Phoebe Institute on Aging (PIA) Fall 2019 Conference
FALL 2019 CONFERENCE
West Greets East: Alternative Approaches to Aging
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2019 | 8:00 A.M. TO 4:15 P.M.
UNIVERSITY CENTER AT DESALES UNIVERSITY
Presented by KeyBank
#phoebeinstituteonaging
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported this year’s Fall Conference! Stay tuned for updates on the Spring 2020 PIA Conference “Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll”: Baby Boomers and Aging.
West Greets East: Alternative Approaches to Aging
The Western approach to aging considers the human body as primary. Treatments for common ailments associated with growing older—everything from memory lapses to pain to incontinence to loneliness—are generally addressed biochemically. The Eastern approach to aging considers the consciousness as primary. Treatments encompass the body, mind, and spirit. As our aging population increases and grows older, how can we integrate Western and Eastern philosophies to help ensure longevity and quality of life—as well as a peaceful death? This conference explores a world of approaches to that question from a broad spectrum of disciplines.
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Bring your voice to the table: The Phoebe Institute on Aging is accepting proposals for breakout sessions at the Spring Conference in April 2020. To submit a proposal or view the criteria, please click here.
The Phoebe Institute on Aging (PIA) promotes improved quality of life and care for the aging and their families. The Institute is well-known for its innovative educational programs, cooperative ventures, and outreach activities.
Click here for a copy of the conference brochure.
Conference Schedule
Featured Speakers
Session Descriptions
Breakout Session Speakers
About The Phoebe Institute on Aging
Continuing Education Credits
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
FEATURED SPEAKERS
8:10–8:55 a.m.
Ric A. Baxter, M.D., FAAHPM
Network Chairman, Department of Palliative Medicine, & Hospice Medical Director, St. Luke’s University Health Network
So Why Would an M.D. Learn Acupuncture? A Personal Journey of Integration
For the past 14 years, Dr. Baxter has incorporated acupuncture into his daily practice of medicine, initially as a family medicine physician and now as a palliative care physician. He discusses his own understanding of acupuncture, both historical and practical. He describes his own yin and yang approach to suffering and healing. Case discussions will be interspersed with medical evidence to support a role for acupuncture.
9:00–9:45 a.m.
Carrie Demers, M.D.
Medical Director, PureRejuv Wellness Center at the Himalayan Institute
Integrative Medicine and Self-Care: A Roadmap to Wellness
Our bodies and minds are miracles! They contain immense capacity to grow, heal, and transform. Our conventional medical system forgets this and often recommends treatments that just manage symptoms, without moving us in a healing direction. Integrative medicine yokes the power of medicine with the power of lifestyle. It supports us in creating routines and habits that support our inherent capacity to heal. It acknowledges our bodies’ intelligence and aims to work with it to help us be our best, most strong and capable selves at every age. This lecture will define the principles of integrative medicine and how to use them to support wellness and healing. Dr. Demers will address food, exercise, stress management, and sleep, as well as purpose, community, and spirituality.
9:55–10:40 a.m.
Dr. Shekhar Annambhotla, BAMS
Ayurvedic Doctor and Educator, Ayurveda Wellness Center (Ojas LLC)
Ayurveda for Healthy Aging
Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India, has been practiced for over 5,000 years. The word “Ayurveda” is composed of two words: ayu, meaning “life,” and veda, meaning “knowledge.” As a holistic and preventive science, Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of diet and daily and seasonal routines for overall health. Everyone, especially seniors, can benefit from incorporating various Ayurvedic modalities into their daily lives for improved digestion, metabolism, sleep, and relief from chronic aches and pains. This session will provide both an overview of Ayurveda as well as numerous practical tips, including their scientific basis.
SESSION DESCRIPTIONS
West Greets East: Complementary Conversations
10:45–11:30 a.m.
The conference’s featured morning speakers come together for a joint discussion regarding the Eastern and Western approaches to aging, with audience Q&A.
TRACK A: Creative Experiences in Healing: Body, Mind, and Spirit
TRACK B: Spirituality, Mindfulness, and Holism
TRACK C: Quality of Life and Aging
* Tracks do not have to be followed throughout the day; for example, attendees may choose Track A for their first session and Track B for the second.
FIRST BREAKOUT SESSION
12:30–1:30 p.m. (three options)
TRACK A:
Cady R. Monasmith, Recreation Counselor & Certified Dancing Mindfulness Facilitator, Caron Treatment Centers
Dancing Mindfulness: Bridging the Mind and the Body in Aging
Dance and movement serve the older adult population by furthering their emotional, cognitive, physical, and social lives. Participants will learn about the importance of mindfulness and physical movement for older adults through current research and case examples. Experiential activities using dance, music, and props will be presented to enhance and embody participants’ understanding of how mindfulness can be experienced in other ways, bridging practices of the East (mindfulness) with practices of the West (dance).
