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As Florida continues to lead the nation in its percentage of older residents, the Florida Aging Summit offers a timely platform to explore critical topics such as healthy aging, dementia care, long-term services and supports, caregiving, workforce development, housing, transportation, and inclusive community design. Bringing together professionals from government, healthcare, social services, academia, and the private sector, this summit fosters collaboration and innovation in aging policy and practice.
Event Details
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Tallahassee
101 S. Adams St.
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Time: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
For sponsorships or ticket information please contact aphillips@govexec.com.
Agenda
Times are subject to change.
Dara Kam
Senior ReporterNews Service of Florida
Michelle Branham
SecretaryFlorida Department of Elder Affairs
Underwriter
Joel Wherley
President & CEOVITAS Healthcare
Florida faces a growing demand for long-term care services as its aging population expands. This panel will explore innovative strategies to strengthen the state’s caregiving workforce, expand long-term care capacity, and increase access to high-quality, home- and community-based care options. Experts from healthcare, policy, and workforce development sectors will discuss challenges such as recruitment and retention of direct care workers, funding and infrastructure needs, and the role of Medicaid, family caregivers, and technology in meeting future care demands. Join us for a forward-looking conversation on building a sustainable and equitable long-term care system for Florida's seniors and people with disabilities.
Florida faces a growing demand for long-term care services as its aging population expands. This panel will explore innovative strategies to strengthen the state’s caregiving workforce, expand long-term care capacity, and increase access to high-quality, home- and community-based care options. Experts from healthcare, policy, and workforce development sectors will discuss challenges such as recruitment and retention of direct care workers, funding and infrastructure needs, and the role of Medicaid, family caregivers, and technology in meeting future care demands. Join us for a forward-looking conversation on building a sustainable and equitable long-term care system for Florida's seniors and people with disabilities.
Jim Saunders (Moderator)
Executive EditorNews Service of Florida
Kate Doyle
Deputy SecretaryDivision of Workforce Services, FloridaCommerce
Shevaun Harris
SecretaryAgency for Health Care Administration
Victoria Gaitanis
VP of Workforce Program DevelopmentCareerSource Florida
Karla Radka
President & CEOSenior Resource Alliance
Rep. Allison Tant
MemberHealth & Human Services Committee
As Florida’s population ages, ensuring that older adults can remain safely and independently in their homes and communities is a growing priority. This panel will examine the critical role of housing, accessible transportation, digital connectivity, and social support in enabling older adults to age in place. Panelists will share promising practices, policy solutions, and cross-sector partnerships that are helping to remove barriers and promote equity in community-based aging. Learn how Florida can invest in the infrastructure and systems needed to foster age-friendly communities where older adults can thrive.
As Florida’s population ages, ensuring that older adults can remain safely and independently in their homes and communities is a growing priority. This panel will examine the critical role of housing, accessible transportation, digital connectivity, and social support in enabling older adults to age in place. Panelists will share promising practices, policy solutions, and cross-sector partnerships that are helping to remove barriers and promote equity in community-based aging. Learn how Florida can invest in the infrastructure and systems needed to foster age-friendly communities where older adults can thrive.
Nicolette Castagna (Moderator)
Community Engagement and Health Systems ManagerFSU College of Medicine Department of Geriatrics
Lisa L. Bretz
Executive DirectorThe Area Agency on Aging for North Florida, Advantage Aging Solutions
Bijou Ikli
Chief Executive OfficerFlorida Assisted Living Association
Linda Levin
CEOArea Agency on Aging for Northeast Florida; ElderSource