Aging Matters

Conversation w/ Tracey Gendron, Ph. D., Gerontologist, Chair, Dept. of Gerontology, Virginia Commonwealth University, and author of “Ageism Unmasked: Exploring Age Bias and How to End It,” about how aging and ageism are related, examples of age stereotypes, and ways to reduce ageism

Conversation w/ Matthew Mintz ,  MD,Primary Care Physician and Internist, and author of Medical Marijuana and CBD: A Physician’s Guide for Patients,  about medical marijuana and related products, what to know before using, and where to find and purchase them.

Conversation w/ Jim Morris, Taxaide, AARP Taxaide Program & IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, about federal and state tax information updates and free tax preparation services for older adults.

Conversation w/ Stuart Henochowicz, MD, Internist/Allergist-Immunologist, Assistant Professor, Medical Education, University of Virginia Medical School, and Vice-Chair, Steering Committee, immunizevirginia.org, about current and future status of COVID-19 vaccines, and other vaccines recommended to keep older adults healthy as they age

Conversation w/ Michelle Sosa, LCSW, Kinship Navigation and Outreach Coordinator, Arlington County Department of Human Services, about circumstances requiring kinship care, placement arrangements, caregiver rights and responsibilities, and community resources

Conversation w/ Nicholas Joseph MD, Executive Director, Cherry Blossom PACE, about PACE eligibility, enrollment, operations, and services

Conversation with Shunaka White, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist and Owner, For Safety’s Sake LLC, about OT role in home, residential and health care settings, and key practice areas to promote productive aging

Conversation w/ Julie Becker, MA, PhD, MPH, Senior Public Health Scholar and Climate Change Advisor with Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania, and Rose Schneider, MPH RN, Senior Public Health and Climate Change Advisor, about causes of climate change, health impacts on older adults, and solutions to reduce climate change effects

Conversation w/ Tania Bougebrayel Cohn, Community Engagement and Resilience Manager, Arlington County Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management, about preparation for disasters and other emergencies, and Arlington Emergency Management programs, services, and resources

Conversation w/ DeShaundra Jones, Senior Director, Customer Experience & Stakeholder Engagement, Washington Gas, about ways to increase safety and energy efficiency at home and winter driving tips

Conversation withChris Clough, Certified Personal Trainer, about exercise and physical activity benefits for older adults and how a personal trainer can promote and maintain wellness

Conversation with Jenny Inker MBA PhD LALFA, Assistant Professor & Co-Director, Assisted Living Administration Specialty Area, Virginia Commonwealth University, about definitions of aging and elderhood, ageism, and navigating the aging process

Conversation with Maestro Thomas Colohan, Artistic Director, Washington Master Chorale and Conductor, Fairfax Choral Society Symphonic Chorus, about history and origins of traditional and modern Christmas carols and favorite holiday songs sung most often

Conversation with Jelena Kecmanovic, PhD, Clinical Psychologist and Founding Director, Arlington/DC Behavior Therapy Institute, about prevalence of holiday blues among older adults and ways families can keep loved ones’ spirits up during the holidays 

Conversation with Jay White, EdD, MSG, Gerontologist and Director of Advocacy and Education, The Longevity Project for a greater Richmond, about athazagoraphobia, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis/treatment, and living with phobias

Conversation with Eric Anderson, MD, Director, Interventional Pulmonology, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and Professor, Clinical Medicine, Georgetown University, about lung cancer including risk factors, diagnosis, treatment and prevention

Conversation with Albert Rizzo, MD, Chief Medical Officer, American Lung Association, about respiratory diseases, and Gelareh Bassiry, Outreach Specialist, Arlington Agency on Aging (AAA) about AAA resources for family caregivers and their families

Conversation with Neeraj Mendiratta, MD, Assistant Physician-in-Chief, Kaiser Permanente/Volunteer Medical Expert, American Heart Association (AHA), and Donna Gayles, Washington, D.C. Senior Client Relations Executive, Capital Caring Health/family caregiver, about AHA study findings supporting palliative care for heart failure patients

Conversation with Michelle Thomas, Coordinator, Virginia Insurance Counseling & Assistance Program (VICAP) about the Medicare program, Medicare open enrollment, and VICAP services

Conversation with Robin Edwards, Certified Senior Advisor, CarePatrol, about alternative living arrangements for older adults and how senior placement agencies help families navigate best options

Conversation with Drew Martin, Nurse Practitioner, Cardiology Physician Group, Virginia Hospital Center, about the aging heart and cardiovascular diseases among older adults, including risk factors, signs/symptoms, treatment, and prevention

Conversation with Claudia Fine, Chief Professional Officer, eFamilyCare, about digital technology for the family caregiver

Conversation with w/ Kristin Zimmerman, PharmD, and Emily Peron, PharmD, Associate Professors, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, about polypharmacy, causes/risks of multiple prescriptions and over the counter medications, deprescribing medications, and medication management 

Conversation with Ali Walker, Chair, and Keith Tate, Treasurer, Board of Directors, National Capital Area Chapter, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, about risk factors, intervention, and prevention strategies for older adults at risk of suicide, and resources for family members affected by suicide

Conversation with Kendra Farrow, Interim Project Director, Older Individuals who are Blind Technical Assistance Center, about age-related eye diseases causing low vision, rehabilitation services, vision technologies, and educational resources.