The Conference Showcased Replicable Programs, Services and Planning Tools to Support Aging in Community.
A two-day conference titled Empowering Communities for Successful Aging, held in Saratoga Springs, ended November 13. The conference brought together community leaders, government agencies, housing and senior services providers and other entities serving older adults. It was designed to address the needs of the rapidly increasing aging population in New York State through innovative best practices from around the nation and within the state.
Addressing nearly 500 attendees at the opening ceremony, Michael Burgess, Director of the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) said "Older New Yorkers want to remain in their homes and communities of choice but often cannot because their housing is no longer appropriate or their communities do not provide the support necessary to do so. The large response that we have to this conference clearly demonstrates that communities are hungry for replicable programs, services and planning tools that will help their older residents to age in community with dignity and support their families."
The impending retirement of the baby boomers will swell the ranks of older adults in NY State from 3.4 million today to a projected 4.3 million by 2020. As the boomers age, there will be an unprecedented opportunity for communities to utilize the great resource of retirees in volunteerism, the workforce, civic engagement and to help address local challenges. The growth of the older population also presents some challenges. Our communities, government agencies, housing and senior services providers and other entities serving older adults will face more challenges due to this growth. Planning for the growth in the older population is something each community needs to consider.
The Empowering Communities for Successful Aging conference was part of NYSOFA Director's vision to develop partnerships to begin an important discussion designed to lead to local action by providing technical assistance tools for community leaders and stakeholders to plan and prepare for the challenges and opportunities presented by changing demographics. The conference provided innovative tools that have helped communities to achieve this goal while supporting and promoting Governor Paterson's call for people of all ages to increase volunteerism and civic engagement opportunities.
The conference was the result of collaboration between NYSOFA, Albany Guardian Society, New York State Association of Homes & Services for the Aging (NYAHSA,) and AARP. It featured presentations by state and national experts and over 50 workshops and breakout sessions on every imaginable facet of aging issues New York communities will face in the next decade.
"We were excited to see so many individuals and organizations not routinely associated with aging services attend this conference," said Richard Iannello, Executive Director of Albany Guardian Society "we believe this participation will foster great opportunities for collaboration and participation with aging services providers and their communities."
"This conference and future NYAHSA 'Aging-Friendly Communities' initiatives will provide best-practice information and support for members to get involved in local and statewide efforts to convene, network and strategize on issues that impact the creation of aging-friendly and livable communities throughout New York state," said NYAHSA President Carl Young. "We trust the sessions triggered creative ideas for policy makers as we look into reshaping the long term care system."
Sandy Markwood, Executive Director of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging said "There is momentum growing across America to create livable communities for all ages--communities that are good places to grow up as well as to grow old. A livable community is one that supports and values its residents across their entire lifespan. Planning for a livable community is good planning, its good governance and its good for everyone!"
"Building livable communities to accommodate our aging population is a moral imperative for a society committed to empowering its people," said Nancy LeaMond, AARP's Executive Vice President of Social Impact. "At its core, livability is about preserving those values that have always been central to the American way of life - independence, self-determination, dignity, and choice."
Director Burgess added "I believe in the value of older adults as a community resource to help solve problems, volunteer, and share their wealth of experience and expertise. Promoting personal and community empowerment that leads to the development of locally-based coalitions to address the changing needs of our elders and assist them to age in community with dignity is the expected outcome of this important conference."
NYSOFA's primary mission is to help older New Yorkers remain as independent as possible, for as long as possible through the delivery of community based services. Information about Empowering Communities for Successful Aging is available at www.empoweringcommunities.org
. Additional information, including workshop literature and presentation materials will be posted to the website soon.
