Online conference focused on caregiving for older adults in rural NY

FINGER LAKES - An all-day, online conference to assist and educate healthcare professionals and caregivers for older adults living in rural areas across New York will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, May 9. "Let's Talk About Health: Caring for Older Adults in Rural New York" will feature several speakers discussing the many challenges faced by older adults in rural areas when seeking health care. "Access to health care and other supportive services are critical to maintaining good health as we age, yet older adults in rural areas face a variety of access barriers," says Thera Blasio, director of professional education for the Rochester & Finger Lakes Region Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, a co-sponsor of the event. "These challenges are a topic not often covered in health professions education." The goal of the conference is to identify and mitigate the challenges of providing health care in rural areas by increasing knowledge of population health data, treatment strategies and supports and services in order to encourage and build resilience in rural caregivers and health care providers. The following speakers will be featured: Nora Obrien-Suric, President/CEO, Health Foundation of Western and Central NY Karen Madden, Director, Center for Health Care Policy and Resource Development, NYS Department of Health Dale King, owner of PSKC Crossfit - with discussion of the documentary Small Town Strong Ann Marie Cook, President/CEO, Lifespan of Greater Rochester Monica L. Ranaletta, DO, UR Medicine Colette Phipps, LMSW, CDP, Director, Program Development, Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services Susan Craine, LMSW, Lifespan of Greater Rochester Christa Barrows, BSN, MPH, Alzheimer's Association Volunteer The event is free, but Continuing Education Units (CMEs, CEUs) will be available for a $10 fee. Individuals can register online at bit.ly/RuralHealth25. The conference is co-sponsored by the Rochester & Finger Lakes Region Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield of Rochester, NY, the Finger Lakes Geriatric Education Center at the University of Rochester, Lifespan of Greater Rochester, NYS Association for Rural Health and the Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center (WNY R‐AHEC), and is funded, in part, through grants from the New York State Department of Health. To learn more about Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, call 800-272-3900 or visit alz.org.