2027 Forum on Aging
The Forum on Aging is a two-day conference providing continuing education units for certified care managers, social workers, nurses, activity professionals and nursing home administrators.
2027 Conference – Save the Date
Date: March 16-17, 2027
Location:
Sharonville Convention Center
11355 Chester Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45246-4002
(513) 771-7744
Conference Contact
Amy Leonhardt
2027 Forum on Aging Celebrating 40 years!
Conference Sponsorships
Forum on Aging would not exist without support from our sponsors. Sponsorships are available on many levels – from special packages to corporate and a la carte options. Most sponsorship packages include an information table and free admission for one or more of your staff, in addition to other benefits (depending on sponsorship level). Click here for more information on Sponsorship packages. Or, create your own customized sponsorship package! Contact Amy Leonhardt with your sponsorship ideas or suggestions at [email protected].
2027 Conference Schedule
| Tuesday – March 16 | |
| 7:30-8:30 a.m. | Registration, Coffee & Pastries, Networking and Exhibit Hall |
| 8:30-11:45 a.m. | AM Concurrent Intensive Workshops 1-3 |
| 11:45 a.m.-12:40 p.m. | Buffet Lunch, Networking and Exhibit Hall |
| 12:40-1:45 p.m. | Welcome and Opening Keynote |
| 1:45-2 p.m. | Break |
| 2-4 p.m. | PM Concurrent Workshops 1-3 |
| Wednesday – March 17 | |
| 7:30-8:30 a.m. | Registration, Coffee & Pastries, Networking and Exhibit Hall |
| 8:30-9:30 a.m. | Morning Keynote |
| 9:30-9:45 a.m. | Break |
| 9:45-11:45 a.m. | AM Concurrent Workshops 1-3 |
| 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. | Buffet Lunch, Networking, Exhibit Hall and COA 56th Annual Meeting |
| 1-2 p.m. | Closing Keynote |
| 2-2:15 p.m. | Break |
| 2:15-4:15 p.m. | PM Concurrent Workshops 1-3 |
2027 Keynote Presenters
Dr. Cindy Bautista-Thomas, PhD, LCSW
Speaker, Social Worker, Educator and Mindfulness Practitioner
Keynote: Self-Care Is a Superpower: Sustaining Ourselves While Caring for Others
Those who serve older adults, people with disabilities, families and communities often give tirelessly of themselves, leaving little time to focus on their own wellbeing. Yet self-care is not a luxury. It is an essential practice that helps us stay connected to our purpose, maintain resilience and continue making a meaningful impact.
In this engaging and inspiring keynote, Dr. Cindy Bautista-Thomas explores the importance of caring for ourselves while caring for others. Through personal stories, guided reflection, mindfulness techniques and practical strategies, participants will gain insight into the effects of chronic stress and the risks of continually pushing through without pause. Attendees will discover ways to restore energy, strengthen resilience and prioritize their own wellbeing so they can continue to lead, serve and connect with others effectively.
Participants will leave refreshed, empowered, and reminded that taking time to care for themselves is not stepping away from the work, it is what makes the work sustainable.
Keynote Objectives
- Participants will be able to identify at least two ways chronic workplace stress and caregiving responsibilities can affect personal well-being and professional effectiveness.
- Participants will be able to describe the relationship between self-awareness, healthy boundaries, and sustainable professional practice.
- Participants will be able to identify at least two practical self-care or collective care strategies that can be incorporated into the workday.
Dr. Cindy Bautista-Thomas, PhD, LCSW is a speaker, social worker, educator and mindfulness practitioner dedicated to helping individuals strengthen their wellbeing while enhancing the way they lead, communicate and care for others. She serves as an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Lehman College, is co-founder of Velocity Visions, Inc. and founder of Abundance Counseling Services.
Drawing on nearly 30 years of professional experience, Dr. Bautista-Thomas brings a dynamic blend of storytelling, reflection and practical strategies to her presentations. Her engaging keynotes and workshops inspire audiences to pause, reconnect with their purpose and leave with actionable tools to support resilience, personal growth and lasting impact.
Dr. Joe Gaugler, PhD
Speaker and Educator
Keynote: The Turning Point: Supporting Families During the Residential Long-Term Care Transition
Drawing from the latest research and real-world experience, Dr. Gaugler will share evidence-based strategies, practical tools and valuable resources that help families navigate the transition to residential long-term care with greater confidence and support. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how to guide difficult conversations, evaluate timing and care options and identify resources that ease the decision-making process for older adults and their caregivers.
Whether you work directly with older adults, support family caregivers or help individuals plan for future care needs, this keynote will provide actionable knowledge to strengthen your ability to assist families during a pivotal moment in their caregiving journey.
Keynote Objectives
- Participants will be able to summarize research findings on the residential long-term care transition for families
- Participants will be able to identify tools, resources and strategies to support families during the residential long-term care transition
- Participants will be able to identify and apply resources shared during the presentation and resulting question and answer session to support families that they serve.
