2026 Supporting Healthy Aging Conference

May 14, 2026, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sequoia Conference Center, Eureka CA

Presented by 

We Thank Our Conference Sponsors:

Matsen Insurance • Alzheimer’s Association

Area 1 Agency on Aging • Redwood Capital Bank • Redwood Caregiver Resource Center • Visiting Angels

Humboldt Audiology • Hospice of Humboldt

Conference Overview

The 2026 Supporting Healthy Aging  Conference, focusing on Value in Aging, will examine how aging is shaped by social connection, purpose, health, culture, and access to supportive systems.

The conference presentations will provide interdisciplinary perspectives from community well-being research, neuroscience, contemplative medicine, caregiving, cultural frameworks, and longevity science.

Through evidence-informed presentations and facilitated dialogue, participants will explore what supports aging well, critically examine the roles of ageism and system design, and identify practical strategies that promote dignity, belonging, and well-being across the lifespan.

Conference Goals

  1. Provide an interdisciplinary overview of current research and frameworks related to aging, longevity, brain health, caregiving, and community well-being.
  2. Examine how cultural values, caregiving relationships, and social structures influence the experience and meaning of aging.
  3. Increase awareness of ageism and systemic barriers that affect older adults, caregivers, and communities.
  4. Promote practical, evidence-informed approaches that support health, purpose, connection, and dignity in later life.
  5. Support integration of knowledge into practice by encouraging participants to identify actionable strategies applicable to their professional or community roles.

Conference Learning Objectives

  1. Describe at least three (3) factors that support aging well, drawing from research in brain health, caregiving, cultural frameworks, community connection, or longevity science.
  2. Explain how aging experiences are shaped by social, cultural, and system-level factors, including health care, community design, and societal narratives.
  3. Identify at least two (2) examples of ageism or systemic barriers and describe their impact on older adults or caregivers.
  4. Identify at least two (2) evidence-informed or practice-based strategies that support dignity, belonging, or well-being in later life.
  5. Articulate one (1) change in perspective or practice that can be applied to a  professional, organizational, or community setting to better support aging populations.

2026 Supporting Healthy Aging Conference Agenda At-A-Glance

8:00 – 8:45 am:  Registration and Exhibitor Fair   Refreshments available             

8:45 – 9:00 am:  Welcome and Introductions – Samantha Day, DSW, LCSW

9:00 – 10:00 am:  The Good Life Framework:  Redefining Value in Aging Through Belonging, Freedom, Adaptation and Gratitude – Jamie Jensen, PhD, Cal Poly Humboldt Department of Social Work and member, California Commission on Aging

10:00 – 10:15 am:  Break      Refreshments available

10:15 – 11:15 am:  The Value of Brain Health: What New Science Tells Us About Reducing Dementia Risk – Andrew Levine, PhD, North Coast Neuropsychology

11:15 am – 12:15 pm: When Care Becomes Healing: A Contemplative Medical View of Aging and Caregiving – Jennifer Heidmann, MD, Medical Director, Redwood Coast PACE – a program of the Humboldt Senior Resource Center

12:15 – 1:15 pm:  Lunch and Networking      Lunch provided

1:15– 2:15 pm:  Bringing Elder Back Through a Cultural Perspective – Elizabeth Lara-O’Rourke, Chief Executive Officer, United Indian Health Services

2:15 – 3:15 pm:  Keynote Presentation – The Four Keys to Longevity: What We Gain in Our Bonus Years – Alexis Abramson, PhD, Gerontologist, Author and Private Longevity Advisor™

 3:15 – 3:30 pm:  Break    Refreshments available

3:30 – 4:30 pm:  Panel – Value in Aging: What We Gain, What We Give and What We Must Build Next  – All conference speakers

4:30 – 4:45 pm:   Question and Answer Session

4:45 – 5:00 pm:   Closing Comments – Samantha Day, DSW, LCSW

2026 Supporting Healthy Aging Conference Agenda Details

8:00 – 8:45 am:  Registration and Exhibitor Fair     Refreshments are available in the Lobby

8:45 – 9:00 am:  Welcome and Introductions – Samantha Day, DSW, LCSW

9:00– 10:00 am: The Good Life Framework: Redefining Value in Aging Through Belonging, Freedom, Adaptation, and Gratitude – Jamie Jensen, PhD

This session introduces the Good Life Framework — a relational model for understanding the value of aging as a community process. Drawing on research in Humboldt County, California, and lessons from Costa Rica’s longevity studies, Dr. Jamie Jensen shows how small interactions and collective perception shape health, purpose, and belonging. Participants will gain tools for applying these insights to policy, practice, and community development, and will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the model and generate ideas for future initiatives that reflect its principles.

