G5: Flipping the Script on Ageism: Strategies & Techniques
Thursday, June 18 | 10:45 AM - 11:45 PM
Target Audience: Affordable Senior Housing; Service Coordinators; Assisted Living/Personal Care; Clinical; Home Care + HCBS; Marketing
Ageism was first defined by Dr. Robert N. Butler more than 50 years ago. Yet, until the last few years, little attention has been given to addressing ageism in healthcare, social services and American society at large. To the contrary, we are surrounded by messages, experiences and ingrained attitudes about aging that reinforce ageism. This session will bring forward research-based information and strategies from the National Center to Reframe Aging to support housing, assisted living, skilled nursing, PACE and other HCBS teams in their pivotal work as change agents. This session will include at least one member partner where “reframing aging” education was implemented using the National Center’s evidence-based tools and techniques. The session will also include interactive exercises and tools to assist team with their every day work and offer a foundation for organizations to use to combat ageism in everyday practice and life.
NAB/NCERS; LNHA Ethics, HUD
Speaker Information
Regulatory Consultant, LeadingAge NJ & DE
Theresa Edelstein, MPH, LNHA is the Regulatory Consultant at LeadingAge New Jersey & Delaware where she has served for almost 10 years. In this role she focuses on policy, regulation and education in the post-acute and long term care fields. From 1997 until May 2025, Ms. Edelstein served in various leadership roles at the New Jersey Hospital Association. During the last eight years at NJHA, she was Senior Vice President, Partnerships Transforming Health. Prior to joining NJHA, Ms. Edelstein was a nursing home administrator in New Jersey and in New York City in the non-profit and for-profit sectors. Ms. Edelstein is also a part-time faculty member at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University and a trained facilitator for the National Center to Reframe Aging in Washington, DC. In this role she educates audiences concerning the impact of ageism and strategies to shift societal thinking about aging. In addition, she is a gubernatorial appointee on the New Jersey Medical Assistance Advisory Council and serves on the Older Adults Committee at the NJ Department of Health. She began her career in long term care at the Jewish Home and Hospital in NYC after completing her Masters in Public Health at Columbia University. Ms. Edelstein has her Bachelor of Science degree from Georgetown University.
Vice President, Human Resources , Jewish Home Family
Sr. Vice President & General Counsel, Springpoint Senior Living
