Each year, the American Society on Aging hosts the Aging in America Conference. This multidiscipline conference draws experts from nearly every field to share ways to help seniors. Together, they’ll tackle many of the challenges and opportunities facing seniors every day. The Aging in America Conference draws around 3,000 professionals from all over the globe each year to learn, teach, and network at the largest conference focusing on improving the lives of older Americans.

The What, Where, and When

The conference – held at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square at 333 O’Farrell Street – kicked off yesterday. However, today is when the schedule really starts to heat up. Sessions run from 7:30AM until 7:30PM PT, covering a wide range of topics, from seniors in business to end of life care. The next two days feature sessions from 7AM to 7PM PT.

Tuesday, March 27, is a special night which will see the 10th Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiving Legacy Awards given. These awards honor organizations that improve the quality of life for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease. The Gilbert Awards accept submissions in three categories: Creative Expression, Diverse/Multicultural Communities, and Policy and Advocacy. This year’s winners are Jewish Family & Children’s Services, Florida State University Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, and ARTZ Philadelphia, respectively.

The General Sessions

The Aging in America Conference features four general sessions, or tentpole presentations that act as a centerpiece for the daily schedule. The conference’s opening general session from 4 to 5PM PT today is called “How Technology is Reinventing Aging.” This opening session features a panel discussion on the ways that technology is changing the way we view health care, caregiving, and social support. The session’s panelists are Ginna Baik, Daniel Herscovici, David Inns, Kate Lorig, Lilian Meyers, and Dr. David Rhew.

On Tuesday, Lance Robertson, Connie Benton Wolfe, Bob Blancato, and Malaz Boustani will present “The New Wave of Population Health Management: CBOs in the Forefront” from 11AM to 12PM PT. Attendees of this session will learn how a groundbreaking use of analytics and integrated systems can be used to better serve America’s seniors in their care and service needs. Wednesday’s session, “Ending Senior Poverty: Why We Can’t Wait” is a keynote presentation and discussion on new ways of looking at and ending senior poverty in this country. It will be hosted by Lisa Marsh Ryerson and Bob Blancato and runs from 11AM to 12PM PT.

The closing session is Thursday from 8 to 9:30AM PT. “A New Era in Alzheimer’s Innovation” will showcase the work of the medical researchers in this field and acts as an update to many. They’ll cover the triumphs, failures, and innovations that have been made in the past few years, while restating the patients’ need for access to therapy and aid. The presentation will be moderated by Lori Reilly and feature Bob Blancato, Phyllis Ferrell, Eric Karran, Matthew Kennedy, Brian Kursonis, and Jason Resendez.

Other Events and Sessions

Throughout the week of events, there will be a handful of symposiums, mini-conferences, and programs for conference attendees. Subjects will range from “charting your course in retirement” to “reaching minority and rural individuals with dementia.” Tuesday and Wednesday will also feature peer group discussions on a variety of topics. Those days will begin with morning exercises like yoga and a total brain health workout. What a way to start the day!

If you can’t make this year’s conference, but wish you could, don’t fret! The Aging in America Conference will be back in 2019 from April 15 to 18, in the Big Easy of New Orleans, LA. Volunteer options are also available for members of the American Society on Aging who want to get involved.

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Each year, thousands of people who are actively invested in helping improve the lot of millions of seniors gather to discuss and learn different ways that they can do just that. As we continue to strive to achieve this goal, conferences such as the Aging in America Conference are vital to the different disciplines sharing and working together for a brighter future.

Further Reading

American Society on Aging — Aging In America Conference