About the Seminar
We know that older people are particularly vulnerable to
social isolation and loneliness and that this often has
detrimental effects on physical and mental wellbeing as
well as cost implications for our already overburdened
health care resources.
This seminar will address these challenges by providing:
 Person-centered strategies for decreasing the effects
of loneliness and isolation on physical and emotional
health of older persons.
10:15 a.m. — Personality Types in Intra and
Interpersonal Relationships
Shirley Pudney-Eilers, M.Div
Training Consultant
Pastor, Morganville United Church of Christ
This presentation will explore how personality types impact
our interactions with older persons and the efforts we make to
decrease their isolation.
 Community Resources that can help
11:15 a.m. — Break
 Tools to identify the needs and strengths of our clients
11:30 a.m. —12:30 p.m. Workshops
Our thanks to the committee members who were
responsible for planning this conference:
Theresa Frederick, LMSW
Cindi Licata,
Deborah Balouris, LCSW-R
Mental Health Association
Ann Olin, MA, CRC, CASAC-T
Emily Krohn, LCSW-R
Marie Pellett, LMSW
Deb Holloway , M.S.
Steve Newcomb, MPA
Adrienne Daniels, LMSW
Agenda
8:30a. m. — Registration
9:00 a. m. — Introductions/Welcome
9:15 a.m. — Aging & Engaging:
Promoting Social Connectedness in Older Adults
Kimberly Van Orden, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
University of Rochester School of Medicine
Healthy aging, including brain aging, isn’t just a function of
our physical health and lifestyle choices. How socially
connected we are plays a role in how well our brain & body
function during the aging process. People who are socially
connected not only feel better, but think more clearly, and
live longer! Empirical research and gerontological theory
will be presented on the role social connectedness plays in
promoting healthy aging and well-being in later life.
Interventions to increase social connectedness and reduce
loneliness and isolation will also be described.
12:30 —1:15 p.m. Lunch on site
1:15—2:15 p.m.
Workshops
Workshop Descriptions
Workshop #1: Using Technology to Facilitate Social
Connection
Presenter: Nancy J. Dukelow, MS OTR/L
Senior Occupational Therapist, UR Medicine
This workshop will discuss how social connections through
technology can improve physical, psychological, and cultural
wellbeing of older persons. It will discuss current research
that supports the use of technology and available community
resources.
Workshop #2: Why Am I Still Here? –
The Spirituality of Purpose
Presenter: Reverend Deborah Fae Swift, M.Div., M.S.
Pastor, South Presbyterian Church
How do we find peace and meaning when friends and
spouses are gone? What is life’s purpose for seniors who feel
their contributions to society are behind them? This workshop
will focus on practical approaches for answering those
questions through an understanding of multiple approaches to
senior spirituality.
Workshop #3: A Person Centered Approach to
Reducing Social Isolation: One Size Does Not Fit All
Presenters: Emily Krohn, LCSW-R
Private Practitioner
Steve Newcomb, MPA
Aging Services Administrator
Monroe County DHS Office for the Aging
Join us as we discuss a critical, interactive topic on the
importance of understanding the needs, interests, and
personality traits of our individual client. Learn how to
assess our client's interests and connect them to meaningful
opportunities in their home and community. We will discuss
methods to support people in embracing the next chapter in
their lives by exploring new activities, rediscovering the ones
they loved, finding support within their community, and
strengthening brain fitness. All in a fun, creative way. One
size does not fit all.
Workshop #4: Creatively Engaging Older Adults:
What and How Older Adults Contribute to Our
Learning Environment
Presenter: David W. Steitz, Ph.D.
Director, Nazareth College Gerontology Program;
Associate Professor of Psychology
Can we think differently and creatively about how we engage
with older adults to enhance lives and decrease isolation
and loneliness? Let’s envision new and dynamic
opportunities, including, but not limited to, intergenerational
learning, hobbies, and mentoring to engage older adults. By
looking outside our usual community (colleges, senior
centers, nursing homes), we’ll find resources and partners
eager to generate opportunities for creative engagement
and we’ll develop tools to better understand the needs and
strengths of older adults.
Renewal CASAC Credits Applied For
REGISTRATION —$25 (includes lunch)
Registration Deadline — April 17th
Call 325-3145 ext. 113 for information
Address:___________________________________
City/State/Zip: _____________________________________
Organization: _______________________________
Email: ___________________________________________
Non-Profit Org
U.S. Postage
PAID
Rochester, NY
Permit No. 1277
Name: _____________________________________
The Mental Health Association’s
5th Annual Older Persons Mental Health
Conference:
All By Myself:
Phone: ___________________________________________
Morning Workshop Choice (11:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.)
Please select one:
___ #1: Using Technology to Facilitate Social Connections
___ #2: Why Am I Still here
___ #3: Person Centered Approach to Reducing
Social Isolation
___ #4: Creatively Engaging Older Adults
Afternoon Workshop Choice (1:15 —2:15 p.m.)
Please select one:
___ #1: Using Technology to Facilitate Social Connections
___ #2: Why Am I Still here
___ #3: Person Centered Approach to Reducing
Social Isolation
___ #4: Creatively Engaging Older Adults
For payment by credit card: ___ Visa
___ MasterCard
Card Number: _______________________________________
3 Digit Security Code: _______
Expiration Date: ________/_________
Cardholder Name (as it appears on card):
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sandwich Lunch Choice: (please select one)
___ Turkey ___ Tuna ___Vegetarian
Friday, April 24, 2015
8:30 a.m. — 2:15 p.m.
Mental Health Association
320 N. Goodman Street
Rochester, NY 14607
Send completed form with check enclosed (payable to
Mental Health Association) to Mental Health Association
320 N. Goodman Street, Rochester NY 14607 or...
Register on line at www.mharochester.org
Strategies to Address
Loneliness and Isolation in
Older Persons
at
The Jewish Community Center
1200 Edgewood Avenue
Rochester, NY 14618
$25
(Includes lunch)
This seminar is for anyone who works directly
with older individuals and their families in
community settings including, but not limited to,
case/care managers, in-home caregivers,
mental health therapists and
social workers.