The State Society on Aging in New York (SSA) held its 51st Annual Conference, “Aging: Embracing the Journey, Shaping the Future,” from September 30 to October 1, 2024, at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs, New York. Dr. Danielle Gagne, SSA President, opened the conference with remarks on how this year’s theme addressed the increasing needs of older adults and their providers, pointing out the “evolving roles of caregivers and communities” in serving older adults. Dr. Gagne thanked the SSA Conference Committee, co-chaired by board members christian gonzález-rivera, and Dr. Janna C. Heyman, Fordham Graduate School of Social Service Professor, Director and Endowed Chair of the Henry C. Ravazzin Center on Aging and Intergenerational Studies, for organizing the conference program that included sessions highlighting unique and underserved older populations, caregiver and community supports, policies and programs centered on the aging, and resiliency.
Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service (GSS) presented numerous research sessions throughout the two-day conference. Dr. Heyman co-facilitating an expert panel on Intergenerational Programming in Action. The session explored and discussed various intergenerational initiatives in the New York metro area focused on program development benefiting older adults and their families.
Dr. Derek Tice-Brown
GSS Assistant Professor, Dr. Derek Tice-Brown; GSS Adjunct Professor, Colette Phipps; Dr. Janna C. Heyman, Ravazzin Center Director of Programs and Research; Dr. Henry J. Davis; and MSW Students JoAnne McMahon and Laura Sutter, presented on an innovative mindfulness intervention developed in partnership with the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services. The Mature, Motivational, Mindfulness program provided older adults with a six-week guided meditation intervention that showed promising results in promoting relaxation, reflection, and healthier mindsets.
Dr. Dana Marlowe
GSS Professor Dr. Carole Cox and GSS Clinical Professor Dr. Dana Marlowe presented a session, “The Impact of Antisemitism on Holocaust Survivors and their Older Adult Children Today,” that examined the reactions of Holocaust survivors and their adult children to the October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel. The session explored how these events have triggered trauma reminders, increased anxiety and depression, and heightened isolation, while also discussing interventions to prevent the transmission of intergenerational trauma and address the emotional impact on older adults.
Dr. Cox presented an additional session on urban grandparent caregivers who found support and empowerment through a virtual program offered by the NY City Grandparent Resource Center (GRC) during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The intervention, headed by Dr. Cox, helped participants build relationships, connect to support services, and foster inclusion and well-being in a flexible online environment.
Colette Phipps
Conference highlights included Professor Phipps’ GSS MSW Students, Yodit De La Cruz and Dakshayani Rajabhathor, who participated in a session that encouraged students to advocate for a UN Convention on the rights of older persons to address current challenges while encouraging ideas for promoting well-being initiatives for older adults.
The conference convened with the SSA Annual Membership Meeting where Professor Phipps was elected President of SSA in 2025 and Fordham GSS Alum, Dr. Annette Marie Hintenach as President Elect for SSA in 2026. Dr. Heyman and Dr. Davis were re-elected to the SSA Board for January 2025.
This article was written by Henry Davis, Ph.D.
