ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY, Ala. — Individuals aged 65 and older now outnumber children in 11 states, and that number is climbing. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Successful Aging Initiative (SAI) Conference is the ideal event to get the latest resources for older adults in the state.

This year’s SAI Conference theme, Bloom! Don’t Wither – Aging Means Living, celebrates the vitality, beauty and growth that come with aging. Rather than viewing growing older as a time of decline, the conference shows how to embrace aging as a season to flourish.

“SAI 2025 will address issues relevant to aging, health, financial, personal care and legal education—all topics impacting how one ages successfully,” said Danielle Rudolph, event coordinator and site director of the Virginia Caples Lifelong Learning Institute (VCLLI). “We invite older adults, their families, and caregivers to spend the day with us.”

Guest Speakers

The keynote speaker is Alabama State Rep. Laura Hall, a long-time supporter of the SAI Conference and the VCLLI. Hall is an active and influential older adult who embodies this year’s theme.

The Alabama-based motivational speaker Ole Pete Key is also expected to deliver a captivating presentation.

How to Register

The SAI Conference is being held on Thursday, Oct. 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its traditional location, Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. The church is located at 315 Winchester Rd. in Huntsville, Alabama.

Admission is free and lunch is provided, but participants are encouraged to pre-register at aces.edu/go/SuccessfulAging25.

Additional Event Activities

• Free legal clinic. This year’s conference will feature a free legal clinic presented by Legal Services Alabama (LSA). LSA will provide counsel and advice to participants on civil legal issues, such as estate planning, housing, heirs property and elder abuse and neglect.
• Canned goods collection. Conference coordinators encourage all SAI Conference attendees to bring a canned food item for the Food Bank of North Alabama to help individuals and families in need.
• Waste drives. Want to get rid of unused medication, electronics or paper? Stop by the SAI Conference on Oct. 2 between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Drive through and a volunteer will unload your car. Electronic devices, such as laptop or desktop computers, monitors, printers, TVs, tablets and cell phones, will be accepted. The waste drive will also accept sensitive paper documents that need to be shredded. In addition, Alabama Extension staff and partners, including law enforcement officers, will be on location to dispose of prescription or over-the-counter medications for humans or pets.

For More Information

For more information, contact Danielle Rudolph at (334) 201-2847 or VCLLI Program Assistant Candra K. J. DeBose at (256) 372-7022.

Visit the Alabama Extension at Alabama A&M University Facebook page for more upcoming events.