Promoting Wellness in Older Adulthood
Information
Date & Time
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Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
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Describe the relationship between ageism and older adults’ pursuit of wellness.
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Analyze a multi-dimensional framework for wellness in older adulthood.
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Develop two strategies for reducing ageism and promoting whole person wellness in one’s current professional role.
Educational Goal
The educational goal of this workshop is to expose participants to a framework for understanding aging that focuses on wellness and client strengths.
Description
For older adults, wellness is multifaceted and rooted in healthy views about the aging process. However, societal ageism and narrow depictions of wellness that focus only on physical health interfere with the pursuit of holistic wellness as people age. In this thought-provoking presentation, participants will examine the role of ageism and other barriers to wellness and explore an eight-dimensional framework for whole person wellness that has been applied with older adults across the country. A discussion of the role of utilizing mental health services to promote mental health and well-being will follow.
Target Audience
- Counselor
- Marriage & Family Therapist
- Psychologist
- Social Worker
- Substance Use Disorder Professionals
Presenters
Dr. Matthew Fullen is an Associate Professor at Virginia Tech where he teaches in the counselor education program. Dr. Fullen’s research, teaching, and advocacy focus on the mental health needs of older adults, with an emphasis on addressing gaps in Medicare mental health policy and developing programs to enhance resilience & wellness and prevent suicide among older adults. Dr. Fullen has collaborated on over $6 million in research grant funding to develop programs that support older adults’ mental health, including sponsored work from both public and private entities. In recognition of his research and professional leadership related to Medicare advocacy, he has received the Virginia Tech Land Grant Scholar Award, as well as three national awards from the American Counseling Association (Counselor Educator Advocacy Award (2023), top Research Award (2021), and Carl D. Perkins Government Relations Award (2020).
Financially Sponsored By
- Association for Adult Development & Aging (AADA)