The APA Convention in Chicago 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: “Translational Science and Advocacy of Neuropsychology in Dementia: Expert Roundtable Discussion;” “Advancing Health Justice: Life Course Determinants of Racial Disparities;” “LGBT Issues Across the Lifespan: How Social Stigma and Multiple Inequities Present Challenges to Successful Aging;” “Behavioral Health Needs and Resilience Among Transgender and Gender-Non-Conforming Older Adults;” “Mitigating Cognitive Decline in Adults: Potential Resilience in the Face of Aging, Genetics and Disease;” “Increasing Quality of Life: Meeting the Need for Play and Joy Across the Lifespan;” and “Natural Disasters: Psychological Challenges and Interventions.” Div. 20 also hosted eight other symposia and two paper sessions on various topics such as social relations across the adult lifespan, technology interventions, clinical issues related to capacity and pedagogical issues. Over 65 research posters were presented at the conference, and several mentoring roundtables were attended by the division members.
Michael Marsiske’s, PhD, presidential address, “Cognitive Interventions for Older Adults: Separating the Wheat from the Chaff,” and Karen Rook’s, PhD, Baltes Award address, “Loss, Loneliness and Social Network Compensation in Later Life,” were well-attended with room for standing only. Other programming highlights included a conversation hour led by Harvey Sterns, PhD, and a unique panel of Div. 20 past presidents, who discussed the history and development of Div. 20.
Finally, APA 2019 offered members multiple opportunities to network and socialize. A group dinner was organized for the first day of the convention at Tapas Valencia. This was a joint event between Div. 20, Div. 12-Section II and PLTC. Approximately 77 individuals participated and enjoyed a great evening. Over 17 Div. 20 student members also attended the dinner, which would not have been possible without the generous donation from Div. 20 members which helped offset the cost of student dinners. After the presidential address, Div. 20 hosted a Social Hour that included the Awards Ceremony. The Social Hour was graciously sponsored by two Gold Sponsors: The Robert L. Kane Endowed Chair in Long-term Care and Agingopens in new window, University of Minnesota; and the Columbine Health Systems Center for Healthy Agingopens in new window and Dept. of Human Development and Family Studiesopens in new window, Colorado State University; and three Bronze Sponsors: Center for Gerontology at Virginia Techopens in new window; RoseMary B. Fuss Center for Research on Aging and Intergenerational Studiesopens in new window; and the University of Alabama Research Institute on Agingopens in new window.
Highlights of the 2019 program were posted on the Div. 20 Facebook Page (APA Division 20) and Twitter Handle (@apadiv20). Overall, the programming for Div. 20 at APA 2019 was a great success and reflected innovative findings in the field of adult development and aging. The program chairs look forward to working with Div. 20 members to put together an even better program for APA 2020 in Washington, D.C.