Aging Matters

Conversation w/ Susan I. Wranik, MS, MA, CCC-SLP, Linguist and Speech-Language Pathologist, about problems and disorders treated with speech therapy, treatment techniques, and benefits of speech therapy for older adults.

Conversation w/ Michael DiGeronimo, CTRS, Director, Arlington (VA) Adult Day Program, and William Zagorski, CEO, American Senior Care Centers, and Board Chair, National Adult Day Services Association, about adult day program services and how the program supports family caregivers.

Conversation w/Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, President, The John A. Hartford Foundation, and Ken Dychtwald, PhD, Founder/CEO, Age Wave, about key findings of a national survey, “Meeting the Growing Demand for Age-Friendly Care: Health Care at the Crossroads,” and how geriatric health care can be improved.

Conversation w/ Michelle Thomas, Coordinator, Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program, about Medicare parts and enrollment, Medicare Advantage Plans, and State Health Insurance Assistance Programs.

Conversation w/ with Damon Iacovelli, MAcOM LAc, Acupuncturist and Herbalist, Alleva Acupuncture, about acupuncture therapy, how it affects the body, health conditions treated, and the therapy session experience.  

Conversation w/ Stephanie Hoopes, PhD, National Director, United for ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), and Rosie Allen-Herring, MBA, President and CEO, United Way of the National Capital Area, about ways to measure financial hardship and how United Way programs/services help ALICE older adults and families in need.  

Conversation w/ Christy Cole, Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer, Arlington Community Foundation, about the meaning of philanthropy, suggestions for older adults to make a contribution to their communities, and creation and implementation of a strategic plan for philanthropic giving.

Conversation w/ Claire Hannah, Executive Director, Association of Immunization Managers, about Covid-19, flu, and RSV vaccines in addition to other immunizations older adults need to avoid health complications and stay healthy.

Conversation w/ Larry Payne , PhD, yoga therapist, Founder, Samata International Yoga and Health Center, and Founder, International Association of Yoga Therapists, about yoga types, how to practice yoga, and benefits for older adults.

Conversation w/ Greg Ferro, EdD, U.S. history and presidential election lecturer, about older adults’ role in previous presidential elections, and how and for whom they decide to vote; also, the 2024 election, how it differs from previous elections, and factors likely to determine the winner.

Conversation w/ Amy Sanders, MD, Dementia Neurologist, Sunday Health, and Clay Ackerly, MD, Primary Care Physician, Co-Founder. Ackerly McBride Group, and Senior Clinical Advisor, Sunday Health, about cognitive decline among older adults, cognitive assessment tests and treatment, and how the condition can be prevented.

Conversation w/ Eileen Bogdanoff, ancestry advanced researcher, about how tracing family roots through genealogy benefits older adults and their families, and ways to conduct genealogy research to ensure success in learning about one’s family history,

Conversation w/ Kira Vanderlan, CEO/ Owner, Zestful Design, and Joan Palmquist, Member, AARP Speakers Team, MN, about effective ways to declutter and downsize and how professional organizers can help.

Conversation w/ Anne Marie Farage-Smith, pet loss grief counseling professional, and author, Healing Wisdom for Pet Loss, An Animal Lover’s Guide to Grief,   faragesmith.com , about emotional challenges older adults face when relocating and parting with beloved pets, and ways to adjust to life without a pet. 

Conversation w/ Kelly Bulkeley, PhD, psychologist of religion and dream researcher, www.faragesmith.com, about the meaning and incidence of dreams among people of different ages, dreaming among older adults, and how dreams can help them address unresolved issues. 

Conversation w/ Jessica Wynter Martin, Master AI Consultant, about why AI-enabled technology holds the potential to improve older adults’ well-being, examples of how AI currently serves this population, and pros/cons to be addressed as the technology evolves. 

Conversation w/ Tish Hevel, Founder/CEO, Brain Donor Project, about neurological disorders among older adults, obstacles to discovering treatments and cures, and donation to the Brain Donor Project.

Conversation w/ Nicholas Proffitt, Community Liaison Officer, VA Office of the Attorney General, and Trudy Marotta, AARP Community Ambassador and Fraud Watch Network Speaker, about scams, fraud and identity theft that scammers use to target older adults, how to avoid being a victim, and resources to protect older consumers. 

Conversation w/ Aimee Halbruner, Vice President of Music Education, and Leanne Belasco, Director of Music Therapy, Levine Music, about benefits of music activities and education for older adults, impact on their lives, and available musical courses, programs, and events.

Conversation w/ Nicholas Schor, MD, Geriatric Psychiatrist, about older adult mental health problems, how misinformation and ageism impact healthcare provider attitudes towards these patients, and treatment and prevention of mental health disorders among older adults.

Conversation w/ Holly Garriock, PhD, Chief Cohort Development Officer, All of Us  Research Program, National Institutes of Health, about issues limiting conduct of aging-related research studies, efforts to change that practice, and information older adults should know before participating in aging-related research studies.

Conversation w/ Bill Rawls, MD, Integrative Health Practitioner, and Author, The Cellular Wellness Solution, about how stress on body cells increases chronic illness risk and hastens aging, and how herbal therapy and a healthy lifestyle can aid healing and improve wellness.

Conversation w/ Emily Nabors, Senior Program Specialist, Center for Healthy Aging, National Council on Aging, about issues older travelers should handle when planning a domestic or international trip, and tips to remember during the journey to ensure a safe, fun and memorable experience.

Conversation w/ Camden Doran, Supervisor, Northern Virginia LTC Ombudsman Program, and Amity Overall-Laib, Director, National  Ombudsman Resource Center, about the ombudsman program, how it addresses LTC facility resident complaints, and advice for families seeking a LTC facility for a loved one.

Conversation with Barbara Sullivan, National Director, Village to Village Network, about the village model including administration, membership, programs/services, and Wendy Zenker, Executive Director, Arlington Neighborhood Village, and Scott Parkin, President, Reston for a Lifetime, about how their organizations serve older adults in their communities.