Remarks from Fed Partners – 10:05 – 10:30AM EST (5 minutes each) 

Keynote - Q&A Discussion – 10:25 -10:50am EST 

Please Note: CE is not available for this presentation

Dan Harris, Murrow & Emmy Award-Winning Journalist, Host of '10% Happier Podcast', and #1 NYT Bestselling Author of '10% Happier

Ramsey Alwin, President & CEO, National Council on Aging

Break 

What do you do or say when someone you’re working with has experienced a loss by suicide? Suicide disproportionately impacts white males over the age of 65. In this session you will learn strategies to support prevention efforts, recognize suicide triggers in a trauma-informed way and navigate sensitive conversations.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Identify strategies to support suicide prevention efforts. 
2. Recognize suicide triggers in a trauma-informed way. 
3. Employ effective communication strategies to navigate conversations about suicide loss. 

Eligible for 1 CE with live participation

Dr. Maryann Mason, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Northwestern University

Kristi Horner, Founder and Executive Director, Courage to Caregivers

Shannon Ortiz, Founder, Light after Loss

Lawrence “Laurie” Baron, Caregiver, Courage to Caregivers

Walker Tisdale

This session will focus on visual art and the power of creativity and the arts to empower anyone struggling with a mental health condition. We will further highlight how this work allows for the exploration of thought and emotions in a safe and supportive environment with a focus on our older adult community. Participants tap into and celebrate their creativity while interacting and learning from their peers and helping audience members of all ages see older adults in a new light and help people recognize their own biases about aging. It touches the heart of the audience and helps other older adults realize they are not alone. Music, theater, dance, creative writing and other participatory arts show promise for improving older adults’ quality of life and well-being, from better cognitive function, memory and self-esteem to reduce stress and increase social interaction.

Learning Objectives:

1. Examine how improvisational drama can improve older adult’s quality of life and well-being.
2. Analyze improvisational drama experience demonstration.
3. Identify strategies to implement similar arts programing to support older adult mental health

Eligible for 1 CE with live participation

Susan Berger, Aging System Coordinator, Sarasota County Government

Hedda Matza-Haughton, President, "For the Health of It" Consultation Services

Carrie Seidman, Director, FACEing Mental Illness

Kari Benson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging, Administration on Aging

Improving Mental Health in Older Adults with Chronic Wounds

Speaker: Dr. Emily Samuels

Chronic wounds often cause pain, sleep disturbance, and reduced mobility, leading to functional declines and social isolation, particularly in older adults. Depression, which is common among chronic wound patients, can worsen healing and treatment adherence, creating a vicious cycle. This approach integrates physical and psychological care, including screening for depression and social isolation, and is crucial for improving both mental and physical outcomes in geriatric patients.

Learning Objectives
Older adults with chronic wounds are susceptible to depression and anxiety. To support this population, the learner will to:

1. Identify risk factors
2. Understand the reasons for screening
3. Create a care plan to screen and address depression/anxiety

Enhancing Mental Health Care for Older Adults: A Collaborative Practice Model for Chronic Care Management

Speaker: Dr. Mary Bonnet

The University of Rochester Medical Geriatrics Group has developed a practice model to improve the management of mental health conditions among older adults, with an emphasis on chronic care. The model involves a comprehensive 90-minute initial visit and regular follow-up visits, ensuring continuous, coordinated care through a collaborative approach between attending physicians and advanced practice providers. This model aims to optimize medical and mental health outcomes and promote individualized, patient-centered care for older adults.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the key components of the University of Rochester's practice model for managing mental health in older adults, including the roles of attending physicians and advanced practice providers.
2. Discuss the benefits of a collaborative care approach in managing chronic mental health conditions and ensuring continuity of care for older adults.
3. Identify strategies for improving mental health outcomes in older adults, including comprehensive medication reviews, including psychotropic medication management

Using the Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) to Screen Older Adults for Mental Health Disorders

Speaker: Dr. Lauren Okamoto 

The presentation highlights the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) as a valuable tool for improving the quality of life in older adults by promoting preventive mental health screenings. It discusses the development and implementation of an interprofessional AWV teaching clinic, demonstrating increased depression screening rates and patient satisfaction through a collaborative interprofessional approach. The findings emphasize the importance of the Medicare AWV for enhancing mental health wellness older adults.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe how the annual wellness visit (AWV) serves as a tool for preventive mental health screening in older adults
2. Encourage use of the AWV to increase screening for mental health issues among older adults
3. Use AWV screening to improve patient-centered care and patient satisfaction

Eligible for 1 CE with live participation

Dr. Lauren Okamoto, Assistant Professor, Department of Geriatric Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM).

Dr. Mary Bonnet, Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Rochester

Emily Samuels, Assistant Professor, Mount Sinai Hospital

Jennifer Solomon

Retirement is a central life transition for millions and understanding its impact on mental health is critical. Whether retirement comes by choice or circumstances, learn what contributes to doing well in retirement and how to design services that support well-being in retirement.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Examine retirements (chosen or unchosen) impact on mental health
2. Explain researched identified strategies that support doing well in retirement.
3. Identify approaches to support well-being in retirement.

