Aging With Grace 
by Barb Quaintance
They say that aging is not for the faint of heart. We all hope to age with grace and dignity, surrounded by people who will support and love us throughout the aging process.
Misericordia has an aging population. Geana Connelly saw that many residents were facing the challenges of aging. She also heard from families who had questions about what to expect as their family member aged. Aging is not a chronological number, but rather, a biological process. Would it happen sooner than it would for the general population? What are the signs? What might the trajectory be? What can a family do to support an aging family member?
Because Misericordia is so attuned to the residents and their families, Geana decided to host a webinar series addressing aging issues. Coordinated by Sarah Peters, this three-session series addresses various components of the aging process:
Session One, held on February 24, examined the physiological changes observed in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our residents will likely age 5 -10 years earlier than the general population, as people with dementia experience a more accelerated aging process. Of course, there is no single trajectory for everyone; therefore, it is important to evaluate the various factors that contribute to the aging process in each individual. This first session covered information from Speech, OT, PT, and Nursing about what to observe and, importantly, offered tips for assessing and assisting your family member.
Session Two, scheduled for March 24, will focus on behavior, wellness, and meaningful engagement. Misericordia staff will again present information on these topics.
To register for this webinar, click here.
Session Three, scheduled for April 14, will be a Q&A session, with staff experts answering questions submitted by family members. Recordings of all sessions will be available on the MFA-SIBs website once each webinar is presented. Please watch for information on future webinars in upcoming Mis Biz weekly publications. If you would like to ask questions, please send them to Sarah Peters (
Thank you to Geana, Sarah, and all the staff specialists who are helping families navigate the aging of their loved ones. Using the practical tips offered in these webinar sessions and the shared experience of our community, we will be better prepared to walk the aging path with our loved ones at Mis.
To view the video from Session One click here.