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Aging Well Conference

The 2025 Aging Well Conference is focused on healthy aging for the older adult.

The two day conference will address the unique healthcare needs of older adults and will advance the knowledge and skills of healthcare providers, caregivers, and community members in rural western North Carolina. With a blend of individual and group presentations, panel discussions, and demonstrations, the conference brings together diverse perspectives of healthcare experts, researchers, government officials, social service providers, as well as older adults and family caregivers.

Join us May 15-16, 2025

In-person at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC!
Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences
Appalachian State University
1179 State Farm Road, Boone NC

Aging Well Conference

Objectives

  • Describe evidence-based exercise recommendations for older adults that promote function and mobility.
  • Identify key nutrients and dietary patterns that support brain health and cognitive function.
  • Explain the benefits of Tai Chi in fall prevention for older adults.
  • Understand key factors that contribute to optimizing health and function in older adults.
  • Examine the latest advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease.
  • Evaluate medication treatments for early Alzheimer’s Disease, including criteria for patient eligibility, potential side effects, and safety monitoring protocols to optimize therapeutic outcomes.
  • Differentiate Alzheimer’s Disease from other causes of cognitive impairment.
  • Determine the impact of physical activity on mitigating early cognitive decline in the aging population.
  • Describe the process of deprescribing medications that may exacerbate cognitive decline in older adults.
  • Identify strategies to support both patients and care partners throughout the dementia journey.
  • Identify approaches to promote safe mobility for individuals with dementia.
  • Explore the concept of multi-complexity in patients with cognitive decline and investigate how to prioritize what matters most to patients and their families.

Registration and Cost

Community Members and Students Register here
Standard registration through May 1, 2025 11:59pm $25
Late registration May 2 – May 16, 2025, $40

Scholarship assistance is available for older adults and caregivers who may need financial support. If you or someone you know could benefit from this assistance, please reach out to ZGreen@hccog.org or call 828-265-5434 ext. 122 for more information.

Participants wishing to receive continuing education credits
Visit the Northwest AHEC conference site

Registration includes administrative costs, technology fees, instructional materials, program materials, lunch, morning and afternoon snacks both days, and Social Hour on Day 1.

Who Should Attend?

Community members, caregivers, and aging individuals. In addition, healthcare professionals including, physicians, APPs, speech language pathologists, nursing professionals, mental health professionals, allied health and public health professionals, social work, psychologists, nursing home administrators, physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, occupational therapists, registered dietitians, and all other health care professionals interested in the health of older adults are welcome.

As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness (AIHW) provides compassionate education and respectful care for all, regardless of socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, language, nationality, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, geography, disability and age.

Co-provided by:

BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina and Northwest Area Health Education Center (AHEC), a program of Wake Forest University School of Medicine and part of the NC AHEC System and The UNC Center for Aging and Health, Carolina Geriatric Education Center.

Northwest AHEC
High Country Area Agency on Aging
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Medicare

Faculty

  • Hal Atkinson, MD
    Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
    Wake Forest University School of Medicine
  • Danielle Baker, PharmD, MS, BCPS
    Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
  • Sia Beasley, PhD
    Appalachian State University
  • Kathryn Callahan, MD, MS
    Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
    Wake Forest University School of Medicine
  • Maryjo Cleveland, MD
    Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
    Wake Forest University School of Medicine
  • Molly Hinely, PharmD
    Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
  • Rebecca Kappus, PhD
    Appalachian State University
  • Andrea Lockard, MS, RDN, LDN
    Appalachian State University
  • Kim McCullough, PhD, CCC/SLP
    Appalachian State University
  • Heather McKay, PhD, OTR/L
    Appalachian State University
  • Jared Skinner, PhD
    Appalachian State University
  • Hannah Stewart, DO
    UNC Health
  • Cynthia Lorena Aguirre Valdivieso, MD
    Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
    Wake Forest University School of Medicine
  • Diana Williams, DNP, MSN, FNP-C, IFMCP
    Strategic Wellness Center
  • Emma Williams, PharmD, BCGP, CPP
    Mountain Area Health Education Center / UNC Eschelman School of Pharmacy
  • Mariana Wingood, PhD, PT, DPT, MPH
    Wake Forest University School of Medicine
  • Jenny Womack, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
    Appalachian State University

