{"id":74430,"date":"2026-02-16T07:39:31","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T12:39:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/?p=74430"},"modified":"2026-02-25T07:54:06","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T12:54:06","slug":"ten-years-in-utc-inclusive-care-conference-returns-with-focus-on-older-adults","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2026\/02\/ten-years-in-utc-inclusive-care-conference-returns-with-focus-on-older-adults\/","title":{"rendered":"Ten years in, UTC Inclusive Care Conference returns with focus on older adults"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Banner<\/p>\n

What began as a grant-supported effort to address gaps in care for medically underserved communities has grown into one of the area\u2019s most consistent forums for sharing practical, evidence-based approaches to inclusive care.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, March 4, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga\u2019s College of Nursing will bring together health professionals, community partners and caregivers from across the region for the 10th annual Inclusive Care Conference<\/strong><\/a>\u2014a daylong virtual conference focused on one of health care\u2019s fastest-growing needs: caring for older adults.<\/p>\n

The event, which will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET, is free and open to the public, with optional continuing education units available for a fee. Registration is available at utc.edu\/nursing\/conference<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s theme, \u201cCaring for Aging Populations,\u201d reflects a demographic shift already reshaping how providers, families and communities think about health, access and support across the lifespan.<\/p>\n

The conference is co-sponsored by two projects funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration: the Clinical Academic Partnerships: Breaking Down Barriers to Care in the Family Nurse Practitioner program, and the AHEAD-RN project in the undergraduate program\u2014which works to improve outcomes for underserved patients, including older adults.<\/p>\n

By 2050, the number of Americans age 65 and older is projected to reach nearly 90 million, a more than 50% increase that is driving urgent demand for age-friendly care across allied health professions.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs our population ages, every health professional will encounter older adults with complex, interconnected needs,\u201d UTC College of Nursing Dean Chris Smith said. \u201cThis conference helps current and future providers build the knowledge and partnerships required to deliver age-friendly, equitable care across our community.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat makes this event distinctive is the way it brings health care, social services and community organizations to the same table. By learning from one another, we strengthen the systems that allow older adults to remain healthy, supported and engaged where they live.\u201d<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s Inclusive Care Conference speakers include:<\/p>\n