Healthy aging, nutrition and disease management among topics at ISU Thomas Geriatric Symposium Oct. 6 in Meridian

MERIDIAN-The 10th annual Idaho State University Thomas Geriatric Symposium is Friday, Oct. 6 at the ISU-Meridian Health Center and Pond Student Union Ballroom in Pocatello.

The symposium is free to the public, but organizers request attendees preregister at isu.edu/healthconf/ or call (208) 282-3372 by Sept. 29. Most sessions will be telecast to both campuses.

This year’s keynote speaker is Boise-based wellness writer, researcher and registered dietitian Dr. SeAnne Safaii-Waite, whose address is titled “Healthy Aging and Nutrition: What’s on Your Plate?”

Safaii-Waite, an associate professor at University of Idaho, has lectured and written extensively about the role diet plays in people living to be 100 years old.  She is also the co-author of the recently published book “The Alzheimer’s Prevention Food Guide.” Her presentation will begin at 8:40 a.m. in room 686 of the Meridian Health Science Center. The Pocatello audience will see it via a live video link.

Other sessions include estate and end-of-life planning guidelines, cooking for two, mindfulness, disease management and healthy lifestyles.

The ISU Kasiska Division of Health Sciences has partnered with Idaho Public Television and the community organization Honoring Choices®Idaho to increase the public’s awareness of resources that pertain to aging.

“The goal of the collaboration is to publicize the highlights and  struggles of aging adults, reshape the public attitudes about aging and encourage people to share their final wishes with family and loved ones,” said  ISU-Meridian clinical professor Beth Guzi, a member of the symposium’s planning committee.

IdahoPTV will run programming about aging through Oct. 6 and Honoring Choices®Idaho’s website has information about advance care planning. For details, visit their websites at idahopublictv.org and honoringchoicesidaho.org.

For more information, contact Shirley Hockett, symposium coordinator, (208) 282-3372.

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