TRACK B:
Dr. E. Allen Richardson, Professor of Religious Studies and Chaplain, Cedar Crest College
Asian Religions in America: Cultural Values and Their Implications for Health Care and Aging
The session will explore changes in the American religious landscape and the arrival of mainstream Asian religions following the 1965 immigration reforms. Participants will explore the patterns of sustained growth among communities of American Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jains, and the effects of their presence for health care and aging.
TRACK C:
Gladis Zinati, Ph.D., Director, Vegetable Systems Trial, Rodale Institute
The Role of Soil Health in Human Health: Nutrients Needed as We Age
Essential human nutrients begin in the soil and can be passed on to humans through the food chain. Much human illness is likely caused by inadequate nutrition from the food we consume that is produced in toxic and unhealthy poor soil. This presentation focuses on the influence of management practices that improve nutrient quality of vegetable crops by increasing bioactive compounds, antioxidants, and minerals that are needed for elderly people to guard against degenerative diseases. Diets with winter squash, colored flesh potato, spinach, and mushrooms can provide aging people with important sources of vitamin D2, calcium, iron, and ergothioneine amino acids.
SECOND BREAKOUT SESSION
1:45–2:45 p.m. (three options)
TRACK A:
Heather Rodale, Founder, Healing Through The Arts
Art as Healing, Part I: Creating Mandalas for Meditation and Stress Relief in Older Adults
Mandala comes from a Sanskrit word meaning circle. Mandalas
are part of many cultures and can be seen in cathedral rose windows, Native
American pottery, Celtic knots, Buddhist sand art, and Hindu gardens. They
represent the wholeness of mind, body, and spirit, as well as the changing of
the seasons. They are also a symbol of culture suggesting community, support,
and protection. In this interactive workshop, participants will learn how to
draw and color mandalas in a spiritual and creative journey. All art supplies
will be provided. No art experience is necessary.
TRACK B:
The Rev. Jamie Moyer, M.Div., BCC, Chaplain, Phoebe Richland
STOP, Breathe, and Relax
In recent years, Western medicine has become more open to meditation as a holistic practice that reduces stress and anxiety, blood pressure levels, pain, and biochemical dependency. Scientific studies of meditators have found that the repetitive practices of meditation can enhance well-being and positively impact emotional balance and genuine happiness in all age categories. This session will explore and demonstrate several styles of mindfulness-based meditation, with attention given to simple mindfulness practices that best suit the needs of older adults, caregivers, and health care staff.
TRACK C:
Barbara “Bobbi” Kolonay, RN, BSN, MS, CCM, HNB-BC, President of Holistic Aging
Aging Well
This session will begin with an exploration of the Western allopathic model of care in comparison to the complementary (alternative or Eastern) approach, including unforgettable tales from international travels where Kolonay learned traditional medicine from local practitioners. The session will include accounts and practical examples of the integrative use of conventional (Western or allopathic) medicine and complementary (Eastern or alternative) treatments used by Holistic Aging in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
THIRD BREAKOUT SESSION
3:00–4:00 p.m. (three options)
TRACK A:
Heather Rodale, Founder, Healing Through The Arts
Art as Healing, Part II: 30 Days of Inspiration for Older Adults (Includes Option to Continue Mandala Art from Part I)
In this second hour, participants will learn how to create small cards that will be part of a “30 Days of Inspiration” notecard set. The messages are designed to provide hope, strength, and positivity, and draw attention to the beauty of life and nature. Participants from the first session can learn how to apply collage techniques to enhance their mandala if they choose to. All art supplies will be provided. No art experience is necessary.
TRACK B:
Bill Leiner Jr., MS RN, PMH-BC, Marketing Professional, New Vitae Wellness and Recovery Inc.
Lived Experience with Neurocognitive Challenges in the Elderly Using Holistic Measures and the Nursing Process
Holism refers to the theory that the individual components of a person—physical, biological, chemical, social, economic, emotional, and mental—cannot by themselves define a person’s well-being. Western society is increasingly moving toward acceptance and utilization of Eastern methods as one way to integrate holistic health services with the aging population. Holistic nursing measures have also gained general prominence with Western medicine in the quest for increased quality of life. This presentation captures and bridges both methodologies by recognizing how East can complement West, and vice versa. One story of a “lived experience” utilizing both practices will be shared, which explores the neurocognitive challenges of aging.
