LeadingAge Senior VP of Research Robyn Stone (center) speaks during the keynote panel on health, equity, and independence at the Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services Future of Aging forum in October. Also on the panel were Caitlyn Coyle of UMass Boston and Manuel Lopes of Fenway Health.

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services celebrated 50 years of services by convening a Future of Aging forum in October.

The forum brought together industry leaders from the medical, aging, advocacy, political, and community-based services fields to discuss emerging trends and best practices to help stakeholders build a better future of aging.

“Today, our focus really is how we can all work together to create and strengthen the future of aging in our communities,” said SCES Board President Lesley Hergert.  

Highlights of the forum can be watched on the SCES website; visit eldercare.org and search for “forum.”

The keynote discussion focused on advancing health, equity, and independence. Moderated by Olivia Umoren from USAging, the panelists were:

• Leading Age SVP of Research and Co-Director of the LeadingAge LTSS Center at UMASS Boston, Dr. Robyn I. Stone
• Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging at UMASS Boston Director Dr. Caitlin E. Coyle
• Fenway Health interim CEO and Founding Member of the Health Equity Compact Manuel Lopes

Also speaking during this segment were:

• SCES CEO Marta Corvelo
• Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs Secretary Dr. Elizabeth Chen
• Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services Undersecretary for Health Dr. Kiame Mahaniah

The breakout session “Driving Innovation through Social and Health Care Partnerships” explored the intersection of innovation, social and healthcare partnerships, and the population health needs of aging in place. Moderated by Marisa Scala-Foley of USAging, the panelists were:

• Greater Lawrence Family Health Center President and CEO Guy Fish
• National Committee for Quality Assurance Senior Content Engineer Amelia Bedri
• Older Adult Behavioral Health Network (OABHN) Project Manager Cassie Cramer
• AgeSpan Chief Strategy Officer Jennifer Raymond
• Commonwealth Care Alliance President of Clinical Services Hany Abdelaal

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services is a non-profit agency that supports the independence and well-being of older adults and adults with disabilities in Somerville and Cambridge. For free advice and guidance on questions of aging, caregiving or disability, contact our Community Support Center at 617-628-2601, email info@eldercare.org, or visit our website eldercare.org.