Aging Well Disclosures

Agenda

Thursday, May 15 — Healthy Aging and Prevention

Time Session
8:30 AM Registration / Coffee / Networking
9:00 AM Welcome, Conference Overview, Housekeeping and Announcements – Gavin Colquitt, EdD
9:15 AM Healthy Aging and Prevention in Appalachia – Hannah Stewart, DO
10:15 AM

Breakout Session 1

Topics:

  • Medications: How to Avoid Meds that Cause Problems and Meds that Help – Emma Williams, PharmD, BCGP, CCP
  • Mind: Nonpharmcological Management of Anxiety and Depression in Older Adults – Gretchen Brenes, PhD
  • Mobility: Finding the Balance: Navigating the Line Between Exercise and Physical Therapy in Older Adults – Mariana Wingood, PhD, PT, DPT, MPH
11:30 AM Networking Lunch (Provided)
12:30 PM

Breakout Sessions 2

Topics:

  • Medications: TBD – Emma Williams, PharmD, BCGP, CCP
  • Mind: Lifestyle Interventions to Prevent Cognitive Decline: The Importance of Nutrition – Andrea Lockard, MS, RDN, LDN
  • Mobility: Exercise for Older Adults – Becca Kappus, PhD
2:00 PM

Breakout Sessions 3

Topics:

  • Medications: TBD – Wendy Olsen, PhD, CCC/SLP
  • Mind: Food For Thought: Optimizing Brain Function Through Nutrition – Diana Williams, DNP, MSN, FNP-C, IFMCP
  • Mobility: Tai Chi and Fall Prevention – Sia Beasley, PhD
3:30 PM What Matters Most: Optimizing Health and Function as We Age – Kate Callahan, MD, MS
4:30 PM Adjourn
4:30 – 6:30 PM

Social Hour and Poster Viewing

Attendees can engage with presenters and view research posters on aging and related topics.

Friday, May 16 — Management Across the Cognitive Impairment Continuum; Management of Cognitive & Physical Decline; or Comprehensive Care for Cognitive Changes

Time Session
8:30 AM Registration / Coffee / Networking
9:00 AM Welcome – Gavin Colquitt, EdD
9:15 AM Alzheimer’s Disease in 2025: Major Updates in Diagnosis and Treatment – Maryjo Cleveland, MD
10:15 AM

Breakout Session 1: Early Deficits Consideration

Topics:

  • Medications: Treatments for Early Alzheimer’s Disease – Exploring Potential Eligibility, Side Effects and Safety Monitoring –  Cynthia Lorena Aguirre Valdivieso, MD
  • Mind: Distinguishing Alzheimer’s Disease from Other Causes of Cognitive Impairment – Kim McCullough, PhD, CCC/SLP
  • Mobility: Physical Activity in Early Cognitive Decline – Jared Skinner, PhD
11:30 AM Networking Lunch (Provided)
12:30 PM

Breakout Sessions 2: Later Stages of Care

Topics:

  • Medications: Deprescribing Medications That Could Worsen Cognitive Decline and Behavioral Treatments – Danielle Baker, PharmD, MS, BCPS and Molly Hinely, PharmD
  • Mind: Supporting Patients and Care Partners Through the Dementia Journey (Resources, Legal Concerns, GUIDE program, etc.) – Heather McKay, PhD, OTR/L
  • Mobility: Promoting Safe Mobility as Dementia Progresses – Jenny Womack, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
2:00 PM Multi-Complexity and What Matters Most in Patients with Cognitive Decline – Hal Atkinson, MD
3:15 PM Adjourn

Download Aging Well Full Brochure