33rd Maine Geriatrics Conference
Tuesday, May 19 and Wednesday, 20, 2026
Harborside Hotel and The Bar Harbor Club, Bar Harbor, Maine
The Maine Geriatrics Conference provides a venue for health practitioners, service providers, and others with interests in the field of aging to come together to share ideas, ask questions, and develop or support care strategies affecting older adults in all care settings. This is our task and our mission.
We are dedicated to ensuring that all conference sessions will enlighten, inspire, and honor conference attendees. By the close of the conference, you will be better prepared to advance ideas and systems that address older adult health disparities and optimize aging.
Who Should Attend
Nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, physician assistants, nursing home administrators, certified nursing assistants, psychologists, social workers, mental health practitioners, occupational therapists, physical therapists, pharmacists, oral health providers, substance abuse counselors, and other aging enthusiasts.
Conference Attractions
- World-renowned speakers from the U.S.
- Keynote and other plenary sessions along with participatory workshops both days
- Networking topics and special presentations during lunch
- Attendee Forum, Thursday at 2:30 p.m.: Aging in Maine 鈥 Action is Key to Address Unique Challenges and Opportunities
Learning Objectives
- To effectively apply knowledge gained during the conference to actual situations regarding the care of older adults and the support of their informal caregivers
- To evaluate older adult health care needs and implement potential mechanisms and modalities to address them
- To develop ideas for working with older adults or propose alternative care solutions for improved health and wellbeing as expressed by the older adult
Continuing Education Credits
The 91直播视频 is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and the Maine Medical Association (AMA PRA) to provide continuing medical education (CME) for Physicians.
91直播视频has requested that the AOA Council on CME approve this program for 11.0 credits AOA Category 2-A CME Credits. Approval is expected.
91直播视频College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) designates this educational activity for a maximum of 11 AMA PRA 1 Credit(s)鈩. This activity has been planned and implemented with the accreditation requirements and policies of Maine Medical Association through the Joint Providership of 91直播视频COM and the 91直播视频Division of Geriatrics.
For questions about the conference, contact the conference planning chair, Marilyn Gugliucci, at or (207) 602-2453.
Conference Schedule
Day 1: Tuesday, May 19, 2026
| Time | Session and Speaker Information | Room |
|---|---|---|
| 8 a.m. | Opening Session and Welcome Marilyn R. Gugliucci, Ph.D., M.A., Chair, Maine Geriatrics Conference Planning Committee and Gwendolyn Mahon, Ph.D., Provost, 91直播视频 | TBD |
| 8:30 a.m. | Keynote: Breaking the Age Code: How Our Age Beliefs Determine How Long and Well You Live This presentation will explore the impact of age beliefs on health and longevity. The talk will delve into three crucial areas: the motivations behind writing the book Breaking the Age Code: How your Age Beliefs Determine How Long and Well You live, key scientific highlights of Dr. Levy鈥檚 research on ageism, and practical solutions for overcoming ageism. With evidence from her crosscultural, experimental, and longitudinal studies, the presentation will demonstrate the extent to which ageism affects the health and well-being of older adults. Additionally, it will present findings that demonstrate how positive age beliefs can enhance health outcomes for older individuals. The aim is to inspire attendees to challenge ageism within their personal and professional spheres. | TBD |
| 9:45 a.m. | Break 鈥 Exhibit Hall Open | |
| 10:15 a.m. | Workshops Session A | |
| 10:15鈥11:30 a.m. | A1. Fireside Chat with Becca Levy This Fireside Chat provides an opportunity for an open and dynamic discussion that may (1) expand the topic from the morning keynote, (2) include insights from Dr. Levy鈥檚 work nationally and globally, and/or (3) explore areas Dr. Levy holds dear to support aging and older adults. Actively engage in the discussion or be an active listener; either way, attendees will find this chat inspiring. | TBD |
| 10:15鈥11:30 a.m. | A2. Driving Fitness, Health, and Aging: The Clinician鈥檚 Role in Driver Licensing in Maine Driving is a complex and demanding instrumental activity of daily living. Aging-related changes in health and function can impact driving fitness and increase risks to personal-public safety. This presentation will detail the intersection of these factors with clinical care, family concerns, and driving licensure. The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) relies on formal input from licensed clinicians to ensure that drivers meet basic standards. Participants will learn about the BMV鈥檚 Functional Ability Profile (FAP) system and its application to more than a dozen health conditions. Case studies and resources will be reviewed. | TBD |
