Coming Together with Passion and Purpose

Age-Friendly Communities among topics being explored at state aging conference

CLICK HERE FOR THE CONFERENCE PROGRAM
CHARLOTTE – This week, aging advocates and those social service workers who work with aging adults, are holding North Carolina’s only statewide aging conference to better prepare communities to meet the needs of their aging populations.  “Coming Together with Passion and Purpose,” is being held Monday, March 13 – Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church, 1117 South Blvd.


By the year 2030, North Carolinians ages 65 and older will outnumber those ages 18 and under in 90 of the state’s 100 counties. The North Carolina Association on Aging (NCAOA) conference is a learning and networking opportunity for professionals, policymakers and volunteers who are working to improve life for older adults in the state. Also, at the conference, awards will be presented to agencies and organizations that have innovative and creative programs to enhance the lives of older adults.

In addition to plenary speaker sessions and awards, workshops will include effective respite care, technology to connect with older adults, ending social isolation, what aging looks like in diverse communities, and much more.

Media wanting to attend any of the speaker sessions or workshops can do so with registration on site. Those who want to attend the conference can find registration information and fees here, or on the NCAOA website at: https://ncaoa.us/

Conference Highlights Include:

Plenary Speakers:

MONDAY, MARCH 13, 1pm

• Dr. Deryl Davis Fulmer, community liaison, North Carolina Retired Governmental Employees Association (NCRGEA)

TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 9:00 am
Age My Way NC Panel

• Joyce Massey Smith, director, Division on Aging, NC Department of Health and Human Services
• Mary Penny Kelly, director, Governor Roy Cooper’s Initiative “Hometown Strong”
• Michael Oldener – director, AARP North Carolina.

TUESDAY, MARCH 14, NOON
Livable Communities as We Age

• Mike Watson, director, AARP Livable Communities
• Michael Olender – director, AARP North Carolina

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 9:00 AM

• Leanne Clark-Shirley, PhD, is Vice President of Programs and Thought Leadership at the American Society on Aging (ASA).

Advocacy to Help Older Adults – 10:30 AM

• Randall Cloud, Randall E. Cloud and Associates