The Aging in Texas Conference (AiTC) is an annual gathering of individuals who work within the aging community.
2019 AiTC Breakout Session Presentations
Aging and Incarceration: Innovative Responses to Older Adults Preparing for Reentry
(Greenway A)
Speaker(s): Latosha Selexman, MPA, Division Manager- Community Reentry Network Program, City of Houston Health Department; James L. Bell, Bachelor of Science, Program Manager- Community Reentry Network Program, City of Houston Health Department
Description: This presentation will provide insight on the reentry landscape for the aging population. There are many older adults aging out of the Texas prison system as well as entering and exiting the local county jails. We will look at programs and services that are available to support the aging population upon return the community and innovative projects on the horizon in the Houston, Harris County, Texas area.
(Post Oak Ballroom A)
Speaker(s): Xavier Fonz Gonzalez, PhD, MSPH, Professional Assistant Professor of Biomedical Science, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
Description: The objective of this session is to provide an overview of research updates in the field of Alzheimer’s. Following the session, attendees will be familiar with the most recent information on disease etiology, evidence-based prevention strategies and treatments, improved diagnostic tool development, and ongoing community research.
Come and Play in My Sandbox: Creating a Community of Care Model
(Post Oak Ballroom C)
Speaker(s): Wendy Creighton, RN, BSN, CWCN, Healthy Texas- Making Moves with Diabetes Program Educator, Texas A&M Center for Population Health and Aging; Cindy Quinn, CHWI, BS in Gerontology, Active for Life Program Manager, Texas A&M Center for Population Health and Aging; Katharine Tuck, CHWI, BS in Psychology, Program Assistant
Description: Healthcare spending is at an all-time high, yet US residents are experiencing unprecedented rates of chronic disease, especially diabetes. The Texas A&M Center for Population Health and Aging collaborated with CHI St. Joseph to create a Diabetes Community of Care, a non-pharma approach to improve patient outcomes because health happens at home.
Deep East Texas Council of Governments’ (DETCOG’s) Transportation Voucher Program
(Post Oak Ballroom C)
Speaker(s): Natalie Villwock-Witte, PhD, Professional Engineer in New Mexico, Assistant Research Professor/Research Engineer, Western Transportation Institute (WTI), Montana State University
Description: The presentation will address a transportation voucher program developed for seniors in the Deep East Texas Council of Government (DETCOG) region, which was deployed as a pilot project in 2018. The presentation will include a discussion of the background, goals, deployment, challenges, and benefits of the pilot project, as well as current efforts to continue and expand the program.
Don’t Throw the Baby Out with the Bathwater; Undervaluing the Congregate Program
(Post Oak Ballroom C)
Speaker(s): Linda Netterville, MA, RD, LD, Dietician Consultant
Description: The congregate meal program is the cornerstone of the OAAA Nutrition Program. Research has proven that it supports successful aging within the community, yet there is a decline in participation statewide. This session will identify the relationship of the congregate program to the social determinants of health and programmatic actions that can be taken to keep it relevant.
Do’s & Don’ts of Medicare and Coordination Benefits
(Post Oak Ballroom C)
Speaker(s): Alejandra Rischan, Benefits Counselor II, Houston-Galveston Area Agency on Aging; Karina Villela, Benefits Counselor II, Houston-Galveston Area Agency on Aging
Description: This presentation is given in a variety of professional and community settings by the benefits counseling team at the Houston-Galveston Area Agency on Aging. Participants in this session will learn about the basics of Medicare, assistance programs and coordination of benefits between Medicare and other types of insurance.
Elder Abuse: What It Is, How to Spot it, How to Stop It
(Post Oak Ballroom A)
Speaker(s): Kimberly Hegwood, Attorney, Hegwood Law Group
Description: The number of baby boomers that are needing care is rising every day. Along with that is the number of elders that are being abused. Come learn what you need to know to protect yourself or a loved one from abuse.
