Each year, the Commission on Aging (COA) invites experts to join moderated discussions regarding a specific topic throughout the year. Members discuss the topic with their guests and answer questions from the audience.

Following the commission’s 2021 focus on the road to recovery from COVID-19, The Clark County Commission on Aging is focusing this year on “Innovation through Connection", and the need to connect people to resources, to information and to each other on a personal level. These connections have been challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic and will remain a challenge into the future. Most providers understand that the functioning of our communities has changed forever, and this is influencing the way in which organizations and providers deliver their services.

With the idea of effective connectivity at the forefront of the conversation, the commission created a community member survey meant to reveal connectivity issues that diverse members of our county are currently facing. Analysis of the survey results are underway. The commission hopes the information obtained from this survey and the 2022 commission meetings will spur innovative thinking around the ways in which organizations and aging adults connect with and to one another.

The year began with a discussion with service providers, to reflect on the COA community member survey responses and trends. The discussion also focused on providing ideas on how the commission could help service providers/medical personnel/community organizations develop innovative outreach/communication strategies that can mobilize families, friends, neighbors and faith communities to provide interconnected, knowledgeable support about programs and services for aging adults in Clark County.

The primary moderated discussion questions included:

• How do you connect most effectively with community members?

• What information is most easily communicated?

• What challenges do you continue to face around connecting and communicating with community members?

• To deepen connections with aging adults, what innovative ideas or technologies might be just around the corner?

Following the session with service providers, COA held similar sessions with community activists, faith community leaders, peer-to-peer educators, volunteer coordinators, support technology/innovative communication providers and caregivers. 

Find out more about the commission's work in 2022 by visiting the meetings page and selecting 2022 for the grid at the bottom of the page.