Senior News
April, 2001
Vol. 20. No.  4

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Osteoporosis exercise:Strength training for seniors storms the county

ASA Conference: Ideas gleaned, connections made

Remembering Spirit: Celebrate 20 years of Senior News

20 Years of Senior News: Dreaming the dream that started us

Life in Prime Time

Are You Obese?: Empty calories continue the cycle

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ASA Conference
Ideas gleaned, connections made

Mary Beth Wolford, executive director of the Humboldt Senior Resource Center, and Sandi Fitzpatrick, executive director of the Area Agency on Aging, have been selected to present a workshop at the first joint conference of the American Society on Aging and the National Council on Aging this month. More than 2,000 people are expected to attend the New Orleans conference.

The workshop, "A Blueprint for Community Action," will feature last year's Aging Summit 2000 produced jointly by the two agencies. Last February more than 100 community leaders from a variety of occupations came together to learn about and discuss the impact an aging society would have on Humboldt County.

"Sandi and I are proud to be selected to speak at this conference" said Wolford. "It is a wonderful opportunity to take our collaborative process and share it with others." Also participating with Wolford and Fitzpatrick will be Sharon Lally, a senior center director from Massachusetts.

"Even though the local Aging Summit was held a year ago, participants are still remarking that it made a difference in their business and personal lives," added Fitzpatrick. "Through our workshop we will be able to tell the story of how our community is preparing for the baby boomer generation."

After the Summit

The Education Subcommittee met several times following Summit 2000. Members informed the older adult community of available technology classes with a handout that was distributed at the Humboldt County Fair and through various HSRC and AAA programs.

The Employment Subcommittee developed a theme-"Hire a Senior, It Pays!" Members worked to get local news coverage, participated in National Employ the Older Worker Week; developed a program called "Senior Temps" in coordination with the Senior Community Service Employment Program; created a monthly column for Senior News underwritten by the Sacramento AARP; and created professionally produced PSAs about hiring older workers. This committee worked together so productively that the group plans to continue and move forward on additional issues.

The Financial Subcommittee agreed to work within members' own businesses to educate older adults about financial planning and to distribute a booklet prepared by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging on "Financial Well Being in Retirement."

The Health Subcommittee assessed the variety of health information available to older adults. The subcommittee offered support to the League of Women Voters, which was scheduled to conduct a community-wide needs assessment, and agreed to co-sponsor a meeting on health insurance.

The Housing Subcommittee discussed the need for low income assisted living services and identified lack of funding as a deterrent to construction of such a facility. The local California Senior Legislature members were invited to solicit their support in preparing a proposal that would identify such funding.

The Art and Leisure Subcommittee identified two projects: 101 Things to Do in Humboldt County and a Leisure Fair for Seniors.

The Retail Subcommittee discussed the possibility of an "all-over" Senior Discount Program and free bus rides on Tuesdays. The idea of seniors staffing a flower stand by the gazebo in Old Town and the development of a Senior Passport Program were also mentioned.

The Safety Subcommittee developed three major safety goals-pedestrian safety at the Senior Resource Center, including "traffic calming" devices and a flag waving program; an over-the-counter drug information brochure; and a plan to provide information to emergency responders.