49th Annual OSU Gerontology Conference

Community Care for Healthy Aging

Oregon State University Alumni Center – Corvallis, Oregon

Thursday, April 23, 2026

For 49 years, the Annual OSU Gerontology Conference has brought together leaders, practitioners, and learners to explore the most current and practical developments in aging. Each year, participants connect with local, national, and international experts to gain real world strategies that strengthen care, community, and services for older adults. Join us to share ideas, learn from peers, and discover approaches you can put into action to improve outcomes for the aging populations you serve.

If your organization is interested in sponsoring this year’s conference, please contact
Steve Spurgeon at [email protected].

Keynote Speakers:

Jordan P. Lewis, PhD, MSW, Director, Center on Aging Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health University of Hawaii at Manoa

Generativity and Eldership: Redefining Successful Aging through Indigenous Perspectives
Traditional Western models of successful aging often prioritize biomedical markers, such as the absence of disease and disability, which can overlook the unique cultural strengths and resilience of Indigenous populations. This presentation summarizes over 18 years of community-engaged research involving hundreds of qualitative interviews with Elders across diverse rural and urban regions of Alaska to introduce a culturally grounded framework for aging termed “Eldership,” which is built upon four to six core pillars: emotional well-being (centered on optimism and humor), spirituality, physical health (linked to subsistence activities), and active community engagement. Central to this model is Indigenous Cultural Generativity, defined as the active process of passing down traditional values, subsistence practices, cultural beliefs, and Indigenous languages to the “Seventh Generation.” The research highlights that engaging in these generative acts serves as a powerful protective factor for health. By shifting the focus from a disease-based model to one of cultural leadership and knowledge sharing, this research offers a new paradigm for culturally responsive health interventions and public health policies that empower Alaska Native Elders to continue “aging in a good way.”