Additional Conference Information
| Session Title | Summary | Speaker(s) | Time | Type |
| Commissioner's Leadership Forum: Advancing Services for Older Tennesseans | This high-level panel brings together the commissioners of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Health, and Disability and Aging. Together, they will outline their priorities, emerging initiatives, and collaborative strategies to support older adults across the state. The conversation will highlight pressing issues facing Tennessee - from safety and exploitation prevention to behavioral health, healthcare access, disability supports, and community-based aging services. Attendees will gain direct insight into statewide direction, cross-agency efforts, and opportunities ahead for providers to help shape the future of aging in Tennessee. |
Commissioner Marie Williams Commissioner David Rausch Commissioner John Dunn |
1:15 - 2:00 PM | General Session |
| Insights and Ideas: Debra Whitman on the Next Era of Aging |
Join Debra Whitman, AARP’s Chief Public Policy Officer and acclaimed author, and Mia McNeil, Esq., AARP Tennessee State Director, for an insightful conversation on the future of aging policy. Debra Whitman brings national expertise in public policy development, deep knowledge of retirement security, caregiving, healthcare, and consumer protection, featuring themes from her recent book. Mia McNeil leads AARP’s outreach and advocacy across Tennessee, focusing on issues like aging in place, respite care, digital inclusion, fraud prevention, and Social Security protection. Together, they will explore emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping how we support older adults—from the national legislative landscape to state-level community impact. |
Debra Whitman Mia McNeil |
2:00 - 2:45 PM | General Session |
| Tennessee's Next Chapter: Transforming Aging Services | This session invites participants to look beyond today's challenges and imagine what aging services in Tennessee could become in the decades ahead. Together, we will explore emerging trends, evolving community needs, and innovative approaches that have the potential to reshape how older adults live, age, and thrive across the state. Through a forward-looking discussion, attendees will consider how policy, technology, and service delivery models may evolve - and what roles we can play in guiding that evolution with intention. Join us for an inspiring conversation about building an aging-services future that is proactive, inclusive, and full of possibility for every older Tennessean. |
Senator Bo Watson Bill Zagorski Dr. James Powers |
3:00 - 3:50 PM | Breakout Session |
| Eat Well, Age Strong: Nutrition for Body & Brain | Join Anna Pleet, MD ("Dr. Anna"), an internal medicine physician trained in Italy, as she shares how simple, science-backed nutrition habits can support healthy weight, reduce chronic disease, and protect lifelong brain health. Drawing from the Mediterranean System, Dr. Anna explains how certain eating patterns reduce inflammation, improve metabolic health, and strengthen memory and cognitive function. Participants will leave with practical, sustainable strategies to boost energy, support healthy aging, and build lifelong vitality. | Dr. Anna Pleet | 3:00 - 3:50 PM | Breakout Session |
| Decoding Dementia: What Tennessee Needs to Know Now | Dr. Monica Crane, a leading expert in dementia care, will provide a comprehensive look at the current landscape of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in Tennessee. This session will break down the key facts about the most common types of dementia, what current research tells us about treatment and prevention, and the trends shaping diagnosis and care today. Dr. Crawe will also discuss what the next decade may look like for our state as prevalence grows and community needs shift. | Dr. Monica Crane | 3:00 - 3:50 PM | Breakout Session |
| The AI Revolution in Aging: What's Changing Today and What's Next | This session provides a clear look at how artificial intelligence is being used in healthcare today to support older adults, as well as where the field is heading. Participants will explore current applications, emerging innovations, and the potential for AI to improve care quality, access, and outcomes for aging populations. The session will also address key ethical considerations, including privacy, equity, and transparency, to help providers understand both the opportunities and responsibilities that come with AI-driven tools. | Dr. Anuj Kapadia | 3:00 - 3:50 PM | Breakout Session |
| Hot Takes in Geriatrics: A Live Conversation with GeriPal Podcasters | As the needs of older adults evolve, the field of geriatrics is advancing in exciting new directions. In this session, the physicians behind the popular Geri Pal podcast bring their signature blend of expertise, clarity, and humor to a dynamic exploration of today's most talked-about issues in geriatric care. The conversation begins with practical, prevention-focused strategies that support and strengthen brain health, then shifts to timely updates on advanced care planning that help individuals maintain meaningful control over their decisions and future care. Together, these insights offer a forward-thinking look at how prevention and preparation can improve the aging journey. | Dr. Alex Smith Dr. Eric Widera |
4:10 - 5:00 PM | General Session |
| Session Title | Summary | Speaker(s) | Time | Type |
| Breakfast | 8:00 - 8:45 AM | |||
| Welcome / Announcements | 9:00 AM - 9:40 AM | |||
| Hope and Hard Truths: An Elder Justice Conversation with Kathy Greenlee | Join elder justice pioneer Kathy Greenlee - a national leader with decades of service - for a candid conversation on the state of elder justice in Tennessee. Nearing retirement, she will reflect on the most meaningful advancements she's witnessed in preventing abuse, strengthening adult protective services, and safeguarding older adults' dignity across communities. Kathy will also address her continuing concerns: gaps in safety and protections, emergent risks to older Tennesseans, and areas where policy and systems must do more. Attendees will gain both inspiration from her legacy and insight into what must be done next to ensure the well-being and justice of older adults statewide. | Kathy Greenlee | 9:40 - 10:30 AM | General Session |
