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Alcohol and Aging Awareness Group (AAAG)

AAAG Alcohol and Aging Awareness Group

About AAAG

AAAG History

In response to a Governor's initiative, in March 2007, VA ABC Education Section convened a meeting of key state stakeholders and other various agency heads who service the aging population of Virginia to establish what services were available concerning the older adult and alcohol education/prevention, identify gaps in these services, and establish points of collaboration. This group evolved into the Alcohol and Aging Awareness Group (AAAG) with representation from 20 public and private organizations representing health, mental health, and senior advocacy.

AAAG Speakers' Bureau

The AAAG has speakers available for presentations to professional groups or community organizations on Aging and Alcohol, Alcohol and Prescription or Over-The-Counter medications, and the medical effects of Alcohol on the Older Adult.

Meeting Schedule

The AAAG meets on the fourth Tuesday of every other month from 3-5 p.m. at the Virginia Department of Aging (VDA), 1610 Forest Avenue, Suite 100, Richmond, Virginia. (Directions to VDA.)

AAAG 2011 Meeting Schedule

January 25, 2011
March 22, 2011
May 24, 2011
July 26, 2011
September 27, 2011
November 22, 2011

Strategic Plan

The AAAG strategic plan for fiscal years 2011–2012 establishes a renewed customer-focused mission and identifies the goals and strategies required to achieve its mission. Developed with key stakeholders during the spring of 2010, the plan highlights the group's high expectations, as well as reenergizes and builds upon the AAAG's accomplishments over the previous three years.

AAAG Strategic Plan (PDF file - Help with Downloads)

Membership

The AAAG, a national and award-winning initiative, has issued a "Call for Membership" to state agencies, service providers, community organizations and individuals interested in better serving the aging population on the subject of alcohol misuse. Please download the brochure below for more information and an AAAG membership application.

AAAG Membership Brochure (PDF file - Help with Downloads)

Conferences

Order Hidden Epidemic Conference DVD Sets

Older adult with doctor. The AAAG is selling 2008 and 2009 Hidden Epidemic Conference DVD's. Ordering Information >>

2011 Conference

The Hidden Epidemic: Alcohol, Medication and the Older Adult, September 22, 2011, Fairfax, Virginia.

Nationally recognized keynote speaker Kristen Lawton Barry, Ph.D., University of Michigan, will present along with Patricia Slattum, Pharm.D., Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University, Constance Coogle, Ph.D., Virginia Center on Aging, and Regina Whitsett, Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and AAAG Chair. The conference will focus on best practices for treating older adults with alcohol and medication misuse disorders. Professionals working with older adults as well as caregivers, family members and advocates are all welcome.

Conference Presentations

For convenience, power point presentations delivered at the Sept. 22, 2011 conference in Fairfax, Va. are available for download below:

Older Virginians Mental Health Month

Kristen L. Barry, Ph.D., University of Michigan (Keynote Speaker)

Patricia W. Slattum, Pharm.D., Ph.D., CGP, Virginia Commonwealth University (Afternoon session)

Identifying and Managing Alcohol and Medication Interactions in Older Adults

Constance Coogle, Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University, and Regina Whitsett, Virginia ABC and Chair, Alcohol and Aging Awareness Group (Afternoon session)

Creating a NOVA Regional AAAG

Conference Forms

2011 Conference Registration Form (PDF File)

Save-the-Date Flyer (PDF File)

Help with Downloads

Conference Venue

Fairfax County Government Center
12000 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, Virginia 22003

Directions to the Fairfax County Government Center Complex

Cost

$20 if registered before August 22, 2011; $30 after August 22, 2011.
Conference fee includes continental breakfast, boxed lunch and certificate of attendance.

Accommodations

A block of rooms has been secured until September 8, 2011 at the Marriott Fairfax at Fair Oaks.

Marriott Fairfax at Fair Oaks
11787 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway
Fairfax, VA 22033
Phone: (800) 228-9290

Conference Rate

Reference NOVA Hidden Epidemic Conference to receive a preferred rate of $159 per night plus state and local taxes.

Book online and use the group code NHENHEA. Registrants are responsible for their own travel and hotel accommodations. Reserve early; space is limited.

More Information

Contact Regina Whitsett at education@abc.virginia.gov; phone: 804-213-4445; fax: 804-213-4457.

Contact Information

For further information on AAAG membership, to schedule a speaker, or to register for an upcoming conference, please contact (804) 213-4445 or education@abc.virginia.gov.

AAAG Launches Web-Based Training

The AAAG, in partnership with Virginia Association of Community Service Boards, is pleased to launch free online training courses for service providers that address alcohol, medications and aging.

To access the one-hour courses, go to http://vacsb.elearning.networkofcare.org, select Retail Catalog, and then Alcohol and Aging Awareness Group. (Please note: Internet Explorer 6 or higher must be used to access this Web site.) Users will then need to log in to obtain access to the courses that include pre/post tests, videos and power points, and certificates of completion.

For more information about the three highlighted sessions, including brief profiles of the speakers, view the AAAG Web-based training flyer. (PDF file - Help with Downloads)

To view excerpts from two of the sessions, visit:

Successful Aging with Dr. Paul F. Aravich, Eastern Virginia Medical School.
Drinking Limits and What Constitutes a Standard Drink with Dr. Frederic C. Blow, University of Michigan.
The Hidden Epidemic: Alcohol, Medication and the Older Adult with Debra Jay, keynote speaker at the 2008 conference.

(Help with Video Players)

Resource List

Resource list of DVDs, books, consumer literature, and Web sites. More >>