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AGING
IN PLACE SYMPOSIUM
Until someone finds a way to stop aging, the best
we can hope for is to grow old comfortably. For an increasing number of
people, that means growing old at home, or "aging in place."
"Aging in Place in South Carolina: Challenges
and Solutions" looked at how to enhance individual behaviors, support
services and physical environment conditions that allow older adults to
age in place as long as possible. The symposium, sponsored by Clemson
University's Gerontology Research Collaborative Team, took place on
May 10, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Hendrix Student Center on campus.
Although most older adults prefer to live in familiar
homes and communities as they age, many are forced to move because of
diminishing health, economic hardships, poor housing or lack of support
services and care.
"We want to help older adults acheive what
they desire - to sty in their own homes and communities for as long as
possible or return to those homes and communities as soon as possible
after stays in other facilities," says Cheryl
Dye, associate professor of public health sciences and organizer of
the event.
Where and how we age also is a public health concern,
according to Dye. The U.S. Census Bureau
predicts the 65-and-older population will grow from one in eight today
to one in six by 2020. In South Carolina, the rate of growth will be even
greater as older adults are expected to represent one-third of the population
by 2015.
"Aging in place is also important for the state's
economy," she said. "There are significant cost savings in providing
home and community-based long term care as opposed to institutional care.
We must plan now for how to best accommodate the needs of out older citizens
in a way that is good for them and good for the state's economy."
Speakers for the symposium included Laura
Gitlin of Thomas Jefferson
University, director of the Center
for Applied Research on Aging and Health; Harvey
Sterns, University of Akron professor
and director of the Institute for
Life-Span Development and Gerontology; and the University
of Florida's Stephen
Golant, whose current research is in housing, neighborhood and community
needs of the nations's elderly population.
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