Explore how you can be a part of this long-term social change endeavor and apply smarter ways of talking about aging.
As we age, each of us is redefining the norms for what it means to live fully in our communities. Yet all too often, the way people think and talk about aging remains stuck in outdated narratives and ageist messages that effectively keep obsolete policies, practices, and programs in place. The research-based principles we use to Reframe Aging are an antidote to this toxic thinking!
Research from the National Center to Reframe Aging tells us that when we expand the public's accurate understanding about aging, society will improve its attitude, value older adults as equal members of our state, and increase supports for the systems needing to change. Together, we must lead this transformation in thinking!
This work is not fast nor easy. The FrameWorks Institute calls this a major "mindset shift" that we believe to be a critical step in disrupting deeply held mental models. Shifting culture can take decades, so we refer to this initiative as "a generation of work." As a leaders in Minnesota, we ask that you come along with us in this journey.
Minnesota's Reframe Aging Initiative is co-led by the University of Minnesota's Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation and the MN Leadership Council on Aging, thanks to support from other statewide organizations.
Our Strategy
We are problem-solvers. When we see an opportunity, we figure out how to seize it, and when we see something that isn't working, we rethink our approach. Core to this statewide initiative is providing a set of accessible tools and employable strategies that each of us can use in developing productive messages about aging. Working together, we are advancing three core strategies.
We need your engagement. Communication experts know that repetition matters, and only by working together can we achieve consistent repetition of tested strategies and narratives to reframe aging and shift the dialogue among opinion leaders and those who trust them.
Is this initiative for you? Yes! Our programs are open to all, with a focus on leaders across the aging sector. We especially encourage communications staff and professionals who regularly communicate about aging across healthcare, public health, government, the media, or social services.
Past Sessions
We've embarked on a journey of shared learning and supports. We offered highly interactive and informative sessions and asked you to come prepared to participate. You did!
GENERATIONS WORK: AN INTRODUCTION TO REFRAME AGING
A Virtual or In-Person Event
CEU 1 clock hour
Minnesotans are living longer and healthier lives, but the way we think about aging has not changed, rather ageism and implicit bias toward age continues to impact our society. The National Center to Reframe Aging, the trusted source for proven communication strategies and tools to effectively frame aging issues, is dedicated to ending ageism by advancing an equitable story about aging in America. Join us for a special presentation to learn more about the power of research-based framing strategies.
Cost
All virtual sessions were FREE of charge thanks to our partners.
This session was held virtually in conjunction with the
Minnesota Elder Justice Center weekly webinar series.
This session was held in-person, in conjunction with the
Minnesota Gerontological Society annual conference.
This session will be held in conjunction with the free virtual
MN Geriatrics ECHO by setting up a free iECHO account:
A Deeper Dive
The process of using these tools and strategies is called "framing," and those who use them are "Framers." Framing includes the decisions we make as communicators, such as how to introduce a topic, what to emphasize or leave out, and whether or how we explain an issue. For those interested in going beyond the orientation into more applied learning, we have two important offerings.
Both the Fundamentals and Core Elements workshops will be held at the University of Minnesota's Minneapolis campus in June, 2024.
FUNDAMENTALS
A One-Day Immersive Workshop
CEUs 4 clock hours
This four-hour, in-person workshop was designed to help you garner an understanding for the need to change, explore the way society currently communicates about aging, and offered tools and strategies that you can immediately use to practice more effective framing of your messages.
Audience
This program was limited to 100 attendees and will close once filled. Event sponsors receive priority registration. Individuals that are a good fit for this training include people who regularly communicate about aging, such as communications staff across aging sector organizations, foundations, state agencies and others such as sales and marketing team members.
Cost
$50.00
Prerequisite
Participants attended a free introduction session in advance of this workshop.
Building Health Science Education Center
Room HSEC 3-110
CORE ELEMENTS
An Intensive Framers Cohort
CEUs 6 clock hours
This offering included a six-part series of self-paced virtual training sessions along with a full day, in-person workshop, where Framers trained in the research and approaches helped participants to begin applying the principles to your work. Cohort members also receive two hours of personalized technical assistance to reinforce learning, practice skills, and answer unique questions. Experienced facilitators assisted with "frame checks" of existing documents and communications materials to help frame new messages.
Audience
This track was limited to an invitation-only cohort of 25. Individuals included people who craft stories, narratives or messages about aging. Example: key partners, media, corporate communications staff.
Cost
$150.00.
Prerequisite
Cohort members attended a free introduction session in advance of this offering.
Building Mayo
Room D325 - Mayo
Faculty
Programming is powered by the National Center to Reframe Aging.
The National Center is dedicated to ending ageism by advancing an equitable and complete story about aging in America. They are the trusted source for proven communication strategies and tools to effectively frame aging issues as well as the nation’s leading organization cultivating an active community of individuals and organizations to spread awareness of implicit bias toward older people and influence policies and programs that benefit all of us as we age. Led by The Gerontological Society of America, the National Center acts on behalf of and amplifies efforts of the ten Leaders of Aging Organizations.
Their senior staff, along with additional experienced Framers will serve as expert program faculty at all training sessions.
Trish D'Antonio
Executive Director
National Center to Reframe Aging
Trish also serves as Vice President of Policy and Professional Affairs for the Gerontological Society of America, where she leads policy initiatives and partnerships. She directs the National Center's work to improve public understanding of what aging means and the many ways older people contribute to society. Trish is a board-certified geriatric pharmacist with a BS in Pharmacy from Duquesne University, an MS in Health Finance and MBA from Temple University, and completed her residency in administration and finance at the Philadelphia Geriatric Center.
Hannah Albers
Program Director
National Center to Reframe Aging
Hannah is a trained facilitator in reframe aging principles. Her passion for bolstering the supports needed to create communities in which all of us can thrive is evident. She brings an enthusiasm to her work applying deep skills in group facilitation, strategic planning, grant and board management as well as process improvement. She works to grow the mission and reach of the National Center as well as to deepen engagement and efforts towards sustainability. Hannah graduated from Valparaiso University with a degree in International Business and Global Service.
Donna Satterthwaite
Facilitator
National Center to Reframe Aging
Donna is a trained facilitator in reframe aging principles. As a career coach, trainer, and former corporate and talent acquisition leader, her passion is for supporting people. She brings a spirit of collaborative, empathetic, and equitable leadership, known for creating a positive and productive environment for learning and growth. She draws on a rich background in non-profit, higher education, consulting, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, and HR outsourcing. Donna has a BA in psychology from the University of Maryland.
Clock Hours
These sessions are approved for CEUs by the Minnesota Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Supports and designed to meet the CEU approval criteria for the Minnesota Board of Nursing. Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging is an approved provider of continuing education by the Minnesota Board of Social Work (CEP-885). Participants can earn up to one (1) CEU by attending the Generations Work: An Introduction to Reframe Aging session, four (4) CEUs for the Fundamentals Workshop, and six (6) CEUs as part of the Core Elements Cohort.
A printable certificate of attendance is available to all registered attendees. Download and retain a certificate from the session you attended:
Coordinators
Reframe Aging Minnesota is brought to you by
The Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation at the University of Minnesota and the
MN Leadership Council on Aging. For questions, contact:
Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging
University of Minnesota
Thanks to our Partners
This work represents a major undertaking, with a budget of $65,000 to fully execute all events in 2024, and would not be possible without leading organizations stepping up with financial support. Please join us in thanking the organizations below for their contributions to help Minnesota access this powerful set of trainings.
Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging
PO Box 4636, St. Paul, MN 55104
© 2025 Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging. All Rights Reserved.