Eligible for .25 CE with live participation

Dane James, Graduate Research Assistant, University of British Columbia Retirement Lab

Nicole Carson, Graduate Research Assistant, University of British Columbia Retirement Lab

Jenessa Glanz, Graduate Research Assistant, University of British Columbia Retirement Lab

What mental health concerns bring older adults to treatment? Hear from a Licensed Psychologist, Gerontology Professor and older adult herself what really impacts older adult mental health. Learn how evidence-based programs like Healthy IDEAS (Identifying Depression and Empowering Activities for Seniors) can significantly improve mental health outcomes for older adults.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Discuss common mental health issues experienced by older adults. 
2. Examine outcomes of Healthy IDEAS program research.
3. Identify strategies to promote positive mental health and well-being within your older adult population.

Eligible for 1 CE with live participation

Dr. Angela Hauger, Licensed Psychologist, Professor Emeritus, College of St. Scholastica

Katrina Kyle, Health and Wellness Statewide Coordinator, Pennsylvania Department of Aging

Melissa Donegan, LSW, Director, Healthy Living Center of Excellence, AgeSpan

National Health Care for the Homeless Council - Older Adults Experiencing Homelessness Overview

Learn how implementing a mental health care access initiative in a community center increased access to mental health services, removed barriers and stigma related to mental health and built friendships.

Learning Objectives:

1. Explain steps necessary to bring mental health care to community-based organizations. 
2. Identify outcomes of implementing mental health care access in community centers.
3. Discuss strategies to support individual experiences in your program(s).

Eligible for 1 CE with live participation

Kerly Serrano, LMSW, Director, Older Adult Center, Sunnyside Community Services

Javier Osorio, Geriatric Mental Health Coordinator, Sunnyside Community Services

Lucia Novic

Shyvonne Noboa

The Trauma Informed Approaches for Adults with Disabilities (TRIAD) Project at Minot State University in North Dakota is applying person-centered trauma informed (PCTI) care principles to support healing from trauma and contribute to significantly improved quality of life for older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The emotional well-being of older adults with IDD is often overlooked and their need for healing from trauma is frequently unmet. Unresolved trauma can result in worsened physical and emotional symptoms for these individuals as they age. Learn about the impact of this project and how offering trauma screening tools, training, and resources can pave the path to support older adults with IDD.

Learning Objectives:

1. Examine how past trauma affects the physical and emotional health of older adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
2. Describe the lack of services for older adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who have gone through trauma
3. Identify ways to provide care that focuses on the needs of older adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and is sensitive to their trauma

Eligible for 1 CE with live participation

Lori Garnes, Executive Director, North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities, Minot State University

JoLynn Webster, Director of Human Potential, North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities, Minot State University

Alana Knoppow, Project Manager, The Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care at Jewish Federations of North America

Karyn Harvey, PhD, Clinician/Trainer/Writer

Dawn Olsen

Stacy Nonnemacher

Opioid use among older adults continues to rise despite an overall decrease in opioid use among the general population. Learn how to de-stigmatize SUDs among older adults, communication and intervention strategies to best support older adults living with substance use disorders.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify ways to de-stigmatize substance use disorders (SUDs) among older adults. 
2. Discuss how care management strategies focused on social determinants of health can positively impact those who are living with SUDs. 
3. Describe intervention strategies (i.e. SBIRT) that can be used to support older adults living with SUDS.

Eligible for 1 CE with live participation

Bailee Brekke, PhD candidate and Graduate Assistant, Social Gerontology, Miami University

Amanda Krisher, Associate Director, Behavioral Health, NCOA

Nicole Cadovius, MBA, MSM, CAPS and FAAIDD, Director Strategic Programs, National Council on Mental Wellbeing

Break - HRSA Geriatrics Academic Career Awards

3:30 to 4:30 PM ET: The Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: How Wisconsin is mitigating the effects through Social Connection. 
Changes in health, losses, sensory changes, memory loss, and disability can increase the risk of loneliness and isolation. Learn how the Wisconsin Institute for Health Aging (WIHA) and the WI Coalition for Social Connection are reducing isolation and loneliness. Leave with tangible strategies to improve social connection among older adults.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Explain the purpose of the Coalition and its impact.
2. Examine risk factors that can increase social isolation and loneliness.
3. Identify strategies to increase social connections among older adults.

4:30 to 4:50 PM ET: Mindfulness: Practical Strategies to Support Self-Care
Dr. Lenee Cook-Braxton, PsyD, M.S., RYT will guide participants through encouraging conversations and journaling exercises to promote individual and group self-care practices. The experience will end with a brief meditation to foster community, growth, and self-awareness.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Describe how self-care strategies can have a positive impact on both physical and mental health.
2. Apply strategies to promote individual and group self-care practice.
3. Identify positive outcomes of meditation practice.

4:30 to 5:00 PM ET: Closing Remarks 

Eligible for 1.5 CEU with live participation

Suzanne Morley, CHES, Health Promotion Program Coordinator, Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging

Lenee Cook-Braxton

Katie Clark, Health Policy Analyst, Administration for Community Living (ACL)