The 2015 Healthy Aging Summit will specifically highlight the science of healthy aging and preventive services and identify policy gaps that can be pursued to improve the quality of life for older adults. A greater understanding of the social, environmental and emotional factors that influence health in the later years of life can improve quality of life and reduce healthcare costs.

The National Aging and Disability I&R/A Symposium at the 2015 AIRS Conference is convened by the National I&R/A Support Center at NASUAD, in collaboration with the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) and the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), and with support from the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL). With a pre-conference I&R/A Summit for Aging and Disability professionals and a full complement of workshops, panel discussions, and conversation throughout the week, the Symposium is essential for keeping apprised of the latest developments in aging and disability I&R/A. Join us to experience a blend of workshops facilitated by I&R/A, ADRC, CIL, and Federal and National Association professionals from across the country discussing developments and initiatives in aging and disability information and referral programs. Topics such as No Wrong Door system building, ADRC partnerships, serving diverse consumers, and business strategies will provide insights to help you deliver effective I&R/A programs and services to older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers.

Conference theme: How We All Fit Together

AUCD is a member of a coalition of national aging and disability organizations working together to protect and strengthen Medicaid Home and Community Based Services. With support from The SCAN Foundation, the coalition is hosting a series of webinars to provide information and resources to state advocates.

Aging and End of Life Webinar Series- Sponsored By AAIDD- AUCD-The Arc of the US- ANCOR-AAIDD Gerontology Division UIC RRTC on Aging & DD

The population with I/DD is "aging"; increased longevity confers greater risk of age-related co-morbidity. At the same time, many people with intellectual disability lack the capacity to make informed health care decisions. It is important to use formal assessment to determine if individuals I/DD can make their own health care decisions. In those individuals who lack the capacity to make these decisions, surrogates can be faced with tough questions regarding the best interests of the individuals with I/DD who have major illnesses. This talk will present work on capacity determination for people with I/DD. Basic principles of medical ethics will be introduced. The session will end with several case studies involving medical decision making in hemodialysis, dementia, and psychotropic drug use in adult patients with I/DD.

This presentation will provide an overview of currently available information on progression of dementia among adults with Down syndrome. General background material will be presented regarding the connection between Down syndrome and Alzheimer?s disease, and findings from a large ongoing research program will be presented with an emphasis on individual differences in age of onset of dementia (i.e., risk) and rate of symptom progression. Additional findings regarding the effectiveness of "cognitive enhancing" medications will also be discussed, as will evidence supporting possible strategies for delaying declines in cognitive and functional abilities in vulnerable individuals.

The ADRC initiative is part of a nationwide effort to restructure services and supports for older adults and persons with disabilities and it complements other long term care system change activities designed to enhance access to community living. The goal of the ADRC program is to empower individuals to make informed choices and to streamline access to long-term support. It is crucial that the Independent Living community be involved in the development of ADRCs. This training is an introductory course that provides an overview of the purpose, goals and activities of Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) from the Independent Living perspective. It details common challenges faced by CILs and SILCs in engaging in ADRC development and offers concrete solutions.