Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island
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  • About
    • Program Guide
    • Locations/Hours
    • Virtual Tour
    • Mission
    • Centers of Excellence
    • History
    • Board
    • Meet our CEO
    • Staff
    • Cafe and Catering
    • Rentals
    • The Bulletin
    • Press
    • DEIB Statement
    • Contact Us
  • Fitness
    • Fitness
    • Physical Therapy
  • Sports & Aquatics
    • Summer Sports at the J
    • Maccabi Games 2026
    • Sports
    • Aquatics >
      • Indoor Pool
      • Outdoor Pool
  • Early Childhood
    • Early Childhood Education
    • First Foot Forward
    • Grown Up and Me Programs
    • Data Security & Privacy
  • Youth & Teen
    • Youth Arts & Enrichment >
      • Hip-Hop
      • Improv & Theatre
      • Chess
      • Intro to Ceramics
    • Camps
    • Sunrise Day Camp >
      • Ways to Help Sunrise
    • Youth Programs
    • Teen Programs >
      • ​Teen Summit on Israel and Antisemitism
    • Explorers After School Program
    • Community Afterschool Programs
    • Cornerstone Community Centers
  • Services for People with Disabilities
    • Department for People with Disabilities
    • Marvin's Camp
  • Older Adult Services
    • PATH
    • Aging Conference
    • Beatrice Victor Senior Olympics
    • Senior Centers
    • Memory Loss Programs >
      • Dementia Coalition Guide
    • Holocaust Survivors >
      • Cafe Europa
  • Cultural Arts
    • Cultural Arts
    • Music Institute
    • Art @ the J
    • Jewish Life
  • Community Engagement
    • Social Services >
      • Career Connections >
        • CRED
        • THRIVE Expo 2026
      • Benefit Connections
      • Health Insurance Programs
      • Food Access
      • Adult Education
    • Family Programming
    • Hillel of Staten Island >
      • JCC Young Leaders
      • Hillel Kavod Circle
    • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Donate
    • Alan Bernikow Memorial JCC Golf & Tennis Classic
    • JCC Board Advised Funds
    • Annual Report
    • Tribute Cards
    • Donate to the JCC
  • Membership
    • Summer Swim Club
    • Prospective Members
    • Corporate Memberships
    • Current Members
    • Previous Members
    • Policies and Rules
  • Career Opportunities
  • Stand With Israel

Aging Conference 2026

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Brunch and Opening Remarks
9:30 - 10:00 AM
Lewis Stolzenberg Social Hall
Chief Program Officer Amelia Winter, and Senior Director of OAC Network Kristine Hagen
Join us for an opening brunch and welcome speeches from Amelia Winter, Chief Program Officer, and Senior Director of OAC Network, Kristine Hagen.

​Audiology Island
9:30AM – 2:30PM
CLLD Reception Office
Hearing screenings

Photography, Words, and the Meaning of Life:
Bridging Generations Through Meaningful Conversations
10:00 - 11:00AM
Teen Lounge
Instructor: Cat Orloff Irkaeva
Transform the way you connect with younger people! Discover how photography can spark curiosity, unlock memories, and inspire meaningful conversations that bridge generations. Learn how sharing images and stories helps us reflect on the past, make sense of the present, and imagine the future together—opening the door to authentic relationships, deeper understanding, and lasting connections across generations.

The Power of Connection: How Relationships Shape Emotional Well-Being and Protect Mental Health
10:00 - 11:00AM
Presidents Room
Instructor: Dr. Michael Gallagher
Join Dr. Gallagher for an engaging discussion on the vital role of social connection in healthy aging. This presentation will explore the current state of social connection and mental health among older adults, highlighting why meaningful relationships and social engagement are essential for emotional well-being. Drawing on the ways our relationships help us remember the past, make sense of our life experiences, and envision the future, Dr. Gallagher will discuss how staying socially connected supports both personal identity and psychological well-being. Attendees will learn about common challenges that can lead to loneliness and isolation, discover practical strategies for maintaining meaningful connections, and gain valuable insights into how strong social ties foster resilience, purpose, and healthy aging.


