The importance of caring for the aged and addressing issues that come with aging in our community will be the topics of focus at the 2018 Forum on Aging to be held at The University of Western Australia on Friday 29 June Sponsored by AfCAS.

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Entry to the full day forum is $50 per person but a free afternoon session (from 3.15pm) is open to seniors and their families to discuss a variety of subjects including the importance of volunteering and keeping active in the community, looking at a retirement plan, transport issues and solutions for getting around, and ways seniors can motivate themselves to exercise.

 

Approximately 15 per cent of Australia’s total population (3.7 million) are aged over 65. This number is projected to increase to around 7.5 million by the year 2050. Older Australians are a very diverse group, with one in three born overseas. Many of the presentations at the Forum will address the needs of older people from different cultural backgrounds.

 

Speakers include leading researchers, practitioners and policy makers from Australian universities, aged care providers, community associations and government.

 

Highlights of the program include:

Developing “Smart Technology” Supporting Aged Care 1.45pm

Presenter: Lukasz Krzyżowski, UWA School of Social Sciences

This session will look at new technologies that support older people in the community to decrease loneliness, a major issue responsible for a decline in mental and physical health of seniors.

 

Getting Around: Transport Issues and Solutions for Seniors 3.30pm

Presenter: Simone Pettigrew, Curtin University School of Psychology

Simone Pettigrew is an expert in health promotion. Hear her presentation on how to help motivate seniors to become more mobile and address challenges to getting around.

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Let’s get Eccentric - How to Motivate Elderly Individuals to Exercise Regularly 4pm

Presenter: Ken Nosaka, Edith Cowan University School of Exercise and Health Sciences

Ken Nosaka will discuss the importance of physical activity for the elderly in a light-hearted fun session designed to motivate and engage seniors and their carers.

 

Tickets for the full day conference are $50 per person and free to seniors and their families attending sessions in the afternoon. Click here for more information and to book the full day conference. Seniors and their families can register by emailing peter.elford@uwa.edu.au or phone Peter Elford on 6488 5536.