2025 Florida Aging Summit - Home

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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

Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Tallahassee

101 S. Adams St.

Tallahassee, FL 32301

Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Time: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Time: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

For sponsorships or ticket information please contact aphillips@govexec.com.

 

For sponsorships or ticket information please contact aphillips@govexec.com.

 

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Agenda

Times are subject to change.

8:30 AM EST Wednesday, November 19

9:30 AM EST Wednesday, November 19

Dara Kam
Dara Kam
Senior Reporter
News Service of Florida
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9:35 AM EST Wednesday, November 19

Michelle Branham
Michelle Branham
Secretary
Florida Department of Elder Affairs
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9:50 AM EST Wednesday, November 19

Underwriter

VITAS Healthcare

Joel Wherley
Joel Wherley
President & CEO
VITAS Healthcare
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VITAS Healthcare
10:00 AM EST Wednesday, November 19

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)
Jim Saunders (Moderator)
Executive Editor
News Service of Florida
Kate Doyle
Kate Doyle
Deputy Secretary
Division of Workforce Services, FloridaCommerce
Shevaun	Harris
Shevaun Harris
Secretary
Agency for Health Care Administration
Victoria Gaitanis
Victoria Gaitanis
VP of Workforce Program Development
CareerSource Florida
Karla Radka
Karla Radka
President & CEO
Senior Resource Alliance
Rep. Allison Tant
Rep. Allison Tant
Member
Health & Human Services Committee
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11:00 AM EST Wednesday, November 19

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)
Nicolette Castagna (Moderator)
Community Engagement and Health Systems Manager
FSU College of Medicine Department of Geriatrics
Lisa L. Bretz
Lisa L. Bretz
Executive Director
The Area Agency on Aging for North Florida, Advantage Aging Solutions
Bijou Ikli
Bijou Ikli
Chief Executive Officer
Florida Assisted Living Association
Linda Levin
Linda Levin
CEO
Area Agency on Aging for Northeast Florida; ElderSource
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12:00 PM EST Wednesday, November 19

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