Do you have an aging family member you’re concerned about? Are you the aging family member everyone else seems to be concerned about? If you answered yes to either of these questions, this year’s Phyllis Ringel Memorial Lecture is for you. 

Each year, Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley presents a lecture on a health-related topic in memory of their former executive director Dr. Phyllis Ringel, z”l. On May 2 at 10 a.m. via Zoom, join JFS for “The ‘Conversation’ About Aging:  Collaborative Family Communication and Decision Making.”

This lecture will address how and when to start a conversation with your loved ones. It will cover topics to include in “the conversation,” dealing with emotions and different philosophies, mapping out the process and expectations and going over what tools you need in your toolbox to succeed. 

The speakers presenting are Carol Wilson, MSW, LCSW, and Sarah Z. Levinson, MSG, MA. Wilson is currently the program manager and community liaison for older adults at JFS. She is a compassionate and skilled professional who helps older adults and their families develop mutually agreeable and realistic plans for the future. Wilson earned her master’s degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh. She is licensed as a social worker in Pennsylvania. 

Levinson is currently the manager of a naturally occurring retirement community (NORC) at the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. NORC supports the healthy aging of older adults in their own homes by providing opportunities for meaningful involvement and increased access to support services. Levinson earned a master’s degree in gerontology at the University of Southern California and a master’s degree in psychology at Washington University in St. Louis.

To watch a replay of the webinar, click here.