Health Care Ethics: Defining and Applying Core Principles
(Post Oak Ballroom A)
Speaker(s): Peggy L. Determeyer, PhD, MDiv, MBA, BCC, McGee Fellow and Director, Community Bioethics and Aging Center, Hope and Healing Center & Institute
Description: Advances in health care have enabled people to live longer lives. What are some of the issues that arise with these advances? What are some of the core ethical principles and how are they applied? This presentation will review core principles and provide insights on ways of supporting aging individuals and their families.
How to Tap a Fountain of Youth: Dance to Benefit the Mind & Body
(Greenway A)
Speaker(s): Andrea Cody, BA, Director, Dance Houston
Description: Dance is good for the mind, body, and soul. Learn the latest research about the benefits of dance on mental and physical health in older adults. Take away practical and fun ways you can incorporate dance into activities and wellness plans for seniors and their caregivers. No experience necessary! (Dance Games Handout)
Partnering and Community For Older Adult Services
(Greenway A)
Speaker(s): Linda Branch, MA, LSW, Economic Case Worker, WellMed Charitable Foundation; Vivivian Nava-Schellinger, JD, Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships & External Affairs, National Council on Aging; Gloria G. Vasquez, Director, Aging Programs, Alamo Area Agency on Aging & Area Agency on Aging of Bexar County, Alamo Area Council of Governments
Description: This session will focus on partnerships, community building, and provide an overview of the National Council on Aging’s (NCOA) programs, services, and 2018-2019 collaborations with Texas partners, including information on the key community trust builders guiding it’s Benefit Enrollment Centers. Alamo Area Council of Governments will demonstrate how they became a Benefits Enrollment Center (BEC), partner with NCOA, and explain plans on growing reach and program impact in their region. Wellmed will demonstrate how expanding their economic casework initiatives will impact the lack of economic security in the region and across the state; with a focus on the reasons people are having problems accessing services, and the biggest challenges to building trust among individuals and in communities. This session will also touch on opportunities to provide solutions to access issues, education, and trust-building. (Best Practices- Breakout Session, Attendee Feedback)
Partnering with AmeriCorps VISTAs
(Greenway A)
Speaker(s): Claire Flahive Irwin, MA, Age Well Live Well Coordinator, Texas Health and Human Services Commission; Laura Marshall, Age Well Live Well VISTA Leader, Texas Health and Human Services Commission; Holly Riley; Manager, Health and Human Services Commission- Aging Services Coordination
Description: Participants will learn about creating partnerships with the help of AmeriCorps VISTA members and brainstorm innovative partnership projects. Hear about how Age Well Live Well VISTA members have applied
for and received grants, expanded the reach of health and wellness programs, and created an intergenerational gardening project in Houston.
Prepare Today: Enable Persons with Disabilities to Age in Place
(Post Oak Ballroom A)
Speaker(s): Boss Limlek, MSM, Research Assistant, TIRR Memorial Hermann- ILRU; Aaron J. Loeb, MBA, MS, RN-BC, PhD Student, Cizik School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center, Adjunct Clinical Instructor, Texas Woman’s University
Description: Safely aging in place is a concern for millions of Americans, including Texans with a disability. Persons with disabilities report a higher rate of disparity in accessing services. A recent Houston based survey demonstrates a need to strengthen community and healthcare partnerships to better meet aging in place needs.
(Greenway A)
Speaker(s): Susan Blevins, Care Transitions Intervention Coach, Care Coordination and VD-HCBS Specialist II, Alamo Area Council of Governments
Description: The Veteran Directed – Home and Community-Based Service is designed to help veterans remain in their homes or with family based on medical needs as opposed to having to live in a long-term facility. Working together, the VA and the Bexar Area Agency on Aging have partnered successfully with promising results for our veterans.
You Got This- Fostering Resilience in Older Adults
(Post Oak Ballroom A)
Speaker(s): Patricia Bordie, MPA, Director of Aging Service, Area Agency on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center of the Capital Area, Capital Area Council of Governments
Description: Resilience: the process of adapting well in the face of significant sources of distress plays an increasingly important role in successful aging. Learn more about ways aging network providers and community partners can support older adults in problem-solving, preparing for challenges and cultivating this essential component for well-being across the lifespan. (Brief Resilient Coping Scale Handout) (10 Ways to Build Resilience)