Aging Matters

Conversation w/ Michelle Thomas, MPA, Coordinator, Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program, about the basics and resources of Medicare, how beneficiaries can enroll, and where to get advice about the program. 

Conversation w/ Omair Yousuf, MD, Cardiac Electrophysiologist, and Director, Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Services, VHC Health, about causes, risk factors and common symptoms of AFib, diagnostic tools, treatment, and prevention, and how those living with AFib can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

Conversation w/ Robert Hong, MD, Radiation Oncologist, VHC Health, Arlington, VA, about risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoarthritis, and use of LDRT as a re-emerging approach to osteoarthritis treatment.

Conversation w/ Jill Harkavy-Friedman, PhD, Senior Vice President of Research, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), about risk factors, intervention, and prevention strategies for older adults at risk of suicide and how AFSP and other resources help support family members affected by suicide.

Conversation w/ Sara Williams, President, Funeral Consumers Alliance, about choices, services, logistics, and costs associated with arranging a funeral or memorial service, and how the Funeral Consumers Alliance helps families be prepared and protected when planning a funeral for themselves or their loved ones.

Conversation w/ Nicholas Schor, MD, Geriatric Psychiatrist, Olney Geriatric Psychiatry, LLC, www.olneypsychiatry.com, about mental health disorders among older adults, including treatment and prevention, and how misinformation and ageism impact healthcare provider attitudes towards these patients.

Conversation w/ Daniel Sanders, President/CEO, Four Sales, Ltd., about estate sale planning, hiring and working with an estate sale company, and etiquette rules for estate sale shoppers. 

Conversation w/ Kathy Cameron, BS Pharm, MPH, Pharmacist and Healthy Aging Consultant, about older adult medication use, risks of multiple prescriptions and over the counter drugs, and how deprescribing and medication reviews can maximize benefits of medicines and reduce risks.  

Conversation w/ Jennifer Pickett, Co-Executive Director, National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers, about issues older adults may face when downsizing and moving and how senior move managers can help navigate the process. 

Conversation w/ Katherine Schweit, JD, Author, Attorney, Former Senior FBI Official, about becoming an author, and the benefits of creative writing for older adults and how they can get started.

Conversation w/ Sara Pappa, PhD, MCHES, Associate Professor, College of Health and Education, Marymount University, Arlington, VA, and Director, Northern Virginia Falls Prevention Alliance, about causes and risk factors associated with falls-related injuries among older adults, and falls prevention programs and projects to help prevent injury and death.

Conversation w/ Cathi Coridan, MA, Co-Founder & Co-Chair, Serving Seniors Real Estate Mastermind & Referral Network, about issues older adults face when relocating, preparation for the transition, and how a Seniors Real Estate Specialist can help.

Conversation w/ Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, President, The John A. Hartford Foundation, and Ken Dychtwald, PhD, Founder/CEO, Age Wave, about eldercare responsibilities related to caregiving for elder relatives, challenges facing workers who provide eldercare, and elements to be included in a work-life policy.

Conversation w/ Michael Bouchard, Management Consultant and Member, Arlington VA Commission on Aging, about the need for older adults to plan ahead when considering aging in place and selecting a housing option that helps them maintain independence as long as possible.

Conversation w/ Sophia Ross, Digital Media and Grant Program Strategist, Capitol Hill Village, and Sherrill Wayland, MSW, Senior Director of Special Initiatives and Partnerships, SAGE Advocacy and Services for LGBTQ+ Elders, about how social stigma prevents LGBTQ+ older adults from living in certain communities, receive health and social services, and find housing. Resources to address these issue...

Conversation w/ David Jara, Au. D., Clinical Audiologist, about hearing loss among older adults and what to know about hearing aids and assistive listening devices.

Conversation w/ Elizabeth Field, Chief Operating Officer, Elizabeth Dole Foundation, and Pattie Cullum, 2025 Dole Caregiver Fellow, about family member caregiver duties and responsibilities for military and veteran family members, and the mission of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to provide support.

Conversation w/ Erica Wood, JD, Consultant on Law and Aging, about adult guardianship, what it means for a court to declare a person “incapacitated,” and duties and powers of a guardian as well as qualifications needed to serve.

Conversation w/ Suzanne Lapierre, Virginia Room Librarian, Fairfax County Virginia Public Library, about innovative programs and services being developed by libraries to meet diverse characteristics and circumstances of older adults. 

Conversation w/ Rob Haynie, Managing Director, Life Insurance Settlements, Inc., about pros and cons of buying life insurance and what to know about life settlements.

Conversation w/ Jim Joseph, CFP, President, FSA Wealth Partners, about factors to consider when planning for and after retirement, hiring a financial professional, and ensuring best approaches to personal financial growth and security.  

Conversation w/   Shawn Smith, Director, Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP),   about the differences between Medicare fraud, abuse, and billing errors, and how SMPs help beneficiaries handle complaints related to these practices.

Conversation w/ Carter Florence, Vice President, Programs, Meals on Wheels America, and Mary Tugwell, President, Meals on Wheels of Arlington, about Meals on Wheels services, program enrollment, and volunteer opportunities.

Conversation w/ Sara Margolin, PhD, Associate Professor, SUNY Brockport, and Author, about falsehoods and myths perpetuated about aging, and the positive aspects of the aging process

Conversation w/ Jocelyn Wittstein, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon and Co-Author, about aging-related changes in older adult joints and bones due to osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, and food/beverages, dietary supplements, and exercises to help improve bone and joint health.