For 10 years, Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP has attended the American Society on Aging’s annual conference, On Aging, the nation’s largest multidisciplinary conference about aging. At this year’s conference in Atlanta, OATS was the proud sponsor of the Age Tech Pavilion stage, where we presented five panel discussions with thought leaders on topics of importance to the field of aging.

“ASA is the go-to source for information, networking, and professional support for all of us at OATS,” said OATS Executive Director Tom Kamber. “We participate actively in ASA online trainings, advisory councils, and of course in the On Aging conference each year. It’s been great to stay connected to ASA members and programs that share with OATS a focus on professionalism, diversity, and building a vibrant future in the aging services sector.”

OATS-Sponsored Sessions

On Tuesday, March 27, the first two OATS-sponsored sessions–“How Local Partnerships Thrive”—showed attendees how the Senior Planet licensing program works with organizations nationwide to deliver Senior Planet programs locally. “Fitness as We Age” featured Senior Planet sponsored athlete Carolyn Hartfield, and drew a rousing response with a spontaneous tai chi session.

Other Age Tech sessions included “Age Tech and Philanthropic Investing,” in which leaders from regional organizations Philanthropy Southeast and A.G. Rhodes, and moderator Lindsay Goldman, CEO of Grantmakers in Aging, discussed how nonprofits are funded in a post-covid environment.

The panel  “Inclusive Innovation” featured Debra Lam, Executive Director of The Partnership for Inclusive Innovation, and OATS CEO Tom Kamber in a discussion about bringing innovation to every community.

The concluding session, “Online Learning is Here to Stay,” offered insights into identifying and overcoming the barriers to successful virtual learning and program delivery. Presenters Sherlyn Freeman, Senior Planet Trainer and Teacher, and Colette Buscemi, Director of Innovation and Program Design, Senior Planet and OATS, also addressed misconceptions about older Americans and technology, online training apps, classes and lectures, and the importance of developing programming with the end user in mind.  

We are proud of our work with organizations like ASA to change the future of aging and help more people age with attitude. On to 2024!

Photo (top): ASA Inclusive Innovation Panel (left to right): Partnership for Inclusive Innovation Executive Director Deborah Lam, OATS and Senior Planet from AARP Executive Director Tom Kamber, and OATS board chair Ginna Baik

Since moving to New York City 10 years ago, David Biederman has worked in the nonprofit sector, and currently serves as Communications Specialist for OATS (Older Adults Technology Services). A longtime journalist, David most recently worked for the Journal of Commerce and other publications in the B2B sector.