Older adults and caregivers gathered May 14 for a full day dedicated to healthy aging, wellness and longevity during the “Positive Aging: Wellness for Today. Vitality for Tomorrow” seminar hosted by VillagesOKC and Concordia Life Plan Community.
The event brought together experts in medicine, wellness and nutrition to encourage participants to view aging as an opportunity for continued growth, health and connection.
“Thanks to everyone who joined us for Positive Aging: Wellness for Today. Vitality for Tomorrow,” said Julie Davis, event organizer. “We were so grateful to spend the day learning, connecting, and exploring practical ways to live healthier, fuller lives together. A special thank you to our incredible speakers.”
Davis serves as a board member for VillagesOKC, marketing project manager at Concordia Life Plan Community and executive director for the Concordia Community Foundation.
She said VillagesOKC is planning more engaging and informative monthly Positive Aging seminars, including a daylong event in September focused on technology use by older adults. The May seminar featured presentations from three speakers focused on physical, emotional and nutritional wellness for older adults.
Dr. Lauren Powell, a board-certified family medicine physician and nationally recognized wellness speaker known as “The Culinary Doctor,” delivered the keynote presentation. Powell encouraged attendees to rethink aging as “a season of strength, dignity and possibility.” She also shared practical daily habits designed to support metabolic health, cognitive function, resilience and overall well-being.
Attendees also participated in a chair-based movement session led by Christopher Coleman, wellness coordinator at Concordia. Coleman guided participants through exercises aimed at improving posture, circulation, flexibility and breath control. The movements were designed to be safe, accessible and easy to continue at home.
The event also highlighted culinary wellness with a presentation from Chef Darin Leonardson, founder of Transformed Culinary Solutions. Leonardson led a sensory herb experience and demonstrated how hibiscus tea, citrus, ginger and cinnamon can be combined into healthy mocktail-style beverages.
Upcoming seminars will cover topics including crisis planning, caregiving, housing trends, elder law and family communication. A special all-day technology seminar is scheduled for September 10 and will focus on artificial intelligence, adaptive gadgets and smartphone solutions for older adults.
The monthly seminars continue through December. A complete schedule and registration are available online at www.villagesokc.org/positiveaging
