Mission
The Northern Plains Conference on Aging (NPCA) is an annual conference for regional professionals and senior members of the Fargo-Moorhead and surrounding communities. The two-day event features a variety of keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and opportunities for networking and gathering resources. Topics focus on research, practices, policies, ethics, self-care and motivation, with an emphasis on aging and current issues. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are also available.
Conference Details
Continuing Education Units: Each year varies slightly depending on speakers and topics, but on average we are able to offer 8-10 hours of CEU credits for professional participants who attend all sessions. The final number will be confirmed by August of each year and posted on the SCHEDULE page.
Event Location: Our annual conference is held at the Avalon Events Center, located at 2525 9th Ave. S, Fargo, ND.
Virtual: We currently do not offer live-streaming of any sessions at the conference. This is a two-day in-person event.
Committee Members
The great success of this conference is due to the dedication of its committee members. While some have been involved for many years & others have joined more recently, this group of professionals brings a great variety of hands-on experience & a wealth of knowledge to the planning process. They live & work in our local healthcare & senior communities, & we are grateful for their volunteered time.
Chelsey Pollert
Education Coordinator
Hospice of the Red River Valley
MAGGIE
Ness
Executive Director
Memory Cafe of the Red River Valley
Julie Praska-Moser
Program Manager
Alzheimer's Association of Minnesota-North Dakota
History
The Northern Plains Conference on Aging (NPCA) began when four of North Dakota’s RASPAs (Regional Aging Services Program Administrators) formed a committee & pooled their funding for education in an effort to offer the best opportunity for learning about the aging population.
Later on, additional committee members were added from the community, who also worked in the field of aging & helped solicit additional funds through grants & various community entities.
After a few years, Valley Senior Services, a department of the Fargo Park District, began coordinating the annual conference. The long-standing tradition of offering such a professional, organized, well-run event is truly due to their commitment throughout the years. In 2021, Concordia College began to oversee the conference planning & looks forward to continuing to offer a high-quality conference each year.
After 20+ years, the NPCA has come to be known as an informative, engaging event that brings together both working professionals & senior citizens for a time of learning & networking.
While focusing on current topics & how they are related to aging, this two-day event is a time for gathering resources, securing CEUs for the fields of nursing & social work, & networking with others in the Fargo-Moorhead & surrounding communities.
2024
Aging for All
2017
Discover a New Vision
2010
Celebrate Aging -
Endless Possibilities
2003
Forging Partnerships
in Learning & Life
2023
-
2016
Creating Pathways
to Independence
2009
Resilience and Wisdom through Aging
2002
A Journey of Mind,
Body & Spirit
Optimal Aging + Wellness
2015
Aging Re-Imagined
2008
Life's Your Legacy... Live It
2001
An Educational Journey
Resilient Aging:
Moving Forward
with Confidence
2014
Creating Our Future
2007
Gates to Independence: Options & Choice
2000
The Aging Spectrum - Addressing Tomorrow's Issues Today
25th Annual:
Virtual Event
2013
Unleashing the Power
of Age, Health & Gender
2006
Common Threads:
Weaving the Fabric of Aging & Disability
1996-1999
-
2019
-
2012
Transitions
Throughout
the Lifespan
2005
Shaping the Future Together
2018
Safe Today,
Healthy Tomorrow
2011
Caring for Yourself
& Others
2004
Aging Well, Living Well