The Healthy Aging Conference returned to Williamsburg Thursday for the 22nd year of tips and tricks on growing older gracefully.
The event featured an array of speakers and topics, drawing an audience of 200 to King of Glory Lutheran Church and School.
“It makes them think about living longer,” said York County event coordinator Minnie Sippio. “People are living longer these days, and I think it’s because of the education related to health.”
Jeff and Catherine Fratter with Senior Medicare Patrol discussed the prevalence of Medicare fraud and ways to prevent it. They offered tips such as treating your Medicare card with the same care as your Social Security card, including leaving it at home unless you know you’ll need it. They also emphasized the government would not call or visit your home to sell you anything in regards to the insurance program.
The couple urged attendees to avoid buying things that aren’t medically necessary and to keep an itemized list of supplies they purchase to make sure healthcare providers aren’t charging them for extra items. They also discussed the idea of keeping a health journal to track medications, diet, exercise and visits to the doctor’s office.
“We need people to be intentional about their elderhood,” Catherine Fratter said.
She said a health journal can act as a road map, and such actions can influence future generations as they age as well.
Dr. Dilip Sarkar, a retired vascular surgeon and yoga therapist, discussed health literacy, which he said requires both mental and physical effort. He advocated for the importance of getting out of the house and also embracing a support system, such as fellow members of a church.
“Illness starts with, ‘I.’ Wellness starts with, ‘We,'” he said.
Sarkar suggested people aim to fall asleep 10-30 minutes after laying down; any sooner suggests you didn’t get enough sleep the night before, and any longer points to insomnia. He also lamented people’s reliance on prescription drugs and celebrated the importance of introspection as you advocate for yourself.
“Everybody is individual. Everybody is different,” he said. “Nobody knows you as well as you.”
Caroline Fromshell, a dietitian and nutritionist with LWell Health Management in James City County, gave a presentation emphasizing the importance of what food we put into our bodies, advocating for more leafy greens, nutrient-rich berries and even chocolate — the darker, the better — in lieu of regularly consuming things such as flour, sugar and alcohol. She touted the benefits of informational seminars like the Healthy Aging Conference.
“It just keeps good information at the forefront of these great minds,” Fromshell said. “They’re empowered.”
Other speakers included Dr. Ayn Welleford, an associate professor at Virginia Commonwealth University and chairwoman of the gerontology department who discussed ageism and emphasized the event’s theme that people have no expiration date. Jim David, of AARP Virginia, discussed the potential health benefits of volunteering. Greg Garrett Realty gave a presentation on ways to approach downsizing.
“You learn something each time you come,” said attendee Donald Blair, lauding that the event is free and open to the public.
Roughly 200 attendees registered for the event; Sippio said this was in line with previous years. It also featured more than 30 vendors, including AAA Tidewater, Williamsburg United Methodist Church and the American Addiction Treatment Center.
Jameson Leclair was onsite to promote Bay Aging’s programs and services. He said people in attendance seemed eager to learn.
“A lot of this stuff they wouldn’t have exposure to,” he said. “To have it all in one place, I think, is really good for them.”
Queen Brown said she attended the conference to learn as much as she could and keep up with new information.
“This is the best one yet. The speakers are really good. The vendors are really good,” she said. “Now I’m more motivated.”
Sippio said the event’s organizers aim to continuously promote healthy aging because it requires a daily commitment.
“They have to be an advocate for themselves and take control of their health to live a long, fulfilling life,” Sippio said. “They have to do that on a regular basis.”
Birkenmeyer can be reached by phone at 757-790-3029.