| 10:15鈥11:30 a.m. | A3. Aging Alone with AI Companions: Exploring Benefits, Risks, and the Human Connection AI companions are increasingly marketed as tools to reduce loneliness and support independence. But what can they really offer to older adults aging alone鈥攁nd where do they fall short? This interactive workshop explores the promises and pitfalls of AI for companionship, safety, and daily support. Through live demonstrations and guided audience interaction, participants will discover both the potential and the limits of AI tools. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to help older adults use AI safely and meaningfully, while reinforcing the irreplaceable value of authentic human connection. | TBD |
| 10:15鈥11:30 a.m. | A4. Maine鈥檚 Public Health Response to Alzheimer鈥檚 Disease and Related Dementias: Progress, Partnerships, and Future Directions Alzheimer鈥檚 disease is a serious public health issue due to its high prevalence, substantial costs, and significant impacts on Mainers. The Maine CDC's Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) Prevention and Support Program, in collaboration with partners across the state, developed the State Plan on ADRD, which guides collective efforts to improve Maine's response to dementia in six key areas: access to care, caregiver support, legal and safety, public awareness and education, research and data surveillance, and workforce development and training. This session will provide an overview of progress to date, explore priorities for future action, and identify opportunities for collaboration. | TBD |
| 11:30 a.m. | Lunch 鈥擡xhibit Hall Open Networking Lunch Tables | |
| 11:45 a.m.鈥12:30 p.m. | Special Session: Dirigo Geriatrics Society Luncheon Discussion We are facing both daunting challenges and exciting developments affecting dementia care in Maine. This informal lunchtime gathering will include a guided discussion on future priorities to build on the accomplishments of the HRSA-funded Maine Rural Dementia Care Project and Maine CDC鈥檚 State Alzheimer鈥檚 Plan and BOLD projects. | McMurtry Room |
| 12:15鈥12:40 p.m. | Special Session: Learn the Electric Slide Line Dance or Just Dance! Marilyn R. Gugliucci, Ph.D., M.A., Chair, Maine Geriatrics Conference Planning Committee, Dance Instructor | TBD |
| 12:45 p.m. | Plenary Presentation 鈥 Age-Friendly Everything: Building Connections Across the Age-Friendly Ecosystem This plenary session will explore how the Age-Friendly Health Systems movement serves as a foundation for creating an 鈥淎ge-Friendly Everything鈥 approach across care and community settings. Participants will learn how the 4Ms Framework (What Matters, Medication, Mentation and Mobility) can align with efforts in caregiving, public health, and policy to create a coordinated, person-centered Age-Friendly Ecosystem. The presentation will highlight strategies, partnerships, and lessons learned from the national movement to ensure that every older adult and caregiver receives care that supports their health, independence and what matters most to them. | Stotesbury |
| 1:45 p.m. | Plenary Presentation 鈥擳here鈥檚 No Expiration Date on Healing and Transformation: What We Can Learn from the Most Resilient Older Adults Older adulthood is not only a time of loss and decline鈥攊t can also be a powerful season of healing and transformation. In this presentation, Dr. Koepp shares inspiring stories and research on post-traumatic growth in later life. She highlights what we can learn from resilient older adults who have overcome adversity, and how their lessons can guide individuals, families, and communities to see aging as a period of continued possibility. | Stotesbury |
| 2:45 p.m. | Break 鈥 Dessert and Exhibit Hall Open | |
| 3:15 p.m. | Workshops Session B | |
| 3:15鈥4:30 p.m. | B1. Fireside Chat with Rani Snyder This fireside chat offers an excellent opportunity for open discussion on the topic from the plenary address: picking up on points about the work the John A Hartford Foundation is leading and its successes with Age Friendly Health Care. This session allows for a deeper dive into topics of interest, sharing thoughts, reactions, questions, and wonderments to this chat. This chat may take many directions depending on the area the participants and speakers want to explore. | TBD |
| 3:15鈥4:30 p.m. | B2. Time to Prognosis: An Approach to Providing Patient (Person)-Centered Care Learn, refresh skills, or understand how health care professionals can use prognosis and the concept of 鈥渢ime to benefit鈥 to guide the development of older adult patient (person)-centered care plans. Participants will learn how to use common prognostic tools and how to apply effective communication strategies to share prognostic estimates with patients. Being equipped with tools or understanding how to integrate prognosis into clinical conversations and treatment planning will aid in providing meaningful and personalized care plans. Repeated on Wednesday, May 20, in Session C4. | TBD |
| 3:15鈥4:30 p.m. | B3. Fireside Chat with Dr. Regina Koepp Regina Koepp, Psy.D., A.B.P.P. Founder and CEO, Center for Mental Health and Aging | TBD |