Dr. Joe Gaugler, PhD, is the Robert L. Kane Endowed Chair in Long-Term Care & Aging in the School of Public Health and a Distinguished McKnight University Professor at the University of Minnesota. He serves as Director of the Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation, Director of the CDC-funded BOLD Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Caregiving, Director of the National Institute on Aging-funded EMBRACE AD/ADRD Roybal and State Alzheimer’s Research Support Centers and Editor-in-Chief of The Gerontologist. His internationally recognized research focuses on dementia care innovation and improving the lives of family caregivers and older adults.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the nation’s leading voices in aging and dementia care and gain practical insights that can make a meaningful difference for the families you serve.
Terry M. Foster, RN, MSN, FAEN, CCRN, CPEN, TCRN, CEN
Emergency Critical‑Care Nurse, Speaker and Humorist
Keynote: Humor, Hope and Healing: Why Laughter Matters in Healthcare
Healthcare professionals face unique challenges every day and sometimes laughter is the best medicine for those providing the care. In this engaging and entertaining session, participants will explore the distinctive sense of humor that unites healthcare workers across settings, specialties and generations.
More than just comic relief, humor can be a powerful tool for building resilience, strengthening teamwork, reducing stress and maintaining perspective in demanding environments. Through stories, insights and plenty of laughter, this presentation examines the appropriate role of humor in healthcare and how it can foster connection, compassion and a positive workplace culture.
Get ready to laugh, relate and discover why humor remains one of healthcare’s most effective coping strategies. You’ll leave energized, uplifted and reminded of the importance of finding joy in the work we do every day.
Keynote Objectives
- Participants will be able to identify at least three ways appropriate humor can be used to reduce stress, prevent burnout and support personal resilience in care management practice.
- Participants will be able to describe how humor can strengthen communication, enhance team relationships and foster meaningful connections with clients, families and colleagues.
- Participants will be able to use practical strategies for incorporating professional and compassionate humor into daily care management interactions while maintaining ethical and professional boundaries.
For nearly five decades, Terry Foster has been a trusted emergency nurse, educator, speaker and advocate whose passion for patient care has touched countless lives. Beginning as a 14-year-old volunteer at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Terry discovered his calling in emergency nursing and has since built a distinguished career dedicated to compassionate care, clinical excellence and professional education.
Terry serves as a Critical Care Nurse Specialist for St. Elizabeth Healthcare and has held numerous leadership roles throughout his career, including staff nurse, charge nurse, clinical director and nursing supervisor. A nationally recognized educator, he has delivered more than 5,000 presentations in all 50 states, authored over 40 professional publications and earned numerous honors, including designation as a Fellow of the Academy of Emergency Nursing.
Known for his engaging storytelling, practical wisdom, and signature healthcare humor, Terry brings real-life experiences from the front lines of emergency care to every presentation. He has been featured in 11 episodes of TLC’s Untold Stories of the ER and is celebrated for his ability to educate, inspire and connect with audiences through both laughter and compassion.
2027 Workshops – Coming Soon
2027 Conference Registration Fees Coming soon
Registration will open late December.
IMPORTANT CANCELLATION INFORMATION: Full refunds will be granted on cancellations received in writing ([email protected]) by Monday, Feb. 22, 2027. No refunds will be issued on cancellations received after this date. No phone registrations or phone cancellations will be accepted.
Corporate/Group Payment: organizations that wish to make one payment for multiple representatives – click here for instructions.
Continuing Education Credits
Twelve clock hours will be available to the following professions:
Certified Case Manager
Social Workers
Nursing Home Administrators
Nurses*
Activity Professionals
Continuing Education Credit Certificates will be emailed to attendees of the Forum on Aging. Please allow 4 weeks to process.
*Any continuing education activity that has been approved by Ohio Board of Social Workers is accepted by the Ohio Board of Nursing for all nurses in the State of Ohio.
56th Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony
Wednesday, March 17, 2027
11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Sharonville Convention Center
11255 Chester Road
Cincinnati, OH 45246
COA’s Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon will include a buffet lunch, a brief overview of COA’s 2026 Annual Report, an awards ceremony, and a special keynote presentation from nationally respected speaker Terri Foster, RN
The awards ceremony will recognize two area home health aides and/or paid caregivers for their critical role in helping COA fulfill its mission by providing exceptional care to vulnerable older adults. If you know a home health aide or an AddnAide caregiver who goes above and beyond to provide exceptional care for older adults in our region, nominate them for a 2027 Home Health Aide Hero Award.
Click here to learn more about the nomination process.
Accommodations
All conference activities take place at the Sharonville Convention Center, which is located near 20 hotels. Click here to view list of nearby hotels. Adjoining the convention center is the Hyatt Place Cincinnati.
Click here for a discounted price: Modern Hotel near Cincinnati Zoo | Hyatt Place Cincinnati / Sharonville Convention Center
Forum on Aging 2027 Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Corporate Sponsor
Lunch Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
