NCOA to Spotlight Proven Health Programs for Older Adults at 2012 Aging in America Conference

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Mar 23, 2012, 11:00 ET

Center for Healthy Aging Sessions Focus on Evidence-Based Programming and Collaboration

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Council on Aging (NCOA) will hold an all-day healthy aging session – entitled Empowering Older Adults through Evidence-based Interventions: Strategies to Expand Program Reach – on Friday, March 30 from 8 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. at the 2012 ASA Aging in America conference in Washington, D.C.

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Aging in America is the nation's largest gathering of professionals from the fields of aging, health care, economic security, and senior education, and offers more than 600 educational sessions, special events for senior centers, nationally renowned keynote speakers, and an exhibit hall featuring cutting-edge products and services.

Sponsored by NCOA's Center for Healthy Aging, the special day-long program is targeted to professionals who have worked with evidence-based programs and want to learn more about, and help shape, strategies to achieve greater impact.

Evidence-based programs are a proven, cost-effective way to help older adults learn how to manage their chronic conditions, prevent worsening of symptoms, and improve their overall health. NCOA is working to bring these programs to millions of seniors nationwide.

NCOA experts and partners will explore four key areas around evidenced-based programming:

Building a menu of programs to provide more choices and greater reach
Being champions for evidence-based programs
Scaling self-management through tri-sector collaboration
Social media strategies

"More than 91% of older adults have at least one chronic condition such as heart disease, arthritis, stroke, or diabetes, and 73% have two or more," said Richard Birkel, senior vice president of Healthy Aging at NCOA. "Our day-long session is designed to identify innovative ways to expand the reach of proven programs that will help older adults to live healthier lives."

Full details on the conference can be found at www.ncoa.org/AginginAmerica2012.

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. For more information, please visit: www.ncoa.org | www.facebook.com/NCOAging | www.twitter.com/NCOAging

SOURCE National Council on Aging