASC. 
This hands-on Team Building 101: Learning to Grow Together session will teach attendees about team-building and they may even learn something about themselves.

Wayne Damron
Director of  Aging Services at Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens

Katie Justus
Team Lead, Care Coordination at Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens​

Lynna Mitchell
Grant Writer at Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens
 
Dementia Friends: Harnessing Community Collaborations to Raise Awareness
Dementia Friends is a worldwide effort to help raise awareness and understanding about dementia and reduce associated stigma.  The program launched in Virginia in 2018, and more than 750 Dementia Friends champions have been trained to deliver the one-hour information sessions that have created more than 10,000 Dementia Friends.  Join George Worthington, state co-lead of Dementia Friendly efforts, Joyce Nussbaum, (Valley Program for Aging Services—VPAS) and Allegra Joffe (Fairfax Area Agency on Aging) as they describe the program, share experiences learned from implementation in their communities, and discuss ways of increasing engagement with different age groups and cultural communities.  
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George Worthington, MS Clinical Psychology
Dementia Services Director, DARS
 
Joyce Nussbaum
Program Director, Valley Program for Aging Services (VPAS)
 
Allegra Joffe
Supervisor of the Caregiver & Support Services Unit, Fairfax Area Agency on Aging
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Deep Dive: Discussions of Dementia Related Topics ​
More information coming soon!
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Led by: George Worthington, MS 

George Worthington, MS

          Dementia Services Director, DARS

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         Annie Rhodes, PhD

         Assistant Professor: Virginia Center on Aging -Virginia College of                           Health Professions 

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         Virginia Gallagher, PhD

         Assistant Professor, Neuropsychologist, UVA School of Medicine

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         Shannon Reilly, PhD

         Assistant Professor, UVA Department of Neurology 

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         Christy Jensen, PhD

          Director, Health Services Research, Martha W. Goodson Center,                              Riverside Health

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         Rachel Coney 

          Brain Health Coordinator, Virginia Dept of Health

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         Diane Hartley

         Vice President Care Coordination, Peninsula Area on Aging

Older Workers, Digital Literacy, and the Future of Employment​
This session will discuss employment and digital literacy for older adults. We will identify barriers to employment, and discuss methods that have been successful in eliminating those barriers.  We will also discuss ageism in employment, and engaging with public and private employers to promote employment for older adults.

Megan Grey
Older Worker Programs Director, Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services

Addressing Dental Care Access Barriers Faced By Aging Virginians
A collaborative effort between the Virginia Center on Aging, the Better Housing Coalition and the Lucy Corr Foundation Dental Clinic is addressing dental care access barriers faced by aging Virginians.

Patricia "Trish" Bonwell, RDH, PhD
Professor, Virginia Center on Aging, Virginia Geriatric Education Center

From Hidden to Healthy: How Virginia Beats Food Insecurity Among Older Adults
Older Virginians are facing hunger in every community in the Commonwealth and are often unseen. Yet solutions exist when we work together. In this session, we will share data visualizations and firsthand stories to discuss: Who among Virginia's older adults are facing hunger, and why? Where do they live? How does hunger interact with other aspects of wellbeing, from chronic disease to loneliness? What solutions exist, and what are the barriers to accessing them? As we invite participants to share their own experience, three presenters from different perspectives will highlight policy and program aspects of Virginia’s Roadmap to End Hunger.

Hollie Lutz, MA
Director of Development and Communications, Federation of Virginia Food Banks

Jennifer Ayers, MPA
Executive Director, ALIVE! Alexandria

Teri Zurfluh
Western Tidewater Community Hub Manager, Foodbank of Southeast Virginia & the Eastern Shore