Building Brain: Healthy Habits for Lifelong Brain Health
11:00 AM - 12:00PM
Presidents Room
Instructor: Stefany Martinez
Your brain is the foundation for remembering your past, navigating the present, and planning for the future. Research shows that the everyday habits you build today can help protect your memory and thinking as you age—reducing your risk of cognitive decline and possibly dementia. Join us to explore the science of brain health, discover the powerful connection between your heart and your brain, and learn why caring for your brain matters at every stage of life. You'll leave with practical strategies and a personalized action plan to support lifelong brain health, helping you preserve cherished memories, continue pursuing your goals, and embrace the future with confidence.


Planning for Tomorrow, Today: An Introduction to Advance Planning
11:00AM - 12:00PM
Teen Lounge
Instructor: Nic Shugar
​Presented by the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), this program will provide an overview of essential advance planning tools that help protect your choices, preserve your legacy, and ensure your wishes are honored. Learn how documents such as powers of attorney, health care proxies, living wills, and last wills and testaments can safeguard your property, maintain access to important benefits, and guide decisions during times of illness or incapacity. By planning ahead, you can reflect on what matters most, share your values with those who will support you, and create a clearer path for the future.


​Kickboxing Lunch Demo
12:00 -12:45PM
Social Hall
Instructor: Joann Guido

Afya Presentation
12:45 - 1:00PM
Social Hall
Instructor: Macauley Gibbons
Macauley Gibbons, Afya’s Senior Program Manager, will share how Afya is transforming the way durable medical equipment (DME) reaches communities of older adults and people with disabilities. Through innovative supply recovery and redistribution efforts, Afya helps individuals access the equipment they need to continue participating in the activities, relationships, and experiences that make life meaningful.

This presentation will explore how maintaining mobility and independence allows people to stay connected to their memories, traditions, and personal stories while continuing to pursue future goals and opportunities. Macauley will discuss Afya’s new model of partnering with local organizations to host DME Distribution Events, bringing a wide range of equipment into communities along with occupational therapy expertise to ensure individuals receive solutions that fit their needs.

Attendees will also learn about Afya’s plans to host a DME Distribution Event at the Staten Island JCC—an opportunity to support community members in planning for the future, preserving independence, and continuing to live life with confidence and purpose.

Drum Dance Lunch Demo
1:15 - 1:45PM
Social Hall
Instructor: Helen So

Stroke and Healthy Aging: Protecting the Memories, Independence, and Future You Value
1:00 - 2:00PM
Presidents Room
Instructor: Dr. Shivali Patel, DNP
This presentation will explore the warning signs of stroke, common risk factors, and practical steps you can take today to support lifelong brain health. Learn how healthy habits—including nutritious eating, regular exercise, blood pressure management, quality sleep, and staying socially and mentally active—can help reduce stroke risk and support overall well-being.


Caring for your brain is an important part of protecting the memories, stories, and experiences that define who you are while creating opportunities for a healthier, more active future. By understanding stroke prevention and making informed choices, you can take meaningful steps toward preserving independence, staying connected to the people and activities you value, and continuing to plan for the years ahead.


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Tables
​Richmond Home Need Services, Inc. & Stella Orton Home Care Agency, Inc.
Home Instead
Hope Home Care
National Grid
DFTA
RUMC
Alzheimer's Association
NYPD
LiveOnNY
Audiology Island
MedRite
New York Life Insurance

NYC Comptroller's Office, Public Affairs

Donate

LocationS

BERNIKOW/MID-ISLAND
1466 Manor Road
Staten Island, NY 10314 
718-475-5200 

JCC EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER AT TEMPLE ISRAEL
​10 Gregg Place
Staten Island, NY 10301

718-475-5290
AVIS/SOUTH SHORE
1297 Arthur Kill Road 
Staten Island, NY 10312
718-475-5270 

BERMAN EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER
2221 Richmond Ave.
​Staten Island, NY 10314
718-475-5100
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Membership Services 718.475.5223 

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