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PHI Takes the Stage at ‘On Aging’ National Virtual Conference

By Robert Espinoza (he/him) | April 5, 2021

The American Society on Aging’s national conference annually gathers thousands of professionals from across the country to discuss the latest issues in aging and long-term care. This year’s conference—On Aging 2021—will be streamed virtually from April 6-15, ensuring that a wider audience—who might not be able to attend in person—can participate safely.

PHI will host and join various conference workshops and panels, infusing our expertise on the direct care workforce into the agenda. If you’re attending this conference, please join us at our presentations listed below. We look forward to seeing you!

America’s Essential Direct Care Workforce: Immediate Challenges, Upcoming Opportunities

When: April 7, 2021, 5-6pm EST

Conference Description: During the COVID-19 pandemic, direct care workers have played a critical role in supporting older adults and people with disabilities across ravaged long-term care settings, often without adequate training, protective equipment, recognition or compensation. This workshop will present the latest evidence on direct care workers, describe immediate and longstanding challenges facing this workforce, and explore the opportunities we now face thanks to the unprecedented national attention on these essential workers to recognize their value, elevate their role, and advocate for their jobs.

Learning through Film: The Genius of Marian by Banker White and Anna Fitch

When: April 8, 2021, 5:45-7:45pm EST

Conference Description: When Pam White is diagnosed at age 61 with early-onset Alzheimer’s, she and her family grapple with the disease, and her eldest son attempts to recover her memories by recording conversations in this visually rich, poignant film. The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion on “Caring for the Caregivers” in partnership with HFC. The panel will address: (1) How can we support family members and caregivers as they go through the process of meeting their care receiver’s needs and their own?; (2) What does caregiving look like in a more equitable world, especially as we recognize the higher rates of dementia and Alzheimer’s in communities of color?; and (3) What are the policies that we would like to see in place to support family and paid caregivers?

Aging Policy in a New Congress (Policy Town Hall)

When: April 9, 2021, 5:30-6:30pm EST

Conference Description: Join us for a dialogue with national policymakers about the outlook for aging issues under the Biden Administration and in the 117th Congress. There have been few moments in history when issues in aging have so clearly led the national discourse, and it is imperative that we continue to advocate together to ensure that the needs of all communities that are aging are met now and in the future.

Caregiving’s Core: Direct Care Workers and Family Caregivers

When: April 12, 2:30-3:30pm EST

Conference Description: Direct care workers and family caregivers form the front line of long-term care, yet their relationship remains underutilized. How should the aging services field invest in boosting the relationship between direct care workers and family caregivers to improve the well-being of older people? This is the guiding question framing this workshop, a brainstorm to inform a national agenda for strengthening the core of U.S. caregiving: direct care workers and family caregivers.

Private: Robert Espinoza (he/him)
About The Author

Robert Espinoza (he/him)

Former Executive Vice President of Policy
Robert Espinoza oversees PHI's national advocacy and public education division on the direct care workforce, and contributes vision and leadership to the organization's strategies.

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