TRACK C:
Sharon A. Matthew, Clinical Director of the Older Adult Program, Caron Treatment Centers
Super Aging
The concept of “super aging” refers to people in their 60’s,70’s, and 80’s who have the mental or physical capacity of their decades-younger counterparts. This session will address what it means to be a “super-ager,” and how we can achieve it and help others achieve it. It will explore the concepts of a life worth living, finding purpose, and maintaining quality of life.
SESSION SPEAKERS
Dr. Shekhar Annambhotla, BAMS, Ayurvedic Doctor and Educator, Ayurveda Wellness Center (Ojas LLC)
Shekhar is an Ayurvedic doctor and educator, with nine years of study in Ayurvedic medicine in India from two accredited universities. He has been practicing and teaching Ayurveda worldwide for more than 30 years. Shekhar is the director of the Ayurveda Wellness Center (Ojas LLC) in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, and founder and president of the Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America. He is the director of the Global Ayurveda Conferences and Academy.
Ric A. Baxter, M.D., FAAHPM, Network Chairman, Department of Palliative Medicine, & Hospice Medical Director, St. Luke’s University Health Network
Dr. Baxter is a graduate of William Allen High School, Clarkson University, and the Medical College of Pennsylvania. After serving five years in the Navy, he completed his family medicine residency at Bryn Mawr Hospital. He is board-certified in family medicine and hospice/palliative medicine, and is a licensed physician acupuncturist.
Carrie Demers, M.D., Medical Director, PureRejuv Wellness Center at the Himalayan Institute
Dr. Demers has practiced integrative medicine for 26 years. After earning her medical degree and becoming board-certified in internal medicine, Dr. Demers went on to study massage, homeopathy, yoga, meditation, nutrition, herbal medicine, and Ayurveda. She uses all these modalities to support patients’ inherent ability to heal. She serves as a faculty member of the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, and has been the Director of the Institute’s PureRejuv Wellness Center for the last 24 years. Dr. Demers sees patients, writes articles, and lectures nationally on integrative medicine, Ayurveda, and wellness.
Bobbi (Barbara) Kolonay RN, BSN, MS, CCM, HNB-BC, President, Holistic Aging—Options for Elder Care LLC
Kolonay is a known expert in Holistic Aging Care. She has garnered the attention of news and literary sources for her work and expertise. She is a certified holistic nurse and practices aroma therapy, reiki, Chinese herbal medicine. She immerses herself in international education on the use of complementary medicine in conjunction with modern medicine. Bobbi obtained her Bachelor of Science of Nursing degree at Duquesne University and her Master of Science in Human Resource Management from La Roche University.
Bill Leiner Jr., MS RN, PMH-BC, Marketing Professional, New Vitae Wellness and Recovery Inc.
Leiner is a board-certified nurse and retired steel worker from Bethlehem Steel. He has served since 1995 as an elected council member, mayor, and county commissioner, and presently serves as a school director. He is an active volunteer of the Phoebe Allentown Health Care Center and president of the American Holistic Nurses Association-Lehigh Valley Chapter.
Sharon A. Matthew, LPC, ACRPS, CCS, CSAT, CMAT, Clinical Director of the Older Adult Program, Caron Treatment Centers
Matthew has worked at Caron Treatment Centers for over 20 years. She developed the older adult program for Caron and has directed its operations since it opened in February 2015. The older adult program was developed to meet patients’ needs medically and cognitively, treating patients between the ages of 55 and 90. Matthew helped to transition staff and patients into the new Neag Medical Center at Caron, where the second floor is devoted exclusively to the older adult population.
Cady R. Monasmith, Recreation Counselor & Certified Dancing Mindfulness Facilitator, Caron Treatment Centers
Monasmith has worked at Caron Treatment Centers for five years as a recreation counselor, implementing mindful dance and movement as a specialty group for the older adult population. She has presented nationally on the topic of mindfulness and dance as beneficial modalities for our aging population, ranging from addiction disorders to physical rehabilitation. Monasmith is a graduate student at Alvernia University, and will complete her degree in May 2020. Monasmith holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance with a secondary concentration in psychology from Temple University. She is an active student member of the American Dance Therapy Association, American Counseling Association, and the Association for Adult Development and Aging.
The Rev. Jamie Moyer, M.Div., BCC, Chaplain, Phoebe Richland
The Rev. Jamie Moyer is an ordained United Church of Christ (UCC) minister who has served in churches in both the Pennsylvania Northeast Conference and the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference of the UCC, and as chaplain for state hospitals. Rev. Moyer specializes in Gestalt Pastoral Care, a healing ministry integrating Gestalt growth work, spiritual companionship, and prayer.
