This annual conference highlights current technology trends, products, and information to support older adults and their caregivers in making technology work for them. Our audience of approximately 200 includes older adults, caregivers, aging services professionals, health care providers, senior living representatives, nonprofits, foundations, government agencies and corporations.
Secure your sponsorship or exhibitor table!
Download the complete list of sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities
and submit your application today.
Presenting Sponsor:
Conference Sponsors:
Exhibitors:
Agenda
7:30 am – 8:30 am: Conference Check-in
Visit exhibitors, network, enjoy continental breakfast
8:30 am – 9 am: Carriage Hall A - Opening Remarks
Welcome from Presenting Sponsor Allianz Life | Senior Community Services Overview | Keynote Introduction
9 am - 9:50 am: Carriage Hall A - Keynote Presentation sponsored by The Medica Foundation
Digital technology is a new area of interventions that can improve health and reduce disparities. Since the pandemic, SDK has led community-informed research on both digital equity for Ramsey County and Saint Paul, as well extensive qualitative interviews on telehealth experiences with community-based healthcare providers like FQHCs and nonprofits providing home and community-based services to Medicare enrollees, as well as patients. Through this presentation, we will share lessons about the opportunities and barriers of connectivity to advancing the social determinants of health and health care equity.
KEY POINTS OF NOTE
1. We’re at an important time in the future of telehealth and connectivity.
2. Social determinants of health like transportation, technology access and technology literacy, and even housing are impacted by telehealth.
3. Caregivers and people supporting seniors are also impacted by – and benefit from – telehealth.
4. Full online access will mean we have to help people Get Connected / Stay Connected / Know How To Use the Connection — and achieving it will unlock added opportunity for telehealth access and break down barriers to social determinants of health.
This presentation will provide important context and data for service providers and leaders working with older adults. We expect attendees to walk away with more information about how older adults are accessing digital technology and telehealth, and the opportunities and challenges of this mode. The presentation will also provide context that will help older adults, caregivers, and service providers consider their telehealth options.
Stephanie Devitt is founder and principal consultant of SDK Communications + Consulting, where the team works with clients in the areas of community-informed research, engagement-driven planning and initiative management to help clients define issues and advance projects and policies. Over more than a decade of service to foundations, healthcare providers/payers and state and local governments, SDK has built a respected reputation for innovative work exploring how people connect (through transportation and online) and social determinants of health, and developing cross-sector partnerships and projects related to these topics.
Prior to founding SDK in 2012, Stephanie worked as a consultant for Minnesota and national public affairs firms. She began her career leading regional community relations for U.S. Senator Tom Daschle, where she managed relationships across 14 counties and 3 reservations to better connect communities with federal government resources. Stephanie
holds a BS in Sociology and an MPP in Management and Engagement, both from the University of Minnesota.
10 am - 10:50 am: Concurrent Breakout Sessions
The primary objective of this workshop is to educate older adults and their caregivers on essential privacy practices, empowering them to protect their personal information and navigate the digital world safely. As technology becomes more integrated into daily life, it is crucial for older adults and their caregivers to understand how to protect their personal information online. This workshop will provide practical, hands-on guidance on privacy protection, including safe internet practices, recognizing scams, managing privacy settings, and understanding the importance of data security.
Faisal Kaleem, Ph.D., CISSP, CEH, MCT, CCLO, CCPA, is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Cybersecurity at Metropolitan State University. Dr. Kaleem earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Florida International University, Miami, FL, and has been a committed educator since 1998. An award-winning cybersecurity educator, he has made significant contributions to the field both nationally and within Minnesota, particularly in fostering a diverse cybersecurity workforce and establishing a comprehensive cybersecurity ecosystem. Dr. Kaleem’s work is supported by substantial grants from the NSF, NSA, and various state and private entities. Holding esteemed industry certifications such as CISSP, Dr. Kaleem is also celebrated for his commitment to teaching, evidenced by multiple awards for excellence in teaching and accolades from the professional community.