 Session Goals

  1. Showcase how belonging, freedom, adaptation, and gratitude drive well-being and purpose in later life.
  2. Highlight the power of relational, community-focused approaches to aging.
  3. Inspire participants to co-create ideas for initiatives informed by the Good Life Framework.

Session Learning Objectives

  1. Explain the four (4) elements of the Good Life Framework and their role in promoting health, purpose, and social connection.
  2. Identify two (2) strategies to apply the framework at the individual, community, or system level.
  3. Provide feedback and generate actionable ideas for initiatives that bring the framework to life.

10:00 – 10:15 am:  Break           Refreshments are available in the Lobby

10:15 – 11:15 am:  The Value of Brain Health: What New Science Tells Us About Reducing Dementia Risk – Andrew Levine, PhD

As we grow older, maintaining brain health becomes an increasingly important part of aging well. This session explores emerging research and recent medical advances related to brain health and dementia risk reduction. Building upon established evidence-based strategies while highlighting what is new and evolving in the field, Dr. Levine will provide clearer understanding of the science behind cognitive health and how lifestyle and medical factors may influence dementia risk. The session also examines the limitations of current research and the challenges of applying findings in real-world settings. With a focus on accessibility and realistic application, attendees will leave with an updated, evidence-informed framework for supporting brain health across the lifespan.

Session Goals

  1. Provide an overview of current and emerging science related to brain health and dementia risk reduction.
  2. Promote practical, accessible strategies that may support cognitive health.
  3. Foster critical thinking around how scientific recommendations are developed, communicated, and applied.

Session Learning Objectives

  1. Identify at least three (3) strategies that support optimal brain health.
  2. Identify at least two (2) recent evidence-based findings related to brain health or dementia risk reduction.
  3. Discuss at least two (2) limitations of existing research on lifestyle and prevention-focused dementia studies.

11:15- 12:15 pm:  When Care Becomes Healing: A Contemplative Medical View of Aging and Caregiving  – Jennifer Heidmann, MD

What happens when medicine slows down enough to truly witness aging? In this session, Dr. Jennifer Heidmann explores how caregiving becomes a source of healing when grounded in presence, reflection, and relationship. Drawing on contemplative medicine and clinical leadership in the Redwood Coast PACE and Adult Day Health Care programs, this presentation highlights how caregivers and care teams can cultivate awareness and compassion in the midst of complexity. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how caregiving supports not only physical health, but also meaning, connection, and value across the aging journey.

Session Goals

  1. Illuminate caregiving as a healing practice by examining how presence, reflection, and relationship function as essential components of care in aging.
  2. Deepen understanding of how contemplative approaches enhance caregiving experiences, supporting caregivers and care teams in sustaining compassion, resilience, and connection.
  3. Reframe caregiving beyond task-based support, emphasizing its role in fostering meaning, connection, and value across the aging journey.

 Session Learning Objectives

  1. Describe at least two (2) ways caregiving functions as a healing practice.
  2. Identify at least two (2) contemplative approaches that support caregivers and care teams in sustaining connection and resilience.
  3. Explain at least two (2) ways caregiving fosters meaning and connection for older adults and those who provide care.

12:15 – 1:15 pm:  Lunch and Networking                Lunch is served in the Lobby

1:15 – 2:15 pm:  Bringing Elder Back Through a Cultural Perspective – Elizabeth Lara-O’Rourke

In many Indigenous cultures, becoming an elder is an honor marked by respect, responsibility, and recognition of lived experience and wisdom. However, in the United States aging is often accompanied by marginalization, invisibility, and ageism. This session invites participants to examine perspectives on aging and reflect on how cultural values shape the way elders are viewed, treated, and included.  Ms. Lara-O’Rourke will explore what it truly means to be an elder, how elders contribute knowledge, continuity, and meaning, and how communities can reclaim elderhood as a valued and empowering life stage. Participants will be invited into reflection and dialogue about how aging and elderhood are understood within their own families and communities, and how we might collectively challenge ageism and honor the value elders bring.

