Sunday, August 18, 2019

Learning from MAIA 2019 Sponsors and Exhibitors

The 12th Annual MAIA swag bag
This year was the fourth time that I have attended the Mid-America Institute on Aging and Wellness.

Here is my conference preview, which includes social media accounts when applicable. This year's event included four fabulous, nationally recognized keynote speakers and 40 amazing local experts who led discussions/activities in concurrent sessions on August 8 & 9 - 2019.

The event qualifies as a means for healthcare professionals to earn CME credit, but the participants include university students, family caregivers, and adults of all ages who are pro-active about maintaining their wellness across the lifespan.

It's never too early to start aging well! 

The hosts are
  • SWIRCA & More 

    SWIRCA & More is an Indiana Area Agency on Aging (and more), located in Evansville in SW Indiana but SWIRCA & More covers six Indiana counties: Gibson, Perry, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, & Warrick. 
I have written previously about the 40 or more MAIA speakers. I gained this opportunity to attend after moving to the tristate of IL, IN, KY in 2016. (You can find links to my 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 MAIA reviews / previews at the very end of this post.)

However, this is the first time I am writing about the sponsors and exhibitors.

I learn valuable information from them each year that I attend. Representatives are very kind to talk with me as I move from table to table in the exhibition hall between sessions. The are informed professionals working to promote wellness across the lifespan.

It's never too early to start aging well. 

This year I talked in depth with people at two tables:

One Sponsor: AARP Indiana  (See below.)

One ExhibitorCareNotes, a work of Saint Meinrad Archabbey. (See below.)

This Year's Sponsors

Keynote Sponsors:

Northwestern Mutual (Platinum Speaker Sponsor)


Break Sponsor


On Thursday, August 8th, I spent several minutes talking with the volunteers at the AARP Indiana table. AARP Indiana was one of the sponsors of MAIA as a whole.

They also sponsored the opening keynote speaker, Emily Allen, senior vice president of the AARP Foundation.

Joe Kendall introduced Allen. Kendall volunteers with AARP. He was the 2017 recipient of the Andrus Award.

We are delighted to have him as a member of the MAIA Planning Committe as well.

The Q&A session following Allen's speech was conducted by AARP Indiana state director, Sarah Waddle

Some of the local services listed on the AARP local chapter Evansville site include the following:

Conference AARP Swag
Volunteer Opportunities

Caregiving Resources

AARP Livability Index

Senior Assistance

Driver Safety Classes

Free Tax Preparation Services

Senior Community

Service Employment Program

If you live in the US, you can probably find these services in your area.

Use the AARP Locator to find the AARP chapter nearest you.

This Year's Exhibitors

Exhibitors

Specialty Home Health Care
State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) Assistance
Superior Van and Mobility
Zills

On Friday, August 9th I was delighted to speak at length with Vicki Gehlhausen of CareNotes.

Two CareNotes (upper L & lower R)
and two children's books. 
She showed me a number of pamphlets and booklets created to support people addressing challenges such as chronic health challenges, caregiving, and grief.

I teach a class at USI each Spring Semester called Death, Dying & Bereavement.

Vicki directed me to some publications on that topic (pictured at the right).

(I'm going to share this particular collection of publications with members of the local meetings of the Death Cafe and the local meetings of the Death & Donuts group.)

CareNotes are designed to be very easy to read with large print typeface, brief explanations, and eye-catching images.

Two of these publications in the photo above are CareNotes:

I got a paper copy of the CareNotes Catalog.
You can request one online
The one with the sunflower in the photo above is titled "Finding Your Way After the Death of a Spouse." 

The one with the barn in the photo above is called "What Is Palliative Care--And When Is It Called For?"

I was able to look at a handful of their publications.

See CareNotes' online listing of publications to learn more.

CareNotes is a nonprofit organization, a work of Saint Meinrad Archabbey.

The abbey is located in Spencer County, Indiana (located off I-64 between Evansville, IN and Louisville, KY).

If you need a respite from life's challenges, know that Meinrad Archabbey offer retreats. You do not have to be a member of the Catholic faith to participate.

Find out more about CareNotes by visiting their Facebook page or their homepage. Follow the abbey on Twitter @SaintMeinrad

I hope to see you at the next MAIA! 

I look forward to spending time at the next Mid-America Institute on Aging and Wellness talking with sponsors and vendors.

You can view THIS LINK for MAIA updates. 

MAIA previews usually appear each year on the above link around April prior to the annual August event.

Many healthcare professionals attending earn CME credits (continuing medical education), but a good portion of those present are not healthcare professionals; they are community members who are pro-active about their physical, financial, social, and emotional health.


Related:

2016 MAIA summary

2017 MAIA summary

2018 MAIA summary

2019 MAIA preview

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