Wednesday April 23, 2025
Conference Agenda Day 1: Virtual Day Via Zoom
up to 4.5 CEU credits and BELTSS CEs are available for attending sessions
8:00 - 8:15 am
Opening Remarks with Bob Koehler, Roberta Meyers and Heidi Holste
8:15 - 8:30 am
State demographer
Annual Updates with Susan Brower, PhD
8:30 - 9:00 am
Opening Keynote
AFMN Blueprint Update and Recent Findings Michael Saindon MPA and Farah Baig PhD
Learning Objectives
- Understand the details in the Minnesota Multisector Blueprint for Aging
- Learn about the impact of Age-Friendly Minnesota grants
- Learn about the role of the Age-Friendly Minnesota Action Teams
9:30 - 9:45 AM BREAK
9:45 - 10:45 AM
BREAKOUTS #1:
1A: Effective Strategies for Service Seniors with Vision Loss (Clinical Track)
Lisa Larges, Stacy Shamblott CTRS , Edward Lecher , Charlene Guggisberg
In this presentation SSB staff will offer simple strategies that can be easily shared with seniors living with low vision. Having the tools and resources to live well with vision loss is a key component to building an age-friendly Minnesota.
Presenters will present some of the advances in technologies that can increase senior's capacity for independence; they will share information on how to connect with free resources from the State of Minnesota; most of all, they will provide attendees with simple, teachable techniques that can make an immediate difference for seniors struggling with vision loss.
1B: Educating Age-Friendly Healthcare Professionals: Utilizing MN Northstar Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program Interdisciplinary Educational Materials and Programs More (Clinical Track)
Kristine Talley PhD CNP RN; Stephen Shuman DDS MS FGSA FICD; Cliff Whetung PhD MSW; Sharon Kimble PT DPT;
Teresa Schicker MPA; Teresa McCarthy MD; Christina Cauble MBA LNHA HSE; Rhiannon Willams PhD
We will share updates on interprofessional collaborative practice competencies and discuss how to use and evaluate the interprofessional learning experiences and materials created by the MN Northstar GWEP including: the Interprofessional Geriatrics Case Competition, Dementia Friends, the Age Friendly Care and Education Collection, Geriatric Education Toolkits, Geri Preceptor Tip sheets, Dementia Friendly Dental Practices, and Indigenous Cognitive Health.
1C: Accessing Outdoor Space and Social Connections as We Age (Social Supports Track)
As we age, our ability to access outdoor spaces and stay socially connected plays a vital role in maintaining physical health, emotional well-being, and community engagement. This session will explore how walkable infrastructure and connections to nature contribute support healthy aging.
Participants will learn how safe, accessible walking (or rolling) routes foster social ties and support healthier, more inclusive neighborhoods—while also examining how outdated, car-centric infrastructure can be a barrier, particularly for marginalized populations. In addition, we’ll look at statewide efforts to connect Minnesotans 55+ with nature, highlighting promising programs, key findings from a recent field scan, and ongoing work to share models and build awareness. Together, we’ll consider tools and resources—from AARP’s free walkability guides to innovative nature-based programming—that can help communities design healthier, more connected futures for older adults.
1D: PANEL Discussion: Age-Friendly Community Innovations: Insights from Indigenous and Rural Community Based Researchers (Social Supports Track)
Natalya Walker-Muller BA, Kelsie Larson RDN MPH, January Johnson BSW, Kirsten Cruikshank MSW, Collette Pederson
Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team (MK-MDT) is located at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus. The mission of MK-MDT is to engage Indigenous and rural communities in culturally meaningful research to improve dementia and brain health outcomes for all. Our foundation research approach is grounded in community-based participatory research methods, including the hiring of local community-based researchers (CBRs). In this panel, four of our CBRs – two from Tribal communities, and two from rural Northern Minnesota – will discuss the ways in which their communities are embracing, uplifting, and incorporating age-friendly initiatives.
1E: PANEL: Engaging Community Leaders (Leadership Track)
Mark Roisen GF-LAH/BNP, Laura Eaton, Jason W. Swanson, Larissa Schwenk
Our panel discussion would begin with a power point introducing attendees to the GF-LAH/BNP and the Granite Falls organizations represented on the panel. We will show how we work together in serving the seniors in our community. We will highlight some past examples of collaborative programs, including: a memory cafe, memory choir, Dementia Friends Education, intergenerational writing workshops and tech-ed for seniors' workshops, Evidence-Based Matter of Balance classes and other events and programs. The presentation will conclude with a set of questions designed to engage the audience in a group discussion.
