Navigating the winter holiday season can be challenging for anyone. Despite the best of efforts, it is possible to find ourselves navigating the season on our own. Planning ahead is one of the best ways for solo agers to live a dynamic life. Enhancing our connections with others is always useful, especially as we approach the holiday season. During our discussion we will identify useful approaches for solo agers to navigate the ups and downs of the holiday season.

Presented by Ailene Gerhardt, MA, BCPA, who is an Independent Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA), Solo Aging educator and founded her national patient advocacy practice Beacon Patient Solutions LLC in 2018. Ailene's dynamic advocacy work includes a focus on Solo Aging. This expertise led to the Fall 2021 founding of the Navigating Solo Network: The Path to Dynamic Solo Aging Starts Here, a national website, network, and online clearinghouse featuring resources specifically for solo agers!

Ailene earned her undergraduate degree from Clark University and her master’s degree from Brandeis University. The experience as her mother’s primary health advocate led Ailene to a career change and her calling as an independent patient advocate. Ailene completed her Professional Certificate in Consumer Health Advocacy at the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Patient Partnerships in August 2017, founded Beacon Patient Solutions LLC in February 2018, and earned her Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA) credential in April 2018 and recertified in December 2021. Ailene has served on the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy (NAHAC) Board of Directors since March 2021 and also serves on the Steering Committee of Massachusetts Healthcare Advocates (MAHCA).

Cosponsored by the Beech Street Center and the Belmont Public Library.