Final Day of PCA’s Regional Conference on Aging Highlights Healthy Aging, Equity, and Legacy
The third and final day of Philadelphia Corporation for Aging’s 2025 Regional Conference on Aging opened with a thoughtful keynote, “What It Means to Grow Old,” presented by gerontological nurse Linda Shumaker. The session offered a deep dive into the normal processes of aging—physical, cognitive, social, and emotional—while emphasizing prevention and strategies for maintaining a healthy, engaged life.
Morning and mid-day workshops explored some of today’s most pressing issues affecting older adults. Sessions included discussions on behavioral health and social isolation, understanding and addressing ambiguous loss, and combating vaccine hesitancy in historically marginalized communities. Presenters shared both evidence-based approaches and community-driven strategies designed to promote inclusion, mental well-being, and health equity.
The day concluded with reflective and forward-looking sessions, including “Who Will Tell My Story… Me!”—a workshop on legacy building and storytelling—and “Aging with HIV,” which shed light on the unique needs and barriers faced by older adults living with HIV. Participants left the conference inspired, equipped with new tools, and strengthened by meaningful connections made throughout three days of learning, collaboration, and shared commitment to improving the lives of Philadelphia’s older adults and their caregivers.
