Older Adult Ministries Conference planned for Upper New York
Written: 5/3/2010
Everyone in the Upper New York Area is invited to an Older Adult Ministries Conference planned for November 6, 2010.
New Hartford United Methodist Church, 105 Genesee St., New Hartford, New York 13413 will host the conference. “Celebrating Our Wisdom and Still Learning” is the theme for this opportunity to learn and to share how older adult programming can be a vital ministry in your local church.
The keynote speaker will be Barbara Bruce who is the Northeast Jurisdiction Representative to the National Older Adult Ministries Committee. Barbara is an expert on brain fitness and will speak on “Highly Effective Ways to Keep Your Brain Fit.” Barbara has authored several books, including Spiritual Brain and Mental Aerobics and is a nationally known speaker on this subject.
A variety of workshops and a show and share session will be included. Opportunities for feedback from the attendees are planned which should help all in attendance return to your church with an expanded vision of older adult programming.
Schedule
8:15 – 9:45
Registration
8:30 – 9:45
Early Bird Workshop
Open to all registrants
9:45 – 10:10
Worship
10: 15 – 11:45
Morning Workshops
Early Workshop: The Church is Aging Faster Than One Year at a Time: Learn why we need to establish and enhance Older Adult Ministry. Over the next 16 years the number of people over 50 will grow by 74% while the people under will grow by only 1%.
Do the math… We will be there very soon. The Church needs to pay attention! (Open to all registrants) Barbara Bruce, Northeastern Jurisdiction Representative to the Older Adult Ministries.
1. Helping the Whole Person and the Whole Family: Strategies and Resources for Mind, Body, and Spirit. Participants will learn how to use the following concepts in their older adult ministry programs: finding the medical, emotional and spiritual pieces to solve your “Wellness Puzzle,” develop a plan to achieve medical, emotional and spiritual goals, and using skills to improve communication, manage stress and enhance prayer life. AM and PM
Dr. Tom DeLoughry, Executive Director, Center for Health Management and Kathy DeLoughry, Director of Training, Center for Health Management.
2. Aging, Dementia, and Alzheimer’s – Information for Faith
Communities. The focus of this workshop will be on learning to differentiate normal aging from dementia and Alzheimer’s and how faith communities will know how to deal with this growing issue and how to make first line referrals. AM and PM
Michael Massurin, Director Central New York Chapter, Alzheimer’s Association.
3. New York Connects. This is a grant funded program endorsed and supported by New York Office for Aging. We have been assigned the task of providing assistance with regard to long term care in each New York State county. We are able to help individuals make informed choices in their attempts to remain autonomous within their own home.
Our program is available to those 60 years of age and above, adults and children with disabilities, as well as caregivers and professionals alike. AM only
John Percy, Long Term Care Specialist and NY Connects coordinator at Oneida County Office for the Aging
4. The Ten Top Things to Know in Placing a Loved One in a Nursing or Assisted Living Facility. You will learn about the various levels of care, financing (payer source), services, staffing, inspections, personal and family expectations and more. AM only
Keith Chadwick, President and CEO, United Methodist Homes and Jerry Halbert, VP/Administrator Hilltop Campus of the United Methodist Homes for the Aging.
5. Nutrition for Seniors. Good nutrition is of major interest to all of us. You will learn how eating right helps you to stay strong in the later years. AM only
Eileen Luker , dietitian with the Oneida Office for the Aging.
6. J.O.Y. – Just Older Youth (Spirituality and Aging). This workshop will focus on ways to keep seniors growing in their spirituality and how to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Carol is an experienced leader with older adults who will help you focus on the churches’ responsibility to provide programming that will strengthen senior’s faith. PM only
Carol Jubenville Executive Director at the Community at Sunset Wood an independent living facility and the Associate Pastor of New Hartford UMC.
7. Making Your Church Older Adult Ministry Intentional. Have you explored the wants and needs of your older adult congregants? You will learn how to be intentional in your programming for ALL older adults and not just the homebound and nursing home seniors. PM only
Winona Stonebraker, chair of the former Western New York Conference Older Adult
8. Financial and Legal Preparations That Count. You will learn the pitfalls of financial planning that can cause headaches when seeking admission to retirement communities and nursing homes. Information will be given to help you advise older adults in your church setting. PM only
Jerry Halbert, VP/Administrator, United Methodist Homes, Hilltop Campus, Johnson City and Keith Chadwick, President and CEO, United Methodist Homes
9. Writing Life Stories: From “Truth to Art.” Participants will explore ways to turn your life stories into a memoir or an autobiography. You will learn how to get over the “why” and to “whom” to write and the strategies to bring your story alive. PM only
Eileen Schell, Chair of the Writing Program at Syracuse University and she leads senior workshops at the Nottingham Senior Living Community in Jamesville.
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