The American Association of Homes and Services (AAHSA) held their 2009 national convention in Chicago’s McCormick Place the week of November 8. “Changing Lives” was the exposition’s theme. 9,000 people gathered to discuss ways to enrich services and options to older adults through the best quality, transitions, talent, finance and technology. Storyteller Garrison Keillor headlined a list of keynote speakers that included author Gail Sheehy and former UNICEF and Peace Corps leader Carol Bellamy. Many organizations offering services to older adults across North America represented themselves at the conference.

Lutheran Life Communities was well represented. Gero Solutions, the newest addition to the Lutheran Life Communities, was present at a booth to discuss and explain their mission to provide person centered senior moving solutions. Says co-founder Gloria Bersani, “ We commit to helping folks who are downsizing and we place special attention to honor their wishes and possessions, while offering choices and solutions in managing their things! We want to help minimize some of the changes that take place when a customer makes a grand lifestyle change,”

Seniors from St. Pauls House, Luther Oaks, Wittenberg Village, and the Lutheran Home had their artwork displayed in an art show at the convention. A wide range of styles were shown, from more realistic oil paintings, to bold abstract designs in acrylic, to cotton carefully manipulated to create animals that look soft enough to pet. Art contributor Laini Zinn, a St. Pauls House resident who has had her nature and humanitarian focused art featured many times in shows over the years, even came down to the convention center to chat about her work.

AAHSA is holding next year’s convention in Los Angeles, California.