Delaware Delegates and Exhibitors Attend White House Conference on Aging

On December 11 - 14, 2005, delegates and exhibitors from the State of Delaware attended the White House Conference on Aging in Washington, D.C..

The Conference, which is held once every ten years, represents a major national effort to guide  aging policies. This year's conference, entitled "The Booming Dynamics of Aging - From Awareness to Action" focused on preparing for the needs of the aging baby boom population.

Delaware was represented at the conference by six delegates: Eve Austin, Regina Byers, Carolyn Fredericks, Sandy Richards, Charles Welch and Allan Zaback. (See photos below.)

During the conference, the Delaware delegation, along with approximately 1,500 other delegates from around the country, voted on 50 resolutions and worked toward developing implementation strategies. The top 10 resolutions, as determined by the delegates were:

• Reauthorize the Older Americans Act within the first six months following the 2005 White House Conference on Aging
• Develop a coordinated, comprehensive long-term care strategy by supporting public and private sector initiatives that address financing, choice, quality, service delivery, and the paid and unpaid workforce
• Ensure that older Americans have transportation options to retain their mobility and independence
• Strengthen and improve the Medicaid program for seniors
• Strengthen and improve the Medicare program
• Support geriatric education and training for all healthcare professionals, paraprofessionals, health profession students, and direct care workers
• Promote innovative models of non-institutional long-term care
• Improve recognition, assessment, and treatment of mental illness and depression among older Americans
• Attain adequate numbers of healthcare personnel in all professions who are skilled, culturally competent, and specialized geriatrics
• Improve state and local based integrated delivery systems to meet 21^st century needs of seniors

A full list of the resolutions, which will be presented later this year in a report to the President and Congress, can be found at the White House Conference on Aging website.

Also in attendance at the conference were a number of staff members from the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities who were invited to showcase innovative programs for older persons in Delaware. (See photos below.) The Delaware exhibit received accolades from delegates, aging service professionals, dignitaries, and other conference attendees.