• By Todd Luck
• Posted Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Forsyth DSS holds Quality Aging Conference

The Second Annual Quality Aging Conference drew together dozens of agencies with more than 100 participants to learn how older adults can access resources and maintain their independence as they age.

The event, presented by the Forsyth County Department of Social Services in partnership with Senior Services’ Age-Friendly Forsyth Initiative, focused on seniors and caregivers, and was held on Oct. 1 at Senior Services’ Intergenerational Center for Arts and Wellness. It featured sessions in English and Spanish. Attendees heard from Dr. Edward Shaw, author of "Keeping Love Alive as Memories Fade: The 5 Love Languages and the Alzheimer’s Journey” and Associate State AARP Director Mark Hensley. Other speakers included Forsyth County Commissioners Don Martin and Gloria Whisenhunt.

Presenters during the event included Trellis Community Nurse Educator Angela Nicholson, Director of Community Programming Jacob Gordon, Account Executive Adriane Pereira and Hospice and Palliative Care Chaplain Santiago Reales. Other presenters included Shepherd’s Center of Greater Winston-Salem Executive Director Sam Matthews, Legal Aid’s Erendira “Endy” Mendez and Nancy Baron, Senior Services VP of Aging Resources Sandra Rinaldi, City of Winston Salem Human Relations Specialist Adolfo Briceño, WS Fire Department Risk Reduction Specialist Theresa Knops, Wake Forest University Vice Provost Christina Soriano, WSSU-Novant Health Clinical Residency Program Director Sara Migliarese and AARP’s Jodi Hernandez.

A resource fair was also held, featuring Minerva's Mobile Health Unit from UNCG’s School of Nursing, Financial Pathways of the Piedmont, Forsyth County Department of Social Services, Winston-Salem Human Relations/DEI, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Age With Grace, Community Low Vision Center, Senior Services, Trellis Supportive Care, Area Agency on Aging, Senior Life Enrichment Center, Legal Aid of NC, Mi Casa, Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, WSSU Occupational Therapy Program, Behavorial Evaluation and Response (B.E.A.R.) Team, The Shepherd’s Center, Forsyth County Health and Human Services, Dr. Edward Shaw/EMPATH, AARP and Eliza’s Helping Hands.

To view more photos from the event, visit https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBKSw5