The 9th annual Aging Well Workshop presented by the Departments of Psychology and Social Work at Shepherd University, Funded by WV Bureau of Senior Services. This day-long workshop presents themes related to: the nature of memory and how it is formed as well as can be improved & best maintained; deciding how we want to live until we die, creating a legacy; and answering the question: how do we want to be remembered? It offers 6 continuing education units for social workers and is also open to members of the community, including elders and their families.

Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Lauren Chandler, whois a clinical neuropsychologist at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Martinsburg. Dr. Chandler provides neuropsychological assessment and treatment to veterans with a variety of cognitive and neurological deficits and has particular interest in working with neurodegenerative and memory disorders. She is licensed to practice psychology in Virginia.

Morning Plenary Speakerwill be Jennifer Taylor, whois a native of Fairmont, WV. She is an administrative hearing examiner and certified mediator. Jennifer joined Legal Aid of WV in November 2013, as a part-time Ombudsman Attorney and Special Projects Coordinator, where she focused on financial exploitation and guardian and conservatorship issues.

Workshops offered will be:

A1. Preparing for the Tough Topics Through Mediation

Aging issues, which may include medical, financial, and lifestyle decisions, can cause great stress among all parties who want what’s best for the aging person, but often have difficulty in agreeing what is best. Mediation can help in seeing everyone’s perspective and help come to an agreeable resolution about what is best for the aging individual.

A2.Appalachian Remembrance: “Only Remembered”

Join Rachel Meads for a discussion of memory-making and legacy in Appalachia. While the lessons are rooted in our regions, the themes will be universal.

B1 SAIL: Shepherdstown Area Independent Living

Learn about this group of Shepherdstown area residents who want to stay in this beautiful community for their remaining years. They have organized to form a non-profit corporation whose purpose will be to assist them with the unforeseen problems that are bound to come up.

Shepherd Village: a 55+ Co-Housing Community and Culture that Nourishes the Whole Person

Learn about cohousing, a growing segment of the housing market, which is designed to embrace the interrelated dimensions of wellness: social, physical, occupational, intellectual, spiritual, and emotional.

B2. Life Review will evaluate reminiscence and structured life review as effective counseling techniques in working with adults, especially dementia patients and veterans. Practice sessions are included in the workshop.

For more information and to register, call Heidi Dobish at 304-876-5214.