Conference discusses the age of empowerment

 Longevity — living a long life — is on the rise. Yet only one in 4,400 people lives to be 100 or more. There is much to be learned from examining the lifestyles and lives of individuals in their 90s and 100s.

National and local experts will talk about the positive potentials of later life and holistic approaches to healthy aging, during the eighth annual Art and Science of Aging Multidisciplinary Conference, sponsored by Grand Valley State University. The theme for the conference is “The Age of Empowerment.”

Workshop sessions will cover a wide range of topics including healthy eating, exercise, laughter, advance directives, dementia care and more. A panel discussion featuring four people, age 95 and up, will focus on longevity and lessons learned on the way to age 100.

Art & Science of Aging Conference
Friday, February 8
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center
GVSU Pew Grand Rapids Campus

The keynote speaker, Thomas H. Perls, will give the opening presentation at 9 a.m. His speech is titled, “Living to 100: The Older You Get, The Healthier You’ve Been.” Perls is a medical doctor and director of the New England Centenarian Study at Boston University and was recently recognized by AARP as one of nine baby boomers influential in changing how aging is viewed.

As part of the conference, Grand Valley students will present their research on aging, in a poster format, which will allow attendees to engage the students in discussions of their research.

The conference is underwritten in part by support from the Grand Valley State University Provost’s Office and a grant from Michigan State University’s federally funded Geriatric Education Center of Michigan. Cost of the conference is $25 for general public; $20 for students and persons over 60. Conference details and registration information can be found at www.gvsu.edu/gerontology.

For more information or interviews, contact Priscilla Kimboko, professor of gerontology and conference coordinator, at (616) 331-6641.