Aging: Individual Challenge or
Family Opportunity?
October 17 & 18, 2025
How do relationships influence different aspects of aging? How can family and other relationships become a resource during this critical time?
Conference Description
This conference will explore the process of human aging and what contributes to greater resilience and adaptation. Our keynote speakers will discuss the science of the physical, emotional, and relational dynamics of aging. A Bowen family systems perspective will also be presented on a range of topics, from dementia, caregiving, estate planning, to retiring well. Research, application, and innovative approaches to thinking and engaging with both the broader processes and the everyday aspects of aging will be explored.
Join this important conference and gain further insight into a range of specific topics related to aging. It will also discuss how relationships can more effectively address the challenges and opportunities of aging.
Conference Details
Dates: October 17 & 18, 2025
Times: 8:55 am-4:00 pm PDT (breakfast at 8 am)
Location: (online and in-person)
– University Golf Club (see venue here)
– 5185 University Blvd, Vancouver BC
– free parking at this beautiful indoor/outdoor location
– the in-person fee includes continental breakfast and lunch buffet with soup, salad, and sandwiches. Coffee and tea are provided
Networking Opportunities
The meals and breaks provide opportunities to interact about the day and meet other attendees and the Living Systems team. There is also access to outdoor space if you just want time to sit and reflect on the ideas presented.
Who is this conference for?
This conference is ideal for anyone with personal or professional connections to aging individuals or those navigating this stage of life themselves. It may particularly interest professionals such as counsellors, social workers, nurses, hospice and palliative care workers. Other professionals, such as administrators, long-term care providers, doctors, lawyers, and financial advisors, will also find it helpful.
Learning Objectives
- Basic science of social connection related to health and aging
- The influence of relationships on resiliency in the aging process
- How Bowen family systems theory can be a resource in thinking about aging and family relationships
- Discussion of a variety of specific aging topics and how to have honest conversations
- Establishing goals and values around aging
Letter of Attendance / CEU Credits
A Letter of Attendance is available for continuing education purposes. Please select this option when registering.
Family Matters: Optimal Aging
Aging has a “bad reputation” in our society. However, there are ways to live during the final stage of life that can improve our quality of life. My guest today will discuss “optimal aging” and why aging well is not only a personal task but also a family affair.
About the Presenters
Amie Post,
MA, LCMFT
Presenting on:
“Aging as a Family Process: How does Bowen theory shed some light?”
“Engaging Family Systems Thinking to Promote Resiliency in the Aging Process”
Amie Post is a marriage and family therapist, Executive Director of the Center for Family Systems Theory of Western New York. She previously was Executive Director at the Family Crisis Center of Baltimore County. Amie began studying Bowen family systems theory in 2001 and completed the postgraduate program at the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family in Washington, D.C., from 2012 to 2016. She is now a faculty member and on the board of directors at the Bowen Center. With a diverse background as a teacher, sports coach, non-profit leader, and therapist, Amie has cultivated a unique perspective on human relationships and organizational dynamics.
Annalijn Conklin,
PhD
Presenting on:
“Cultivating Multiple Social Connections to Reduce Risk Factors of Heart Health”
Dr. Annalijn Conklin is a tenured associate professor at the University of British Columbia in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Dr. Conklin has a background in health policy, epidemiology, public health, life sciences, and philosophy. She holds degrees from the University of Toronto (Hon.B.Sc.), Edinburgh (Research M.Sc.), Columbia University (MPH), Cambridge University (PhD) and UCLA (Postdoctoral). A prolific author, she has published over 75 journal articles and 27 peer-reviewed RAND Technical Reports. Dr. Conklin received a Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar award (2021- 2026) to lead a Social Epidemiology and Metabolic-Outcomes Research Program. This work supports healthy aging and reduces heart health inequities in women in Canada, examining how social determinants, such as social ties or economic stress, impact cardio-metabolic risk factors.
Theresa Pauly,
PhD
Presenting on:
“For Better or Worse: How Couples Influence Each Other’s Health”
Dr. Theresa Pauly is an Assistant Professor at Simon Fraser University and Canada Research Chair, investigating how psychosocial factors influence health and well-being in adulthood and old age. Dr. Pauly earned her PhD from the University of British Columbia in 2020, focusing on stress hormone patterns in older couples. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Zurich (2020–2022). As Canada Research Chair in Social Relationships, Health, and Aging, Dr. Pauly uses innovative methods, collecting real-time data from older adults on daily activities, heart rates, and stress hormones. She also analyzes long-term data to identify resources that promote healthy aging, particularly for equity-seeking groups. Her research informs programs and policies to support older adults’ health and wellbeing.
Conference Fees (Early Bird Deadline is September 26th, 2025)
All fees are in Canadian dollars.
In-Person (includes recording for 60 days)
Individual Fee before early bird $389
Individual Fee after early bird $449
FT Student fee $199
Group Fee per person (4 or more from the same agency). $359
Online (includes recording for 60 days)
Individual Fee before early bird $389
Individual Fee after early bird $449
FT Student fee $199
Group fee per person (4 or more from same agency) $359
Recordings
Individual Recording Fee $389
Group Recording Fee (up to 15 from the same agency) $1,795
(includes recording for 60 days)
Refunds
A refund is available before Sept 26, 2025, minus $30 Eventbrite/
admin fee. There are no refunds after Sept 26, 2025, unless for an emergency as determined by Living Systems.
Registration for Aging: Individual Challenge or Family Opportunity
Early Bird Deadline is September 26, 2025. Sales end October 16.
Please use this Eventbrite link below to register.
Register Now on Eventbrite
Have a question – Use this form.
Aging: Individual Challenge or Family Opportunity – Agenda
Friday: October 17th
8:00 am: Breakfast
8:55 am: Welcome
9:00 am: Dr. Annalijn Conklin – Cultivating Multiple Social Connections to Reduce Risk Factors of Heart Health
10:30 am: Break
10:45 am: Amie Post, MA – Aging as a Family Process: How does Bowen theory shed some light?
12:15 pm: Lunch
Afternoon:
1:15 pm: Douglas Hardie, RCC – Aging Parents, Dementia and Family Functioning
2:00 pm: Maybo Lui, RCC – Navigating Caregiving in a Collectivist Culture: A Chinese Son’s Story
2:45 pm: Break
3:00 pm: Panel Interview: Bowen Theory Thinking for the “Sandwich” Generation
4:00 pm: Closing Remarks
Saturday October 18th
8:00 am: Breakfast
8:55 am: Welcome
9:00 am: Dr. Theresa Pauly – For Better or Worse: How Couples Influence Each Other’s Health
10:30 am: Break
10:45 am: Amie Post, MA – Engaging Family Systems Thinking to Promote Resiliency in the Aging Process
12:15 pm: Lunch
Afternoon:
1:15 pm: Dixie Vandersluys, MA – Death and Taxes: Keeping Relationships in Mind in Estate Planning
2:00 pm: Panel Interview: Bowen Theory and Meaningful Aging and Retirement
2:45 pm: Break
3:00 pm: Pop-Up Questions – Ask our panel questions on any aging topic!
3:45 pm: Closing Remarks
