2023 Issues in Aging - Students, Older Adult, Family Caregivers

Issues in Aging 2023
Fair Enough: Equity, Care & Safety for Our Most Vulnerable 
Monday, April 24 FLYER

COST: $40 for Students, OlderAdults, Family Caregivers
Breakfast & buffet lunch are included!

LOCATION:
VisTaTech Center Schoolcraft College 18600 Haggerty Rd. Livonia, MI 48152

AGENDA

8:00-8:30AM  Light Breakfast, Vendor Tables

8:30-10:00AM,  75 minute lecture, 15 minute Q & A
Alzheimer’s Disease in African Americans: Current knowledge, challenges and keys to prevention 
Lisa L. Barnes, PhD
Alla & Solomon Jesmer Professor of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine 
Associate Director, Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center,
Rush, Alzheimer’s Disease Center

Existing research suggests that older African Americans are at greater risk of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. The disparity is often linked to a combination of factors including low socioeconomic resources, low education, and a higher prevalence of vascular conditions like diabetes and hypertension among African Americans. This presentation will present what is currently known about the reasons for the increased risk in this population and some of the current challenges that limit our progress in understanding reasons for the disparity. We will also discuss factors linked to being a racial minority that may account for some of the disparities. Finally, we will present some key prevention strategies that can be incorporated to help prevent the loss of cognition in old age. 

BREAK 10:00-10:25, Networking, Vendor Tables

10:30-12:00PM, 75 Minute Lecture,  15 minute Q & A
New Methods to Assess Financial Vulnerability, Exploitation and Wealth Loss in Older Adults

Peter A. Lichtenberg, PhD, ABPP
Director, Institute of Gerontology
Distinguished Service Professor of Psychology
Wayne State University

New evidence-based tools can help identify who is at heightened risk for financial vulnerability and for wealth loss. This presentation will focus on the development and validation of these tools and how they can be put into your practice. A new model of financial capacity will also be presented and illustrated through case studies.

LUNCH – 12:00-12:45PM

12:45-2:00PM, 75 Minute Lecture,  15 minute Q & A
Sharing What We Learn: Talking with older adults about the results of Alzheimer’s testing

Annalise Rahman-Filipiak, PhD
Assistant Professor & Clinical Neuropsychologist, University of Michigan
Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

How health information is communicated, such as a new diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or dementia – Alzheimer’s type, is an important predictor of wellbeing and how well medical recommendations are followed.  The sensitive disclosing of these results can also be a tool for building rapport with patients and research participants, especially when it enlists bi-directional communication and partnership. Dr. Rahman-Filipiak will review the current literature about providing neuropsychological and diagnostic feedback to older adults and their families. She will also discuss ethical and practical challenges in disclosing information about Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers to a range of patients from cognitively symptomatic to asymptomatic.  The discussion will focus on how social determinants mandate person-centered and culturally informed protocols rather than a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach.

2:00-3:30PM, 75 Minute Lecture, 15 minute Q & A
Healthcare Help for Family Caregivers of Frail Older Adults

Terri Harvath, PhD, RN, FAAN, FGSA
Clinical Professor, School of Nursing, University of Minnesota

Family caregivers of frail older adults often find they must interact with healthcare professionals more than usual.  These stresses can strain personal and professional relationships and impact quality of care.  How can healthcare professionals partner more effectively with family caregivers of frail older adults? Dr. Harvath will describe how to identify a family caregiver, how to assess the caregiver to determine what assistance or support is needed, and how to help them navigate some of the ethical dilemmas they encounter in their family caregiving role.

3:30PM  CLOSING, RAFFLE DRAWINGS

Thank you to the following organizations for their support of this conference

PREMIER PARTNER
Alzheimer’s Association of Michigan

SUPPORTERS
Allegria Village
Area Agency on Aging 1-B
BrightStar Care
Center for Financial Planning
CorsoCare & Affiliates
Heart to Heart Hospice
Henry Ford Health Systems
Jewish Family Services Jewish Senior Life
PACE of Southeast Michigan
Presbyterian Village of Michigan
ProMedica Senior Care
Senior Caregiver Resource Network
Waltonwood Senior Living Communities