The Division of Social Work and the Center on Aging at West Virginia University will host the 34th Summer Institute on Aging, June 5-7, at the Waterfront Place Hotel & Conference Center in Morgantown.
The theme for this year’s conference is “Redefining & Celebrating Aging: Today, Tomorrow and Beyond.”
The first of many enlightening and engaging keynote speakers, Mary E. O’Brien, Ph.D., will kick off the conference on June 5 with “How Old Would You Be if You Didn’t Know How Old You Were?”
O’Brien is a nationally recognized geriatrician who skillfully discusses clinical medicine via entertaining presentations.
Keynote speeches will continue June 6 with Joshua Dower’s presentation of “Illusions of Time: Narrating Defining Moments.” Dower, of the WVU Department of Palliative Medicine, will discuss how patients’ stories impact health care professionals.
A lunch presentation, titled “Recent Developments on the Affordable Care Act,” will be given on June 7 by Perry Bryant. This year’s conference will conclude with the humorous “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Getting Older!,” by Jeffrey D. Elliot.
Enlightening workshops will also be offered to participants. These workshops will be categorized by topic codes and practitioner tracks, including: Adult Protective Service Workers; Cultural Competency/Diversity; Core Practice; Senior Center/ADRC directors & staff; Mental Health/Clinical and Management/Administration Policy.
These workshops will include, but are not limited to, key topics such as seniors and gambling; accessing health information online; activities for those with dementia; financial issues and skills among older adults; raising grandchildren in difficult times; hoarding and sexual health.
The Anita Harbert Outstanding Achievement in Aging award will also be given to Fairmont resident and medical social worker at Amedisys Home Care and Hospice, Jeanie DeVito Brennerman. The annual honor is awarded to a West Virginia social worker that has made a significant contribution in the field of aging. Three veteran practitioners; Juanita Bishop, Eric Rankin, and Fredericka White; will share lessons learned from their vast work experience during a lunch presentation on June 5, titled “Learning from the Legends”.
The conference has been approved for a maximum of 20 continuing education contact hours for licensed social workers in West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Social workers from other states should contact their respective licensure boards regarding approval prior to registering for the conference.
The 34th Summer Institute on Aging has also been approved for counseling hours. For a listing of approved WV LPC sessions, go to www.wvsioa.org.
This conference has been approved for a maximum of 22.8 CEUs for nurses through the WVU Center on Aging.
Conference participants will be provided lunch each day and free parking will be made available for commuters. The 34th Summer Institute on Aging is still accepting vendors for the conference. For more information on this event including a downloadable brochure, conference schedule and exhibitor application, please visit www.wvsioa.org.
For more information, contact Jacki Englehardt at 304-293-3280, or email Jacki.Englehardt@mail.wvu.edu.
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ap/05/22/12
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