| 3:15鈥4:30 p.m. | B4. Age-Positivity in Health and Healthcare: A Prevention Approach Ageism has infected our society deeply and pervasively with negative consequences that are greater than many known carcinogens. Healthcare is not immune, but a shift in perspective and well-designed action steps can be transformative. How we focus and frame health messaging can shift unproductive views to those that are more positive and health-affirming鈥攂oth for community members and those working in health. This session will offer background, recommendations, and opportunities to explore primary and secondary prevention strategies to lead society toward making our health span match our growing life span and all of us thrive as we grow into older | TBD |
Day 2: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
| Time | Session and Speaker(s) Information | Room |
|---|---|---|
| 8 a.m. | Welcome and Announcements Marilyn R. Gugliucci, Ph.D., M.A., Chair, Maine Geriatrics Conference Planning Committee | TBD |
| 8:15 a.m. | Dr. Dennis McCullough Memorial Lecture An exploration of groundbreaking strategies on addiction education within healthcare settings will be put forth revealing effective models and techniques that have empowered countless professionals to advocate for hope and healing in the context of treatment and recovery. Drawing from extensive professional experience as well as a personal journey that includes transitioning from a career on Wall Street and navigating the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy, Joseph offers a unique perspective on addiction education. Dive into the nuances of addiction, dispel misconceptions, and equip yourself with the knowledge and compassion to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those (that includes older adults) affected by addiction. | Stotesbury |
| 9:15 a.m. | Advancing Policy for Older Mainers: Maine State DHHS/OADS Updates In this presentation, Director Hopkins will discuss the priority placed by the Mills Administration on aging policy, the Cabinet on Aging work, and the Department of Health and Human Services鈥 plans to improve health and long-term services and supports for older Mainers | Stotesbury |
| 10 a.m. | Break 鈥 Exhibit Hall Open | |
| 10:30 a.m. | Workshops Session C | |
| 10:30鈥11:45 a.m. | C1. McCullough Lecture 鈥 Fireside Chat: Diving Deeper into Substance Use Disorders and Related Topics This Fireside Chat provides an opportunity for attendees to engage and discuss topics presented by Joseph Skrajewski during the McCullough Lecture related to Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and areas of interest within the field of addiction and addiction medicine. Conversation expands on the plenary content offering a dynamic interaction between the audience and Joseph to augment understanding, learning, and breadth of knowledge on this topic. | TBD |
| 10:30鈥11:45 a.m. | C2. Serious Illness Conversations in Geriatrics: Getting to What Matters Most How do we help older adults to express what matters most to them as health changes? This interactive workshop explores practical approaches to serious illness conversations and advance care planning in geriatrics. Through an engaging values-based card activity, participants will experience firsthand how preferences shift over time, and how clinicians and caregivers can support dignity, resilience, and person-centered care in the face of uncertainty. | TBD |
| 10:30鈥11:45 a.m. | C3. Positive Approach to Care (PAC)庐: Dementia Recognition and Care Techniques The mission of dementia care specialist Teepa Snow and the Positive Approach to Care (PAC)庐 organization is to radically transform the experience of dementia into a more positive dementia care culture; Teepa believes that by offering both a theory to help understand what is happening to the brain, and practical techniques, you cannot just survive, but thrive as a care partner. This workshop will focus on understanding key differences between 鈥渘ormal鈥 and 鈥渘ot normal鈥 aging in relation to various cognitive functions, and introduce two, evidence-based care partnering techniques - Physical Approach鈩 (PPA) and Hand Under Hand鈩 (HUH). | TBD |
| 10:35鈥11:10 a.m. | C4. Time to Prognosis: An Approach to Providing Patient (Person)-Centered Care Learn, refresh skills, or understand how health care professionals can use prognosis and the concept of 鈥渢ime to benefit鈥 to guide the development of older adult patient (person)-centered care plans. Participants will learn how to use common prognostic tools and how to apply effective communication strategies to share prognostic estimates with patients. Being equipped with tools or understanding how to integrate prognosis into clinical conversations and treatment planning will aid in providing meaningful and personalized care plans. Repeat of session B2 presented on Tuesday, May 19. | TBD |
| 11:45 a.m. | Lunch 鈥 Exhibit Hall Open Networking Lunch Tables and Maine Dirigo Geriatrics Society Meeting Special Session: Maine Arts Commission | TBD |
| 1 p.m. | Workshops Session D | |
