Preview: The 2026 Supporting Healthy Aging Conference

Mark your calendars for the 2026 Humboldt Senior Resource Center (HSRC) Supporting Healthy Aging Conference, Thursday, May 14, at the Sequoia Conference Center in Eureka.

This full-day conference continues the tradition of HSRC’s successful and longstanding Dementia Care Conference series. This year’s conference theme, “Value in Aging,” will explore issues in aging through engaging presentations and interactive discussions of value to care professionals, those who provide senior-focused services, family caregivers, individuals, community members interested in aging-related issues and anyone committed to supporting healthy aging — both now and for generations to come.

This year, we are excited to be joined by a special conference keynote speaker, Alexis Abramson, Ph.D. An Emmy and Gracie award-winning journalist, Dr. Abramson is a nationally recognized expert on aging and caregiving who holds a doctorate in gerontology from the University of Southern California. She advises individuals, families and organizations on the opportunities and challenges of longer lifespans, “helping people prepare for profound demographic shifts reshaping society —where multigenerational households, aging consumers and the 50+ population are redefining every sector of life,” according to her website.

Her keynote presentation will address, “The Four Keys to Longevity: What We Gain in Our Bonus Years.”

The conference’s other notable topics and speakers include:

• “The Good Life Framework: Redefining Value in Aging Through Belonging, Freedom, Adaptation and Gratitude,” presented by Jamie Jensen, Ph.D., of the Cal Poly Humboldt Department of Social Work, a member of the California Commission on Aging.

• “Protecting What Matters: Brain Health and the Science of Dementia Risk Reduction,” presented by Andrew Levine, Ph.D., of North Coast Neuropsychology in Arcata.

• “When Care Becomes Healing: A Contemplative Medical View of Aging and Caregiving,” presented by Dr. Jennifer Heidmann, medical director at Redwood Coast PACE, a program of the Humboldt Senior Resource Center.

• “Bringing Elder Back Through a Cultural Perspective,” presented by Elizabeth Lara-O’Rourke, chief executive officer at United Indian Health Services.

The closing session will bring the day’s speakers together to discuss “Value in Aging: What We Gain, What We Give and What We Must Build Next.”

Conference attendees will also have the opportunity to interact with local organizations and entities that serve our community’s aging population. If interested in becoming a conference sponsor and being part of this resource fair, please contact us.

Stay tuned for additional session and continuing education credit details, as well as registration information. Please join us at the 2026 Supporting Healthy Aging conference on May 14 to help foster a healthier, more informed aging community.

For updates, visit humsenior.org, call 707-443-9747 or email info@humsenior.org.

René Arché is director of Communications & Marketing at HSRC. Email: rarche@humsenior.org.