APA 2018 program report

The APA convention in San Francisco was very successful for Div. 20. The conference included several exciting collaborative programming sessions that reflected a broad range of research findings and clinical issues including: neuroscience of creativity; guidelines on multicultural education, research and practice for psychologists; innovative, evidence-based interventions for veterans’ mental health; and a guide on best practices for running intervention studies. Div. 20 hosted five other symposia, two paper sessions, one conversation hour and over 70 research posters were presented at the conference. These symposia and posters presented innovative and contemporary topics that included: strategies for healthy aging, emotional processing and regulation; caregiving; mental health needs of older adults; biological aspects of aging; positive aging; social support and social networks; training and intervention programs; end of life issues; and translating research findings to policy. Div. 20 also co-sponsored two skill-building sessions for early career psychologists on research funding and publication success and a symposium on current and emerging cognitive interventions.

The presidential address of Joe Gaugler, PhD, Dementia Care Services and Supports: Evolving Perspectives on Evidence and Engagement, discussed current developments in dementia care services and supports and provided state-of-the-art recommendations for the future of dementia care research. Other programming highlights included the Baltes Distinguished Research Achievement Award Address from Carol Ryff, PhD, and the Fellows address given by Shevaun Neupert, PhD. Additionally, a unique panel of prominent practitioners, academics and researchers discussed the aging of APA and how their own work and experiences influenced their plans for retirement and aging. We also had a skill-building session in collaboration with CONA that introduced a new online resource to help mentors guide students to rewarding careers in aging.

Finally, APA 2018 offered members the opportunity to network and socialize. A group dinner was organized for the first day of the convention at The Stinking Rose. This was a joint event between Div. 20, Div. 12-Section II and PLTC. Over 50 individuals participated and enjoyed a great evening. After the presidential address, Div. 20 hosted a social hour that included the awards ceremony. The social hour was graciously sponsored by our Gold Sponsor, Robert L. Kane Endowed Chair in Long-term Care and Aging, University of Minnesota and by our Bronze Sponsors: Columbine Health Systems Center for Healthy Aging at Colorado State University, Center for Gerontology at Virginia Tech, RoseMary B. Fuss Center for Research on Aging and Intergenerational Studies, University of Alabama Research Institute on Aging, the Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement (CREATE) and the Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Overall, the programming for Div. 20 at APA 2018 was a great success and reflected innovative findings in the field of adult development and aging. Highlights of the program were posted on Div. 20 Facebook page (APA Division 20) and Twitter handle (@apadiv20). The program chairs look forward to working with Div. 20 members to put together an even better program for APA 2019 in Chicago.