A Generation Ahead: Transforming the Way We Age

Transforming the Way We Age, features Joan Lunden Nov.11, 2016.

UPDATE

The 2016 Annual Symposium took place Friday, November 11, 2016. Thank you to everyone in attendance for making this inaugural symposium a success.

To view highlights from the symposium, including a video chronicling the life and impact of Mrs. Parker, click here.

The idea for a Center for Abundant Aging was generated around the time United Church Homes was working on its Vision/Mission/Values statements over two years ago. This Center is not made of bricks and mortar, rather it provides opportunity for the cross fertilization of ideas and innovation for United Church Homes and its partners in the senior service sector, higher education, research, and advocacy.

The name of the Center became clear in February 2015 as United Church Homes celebrated the life of Ruth Frost Parker with her family and friends following her death at the age of 92. Ruth served on the UCH Board of Directors almost 30 years ago, crystallizing for her the need for a new retirement center in Sandusky, her hometown. The names of Parkvue Place and, several years later, Parkvue Healthcare Center, were a nod to her commitment to help create this community. She was a woman of insight and resolve. She could see the needs around her and acted to ensure that ideas became reality. People’s lives continue to be enriched thanks to her transformative philanthropic spirit. It was only fitting to name this Center for Abundant Aging to honor the woman whose vision and generosity helped to inspire and impact so many.

We’re excited about how the Center for Abundant Aging has developed in a very short period of time. We envision the Center as a forum in which experts in the fields of gerontology, spirituality, parish ministry, caregiving, aging, and healthcare will meet and discuss how to transform the way we age.

Rev. Kenneth Daniel
President and CEO
United Church Homes

The first annual Symposium of the Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging will take place on November 11, 2016, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the Columbus Marriot Northwest in Dublin, Ohio. Registration for the Symposium is $15 and includes lunch.

The topic of this year’s Symposium is A Generation Ahead: Transforming the Way We Age. Joan Lunden will be the keynote speaker. Joan is an award-winning journalist and former host of Good Morning America who actively speaks on the topic of the changing landscape of aging. Following the keynote, there will be opportunity to continue the conversation with Lunden and with the panel of experts from our partners in Ohio.

The 2016 Symposium is approved for CEU credits for nursing home administrators, nurses, chaplains, and social workers.

Founding Funders for
the Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging

This year’s Symposium has been made possible by the generous financial support of many individuals and organizations that support the principles upon which the Center for Abundant Aging was founded:

  • Linda Brewer
  • Rev. John Cramton
  • Rev. Kenneth Daniel
  • Dr. E. Anne Eddowes
  • Adelle Elshoff
  • Suzanne Schoedinger Ellis
  • The Frost-Parker Foundation
  • Plante Moran
  • Thomas & Marker Construction
  • United Church Homes Board of Directors
  • The Family of Ruth Frost Parker