Learn more
10:45-11:00 am BREAK
11:00 - 12:00 PM
BREAKOUTS #2
2A: 60 - Learning Across the Lifespan: The Role of an Age-Friendly University (Leadership Track)
Meghan Coleman DC; Miriam Nkemnji DNP MPH BSN RN; Mary Beth Lakin
Around the globe, people are living longer than ever. As life expectancies increase, the familiar model of a three-stage life (school > work > retirement) is becoming outdated. Instead, an emerging multi-stage life model describes people entering, leaving, and re-entering work and learning experiences well into their 70's and 80's.
2B: Bridging the Gap: Advancing Effective Communication and Hearing Accessibility Across Minnesota
(Clinical Track)
Jacqueline Weycker AuD, Anne Janckila, Judy Leach, RID, CI&CT, NAD IV,SLPI
Addressing communication and hearing loss barriers is crucial for enhancing the health and well-being of older adults. In this session, all speakers will address how their work can foster healthier, more inclusive communities by improving communication.
2C: Supporting Independence for People Living with Dementia (Clinical Track)
Heidi Haley-Franklin MSW, LICSW; Alison Curry
This session focuses on helping support people living with dementia participate in meaningful daily activities while providing the right amount of support and balancing safety and independence while managing expectations.
2D: The Future is Age-Friendly Transportation (Social Supports Track)
Jane Mahoney, Jess Luce MPA, Robyn Bernady MSW
One of the key aspects of leading a fulfilling and active life is having the ability to travel to desired destinations. While many individuals have access to personal vehicles, age-related changes can often lead to a decreased ability or desire to drive.
2E: Aging in Rural MN (Social Supports Track)
Megan Lahr,MPH, Rebecca Sash LGSW; Lori Vrolson BA MS
Older adults in these areas encounter significant barriers, from limited transportation and health care access to social isolation and housing challenges, all of which impact their quality of life. This session will explore the findings of a comprehensive research project aimed at identifying gaps in existing support systems
12:00-12:45 pm
LUNCH
12:45 - 1:45 PM
BREAKOUTS #3
3A: Understanding the Unique Needs & Barriers of the Older LGBTQIA+ Population (Clinical Track)
In 23 years of practice serving older adults in their homes, I have witnessed, practically and from research, that the older adult LGBTQIA+ population has a unique set of needs and barriers because of a history of traumatic discrimination. This session will help gerontologists understand sexual orientation and gender identity in the context of that historical perspective to create practices that are welcoming and affirming for the older adult LGBTQIA+ population and their careers.
3B: Becoming: An Essential Grief/Hope Continuum (Social Supports Track)
Too often images of aging minimize becoming, especially for those living with losses. Static or reactive approaches can undermine future stories. Honestly facing losses AND embracing one's future will be addressed as a continuum of well-being.
3C: Sexual Health and Wellness for Marginalized Patients (Clinical Tracks)
This presentation is a power point with lecture that goes through many points about the sexual health and wellness of marginalized folks as it pertains to patients in group homes and assisted living centers/memory cares. The presentation will touch on the importance of physical touch, sexual self advocacy, barriers, beliefs, warning signs of abuse and how staff can answer sex related questions.
12:45 - 1:15 PM
3Da: AFMN Speaker Mission to Practice: A Private University’s Journey to Becoming an Age Friendly University
Tanya Rand EdD MSW LICSW, Robert Shoemake, Karin Trail-Johnson
In this session, participants will learn how St. Thomas worked towards this designation. The presentation will also highlight the ways in which the University of St. Thomas, inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition is advancing the common good for older adults.
1:15 - 1:45 PM
3Db: AFMN Speaker Stronger Together: Fostering Multigenerational Inclusion and Connection at the YMCA
Support for inter-generational social engagement efforts in this increasingly diverse community.
12:45 - 1:15 PM
3Ea: AFMN Speaker Healthy Aging Community Learning Project: Survey Before Service
Jenny West, Heidi Ricks, COTA/L
Inter-generational community engagement to better understand needs of Latine elders and their families related to services and caregiving; includes training and employing community youth to undertake engagement.
1:15 - 1:45 PM
3Eb: AFMN Speaker- Bridging Generations: Unlocking the Power of Intergenerational Opportunities
Through the support of the Minnesota Age Friendly Grant, West Central Area Schools has been able to facilitate weekly visits to four different senior facilities throughout their district at all grade levels. Both seniors and students have experienced benefits from these intergenerational opportunities creating shared memories and building lasting connections. Join this presentation to better understand the structural components of this initiative, enjoy the “feel-good stories” and heartwarming pictures, and learn how you can do this in your communities.
1:45 - 2:00 PM Closing Comments
