2026-2027 Speaker Series
Live Safe, Healthy and Smart
The theme is Live Safe, Healthy and Smart for the 2026-2027 St. James NEST Speaker Series. Our purpose is to provide services and support to St. James' residents to enhance your ability to make 'aging in place' a reality. Each year NEST supports that goal with current topics the community will find valuable and interesting. This year’s topics include: The Market Outlook Now Through 2027, Six Pillars of Brain Health, Avoid the Latest Scams and Medicare Fraud, Fall Proof Your Life and Normal vs. Abnormal Aging. We have a great line up of speakers this year who are knowledgeable in their respective topics. Please join us for another exciting NEST Speaker Series hosted at the Homer E Wright Event Center.
The Market Outlook – Now through 2027
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 - 3:00-4:30 pm
Speaker: Albert Elrod, (Southport Stifel Investment Services)
If you are like many retirees, you want to make sure your portfolio will last until you do. Albert Elrod, Southport Branch Manager of Stifel Investment Services, will discuss various topics that can impact an investment portfolio. Topics include the overall health of the stock market, healthy vs. lagging market sectors, where Stifel sees interest rates going in the coming months and ways to make an investment portfolio more tax efficient.
From this session you will learn:
- What the overall health of the stock market is currently
- Market sectors to watch
- What analysts are predicting for interest rates in the coming months
- How to make an investment portfolio more tax efficient
This program will provide valuable insights for you to consider when looking at the health of an investment portfolio.
Tuesday, November 17, 2026 - 3:00-4:30 pm
Speakers: Christine Coury, Carole LeBlanc and Shirley Aberrior (AARP Coastal Region)
In this interactive session, you’ll learn about the six pillars of brain health: social engagement, brain engagement, managing stress, restorative sleeps, ongoing exercise and eating right. In addition, you’ll learn about activities that support brain health – and leave with relevant resources.
Key learning objectives include:
- Be familiar with the six pillars of brain health
- Know about the risks and threats to brain health
- Be equipped to take action with a plan to incorporate the six pillars into your life
It’s never too late to focus on your brain health! Get the latest research from AARP’s Coastal Region geriatric experts, Christine Coury, Carole LeBlanc and Shirley Aberrior,
Tuesday, January 19, 2027 - 3:00-4:30 pm
Speaker: MaryBeth Dziubinski (Active Aging Solutions)
Fall prevention matters across all ages, especially when we notice subtle changes in balance, strength, and reaction time begin to emerge. The fear of falling creates a dangerous cycle. Anxiety creates fall risk by causing tension in the body, changing the gait and avoidance of performing strengthening activities. Small changes like strengthening ankles, practicing mindful walking, reviewing medications can create a safer environment. Fall prevention is not about limiting your life but building confidence and expanding your options.
Key learning objectives include:
- Learn techniques and strategies on how to avoid a fall and stay safe on your feet
- Review evidenced based data on what causes a fall and how the loss of flexibility effects a fall
- Review and completion of a fall efficacy scale assessment
It’s never too late to learn how to make changes that will help you avoid a devastating fall. Our speaker, MaryBeth Dziubinski of Active Aging Solutions will provide concrete ideas to help you stay safe and on your feet.
Scams: What to Watch For and How to Handle It
Tuesday, March 16, 2027 - 3:00-4:30pm
Speakers: Holly Pilson and Carrie Herstine (Area Agency on Aging, Cape Fear Council of Governments)
Among the millions of Americans who lose money to scammers, older adults lose the most, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). And the losses are astronomical: a record $12.5 billion was reported stolen through scams and fraud in 2024, up 25% from $10 billion in 2023. No one is exempt from being a potential target of a fraud, and many con artists prey upon seniors who are well-educated and have above-average incomes. They use sophisticated, convincing sales pitches that sound legitimate, making it easy for anyone to become a target. Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office officials will share with you what you need to know and how you can protect yourself and your family; and Holly Pilson and Carrie Herstine of the Area Agency on Aging (Cape Fear Council of Governments) will share how to avoid getting caught up in Medicare Fraud.
Key learning Objectives include:
- How to recognize a scam
- Identify who to call and report details of scam
- How to protect yourself against being a victim of a scam
Don’t let yourself or a loved one fall for a scam. This program will provide you with the necessary tools to avoid one.
Signs of Aging. What’s Normal?
Tuesday, May 18, 2027 - 3:00-4:30pm
Speaker: Mia Dwertman (Lower Cape Fear Life Care)
As we age, we have all experienced that moment when we can’t find our keys…. remember someone’s name… or don’t have the stamina to do things like we have in the past. Some changes are part of the natural aging process. But how do we distinguish between the normal and abnormal aging process? This lecture will discuss how understanding these differences is important so individuals can seek help and support in a timely manner. Mia Dwertman from Lower Cape Fear Life Care will present an overview of typical and atypical aging processes.
Key learning objectives include:
- How to identify characteristics of normal aging
- Recognizing the changes when normal progresses to abnormal
- Determining next steps for intervention and support