Meeting to outline effective education about seniors' health care needs

The Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) — the educational branch of The Gerontological Society of America — will hold its 36th Annual Meeting and Educational Leadership Conference from March 4 to 7, 2010, at The Peppermill in Reno, NV. This conference provides a forum for professionals in the field of aging to present their work and share ideas about gerontological and geriatric education and training. Complete meeting details are available at www.aghe.org. Media representatives are invited to attend free of charge.

Opening Plenary Session: Thursday, March 4, 6:30 p.m.

"Eldercare Workforce Challenge: Our Call to Arms"

John W. Rowe, MD, will call the audience's attention to the looming crisis in the quality and organization of the heath care workforce for tomorrow's older adults. He is the co-author of the widely acclaimed book "Successful Aging;" and chair of the Institute of Medicine study group that produced the report "Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Health Care Workforce."

Presidential Symposium: Friday, March 5, 10 a.m.

"What is the Point of Aging? Word of God or Crowd Control"

This symposium poses an important question related to gerontology and geriatrics; the panel will approach plausible answers from historical, philosophical, theoretical, and medical perspectives. AGHE President Marilyn R. Gugliucci, PhD, will be joined for this presentation by Harry "Rick" Moody, PhD, Andy Achenbaum, PhD, E. Ayn Welleford, MGS, PhD, and Charlotte Paolini, DO.

Past Presidents' Symposium: Saturday, March 6, 8 a.m.

"The Role of Higher Education in Health Care Reform"

There are a number of indicators that the U.S. lacks a trained workforce that is prepared for an aging population. A group of past AGHE presidents will explore current challenges for academic institutions to increase knowledge levels about what constitutes effective and affordable health care; attract and prepare a workforce to work with the aging population; break down walls between professions, medical specialties, and gerontology and geriatrics; and develop models that can effectively deliver education as the needs of the workforce change. The participants include Carolyn C. Rizza, PhD, Carroll L. Estes, PhD, Marie A. Bernard, MD, Marilyn R. Gugliucci, PhD, Suzanne R. Kunkel, PhD, and Harvey L. Sterns, PhD.

Closing Plenary Session: Sunday, March 7, 9 a.m.

"'Curiosity Must Be Kept Alive': Eleanor Roosevelt, Her Later Years: 1945-1962"

The famous first lady will recall the challenges, losses, and adventures of her later years — coping with loneliness after Franklin's death, coming into her own as a U.N. delegate and chair of the Human Rights Commission, and learning to face the experience of aging with honesty and humor. This living history portrait is performed by actress Elena Dodd. A question and answer session will follow.

Provided by The Gerontological Society of America