Conversations on Aging
Services
Peer Support Groups are small closed groups that allow the participants to freely discuss topics that meet their needs. Peer Support Groups help to reduce isolation while building community for the participants.
- Peer Support Groups are held weekly at the same location
- 5-8 screened participants*
- Meetings are confidential and occur in a safe and supportive environment where members can talk about life’s challenges, changes, losses and successes.
- Include our Gay and Grey group, a mixed gender support group for LGBT older adults.
- Sessions facilitated by trained VIEWS senior peer counseling volunteers that are older adults (age 55+)
*Prospective members are interviewed to ensure a good fit and are asked to make a weekly commitment to the support groups.
Let’s Talk provides an opportunity for older adults to come together and discuss their feelings and experiences on specific topics of aging.
- A place for participants to share their feelings and listen to others.
- Confidential discussions that are held in a private room or virtually.
- Facilitated by trained facilitator volunteers that are older adults (age 55+).
- 90-minute sessions that are most effective for groups of 8-10 participants. Let’s Talk groups are hosted at various venues and are advertised in local and senior-focused publications, Senior Center newsletters, and in the “Upcoming Events” section at the bottom of this page.
Life Stories Sharing
- The group meets for 8 sessions, generally weekly, for 2 hours.
- Facilitated by two trained senior peer support volunteers.
- Giving participants the opportunity to explore their life experiences and to share written and verbal memories from various portions of their lives.
To access Cascadia’s Conversations on Aging services including joining a support group, scheduling a Let’s Talk presentation at your facility, or for more information about the program, please contact the Conversations on Aging Program Manager at 503-283-3763 ext. 2582, 971-517-4761, or coa@cascadiahealth.org
Volunteer
Conversations on Aging volunteers are a vital force in the community, assisting other older adults and providing a model for healthy aging. Conversations on Aging provides its services in Multnomah and Clackamas counties.
Right now, our volunteer opportunities include becoming a Let’s Talk facilitator, which is open for individuals ages 55+.
Let’s Talk facilitators co-lead 90-minute discussions that are held at various locations around the Metro area. Let’s Talk conversations are focused on specific topics that help older adults navigate the changes and challenges that come with aging.
Volunteers wishing to become Let’s Talk facilitators will receive a full day of training and a manual that details approaches and discussion ideas.
Let’s Talk facilitators must complete the training and a background check. They commit to 2.5 to 10 hours per month (one to four Let’s Talk events) for a minimum of one year. Volunteers also commit to attending the monthly education and support meetings throughout their active volunteering with Conversations on Aging.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Conversations on Aging Program Manager at 503-283-3763 ext. 2582, 971-517-4761, or coa@cascadiahealth.org
Click the button below to access the online application for volunteer opportunities.
Events & Groups
Conversations on Aging offers FREE facilitated discussion groups on topics important to people 55 years and older. The interactive Let’s Talk groups provide a forum for discussion as well as an opportunity to explore new possibilities and resources.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Conversations on Aging Program Manager at 503-283-3763 ext. 2582, 971-517-4761, or coa@cascadiahealth.org