Aging Matters

Conversation w/ Kathleen Cameron, BSPharm, MPH, Pharmacist and Senior Director, Center for Healthy Aging, National Council on Aging, about medication-related problems, risks of multiple prescriptions, and over the counter drugs, and deprescribing medications to optimize use and improve outcomes.

Conversation w/ Aaron Guest, PhD, Socio-Environmental Gerontologist,  Arizona State University, about older adult health problems caused by  climate change, health provider roles to address climate change effects on patients, and raising awareness about climate change. 

Conversation w/ Celeste Greene, MA, Gerontologist, Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher, and Director, Celeste Greene Laughs, about basic principles of laughter yoga, practice fundamentals, and benefits to older adults.

Conversation w/ Stacey Iden, CVA, Program Manager, Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Northern Virginia, about the value of volunteering for older adults and volunteer opportunities with local community organizations and Americorps Seniors.

Conversation w/ Stan Goldberg, PhD, Professor Emeritus, San Francisco State University, and Author of Preventing Senior Moments, about senior moment basics - myths, causes, types, and prevention strategies – and differences between senior moments and dementia symptoms.

Conversation w/ Barbara Huelat, FASID, AAHID, EDAC, Healing Design  Strategist, and Author of Taming the Chaos of Dementia, about recognition  of dementia symptoms and changing behaviors, and practical interventions  to benefit persons with dementia and their caregivers.

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

Conversation w/with Francine Russo, Journalist and Author, Love After 50: How to Find It, Enjoy It, and Keep It, about concerns that prevent older adults from looking for love, dating options, and issues to consider in a new relationship.

Conversation w/ Emona Kraja, DDS and Randeep Sidhu, DDS, Primary Dental Care Providers, about dental conditions associated with aging, dental insurance coverage, and improving oral health.

Conversation w/ Marjorie Fox, JD, Certified Financial Planner and Co-Author, Women Wise: The Essential Guide to Financial and Lifestyle Decisions as We Age, about challenges older women face in their sunset years and how comprehensive and practical financial information can help prepare them for retirement.

Conversation w/ Jelena Kecmanovic, PhD, Clinical Psychologist/Founding Director, Arlington/DC Behavior Therapy Institute, about holiday blues among older adults and ways families can support them during the holidays.

Conversation with Ericka Crouse, PharmD, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, about aging and sleep, common sleep problems, and tips to get a good night’s sleep.

Conversation w/ Eric Anderson, MD, Director, Interventional Pulmonology, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and Associate Professor Georgetown University, about lung cancer prevalence, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Conversation w/ Michelle Thomas, Coordinator, Virginia Insurance Counseling & Assistance Program (VICAP), about the Medicare program, Medicare Open Enrollment opportunities, and VICAP services.

Conversation w/ Phyllis Wilson, President, and Marilla Cushman, Senior Advisor to the President, Military Women’s Memorial, about the history of women in the U.S. Military, their expanded roles in recent conflicts, and the Military Women's Memorial, a tribute to America's Servicewomen.

Conversation w/ Maria Spetalnik, Board Certified Professional Organizer and Founder/CEO, Conquer the Clutter, about causes, risk factors, treatment, and prevention of hoarding.

Conversation w/ Brian Taylor, AuD, Audiologist and Senior Director of Audiology, Signia, about age-related hearing loss and hearing aid styles/types/costs and how they work.

Conversation w/ Georges Benjamin, MD, Executive Director, American Public Health Association, about the new COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines and why older adults need them to avoid health complications and stay healthy.

Conversation w/ Ali Walker, Project 2025 Chair, and Keith Tate, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Chair/Board Member, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention National Capital Area Chapter, about risk factors, intervention, and prevention strategies for older adults at risk of suicide, and available resources to support family members affected by suicide.

Conversation w/ Sara Williams, President, Funeral Consumers Alliance, about goods, services and logistics associated with funeral planning, and how the Funeral Consumers Alliance helps consumers be prepared and protected when planning a funeral for themselves or loved ones.

Conversation w/ Sara Pappa, PhD, MCHES, Coordinator, Northern Virginia Falls Prevention Alliance, and Rainie Ames, Executive Producer, Saving Claire Falls Prevention Project, about falls-related injuries and prevention programs for older adults, and the Saving Claire Falls Prevention Project.

Conversation w/ Diane Kresh, Director, Arlington Department of Libraries, about how libraries are developing services to meet the diverse characteristics and unique circumstances of older adults and how Arlington Public Library is creating a user-friendly experience for older patrons.

Conversation w/ Kathryne Fassbender, Gerontologist and Certified Dementia Communications Specialist, about dementia, coping with the disease, stigmas and stereotypes about people living with dementia, and work of Reimagining Dementia Coalition.

Conversation w/ Edwin Fontanez, Author, One Last Song For My Father: A Son’s Memoir, about his relationship with his father from childhood to adulthood, the struggle to find a connection, and what he learned during his father’s 16-year long journey with senile dementia.

Conversation w/ Michael Westerman, MD, Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care Specialist, and Kristin Nannetti, MSN, RN, CHPN, Palliative Care Coordinator, Virginia Hospital Center, about types of and eligibility for palliative care, when and where it’s provided, palliative care team members, and hospice care transition.