New York State’s population is growing, and growing older even faster. Now, more than ever, it is important for communities to plan for the future so that residents of all ages can enjoy a better quality of life. If you are already involved in planning your community’s future, or want to be, you will want to attend one of two regional conferences that will be held this summer.
The conferences will bring together older New Yorkers interested in preserving their independence through neighborhood self-help groups with community leaders, government agencies, housing and senior services providers, and others serving older adults. Each conference is designed to share the practical tools needed to design and put in place effective and innovative practices that support aging in the community of one’s choice.
These regional conferences follow the first of its kind statewide conference on Community Empowerment held in Saratoga Springs in November 2008. At that seminal conference, participants learned about the challenges facing neighborhoods and local governments due to the rapidly increasing numbers of older residents. Participants - speakers and audience alike - left that conference energized and engaged in efforts to make their community more livable for people of all ages.
The Summer 2010 conferences, planned by the New York State Office for the Aging, The Albany Guardian Society, the New York Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, the New York Association of Area Agencies on Aging and AARP, will be helpful to further focus local efforts to make your community accessible and welcoming for persons of all ages and abilities.
Attendees will have the opportunity to dialog and network, meet speakers and request technical assistance, gain new skills and learn how to advance issues that help communities become elder friendly and more livable for persons of all ages.
The conferences will also feature information on New York State’s innovative Statewide Livable New York initiative, featured on the first day of each conference.
The regional conferences will be held in Albany on July 27 & 28 and in Batavia on August 16 & 17. Each conference location will have the same format, including topics for panels and workshops. In some cases, the regional conferences will have different speakers who may emphasize different models or practices when discussing the issues.
Conference registrations fees are minimal and registration can be completed online at Empowering Communities
. Persons needing assistance to use the online registration process, who wish to register by mail, or who have questions should call 518-434-2140.
