This seems to be a significant event and an incredible opportunity to celebrate milestones like 50th Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid and the 80th Anniversary of Social Security. These governmental programs are essential in the lives of millions of Americans.
Nora Super is the Executive Director of 2015 White House Conference on Aging.
There are many positive aspects of Aging American population: longer lives, more advanced medical technology. Many people want to have longer and happy lives. There are also many challenges connected with rapidly growing aging population in the USA. There are more needs for medical, social, housing services. The Baby Boomer Generation (1946-1964) has reached the retirement age. There are about 10,000 elderly Americans reaching retirement age every single day.
The organizers of the 2015 WHCOA have travelled around the USA and meet with older Americans, caregivers, medical, social providers, families, researchers, leaders in the field of aging, and other stakeholders.
Several regional meetings/conferences have already taken place in preparation for the 2015 WHCOA. A few regional conferences are still on the way.
The objectives for ‘these sessions is to better understand the issues affecting aging population and to better understand opportunities to advance public policy for older Americans and to improve the lives of older Americans”.
The critical issues for older Americans are not only health, financial security during retirement but also accessibility to different services in their communities and protecting older Americans from financial exploitation, abuse, and neglect.
The Aging population in America is constantly changing. More people retire and still continue part time or full-time professional activity. They make incredible and valuable contributions to the families, local communities and to the entire Nation. Many seniors are volunteering in their churches, local schools, communities.
At the end of March the White House Conference on Aging (WHCoA) held a listening session in Washington, D.C. It was hosted by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee, and WCHoA Executive Director Nora Super, the listening session focused on healthy aging.
Other attendees included representatives from LeadingAge, the Alzheimer’s Association and the National Council on Healthy Aging, the Gerontological Society of America and the American Association of Resident Service Coordinators.
The group participated in a roundtable discussion on strategies for healthy aging that include forming community partnerships, new approaches to help seniors age in place and innovative health and wellness programs.
The organizers of the 20015 WHCOA share information regularly about regional forums, webinars, and other options for the Americans to engage directly with the 2015 White House Conference on Aging through social media, regional forums, and webinars.
The 2015 WHCOA website provides a regular blog, updates on recent events, and opportunities for you to get involved.
My hope is that many professionals on this Network will bring additional insights and new solutions to AgingWave. There is such an incredible potential for providing quality programs and services and more effectively.
More information at is available the following website :
http://www.whitehouseconferenceonaging.gov
@ Andrew (Andrzej) Mikolajczyk