Tenth Annual Abundant Aging Symposium
Ignite Creative Potential: The Aging Superpower
Exploring New Options, Self-Expression and Experiencing Joy
Friday, October 31, 2025 9:45 am to 3:15pm (ET)
In Person and Online on Zoom
The Ohioan (formerly Nationwide Hotel), Columbus, Ohio
Discover the Power of Creativity in Aging: A One-Day Hybrid Symposium
Join us in person or online for a dynamic, one-day symposium exploring the vital and often overlooked role of creativity in aging well. This event is designed for all who want to expand their understanding of how creativity can enrich lives, support wellness, and build connection — especially in later life.
Too often, aging is framed in terms of loss. But current research tells a different story: creativity doesn’t just survive as we age — it can actually thrive, supporting our mental, physical, and spiritual health. In fact, some studies suggest that aging enhances the brain’s ability to see patterns, solve problems, and imagine new possibilities.
When people hear “creative,” they may think only of the arts — painting, music, writing — and say, “I’m not creative.” But creativity is much broader. It’s the simple, adaptive choices we make every day: buying a half-gallon of milk because it’s easier to carry, switching to slip-on shoes, or finding new ways to connect with loved ones living with dementia. These are acts of ingenuity — and they matter.
At this symposium, you’ll:
- Explore how creativity fosters connection, resilience, and dignity in later life–especially for those with cognitive changes.
- Gain tools and insights to support clients, residents, parishioners, and patients through creative approaches.
- Hear from leading researchers and practitioners who have worked in aging and are now experiencing the benefits of creativity firsthand.
- Learn about evidence-based creative programs that are improving health outcomes and quality of life for older adults.
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Catrinel Tromp, Catrinel Tromp, Professor of Psychology, Rider University; Co-author of A Model of Creative Aging (MOCA) research
Dr. Elizabeth “Like” Lokon, founder, Opening Minds through Art (OMA)
Dr. Susan H. McFadden, Professor Emerita, Psychology, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh; Fox Valley Memory Project
Whether you’re a helping professional or an older adult yourself, you’ll leave inspired and equipped to view aging through a new lens — one full of potential, possibility, and creativity.
Agenda
8:45 Registration Opens
9:00 Opportunity to experience creativity through color, word, and music
9:45 Welcome and Introductions
10:00 Creativity, Constraints, and Aging
Dr. Catrinel Tromp, Catrinel Tromp, Professor of Psychology, Rider University; Co-author of A Model of Creative Aging (MOCA) research
Creativity is a dynamic, evolving process that both shapes and is shaped by aging. Extending far beyond artistic talent, it has many facets that include everyday problem-solving and adaptation. When constraints are viewed as focusing rather than limiting, they can reveal new possibilities, suggest creative solutions, and inspire fresh forms of expression. Supportive care environments that experiment with leveraging constraints into opportunities can help foster a culture of creative growth at every stage of life.
11:00 Constraint-leveraging Mindset: A Professional and Personal Reflection
Dr. Elizabeth “Like” Lokon, founder, Opening Minds through Art (OMA)
As the founder of Opening Minds through Art (OMA), an intergenerational art program for people living with dementia developed at Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University, Dr. Lokon illustrates how she used constraint-leveraging mindset in her work and in her personal life. She uses Tromp & Glăveanu’s,Model of Creative Aging (MOCA) to describe the role of constraints imposed by dementia in developing the OMA program, as well as in her own post-retirement creative expressions.
11:30 Breaking Barriers: How Communities Are Engaging People Living with Dementia through Creative Activities
Dr. Susan H. McFadden, Professor Emerita, Psychology, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh; Fox Valley Memory Project
Dementia has been called a “disease of exclusion” because the stigma associated with it often leads to social isolation of persons with the condition as well as care partners. The barriers that can prevent their participation in meaningful social activities are being broken by community-supported creative engagement opportunities. These include Memory Cafés, choruses, and museum-based arts and cultural programs.
12:00 Lunch (included with in-person registration)
1:00 Panel of Morning Speakers
moderator Susan Wallace, MSW, LSW
Morning presenters will examine the similarities and differences of the programs and ideas they discussed and extend the conversation with conference participants through Q&A.
1:30 Creativity and Spiritual Wellness
Rev. Beth Long-Higgins, director, The Center for Abundant Aging at United Church Homes
Creativity can serve as a catalyst for spiritual growth, expanding our capacity for deeper connection—with the sacred, with beauty in nature, with others, and with one’s own sense of self. At the same time, spiritual experiences often ignite creative insight, imagination, and energy. Nurturing creativity can be a vital practice in cultivating spiritual wellbeing, and vice versa. We’ll consider how individuals and communities might engage both creativity and spirituality as interwoven dimensions of abundant living.
2:00 Meeting in the Music: Music Therapy, Empathy and Self-Expression in a Senior Living Community
Liz Stamm MHA, LPMT, MT-BC, CDP, Music Therapist, Ohio Masonic Communities
In this brief presentation, Liz will discuss a monthly group she leads at Ohio Masonic Communities entitled Meeting in the Music. Attendees will learn about the field of Music Therapy and common misunderstandings about it and hear Liz’s perspective on the importance of promoting self-expression through music-making and techniques such as lyric analysis.
2:15 Breaking Creative Barriers: Art as a Tool for Opening Minds and Hearts
Dr. Amy E. Elliot, Director, Opening Minds through Art – Scripps Gerontology Center
Opening Minds through Art (OMA) reveals creativity’s profound capacity to forge connections. This presentation explores OMA’s unique ability to foster undeniable bonds—both within ourselves and with others—through creative expression. Learn how OMA’s methodology transforms communities by harnessing art’s unique ability to open hearts, minds, and create lasting bonds that transcend differences. Whether working with diverse populations or individual growth, OMA demonstrates that creativity is a powerful catalyst for meaningful human connection and personal transformation.
2:30 poemRENOVATION: No Rules, Just Create!
Kelly de la Rocha, Founder, poemRENOVATION
Words have the power to spark memory, creativity and connection. Writer Kelly de la Rocha will outline key concepts of poemRENOVATION, an award-winning word challenge that invites participants to use scrambled literature snippets to create poems or phrases. Designed for all ability levels, the program uses both a digital platform and printed word blocks. You’ll discover how to adapt the activity to encourage meaningful interaction and to support emotional and cognitive well-being in your community.
2:45 Panel of Afternoon Speakers
moderator Dr. Cynthia Dougherty
Afternoon presenters will examine key components of creativity for each of the programs and ideas they discussed and extend the conversation with conference participants through Q&A.
3:05 Wrap-up and Presentation
3:15 Adjourn
Registration
In-Person Registration (Includes Lunch)
9/29 and Before: $70 (includes CEUs)
9/30 and Later: $85 (includes CEUs)
55+ and students: $40
Online Zoom Registration
9/29 and Before: $45 (includes CEUs)
9/30 and Later: $55 (includes CEUs)
55+ and students: $25
Resident of United Church Homes community: $15
Location
Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center
(rebranding to The Ohioan Hotel)
If you would like to stay at The Ohioan (formerly Nationwide Hotel & Conference Center), you can do so for $165 per night when you’re attending The Center at United Church Homes’ Symposium. To reserve a room, use this link, or call the Hotel directly at 614-880-4300. Please mention group ID 406340 and make your reservation before Oct. 7th to get this special rate.
Continuing Education
Application has been made to the Ohio Board of Executives of Long-Term Services & Supports (BELTSS) and to The Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board for continuing education units. Watch this space for more details.
QUESTIONS?
Call 740.223.2055
About the Author: Kim Moeller
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