The 12th annual "Aging Concerns Unite Us" (ACUU) conference brought together over 400 professionals in the field of aging from all corners of the State at the Desmond Hotel in Albany, NY, on June 17th to 18th. The theme "Create Communities to Age in Place" was the touchstone for the general sessions and workshops. ACUU opened with a general session Celebrating an Aging Society: Enhancing Community Options. Robert Friedland, Ph.D., Director of the Center on an Aging Society at Georgetown University, underscored the challenges and opportunities, then identified how communities can prosper from the changing demographics. Sandy Markwood, CEO, National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, shared highlights of the recently launched "Project 2020: Fulfilling the Promise of the Older Americans Act," a three-pronged program encompassing person-centered access to information, evidence-based disease prevention and health promotion activities, and enhanced nursing home diversion services.
ACUU offered 34 workshops on cutting-edge topics, including intensive tracks centered on Geriatric Mental Health, Community Empowerment, Health & Wellness, Long Term Care Continuum, and Emerging Aging Issues. ACUU also offered a pre-conference half-day session on Implementing Evidence-Based Health Programs, sponsored by the University at Albany's Center for Excellence in Aging Services and the New York State Office for the Aging. Breakfast roundtables on Wednesday morning featured ten topics that sparked conversation and exchange of information among participants.
Aging Forums were a new concept introduced this year, designed as interactive sessions to debate challenges and opportunities on current issues facing the Aging Network. Forums focused on The Modernization of the Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP) and Re-inventing Senior Centers. Attendees reported that the forums were an excellent alternative to lecture-style workshops, and overwhelmingly asked to continue the forums next year. The audience was mesmerized by the dedication and heart-warming stories shared by the panelists during the Wednesday morning general session, Real People, Real Solutions: Innovation in Operation in Our Communities. These individuals were featured on the national public television series "It's an Age Thing.. Our Communities," a partnership between WMHT and the Albany Guardian Society, which builds on their 2003 successful national public television series. Attendees were inspired and returned to their communities with a renewed sense of mission. Joining us to share how they made a positive impact in our communities:
Amy Klein - Capital District Community Gardens and
the Veggie Mobile
Dawn Lamphere - Margaret Reaney Memorial Library
in St. Johnsville, NY as a community focal point
Mary Santacroce - adult day services program in the Adirondacks, and
Claire Murphy - restaurant dining program in Washington County
Embedded throughout the conference were opportunities to participate in health and wellness activities, including a lively concert by legendary blues musician Ernie Williams, a morning walk organized by Marcus Harazin, Tai Chi class led by Gail Koser, and a chance to challenge your skills and improve cognitive vitality with Brain Games on the increasingly popular Wii.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit the Aging Concerns Unite Us
web site.(http://www.nysaaaa.org/acuu)
