MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA OF THE MIDSOUTH


Stronger Together

Choice, Connection, and Community in Aging


Mental Health America of the Midsouth's Annual Older Adult Behavioral Health Conference
2026

Recorded Webinar
From Live Event on May 28, 2026

6 FREE CEs*

*Six Continuing Education Credits for Professionals:
Social Workers (NASW, TN Chapter), Counselors (NBCC)  Assisted Living Administrators, Certified Peer Recovery Specialists

You will receive an email reminder one day before the event with instructions for signing in and receiving CEs.
 


This event was made possible by:

For accommodation requests and grievances please contact forinfo@MHAMidSouth.org

Overview

Stronger Together: Choice, Connection, and Community in Aging is a one-day virtual conference that explores the real and often complex housing decisions facing older adults today. Designed for social workers, counselors, and healthcare professionals, this engaging program highlights critical issues across the housing continuum, including aging in place, discharge planning, and homelessness. Through compelling real-world examples and interdisciplinary perspectives, participants will gain practical strategies to navigate risk, balance autonomy and safety, and support older adults in achieving stable, dignified, and person-centered living environments. 

#1 Understanding Housing Stability in Aging

Analyze the complex factors influencing housing stability for older adults—including health, financial, social, and systemic considerations—and their impact on mental health, safety, and overall quality of life. 

#2 Ethical & Person-Centered Decision-Making

 Apply ethical, person-centered, and interdisciplinary approaches to support informed decision-making around transitions, aging in place, discharge planning, and homelessness among older adult populations.

#3 Strategies for Collaborative Housing Solutions

Develop practical strategies and collaborative solutions that enhance stability, promote autonomy and dignity, and strengthen connections between healthcare, behavioral health, and community-based supports. 

Our Continuing Education Sponsors

#ThankYou

Habitat for humanity of Greater Memphis
Senior Director of Research

Chris Reeder Young, M.A.

Aging In Place

  • Define aging in place using case examples and explain its significance for older adults, caregivers, and communities.
  • Identify and evaluate home modifications and supportive interventions that improve safety, accessibility, reduce fall risk, and enhance physical health outcomes.
  • Examine the role of housing stability in preventing displacement, reducing cost burden, and supporting long-term community living, as well as its impact on neighborhood stability and social connection.
  • Explore the connections between housing, healthcare, and public systems, including cost savings, safety outcomes, and equitable housing policy.
  • Apply best practices and cross-sector program models to support aging in place initiatives in participants’ own communities. 
Mental health america of the midsouth
Caregiver Support Coordinator

Lynn Wood, CDS

Then vs. Now: How Care Options Impact Older Adults and Caregivers 

  • Identify a range of care options that support housing stability and informed decision-making for older adults.
  • Explain key regulations and cost considerations associated with community living and aging in place.
  • Analyze the impact of housing environments on older adults’ mental health, physical well-being, and family dynamics.
  • Apply proactive strategies to support older adults and families in making timely, informed decisions. 
End-of-Life Doula

Katlyn Green Johnson, MA, MBA

Housing Transitions in Later Life: Ethics, Autonomy and Quality of Life

  • Examine the ethical considerations involved in housing transitions for older adults, including autonomy, safety, and quality of life.
  • Identify the physical, emotional, and social factors that commonly lead to housing changes in later life.
  • Analyze the impact of family dynamics and differing perspectives on housing decisions for aging individuals.
  • Apply ethical decision-making frameworks to real-life scenarios involving elder housing transitions.
  • Demonstrate understanding of dignity-centered approaches that support respectful and person-focused transitions in aging populations. 
Your personal social worker, LLC
Social Worker

Tamara Johnson, LMSW

Discharge Planning in Skilled Nursing Facilities: Preventing Housing Instability and Unsafe Transitions for Older Adults

  • Describe the value of knowing an individual and their history in effective communication.
  • Demonstrate validation and empathetic communication techniques.
  • Discuss effective verbal and nonverbal communication techniques to improve interactions with people living with dementia.
Tennessee Department of mental health and substance abuse services

Director of crisis services and suicide prevention

Jennifer Armstrong, LPC-MHSP

  • Describe the role of Tennessee’s crisis continuum in supporting individuals experiencing behavioral health crises.
  • Identify how 988 and mobile crisis services improve access to behavioral health support and community stabilization.
  • Apply strategies for connecting older adults and caregivers to crisis resources and recovery-oriented supports.
People loving nashville
Outreach Specialist

Nathan Scarlett, B.S.

  • Identify age-related risk factors and barriers to housing stability among older adults experiencing homelessness, including health, social, and economic considerations.
  • Analyze a case example of an older adults’ transition from street homelessness to permanent housing, including key outreach strategies and service coordination.
  • Explain the role of community-based outreach organizations, including People Loving Nashville, in supporting older adults experiencing homelessness.