2021 Events

Webinar

Providing Unique Lifelong Learning Opportunities During COVID-19
Lifelong learning offers older adults an opportunity to engage in activities that enrich their lives and contribute to healthy aging. The January 21, 2021 webinar focused on lifelong learning as a form of social engagement. Speakers from the National Resource Center for Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes, SeniorsPlus (an Area Agency on Aging based in Lewiston, ME) and PSS (a nonprofit based in New York City) shared how they have adapted lifelong learning efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to continue to offer social engagement opportunities. Speakers also offered tips to help organization create lifelong learning offerings or adapt existing offerings during the pandemic. Watch the recording below and click here for full slides.

WEBINAR

Addressing Social Isolation Through Senior Housing During COVID-19

While the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the need for physical distancing, the Aging Network has found creative ways to continue to offer opportunities for engagement to address social isolation in senior housing facilities. The February 24, 2021 engAGED webinar featured speakers from the American Association of Service Coordinators, Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc. and Atlanta Regional Commission on how they are addressing social isolation in senior housing through different initiatives and partnerships. Watch the recording below and click here for full slides.

Webinar

Social Engagement and Nutrition: Innovations for Today and the Future

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, congregate nutrition and home-delivered meal programs quickly adapted to meet nutrition needs while finding creative ways to offer critical social engagement opportunities for older adults in the home. The March 23, 2021 engAGED webinar featured speakers from the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs, Meals on Wheels America and the Northern Arizona Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging on how nutrition programs have innovated to address social isolation during the pandemic. As we met the one-year mark of the pandemic, speakers also addressed the future of social engagement through nutrition programs. Watch the recording below and click here for full slides.

Webinar

More Than Books: Libraries As Hubs for Social Connection

In communities across the country, libraries provide valuable services, programs and initiatives that enhance the quality of life of community members. Libraries can also serve as a key partner for the Aging Network in helping older adults stay engaged and connected to their communities. The April 19, 2021 engAGED webinar featured speakers from three Area Agencies on Aging, including a member of the American Library Association, who highlighted innovative partnerships their AAAs have formed with libraries, how they have enhanced partnerships during COVID-19 to address increased social isolation and how other Aging Network organizations can create similar partnerships and programs. Watch the recording below and click here for full slides.

WEBINAR

Serving Asian American and Pacific Islander Older Adults: Programs and Practices to Help AAPI Older Adults Stay Engaged

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, engAGED hosted a webinar focused on social engagement among AAPI older adults. On the May 26, 2021 webinar, the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging shared important cultural considerations for the Aging Network when working with AAPI older adults and how their Senior Community Service Employment Program is addressing social isolation. Attendees also heard from South Shore Elder Services and Bilingual International Assistant Services on programs they offer geared toward AAPI older adults and how other organizations can replicate similar programs in their community to keep AAPI older adults engaged. Watch the recording below and click here for full slides.

WEBINAR

Serving LGBTQ Older Adults: Innovative Approaches to Help LGBTQ Older Adults Stay Engaged

In recognition of Pride Month, engAGED hosted a webinar on June 22, 2021 focused on social engagement among LGBTQ older adults. During the webinar, SAGE Advocacy and Services for LGBT Elders highlighted social isolation in the LGBTQ community and some of SAGE’s efforts to address it. AgeOptions and Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley and North Shore shared programs and services they offer geared toward LGBTQ older adults and how other organizations can develop similar opportunities to help LGBTQ older adults stay engaged and connected. Watch the recording below and click here for full slides.

WEBINAR

Older Adult Learning and Technology: Best Practices and Resources

Providing opportunities for older adults to develop and expand their technology knowledge and skills helps to support social engagement. The August 27, 2021 engAGED webinar focused on older adult learning and technology. Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) described options and best practices for teaching technology to older adults, shared key resources and highlighted emerging practices for hybrid in-person and online learning. The National Resource Center for Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes shared how the Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes offer educational opportunities to older adults, with an emphasis on technology training and online learning opportunities. Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging shared information on their Bridging the Digital Divide program, including an overview of the program, lessons learned, outcomes and tips for others to consider in replicating the program. Watch the recording below and click here for full slides.

WEBINAR

Promoting Social Engagement in Senior Centers: Local Examples and Looking Ahead

The September 15, 2021 engAGED webinar focused on promoting social engagement in senior centers, During the webinar, the National Institute of Senior Centers highlighted the importance of senior centers and the integral role they play in developing innovative and creative social engagement opportunities for older adults. Attendees also heard from Duxbury Senior Center and City of Calabasas Senior Center on the local social engagement programs they are implementing to engage mind, body and spirit to promote older adult health and well-being. Speakers also shared their insights into the latest efforts to re-open and their vision for future programming. Watch the recording below and click here for full slides.

Webinar

Addressing Social Isolation Through Health Care Contracting

To maximize their members’ health, health care plans recognize the importance of addressing social isolation. The October 20, 2021 engAGED webinar focused on the health impacts of social isolation on older adults and highlighted opportunities for community-based organizations to contract with health plans to address this growing concern. The Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio discussed their partnership with Molina Healthcare to provide social engagement programming to older adults. Watch the recording below and click here for full slides.

Webinar

Addressing Social Isolation in Rural America

The November 19, 2021 webinar focused on addressing social isolation of older adults living in rural America. During the webinar, the UMaine Center on Aging provided background on rural aging and issues that impact older adults living in rural communities, including social isolation. Attendees also heard from the Jefferson Area Board for Aging and the Wyandotte Nation Title VI Aging Program on the local social engagement activities they have developed to help older adults and caregivers living in rural and tribal communities stay engaged and connected, and strategies other Aging Network organizations can implement. Watch the recording below and click here for full slides.

Webinar

Arts and Creative Engagement: Successful Programs, Activities and Approaches

During the December 15, 2021 webinar, Arts for the Aging highlighted the impact multidisciplinary, participatory arts experiences can have on older adults and provided background on their work taking place locally and nationally in the creative aging field. Scripps Gerontology Center provide an overview of the Opening Minds through Art program and how Aging Network organizations can incorporate this program into their social engagement work, while the Central Vermont Council on Aging spotlighted the AAA’s Creative Aging Initiative and Creative Care Kit project. All speakers also shared tips and strategies for Aging Network organizations working to incorporate more arts programming into their social engagement work. Watch the recording below and click here for full slides.