NCOA to Offer Solutions at 2011 Aging in America Conference for Seniors Who Are Struggling Economically

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Apr 04, 2011, 04:36 ET

Sessions Will Highlight Programs to Support Elder Economic Security

WASHINGTON, April 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 13 million older Americans are struggling financially and are not connected to programs that could help them find work, access benefits, or get the support they need to make ends meet. Their struggles and solutions will be key themes during the National Council on Aging's (NCOA) sessions on economic security for older adults at this year's Aging in America conference.

(Logo: https://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100615/NCOALOGO)

NCOA will be one of the featured affiliate organizations at the 2011 conference, April 26-30, in San Francisco. Aging in America is the nation's largest gathering of professionals from the fields of aging, health care, economic security, and senior education. Full details on the conference can be found at www.NCOA.org/AginginAmerica2011.

NCOA's sessions on economic security take place throughout the day on April 27and include topics such as:

Achieving Economic Security: How do Seniors Fare?
Holistic Person-Centered Approaches: Using Evidence-based Strategies to Improve Consumer Outcomes
Building Community Networks to Support Elder Economic Security
Leveraging Technology to Improve Benefits Access and Economic Security

"Even though the job situation in the U.S. seems to be getting better, there is still a large population of older adults struggling to get by in today's economy," said Sandra Nathan, senior vice president for economic security at NCOA. "I hope Congress keeps funding critical programs that foster economic security for seniors, such as the Senior Community Service Employment Program. I am really excited to discuss possible solutions with our partners at the conference this year."

NCOA's Approach to Economic Security

NCOA offers several important programs that provide hope and assistance to seniors in need, including:

NCOA's Economic Security Service Centers, a pilot program to provide low-income older adults with one-on-one, holistic counseling that has helped more than 700 seniors develop personalized "economic action plans."
BenefitsCheckUp.org, a free online screening tool that searches over 2,000 federal, state, local, and private programs to help seniors pay for prescription drugs, utility bills, meals, health care, and other needs.
One Away, an innovative, national video advocacy campaign that gives voice to vulnerable older adults who are struggling to make ends meet in today's economy.
Benefits Enrollment Centers, which provide person-centered assistance to vulnerable seniors and younger adults with disabilities to find and enroll in all the benefits programs for which they are eligible.
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), which trains low-income workers aged 55+ and places them in community service job in 11 states, with funding from the U.S. Department of Labor.
The Senior Environmental Employment (SEE) program, which provides an opportunity for retired and unemployed older Americans aged 55+ to share their expertise in jobs for the Environmental Protection Agency.
Home Equity and Reverse Mortgage Counseling, which helps millions of seniors make prudent use of their home equity so they can "use their home to stay at home."

About NCOA

The National Council on Aging is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCOA is a national voice for millions of older adults—especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged—and the community organizations that serve them. It brings together nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older adults. NCOA works with thousands of organizations across the country to help seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently, and remain active in their communities.

www.NCOA.org / www.facebook.com/NCOAging / www.twitter.com/NCOAging

SOURCE National Council on Aging