Are you curious as to how the genealogy and family history community can improve healthy aging outcomes? Are you a caregiver for a family member with cognitive decline?
Join us for this special free symposium via Zoom on 22 May 2025, streaming live from Louisville, Kentucky.
In recognition of Mental Health Month, the National Genealogical Society, Vivid-Pix, and FamilySearch invite you to attend the Symposium on Healthy Aging and the Role of the Family History Community, on 22 May 2025 from 1:00 PM–5:00 PM ET with online access via Zoom.* The symposium tackles increasing challenges facing Americans as they age: social isolation, dementia, and mental health.
“Family history activities are a pathway to good mental health and combat social isolation. The research, analysis, and writings associated with family history stimulate brain activity; storytelling, photos, and mementos bring back happy memories and intergenerational connection,” said Dr. Charlotte Yeh, Founder, Yeh Innovation, Past Chief Medical Officer, AARP.
“We’ve witnessed firsthand how photo reminiscence therapy (pRT) can reduce social isolation, improve medication compliance, and enhance connection and cognitive performance with older adults. That’s why we’re dedicated to expanding its availability and making this therapy affordable to all who need it, as well as supporting others’ work to help our community,” said Rick Voight, CEO, Vivid-Pix.
Important topics include:
- Understanding the health and cognitive issues facing an aging American population.
- How aging, isolation, and loneliness affect cognition – and how to assist those impacted.
- How the family history community can help our communities and the aging population.
- Activities that individuals and organizations, such as genealogy societies, libraries, archives, and museums (SLAMs), are conducting to support healthy aging.
Panelists include leaders in aging health, genealogy, and technology:
- Charity Rouse, NGS Delegate Council secretary and Spartanburg County Public Libraries
- Crista Cowan, Corporate Genealogist, Ancestry
- Curt Witcher, Director, Special Collections & Manager, Genealogy Center, Allen County Public Library
- David Rencher, NGS president and Chief Genealogical Officer, FamilySearch
- Debbie Gurtler, Assistant Director, FamilySearch Library
- Dr. Charlotte Yeh, Founder, Yeh Innovation & past Chief Medical Officer, AARP
- Dr. Shelley Viola Murphy, International African American Museum (IAAM)
- Ed Donakey, NGS board member and Deputy Chief Genealogical Officer, FamilySearch
- Ellen Goodwin, Co-Founder, Artifcts
- Jake Rankin, Owner, Talem Home Care, Certified Senior Advisor
- John Dougan, NGS board member and Missouri State Archivist
- Matt Menashes, NGS executive director
- Matt Weismantel, NGS Delegate Council chair
- Rick Voight, CEO, Vivid-Pix
- Sheri Rose, CEO, Thrive Center
- Theda Heiserman, Director of Training & Education, CERTUS Institute
Uniquely suited to support activities that promote healthy aging and the family NGS, FamilySearch, and genealogy societies, libraries, archives, museums and companies help thousands of people daily with family history research. “The family history community . . . helps people learn about their past through research, writing, and storytelling. These activities improve mental health and build strong relationships,” said David Rencher, NGS president and Chief Genealogical Officer, FamilySearch. “We think our community is well-positioned to improve long-term outcomes for an aging population.”
“We’ve found that when helping people trace their roots, it can be transformative for a person’s mental health and perspective,” said Dr. Shelley Murphy of the Center for Family History at International African American Museum. “The people who come to programs at the museum come away with new energy, stronger connections to their past, and a newfound passion for family history research.”
