FamilyMeans Represents Minnesota at National "On Aging" 2026 Conference

May 20, 2026

In April, FamilyMeans Caregiving & Aging was represented at On Aging 2026, the nation’s largest multidisciplinary conference on aging, held in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference brings together professionals from across the country who work in aging, caregiving, health, and community services. It offers a space to share ideas, learn from one another, and explore practical ways to better support older adults, people with disabilities, and family and friend caregivers, and all of us as we age.

Heidi Ricks, Dementia Program Coordinator, attended on behalf of FamilyMeans Caregiving & Aging and spoke as part of a panel hosted by Community Care Corps (C3), a national initiative that supports local volunteer programs. C3 selected FamilyMeans for a national grant in recent years, making the invitation to present especially meaningful. The session focused on how community-based volunteer programs provide non-medical support, such as respite care and social connection, and why those services play an essential role in helping people remain independent, reducing isolation, and easing caregiver stress.

Reflecting on the conference overall, Ricks shared, “The conference theme, ‘The Power of Belonging,’ really came through in so many sessions that addressed both the challenges and successes in the field of aging.” She noted that presenters tackled a wide range of topics, including navigating funding uncertainty, outreach to rural communities, increasing cultural and LGBTQ+ inclusion, and pushing back against ageism**. These conversations highlighted both the realities organizations are facing and the creativity and dedication within the field.

Ricks represented FamilyMeans during the panel presentation, Volunteerism as a Bridge to Support Communities. She spoke about FamilyMeans’ Community Connection programs, Day Out group respite, and in-home respite services, all of which rely on trained and committed volunteers. “Our use of volunteers in respite programs really resonated with attendees,” she said. “There was a lot of interest and thoughtful questions about how they could bring similar models into their own communities.” The discussion offered an opportunity to highlight how relationships, consistency, and trust are at the heart of volunteer-based care.

Ricks attended the conference alongside Jenny West, Community Educator for FamilyMeans Caregiving & Aging. The two returned home with new ideas, helpful resources, and a renewed sense of confidence in the work being done at FamilyMeans. “It was meaningful to share our work on a national stage,” Ricks reflected. “It also reinforced how strong and community-centered our programs are, and how important volunteer support is to the families we serve.”

If you are interested in learning more about this important volunteer work, please visit https://www.familymeans.org/volunteer/ or connect with our Volunteer Coordinator, Dan Bohnker, at 651-789-4055 or dbohnker@familymeans.org.

**Definition of Ageism from The World Heath Organization: Ageism refers to the stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel) and discrimination (how we act) towards others or oneself based on age.