White House Conference on Aging Today

logo-WHCOA2015Tune into the WHCoA live broadcast today from 10AM to 5PM to find out about important issues involving seniors in our nation. Topics covered include caregiving, financial security, healthy aging, intergenerational connections and more. President Barack Obama will deliver his remarks at 11:15 AM.

The Cedars’ CEO and President, Kathy Callnan received the invitation from U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree’s office to join the regional Boston forum of the WHCoA in May to offer her expertise on vital topics that are increasingly effecting our aging population. “As the number of older American’s is growing, and with Maine being the oldest state, policy makers, service providers and the medical community need to come together to address key issues such as healthy aging, access to long term care services, and aging with dignity,” Callnan shared.

The Cedars is no stranger to advocacy. With a frequent presence in Augusta, and participation in various Washington D.C. forums, The Cedars’ CFO, John Watson, was a 2014 gubernatorial appointee for the Long Term Care Facilities Studies Commission that created key nursing home legislation.  Watson was later awarded a special Advocacy Award for his contributions from Leading Age, Maine and New Hampshire.

The White House has held a Conference on Aging each decade since the 1960s to identify and advance actions to improve the quality of life of older Americans. This year, our nation marks the 50th anniversary of Medicare, Medicaid, and the Older Americans Act, as well as the 80th anniversary of Social Security. The 2015 White House Conference on Aging is an opportunity to recognize the importance of these key programs as well as to look ahead to the next decade.