 Session Goals

  1. Examine cultural differences in how elderhood and aging are understood and valued, with particular attention to Indigenous perspectives.
  2. Increase awareness of ageism and how it shapes societal, familial, and community attitudes toward elders.
  3. Encourage reflection and dialogue on how individuals and communities can reclaim and honor elderhood as a meaningful and respected role.

 Session Learning Objectives

  1. Describe at least two (2) ways elderhood is understood or honored in Indigenous or other cultural frameworks, compared to how aging is commonly viewed in U.S. society.
  2. Identify at least two (2) examples of ageism and explain how they influence the experiences of elders within families or communities.
  3. Describe at least two (2) ways individuals or communities can honor, learn from, or elevate elders in everyday life, professional practice, or community settings.

2:15– 3:15 pm:  Keynote Presentation – The Four Keys to Longevity: What We Gain in Our Bonus Years™ – Alexis Abramson, PhD

 Get ready for an engaging exploration of our “Bonus Years™”—the unprecedented decades of life made possible by advances in health, science, and society. As life expectancy has expanded from barely 50 years at the turn of the 19th century to 80 years and beyond today, an essential question emerges: how do we harness this extraordinary gift of time? And how can we use cutting-edge research to ensure our later years are as healthy, happy, wealthy, and wise as possible? Participants will explore how physical, cognitive, social, and financial well-being contribute to quality of life across the lifespan, and how proactive, values-informed approaches to aging can support purpose, vitality, and engagement during our Bonus Years™.

 Session Goals

  1. Introduce a research-informed framework for longevity that emphasizes quality of life, purpose, and well-being across extended lifespans.
  2. Highlight the multiple dimensions of aging well, including physical, mental, social, and financial factors that contribute to long-term health and fulfillment.
  3. Encourage a proactive and values-based approach to aging, reframing longevity as an opportunity for growth, contribution, and meaningful engagement.

Session Learning Objectives

  1. Describe at least two (2) key trends or research findings shaping current understanding of longevity and extended lifespan.
  2. Identify the four (4) keys to longevity and explain how each contributes to quality of life in later years.
  3. Explain at least two (2) practical strategies individuals or communities can use to support purpose, engagement, and well-being during the Bonus Years™.

3:15-3:30 pm:  Break    Refreshments are available in the Lobby

3:30 – 4:30 pm:   Panel – Value in Aging: What We Gain, What We Give and What We Must Build Next – Alexis Abramson, PhD; Jennifer Heidmann, MD; Jamie Jensen, PhD; Elizabeth Lara-O’Rourke;  Andrew Levine, PhD; moderator: Samantha Day, DSW, LCSW

Drawing on perspectives from neuroscience, medicine, caregiving, community research, cultural frameworks, and longevity science, panelists will reflect on key themes that emerged throughout the day.  This panel will explore how societies, systems, and communities can better recognize what we gain through aging, honor what older adults and caregivers give, and intentionally build environments that support dignity, belonging, and meaning across the lifespan. Participants will be invited to consider their own roles in shaping the future of aging and to identify opportunities for action beyond the conference.

 Panel Session Goals

  1. Integrate key insights from across conference sessions to deepen understanding of value in aging from individual, relational, and systems perspectives.
  2. Examine shared responsibilities in supporting aging populations, caregivers, and communities in ways that reflect dignity, connection, and inclusion.
  3. Encourage forward-thinking dialogue about what must change or be built to better support aging across the lifespan.

 Panel Session Learning Objectives

  1. Describe at least two (2) ways aging contributes value to individuals, families, or communities, drawing on themes from multiple conference sessions.
  2. Identify at least two (2) system-level or community-level opportunities to better support aging, caregiving, or belonging across the lifespan.
  3. Articulate at least one (1) action, perspective shift, or priority they can be applied in a professional or community role to support the value of aging.

 4:15 – 4:45 pm:   Question and Answer Session

4:45 – 5:00 pm:   Closing Comments – Samantha Day, DSW, LCSW

Conference schedule and speakers subject to change without notice.

