Conference planned with six Native American tribes on aging, health & social concerns of the elderly

On May 21 -22, the Oneida Nation, the Consortium of New York Geriatric Education Centers and the Indian Health Services are partnering to share expertise and new knowledge about growing older. Aging Well: A Conference on Elders Health and Social Issues is a two day conference that addresses many issues facing elders, and their personal and professional caregivers. The Conference, held in Oneida, NY is offered at no charge to Native American Elders from all federally-recognized tribes, and staff from tribes in New York State working with Native elders.

The six tribes include: Oneida, St. Regis Mohawk, Onondaga, Seneca, Tuscarora and Tonawanda.

Prior to planning the conference, surveys were sent to several New York Native American tribes to assess the most common elderly health problems. Based on the responses from this survey, four topics were chosen as focal points for the conference. The focal points include: Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia, Cardiovascular Disorders, Diabetes, and Elder Abuse.

The conference agenda is designed for elders and professional staff to attend individual workshops, and to convene as a group for all other workshops and activities. Workshops for the elderly include, "Low Vision Aids", "Medicare Services and Benefits", "Diabetes Education" and "Advance Directives & Polypharmacy."

Keynote speaker, Terry Fulmer, PhD, is an award-winning researcher who has devoted her academic career and care practice to a wide range of geriatric issues and in particular elder mistreatment. She is Co-director of The Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing at the Division of Nursing, School of Education at New York University.

Workshops will be lead by: J. Neil Henderson, PhD (University of S. Florida), ), Robert Kennedy, MD, (Maimonides Medical Center),Linda Carson Henderson, PhD,Wayne Campbell (Manager of Vision Services), Allen Zuck (Low Vision Specialist), Carol J. Walter (Empire Medicare Services), Palmeda Taylor, PhD, (Indian Health Services), Nina Belmar CSWR (Oneida Nation), Wilfredo Seda (U.S. Department of the Treasury), Paul Rinko, Esq. (Oneida Nation Legal Department), Gale Barone, RN (Rome Memorial Hospital), Art Mason, CSW, (LIFESPAN Elder Abuse Prevention Program), Hugh McIsaac, MD (Central New York Cardiology), Nancy Siefka, (NY Alzheimer's Association) Andrea Sherman (Geriatric Education Center) and Jane Rooney (Elders' Program Coordinator, Oneida Nation), Dr. Reed Burk, DPM (Podiatry) and Valerie Scott (Nurse Practitioner Oneida Nation).

Concurrently, the Oneida Nation is hosting the Oneida Nation Community Health Fair from 8 am to 3 pm in the lobby.

For more information about the conference you can contact Andrea Sherman, Project Director, NY Geriatric Education Center at 212-998-9016.