| From Alone to Belong: How Community Transforms Aging | Social isolation continues to affect the health and well-being of many older adults. This panel brings together a leading expert, a senior center director, and an engaged older adult to share real-world perspectives and solutions. The discussion will highlight how community, connection, and meaningful engagement can serve as powerful antidotes to isolation. Attendees will leave with practical ideas to help older adults stay active, involved, and socially connected. | Dr. Jodi Southerland Connie Hopper Elaine Stover |
10:50 - 11:50 AM | Breakout Session |
| Resilience in Motion: Helene's Lessons for a Safer Tennessee | Hurricane Helene exposed both vulnerabilities and remarkable strengths in how communities support older adults and people with disabilities during emergencies. This session examines real challenges encountered on the ground, the collaborations that made a difference, and the key lessons agencies and providers uncovered in the storm's aftermath. Participants will gain practical, actionable strategies to improve disaster readiness, enhance communications and support networks, and ensure aging and disability communities are protected, connected, and resilient when the next crisis emerges. | Commissioner Patrick Sheehan Angie Gwaltney |
10:50 - 11:50 AM | Breakout Session |
| Finding Beauty at the End of Life: Reframing the Final Chapter | This session invites participants to view the end of life not only as a time of loss but as a meaningful, deeply human stage enriched by connection, reflection, and dignity. We will explore approaches that honor personal stories, resilience, and the relationships that shape a person's final chapter. Through practical tools and guided reflection, attendees will learn ways to support residents and families with greater presence, empathy, and compassion. | Dr. Raymond Barfield | 10:50 - 11:50 AM | Breakout Session |
| The Spectrum of Support: Balancing Capacity and Life Beyond Conservatorship | This session explores the full spectrum of decision-making support available when a person's capacity is uncertain, highlighting how autonomy, safety, and legal standards can be thoughtfully aligned. A multidisciplinary panel will discuss practical strategies for matching individuals with the right level of support-from everyday decision-making assistance to formal legal tools, including conservatorship. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how options across the continuum can work together to promote dignity, well-being, and informed choice while ensuring appropriate protections. | Ray Romano Penny Johnson Kevin Beck |
10:50 - 11:50 AM | Breakout Session |
| Lunch & Awards Ceremony | 12:15 - 1:15 PM | |||
| Guiding the Journey: Ensuring Quality Transitions Across Care Settings | Transitions between care environments can be complex, emotional, and risky for older adults and their families. This session provides a focused look at how aging services professionals can reduce disruptions, improve communications, and ensure continuity as individuals move into or out of long-term care. Through real-world scenarios and best practices, attendees will learn how to strengthen coordination, anticipate challenges, and guide older adults through critical moments of change with confidence and clarity. | Holly Williams Kristi Wick Beth Dault |
1:30 - 2:30 PM | Breakout Session |
| Caregiving Across Generations: Supporting Families in a Changing World | Caregiving is growing more complex, and families span multiple generations and support loved ones with a wide range of needs. In this session, a diverse panel of caregivers will share firsthand experiences from caring for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and family members requiring varying types of support. Through their stories, participants will gain fresh insights, practical strategies, and real-world examples showing communities, programs, and families can work together to strengthen caregiving at every stage of life. | Dr. Feylyn Lewis Representative Renea Jones |
1:30 - 2:30 PM | Breakout Session |
| The Power of Home: Redesigning Spaces for Safe and Independent Aging | Where we live has a profound impact on how we age. For many Tennesseans, staying at home represents independence, dignity, and long-term well-being - yet far too many homes are not built to support the realities of aging, leaving people to preventable risks and avoidable transitions. This session explores how smart home modifications and intentional environmental design can transform everyday spaces into safe, supportive environments that enable people to age in place with confidence. Panelists will also examine how home settings shape overall health, the management of complex conditions, and long-term quality of life. Join us for a forward-thinking conversation about how we can reimagine housing to ensure every Tennessean can thrive at home. | Dr. David Cox Keith Branson Steve Jones |
1:30 - 2:30 PM | Breakout Session |
| Allison Massari: The Courage to Care | Drawing from her powerful patient experience, Allison Massari delivers a compelling keynote that reveals the profound impact healthcare professionals have on those who are suffering. Her dynamic, practical program offers real solutions for keeping people first, even with limited time and daily challenges. Through her remarkable story and meaningful lessons, Allison underscores the importance of person-centered care and reignites professionals' passion for why they chose to serve others. | Allison Massari | 2:50 - 3:50 PM | General Session |
| Closing Remarks | 3:50 - 4:00 PM | General Session |