This year’s conference ended for me with a high energy passionate presentation by Danielle Butin and Dr. Patricia Miller. This year's GSIS session was titled: Innovative models for building self-management and health promotion programs for older adults.
The session began by engaging the audience in a brainstorming session: What are the concerns of the well-elderly? Many topics all to familiar to those of working with this population were identified: grandparenting, aging in place, community accessibility, socialization and fear of social isolation, fear of being a burden on the family, being productive after retirement making a contribution to our community, managing in a culture of technology, caring for aging children with disabilities, fear of falling, and how to stay healthy. These are all issues we hear about in our daily interactions with our clients!
The session then highlighted several creative non-traditional community-based programs being designed by and facilitated by occupational therapist, students, and faculty. The session identified some of the inspired and powerful aspects of our profession that help older adults find quality and meaning in older adulthood when they are struggling with the concerns of aging!
I hope that everyone who attended the conference has a safe trip home! I hope to see you in
Natalie Leland Wiatrowski
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