Revolutionizing Aging: Bridging Past Resilience with Future Innovation

The goal of VGCOA 2025 is to capture the essence of honoring historical resilience in aging while looking forward to innovative solutions that can enhance the lives of older adults throughout the Commonwealth. The 2025 program will incite discussion, engagement and creativity in aging services, promoting inclusivity, innovation, and support across Virginia.

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Virginia's population is becoming older and more diverse. Today there are nearly 1.5 million adults in the Commonwealth aged 60 and over, and this population will expand to more than 2 million by 2030 when the baby boom generation will be between 66 and 84 years old. Virginia's aging population is living longer due to the advances in health care; older Virginians with chronic conditions will need assistance longer while contributing as valuable resources, bringing knowledge to the workforce and wisdom to communities.

As Virginia shapes its future as one of the best states to live in and do business, it also has leaders striving to create a leadership culture for caregivers and individuals aging in their communities. Being a great place to live encompasses valuing seniors.

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This conference will explore the spectrum of aging services in Virginia. Join all who see themselves as aging advocates for a two-day conference in Williamsburg that will yield recommendations to policymakers and create a vision for the future of aging in Virginia.

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The Governor's Conference on Aging (VGCA) welcomes session proposals in alignment with this theme:

Revolutionizing Aging: Bridging Past Resilience with Future Innovation  will focus on engaging presenters and attendees from across the Commonwealth and beyond in main focus areas:

 

Revolutionizing Aging: Bridging Past Resilience with Future Innovation

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The goal of VGCOA 2025 is to capture the essence of honoring historical resilience in aging while looking forward to innovative solutions that can enhance the lives of older adults throughout the Commonwealth. The 2025 program will incite discussion, engagement and creativity in aging services, promoting inclusivity, innovation, and support across Virginia.

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Key Focus Areas:

1. Foundations in Aging: Honoring History, Shaping Tomorrow

• Reflect on the resilience, wisdom, and historical perspectives of older generations to inform modern programs and services, helping tackle future challenges in aging care.

• Highlight the critical supports and services that have laid the foundation for today’s aging network, while discussing how these frameworks will evolve to meet future demands.

 

2. Innovating the Future of Aging:

• Showcase cutting-edge programs that push boundaries in serving older adults.

• Explore lessons learned from successful initiatives and replicate them for continued progress.

• Highlight the latest advancements in services and technology, including AI, that address the needs of older adults. This could involve showcasing innovations in healthcare, housing, and social engagement that promote independence and well-being.

 

3. Intergenerational Inclusivity: Bridging Generations for an Age-Friendly & Society

• Foster connections between generations by encouraging mentorship and shared learning, bridging the gap between past experiences and future possibilities, while promoting inclusivity across the aging spectrum.

• Address the diverse needs of individuals of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds by combating ageism through education and policies, ensuring that programs and services create an age-friendly society that values contributions from everyone.

 

4. Strengthening Social Connections:

• Tackle social isolation and promote meaningful connections within the aging community.

• Address current public health challenges by fostering networks that support older adults.

 

5. Systems & Services in Sync:

• Examine the systems that successfully coordinate housing, healthcare, and support for older adults.

• Identify gaps and potential solutions to ensure more seamless service delivery in aging networks.

 

6. Policy and Advocacy: 

• Encourage dialogue on the importance of advocating for policies that support aging populations.

• Discussion examining historical policies that have shaped aging services and identifying future directions for effective advocacy.

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7. Resilience and Renewal in a Post-COVID World:

• Reflect on how the pandemic reshaped the landscape for aging services.

• Explore how organizations adapted creatively and what innovations can be sustained for the future.

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8. An Attractive Workforce: Addressing the Shortage of Qualified Workers: 

• Explore strategies to attract, train, and retain qualified workers in the aging services arena. 

• This could include discussions on improving wages and benefits, reimbursement rates, expanding training opportunities, and creating career pathways to make aging services an attractive career choice for the next generation of workers

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This program will blend historical resilience with modern innovation while addressing inclusivity, social connection, and advocacy, ensuring a comprehensive conversation on aging. VGCOA 2025 sets the stage for meaningful discussions on how to revolutionize aging through collaboration, innovation, and community resilience.

 

DUE BY Noon on Thursday, October 31.

 

The Program Selection Committee seeks proposals for presentations including individual presenters, groups, and panels. Presenters are encouraged to apply creativity to their sessions and to consider an audience with varying needs and learning styles.

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The Committee strives a create a balanced program, incorporating a variety of presentations which dive into the different topics that make up the Conference theme.

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In response to the high level of interest from presenters, please note this is a competitive process.

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Each session proposal will be reviewed by a committee of peers and should meet the following criteria:

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Submission of proposal form in the requested format, fully completed. All submissions must meet the following guidelines,

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• Via the online submission form 

  • if you are unable to submit online, please contact VGCA staff for alternate options. 

• A clearly stated session title

• A clear description of the proposed session and objectives

• A submission that is based on educational content and is not an advertisement or commercial for a service, product or company

• Be submitted by Noon on Thursday, October 31.

 

​If any section is incomplete, it will result in the disqualification of the proposal.
 

Please submit proposals by:

DUE BY Noon on Thursday, October 31.

A PDF version can be made available upon request.

Any questions about the Call for Session Proposals can be directed to VGCOA Conference staff. 

VGCOA Conference Staff:
Martina James, martina@vgcoa.com
Gillian Saul, gillian@vgcoa.com