'Disrupting Aging' event set for March 6-7 at UNG

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) Center for Healthy Aging, Wisdom Project 2030 and the Georgia Division of Aging Services will host a symposium titled "Disrupting Aging" on March 6-7 on UNG's Gainesville Campus.

The Georgia Gerontology Society, Brenau University Center for Productive Living and Brenau University Leisure and Learning Institute are partners in the event while students in UNG's gerontology programs act as ambassadors.

"We're bringing the community, health care professionals and our students together to explore and embrace the third stage of life," said Dr. Pamela Elfenbein, professor of sociology and human services and acting director of the Center for Healthy Aging. "Everybody doesn't arrive at old age in the same way."

Dr. Harry "Rick" Moody will deliver the keynote speech at 6:30 p.m. March 6. His talk will focus on "creativity across the lifespan and positive aging." All Friday events will be in the Continuing Education and Performing Arts building, starting with registration and a reception at 5 p.m.

A graduate of Yale University and Columbia University, Moody retired as vice president for academic affairs with AARP and is a visiting faculty member at Fielding Graduate University and Tohoku University in Japan. He previously served as executive director of the Brookdale Center on Aging at Hunter College.

Debra Tyler-Horton, AARP Georgia executive director, will be the March 7 keynote speaker, with her talk titled "Disrupt aging: living your best life at every age" at 9 a.m. It will serve as the first discussion in a day that runs from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. in the Martha T. Nesbitt Building.

Upon her appointment as AARP Georgia executive director, Tyler-Horton led a volunteer-centered community engagement effort.

Jackie Robles, a senior from Buford, Georgia, pursuing a degree in human services delivery and administration at UNG, is eager to be part of the symposium.

"It's not just something I talk about in class," Robles said. "I can see it and really make those connections."

Fifteen workshops will be held throughout Saturday, with three pathways for participants to choose from: staying healthy and active/healthy positive aging; maintaining a quality of life/aging in place; and low-impact/participatory exercises.

Registration costs $75 per participant and is available at the UNG Professional and Continuing Education website. Licensed professionals can receive continuing education units for the event. The community, faculty, staff and students are welcome to attend.

The two-day event is part of UNG's partnership with the Wisdom 2030 Project for the 2019-20 academic year, which provides a home for the nonprofit's leadership training and access to UNG undergraduate and graduate students for service-learning opportunities.

The symposium in March aligns with the Center for Healthy Aging mission to promote wellness and disease prevention, promote leadership, partnerships, and mentorships between faculty and community, foster an environment of healthy aging, and impact healthy aging through innovative interprofessional programs and research that address the physical, social, psychological, environmental, and spiritual needs of older adults in north Georgia.