Dr. E. Allen Richardson, Professor of Religious Studies and Chaplain, Cedar Crest College
Dr. Richardson received his Ph.D. from the University of Arizona in 1979. The focus of his professional career has been working with Asian religions in the United States, documenting their growth, and exploring the ways in which their presence has changed the American religious landscape. He is the author of five books including “Strangers in This Land: Religion, Pluralism and the American Dream” (McFarland, 2010); “Seeing Krishna in America: The Hindu Bhakti Tradition of Vallabhacharya in India and its Movement to the West” (McFarland, 2014); and “Hindu Gods in an American Landscape: Changing Perceptions of Indian Sacred Images in the Global Age” (McFarland, 2018).
Heather Rodale, Founder, Healing Through The Arts
Heather Rodale founded Healing Through The Arts (HTTA) in 2008 with the mission: “Where those who are healing find strength, hope, and inspiration through the arts”. Prior to HTTA, Rodale served as vice president of community outreach in the fields of art, education, and wellness, and served on the board of directors for Rodale Inc., her family’s publishing company, until its sale in 2018. She maintained responsibility for special projects including the company’s child care center and the McKinley Elementary School Project (United Way’s Community School Program). Prior to this role, she served as the vice president of leadership development where she managed the company’s employee training programs.
Gladis Zinati, Ph.D., Director, Vegetable Systems Trial, Rodale Institute
Zinati is a research scientist with 28 years of experience in organic and conventional production systems and holds undergraduate degrees in General Agriculture and Agriculture Engineering; an M.S. in Horticulture from the American University of Beirut; and a Ph.D. in Soil Fertility from Michigan State University. She evaluates regenerative management practices, nutrient density in vegetable crops, compost formulations, and pest management. The goal of her research is to link soil health to plant health and human health.
PHOEBE INSTITUTE ON AGING
SAVE THE DATE for the Phoebe Institute on Aging Spring Conference
THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020 AT ARTSQUEST
Sex, Drugs, and Rock n’ Roll: Baby Boomers and Aging
Dr. Ruth Westheimer, world-renowned sex therapist who pioneered discussing human sexuality on radio and television, author, professor and worldwide lecturer.
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Bring your voice to the table: The Phoebe Institute on Aging is accepting proposals for breakout sessions at the Spring Conference in April 2020. Click here to learn more about submitting your proposal.
The Phoebe Institute on Aging (PIA) promotes improved quality of life and care for the aging and their families. The Institute is well-known for its innovative educational programs, cooperative ventures, and outreach activities.
Phoebe Ministries is able to provide this educational conference at a low cost thanks to the continued support of our sponsors and donors. Thank you.
CONTINUING EDUCATION UNIT HOURS
SIX TOTAL HOURS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE DAY. Three credit hours are available for the morning, and three for the afternoon. Some CEUs require full-day attendance for full credit. Please visit the designated CEU tables during registration to receive your forms.
NURSING CEUs Phoebe has applied to the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing for six CEUs for the full day. If approved, they will be available for $10.
LONG TERM CARE ADMINISTRATOR CEUs Six CEUs are available from the Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) for the full day (this replaces NHA and PCHA credits). The fee is $10. All NHAs and PCHAs are required to register for an NAB Continuing Education Registry ID to receive continuing education hours from a National Continuing Education Review Service (NCERS) sponsor. To create and manage your account, visit: nabweb.com/manage-my-account
SOCIAL WORK CEUs* Six CEUs will be awarded for completion of the full-day course or three for the morning program. Bring a check payable to the National Association of Social Workers-PA (NASW-PA) the day of the event: $15 for NASW-PA members; $50 for non-members.
COMMUNITY LIFE PROFESSIONAL CEUs Six CEUs are available from the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP) for the full day. The fee is $10.
PASTORAL CARE CEUs Six units are available at no cost for the full day.
CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE Phoebe Ministries offers a certificate of attendance at no cost.
* NASW-PA has been designated as a pre-approved provider of professional continuing education for social workers (Section 47.36), Marriage and Family Therapists (Section 48.36), and Professional Counselors (Section 49.36) by the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists and Professional Counselors.
If approved, CEUs are available to purchase for Activity Professionals, Nursing, Long Term Care Administrator, and Social Work. Pastoral Care CEUs are free. A Certificate of Attendance is also available at no cost.
Call 610-794-5152 or email events@phoebe.org if you have any questions about the conference.
