Note: Next years conference dates are June 4th & 5th, 2009. For those who missed the 2008 conference, see description below.

The Alaska Geriatric Education Center is pleased to host the 6th Annual Promoting Best Practices in Aging and Healthy Communities this June 5-6, 2008 at the BP Energy Center in Anchorage. Registration is now open for participants and exhibitors to display information about your program and services (space is limited) Go to www.regonline.com/best_practice_conference.

Promoting Best Practices in Aging and Healthy Communities is a statewide training and networking opportunity for medical and social service professionals, direct-care providers, and administrators of programs providing services in elder health, seniors, students, or anyone interested in the topic of aging.

This year’s conference theme is “Healthy Aging”, with two days of sessions on a variety of topics. The keynote speaker, Larry Roberts, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, will be speaking on what aging means to the Native Alaskan population and how we can change our perspectives on what it means to be an “elder”. He will be joined by a Native Alaskan, name to be announced at a later date.

Other topics include but are not limited to Social Security and Employment, Arthritis Prevention, Diabetes Prevention, Guardianship and Advocacy, Intergenerational Issues, Health Literacy and Aging, Mental Fitness and Aging, Cultural Values, Cancer and Aging, Geriatric Care Management, Ethics for Professionals in Aging, and more. Also included this year are topics on training opportunities for professionals in long-term care, and program highlights from around the state.

For those who like to plan in advance the Media/photo Release can be downloaded and completed before you attend the conference.

For Conference updates and derections (program schedules, table exhibit information, speakers, map) download BP Brochure or BP Schedule or BP Energy Center map or visit our website at www.alaskagec.org Questions? Contact Sheila Wright at 907-264-6228 or E-mail her at swright@uaa.alaska.edu or Geri Heiner at 907-264-6256 or E-mail her at anglh@uaa.alaska.edu