Virginia United Methodist Homes, Inc. is proud to present Virginia’s first statewide, faith-based conference on aging in conjunction with The Beard Center on Aging at Lynchburg College. This conference will address opportunities related to an aging congregation, and will present ideas about meeting the needs of older members, including those with dementia, inside and outside the walls of our faith communities.

The morning keynote will be given by Verna Sellers, MD, MPH, geriatrician and medical director, geriatric services and programs, Centra PACE, on the topic of caregiving, “Caregiving: Past, Present and Future”.  

Professionals from throughout the state of Virginia will be presenting on a wide range of topics during two concurrent sessions.

Concurrent Session I:
Best Practices Panel, Building a Dementia-Friendly Church, Aging and Loss, and Supporting our Caregivers.

Concurrent Session II:
Understanding and Navigating Senior Services, Generational Differences and the Church, Helping Older Members Live a Purposeful Life and Stay Connected through Church Activities and Volunteer Opportunities, and Tips for Helping Older Church Members Stay Legally and Financially Safe.

The topic “Taking Stress Out of Visitations” will be offered at both sessions.

Wrapping up the afternoon is a keynote from Martha Stokes, director of church and community relations, Virginia United Methodist Homes, Inc., and Rev. Dr. Will Randolph, director, office on aging and older adult ministries, discipleship ministries, United Methodist Church, titled “An Opportunity to Transform and Transcend”.