Conference Speakers

Alexis Abramson, PhD has dedicated over 25 years to multigenerational studies and the science of aging. She is a leading expert in gerontology, with a specific focus on longevity, caregiving, and fraud prevention. Dr. Abramson received her Doctorate in Gerontology from the University of Southern California and was trained in Cybersecurity Fraud Prevention at Harvard University. Her sought-after insight and experience have led her worldwide recognition as an inspiring speaker, author, spokesperson, corporate trainer, consultant, and entrepreneur. Dr. Abramson is well-known as an Emmy and Gracie award-winning journalist who has appeared frequently as an on-air expert for NBC’s Today show, CNN, CBS, FOX, MSNBC and many other media outlets. Dr. Abramson is the recipient of numerous professional accolades, including Working Woman Magazine’s General Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, Atlanta Small Business’ Person of the Year Award, 40 Under 40 Award, American Society of Aging’s Outstanding Business Award, and many others.

Jennifer Heidmann, MD is the medical director at Redwood Coast PACE,  starting when the program opened at Humboldt Senior Resource Center in 2014. She has practiced internal medicine in Humboldt County since 2002, working in both outpatient and inpatient settings, as well as at Hospice of Humboldt. She is involved in advocacy efforts to improve access to care for rural elders as well as educating young physicians and premedical students. Dr. Heidmann is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Madison Medical School and completed her residency at the University of California San Francisco.

Jamie Jensen, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt (Cal Poly Humboldt) where they have been part of the faculty since 2008. They hold a BASW and MSW from Cal Poly Humboldt, an MA in Human Development, and a PhD in Human and Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, California. Dr. Jensen has lived experience caring for aging parents and is deeply committed to aging in California, with professional experience in aging, community planning, caregiver support, medical social work, and social gerontology. As the Founder and Director of the Full Life Institute, they focus on enhancing the quality of life for older adults, promoting inclusivity, and fostering innovative approaches to aging in place within rural communities. In 2024, Dr. Jensen was appointed to the California Commission on Aging by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Elizabeth Lara-O’Rourke is the Chief Executive Officer of United Indian Health Services (UIHS). She is Hupa, Yurok, and Chilula and has lived in Humboldt County all her life. She studied Communication and Native American Studies, receiving her bachelor’s degree from Humboldt State University. She received a master’s degree in public administration from the University of San Francisco.  In her time at UIHS she worked as a patient registration technician, clerical assistant, assistant CHR coordinator, health promotion specialist, health promotion and education manager, tribal public health director, and now as chief executive officer. Having been raised by a very traditional family, Elizabeth brings cultural values and understanding to the workplace and to all that she is involved in. Providing services that meet the unique cultural and traditional needs of the American Indian people is a priority for her.

Andrew Levine, PhD is a scientist/clinician and holds an appointment as Adjunct Professor with the Department of Neurology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. With several grants awarded by the National Institutes of Health, he has developed a successful multidisciplinary international research program focused on psychometrics, neurodegenerative disease (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease) and the neurocognitive effects of HIV infection. Dr. Levine is also a clinical neuropsychologist who is board-certified through the American Board of Professional Psychology. He has been involved in clinical and medico-legal practice and consultation since completing a post-doctoral fellowship at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute in 2005. He has been a qualified medical examiner for the California Department of Workers’ Compensation since 2018 and FAA HIMS-certified neuropsychologist since 2019. He relocated to Humboldt County with his family in 2020 and opened a private practice, North Coast Neuropsychology, in Arcata.

Conference Registration Information

The course fee for the 2026 Supporting Healthy Aging Conference is $55 per person, including onsite on the day of the event. Registration is payable online via credit card; if a check payment is necessary, please call 707-443-9747 for assistance.

The course fee includes all program materials, resource fair, break refreshments and lunch. Continuing education credit will be provided at no additional cost to all attendees requesting it.

There are a limited number of lower-cost scholarship registration slots available for the conference.  To be eligible for the reduced scholarship rate of $35, the attendee:

  • Must be a community member or family caregiver and not a staff member of a local organization or healthcare provider
  • Must commit to attending the full course
  • Cannot request continuing education credit for attending the conference

Please call 707-443-9747 and ask to speak with either Samantha Day (x3203) or Tammy Peterson (x3236) if interested in one of these scholarship opportunities.

Refund policy: A full refund minus a $10 administrative fee will be given for cancellation requests received on or before May 4, 2026. There is no refund for cancellations received after May 4, 2026. However, individuals who have preregistered with full payment, but are unable to attend, may send a substitute to attend the conference. We must be notified in writing of the substitute’s name and complete registration information by May 12, 2026.

Continuing Education Credit

Continuing education credit details will be added when confirmed and approved — applications have been submitted for nursing contact hours as well as for CE credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs.   Please check back for updates, or call 707-443-9747 for more information.