Aging With Disabilities: It's a Wonderful Life

Upcoming conference pinpoints the possibilities...

People, including those with developmental disabilities, are living longer than ever before, and with increased life expectancy comes increased challenges in addressing age-related issues. Organizations providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities recognize the growing need for services intended to meet the unique needs of individuals as they are aging and provide individualized supports, depending on the person's circumstances and desires.

The 2006 It's A Wonderful Life: Aging With Developmental Disabilities Conference aims to provide resources and tools designed to inspire and educate service providers on meeting the "specialized" needs of aging individuals with disabilities. Though a variety of topics are planned, a key focus is flexibility. Flexible services enhance choice.

Choice is a word frequently mentioned in Wisconsin's current long-term care reforms. Flexibility, in the way services are provided and in the choices offered, is a keystone to excellence in services for all individuals, but particularly for those with disabilities. This conference will focus not only on choices and service flexibility, but will also highlight some of the major issues facing the aging population including:

• How to assess the age-related changes and support the person's changing needs.
• Home ownership, social security benefits and estate planning.
• Alternative therapies, treatments and exercise programs for the aging population.
• Leadership issues including lack of funding, advocacy & emergency preparedness.
• How Traumatic Brain Injury and Dementia can also be affected by aging.
• Quality of life issues such as dining with dignity, enjoying the arts, spirituality, and end of life.
• Get assistive technology options, including a hands-on session.

Plan on joining us for the 2006 It's A Wonderful Life: Aging With Developmental Disabilities Conference with the goal of enhancing service flexibility, consumer choice, and improving staff knowledge on aging.

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