Watch the recorded  FaceBook live streaming event on September 20,2022

Conferences - Age Friendly Arizona

Age of Connections Conference


September 20, 2022, 8:00 AM, Desert Willow Conference Center


Dear Age Friendly Arizona partners, communities, and stakeholders,

We are excited to announce the first-ever hybrid Age Friendly Arizona conference! Please join us for Age of Connections on Sept. 20 from 8am to 4pm at the Desert Willow Conference Center or online. There is no cost to attend but space is limited. Registration is closed.

This statewide conference will focus on helping communities connect older adults with the people, places and services that contribute to a great quality of life.

The event features some of the most talented leaders in age friendly communities throughout Arizona and beyond. Workshops tracks include promising practices in Transportation, Human Capital, Community Services, and Wellness.

If you have any questions, please contact Dillon Belmont at [email protected] or Amy St Peter at [email protected].


Conference Schedule


Agenda - Age of Connections Conference (PDF)

Cultivating Connections - Keynote Presentation (PDF)

Workshops - Morning Session: 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Transportation
In-Person
Connections Between the Built Environment and Transportation

How we build and connect communities impacts how people live and connect with each other. Inclusive planning for age friendly communities is key to keeping older adults engaged in civic life. Zachary Benedict, MKM architecture and design, will share how communities can strengthen the connection between placemaking and well-being.

Inclusive Placemaking Presentation

Virtual
The Role of Mobility Management

Arizona’s regional planning agencies create Coordinated Transportation Plans for their communities. Learn how Mobility Managers develop strategies and build partnerships to overcome the unique transportation challenges across Arizona. Tod Morris, Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG); Genine Sullivan, Pima Association of Governments (PAG); Chris Vertrees, SouthEastern Government Organization (SEAGO), will present.

Role of Mobility Management Presentation

Human Capital
In-Person
Neighbors Care Alliance, a Neighbors Helping Neighbors Program of Pima Council on Aging

Neighbors helping neighbors is a vital component to supporting older adults to live independently. The Alliance is an innovative model to assist neighborhoods and faith communities in creating and sustaining their own volunteer efforts. Mary O’Donoghue, Pima Council on Aging; and Lori Sherman, Tucson Estates Neighbors Helping Neighbors, will present.

Neighbors Care Alliance Presentation

Virtual

N/A

Community Services
In-Person
Dementia Capable Southern Arizona Initiative

Dementia Capable Southern Arizona increases understanding of Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias and improves the effectiveness of services. This includes outreach, awareness, screening efforts, training for businesses, and Memory Cafés. We are creating a dementia-friendly community in southern Arizona. Rebekah McGee and Harbhajan Khalsa, Pima Council on Aging, will present.

Dementia Capable Initiatives Presentation

Virtual
Dementia Friends Information Session

Dementia Friends is changing the way people think, act and talk about dementia. Learn the most common dementia types, communication tips and ways to build empathy. Everyone can make a difference in addressing dementia! Janice Greeno, Banner, and Courtney Allen, Benevilla and Surprise Dementia Friendly Action Team, will present.

Dementia Friends Presentation

Wellness
In-Person
Affordable Housing Action Plan for Older Adults

Learn about challenges and innovations in providing, funding, and developing policies to make affordable housing available for older adults. Elizabeth Cozzi, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona; Ann Chanecka, City of Tucson; and Jim Murphy, Tucson Elder Alliance will present the Affordable Housing Action Plan for Older Adults.

Affordable Housing Initiative Presentation

Virtual
Connecting in the Time of COVID

The pandemic exacerbated the isolation faced by many older adults, particularly in marginalized and underserved populations. Aaron Guest, Center for Innovation in Healthy and Resilient Aging, Arizona State University, will share his expertise on the latest research, policies and programs to engage older adults.

Connecting in the Time of COVID Presentation

 

Workshops - Afternoon Session: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Transportation
In-Person
Technology for Better Rural Ridership

Learn how technology assists transportation organizations to better serve rural riders. Luis Pedroza, City of Douglas, will present the ridership app created to assist Douglas Rides & Cochise Connection. Kim Gill, VICaP, will present a web-based model used by volunteer-driver programs.

Ridership Tracking App Presentation

Virtual

N/A

Human Capital
In-Person
How Volunteering Keeps Our Later Years Golden

Opportunities to connect with others makes our lives richer. Find opportunities to use your time and talents can improve your community and give new meaning to your days. Kent Ellsworth with Verde Valley Caregivers Coalition, Ellie Hutchison with Arizona Faith Network, and Ruth Pagán with JustServe.org will present.

Verde Valley Caregivers Presentation

JustServe Presentation

Virtual
Solutions for Staffing Challenges

Businesses nationwide are faced with new challenges as we face a “Tight Labor Market”. There seems to be a labor shortage as businesses work to fill vacant positions and meet the challenges of supply shortages and higher demands. How does business cope and survive? Eric Grisham, [email protected] Arizona, will present.

Solutions for Staffing Challenges Presentation

Community Services
In-Person
End of Life Planning and Approaches

The Arizona End of Life Care Partnership creates an ecosystem of person-centered care for our community to enhance the way we talk about death. Sarah Super Ascher, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, will present on the partnership as a model for collaboration and impact. Vicki Buchda, Arizona Healthcare and Hospital Association, will present on the organization’s work to reduce health disparities through accessibility and availability of Advance Care Planning documents.

End of Life Care Partnership Presentation

Advance Care Planning Presentation

Virtual
Older Adults in Crisis

When older adults are in crisis, they often suffer alone. Learn what is working to serve older adults experiencing domestic violence and older adult refugees. Alice Ghareib with the DOVES Program, Area Agency on Aging Region One; and Fadi Iskandar with International Rescue Committee in Arizona, will present.

Older Adults in Crisis Presentation

Wellness
In-Person
Community Connections

Maintaining strong and diverse community connections is essential. Laurai Atcitty, Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. - Area Agency on Aging, Region 8; Lorrie Karn, Benevilla; and Col. Wanda Wright, Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, will present on programs with adaptive fitness, Native nations, and veterans.

Presentation N/A

Virtual

N/A

 

Age of Connections logo
Event Sponsors

AARP AZ, Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, Vitalyst Health Foundation, SCAN Desert Health Plan, and The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Foundation

Planning Team

AARP AZ, Benevilla, Northern Arizona Council of Governments, Maricopa Association of Governments, Tucson Elder Alliance, VICAP, and the Vitalyst Health Foundation

Funded in part by the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services as made available through the Arizona Veterans’ Donations Fund.

Sponsor Logos