Hundreds Who Work with Seniors Will Join Us at Annual REACH Conference
East Texas AAA • October 1, 2019
October 2 -3, 2019 at Maude Cobb Activity Center in Longview
Approximately 350 nursing facility administrators, practitioners, caregivers and those who work with the senior population will receive training October 2 and 3, 2019, at the 28th Annual REACH Conference (Regional Education on Aging, Caregiving and Healthcare) at Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center in Longview. The Conference is hosted each year by the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) which is administered by the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG).
The conference, themed “Playing to Win!”
features distinguished speakers, dynamic panel discussions, and various networking opportunities.
“Once again, there is a distinguished line-up of speakers set to take the stage and captivate the audience at this two-day event. Taking into consideration the diversity of aging concerns, we have attempted to include local, state and national service providers and educators to address a variety of topics that may be of interest to anyone who works with older adults, their caregivers, or their families,” says Bettye Mitchell, Director of Aging Programs for the Area Agency on Aging.
Special keynote presentations include: LaDonna Gatlin – Tune Up Your Life, sister of the legendary country stars The Gatlin Brothers, LaDonna delivers solid content that equips audiences to “reach for the high notes” in life; Justin Jones-Fosu -Your WHY matters NOW, Justin will challenge the audience to identify or reconnect with their purpose and live it out now; Carmen Irwin – Medicare 2020, bringing policy, program and reimbursement updates for the Medicare program; Mark and Daniel Seguin – Cyber Security Training, offering techniques to drastically reduce chances of a costly data breach; Bettye Mitchell and Beverly J. Brown of the Area Agency on Aging – Come Let’s Talk: Senior Needs in Our Community, opening the dialogue on service delivery needs of our older adults, particularly in the most rural and remote communities in the region. Attendees will have the opportunity to choose from over 30 courses and achieve CEU credits at the conference.
REACH is partially funded by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. For more information, call the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas at (903) 218-6500 or visit our website at www.aaa-reachconference.org.
Media Contact:
(903) 218-6442
Throughout May, the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) will join organizations across the nation in celebrating Older Americans Month (OAM), led by the Administration for Community Living, honoring the important contributions of older adults in our communities. This year’s theme, “Champion Your Health,” encourages older adults to focus on the steps they can take to support their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, while highlighting the resources and community connections that help people age well. In recognition of Older Americans Month, AAA will host three special events at community locations across East Texas to celebrate older adults and share information about programs and services available to seniors and caregivers. Throughout the month of May, the Area Agency on Aging will also participate in additional events that promote the mental and physical health of our communities and recognize the many contributions older Americans have made, and continue to make, across the country. As the United States marks its 250th anniversary this year, Older Americans Month also offers an opportunity to reflect on the generations of older adults whose service, leadership, and life experiences have helped shape our nation, our state, and our local communities. “Older Americans Month is an important time to recognize the lasting contributions of older adults and the many ways they strengthen our communities,” said Adrian Cornejo, ETCOG’s Director of the Area Agency on Aging. “This year’s theme, Champion Your Health, reminds us of the importance of supporting healthy aging by connecting older East Texans with resources, services, and opportunities that help them live well and remain engaged.” The following OAM celebration events are free and open to the public and will feature information on services and supports available to East Texas seniors: Friday, May 15 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM First Christian Church 1920 Beaumont St. Jacksonville, Texas 75766 Wednesday, May 20 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Marshall Convention Center 2501 E. End Blvd S. Marshall, Texas 75672 Thursday, May 21 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM First Methodist Church of Athens 225 Lovers Lane Athens, Texas 75751 The AAA is the region’s leader in advocacy and services for older adults, providing support such as information and referral, benefits counseling, case management, health education classes, senior nutrition, and the Ombudsman program for people living in nursing and assisted living facilities. These services help older individuals live independent, meaningful, and dignified lives in their homes and communities for as long as possible. For questions about the events, contact the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas at (903) 218-6500.
The East Texas Area Agency on Aging (ETAAA), a program of the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG), is inviting the public to review and comment on our 2027 to 2029 Area Plan. ETAAA serves as the Area Agency on Aging for Planning and Service Area 4, a fourteen-county region in East Texas. The Area Plan outlines our strategy to strengthen the Aging Services Network and address the needs of people age 60 and older, family caregivers, and individuals with disabilities. It also guides how we plan, coordinate, and oversee services supported by the Older Americans Act and other state and local initiatives. Our mission is to serve as the region’s leader in advocating for and delivering services that enable older adults to live independently, with dignity and purpose, in their homes and communities. Our vision, “Age Well, Live Well, ” reflects a person-centered approach focused on better choices, improved health, and access to nutritious food. We call it “Serving One Senior at a Time.” The 2027–2029 Area Plan is guided by a needs assessment incorporating data, service trends, and stakeholder input. Key priority needs include access to home- and community-based services, caregiver support, transportation, nutrition and food security, social isolation, healthcare access and chronic disease management, and improved service coordination and system navigation. How to share your input Public comments will be accepted through April 26, 2026 . Submit comments by mail or email: Mail: Area Agency on Aging, 3800 Stone Road, Kilgore, TX 75662 Email: Colleen.Halliburton@etcog.org
