The 2026 Aging Well Conference is focused on promoting healthy aging for older adults. As our population ages, it is essential for health professionals to meet the evolving needs of this demographic.
SAVE THE DATE! Registration will open soon!
May 14-15, 2026
In Person at Appalachian State University Boone Campus, Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences.
This activity emphasizes advancing the knowledge and skills of healthcare providers in rural western North Carolina, particularly in geriatric care, and addressing the unique healthcare needs of older adults. The Aging Well Conference brings together an interprofessional audience across clinical, community, and aging-services settings to support collaborative, age-friendly care grounded in the 4Ms framework.
Central to this year’s conference is the 4Ms Framework of Age-Friendly Health Systems:
- What Matters Most – Aligning care with each older adult’s health goals and preferences.
- Medication – Ensuring medications do not interfere with what matters most and minimizing harm.
- Mentation – Preventing, identifying, and managing dementia, depression, and delirium.
- Mobility – Supporting safe movement to maintain independence and reduce fall risk.
Through a blend of individual and group presentations and interactive demonstrations, the conference brings together diverse perspectives from healthcare experts, researchers, government officials, social service providers, as well as older adults and family caregivers. This collaborative approach ensures participants gain practical strategies to deliver age-friendly, person-centered care.
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What's New for 2026
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Check out this recap from 2025 Aging Well Conference
Who Should Attend?
This conference welcomes physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, social workers, PT/OT, SLP, pharmacists, dietitians, behavioral health providers, psychologists, care managers, long-term care administrators, and other allied health and community aging professionals.As part of our commitment to creating a space where all BELONG, Northwest AHEC provides education and encouragement for respectful care for all, regardless of socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, language, nationality, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, geography, disability, and age.
In Partnership with:
Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness, BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina and Northwest Area Health Education Center (AHEC), a program of Wake Forest University School of Medicine and part of the NC AHEC System and The UNC Center for Aging and Health, Carolina Geriatric Education Center.
For More Information or Assistance
- If you have questions about registering for this activity, please contact Gail Pawlik at 336-713-7761 or email gpawlik@wakehealth.edu. If you need auxiliary aids or special services to attend this activity please contact Gail Pawlik at least five working days prior to the activity.
