An international expert on active aging and a group of Vancouver seniors will team up in a workshop Tuesday on active aging.
The workshop includes a presentation by Colin Milner, chief executive officer and founder of the International Council on Active Aging; another presentation by Kate Dyer-Seeley, the former public policy director for the Alzheimer’s Association – Oregon Chapter; and a panel discussion with residents at Touchmark at Fairway Village in Vancouver.
The half-day workshop runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9 at the Embassy Suites Portland – Washington Square, 9000 S.W. Washington Square Road in Tigard.
The workshop cost is $40 at the door (checks only), which includes morning refreshments and lunch.
Milner, who is considered to be an international expert on active aging, will begin the workshop with a presentation called, “The Big Think: Ideas that Drive Change.”
The goal, Milner said, is to get thinking about population aging and the potential impact on the country.
The country is currently experiencing an accumulation effect of population aging. People are living longer than ever, and, as the Baby Boomers reach retirement age, there are more people entering their senior years, Milner said.
Of the 78 million Baby Boomers reaching retirement age, about 80 percent have at least one chronic condition, Milner said.
“More years, more people and more health conditions, which is causing more costs,” he said. “That’s why we hear about the aging population bankrupting the system.”
“That’s the challenge,” Milner added. “I’m going to address how you change that.”
Milner will talk about what can be done at the business, government, state, city, family and individual levels to address the issue.
Milner will also address the importance of taking responsibility for ones own health and well-being.
“A lot of it really comes back to your health,” he said.
During the second presentation, Dyer-Seeley will discuss “The New Face of Alzheimer’s” focusing on how family members can receive support when they are caring for someone with the disease.
During the panel discussion, a group of older adults will share their passions and how they’ve accomplished whole-person wellness.
For more information about the event, call 503-646-5186.
