STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Learn how to navigate longevity during a free Navigating Longevity Summit on Saturday.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the Wood River Community YMCA in Ketchum.
The summit, organized by the Blaine County Aging Friendly Committee, will offer a variety of speakers to help people navigate their next step in the aging process for themselves or loved ones. People can attend one or all.
The summit will also feature an exhibitor’s hall highlighting resources provided by such organizations as the Senior Connection, the Wood River Hospice and Palliative Care, St. Luke’s Wood River and senior specialists in mental health, law, finance and insurance.
Snacks and beverages will be provided, as well as a free day pass to all attendees.
Free respite care will be provided for caregivers by the Senior Connection, courtesy of a grant from the Idaho Commission on Aging, for those who call Joanne at 208-788-3468.
And those 60 and older may ride Mountain Rides free from the south valley to the Y on the day of the event. There also will be transportation leaving the Senior Connection in Hailey at 9:15 a.m.
“I’m so excited about it,” said Ramona Duke, who is helping to organize the event on behalf of the Senior Connection. “There’ll be lots of information available via the short talks and informational booths. And there’ll be prizes for those who go to every exhibitor. There’ll be snacks provided by Chobani yogurt and others. And it’s for everyone from people who are dealing with aging parents to those who are getting older themselves.”
The speakers:
10:30 a.m. Re-imagining End of Life Care”
Kate Riley / Educator, Liaison, Advocate
11:00 a.m. Housing Options: Where to Go When You Can’t Stay Home
Darwyn Royeca / Bell Mountain Village & Care Center
11:30 a.m. How to Talk so Your Parents (or Kids!) Will Listen
Carol Stephens / Psy. D., LP, CBSM
12:00 p.m. Navigating Advanced Health Care Directives
Lisa Wild / Hospice &Palliative Care of the WR Valley
12:30 p.m. Long term Care Insurance : Do You Need It? How Much Does it Cost?
David Hand/ New York Life
1:00 p.m. Duals: Did You Know? (Medicare/Medicaid Dual Enrollment)
Jen Johnson / Blue Cross of Idaho
1:30 p.m. Medicare Myths
Rick Allington / Elder Law Attorney
The Blaine County Aging Friendly Committee is comprised of The Advocates, BCRD, Bell Mountain Village & Care Center, Carol Stephens Psy. D., LP, CBSM, The Community Library, College of Southern Idaho, Hailey Public Library, Hospice & Palliative Care of the Wood River Valley, The Hunger Coalition, Interlink Volunteer Caregivers, Kateriley.org, Light on the Mountains, Mountain Rides, NAMI, Senior Connection, Silvercreek Living, St. Luke’s Center for Community Health, Wood River Community YMCA
For information, contact the Senior Connection at 208-788-3468 or ramona@seniorconnectionidaho.org.