Florida Council on Aging Conference examines social, technological needs of elders

Margaret Lynn Duggar was a 28-year-old former schoolteacher who first became involved in working with the aging when she was asked to head up a Meals on Wheels program in Tallahassee in 1973.

As often happens in life, one thing led to another and Duggar ended up becoming the state Director of Aging under Governors Bob Graham and Bob Martinez before setting up her own consulting firm. During that time, she had also become an active member of the Florida Council on Aging (FCOA), even serving a term as president.

“The first year we were in business, the board of trustees came to me and asked me if I would take on the management of the organization. And I’ve been at it ever since,” Duggar said. She also functions as FCOA executive director.

At the just-concluded 71^st FCOA conference, held on Aug. 3 in Orlando, Duggar was like the conductor of an orchestra, making sure everything worked in concert. And it did, with something for everyone, from tastings as part of a cooking competition among meal delivery services for the aging.

The cookoff was perhaps the most nutritiously filling part of the event, but there were many more speakers and workshops, including those explaining why social interaction is so important for seniors and how artificial intelligence can help older adults have more fulfilling lives.

The organization, which started up in 1955, brings together health insurance companies, social service agencies, nonprofits, home care and hospice providers, and entrepreneurs and businesses who serve seniors, among others.

“What I enjoyed most was all of the workshops and the speakers that discussed AI technologies that assist seniors to age at home and to age in place,” said Katina Mustipher, chief executive director of Gainesville-based Elder Options. I’ll be following up to see how we incorporate that in our services.”

The speakers were particularly engaging. Award-winning author, neuroscientist, and science communicator Ben Rein shared the findings of his research as published in his book, “Why Brains Need Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection.”

Jeremy Bloom, founder and chair of Wish of a Lifetime, now partners with AARP in fulfilling a wish of selected seniors. Bloom, a two-time Olympic skier and former NFL player, shared stories of older adults that his foundation was able to help. Bloom authored the book “Recalibrate: Navigating the Winding Road to Success.”

In his presentation, MIT Age Lab researcher Bryan Reimer talked about AI as something more than a technological innovation, but as a sociotechnical tool that can support and enhance human capabilities. Reimer co-authored the book “How to Make AI Useful.”

Current FOCA president Erin McLeod, also president and CEO of Senior Friendship Centers in Southwest Florida, couldn’t stop raving about the speakers and all the participants in this year’s conference.

She was thrilled after she attended her first FOCA meeting 22 years ago, and she still has the passion.  At the time, she felt she had found her people, and that feeling still holds true.

“These are people that believe that older adults still have something to contribute, that they should be respected, and upheld, and protected, and advocated for, and included in the conversation about our society. So, I fell in love with the mission of this organization, and I’ve been involved ever since,” McLeod said.

This year the organization’s top honor, the Quality Senior Living Awards, went to Kelley Hunte, a volunteer with Seniors in Service of Tampa, for public service; the Community Cooperative of Ft. Myers took the organization Award, and aging advocate Robert Beck took top honors for the Outstanding FCOA member award.

Next year’s conference with the theme of “Glowing Older” is already set for August 2027.

Editor’s note: Ronnie Lovler is a member of the Board of Trustees of FCOA.