Conference discusses transitions in later life

National and local experts will discuss strategies for dealing with changes that arise in later life, during the seventh annual Art and Science of Aging Multidisciplinary Conference, sponsored by Grand Valley. The theme for the conference is “Navigating the Transitions of Later Life.”

Break-out sessions will cover a wide range of topics including advance directives, elder abuse prevention, facing chronic disease, dementia care, exercises and brain health, widowhood, health care reform and more.

Art & Science of Aging Conference
Friday, February 10
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center
GVSU Pew Grand Rapids Campus

Molly Mettler, senior vice president for Healthwise, Inc., will give the opening presentation at 9 a.m. Her speech is titled, “Mom, I think we should talk: Preparing for the final transition.” Mettler has written several books on medical self-care and health promotion, including “Healthwise for Life,” now in its fifth edition. She has been interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Boston Globe and NPR. Mettler is past chair of the National Council on the Aging and has consulted for the World Health Organization, the American Association of Retired Persons, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Fortune 500 companies.

As part of the conference, Grand Valley students will present their research on aging, in a poster format, which will allow attendees to engage the students in discussions of their research.

The conference is sponsored by the Provost’s Office and College of Community and Public Service at Grand Valley, and supported by the Geriatric Education Center of Michigan, Forest Hills Senior Center, Greater Grand Rapids End of Life Coalition, Ionia Hospice, Covenant Village of the Great Lakes Retirement Community, Advocates for Senior Issues and Grand Forum. 

Conference details and registration information can be found at www.gvsu.edu/gerontology.
For more information, contact Priscilla Kimboko, professor of gerontology and conference coordinator, at (616) 331-7265.