Do you get confused and scratch your head when people refer to The Cloud? Do your eyes glaze over when you start hearing technical jargon? As life moves more and more online, don’t let tech terms become a barrier to accessing resources to meet your needs. This session will offer definitions of common technology vocabulary and demonstrate how they help us in our day-to-day lives. Leave with a handout of common technology terms.
Michelle Wolney is the Program Coordinator and primary technology educator for the Vital Living Program at East Side Neighborhood Services, a non-profit that serves older adults in NE & SE Minneapolis. She is also a trained Senior Planet technology class facilitator and offers those courses and curriculum to the NE community on a weekly basis. She has a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology and Sociology which has contributed to her passion for education and serving the community. In addition to her education, she completed a Public Allies apprenticeship through AmeriCorps and was partnered with Senior Community Services. These experiences deepened her passion for working with older adults, the nonprofit sector, and social justice advocacy.
11 am - 11:50 am: Concurrent Breakout Sessions
As we age, older adults and those who care about and for them often look for tools and resources to help with daily activities which can help maintain and or increase independence. These tools and resources can help reduce safety concerns while increasing personal comfort.
In this session attendees will learn about Minnesota’s FREE Assistive Technology Lending Library, the MN STAR Program. We will discuss the services that are available and how to access them. We will also discuss other programs and resources available in Minnesota to assist seniors to live their best life.
Additionally, we will bring an assortment of technology for attendees to see and feel! Examples of technology will include vision magnifiers, hearing amplification, specialized computer access equipment, home monitoring and alerting equipment, and more. We will make sure to save time for your questions.
Amy Perron is the Program Director for the STAR Program (A System of Technology to Achieve Results) located within the Minnesota Department of Administration. Amy has been with STAR for the past 8 years. Before serving as Director, Amy was the Assistive Technology Specialist for STAR, working directly with Minnesotans, consulting and assisting with Assistive Technology. Prior to coming to the State of Minnesota Amy worked in the private sector selling Assistive Technology.
Social isolation and loneliness are serious health concerns of the older adult population. We learned during the pandemic that technology, although not a perfect solution to the challenges of loneliness, can help alleviate some of the concerns. However, there is a segment of the older adult population where technology has been out of reach. This is the darkest side of the digital divide.
In this breakout session, you will learn how Tech for Seniors, a program of Gifts for Seniors, seeks to help its clients using tablets, internet access, and learning and support programs. We will share our thoughts on this core question: “How do you help an older adult with no technology experience get connected, be engaged, and actively learn to use a tablet?”
We will share principles and approaches we use to engage our clients while keeping them safe. We will openly share resources, content and approaches that caregivers and aging services professionals can consider while helping
isolated older adults stay connected and engaged.
Since 2017, Don Frederiksen has focused on the technology challenges and opportunities of older adults. He is the publisher and author of the SeniorTechClub.com, an online website that helps older adults stay connected and engaged by learning, sharing and exploring technology. Since 2022, Don has worked with Gifts for Seniors as he collaborates on their efforts to use technology to alleviate social isolation and loneliness in older adults.
In his retirement life, he has trained thousands of older adults on both iPhone and iPad devices and a wide range of other topics including security, privacy, social media, online learning and more. He has published hundreds of lessons, courses and guides at the SeniorTechClub.com site. He has delivered hundreds of online and in-person classes to
help older adults with their technology. Don will unapologetically call himself a retired guy just looking at doing good.
Don started his professional career as a school band director, discovered personal computers in the early 80’s, and never looked back. He traveled the country teaching IT professionals, started two companies and led corporate IT data teams. He is a data nerd.
Don has a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Minnesota and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas. He lives in St. Anthony, MN.
Carolyn is fiercely passionate about alleviating social isolation and leads Gifts for Seniors, a local nonprofit striving to improve the wellbeing of older adults in our community. Through her consulting practice, Indelible Aging, she advocates for innovative, inclusive, social aging options that honor choices, preserve dignity, and prioritize human connection. She considers herself an avid philanthropist and volunteer who also enjoys serving on the Board of Directors at Charities Review Council.
