Measuring What Matters: Using the Adult Wellbeing Assessment (AWA) to Help Modernize Senior Centers

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Transforming senior centers and other organizations begins with measuring what matters. Since 2018, NCOA has been encouraging senior centers and other community-based organizations to use the Adult Wellbeing Assessment (AWA) to improve the holistic health and wellbeing of older adults. Jill Hall will describe how the Baltimore County Department on Aging (BCDA) has been using the AWA over a four-year period in 20 senior centers and with 15,000+ participants. She will describe how the information has shaped decision-making for allocating funds, developing programs and policies, discuss lessons learned and future plans. Yong Choi PhD will share initial findings and insights from the analysis of BCDA’s 4-year longitudinal AWA database highlighting the prevalence of health and wellbeing indicators by key demographic factors. Jim Firman will share a vision and roadmap for how senior centers (individually and collectively) can combine AWA assessments with emerging technologies to transform themselves into aging well centers.

Yong Choi

Assistant Adjunct Professor, Public Health Sciences

University of Califorrnia Davis Medical School

Dr. Yong Choi is an assistant professor at the Dept. of Public Health Sciences/Health Informatics Division in UC Davis School of Medicine. Dr. Choi conducts research focused on the design and evaluation of digital health technologies to support the aging-in-place of older adults by addressing their own needs and the needs of their family caregivers. His research provides evidence-based recommendations as to how to design digital health solutions that are easily adopted by older adults and integrated in their lives. Choi received his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Texas A&M University, his master’s degree in Public Health from Texas A&M University Health Science Center, and his doctorate in Biomedical and Health Informatics from University of Washington in Seattle, Washington.

James Firman MBA, Ed.D

Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer

BellAge Inc.

For more than 30 years, James Firman, EdD, has been a leading force for innovation in services, programs, and public policies for older persons. After 45 years of service in nonprofit and philanthropic organizations, including serving as NCOA CEO and President for 25 years, Firman recently co-founded BellAge Inc and BellAge Labs, social enterprises that are using artificial intelligence and machine learning to help millions of people across the world to age well.

Jill Hall

Division Chief & Acting Nutrition Program Manager Senior Centers and Community Services

Baltimore County Department of Aging

Jill Hall is Chief of the Senior Centers and Community Services Division for the Baltimore County Department of Aging. For the past 14 years, Jill has managed the operations of 21 senior centers, 36 nutrition sites, and the delivery of county-wide evidence-based health and wellness programs. Prior to Baltimore County, Jill was the supervisor of the Rockville Senior Center for 10 years and a senior recreation planning consultant for 15 years. Jill has twice served as the President of the Maryland Association of Senior Centers and been involved with the NCOA’s National Institute of Senior Centers in various capacities for 25 years. She takes on the role of NISC Chair in July.

Jean Van Ryzin (Moderator)

Senior Director, Communications

National Council on Aging

Jean Van Ryzin is Senior Director of Communications at NCOA, where she oversees all external messaging for the organization. Jean manages a team of marketing and communications specialists tasked with building the NCOA brand across multiple channels, including web, social, email, and public relations. Prior to working at NCOA, Jean had a freelance writing and editing business and worked for a variety of organizations in the aging field, including LeadingAge.