Elder law firm’s annual conference addresses mental health for seniors
Cona Elder Law hosted its 10th annual Cona Caregiver Conference in Melville on Thursday, May 14.
The free event, titled “Facing the Stigma Head-On: Supporting the Mental Health of Your Aging Loved One,” drew more than 200 caregivers, families, and industry professionals, and focused on the emotional and psychological challenges that often accompany aging and caregiving.
“We’re seeing more and more mental health issues in older adults and there is definitely a stigma around it,” said Jennifer B. Cona, founder and managing partner of Cona Elder Law. “They don’t want to talk about it, they don’t want to go to therapy, they don’t even want to go to support groups. And so, they’re not having that quality of life they could be having in their older years.”
The program included a multidisciplinary panel moderated by Jennifer Cona, and featuring adult and geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Maria Benetos, family medicine physician and VP of the Board of the New York State Academy of Family Physicians Dr. Ani A. Bodoutchian, Executive VP and CEO of the New York State Academy of Family Physicians Vito F. Grasso, Medical Director of the Northwell Institute for Healthy Aging Dr. Tobe Banc, and Colleen Merlo, CEO of the Association for Mental Health and Wellness.
A presentation was given by Melissa Negrin-Wiener, senior partner at Cona Elder Law, on navigating difficult conversations with aging loved ones, including discussions around asset protection and normalizing conversations regarding end-of-life care.
The evening also featured an Exhibitor Expo with over 40 elder care industry sponsors and exhibitors, including home care and assisted living resources, financial planning services, long-term care insurance, and caregiver support services.
