The first-ever Health Aging Conference is scheduled for February 23 at the Eastern 4-H Center in Tyrrell County.

This conference will connect you to information on healthy aging, dementia, advance care planning, and oral health. It will also provide strategies to successfully age in place.

Individualized screenings for cognitive changes, depression, anxiety, fall risk and caregiver burnout will be offered.

In addition, participants will be introduced to the benefits of Laughter Yoga as a strategy to improve general health in older adults.

The conference is aimed at: Older adults, caregivers, and others  wanting to grow their knowledge of successful aging; professionals including nurses, direct care workers, CNAs, social workers, care managers, rehabilitation professionals; community service providers, volunteers, clergy, day programs, and churches.

The February 23 conference registration is 9-10 a.m. followed by Welcome 10-10:15.

Dr. Candace Harrington, keynote speaker, will present on Healthy Aging 10:15-11:30. Dr. Harrington is an adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner with 30 years of geriatric experience. She is a clinical associate professor in the family, adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs in College of Nursing at East Carolina University. She is nationally recognized as a nursing content expert in management of chronic disease and heart failure in older adults residing in long-term care settings.

11:30-12:15 is Advance Care Planning presented by Ellie Ward.

12:15–1:00 Lunch

1:00– 1:30 Laughter Yoga, Tamyra Jovel

1:40–2:15 Breakout Session #1

2:25-3:00 Breakout Session #2

3:00 Closing

Pre-registration is required for attendance, and registration is due by February 14. Registration is free.

To request a registration brochure, and for more information, contact Camille Craft, Aging Program & Contract Specialist, 252-426-5753, ext. 222, or ccraft@accog.org.

Registrants will be asked to select two of the following five topics to attend as breakout sessions. Scheduling will be determined based on interest:

Aging in Place: Learn what kind of modifications and improvements you can do to make your home safer.

Dementia 101: Not all dementia is the result of Alzheimer’s disease. Learn about the various Dementia disorders and how to prepare.

Oral Health: Learn about the importance of Oral Health.

Caregiving with Confidence: Caregivers will learn the tools, strategies and resources needed to take care of themselves, as well as their loved one.

Health Screenings: Individualized screenings for cognitive changes, depression, anxiety, fall risk and caregiver overburden.

The Eastern 4-H Center is at 100 N. Clover Way in the Bulls Bay section of northwestern Tyrrell County.

Hosts request that you dress in layers as room temperatures are difficult to regulate. Anyone with special needs (i.e. mobility, hearing, vision), please notify us two weeks in advance so accommodations can be made, if possible.

What is Laughter Yoga? Laughter yoga is an exercise involving continuous periods of laughter. Laughter yoga is based on the belief that voluntary laughter provides the same physiological and psychological benefits as spontaneous laughter. Laughter yoga is done in groups, with eye contact, jokes and playfulness between participants. Forced laughter soon turns into real and contagious laughter.

The Health Aging Conference is sponsored by: Albemarle Commission Area Agency on Aging, Mid-East Commission Area Agency on Aging, & NC State Extension in partnership with Eastern Area Health Education Center.