Advocates for older adults, including clinicians, caregivers and other stakeholders, are invited to help prepare a statement of best practices for screening older adults for cognitive decline or impairment.
A summit to draft the statement will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 at the Henrico County Public Schools Oak Avenue Complex, 15 S. Oak Ave.
The meeting is organized by the Henrico County Outreach & Engagement Agency’s Older Adult Services with the Wisdom Watch Alliance. Participation is free, but online registration is required. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Tenesha J. Lewis, guest editor of PHILLIS: The Journal for Research on African-American Women.
Concerns about cognitive decline are often identified late, leaving families and loved ones to navigate confusing pathways with limited support, Henrico’s Advocate for the Aging Ashlee Giles said.
“Community screenings can serve as an effective bridge if they are done ethically and consistently and with clear steps for ongoing care,” she said. “Henrico’s Older Adult Services is pleased to partner with the Wisdom Watch Alliance to facilitate an engaging conversation with the community that helps us move from ‘what should happen’ to ‘what will we do together’ to support a family member or a loved one.”
Following the summit, the statement of best practices will be shared with practitioners throughout the community with a goal of promoting equitable, person-centered screening, particularly in underserved communities.
For more information, contact the Office of the Advocate for the Aging at [email protected] or 804-501-5065, or Summit Volunteer Director Kimberly Peterson at 804-901-1396 or wisdomwatchalliance.org.