Aging issues topic of conference here this May

The fourth Western Arizona Conference on Aging is being held in Yuma on May 18, and will have something useful for everyone touched by issues related to senior citizens, whether they’re living through them firsthand or providing help and care as a relative or professional.

“This conference is open to all, particularly health care leaders, caregivers for seniors and those interested in healthy aging. We’ve got national and state speakers coming in and we want to further the dialogue on aging, which, if it’s not affecting us directly today, will someday.” said Victor Calderon, who does community outreach for the Western Arizona Council of Governments.

WACOG’s Area Agency on Aging is presenting this year’s all-day event, which will focus on healthy aging, caregiving and elder abuse, with morning and afternoon sessions featuring national, state and local leaders talking about issues facing seniors.

The keynote speaker will be Sandy Markwood, CEO for the National Association for Area Agencies, who has more than 30 years of experience in the aging field. She will be talking about the current state of that field and ways to advocate for senior citizens. Speakers leading sessions will include Dana Kennedy, state director for Arizona AARP; Morgen Hartford, regional director for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Tucson chapter; and Ruth Taylor-Pilae, associate professor of nursing at the University of Arizona.

A “Virtual Dementia” tour will be available for attendees to get a feel for what it’s like to experience brain decline. Continuing Education Units will be available in many cases.

Calderon said similar conferences on aging are held around the state, and Yuma’s has generally drawn 125140 residents, though they’re hoping for about 150 this year.

The conference will be held at Pivot Point Conference Center, 310 S. Madison Ave., Yuma.

Attendees can register at https:// wacog-aaa.regfox.com/2017-conference. Early registration for $100 ends Saturday, afterward the fee increases to $125. Admission for seniors over age 60, students with a valid school ID and family caregivers is $75, and scholarships are available for caregivers.

Sponsors include AARP, Mercy Health and Regional Center for Border Health. More sponsorships are available. Contact Calderon at victorc@ wacog.com or (928) 217-7136, or Laura Falender at lauraf@wacog.com or (928) 217-7198 for more information.