For the first time in 65 years, GGS will not hold an in-person annual conference. We are sad that we cannot celebrate with all of you in person but the safety of our attendees, exhibitors, presenters, and the older adults they serve are our priority. GGS has had to adapt throughout our history and 2020 is no different. We are pleased to continue our tradition of providing quality education to the aging network by continuing our conference in a virtual platform.
The theme for the 65th Annual GGS Conference is Elect to Age Your Way: From Vision to Action. Every Tuesday and Thursday from August 4th – October 1st, we will provide timely, innovative, and informative presentations to leave you inspired to improve the lives of older adults.
Registration
GGS would not have made it 65 years without the support of our members. As a thank you for your continued support, we are offering our virtual conference for free to members. Your dedication to improving the lives of older Georgians and those that care for them has never been so evident.
If you are not a member, we highly encourage you to join today! Learn more about our membership benefits and rates here.
Virtual Conference Registration Fees:
- GGS Member: Free
- Non-Member: $75
- Student/Retiree/Virtual Conference Presenter: $30
We are dedicated to making this virtual event affordable as we understand that many organizations have taken a financial hit and may not have funds for education right now. We are offering a limited number of scholarship registrations for those who are unable to afford to register but would benefit from attending. We ask that you reserve these registrations for those in need and purchase a registration if you are able. One-half of all registration funds collected for our scholarship fund to enhance our ability to support our older adult and student scholarship winners in future years. You will also have an opportunity to make a separate donation to this fund if you so choose. We appreciate your support in place of our annual silent auction.
Your registration includes live access to 18 presentations. We understand that you may not be able to attend each session live so you will also have access to the recording of each presentation for future viewing at your convenience. In addition, we will be hosting a virtual awards ceremony and a virtual annual meeting that will be free to all.
You can register here. You will receive separate instructions to register for each live webinar after your conference registration is confirmed.
CEUs:
This activity/program is pending approval from the National Association of Social Workers- Georgia Chapter for 3 Related Hours (Opening and Closing Keynote Sessions). There will be a $10 processing fee for all attendees requesting CEUs. CEUs will only be provided for the live broadcast and not the recordings. If the CEUs are not approved, this fee will be refunded.
Conference Sponsors
We would like to thank AARP Georgia for their Gold Level Sponsorship. We would also like to thank the Georgia State University Gerontology Institute and the Culture Change Network of Georgia for sponsoring our opening and closing keynote speakers.
Conference Tracks
Organizational Excellence: This track focuses on best practices to strengthen business operations and build professional capacity.
Medical/Mental Health: This track focusus on tools and resources for those who serve older adults in an outpatient or long-term care setting and highlights the challenges, resources, and innovative practices addressing the mental health needs of older adults.
Living with Dementia: This track focuses on empowering people living with dementia and their care partners to live more fully.
Advocacy and Ageism: This track focuses on approaches, innovations, and opportunities to combat ageism and advance advocacy.
Well-Being & Meaningful Engagement: This track focuses on best practices and programs being implemented to improve well-being and quality of life of older adults and caregivers/care partners.
Virtual Conference Outline (Click HERE for conference information and full descriptions)
Opening Keynote: Vision without Action is Only a Dream
August 4, 2020
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Walter O. Coffey & G. David Sprowl
Keys to Community Engagement – What Happens When It’s No Longer Safe to Drive?
August 6, 2020
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Thom Snyder, Elizabeth Head & Cheryl Herrington
Intimate Connection & Sexuality in the Context of Dementia Disorders: Benefits, Risks, and the Role our Own Values Play
August 11, 2020
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Dr. Regina Koepp
The Peach State’s Dementia Plan: What’s on Georgia’s Mind?
August 13, 2020
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Miles Hurley
Wisdom Project 2030 – Promoting Meaningful Engagement and Well-Being
August 18, 2020
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Dr. Pamela Elfenbein, Carol Hanlon, Susan Cook Lahey & Jerry L. Butler
Building Resources for Person-Centered Care in Georgia’s Nursing Homes
August 20, 2020
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Dr. Jennifer Craft Morgan, Dr. Elisabeth Burgess, Kim McRae, Walter Coffey, Rose Marie Fagan
Why Evaluate? The Importance of Evaluation and Using Data to Tell Your Story
August 25, 2020
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Alice Prendergast & Kristi Fuller
How to Be a Super Ager
August 27, 2020
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Sharon A. Matthew
Lifelong Neuroplasticity: As Simple as Child’s Play
September 1, 2020
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Dr. Jaami Rutledge & Sandy Bramlett
Developing Age-Friendly Healthcare Providers to Optimize Health Outcomes for Older Adults
September 3, 2020
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Dr. Susan W. Miller & Dr. Leslie Taylor
Your Piece of the Puzzle – Person-Centered Planning for Persons Living with Dementia
September 8, 2020
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Aline Stone, Thom Snyder & Rebekah Davis
Learning by Listening: Service-Learning in Medical Education to Assess Community Needs
September 10, 2020
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Eve Anthony, Julie K. Gaines, Megan Chesne & Lauren Slarks
Supported Decision Making: Autonomy for All
September 15, 2020
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Dana Lloyd, Devon Orland & Becky Kurtz
Supporting Struggling Caregivers who are Caring for Family Members who have been Toxic or Abusive
September 17, 2020
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Dr. Wendy Haus Hanevold
Technology in Aging: Combined Session
September 22, 2020
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Brad Culp, John Butler & Jeffrey Hill
Nebraska: How to Have “The Good Life” with Dementia
September 24, 2020
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Kelley Napier
Providing Care for the Dyad: MCI or Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Patients and their Care Partners
September 29, 2020
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Mary Caldwell & Bailey Collette
Alzheimer’s Up Close and Personal: Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias from the Care Partner Perspective
October 1, 2020
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Brian LeBlanc
