Annual Meeting: Highlights of the Gerontological Health Section
Come join us in Washington, DC, our nation’s capital, November 4th through November 7th at the 135th annual meeting of the American Public Health Association. Here are just a few titles of exciting Gerontological Health Section symposiums that you will not want to miss –
- “Integrated Long-Term Care: What can we learn from other countries?
- “Privatization of Medicare and Beyond”
- “Public Health and Aging: Promoting Healthy Communities for Healthy Aging”
- “Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging”
You won’t want to miss the Monday, November 5th symposium by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare and Barbara Kennelly’s presentation “Privatization of Medicare Beyond Part D.” The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 established the Part D prescription drug program, which only allows Medicare beneficiaries to receive prescription drugs through private plans. Speakers will discuss the impact of these provisions on Medicare beneficiaries as well as congressional efforts to improve traditional Medicare. The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare supports allowing seniors to get prescription drugs directly from Medicare and requiring Medicare to negotiate the lowest prices for seniors.
Gerry Eggert has once again organized a stellar international symposium on long term care on Tuesday morning from 8:30am to 10:00am on November 6th. Our international and US speakers will present at a symposium on Integrated Long-Term Care: What we can learn from other countries. Bleddyn Davies promises to tell us what has happened in England over the past decade on improving the integration of health and social care. Dr. Okamoto, will discuss “Japan's quest for reduction of LTC hospital beds.” Dennis Kodner will share models of care in Canada, Italy and Australia.
On Tuesday, November 6th, from 2:30-4:00 P.M., the APHA Task Force on Aging will hold its Symposium “Public Health and Aging: Promoting Healthy Communities for Healthy Aging.” The presenters include, Pat Libbey, Executive Director of the National Association of County and City Health Officials; Diane Justice, Executive Director of the National Association of State Units on Aging and Elise J. Bolda, Ph.D. National Program Director, RWJ Foundation’s Community Partnerships for Older Adults. The symposium will focus on strategies to help foster healthy aging and the development of aging-friendly communities at national, state and local levels. Speakers will address factors that can optimize physical, emotional and social health of a growing older population, including ways to promote healthy behaviors, access to preventive, supportive and other health and social services, and development of community supports and meaningful connections with others in the community. They will also discuss ways that community partnerships and coalitions can help to develop inclusive community systems of support for older adults that address their diverse needs and desires, and develop communities that prioritizes aging issues for the benefit of families as well as older adults. The co-chair of the Taskforce Ruth Palombo will chair the session and our own Steve Wallace will be a discussant.
On Tuesday, November 6th from 4:30pm to 6pm, a symposium you will want to hear “Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging.” This symposium will describe a multi-agency program spearheaded by EPA together with CDC, the President’s Council for fitness and Sports, NCOA, National Blueprint Initiative, and Active for Life® seeks to raise national awareness about synergies that can be achieved by communities combining Smart Growth and Active Aging concepts. This symposium will address how this combined activity can lead to healthier older individuals and more supportive environments.
Raffle and Auction
I understand Larry Branch is already selling raffle tickets. This year we hope will be a record year for raffle ticket sales. If you want to assist Larry in selling tickets to your friends and colleagues please contact Larry. You may send in your advance raffle ticket request to Larry at lgbranch@fmhi.usf.edu . Gerry tells me that you should be sure to bring along an empty suitcase to make sure you have room to take home exotic and special treasures that only Gerry seems to be able to locate every year. Gerry will provide the bubble wrap for those special fragile items as long as you bring along your checkbook.
GHS Business Meetings
Don’t miss the Gerontological Health Business meetings that will be held on Sunday, November 4th from 4:00pm to 5:30pm and on Tuesday, November 6th from 6:30-8:00pm. These meetings are open to all members. If you are new to the section, a great place to meet many of the Gerontological Health section members and to get involved.
We look forward to seeing you in November.
Program Co-Chairs
Kathy Sykes
Rachel Seymor
Jan Warren-Findlow