News release: Free Annual Aging Well Conference takes place Saturday, Oct. 20

October 15, 2018

Older adults, family members and the people who support them are invited to a free resource and education fair on aging on Saturday, Oct. 20. The Multnomah County Aging Well Conference will feature workshops and resources for older adults and others. Parking, childcare for kids 3 to 11 and lunch are free for those who register. 

“This event has something for everyone,which is really something when you consider that our target audience ranges in age from 50-90+,” said Rebecca Miller from the County’s Aging, Disability, and Veterans Services Division (ADVSD). “We are fortunate to have a deep network of aging services available, but many people just don’t know about them. Getting these resources together under one roof makes it easier for people to find answers and make the connections that they need and want”. 

People are living longer and healthier lives, but Miller and other older adult experts at Multnomah County say our public systems and policies need to adjust to make the most of this new reality.

“Aging is a dynamic process that leads to new abilities and increased knowledge,” said Miller. “Our goal with this conference is to help people build on their unique strengths and to connect them to a bounty of resources and useful tips they can use to navigate their daily lives.”

The annual event features community-based organizations and local providers in the aging and wellness fields. This year’s event will provide a track of programming entirely in Spanish. With more than 20 interactive workshops and 30 vendors overall, visitors will learn about a range of topics, including:

  • Emotional wellness

  • Building and finding community

  • Exercise for older adults

  • Advocacy and volunteering

  • Caring for family members

The theme for 2018 is “Diversity & Resilience: Building a Community for All Ages.” To that end, the conference includes a number of workshops related to older adulthood in the Latino community, as well as strengthening relationships among different generations.

This year’s event includes a keynote presentation from Fernando M. Torres-Gil, PhD. Torres-Gil sits on the National Council on Disability, directs the UCLA Center for Policy Research on Aging, and serves on the AARP Board of Directors.

Individuals can learn more about registration, sessions and speakers on the conference website: /agingwellconference. All registrants have access to free lunch, parking and childcare for children ages 3-11.

Contact: Ryan Yambra, ryan.yambra@multco.us, 971-337-5705