Session at 2026 Summit on Aging & Independence
Practicing Attentive Listening: A Transformative Tool for Serving Your Clients, Your Community, and Your Calling
In work with older adults and their families, the most powerful tool we carry is often the simplest: our ability to listen.
This session introduces storylistening — the practice of offering careful attention to another person as they speak their truth, without intruding on that attention with the impulse to interrupt, save, fix, or advise. Drawing on Amber Sastry’s 25 years in global health and community programs, and her ongoing work supporting individuals and families through serious illness, aging, and end of life, this workshop explores how attentive listening builds trust, eases isolation, and restores dignity — for the people we serve and for ourselves as caregivers and professionals.
The Summit on Aging and Independence provides an opportunity to connect, learn and share “Best and Next Practices” for addressing the current and future needs of older adults and people with disabilities.
Our theme this year is “Tools for Living Well”. This day-long event will feature keynote speakers and concurrent workshops throughout the day.
Partcipants include Human Service and Healthcare providers, advocates, providers supporting aging in place, educators, and caregivers.
Keynote Speakers
Breakfast Keynote
“Assistive Technology Perspectives” a panel discussion
Luncheon Keynote
“NYS Office for the Aging – Expanding Services Through Technology & Innovations”
Presenter: Michael Gunn, Assistant Deputy Director – Division of Policy, Planning, Program & Outcomes, NYS Office for the Aging
Workshop Topics and Presenters
“Care Smarter, Not Harder: Practical AARP Tools for Busy Senior Living Professionals”
Presenter: Kathleen Benedetti-Fisher, AARP
“Building Brain-Healthy Habits”
Presenter: Kailea Lalka, Alzheimer’s Association
“Supporting Independence Through Nutrition: Examining Current and Future Strategies”
Presenter: Cassidy Bertino, FeedMore WNY
“Movement Is Medicine”
Presenter: Dr. Dana Robbins, PT, DPT, Home and Happy Inc.
“People and Housing Prepared for the Future: Emergency Preparedness and Climate Health & Safety”
Presenter: Josh Randall, WNY Clean Energy Hub/Cornell Cooperative Extension
“More Than a Plan: Empowering Community Re-Engagement Through Person-Centered Planning”
Presenters: Andria Miller, Mickey Dolinski, Nancy Hudson, NY Association on Independent Living
“Making Your House, Your Home: The 8 Keys to Aging in Place”
Presenter: Willie A Price, WNY Aging in Place Council
“Important Considerations When Working with Older Adults Aging with HIV”
Presenters: Zoe Gaby-Smith, Jennifer Gough, Trillium Health
“AI and Care Design Workshop: Co-Creating Transformative Futures”
Presenters: Joy Ming, Steve Peraza, Michael Rembis, University of Buffalo
“Elder Fraud: Perspectives from the Scammers and the Investigators”
Presenters: Panel of Experts
“The Importance of Health Insurance & the Medicaid Journey”
Presenters: Robert Brandon, Gabrielle Aldrich, WNY Independent Living
“Practicing Attentive Listening: A Transformative Tool for Serving Your Clients, Your Community, and Your Calling”
Presenter: Amber L Sastry, MPP, A Storied Life
Registration – $125 per person
Students – $80 per person
Register online at https://events.humanitix.com/summitonagingandindependence