| 1鈥2:15 p.m. | D1. Aging Policy Year in Review This face-paced session will look at state and federal actions, policy changes, and legislation enactments that impact older people. From Maine initiatives to address hunger, climate, housing, and transportation, to the elimination of federal agencies and benefits, this session will explore the changing policy landscape in Maine as it relates to older people and what we can all do to address emerging challenges. The session will take a deep look at efforts to address Maine鈥檚 growing care gap and workforce shortage. | TBD |
| 1鈥2:15 p.m. | D2. The 3Ds in Geriatrics: Delirium, Dementia, and Depression 鈥 Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention This 75-minute interactive session explores the 鈥3Ds鈥 in geriatrics鈥擠elirium, Dementia, and Depression. Participants will learn to differentiate these conditions, apply screening tools, and implement evidence-based management strategies. Through case discussions and interdisciplinary small group work, the session emphasizes practical approaches for screening, diagnosis, and prevention. Attendees will leave with actionable tips and resources to improve care for older adults experiencing cognitive or mood changes. | TBD |
| 1鈥2:15 p.m. | D3. Aging Alone with AI Companions: Exploring Benefits, Risks, and the Human Connection AI companions are increasingly marketed as tools to reduce loneliness and support independence. But what can they really offer to older adults aging alone 鈥 and where do they fall short? This interactive workshop explores the promises and pitfalls of AI for companionship, safety, and daily support. Through live demonstrations and guided audience interaction, participants will discover both the potential and the limits of AI tools. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to help older adults use AI safely and meaningfully, while reinforcing the irreplaceable value of authentic human connection. Repeat of session A3 presented on Tuesday, May 19. | TBD |
| 1鈥2:15 p.m. | D4. Improving Health Care for Older LGBTQ+ Adults: Community-Informed, Case-Based Discussions This session explores the unique experiences of older LGBTQ+ adults and the implications for their healthcare. A brief didactic will review how the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States shapes healthcare engagement today, followed by small-group discussions using community-identified priorities and case examples to frame conversations. Participants will compare social networks available to LGBTQ+ older adults with those typically assumed in aging care and examine how current sociopolitical dynamics affect well-being. Attendees will leave with practical insights to improve equity, trust, and support for LGBTQ+ patients in clinical settings. | TBD |
| 2:15 p.m. | Break 鈥 Dessert and Exhibit Hall Open | |
| 2:30鈥3:30 p.m. | Closing Attendee Forum Aging in Maine: Action is Key to Address Unique Challenges and Opportunities Maine is the oldest state in the nation (both in terms of the median age and number of older adults). The closing forum offers a dynamic atmosphere for information sharing and action. Based on the Maine Sunday Telegram's special edition published October 19, 2025; key topics included retirement finances, navigating healthcare challenges, making difficult life decisions, connecting with community resources, and legal planning. The closing forum will provide foundational insights from experts in the field and then inspire the attendees to think proactively focusing on community and connection to identify unique partnerships and ways to actively engage in making Maine the place to age. | TBD |
| 3:25鈥3:30 p.m. | 33rd Maine Geriatrics Conference Wrap up鈥 Passing the 鈥淜ey鈥 to the Conference Mary DeSilva, Sc.D., M.S., M.S.F.S., Director 91直播视频Center for Healthy Aging, will become the chair for the 34th Maine Geriatrics Conference. Marilyn R. Gugliucci is stepping down after 33 years of chairing this conference (includes 2 years during COVID). Marilyn will continue full time at 91直播视频COM, and will be Chair of the Gerontological Society of America Board of Directors and will be working with colleagues nationally and internationally. | TBD |
Contact
Conference Questions
For questions about the conference, contact the conference planning chair, Marilyn Gugliucci, at or (207) 602-2453.
Registration and Hotel Information
For questions about registration and accommodations, contact Julie Guerette, CEO, Maine Premiere Events Planning, at julie@mainepremiereventplanning.com or (207) 441-0340.
Sponsors and Exhibitors
We are eager to host you as an exhibitor and promote your organization or program as a sponsor. Options are available 鈥 contact Michelle Bourgoin Singer at mbourgoin88@gmail.com or (207) 404-0677.
Cancellations
For a registration cancellation, a refund of the registration fee, less a 25% administration fee, may be obtained by emailing a written request to Julie Guerette at julie@mainepremiereventplanning.com. Requests must be received by April 30.
Special Accommodations
For questions or concerns about the physical space at the conference site, contact Julie Guerette at julie@mainepremiereventplanning.com or (207) 441-0340 by April 30.