For Immediate Release Media Contacts: Collin Nash, Sid Nathan, and Jason Elan
August 5, 2011 (516) 869-7794
North Hempstead Partners With Hofstra Suburban Studies Center and North Shore LIJ To Host First "Aging IN Place" Senior Conference and Expo
U.S. Senator Kristen Gillibrand to Deliver Keynote Address
North Hempstead, NY— Supervisor Jon Kaiman and the North Hempstead Town Board today announced that the Town of North Hempstead has partnered with the National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University and North Shore LIJ to host the region’s first aging in place Conference/Expo.
The conference – “Aging-in-Place in Suburbia: Strategies for Success” – will take place at Hofstra University on Wednesday, August 24 from 8:30am – 4:30pm.
In addition to Supervisor Kaiman, who will present an overview of the Town’s model program, Project Independence, the conference will feature a number of noted guests in the healthcare and geriatric field. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), who currently serves as a member on the Senate Special Committee on Aging, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address.
North Hempstead’s groundbreaking “aging in place,” initiative, Project Independence, has been garnering widespread attention locally, serving a growing number of seniors in North Hempstead.
“As the first such program to operate in a suburban setting, the program is ready for prime time and the conference and expo is designed to bring attention to it nationally,” said Supervisor Jon Kaiman. “As the suburban population ages, as it is around the country and especially on Long Island, government officials, academics, not-for-profits and the private sector must work together to create new and better housing options for the elderly,” said Lawrence Levy, executive dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University.
The event is designed to showcase organizations and businesses that provide programs, products and services for the elderly. The more than 70 exhibitors will include health care and home care providers, elder law experts and insurance specialists.
“I am proud to attend the first regional conference on aging-in-place at Hofstra University. When seniors stay in their homes and maintain their independence, they live longer, healthier, happier lives and taxpayers save millions,” said Senator Gillibrand. “We must increase access to in-home care, and emphasize prevention to reduce hospital visits, incentivize more health professionals to work with seniors in their homes, and invest in transportation so more seniors can live independently.”
Project Independence has been garnering attention for its innovative programming and timeliness as millions of baby-boomers across the country get closer to joining the ranks of the nation’s burgeoning senior population.
Registration for the conference is now closed, but all are welcome to attend the expo, and key presentations will be viewable in the expo area via closed-circuit television.
For more information please call 311 or click here to view the program for the event.