Area Agency on Aging to host 32nd Annual REACH Conference to Educate Individuals Who Work with Seniors

Area Agency on Aging of East Texas • September 18, 2023

October 4-5 in Longview, TX

More than two hundred area nursing facility administrators, practitioners, caregivers, and others who work with seniors will receive training at the 32nd annual REACH Conference (Regional Education on Aging, Caregiving, and Healthcare) next week. The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) hosts the annual conference to provide educational workshops, plenary sessions, and networking opportunities. This year's conference will be held at Maude Cobb in Longview on October 4-5 and is ideal for professionals or caregivers serving older adults and persons with disabilities.

 

“We are thrilled to present our 32nd annual REACH Conference, ‘Taking Care While Giving Care.’  This conference is for the professional and personal caregivers who are giving so much of themselves to care for our elders. We know that caregiving is a challenging but rewarding role, and we want to provide them with the resources and support they need to thrive," said AAA Director Colleen Halliburton.

 

The 32nd REACH Conference offers a wide range of topics related to aging, including:

  • The physical and emotional challenges of aging
  • How to take care of yourself while you are caring for an older adult
  • Legal and financial issues related to aging
  • Resources and support for professional and personal caregivers
  • Research on aging


Keynote speaker presentations include:

  • Unforgettable: The Power of Partnership in the Pursuit of Justice and Equity in Dementia Research, Care, and Support - Carl Hill, Ph.D., Alzheimer’s Association; and Garrett Davis, Award Winning Playwright
  • Did COVID Give Me PTSD? – Tam Cummings, Ph.D., Dementia Expert;
  • Equity and Inclusion: Closing the Health Disparities Gap in Communities of Color – Garrett Davis, Award Winning Playwright
  • You Got the Right Stuff – Dr. Timothy McNeil, Sr., Founding Pastor of the Community Fellowship Church
  • Seeing the other side of Dementia and Living with Lewy Body Dementia – Luanne Harms, Dementia Expert
  • Generational Caregiving – The McAnally Family


This conference provides an opportunity to obtain Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) for ethics, social work, License Professional Counselors, Activity Directors, and Long Term Care Administrators. REACH is partially funded by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. To register for the event or for more information, call the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas at (903) 218-6500 or visit our conference website at www.aaa-reachconference.org.


Champion Your Health poster with older adult holding a child on a purple background

Area Agency on Aging to Host Three Community Events Celebrating Older Americans Month

By Area Agency on Aging of East Texas • April 30, 2026
Throughout May, the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) will join organizations across the nation in celebrating Older Americans Month (OAM), led by the Administration for Community Living, honoring the important contributions of older adults in our communities. This year’s theme, “Champion Your Health,” encourages older adults to focus on the steps they can take to support their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, while highlighting the resources and community connections that help people age well. In recognition of Older Americans Month, AAA will host three special events at community locations across East Texas to celebrate older adults and share information about programs and services available to seniors and caregivers. Throughout the month of May, the Area Agency on Aging will also participate in additional events that promote the mental and physical health of our communities and recognize the many contributions older Americans have made, and continue to make, across the country. As the United States marks its 250th anniversary this year, Older Americans Month also offers an opportunity to reflect on the generations of older adults whose service, leadership, and life experiences have helped shape our nation, our state, and our local communities. “Older Americans Month is an important time to recognize the lasting contributions of older adults and the many ways they strengthen our communities,” said Adrian Cornejo, ETCOG’s Director of the Area Agency on Aging. “This year’s theme, Champion Your Health, reminds us of the importance of supporting healthy aging by connecting older East Texans with resources, services, and opportunities that help them live well and remain engaged.” The following OAM celebration events are free and open to the public and will feature information on services and supports available to East Texas seniors: Friday, May 15 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM First Christian Church 1920 Beaumont St. Jacksonville, Texas 75766 Wednesday, May 20 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Marshall Convention Center 2501 E. End Blvd S. Marshall, Texas 75672 Thursday, May 21 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM First Methodist Church of Athens 225 Lovers Lane Athens, Texas 75751 The AAA is the region’s leader in advocacy and services for older adults, providing support such as information and referral, benefits counseling, case management, health education classes, senior nutrition, and the Ombudsman program for people living in nursing and assisted living facilities. These services help older individuals live independent, meaningful, and dignified lives in their homes and communities for as long as possible. For questions about the events, contact the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas at (903) 218-6500.
A person wearing a light blue shirt uses a laptop while sitting on an orange circular seat.

Seeking Public Comments on 2027-2029 Area Plan

By Area Agency on Aging of East Texas • March 26, 2026
The East Texas Area Agency on Aging (ETAAA), a program of the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG), is inviting the public to review and comment on our 2027 to 2029 Area Plan. ETAAA serves as the Area Agency on Aging for Planning and Service Area 4, a fourteen-county region in East Texas. The Area Plan outlines our strategy to strengthen the Aging Services Network and address the needs of people age 60 and older, family caregivers, and individuals with disabilities. It also guides how we plan, coordinate, and oversee services supported by the Older Americans Act and other state and local initiatives. Our mission is to serve as the region’s leader in advocating for and delivering services that enable older adults to live independently, with dignity and purpose, in their homes and communities. Our vision, “Age Well, Live Well, ” reflects a person-centered approach focused on better choices, improved health, and access to nutritious food. We call it “Serving One Senior at a Time.” The 2027–2029 Area Plan is guided by a needs assessment incorporating data, service trends, and stakeholder input. Key priority needs include access to home- and community-based services, caregiver support, transportation, nutrition and food security, social isolation, healthcare access and chronic disease management, and improved service coordination and system navigation. How to share your input Public comments will be accepted through April 26, 2026 . Submit comments by mail or email: Mail: Area Agency on Aging, 3800 Stone Road, Kilgore, TX 75662 Email: Colleen.Halliburton@etcog.org
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