Senior Summit 2018 Highlights

209 South High Street Akron, Ohio 44308-1616 HOURS: Monday-Friday 8am- 4pm (330) 643-2350

What is Senior Summit 2018?

Senior Summit, a two day event, culminated a year of collaborative planning by numerous Summit County partners and sponsors. The goal was to heighten awareness of seniors and those who love them of the best services available; aiding them in living vibrant lives in our region. May 18: The Professional Conference

Nearly 250 were in attendance for the conference held at St George's Family Center. This event brought together some of the best senior services in Summit County to discuss current law and best practices for serving seniors and caregivers. Attendees earned CEU or CLE certification. The all-day conference included booths by sponsors

The day began with a Community Coordinated Needs Assessment introduced by John Garofalo, Akron Community Foundation. Panelists included Gary Cook, Direction Home Akron/Canton, Emily Mutillo, The Center for Community solutions, Abigail Morgan, Direction Home, Susan Sigmon, Direction Home, and Karen Hrdlicka, Vantage.

Other sessions included, Patient Advocacy throughout the Continuum of Care: The Ohio Caregiving Act, presented by Maria Schimer, NEOMED, Francine Chuchanis, Direction Home Akron/Canton, and Semanthie Brooks, Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging (Ret.).

C aregiving Symposium – Navigating the Challenges of Family Caregiving included Monica Robins of WKYC sharing her moving personal experience and introducing a panel including Susan Sigmon, Direction Home Aging and Disabilities, Kelly Morelock, Summit County Job & Family Services, Matt Gurwell, Founder of Keeping Us Safe, and Kyla Williger, Williger Legal Group.

Other highlights included Jean Accius of AARP Public Policy Institute, speaking on Disrupting the Status Quo: Creating Vibrant Communities for All Ages. Neurological Diseases – Parkinson ’s disease– What Patients Go Through, What It Feels Like & What’s Being Accomplished Through Research and Collaboration and a Caregiver’s Perspective presented by Glen Leppo, Michael Wolff, NEOMED, and Julie Beal - Parkinson’s Caregiver.

The day wrapped up with Age Friendly Cities: A Symposium on Planning, Policy and Practice with Chaz Villwock of 221B Consultants, as moderator, and a panel of Jean Accius, AARP Public Policy Institute, Harvey Sterns, Institute for Life- Span Development and Gerontology The University of Akron and Katie White, Age Friendly Columbus, The Ohio State University College of Social Work. May 19: The Expo

The Senior Summit Expo was held at Firestone CLC in Akron. All agencies in attendance provided services to seniors and people who love and care for them.

WAKR radio broadcast LIVE from Firestone CLC shows by Andy January and Tom Dayton as well Free breakfast and lunches were provided as as a session hosted by Ray Horner. well as a food sampling through Vantage: Meals on Wheels, Akron Public Schools and Gordon Food Services. These groups also had a special part in free samples for all in attendance prepared and served by the Kenmore-Garfield Culinary program. Volunteers were provided by many steering partners and as well as from the Volunteer Guardian Program, the LeBron James Family Foundation 330 Ambassadors, and Firestone High School.

NEOMED provided a Med-check, Community Legal Aid included free legal advice, and CarFit, allowed seniors to check how well their personal vehicles "fit" them. By far the most popular was the Firestone Planetarium which had hourly shows throughout the day. Huge thanks to METRO for their free services and coordinating with the City of Akron for the Trolley's to make parking a breeze. Rockynol also provided transportation so that everyone could have car-to-door service for all seniors and vendors

Other learning sessions included Straight Talk about Probate - Judge Stormer Keeping Us Safe - Matt Gurwell, Tai Chi - with Direction Home. Medicare and Social Security - . Medicare expert Francine Chuchanis from Direction Home and Robert Fenn of Social Security Administration in an interview with WAKR’s Ray Horner. DEEP- Diabetes Empowerment and Education Program from Direction Home Carrara -- Spring cleaning and decluttering. Stow Community Jazz Band Direction Home - Akron Area Agency on Aging-coordinated needs assessment, a joint project with Akron Community Foundation "What to Expect at a Senior Check-up" with Dr. Natalie Kayani from Summa Health Systems Center for Senior Health. YMCA Line Dancing Encore Careers: What is it and why do you want one? - Vantage Aging. Matter of Balance - with Direction Home

Thank you for coming!

Thank you to attendees from across Summit County for coming to the Senior Summit Expo. Here is where you came from...

Platinum Sponsor Summit County Executive's Department of Job and Family Services

Gold Sponsor AARP – Ohio Akron Public Schools Direction Home: Akron Area Agency on Aging Rubber City Radio Group/WAKR/WONE/WQMX Summit County Public Health Summit County Probate Court

Boomer Sponsors Cleveland Clinic Akron General METRO Regional Transit Authority Rischitelli & Poulos, LLC SummaCare Summa Health System

Mature Sponsors Akron Community Foundation’s Discretionary Fund Akron Area YMCA Trina M. Carter, Attorney at Law Goodwill Industries of Akron Info Line, 2-1-1 Neicamp, Wesensell, Mutersbaugh and Masterantonio, LLP Summit County Children Services Summit County Elder Abuse Prevention Coalition Summit County Land Bank Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh The Koewler Law Firm VANTAGE Aging

Akron Bar Association Sponsorships Altercare of Hartville Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care, Inc. Ciccolini & Associates, Co., L.P.A. Attorney Michael Kaplan Starkey Law Firm, LLC

Interested in 2020?

Have ideas for the next Senior Summit? You can be part of a committee, have a booth or session or volunteer.

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